Chapter 10 - Here Comes The Bride
Phone ringing.
Lorelai laying face down in her bed...Rory is sprawled out beside her. Evidence of a typical Gilmore movie night lay strewn around them.
Lorelai lifted her head a Red Vines wrapper stuck to her face.
"Rory..."Lorelai said.
"Ug." Rory said.
"Rory you are on the phone." Lorelai said rolling her off of it.
"Hello." Lorelai said.
"Good morning." he said.
"Hey you." She said.
"Hey you." he said.
"How are you." she said.
"Fine, fine...I just got this funny feeling I was supposed to do something today...but, I just can't remember what it was." He joked. "I mean I am sleeping in my old apartment for the first time in months...and there is a tux hanging here...and... I am just drawing a blank."
"You think you are so funny."
"You love me."
"Yes I do."
"So uh...meet you under the Huppa at say...sunset?"
"I'm don't know...Rory and I thought we might go on a road trip..."Lorelai poked fun at herself.
"Don't you dare."
"I will see you there."
"Good. Hey Lorelai."
"Yeah."
"Go look on your porch. I'll see you tonight."
"OK. I love you."
"I love you too."
Lorelai walked down stairs and opened the front door. Sitting there on the front porch was a thermos. She knew what it was.
"I love this man." she said.
"Which man." Rory said walking up behind her.
"Luke he left me coffee."
"And a note." Rory said.
"Oooo a note....ah hmm...Dear Lorelai, I couldn't have you cranky on our wedding day.
See you tonight. I love you. Luke P.S. Look under the lid."
She unscrewed the lid and looked inside taped to the inside was a small envelope. She opened it and found a beautiful simple diamond solitaire necklace. And another smaller note. Mom would have wanted you to have it.
"It was his mothers."she said.
"Ok, ok, hold the water works there sparky." Rory said. "We gotta get you married."
Ten Minutes later Emily was knocking at the door. Rory answered.
"Oh hi grandma. Mom is in the shower."
"My goodness it is like a war zone in here." Emily said.
"Yeah, but they are almost done with the addition and it will be done when they get back from the honey moon."
"Are we sure they only are adding one room."
"Actually that was the plan, but you know mom and she saw the nursery and the office were right below her bedroom so once she leaves for Ireland with Luke they are going to knock out the wall in their room and make it bigger and add a balcony." Rory said.
"And all of this will be done in one month?"
"That's what they tell me." Rory said.
Lorelai made her way down the stairs. Her mother stood there with a huge smile on her face.
"What are you staring at?" Lorelai said. "Do I have a booger?"
"Lorelai...no...you are getting married today."
"Yeah I am."
"I just, I am losing my little girl...I mean...you know what I mean...this is new to me."
"What do you know...it's new for me too. Look what Luke gave me mom." She said showing her the necklace on her neck.
"That is beautiful."
"It was his mothers."
"I am sure that she is proud of him Lorelai."
"Thanks mom." It was still a little odd to all of them that they were getting along so well now.
That was not to say that they never fought again..but it was never as mean, or hurtful as it once was. They were both making the effort to at least try to understand eachother and that was really all they could do.
"We better get you to the Inn." Rory said.
"Yes the car is waiting out front?"
"What car? We were just going to hop in the..."Lorelai was stopped cold by the site of the White mustang convertible parked outside.
"Mom."
"I almost rented a limo, but then I thought about what you would like."
"Well move to the head of the class! Mom this is great. Thank you."
"Well get in, we have a wedding to attend."
They arrived at the Inn at 12:00. Lorelai sat in the room, while she got her hair done and went through the check list in her head of all the things that she was going to say in her vows today...she was going to marry Luke today.It seemed like years since he had proposed, they had been through so much in that time,and he was right there, unfailing in his love. Supporting her, comforting Rory, standing up to her mother, winning both her parents over, even getting Richard to grant his blessing. She had never been so sure about anything in his life.
Above the closed diner Liz and TJ were making last minute adjustments to their wardrobe...why they ever thought that Lukes wedding would be a renaissance wedding escaped Luke. Tj borrowed a suit and Rory was brining over a dress for Liz.
Rory walked into the diner...and called out...
"Hello? Luke? Liz?" she said.
And then there he was coming out from the back room. They stood their for a moment.
"Hi." he said.
"Hi." Rory said. She knew he would be there, she had actually thanked her mother for marrying Luke, so that she and Jess would be related and any chance of him getting back with her would be too incestuous even for a Gilmore. He was going to be Lukes best man.
