Title: Christmas Mayhem
Author: MassCoffee
Feedback: My first. I need criticism.
Summary: My take on the future FINAL episode of the GG. Many things have changed, so be afraid, be very afraid. Get some popcorn and coffee and don't forget to widen your horizon.
Rating: PG-13.
Pairing: L/L and R/J
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Gilmore Girls".
Author's Note: ENJOY! I DID!
It was damn cold outside in her backyard. But Lorelai didn't care. Nothing helped her forget her worries more speedily than when she was surrounded by snow.
She could hear Lane practicing on her violin inside the house. That girl kept playing the same melancholy song over and over. It made Lorelai feel so sad. Why couldn't Lane play a crappy Christmas tune instead?
"Mom, what are you doing? We have to head for Taylor's party soon." Rory asked as she joined her mother.
"Do you ever get that feeling that the world is going to end?" Lorelai remarked despairingly. Rory rolled her eyes.
"Come on Mom. Lane's song isn't that bad, nor are Christmas Eve parties. Look I'll go tell Lane to play Frosty the Snowman, would you like that?"
"No. That song is sad too." Lorelai sunk down to the ground and sat in the snow.
"Mom. I have lightly threatened you numerous times about sending you away to an insane asylum. But I am afraid that the men in white suits will become very very real if you do not tell me what is wrong."
"I'm just waiting for it to snow? Why won't it snow when I want it too?" She pouted.
"Okay. I'm locking you up and I'm throwing away the key."
"Oh but I want to be locked up! I am a complete head case. I'm in love with him and I didn't see it coming. I am such an idiot. Stupid, stupid Lorelai!"
"Are we talking about Luke? Cause if we are, its about time! I mean, my God, you had to wait for him to get you a house before you realized?"
"How come you're so sure its Luke Miss Smarty Pants?" Cold water was beginning to seep into Lorelai's jeans.
Rory pointed up above her. Lorelai was sitting directly under the Chuppah. She winced at how transparent she was and buried her face in her hands.
"I am going to lose him. I couldn't even let him hug me today. He'll figure it out eventually. Then he'll look at me and see a lovelorn freak! We'll never be friends again."
"Mom." Rory crouched down beside her. "What about all that advice that you've been giving me of late?"
"Always lean forward when you pee after giving birth?" Lorelai peeked between her hands.
"Yes you are a infinite source of wisdom. But that was not what I was referring to."
"Well it wasn't me then." Lorelai looked away.
"I told Art. He's not taking me very seriously. In fact, he's still coming to the Christmas Party tonight. You know, just in case I change my mind. Nevertheless, he will be leaving for the airport straight after."
"I'm happy for you."
Rory smiled back.
"Uh, I don't mean to be an insensitive mother, but what's this got to do with my advice?"
"You knew I didn't love him. You knew how it was with Jess and me. You knew all along. It was you who helped me to realize."
"Well it was pretty obvious hon." Lorelai and Rory finally got up off the ground. "It was beyond me why you broke up with him in the first place."
"Mom!" Rory placed her hands on Lorelai's shoulders. "I am scared witless that I have ruined things with Jess. I will not let that happen to you! So, I am now giving you your own advice."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying, you're going to tell Luke how you feel before you ruin everything like I did!"
"It'll ruin everything if I do tell him. He doesn't like me that way!"
"Believe me when I say he's smitten. He is so smitten that he has broken up with every woman he has ever dated. He hates every guy you've ever been with. He nearly ripped Ryan's head off, remember?"
"What if he isn't? What if it just makes him angry? I'll never see him again."
"You have to try! That's what you told me."
"I said that? I really do need help."
"Come on, I'll help you with the war paint."
When they reached the hall, the party was already in full swing. People were lining up for plates of food whilst others were dancing, drinking and chattering loudly over the cheesy Christmas music.
"I see that I have not arrived too soon. I think I'll go have a nice little chat with the DJ." Lane hurried off with the violin still in her hand.
"Why did she bring that thing?" Lorelai asked as she and Rory removed their coats.
"She was hoping to get in some practice time. She said she's recording that tune straight after Christmas." Rory replied.
"Hey kittens." Sookie came up to them with a huge grin on her face.
"Sookie! You're positively reeking of Christmas joy this evening."
"Why thank you! Actually I feel like a freshly baked cherry tartlet! Ooooh! You have to come try the soup I made. I'm thinking of serving it at the Inn." She led Lorelai and Rory towards the food table. Ignoring the line, Sookie pushed ahead and poured out two mugs of soup.
"Excuse me. There is a line going here." A man near the front informed Sookie.
"Yes but I get special privileges. I'm the cook." She gave the man an irritatingly smarmy smile as she handed the mugs to Lorelai and Rory.
"I bet they aren't cooks." He pointed at the two guilty girls.
"Yes they are! They're my assistants." Sookie lied.
"Well then why aren't they serving us?" The man replied arrogantly. Sookie shrugged and looked to Lorelai for help.
"Fine I'll serve, but I'm spitting in everyone's food." Lorelai promptly announced to the people in the line. Several of them groaned.
"You're not real cooks!" The man snarled.
"You, my friend, obviously don't know any. We cooks have really bad tempers so you had better watch your insults." Lorelai threatened.
"I'd take that threat seriously if I were you. I've taught them well." Sookie gave them all the evil eye.
"Mom! Sookie! Put the ladle down and leave them alone. Let's go annoy Taylor! Come on, it's Christmas!" Rory pulled them away. She was getting embarrassed.
"Ugh! Now my soup is cold. Now that man really has to pay." Lorelai said when they were out of earshot.
"I told Taylor to serve it in polystyrene cups, not those stupid colored plastic things."
"And I told you Sookie, that they were a waste of money and resources." Taylor said as he appeared beside Lorelai.
"All right! Taylor's party goes off with a bang! It's a 'polystyrene versus plastic' debate! This is just so exciting. Rory, you can be the judge and I'll be the timekeeper. Rory?" Lorelai glanced over at her distracted daughter.
She noticed that Rory was staring at the entrance. Amongst many new arrivals, Lorelai could see Art.
"Rory, what's up?" She asked. Rory ran and hid behind Sookie.
"Hide me. I'm begging you!" She clutched at Sookie's sleeve.
"Ok. Um here jump into this cheap plastic cup." Sookie held out the empty green mug.
"Those were anything but cheap Sookie. I just said they were cheaper." Taylor frowned. Rory groaned.
"Honey, it's just a couple of hours and then he's gone." Lorelai said quietly. Taylor glanced interestedly past Lorelai.
"I don't think that's who she's hiding from."
"Huh?" Before she could turn, Lorelai felt two large hands cover her eyes.
"Guess who." A masculine voice whispered mockingly into her left ear. A wave of happiness overpowered Lorelai. For a moment she forgot that she was supposed to be keeping an eye out for Luke.
"Santa! I just knew you were real. I should have never believed the horrible lies my parents told me!" She called out.
Jess let go and Lorelai spun around to give him a welcome embrace.
"I am so mad with you I could hit you!" Lorelai said when they broke apart.
"And it shows." Jess said sarcastically. Lorelai looked around for Rory, but she had disappeared.
"She took off when I covered your eyes." Jess said with a sad smile.
"Oh Jess it's not you she's afraid of! I promise. You just have really really bad timing." Lorelai hoped that Rory had found Arthur a good hiding place.
"I prefer to differ on that account." Taylor sniffed. Lorelai exchanged looks with Sookie.
"You know what Taylor, why don't we go serve the rest of the food after all? It'll make the line move faster so that more people will still have hot soup." Sookie suggested.
"Yes, I think that's a very good idea. Don't think that you've escaped me young man. I want to talk to you later."
"About what Taylor?" Jess asked in a tired voice.
"Why, about Luke's sign of course. Putting it back up will merely confuse the tourists again."
"Yes Sir." Jess looked bored. Taylor did not look satisfied with this comment, but followed Sookie nevertheless.
"So, you decided to brave Luke's wrath and came back!" Said Lorelai. "And believe when I say he will kill you."
"No he won't. I just came here to do one thing, then I'll be gone again." Jess scanned the room. In the corner of his eye, he saw Rory push a confused Art out the side door.
"Jess no!" Lorelai tried to hold him back. "Not yet."
"I came here with one purpose Lorelai. To put my initials on that creep's face."
"But you don't understand. Art is-"
Jess turned back around. There was the pain again. Lorelai flinched and let him go.
"I know they're getting married. I know she hates me but that son of a-"
"Jess! Would you stop and listen to me!" Lorelai yelled.
"Just let me go. You have to trust me." Jess roughly pulled away and forced his way towards the side door.
"Nobody likes a jealous ex!" Lorelai called out helplessly. She took a hefty swig of the cold soup in her hand. This was going to be a disaster.
When Jess stepped outside, he found Rory arguing with Arthur out on the lawn. For a moment he paused, confused. He began to wish he had stopped to listen to Lorelai.
But Lorelai didn't know what he knew.
