CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jackson escorted Emily down the main church aisle and led her to the altar. She lit the bride's taper placed beside the unity candle. Then he ushered her to her seat in the first row. A few minutes later, he did the same with Luke's sister Liz. She lit the groom's taper and took her seat beside TJ. The town troubadour gently strummed his guitar until they were both seated. He then softly crooned a few of Luke and Lorelai's favorite songs. As the minister, Luke and Jackson approached the altar, he strummed his guitar. Then he nodded to Luke and quietly walked away.

Miss Patty and Babette couldn't believe how handsome Luke looked. They whispered so loudly that half the church overheard them. But all the women agreed and all the men knew Lorelai would look equally as lovely. This was one beautiful couple and this was going to be one beautiful wedding. They had all looked forward to it for weeks.

Soon the organist began to play, and the doors opened. Sookie entered first with a big smile on her face and lightness to her step. She had waited for this moment for a very long time. She slowly walked down the aisle and gave Jackson a wink before she took her place. Rory followed, looking lovely. She seemed solemn at first but when she saw all their friends, a genuine smile appeared. As she stopped before the altar, she gave Luke a special nod. Then the music changed, it grew louder as it announced the entry of the bride. All the guests stood and turned, waiting for her entry. Luke took a deep breath.

Lorelai appeared on the arm of her father. Her curly dark hair framing her face, she purely glowed with happiness. Her dress sparkled in the candle light, her train flowing gently behind her. She sweetly smiled as she recognized their friends in the pews and about half way down the aisle, she caught site of Luke. Their eyes locked and they seemed lost in each other for the moment. Her dad stopped in front of the chuppa, and Luke came down to meet them. Richard spoke a few words to Luke and gently kissed Lorelai. Then he placed her hand in Luke's and turned to join Emily. Rory came forward and took Lorelai's bouquet, and handed it to Sookie. She held three long stemmed roses in her hands, one white, one purple, and one rose colored. She handed the white one to Luke, symbolizing everlasting happiness. The purple one was for her mother, representing a long and healthy life. She kept the rose colored one for herself. It's color meaning beauty, both inner and outer. Then the minister spoke.

He spoke of the family Luke was joining. One that had been established long ago, one that had worked well over the years and had been complete. But now it was going to be enriched by this third person, a person who would not make it better but give it new dimension. Luke and Lorelai were getting married, but Rory was welcoming him into their lives too. Rory hugged Luke, and then her mother, and they held the flowers until it was time for the rings. They placed the three flowers in a vase, showing their new family unity.

Luke and Lorelai repeated their vows, words full of meaning and personal just to them. There was not a dry eye in the church that day. Even Luke had a few tears, which Lorelai gently wiped away. Luke slipped the ring on Lorelai's hand and then kissed it. Lorelai slipped the ring on Luke's hand and gave him a gently squeeze. They couldn't take their eyes off each other. The guests almost felt like they were intruding on a very private moment.

They walked through the chuppa and up the steps to light the unity candle. The candle, once lit, representing the joining of the Gilmore family to the Dane family. Luke and Lorelai gazed at the candle and smiled. It was their first act as a married couple. It had been such a long time coming......then they turned. The minister said a prayer and pronounced them man and wife.

Luke pulled Lorelai gently but firmly to him and kissed her soundly. The crowd cheered and broke into applause. Luke blushed but smiled proudly as her took his new wife's hand. They walked back through the chuppa, stopping under it for a minute. They both remembered being there before. They smiled at each other, each thinking about that afternoon not long ago. Cameras were going off every where, but it didn't bother them. They were just happy that they had finally gotten to where they were meant to be. They walked down the aisle and stopped at the door to kiss again.

It was late afternoon, and sunny and warm. Luke and Lorelai were finally man and wife. And now it was time to party with all of their friends. The guests headed out to the Dragonfly while the wedding party and their families stayed at the church with the photographer. When all the pictures were finally taken, Luke helped Lorelai into the waiting limousine.

"So Mrs. Danes, I think it went well." He leaned over to kiss her.

"I think you're right, Mr. Danes." She giggled and kissed him back. Now that the serious part was over, she felt more like her old teasing self. She took his hand in hers. "And just in case you get any ideas, I don't expect to see that ring ever come off."

Luke teased, "But you know how I feel about jewelry."

"I know that from now on, you will feel naked with out it."

"Well, maybe, I could try, for you......." He pulled her into an embrace and they kissed gently, sharing their first married kisses. They kissed for a long time, talked a little about the ceremony and kissed some more. Luke gently brushed a curl from her cheek and sighed. "You look so beautiful. You take my breath away. When I watched you come down the aisle, I could only wonder how I ever got so lucky. Not only are you beautiful inside and out, but you see something in me that made you love me. Made you want to take a chance that we could build a life together.....not only a life but a family too. You made my life complete today."

Lorelai was amazed by his words. Luke saying these things to her...now....tears slowly started to fall.

"I didn't mean to make you cry. I just wanted you to know that today is not just about what was said in that church.....it's more about what I feel in my heart. I guess I always have."

Lorelai smiled through her tears and gently kissed him. And all she could reply was that she loved him more than he would ever know. More than even she ever thought possible.

They snuggled close and kissed ardently, letting their feelings take over. The car was warm, their feelings warmer... it had been a while since they had been alone like this. Finally, Lorelai felt the car stop, heard the engine noise cease. She reluctantly pulled away from his warm embrace, almost wishing they could just skip the party. She wanted to be alone with her new husband, finish what they had started.

"Luke, I think the car finally stopped. The driver must have gotten lost. Although, I'm not sure how that could happen in Stars Hollow. It's only a ten minute drive and it seems like we've been in this car forever."

"Tired of your husband already?"

"No, of course, not. It's been nice....very nice."

Luke laughed, "I just wanted us to have some time alone. I didn't want to have to share my new wife with every one just yet. So I asked the chauffeur to drive around for a while, give us a little time alone."

"You know, he probably thinks something else is going on back here."

"Let him. I'm sure it's not the first time he's had that request...in fact, he told me he's good at giving couples time to be 'alone'."

"You guys always stick together. Can you imagine, with this dress, in my current condition, trying that back here?"

"Well, I could ask him to drive around a little longer and we could see if it's possible."

"That would go over big with all those people waiting inside. My parents, Babette, Patty, they're probably already talking."

Luke laughed. "I see the Lorelai we all know and love is back in form. So I guess, Mrs. Danes, it's time to go meet your royal subjects."

"Don't worry mister, there will be plenty of time for 'us' later. I promise. Hey, I like that Mrs. Danes thing. Think you could always call me that?"

"Lorelai...."

The driver opened the door and Luke gently guided her out of the seat. Noticing that the simple things were taking a little longer these days, and making a mental note, to make sure she didn't over do at the reception. Out of the car, Lorelai straightened her dress, removed her veil, and gave Luke a quick hug. Hand in hand, they walked into the Dragonfly and were enthusiastically greeted by their family and friends.

Taylor, megaphone in hand, announced......

"Welcome, please, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Luke Danes. Our own Luke and Lorelai..."



Finally. It's hard to make this wedding special enough. Hope ASP gives us one much better...hope she just gives us one!!!