Her mother had asked her about it, with her being the maid of honor that would put them in close contact often and she didn't want to upset her. She told her that she was fine if Jess said he was fine with it. And there he was...so he must have been fine with it.
"They are all up stairs." Jess said.
"Oh yeah, right...duh."
"Congratulations." he said.
"Yeah...uh..huh?"
"I mean your mom and Luke. It is a good thing right? You have always liked Luke."
"Oh yeah, that." Why was he making her so nervous. "Yeah it's a good thing."
"Listen..." He started.
"I better get this to your mom and then get back to the Inn to mine." Rory said, she felt like she was 16 years old again. She was a 20 year old woman...she needed to get past whatever this was.
"Right...sorry." Jess said.
Rory went upstairs to give Liz the dress.
"Come in!" Luke called.
She walked in and Luke was standing there in his tux, hair all done nice and short like he wore to her graduation...he looked really good in that tux. Mom had to talk him into the longer knee length coat, but it was worth it.
"You look amazing." Rory said.
"Thanks Ror."
"Ugh Liz, here are a couple different dresses a couple of mine a couple of mom's you can choose which ever..."
"Thanks Rory." Liz said. "You can call me Aunt Liz now if you want."
"Oh yeah, that's right." Rory said.
"But you don't have to." Luke said trying to save her. "I mean cause...you just...it's not like..."
"No Luke, I like that, both mom and Chris are only children I have never had an aunt."
"See Luke, she wants an Aunt."
"And an Uncle Tj too." TJ chimed in.
The two team hugged her..."Welcome to the family kiddo." Liz said.
"Thanks."
"Hey I uh...have a minute with Rory please?" Luke said.
"Yeah...sure." They said and walked out of the room.
"What's up." Rory said. "You aren't having second thoughts are you."
"About your mom? No...about..you?"
"What...I mean, what do you mean... I um...I uh...can quit parking in that spot at the house and blocking you in I mean... I didn't...think."
"No...it isn't the parking."
"Oh, then uh, I guess you want me to stop coming home to do laundry all the time..."
"Rory no...it isn't any of that. I just don't want you to ever feel like you can't come to your mom anymore because I am there, or that she doesn't need you anymore, or any of that. I just want to make sure that you guys will always be you guys...it's just."
"Now we are better Luke."
"What?"
"We were always meant to be a threesome, mom just could never pick the third. It's ok Luke, I know it will be the same, I mean...you have been there for us my whole life ever since I can remember...remember when Lane and I used to come in and spin around on the stools and you told us, to stop because if we puked you would have to close down for a week."
"Yeah."
"And you were there for mom everytime she needed you and I couldn't handle it. No matter what. And you were there for me when Dean and I broke up the first time and you were so protective of me this last time...and...my graduation. Luke you have always been the man in our lives, now you are just going to sleep over too."
"Thanks Rory."
"Hey what are evil step children for?" Rory said.
"I want you to have this." Luke said handing her a box.
"What is it?"
"Open it up."
She opened the box to find a jewelry box. It was beautifully carved in cherry wood.
"Luke this is amazing...did you make this."
He nodded.
"Open it up."
She opened the box and it played a song.
"Luke it is great. Thank you."
"Your welcome. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Letting me marry your mom."
"Any time." Rory said. "I better get back. See you in a little while."
"Ok...I'll be the one in the tux."
"Got it."
Rory got back to the in just in time for Sookie to announce that she was re-doing the cake.
"Sookie...no...why?" Rory asked.
"Because it isn't perfect...this is Lorelais wedding it has to be a master piece." Sookie said.
Rory followed Sookie in to the kitchen where the most beautiful cake she had ever seen sat.
"You are kidding right Sookie?"
"Really you think it is ok?"
"Sookie...this is...wow...yes, it is perfect. Don't you dare change a thing. Now go home...and get changed, get Jackson and Davey and little Gwenny and get back here."
"Ok...ok...you are sure..."
"I am so sure. Do you have Davey's tux?"
"Yeah and the pillow for the rings is in Lorelais office I will grab it on my way out."
Rory rushed up stairs so she could get her hair done and dress on in time. With all the distractions she was cutting it close.
"Hey hon." Lorelai said when she walked into the room.
"Mom, wow...you look...amazing."
"Dosen't she?" Emily said.
"Wow." Rory said walking up behind her mom and looking at her in the mirror.
"The dress is amazing...and...wow..."
"Thanks hon. What's that?" Lorelai asked pointing to the jewelry box.
"Oh, yeah...this...Luke made it for me."