Jess hurried forward with a clear purpose. Rory's back was turned to the door, so she didn't see him stride across the lawn towards them.
Arthur saw him and panicked. The dark man closing in on him had a murderous gleam in his eyes.
Rory turned when it was too late. Jess swung hard and cuffed Arthur neatly on the corner of his chin. Rory covered her face as Arthur fell crashing into the tree behind him.
"Oh-God!" Jess bit into his lip as he cradled his sore hand. Rory knelt down to make sure that Arthur was conscious.
"He'll be all right. I didn't hear the signature crack." Jess said icily.
"Who do you think you are, Rambo?" Rory cried in a high-pitched voice as she helped Arthur to his feet.
"This has nothing to do with you Rory." Jess said, his face going a little red.
"The hell it doesn't Jess!"
"Jess huh? So this is the guy you're leaving me for?" Arthur let go of Rory and stood unsteadily on his own.
Rory stiffened. This was not how she had planned to tell Jess.
"You're leaving him?" Jess repeated, not believing his own ears. Rory gave Arthur a frigid look before staring down at the ground. She folded her arms tightly across her chest.
"Rory? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked gently.
Rory shrugged.
"Wow he's some guy Rory! A jealous creep who beats people up." Arthur commented nastily.
"Shut up before I tell her your dirty little secret!" Jess fired back. A look of confusion crossed Arthur's face.
"Secret? I don't like secrets." Rory looked back and forth between the two men. Both seemed reluctant to speak up.
"It's nothing Rory. Just forget about it ok?" Jess said hastily. There was no point in telling her anything now that Arthur was out of the picture.
"Tell me what this is about or I'll never speak to either of you again!" She said shakily.
"He's lying. Don't let him bother you Rory." Arthur beseeched.
"One more line like that and I'll make your life a living hell." Jess growled. Arthur glared at him.
"In case you two have forgotten, my journalist instincts have been well cultivated over the past couple of years. So talk or I'm going back to the party alone!"
No one spoke.
"Fine." She started back towards the hall but Jess stopped her by grabbing her arm. As she stumbled back, Rory resisted the urge to fall against his body.
"Rory, I don't want to hurt you." He said softly, completely disarmed by that look of longing on her face.
"So are you going to tell me? Or are you just going to keep it a secret? Like Luke's sign?" She challenged, and ripped her arm from his grasp.
"Oh this is just peachy. How come you get to be mad at me?" Jess fumed. This girl was driving him nuts.
"Because you left." She said simply.
"You wanted me to leave!"
"I was just angry. I was stupid, OK?"
"Well so nice of you to let me know. I left thinking that you would be happy about it!"
"Well you were wrong, weren't you?"
"What was I supposed to think?" He asked her in frustration. "Don't forget you were the one that got engaged to some two-timing jerk!"
"Two-timing?" Rory's mouth fell open.
Oops.
Jess felt like ramming himself into a door.
At least he derived satisfaction from watching Arthur's face going a deep purple.
"Two timing, huh?" She said.
"Rory, I can explain." Art stepped forward. Rory held out her hand to stop him.
"No! I want Jess to explain."
"Huh?" Both men said at the same time.
"How did you know he had cheated on me? You didn't by any chance have something to do with it did you?" Rory accused.
"Pardon?" Jess blinked. This was hardly what he had expected her to say.
"You heard me. Was this all part of your twisted plan to get me back?"
Jess counted to ten before he replied. Controlling his rage was suddenly becoming rather difficult.
"I have many flaws Rory. I'm the first to admit it. But do you really think I was capable of organizing for someone to sleep with him?"
"Rory, this isn't making sense. Just let me explain, ok?" Arthur intercepted.
"Arthur leave! I told you we were over, so I fail to understand why you are still here!"
Arthur frowned.
"Go on. You'll miss your plane." Rory didn't care how rude she sounded. She was blinded by hurt and love.
Art wanted her back badly, but he knew when to back off.
"Goodbye Rory. Please believe me when I say that she meant nothing to me. I'll always be there for you if you need someone to talk to." Arthur said. When Rory didn't reply, he heaved a loud sigh and made his way dejectedly back to the hall.
There was an awkward silence.
"Rory?" Jess spoke up. Rory looked up and glared at him.
"I only called Caitlin to find out if Security had let him go yet. That was all I was going to do. But then she told me about the little fling she had had with him. Believe me, it was a big a shock to me as it was to you."
She said nothing.
"I promise you, I had nothing to do with it." He said.
"You expect me to believe that? When you're the one that got him arrested in the first place?" She said.
Jess couldn't think of anything to say that would make her believe him. Any hope he had of patching things up with her was fast slipping away.
"Rory, just take my word for it. Is that so hard?" He pleaded.
"Why did you come back?" She asked, a little more quietly.
"I wasn't about to let him get away with it." He replied. "I was just going to kill him, not literally of course, and then I was leaving straight away. An in and out job. I promise I wasn't going to bother you at all."
Rory wanted to laugh at this. Instead, she gathered up her courage and looked directly into his eyes.
"I-I believe you." She finally said. Tears began to trail down her cheeks.
At that moment, Jess was so happy that he would have willingly skipped and held hands with Luke. Instead, he accepted Rory's hand and they slowly walked back together towards the hall.
"Once Luke knows you're here, you're gonna be in big trouble." She rubbed her nose in order to hide the smile that was aching to surface.
"So I've been told." Jess smiled encouragingly.
"You should have seen his face when he saw his Dad's sign. He nearly cried."
"I hate it when people cry." Jess teased, brushing the back of his hand against her face.
"I'm not crying. I'm having a nervous breakdown." Rory defended, wiping at her eyes.
"You should have them more often. You have no idea how swollen your lips go."
"They do not!" Rory raised a hand to them doubtfully. Jess reached out and pulled her fingers away. He then stepped up to her so that his mouth was only an inch away from hers.
"Yes, they do, and they're staying that way if I can help it." He said firmly.
"I love you. You know that, don't you?" She said suddenly.
Jess didn't budge, though he felt something lurch in his chest.
"Jess?" She asked, confused.
"Um, I just figured that if I stay perfectly still-. It's just - you're not going to leave me again are you?"
"Jess. I'm not going anywhere!" She said.
"I'm sorry could you repeat that?"
Rory jerked his head downwards with her arms.
"I am not going to run!" She said.
"Could-could you just say it one more time? I'm getting a little deaf in the left ear." He asked. Rory pulled his mouth to hers and moistened his closed lips with her tongue. A deep chuckle escaped his throat as the kiss deepened.
When they pulled apart, Jess's hands had encircled her waist. Rory leaned against him and enjoyed the familiar sensation of having his cheek brushing against her skin. It was a little less clean-shaven than it used to be all those years ago, but she didn't mind.
As they held each other, Rory cast a glance up at the hall. She could see a face staring at them through one of the windows.
Lorelai twisted back around in her chair to find Sookie staring at her suspiciously.
"Oh hi Sookie. I was just um, looking outside, at the um, snow."
"And you were also just um, having a little peep at um, Rory?" Sookie copied Lorelai's stuttering.
"No need to be smart."
"We have enough peeping Toms in this town without you being added to the list." Sookie scolded.
"Nothing you can say will make me sad! Rory got him back! I'm so happy!" Lorelai bounced up and down in her chair in excitement.
"What!" Sookie pushed Lorelai aside and peered out the window. "Wow! Who is that? The fiancé or Jess?"
"Jess of course! What sort of mental patient would want prosy boy as a son in law?"
"Wow!" Sookie giggled and waved. "They're really going at it now. You don't think they'll go all the way out there do you?"
"Sookie! Leave them alone!" Lorelai pulled her friend away from the window. "You can watch an adult movie when you get home."
"We need to get a photo of them!" Sookie announced, looking around for the Santa photographer that Taylor had arranged.
"Sookie I will not have you embarrass my daughter on Christmas Eve!"
"Ooooh but-"
"Peeping Tom! Peeping Tom!"
"Oh okay, but you're such a spoil sport! I know! I'll go find your parents and get them to come say hi to you. That'll be just as fun!"
"You're mean. But I don't believe you. Why would my parents be here?"
"I don't know. All I know is that I served them a bowl of soup along with everyone else."
"Wow. Did my Mom like the soup?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her since. Ooooh! Wait right here. I'll be right back."
Sookie presently returned holding an open folder with a Christmas card sitting on top of it.
"Could you sign this hon? It's a 'thank-you' card for Taylor."
Lorelai signed and sat back into the chair.
"I know, how about I go find us some dance partners!" She said brightly as she closed up the folder.
"Fine!" Lorelai folded her arms. "I'm staying right here to protect Rory from being spied on."
Sookie bustled off. Lorelai quietly smiled to herself and quickly took another peek through the window.
"What are you looking at?" Luke's voice startled her from behind. Lorelai jumped and pulled the curtain back across the window. She twisted around and faced him with an incredibly guilty smile.
"Oh um. Nothing." She crossed her legs and clasped her hands together in her lap.
"Uh huh." He reached over her and tried to open the curtain.
"Nooooo!" Lorelai reached up and wrested his arm away.
"You are scary. You know that?" He said when he had given up.
"So are you!"
"Yeah, you made me aware of that yesterday." He stared down at the drink in his hand.
"Oh, that. Luke I was just out of it. I'm back to normal now. So you're no longer scary."
"Oh. Good. I think."
"Luke! I didn't see you come in!" Sookie came up to them with Ryan and Taylor in tow.
"You looked a little busy serving soup."
"Why didn't you get any?"
"Soup goes cold in plastic cups."
Lorelai and Sookie smirked. Taylor gave them a glare, so Lorelai decided to quickly change the subject.
"Hey Ryan, how's Karen." She asked.
"Why don't you ask her? She's over there dancing with Kirk."
"Oh well, he's a good partner to set her up with. I mean, at least you know she won't make a play for him or anything."
Luke was beginning to think that he might just enjoy the party after all.
"Yeah. You're a huge comfort Lorelai. Thanks." Ryan said sarcastically. "Sookie, I've changed my mind. I'm dancing with you instead."
"Oh. Okay! See you two on the floor!" Sookie giggled as she was led away.
"So I guess I'm dancing with you Taylor?" Lorelai smiled at the older man.
Luke choked on his drink.
"Do not look at me like that Luke. At least I can dance, which is more than what you can say for yourself." Said Taylor.
"I won't argue Taylor. You're a better dancer than me." Luke was trying very hard not to smile.
"Even Jess is better than you. Speaking of which, where is he? I was planning to have a little discussion regarding that sign!"
Lorelai panicked. She didn't want Luke knowing that Jess was back. She began to give Taylor subtle warning signals.
"What about the sign Taylor?" Luke asked in a forbidding tone. He knew exactly what Taylor had to say about it, but he wasn't about to make it easy. That sign was going back up whether people liked it or not.
"I've forgotten what I was going to say. Lorelai keeps slitting her throat with her finger." Taylor glanced distractedly from one to the other.
Lorelai groaned.
"Where is Jess, Lorelai?" Taylor continued. "He was only here a little while ago."
"Oh for the love of Pete!" Lorelai buried her face in her hands. Luke took one look at Lorelai and swung around to the window.
"There's no one out there Lorelai. You can stop pulling your hair out." Luke finally said.
"Huh?" She looked out of the window. "Oh yeah, yeah I knew that."
"So Jess is back is he? Has he talked to Rory yet?" Luke asked.
Lorelai nodded, staring down at her lap.
"Is everything ok then?" He reached out and took her hand.
Lorelai looked up at Luke's face and realized that he was genuinely concerned.
Of course he was being genuine. He loved those kids just as much as she did.
"Yeah. Everything's good." She said timidly.
"Are you sure you're ok? You've been acting weirder than usual these past couple of days." Luke asked, still holding her.
Maybe this was the time to tell him.
"I don't mean to be rude Lorelai, but are we going to dance or not?" Taylor intervened.
Lorelai quickly broke away from Luke's stare and stood up. Luke frowned. Lorelai had managed to become a complete mystery to him overnight.
"Of course Taylor! We'll show Luke how real people dance!" She took Taylor's outstretched hand.
"I don't mean to boast, but I think we'll - how do you say it?" Taylor asked.
"Kick some dance-floor ass?" Lorelai supplied.
"Yes." Taylor said as they walked to the center of the floor.
When Taylor starting pulling some of his new moves, Luke's frown quickly disappeared. It was evident that Miss Patti had had an interesting pupil to work with for the past month.
The people of Stars Hollow stood back and cheered the odd couple on.
In between arm swings, Lorelai managed to wave at Luke.
He smiled back.
A little later that evening, Jess and Rory appeared back at the hall. Lorelai and Sookie giggled at how giddy the couple looked.
Seeing them, Jess flashed a grin in their direction. Lorelai gave him a knowing wink in return.
"Jess. I'm only going to ask this once, so I want a straight answer." Rory said while staring at her mother.
"Uh. Ok. What?" He looked down at Rory.
"Did you ever in the course of history, have a crush on my Mom? The truth now!"
"Funny you should mention that."
"Why?"
"It has something to do with Luke's missing sign."
"Explain now!"
"Hey, let's not! How about we go bug the DJ for a song."
Before Rory could press him further, the music was turned down and Taylor stood up on a chair.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and the future generation of Stars Hollow! I hope you're all enjoying yourselves!"
Everyone clapped, whistled and cheered. Taylor had suddenly become very popular after his little dance debut.
"Santa will be arriving in a few minutes with presents for all the GOOD citizens of our little town-"
"Boooooo!" Lorelai called out. Taylor glared at her.
"-And bad citizens alike!" He gave both Luke and Lorelai a pointed look.
"Har har har. Just remember Taylor. Santa wouldn't be coming at all if it wasn't for me!" Luke folded his arms.
"Do you know Santa?" A little boy near Luke asked him with wide eyes.
"Yeah, so you'd better stop stealing straws from my diner!" He scowled. The boy gasped and ran away in fright.
"Listen boys and girls. I think that's him now!" Taylor announced in a horribly unimaginative voice.
"Ho ho ho!" Santa said pathetically as he came in by the side door. The kids cheered and crowded around him.
"Who is that? Whoever he is, it is a big improvement on Kirk's performance last year." Sookie whispered in Luke's ear.
"They made innocent children sit on Kirk's knee?"
"I know. It was a choice made in desperation, I assure you. So who is it this year?" Said Sookie.
"It's Jeromy. My father's friend. He's helping me out with the renovations on that excuse for a house that you and Lorelai own."
"Oh yeah, I remember him! We should make him a permanent member of Stars Hollow. That way he can do Santa every year."
"I'm sure he'd be only too flattered Sookie." Luke rolled his eyes.
"Here Luke could you sign this? It's a card for Taylor." Sookie held out the same folder from before.
"How come he gets a card?"
"He didn't give himself a present. So we, um, decided to give him a card."
"Sookie this is pretty thin for a card."
"Hence the folder underneath for your convenience."
Luke shrugged and presently signed it with the pen Sookie provided. Even he was impressed with the effort Taylor had put into the party.
With the help and hints received from the populace of Stars Hollow, the presents had turned out to be quite ingenious. Sookie got a new apron because she had destroyed her old one. Kirk acquired a new camera that fitted into his pocket so that his mother wouldn't see it. Ryan got an alarm clock so that he would stop getting to work late (An idea that had come from Lorelai) and Michel got a rather large calorie counter book.
"And now, we have a special treat for the people of Stars Hollow. If you would all kindly follow me outside. I promise you will not need your coats." Taylor leapt down from the chair and made his way out of the front door.
"And it still isn't snowing!" Lorelai grumbled as Taylor led them down the road. Everyone huddled closer together in order to keep warm.
When they reached their destination, they barely recognized it.
It was the park. The snow had been cleared away to make room for enough seats for everyone. Taylor had fifteen outdoor alcohol-fueled heaters going. White, red and gold ribbons with flowers and holly were strung from chair to chair. At the front was the gazebo, adorned with so many lanterns and candles that it stood alone like a centerpiece in a table.
Kirk pulled out his camera and took a photo.
"Would everyone kindly take a seat!" Taylor said as he made his way down towards the gazebo. In the comfort of the heat, people began to relax and talk again. It was a long time before everyone had finally settled down.
"Wow! Taylor has surpassed himself this evening." Lorelai said truthfully as she and Sookie sat down. She could see Rory sitting with Jess a few rows down.
As if sensing Lorelai's stare, Rory turned around and smiled. It was the happiest smile that Lorelai had ever seen.
"Awwww. I don't care what you say. We have to get a photo of those two lovebugs!" Sookie said as Rory turned back around and buried her head in Jess's shoulder. Jess reached out and put his arm around her.
"I have a feeling that there'll be plenty of time for that." Lorelai said emotionally. Sookie gave her strangely silent friend a hug and then turned her attention to the front. Taylor was trying to get the microphone to work on the makeshift podium.
"What is he doing to that piece of equipment?" Sookie's brows were arched.
"I don't think he even knows." Lorelai replied.
"Testing, er, testing. Luke er, could you give me hand with this microphone?" Taylor awkwardly asked. The microphone kept doing strange things to his voice.
"You just turn it on Taylor!" Luke called out without budging from his seat.
Taylor played with the switch until an awful ear damaging sound began to escape from the speaker. Lorelai, Sookie and several others cringed and covered their ears.
"Well it's not working!" Taylor barked out.
"Oh for God's sake!" Luke jumped up off his seat, hurried down to the gazebo and fiddled with the tuner. He gave Taylor the thumbs up after he gave the microphone a tap.
"Thank you. Luke Danes ladies and gentlemen!"
Everyone clapped and cheered.
"You're an idiot Taylor." Luke said, jumping off the edge of the gazebo and standing aside.