"Oh wow hon, this is beautiful, he made this for you...?"
"Yeah...he actually traded me you for it...so." Rory joked. "Open it up."
Lorelai lifted the lid of the box and listened to the tune it played. She started to weep.
"You know what this song is?" Lorelai said.
"No, I was having a hard time pin pointing it."
"That is because it isn't your average song...he had to have had the music box custom made,
this is the song that we danced to Liz and TJ's wedding." She said.
"Oh that's so sweet." Rory said.
"You have a wonderful man Lorelai."
"You're telling me." she said. "So you saw him?
Does he look amazing. "
"He looks great mom, good enough to marry.
They all looked great."
"What do you mean all?"
"Liz, Tj, Jess."Rory said.
"Oh..hon...Jess was there?"
"It was fine mom, things are going to be fine...I mean...we re going to be cousins soon so...ewe..and plus Logan will be here soon...and.."
"Your gentlemen friend is coming" Emily perked up.
"Yes grandma."
"Make sure you introduce me."
"I will."
"So...15 until show time." Lorelia said.
"Yeah."
"Hey mom...can you..give me and Rory a second?"
"Sure I will go track down your father." Emily said.
"So..."Lorelai said."Big day for us today."
"Yeah..."Rory said.
"I just want you to know that...this doesn't change anything...I mean we are still us."
"I know mom. Do you think I wanted you to die alone? I am so happy for you, and I love Luke, I mean he has been more of a father to me than dad has ever been."
"I am glad to hear you say that hon. Cause Luke really loves you. And you know I do. We just want you to know that you can come to us still with anything."
"I know. Like I told Luke...we were always a threesome...you just never knew it."
"I love you kid."
"I love you too mom." They hugged and Lorelai weeped a little.
"You have to hold this together mom."
"Undercontrol." Lorelai said.
"I hope I am not interrupting." Richard said.
"Dad...no, hi."
Richard looked at his daughter...this was the day he had dreamed about for her since she was a little girl. All of the hurt in the past seemed to be erased for a moment.
"You look stunning." he said.
"Thank you Daddy." Lorelai said. She hadn't called him daddy since she was three years old,
but at that moment...she felt like she was his little girl again.
"Are we ready to go?" Rory said.
"On with the show." Lorelai said.
Phone ringing.
Lorelai laying face down in her bed...Rory is sprawled out beside her. Evidence of a typical Gilmore movie night lay strewn around them.
Lorelai lifted her head a Red Vines wrapper stuck to her face.
"Rory..."Lorelai said.
"Ug." Rory said.
"Rory you are on the phone." Lorelai said rolling her off of it.
"Hello." Lorelai said.
"Good morning." he said.
"Hey you." She said.
"Hey you." he said.
"How are you." she said.
"Fine, fine...I just got this funny feeling I was supposed to do something today...but, I just can't remember what it was." He joked. "I mean I am sleeping in my old apartment for the first time in months...and there is a tux hanging here...and... I am just drawing a blank."
"You think you are so funny."
"You love me."
"Yes I do."
"So uh...meet you under the Huppa at say...sunset?"
"I'm don't know...Rory and I thought we might go on a road trip..."Lorelai poked fun at herself.
"Don't you dare."
"I will see you there."
"Good. Hey Lorelai."
"Yeah."
"Go look on your porch. I'll see you tonight."
"OK. I love you."
"I love you too."
Lorelai walked down stairs and opened the front door. Sitting there on the front porch was a thermos. She knew what it was.
"I love this man." she said.
"Which man." Rory said walking up behind her.
"Luke he left me coffee."
"And a note." Rory said.
"Oooo a note....ah hmm...Dear Lorelai, I couldn't have you cranky on our wedding day.
See you tonight. I love you. Luke P.S. Look under the lid."
She unscrewed the lid and looked inside taped to the inside was a small envelope. She opened it and found a beautiful simple diamond solitaire necklace. And another smaller note. Mom would have wanted you to have it.
"It was his mothers."she said.
"Ok, ok, hold the water works there sparky." Rory said. "We gotta get you married."
Ten Minutes later Emily was knocking at the door. Rory answered.
"Oh hi grandma. Mom is in the shower."
"My goodness it is like a war zone in here." Emily said.
"Yeah, but they are almost done with the addition and it will be done when they get back from the honey moon."
"Are we sure they only are adding one room."
"Actually that was the plan, but you know mom and she saw the nursery and the office were right below her bedroom so once she leaves for Ireland with Luke they are going to knock out the wall in their room and make it bigger and add a balcony." Rory said.