"Now this surprise is for everyone, but in particular for one of our most cherished citizens. Amazingly, she also happens to be one of the worst citizens in town. Still, I must admit that without her, there would be no mayhem or chaos to control."
"No point to your life." Luke interrupted rudely.
"No reason for your existence." Patti called out.
"Well, I personally wouldn't go that far." Taylor said proudly.
"I would." Luke grumbled.
"Lorelai Gilmore, would you kindly step forward to claim your present."
"There's two of us. Which one?" Lorelai called out without getting up.
"There is only one Lorelai Gilmore who could be in the running for Stars Hollow's worst citizen."
"Hey don't insult Rory! Sure she has her faults but she's getting exorcised next week. I swear!" Said Lorelai.
"Just get down here and claim your present Lorelai. A great many of us went to a lot of trouble for you." Said Taylor.
"Ok now I'm suspicious."
"Lorelai, stop embarrassing yourself and go get your present." Emily hissed loudly from a few rows behind. Richard looked strangely uncomfortable.
"Well ok. But if I get rotten fruit thrown at me, I'm leaving town! Then you'll have to find someone else to pick on." Lorelai uneasily made her way down the front and climbed up the stairs to where Taylor was standing. He handed her a small rectangular box.
"Would you mind opening it up here Lorelai?"
She shrugged and pulled the lid off. Inside was a rolled up piece of paper tied up in a ribbon.
"Taylor! You wrote me a poem! You shouldn't have" Lorelai teased as she slid the ribbon off and unrolled it.
Reading it, Lorelai realized it was definitely not a poem.
"Taylor this isn't funny." She said through clenched teeth.
"It's not a joke."
"You forged my signature on a marriage license."
"That is no forgery Lorelai. Sookie got those from you and Luke this very evening, under the pretense that it was my Christmas card."
Lorelai began to feel a little dizzy.
"You did WHAT?" Luke hurried at an alarming pace towards them. He roughly snatched the paper from Lorelai's shaking hand and read through it.
"But it was a card! I saw it!" Said Lorelai. She went over to the microphone. "Sookie? Tell me I'm not insane. Tell me I just signed a Christmas card?"
Sookie guiltily bent her head and played with her fingers. Everyone waited for an answer.
"Sookie?" Lorelai pleaded. The microphone amplified her shaky voice.
"Oh hon you did sign a card! Of course you're not crazy!"
Lorelai heaved a sigh of relief.
"It just had some carbon paper underneath it." Sookie added.
Jess cracked up laughing.
Luke smothered his face with his hand. He tried to tell himself that this was not happening.
"Carbon paper. Har har. I guess the joke's on us, traitors!" Lorelai stared down at the paper in Luke's hand. There it was in writing. Proof that she loved him and she still didn't have the guts to tell him.
"And whose marvelous idea was this?" Luke demanded, casting a threatening glare around him.
No one spoke up, looked up or coughed.
Taylor was about to talk into the microphone again when Lorelai suddenly wrestled it from him and turned it off.
"I think you've done about enough tonight buster!" She said. Luke stepped forward to give the townspeople a well-deserved rant.
"When are you people going to get it into your thick heads?" He began. "Lorelai and I are friends! Nothing more! Now why don't you leave her-us alone? I just - you people are INSANE!"
"For goodness sake Lorelai, say something!" Emily called out.
"Uh, smile, you're on candid camera?" Lorelai suggested.
"You know what? I don't about the rest of you out there but I'm fed up!" Said Taylor.
"You're fed up!" Luke shot at him.
"Luke, just tell her." Babette pleaded. "Help me Morey."
Red faced, Morey slunk low into his chair.
"Come on honey. We went to a lot of trouble for you. Just say the magic words." Sookie cried out encouragingly while waving an imaginary fairy wand.
Luke wanted to believe what they were saying was true, but one look at Lorelai's petrified face was enough to snap him out of it.
"Look, there's no denying that this town went to a lot of trouble for us tonight. But we just don't see each other that way? Right Lorelai?"
"Er, right." She wondered if God was going to smite her for all this lying.
"There, subject closed."
Rory groaned.
"Fine" Taylor said, leaning against the podium. "If this town has been wrong about you two all this time, then just tear up the license and we'll all go back to the hall and forget it ever happened."
"Yeah? What's the catch Taylor?" Luke asked.
"No catch. Just tear it up."
"Fine, Lorelai, here." Luke thrust the certificate into Lorelai's hands. There was no way he was going to destroy it.
"Huh? Oh, right. Destroy it." Lorelai said. She stared down at the certificate and then looked into Luke's eyes. His face was annoyingly difficult to read.
"Cause we're friends right?" She stalled. Luke made no movement to indicate otherwise. She turned and desperately sought out Rory's face.
Her darling supportive daughter had her face covered with her hands. How comforting. She glanced at Jess.
"Tell him." He mouthed. Lorelai turned back to face Luke and Taylor.
She was just so scared.
Lorelai looked down at the paper and began to tear it in half.
Even those who didn't know Luke could see how badly it hurt him. His fists were clenched tightly in his pockets and his head was turned away from her as if she were about to shoot him in the back.
He couldn't believe she was tearing it up. He should have known - didn't she know how much he loved her?
He would never forgive her for this. Never.
"Luke?" Lorelai said brokenly when the unendurable tearing sound had ended.
"What?" He said bitterly without looking at her.
"I'm so sorry."
Luke was silent.
"But I can't do it."
Confused, Luke turned around to look at her. Lorelai showed him the half torn certificate.
"Our signatures down the bottom just looked so happy together." She smiled in spite of the strong urge she had to cry.
Slowly, Luke took the crumpled paper from her hands.
"Yeah. They, uh, do look kind of happy don't they?" He finally said, looking up at her. The hate was fast disappearing.
"So, um, how do you feel about getting married?"
"Wow. This is-this is kind of fast, isn't it?" Luke tugged at his cap.
"Yeah." Lorelai said nervously.
"Too fast?" He searched her blue eyes.
Lorelai furiously shook her head.
Conscious of the hundreds of eyes that were peering at them, Luke was only brave enough to reach out and take her hand.
"I love you." She whispered.
It was so quiet that he almost missed it.
Lorelai felt his hand quiver.
"You do?" He asked.
"Is that ok with you?"
"Yeah. Sure. That's ok. Just um, hang on a sec."
Dejected by his reaction, Lorelai stared down at the floor. Luke walked over to Taylor and exchanged a few quiet words before he rejoined her.
"Come on." Luke said gruffly and led a bewildered Lorelai down the stairs. Taylor turned the microphone back on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. We will be having a wedding after all. Walter you'd better get down here."
Sighs of relief were followed by a loud applause.
"You can look now." Jess whispered into Rory's ear.
As friends and family began to approach them, Lorelai touched Luke's arm. He turned around gave her a shy smile.
"So I guess this means you love me too right?" She said, regaining some of her confidence.
Luke took her chin in one hand and kissed her softly.
"Dibbs on Maid of Honor!" Sookie shrieked as she bounced over to them. Reluctantly, they released each other.
"I'm not talking to you right now." Lorelai frowned at Sookie.
"Don't be mad. You just needed a little nudge." Sookie grinned.
"Try pushing me off a cliff." She looked around for Luke but she couldn't see him. She did however see her parents.
Emily gave Lorelai a brief hug before stepping back.
"I don't suppose we could postpone the wedding Lorelai? Just so that we can make things a little nicer?" Emily asked as she fiddled with Lorelai's hair. Richard gave his daughter a little smile.
"Arrrgh! Don't say that! You know she'll never have the guts to go through with it again!" Sookie was tempted to hit Emily.
"Don't worry Mom, I can always get divorced and marry some rich guy." Lorelai cheerfully announced.
"Very funny." Emily replied.
"Ahem. Let's get on with it shall we?" Walter tapped at the sermon book in his hand.
Everyone quieted down and took their places.
"So uh, which side do I stand?" Luke asked the judge as he rejoined Lorelai.
"Groom on that side." Walter replied nonchalantly. Luke and Lorelai swapped sides.
"Get that cap off Luke. Oh for heavens sake!" Emily ripped the cap off Luke's head. "Does someone have something for him to wear besides that flannel ensemble?"
Luke was beginning to get nervous. Lorelai reached out and squeezed his hand.
"Here." Jess unexpectedly appeared from nowhere. He pulled his jacket off and handed it over to Luke.
"Er, thanks."
"Don't mention it."
"Wait! Don't get married without me!" Rory hurried over to her mother and gave her a kiss.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Said Lorelai.
Five minutes later, Luke found himself in the awkward position of having to kiss his wife for the first time.
Lorelai reached out for the flannel that was hiding under the jacket and pulled him closer so that his mouth could meet hers.
Passion ensued, causing Emily to roll her eyes. She would have to give her daughter a lecture on appropriate displays of affection later.
Not wanting to let go of him or that moment, Lorelai leaned into Luke and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Mom!" Rory's voice sounded excited.
"What sweetie?" Lorelai said pleasantly.
"It's snowing!"
"Hmmm that's nice."
Author: MassCoffee
Feedback: My first. I need criticism.
Summary: My take on the future FINAL episode of the GG. Many things have changed, so be afraid, be very afraid. Get some popcorn and coffee and don't forget to widen your horizon.
Rating: PG-13.
Pairing: L/L and R/J
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Gilmore Girls".
Author's Note: ENJOY! I DID!
It was damn cold outside in her backyard. But Lorelai didn't care. Nothing helped her forget her worries more speedily than when she was surrounded by snow.
She could hear Lane practicing on her violin inside the house. That girl kept playing the same melancholy song over and over. It made Lorelai feel so sad. Why couldn't Lane play a crappy Christmas tune instead?
"Mom, what are you doing? We have to head for Taylor's party soon." Rory asked as she joined her mother.
"Do you ever get that feeling that the world is going to end?" Lorelai remarked despairingly. Rory rolled her eyes.
"Come on Mom. Lane's song isn't that bad, nor are Christmas Eve parties. Look I'll go tell Lane to play Frosty the Snowman, would you like that?"
"No. That song is sad too." Lorelai sunk down to the ground and sat in the snow.
"Mom. I have lightly threatened you numerous times about sending you away to an insane asylum. But I am afraid that the men in white suits will become very very real if you do not tell me what is wrong."
"I'm just waiting for it to snow? Why won't it snow when I want it too?" She pouted.
"Okay. I'm locking you up and I'm throwing away the key."
"Oh but I want to be locked up! I am a complete head case. I'm in love with him and I didn't see it coming. I am such an idiot. Stupid, stupid Lorelai!"
"Are we talking about Luke? Cause if we are, its about time! I mean, my God, you had to wait for him to get you a house before you realized?"
"How come you're so sure its Luke Miss Smarty Pants?" Cold water was beginning to seep into Lorelai's jeans.
Rory pointed up above her. Lorelai was sitting directly under the Chuppah. She winced at how transparent she was and buried her face in her hands.
"I am going to lose him. I couldn't even let him hug me today. He'll figure it out eventually. Then he'll look at me and see a lovelorn freak! We'll never be friends again."
"Mom." Rory crouched down beside her. "What about all that advice that you've been giving me of late?"
"Always lean forward when you pee after giving birth?" Lorelai peeked between her hands.
"Yes you are a infinite source of wisdom. But that was not what I was referring to."
"Well it wasn't me then." Lorelai looked away.
"I told Art. He's not taking me very seriously. In fact, he's still coming to the Christmas Party tonight. You know, just in case I change my mind. Nevertheless, he will be leaving for the airport straight after."
"I'm happy for you."
Rory smiled back.
"Uh, I don't mean to be an insensitive mother, but what's this got to do with my advice?"
"You knew I didn't love him. You knew how it was with Jess and me. You knew all along. It was you who helped me to realize."
"Well it was pretty obvious hon." Lorelai and Rory finally got up off the ground. "It was beyond me why you broke up with him in the first place."
"Mom!" Rory placed her hands on Lorelai's shoulders. "I am scared witless that I have ruined things with Jess. I will not let that happen to you! So, I am now giving you your own advice."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying, you're going to tell Luke how you feel before you ruin everything like I did!"
"It'll ruin everything if I do tell him. He doesn't like me that way!"
"Believe me when I say he's smitten. He is so smitten that he has broken up with every woman he has ever dated. He hates every guy you've ever been with. He nearly ripped Ryan's head off, remember?"
"What if he isn't? What if it just makes him angry? I'll never see him again."
"You have to try! That's what you told me."
"I said that? I really do need help."
"Come on, I'll help you with the war paint."
When they reached the hall, the party was already in full swing. People were lining up for plates of food whilst others were dancing, drinking and chattering loudly over the cheesy Christmas music.
"I see that I have not arrived too soon. I think I'll go have a nice little chat with the DJ." Lane hurried off with the violin still in her hand.
"Why did she bring that thing?" Lorelai asked as she and Rory removed their coats.
"She was hoping to get in some practice time. She said she's recording that tune straight after Christmas." Rory replied.
"Hey kittens." Sookie came up to them with a huge grin on her face.
"Sookie! You're positively reeking of Christmas joy this evening."
"Why thank you! Actually I feel like a freshly baked cherry tartlet! Ooooh! You have to come try the soup I made. I'm thinking of serving it at the Inn." She led Lorelai and Rory towards the food table. Ignoring the line, Sookie pushed ahead and poured out two mugs of soup.
"Excuse me. There is a line going here." A man near the front informed Sookie.
"Yes but I get special privileges. I'm the cook." She gave the man an irritatingly smarmy smile as she handed the mugs to Lorelai and Rory.
"I bet they aren't cooks." He pointed at the two guilty girls.
"Yes they are! They're my assistants." Sookie lied.
"Well then why aren't they serving us?" The man replied arrogantly. Sookie shrugged and looked to Lorelai for help.
"Fine I'll serve, but I'm spitting in everyone's food." Lorelai promptly announced to the people in the line. Several of them groaned.
"You're not real cooks!" The man snarled.
"You, my friend, obviously don't know any. We cooks have really bad tempers so you had better watch your insults." Lorelai threatened.
"I'd take that threat seriously if I were you. I've taught them well." Sookie gave them all the evil eye.
"Mom! Sookie! Put the ladle down and leave them alone. Let's go annoy Taylor! Come on, it's Christmas!" Rory pulled them away. She was getting embarrassed.
"Ugh! Now my soup is cold. Now that man really has to pay." Lorelai said when they were out of earshot.
"I told Taylor to serve it in polystyrene cups, not those stupid colored plastic things."
"And I told you Sookie, that they were a waste of money and resources." Taylor said as he appeared beside Lorelai.
"All right! Taylor's party goes off with a bang! It's a 'polystyrene versus plastic' debate! This is just so exciting. Rory, you can be the judge and I'll be the timekeeper. Rory?" Lorelai glanced over at her distracted daughter.
She noticed that Rory was staring at the entrance. Amongst many new arrivals, Lorelai could see Art.
"Rory, what's up?" She asked. Rory ran and hid behind Sookie.
"Hide me. I'm begging you!" She clutched at Sookie's sleeve.
"Ok. Um here jump into this cheap plastic cup." Sookie held out the empty green mug.
"Those were anything but cheap Sookie. I just said they were cheaper." Taylor frowned. Rory groaned.
"Honey, it's just a couple of hours and then he's gone." Lorelai said quietly. Taylor glanced interestedly past Lorelai.
"I don't think that's who she's hiding from."
"Huh?" Before she could turn, Lorelai felt two large hands cover her eyes.
"Guess who." A masculine voice whispered mockingly into her left ear. A wave of happiness overpowered Lorelai. For a moment she forgot that she was supposed to be keeping an eye out for Luke.
"Santa! I just knew you were real. I should have never believed the horrible lies my parents told me!" She called out.
Jess let go and Lorelai spun around to give him a welcome embrace.
"I am so mad with you I could hit you!" Lorelai said when they broke apart.
"And it shows." Jess said sarcastically. Lorelai looked around for Rory, but she had disappeared.
"She took off when I covered your eyes." Jess said with a sad smile.
"Oh Jess it's not you she's afraid of! I promise. You just have really really bad timing." Lorelai hoped that Rory had found Arthur a good hiding place.
"I prefer to differ on that account." Taylor sniffed. Lorelai exchanged looks with Sookie.
"You know what Taylor, why don't we go serve the rest of the food after all? It'll make the line move faster so that more people will still have hot soup." Sookie suggested.
"Yes, I think that's a very good idea. Don't think that you've escaped me young man. I want to talk to you later."
"About what Taylor?" Jess asked in a tired voice.
"Why, about Luke's sign of course. Putting it back up will merely confuse the tourists again."
"Yes Sir." Jess looked bored. Taylor did not look satisfied with this comment, but followed Sookie nevertheless.
"So, you decided to brave Luke's wrath and came back!" Said Lorelai. "And believe when I say he will kill you."
"No he won't. I just came here to do one thing, then I'll be gone again." Jess scanned the room. In the corner of his eye, he saw Rory push a confused Art out the side door.
"Jess no!" Lorelai tried to hold him back. "Not yet."
"I came here with one purpose Lorelai. To put my initials on that creep's face."
"But you don't understand. Art is-"
Jess turned back around. There was the pain again. Lorelai flinched and let him go.
"I know they're getting married. I know she hates me but that son of a-"
"Jess! Would you stop and listen to me!" Lorelai yelled.
"Just let me go. You have to trust me." Jess roughly pulled away and forced his way towards the side door.
"Nobody likes a jealous ex!" Lorelai called out helplessly. She took a hefty swig of the cold soup in her hand. This was going to be a disaster.
When Jess stepped outside, he found Rory arguing with Arthur out on the lawn. For a moment he paused, confused. He began to wish he had stopped to listen to Lorelai.
But Lorelai didn't know what he knew.