"And all of this will be done in one month?"
"That's what they tell me." Rory said.
Lorelai made her way down the stairs. Her mother stood there with a huge smile on her face.
"What are you staring at?" Lorelai said. "Do I have a booger?"
"Lorelai...no...you are getting married today."
"Yeah I am."
"I just, I am losing my little girl...I mean...you know what I mean...this is new to me."
"What do you know...it's new for me too. Look what Luke gave me mom." She said showing her the necklace on her neck.
"That is beautiful."
"It was his mothers."
"I am sure that she is proud of him Lorelai."
"Thanks mom." It was still a little odd to all of them that they were getting along so well now.
That was not to say that they never fought again..but it was never as mean, or hurtful as it once was. They were both making the effort to at least try to understand eachother and that was really all they could do.
"We better get you to the Inn." Rory said.
"Yes the car is waiting out front?"
"What car? We were just going to hop in the..."Lorelai was stopped cold by the site of the White mustang convertible parked outside.
"Mom."
"I almost rented a limo, but then I thought about what you would like."
"Well move to the head of the class! Mom this is great. Thank you."
"Well get in, we have a wedding to attend."
They arrived at the Inn at 12:00. Lorelai sat in the room, while she got her hair done and went through the check list in her head of all the things that she was going to say in her vows today...she was going to marry Luke today.It seemed like years since he had proposed, they had been through so much in that time,and he was right there, unfailing in his love. Supporting her, comforting Rory, standing up to her mother, winning both her parents over, even getting Richard to grant his blessing. She had never been so sure about anything in his life.
Above the closed diner Liz and TJ were making last minute adjustments to their wardrobe...why they ever thought that Lukes wedding would be a renaissance wedding escaped Luke. Tj borrowed a suit and Rory was brining over a dress for Liz.
Rory walked into the diner...and called out...
"Hello? Luke? Liz?" she said.
And then there he was coming out from the back room. They stood their for a moment.
"Hi." he said.
"Hi." Rory said. She knew he would be there, she had actually thanked her mother for marrying Luke, so that she and Jess would be related and any chance of him getting back with her would be too incestuous even for a Gilmore. He was going to be Lukes best man.
Her mother had asked her about it, with her being the maid of honor that would put them in close contact often and she didn't want to upset her. She told her that she was fine if Jess said he was fine with it. And there he was...so he must have been fine with it.
"They are all up stairs." Jess said.
"Oh yeah, right...duh."
"Congratulations." he said.
"Yeah...uh..huh?"
"I mean your mom and Luke. It is a good thing right? You have always liked Luke."
"Oh yeah, that." Why was he making her so nervous. "Yeah it's a good thing."
"Listen..." He started.
"I better get this to your mom and then get back to the Inn to mine." Rory said, she felt like she was 16 years old again. She was a 20 year old woman...she needed to get past whatever this was.
"Right...sorry." Jess said.
Rory went upstairs to give Liz the dress.
"Come in!" Luke called.
She walked in and Luke was standing there in his tux, hair all done nice and short like he wore to her graduation...he looked really good in that tux. Mom had to talk him into the longer knee length coat, but it was worth it.
"You look amazing." Rory said.
"Thanks Ror."
"Ugh Liz, here are a couple different dresses a couple of mine a couple of mom's you can choose which ever..."
"Thanks Rory." Liz said. "You can call me Aunt Liz now if you want."
"Oh yeah, that's right." Rory said.
"But you don't have to." Luke said trying to save her. "I mean cause...you just...it's not like..."
"No Luke, I like that, both mom and Chris are only children I have never had an aunt."
"See Luke, she wants an Aunt."
"And an Uncle Tj too." TJ chimed in.
The two team hugged her..."Welcome to the family kiddo." Liz said.
"Thanks."
"Hey I uh...have a minute with Rory please?" Luke said.
"Yeah...sure." They said and walked out of the room.
"What's up." Rory said. "You aren't having second thoughts are you."
"About your mom? No...about..you?"
"What...I mean, what do you mean... I um...I uh...can quit parking in that spot at the house and blocking you in I mean... I didn't...think."
"No...it isn't the parking."
"Oh, then uh, I guess you want me to stop coming home to do laundry all the time..."
"Rory no...it isn't any of that. I just don't want you to ever feel like you can't come to your mom anymore because I am there, or that she doesn't need you anymore, or any of that. I just want to make sure that you guys will always be you guys...it's just."
"Now we are better Luke."