Jess hurried forward with a clear purpose. Rory's back was turned to the door, so she didn't see him stride across the lawn towards them.
Arthur saw him and panicked. The dark man closing in on him had a murderous gleam in his eyes.
Rory turned when it was too late. Jess swung hard and cuffed Arthur neatly on the corner of his chin. Rory covered her face as Arthur fell crashing into the tree behind him.
"Oh-God!" Jess bit into his lip as he cradled his sore hand. Rory knelt down to make sure that Arthur was conscious.
"He'll be all right. I didn't hear the signature crack." Jess said icily.
"Who do you think you are, Rambo?" Rory cried in a high-pitched voice as she helped Arthur to his feet.
"This has nothing to do with you Rory." Jess said, his face going a little red.
"The hell it doesn't Jess!"
"Jess huh? So this is the guy you're leaving me for?" Arthur let go of Rory and stood unsteadily on his own.
Rory stiffened. This was not how she had planned to tell Jess.
"You're leaving him?" Jess repeated, not believing his own ears. Rory gave Arthur a frigid look before staring down at the ground. She folded her arms tightly across her chest.
"Rory? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked gently.
Rory shrugged.
"Wow he's some guy Rory! A jealous creep who beats people up." Arthur commented nastily.
"Shut up before I tell her your dirty little secret!" Jess fired back. A look of confusion crossed Arthur's face.
"Secret? I don't like secrets." Rory looked back and forth between the two men. Both seemed reluctant to speak up.
"It's nothing Rory. Just forget about it ok?" Jess said hastily. There was no point in telling her anything now that Arthur was out of the picture.
"Tell me what this is about or I'll never speak to either of you again!" She said shakily.
"He's lying. Don't let him bother you Rory." Arthur beseeched.
"One more line like that and I'll make your life a living hell." Jess growled. Arthur glared at him.
"In case you two have forgotten, my journalist instincts have been well cultivated over the past couple of years. So talk or I'm going back to the party alone!"
No one spoke.
"Fine." She started back towards the hall but Jess stopped her by grabbing her arm. As she stumbled back, Rory resisted the urge to fall against his body.
"Rory, I don't want to hurt you." He said softly, completely disarmed by that look of longing on her face.
"So are you going to tell me? Or are you just going to keep it a secret? Like Luke's sign?" She challenged, and ripped her arm from his grasp.
"Oh this is just peachy. How come you get to be mad at me?" Jess fumed. This girl was driving him nuts.
"Because you left." She said simply.
"You wanted me to leave!"
"I was just angry. I was stupid, OK?"
"Well so nice of you to let me know. I left thinking that you would be happy about it!"
"Well you were wrong, weren't you?"
"What was I supposed to think?" He asked her in frustration. "Don't forget you were the one that got engaged to some two-timing jerk!"
"Two-timing?" Rory's mouth fell open.
Oops.
Jess felt like ramming himself into a door.
At least he derived satisfaction from watching Arthur's face going a deep purple.
"Two timing, huh?" She said.
"Rory, I can explain." Art stepped forward. Rory held out her hand to stop him.
"No! I want Jess to explain."
"Huh?" Both men said at the same time.
"How did you know he had cheated on me? You didn't by any chance have something to do with it did you?" Rory accused.
"Pardon?" Jess blinked. This was hardly what he had expected her to say.
"You heard me. Was this all part of your twisted plan to get me back?"
Jess counted to ten before he replied. Controlling his rage was suddenly becoming rather difficult.
"I have many flaws Rory. I'm the first to admit it. But do you really think I was capable of organizing for someone to sleep with him?"
"Rory, this isn't making sense. Just let me explain, ok?" Arthur intercepted.
"Arthur leave! I told you we were over, so I fail to understand why you are still here!"
Arthur frowned.
"Go on. You'll miss your plane." Rory didn't care how rude she sounded. She was blinded by hurt and love.
Art wanted her back badly, but he knew when to back off.
"Goodbye Rory. Please believe me when I say that she meant nothing to me. I'll always be there for you if you need someone to talk to." Arthur said. When Rory didn't reply, he heaved a loud sigh and made his way dejectedly back to the hall.
There was an awkward silence.
"Rory?" Jess spoke up. Rory looked up and glared at him.
"I only called Caitlin to find out if Security had let him go yet. That was all I was going to do. But then she told me about the little fling she had had with him. Believe me, it was a big a shock to me as it was to you."
She said nothing.
"I promise you, I had nothing to do with it." He said.
"You expect me to believe that? When you're the one that got him arrested in the first place?" She said.
Jess couldn't think of anything to say that would make her believe him. Any hope he had of patching things up with her was fast slipping away.
"Rory, just take my word for it. Is that so hard?" He pleaded.
"Why did you come back?" She asked, a little more quietly.
"I wasn't about to let him get away with it." He replied. "I was just going to kill him, not literally of course, and then I was leaving straight away. An in and out job. I promise I wasn't going to bother you at all."
Rory wanted to laugh at this. Instead, she gathered up her courage and looked directly into his eyes.
"I-I believe you." She finally said. Tears began to trail down her cheeks.
At that moment, Jess was so happy that he would have willingly skipped and held hands with Luke. Instead, he accepted Rory's hand and they slowly walked back together towards the hall.
"Once Luke knows you're here, you're gonna be in big trouble." She rubbed her nose in order to hide the smile that was aching to surface.
"So I've been told." Jess smiled encouragingly.
"You should have seen his face when he saw his Dad's sign. He nearly cried."
"I hate it when people cry." Jess teased, brushing the back of his hand against her face.
"I'm not crying. I'm having a nervous breakdown." Rory defended, wiping at her eyes.
"You should have them more often. You have no idea how swollen your lips go."
"They do not!" Rory raised a hand to them doubtfully. Jess reached out and pulled her fingers away. He then stepped up to her so that his mouth was only an inch away from hers.
"Yes, they do, and they're staying that way if I can help it." He said firmly.
"I love you. You know that, don't you?" She said suddenly.
Jess didn't budge, though he felt something lurch in his chest.
"Jess?" She asked, confused.
"Um, I just figured that if I stay perfectly still-. It's just - you're not going to leave me again are you?"
"Jess. I'm not going anywhere!" She said.
"I'm sorry could you repeat that?"
Rory jerked his head downwards with her arms.
"I am not going to run!" She said.
"Could-could you just say it one more time? I'm getting a little deaf in the left ear." He asked. Rory pulled his mouth to hers and moistened his closed lips with her tongue. A deep chuckle escaped his throat as the kiss deepened.
When they pulled apart, Jess's hands had encircled her waist. Rory leaned against him and enjoyed the familiar sensation of having his cheek brushing against her skin. It was a little less clean-shaven than it used to be all those years ago, but she didn't mind.
As they held each other, Rory cast a glance up at the hall. She could see a face staring at them through one of the windows.
Lorelai twisted back around in her chair to find Sookie staring at her suspiciously.
"Oh hi Sookie. I was just um, looking outside, at the um, snow."
"And you were also just um, having a little peep at um, Rory?" Sookie copied Lorelai's stuttering.
"No need to be smart."
"We have enough peeping Toms in this town without you being added to the list." Sookie scolded.
"Nothing you can say will make me sad! Rory got him back! I'm so happy!" Lorelai bounced up and down in her chair in excitement.
"What!" Sookie pushed Lorelai aside and peered out the window. "Wow! Who is that? The fiancé or Jess?"
"Jess of course! What sort of mental patient would want prosy boy as a son in law?"
"Wow!" Sookie giggled and waved. "They're really going at it now. You don't think they'll go all the way out there do you?"
"Sookie! Leave them alone!" Lorelai pulled her friend away from the window. "You can watch an adult movie when you get home."
"We need to get a photo of them!" Sookie announced, looking around for the Santa photographer that Taylor had arranged.
"Sookie I will not have you embarrass my daughter on Christmas Eve!"
"Ooooh but-"
"Peeping Tom! Peeping Tom!"
"Oh okay, but you're such a spoil sport! I know! I'll go find your parents and get them to come say hi to you. That'll be just as fun!"
"You're mean. But I don't believe you. Why would my parents be here?"
"I don't know. All I know is that I served them a bowl of soup along with everyone else."
"Wow. Did my Mom like the soup?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her since. Ooooh! Wait right here. I'll be right back."
Sookie presently returned holding an open folder with a Christmas card sitting on top of it.
"Could you sign this hon? It's a 'thank-you' card for Taylor."
Lorelai signed and sat back into the chair.
"I know, how about I go find us some dance partners!" She said brightly as she closed up the folder.
"Fine!" Lorelai folded her arms. "I'm staying right here to protect Rory from being spied on."
Sookie bustled off. Lorelai quietly smiled to herself and quickly took another peek through the window.
"What are you looking at?" Luke's voice startled her from behind. Lorelai jumped and pulled the curtain back across the window. She twisted around and faced him with an incredibly guilty smile.
"Oh um. Nothing." She crossed her legs and clasped her hands together in her lap.
"Uh huh." He reached over her and tried to open the curtain.
"Nooooo!" Lorelai reached up and wrested his arm away.
"You are scary. You know that?" He said when he had given up.
"So are you!"
"Yeah, you made me aware of that yesterday." He stared down at the drink in his hand.
"Oh, that. Luke I was just out of it. I'm back to normal now. So you're no longer scary."
"Oh. Good. I think."
"Luke! I didn't see you come in!" Sookie came up to them with Ryan and Taylor in tow.
"You looked a little busy serving soup."
"Why didn't you get any?"
"Soup goes cold in plastic cups."
Lorelai and Sookie smirked. Taylor gave them a glare, so Lorelai decided to quickly change the subject.
"Hey Ryan, how's Karen." She asked.
"Why don't you ask her? She's over there dancing with Kirk."
"Oh well, he's a good partner to set her up with. I mean, at least you know she won't make a play for him or anything."
Luke was beginning to think that he might just enjoy the party after all.
"Yeah. You're a huge comfort Lorelai. Thanks." Ryan said sarcastically. "Sookie, I've changed my mind. I'm dancing with you instead."
"Oh. Okay! See you two on the floor!" Sookie giggled as she was led away.
"So I guess I'm dancing with you Taylor?" Lorelai smiled at the older man.
Luke choked on his drink.
"Do not look at me like that Luke. At least I can dance, which is more than what you can say for yourself." Said Taylor.
"I won't argue Taylor. You're a better dancer than me." Luke was trying very hard not to smile.
"Even Jess is better than you. Speaking of which, where is he? I was planning to have a little discussion regarding that sign!"
Lorelai panicked. She didn't want Luke knowing that Jess was back. She began to give Taylor subtle warning signals.
"What about the sign Taylor?" Luke asked in a forbidding tone. He knew exactly what Taylor had to say about it, but he wasn't about to make it easy. That sign was going back up whether people liked it or not.
"I've forgotten what I was going to say. Lorelai keeps slitting her throat with her finger." Taylor glanced distractedly from one to the other.
Lorelai groaned.
"Where is Jess, Lorelai?" Taylor continued. "He was only here a little while ago."
"Oh for the love of Pete!" Lorelai buried her face in her hands. Luke took one look at Lorelai and swung around to the window.
"There's no one out there Lorelai. You can stop pulling your hair out." Luke finally said.
"Huh?" She looked out of the window. "Oh yeah, yeah I knew that."
"So Jess is back is he? Has he talked to Rory yet?" Luke asked.
Lorelai nodded, staring down at her lap.
"Is everything ok then?" He reached out and took her hand.
Lorelai looked up at Luke's face and realized that he was genuinely concerned.
Of course he was being genuine. He loved those kids just as much as she did.
"Yeah. Everything's good." She said timidly.
"Are you sure you're ok? You've been acting weirder than usual these past couple of days." Luke asked, still holding her.
Maybe this was the time to tell him.
"I don't mean to be rude Lorelai, but are we going to dance or not?" Taylor intervened.
Lorelai quickly broke away from Luke's stare and stood up. Luke frowned. Lorelai had managed to become a complete mystery to him overnight.
"Of course Taylor! We'll show Luke how real people dance!" She took Taylor's outstretched hand.
"I don't mean to boast, but I think we'll - how do you say it?" Taylor asked.
"Kick some dance-floor ass?" Lorelai supplied.
"Yes." Taylor said as they walked to the center of the floor.
When Taylor starting pulling some of his new moves, Luke's frown quickly disappeared. It was evident that Miss Patti had had an interesting pupil to work with for the past month.
The people of Stars Hollow stood back and cheered the odd couple on.
In between arm swings, Lorelai managed to wave at Luke.
He smiled back.
A little later that evening, Jess and Rory appeared back at the hall. Lorelai and Sookie giggled at how giddy the couple looked.
Seeing them, Jess flashed a grin in their direction. Lorelai gave him a knowing wink in return.
"Jess. I'm only going to ask this once, so I want a straight answer." Rory said while staring at her mother.
"Uh. Ok. What?" He looked down at Rory.
"Did you ever in the course of history, have a crush on my Mom? The truth now!"
"Funny you should mention that."
"Why?"
"It has something to do with Luke's missing sign."
"Explain now!"
"Hey, let's not! How about we go bug the DJ for a song."
Before Rory could press him further, the music was turned down and Taylor stood up on a chair.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and the future generation of Stars Hollow! I hope you're all enjoying yourselves!"
Everyone clapped, whistled and cheered. Taylor had suddenly become very popular after his little dance debut.
"Santa will be arriving in a few minutes with presents for all the GOOD citizens of our little town-"
"Boooooo!" Lorelai called out. Taylor glared at her.
"-And bad citizens alike!" He gave both Luke and Lorelai a pointed look.
"Har har har. Just remember Taylor. Santa wouldn't be coming at all if it wasn't for me!" Luke folded his arms.
"Do you know Santa?" A little boy near Luke asked him with wide eyes.
"Yeah, so you'd better stop stealing straws from my diner!" He scowled. The boy gasped and ran away in fright.
"Listen boys and girls. I think that's him now!" Taylor announced in a horribly unimaginative voice.
"Ho ho ho!" Santa said pathetically as he came in by the side door. The kids cheered and crowded around him.
"Who is that? Whoever he is, it is a big improvement on Kirk's performance last year." Sookie whispered in Luke's ear.
"They made innocent children sit on Kirk's knee?"
"I know. It was a choice made in desperation, I assure you. So who is it this year?" Said Sookie.
"It's Jeromy. My father's friend. He's helping me out with the renovations on that excuse for a house that you and Lorelai own."
"Oh yeah, I remember him! We should make him a permanent member of Stars Hollow. That way he can do Santa every year."
"I'm sure he'd be only too flattered Sookie." Luke rolled his eyes.
"Here Luke could you sign this? It's a card for Taylor." Sookie held out the same folder from before.
"How come he gets a card?"
"He didn't give himself a present. So we, um, decided to give him a card."
"Sookie this is pretty thin for a card."
"Hence the folder underneath for your convenience."
Luke shrugged and presently signed it with the pen Sookie provided. Even he was impressed with the effort Taylor had put into the party.
With the help and hints received from the populace of Stars Hollow, the presents had turned out to be quite ingenious. Sookie got a new apron because she had destroyed her old one. Kirk acquired a new camera that fitted into his pocket so that his mother wouldn't see it. Ryan got an alarm clock so that he would stop getting to work late (An idea that had come from Lorelai) and Michel got a rather large calorie counter book.
"And now, we have a special treat for the people of Stars Hollow. If you would all kindly follow me outside. I promise you will not need your coats." Taylor leapt down from the chair and made his way out of the front door.
"And it still isn't snowing!" Lorelai grumbled as Taylor led them down the road. Everyone huddled closer together in order to keep warm.
When they reached their destination, they barely recognized it.
It was the park. The snow had been cleared away to make room for enough seats for everyone. Taylor had fifteen outdoor alcohol-fueled heaters going. White, red and gold ribbons with flowers and holly were strung from chair to chair. At the front was the gazebo, adorned with so many lanterns and candles that it stood alone like a centerpiece in a table.
Kirk pulled out his camera and took a photo.
"Would everyone kindly take a seat!" Taylor said as he made his way down towards the gazebo. In the comfort of the heat, people began to relax and talk again. It was a long time before everyone had finally settled down.
"Wow! Taylor has surpassed himself this evening." Lorelai said truthfully as she and Sookie sat down. She could see Rory sitting with Jess a few rows down.
As if sensing Lorelai's stare, Rory turned around and smiled. It was the happiest smile that Lorelai had ever seen.
"Awwww. I don't care what you say. We have to get a photo of those two lovebugs!" Sookie said as Rory turned back around and buried her head in Jess's shoulder. Jess reached out and put his arm around her.
"I have a feeling that there'll be plenty of time for that." Lorelai said emotionally. Sookie gave her strangely silent friend a hug and then turned her attention to the front. Taylor was trying to get the microphone to work on the makeshift podium.
"What is he doing to that piece of equipment?" Sookie's brows were arched.
"I don't think he even knows." Lorelai replied.
"Testing, er, testing. Luke er, could you give me hand with this microphone?" Taylor awkwardly asked. The microphone kept doing strange things to his voice.
"You just turn it on Taylor!" Luke called out without budging from his seat.
Taylor played with the switch until an awful ear damaging sound began to escape from the speaker. Lorelai, Sookie and several others cringed and covered their ears.
"Well it's not working!" Taylor barked out.
"Oh for God's sake!" Luke jumped up off his seat, hurried down to the gazebo and fiddled with the tuner. He gave Taylor the thumbs up after he gave the microphone a tap.
"Thank you. Luke Danes ladies and gentlemen!"
Everyone clapped and cheered.
"You're an idiot Taylor." Luke said, jumping off the edge of the gazebo and standing aside.