"What?"
"We were always meant to be a threesome, mom just could never pick the third. It's ok Luke, I know it will be the same, I mean...you have been there for us my whole life ever since I can remember...remember when Lane and I used to come in and spin around on the stools and you told us, to stop because if we puked you would have to close down for a week."
"Yeah."
"And you were there for mom everytime she needed you and I couldn't handle it. No matter what. And you were there for me when Dean and I broke up the first time and you were so protective of me this last time...and...my graduation. Luke you have always been the man in our lives, now you are just going to sleep over too."
"Thanks Rory."
"Hey what are evil step children for?" Rory said.
"I want you to have this." Luke said handing her a box.
"What is it?"
"Open it up."
She opened the box to find a jewelry box. It was beautifully carved in cherry wood.
"Luke this is amazing...did you make this."
He nodded.
"Open it up."
She opened the box and it played a song.
"Luke it is great. Thank you."
"Your welcome. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Letting me marry your mom."
"Any time." Rory said. "I better get back. See you in a little while."
"Ok...I'll be the one in the tux."
"Got it."
Rory got back to the in just in time for Sookie to announce that she was re-doing the cake.
"Sookie...no...why?" Rory asked.
"Because it isn't perfect...this is Lorelais wedding it has to be a master piece." Sookie said.
Rory followed Sookie in to the kitchen where the most beautiful cake she had ever seen sat.
"You are kidding right Sookie?"
"Really you think it is ok?"
"Sookie...this is...wow...yes, it is perfect. Don't you dare change a thing. Now go home...and get changed, get Jackson and Davey and little Gwenny and get back here."
"Ok...ok...you are sure..."
"I am so sure. Do you have Davey's tux?"
"Yeah and the pillow for the rings is in Lorelais office I will grab it on my way out."
Rory rushed up stairs so she could get her hair done and dress on in time. With all the distractions she was cutting it close.
"Hey hon." Lorelai said when she walked into the room.
"Mom, wow...you look...amazing."
"Dosen't she?" Emily said.
"Wow." Rory said walking up behind her mom and looking at her in the mirror.
"The dress is amazing...and...wow..."
"Thanks hon. What's that?" Lorelai asked pointing to the jewelry box.
"Oh, yeah...this...Luke made it for me."
"Oh wow hon, this is beautiful, he made this for you...?"
"Yeah...he actually traded me you for it...so." Rory joked. "Open it up."
Lorelai lifted the lid of the box and listened to the tune it played. She started to weep.
"You know what this song is?" Lorelai said.
"No, I was having a hard time pin pointing it."
"That is because it isn't your average song...he had to have had the music box custom made,
this is the song that we danced to Liz and TJ's wedding." She said.
"Oh that's so sweet." Rory said.
"You have a wonderful man Lorelai."
"You're telling me." she said. "So you saw him?
Does he look amazing. "
"He looks great mom, good enough to marry.
They all looked great."
"What do you mean all?"
"Liz, Tj, Jess."Rory said.
"Oh..hon...Jess was there?"
"It was fine mom, things are going to be fine...I mean...we re going to be cousins soon so...ewe..and plus Logan will be here soon...and.."
"Your gentlemen friend is coming" Emily perked up.
"Yes grandma."
"Make sure you introduce me."
"I will."
"So...15 until show time." Lorelia said.
"Yeah."
"Hey mom...can you..give me and Rory a second?"
"Sure I will go track down your father." Emily said.
"So..."Lorelai said."Big day for us today."
"Yeah..."Rory said.
"I just want you to know that...this doesn't change anything...I mean we are still us."
"I know mom. Do you think I wanted you to die alone? I am so happy for you, and I love Luke, I mean he has been more of a father to me than dad has ever been."
"I am glad to hear you say that hon. Cause Luke really loves you. And you know I do. We just want you to know that you can come to us still with anything."
"I know. Like I told Luke...we were always a threesome...you just never knew it."
"I love you kid."
"I love you too mom." They hugged and Lorelai weeped a little.
"You have to hold this together mom."
"Undercontrol." Lorelai said.
"I hope I am not interrupting." Richard said.
"Dad...no, hi."
Richard looked at his daughter...this was the day he had dreamed about for her since she was a little girl. All of the hurt in the past seemed to be erased for a moment.
"You look stunning." he said.
"Thank you Daddy." Lorelai said. She hadn't called him daddy since she was three years old,
but at that moment...she felt like she was his little girl again.
"Are we ready to go?" Rory said.
"On with the show." Lorelai said.