"Now this surprise is for everyone, but in particular for one of our most cherished citizens. Amazingly, she also happens to be one of the worst citizens in town. Still, I must admit that without her, there would be no mayhem or chaos to control."
"No point to your life." Luke interrupted rudely.
"No reason for your existence." Patti called out.
"Well, I personally wouldn't go that far." Taylor said proudly.
"I would." Luke grumbled.
"Lorelai Gilmore, would you kindly step forward to claim your present."
"There's two of us. Which one?" Lorelai called out without getting up.
"There is only one Lorelai Gilmore who could be in the running for Stars Hollow's worst citizen."
"Hey don't insult Rory! Sure she has her faults but she's getting exorcised next week. I swear!" Said Lorelai.
"Just get down here and claim your present Lorelai. A great many of us went to a lot of trouble for you." Said Taylor.
"Ok now I'm suspicious."
"Lorelai, stop embarrassing yourself and go get your present." Emily hissed loudly from a few rows behind. Richard looked strangely uncomfortable.
"Well ok. But if I get rotten fruit thrown at me, I'm leaving town! Then you'll have to find someone else to pick on." Lorelai uneasily made her way down the front and climbed up the stairs to where Taylor was standing. He handed her a small rectangular box.
"Would you mind opening it up here Lorelai?"
She shrugged and pulled the lid off. Inside was a rolled up piece of paper tied up in a ribbon.
"Taylor! You wrote me a poem! You shouldn't have" Lorelai teased as she slid the ribbon off and unrolled it.
Reading it, Lorelai realized it was definitely not a poem.
"Taylor this isn't funny." She said through clenched teeth.
"It's not a joke."
"You forged my signature on a marriage license."
"That is no forgery Lorelai. Sookie got those from you and Luke this very evening, under the pretense that it was my Christmas card."
Lorelai began to feel a little dizzy.
"You did WHAT?" Luke hurried at an alarming pace towards them. He roughly snatched the paper from Lorelai's shaking hand and read through it.
"But it was a card! I saw it!" Said Lorelai. She went over to the microphone. "Sookie? Tell me I'm not insane. Tell me I just signed a Christmas card?"
Sookie guiltily bent her head and played with her fingers. Everyone waited for an answer.
"Sookie?" Lorelai pleaded. The microphone amplified her shaky voice.
"Oh hon you did sign a card! Of course you're not crazy!"
Lorelai heaved a sigh of relief.
"It just had some carbon paper underneath it." Sookie added.
Jess cracked up laughing.
Luke smothered his face with his hand. He tried to tell himself that this was not happening.
"Carbon paper. Har har. I guess the joke's on us, traitors!" Lorelai stared down at the paper in Luke's hand. There it was in writing. Proof that she loved him and she still didn't have the guts to tell him.
"And whose marvelous idea was this?" Luke demanded, casting a threatening glare around him.
No one spoke up, looked up or coughed.
Taylor was about to talk into the microphone again when Lorelai suddenly wrestled it from him and turned it off.
"I think you've done about enough tonight buster!" She said. Luke stepped forward to give the townspeople a well-deserved rant.
"When are you people going to get it into your thick heads?" He began. "Lorelai and I are friends! Nothing more! Now why don't you leave her-us alone? I just - you people are INSANE!"
"For goodness sake Lorelai, say something!" Emily called out.
"Uh, smile, you're on candid camera?" Lorelai suggested.
"You know what? I don't about the rest of you out there but I'm fed up!" Said Taylor.
"You're fed up!" Luke shot at him.
"Luke, just tell her." Babette pleaded. "Help me Morey."
Red faced, Morey slunk low into his chair.
"Come on honey. We went to a lot of trouble for you. Just say the magic words." Sookie cried out encouragingly while waving an imaginary fairy wand.
Luke wanted to believe what they were saying was true, but one look at Lorelai's petrified face was enough to snap him out of it.
"Look, there's no denying that this town went to a lot of trouble for us tonight. But we just don't see each other that way? Right Lorelai?"
"Er, right." She wondered if God was going to smite her for all this lying.
"There, subject closed."
Rory groaned.
"Fine" Taylor said, leaning against the podium. "If this town has been wrong about you two all this time, then just tear up the license and we'll all go back to the hall and forget it ever happened."
"Yeah? What's the catch Taylor?" Luke asked.
"No catch. Just tear it up."
"Fine, Lorelai, here." Luke thrust the certificate into Lorelai's hands. There was no way he was going to destroy it.
"Huh? Oh, right. Destroy it." Lorelai said. She stared down at the certificate and then looked into Luke's eyes. His face was annoyingly difficult to read.
"Cause we're friends right?" She stalled. Luke made no movement to indicate otherwise. She turned and desperately sought out Rory's face.
Her darling supportive daughter had her face covered with her hands. How comforting. She glanced at Jess.
"Tell him." He mouthed. Lorelai turned back to face Luke and Taylor.
She was just so scared.
Lorelai looked down at the paper and began to tear it in half.
Even those who didn't know Luke could see how badly it hurt him. His fists were clenched tightly in his pockets and his head was turned away from her as if she were about to shoot him in the back.
He couldn't believe she was tearing it up. He should have known - didn't she know how much he loved her?
He would never forgive her for this. Never.
"Luke?" Lorelai said brokenly when the unendurable tearing sound had ended.
"What?" He said bitterly without looking at her.
"I'm so sorry."
Luke was silent.
"But I can't do it."
Confused, Luke turned around to look at her. Lorelai showed him the half torn certificate.
"Our signatures down the bottom just looked so happy together." She smiled in spite of the strong urge she had to cry.
Slowly, Luke took the crumpled paper from her hands.
"Yeah. They, uh, do look kind of happy don't they?" He finally said, looking up at her. The hate was fast disappearing.
"So, um, how do you feel about getting married?"
"Wow. This is-this is kind of fast, isn't it?" Luke tugged at his cap.
"Yeah." Lorelai said nervously.
"Too fast?" He searched her blue eyes.
Lorelai furiously shook her head.
Conscious of the hundreds of eyes that were peering at them, Luke was only brave enough to reach out and take her hand.
"I love you." She whispered.
It was so quiet that he almost missed it.
Lorelai felt his hand quiver.
"You do?" He asked.
"Is that ok with you?"
"Yeah. Sure. That's ok. Just um, hang on a sec."
Dejected by his reaction, Lorelai stared down at the floor. Luke walked over to Taylor and exchanged a few quiet words before he rejoined her.
"Come on." Luke said gruffly and led a bewildered Lorelai down the stairs. Taylor turned the microphone back on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. We will be having a wedding after all. Walter you'd better get down here."
Sighs of relief were followed by a loud applause.
"You can look now." Jess whispered into Rory's ear.
As friends and family began to approach them, Lorelai touched Luke's arm. He turned around gave her a shy smile.
"So I guess this means you love me too right?" She said, regaining some of her confidence.
Luke took her chin in one hand and kissed her softly.
"Dibbs on Maid of Honor!" Sookie shrieked as she bounced over to them. Reluctantly, they released each other.
"I'm not talking to you right now." Lorelai frowned at Sookie.
"Don't be mad. You just needed a little nudge." Sookie grinned.
"Try pushing me off a cliff." She looked around for Luke but she couldn't see him. She did however see her parents.
Emily gave Lorelai a brief hug before stepping back.
"I don't suppose we could postpone the wedding Lorelai? Just so that we can make things a little nicer?" Emily asked as she fiddled with Lorelai's hair. Richard gave his daughter a little smile.
"Arrrgh! Don't say that! You know she'll never have the guts to go through with it again!" Sookie was tempted to hit Emily.
"Don't worry Mom, I can always get divorced and marry some rich guy." Lorelai cheerfully announced.
"Very funny." Emily replied.
"Ahem. Let's get on with it shall we?" Walter tapped at the sermon book in his hand.
Everyone quieted down and took their places.
"So uh, which side do I stand?" Luke asked the judge as he rejoined Lorelai.
"Groom on that side." Walter replied nonchalantly. Luke and Lorelai swapped sides.
"Get that cap off Luke. Oh for heavens sake!" Emily ripped the cap off Luke's head. "Does someone have something for him to wear besides that flannel ensemble?"
Luke was beginning to get nervous. Lorelai reached out and squeezed his hand.
"Here." Jess unexpectedly appeared from nowhere. He pulled his jacket off and handed it over to Luke.
"Er, thanks."
"Don't mention it."
"Wait! Don't get married without me!" Rory hurried over to her mother and gave her a kiss.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Said Lorelai.
Five minutes later, Luke found himself in the awkward position of having to kiss his wife for the first time.
Lorelai reached out for the flannel that was hiding under the jacket and pulled him closer so that his mouth could meet hers.
Passion ensued, causing Emily to roll her eyes. She would have to give her daughter a lecture on appropriate displays of affection later.
Not wanting to let go of him or that moment, Lorelai leaned into Luke and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Mom!" Rory's voice sounded excited.
"What sweetie?" Lorelai said pleasantly.
"It's snowing!"
"Hmmm that's nice."