Gold

August, 2005

Wedding plans were underway. Luke and Lorelai had set the date for October fourth, both agreeing that it was the ideal time of year to have an outdoor wedding. October in Connecticut was still warm on most days, but not too warm. And the changing of the colors of the trees from green to all shades of red, yellow, gold, and orange would create the perfect atmosphere.

Lorelai had chosen Rory to be the maid of honor, of course, and Rory couldn't have been happier to spend the rest of the summer planning her mother's wedding with her.

Luke had called up Jess and asked him to be his best man. He didn't know if Jess would want to do it because he remembered the resistance Jess had to walking his mother down the aisle for her wedding last year, but Luke didn't really have any other close family or friends, so he thought he'd at least ask.

-----

"Hey Jess… it's Luke"

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Pretty good, pretty good… hey, I wanted to ask you something…"

"Shoot."

"Well, Lorelai and I… are, well, getting married…"

"I knew it! I've been waiting for this call since I saw the two of you dance at Mom's wedding last year." The sarcastic, mocking undertones were definitely present.

"Yeah, well, you're about the hundredth person that's said that to me, but anyway, I was wondering if… you'd be my best man?"

"…yeah, sure."

"Okay, well, the wedding's in October, so I'll give you more details as we get closer."

"Alright, cool."

"Thanks, Jess."

"No prob."

…………………………………

"Mom, are you serious?" Lorelai asked with a disgusted look on her face.

"Oh just try it on, Lorelai. It's a classy, sophisticated dress."

"No, it's boring is what it is," Lorelai said, looking at the dress with her face all scrunched up in protest.

"It is not boring. I think you should try on something that doesn't make you look like a personified cloud, or some sort of unshorn sheep."

Rory sat in the corner observing her mother and her grandmother argue over dresses-- all day. She'd done her share of choosing dresses for Lorelai to try on, but any of the ones that Lorelai and Rory both liked, Emily made a face at and would pick out another instead. Finally Rory gave up and retreated to the corner to watch. "Mom, just try the thing on."

Lorelai gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Whose side are you on?"

"I'm not on anyone's side. Just try it on, and show Grandma how it looks. It doesn't mean you have to buy it," she said, sinking lower into her chair with a sigh. Rory had loved the idea of helping Lorelai pick out a wedding dress, in theory. But it turned out to be like a tennis match of "Oh, just try it on!" "No." "Oh, come on!" "No!" between her mother and grandmother, and it was getting old.

"Boy, you're grumpy," Lorelai answered, then sighed. "Fine, I'll try it on."

"Thank you," said both Rory and Emily in unison.

-------

When Emily had asked Lorelai if she could help her pick out a wedding dress, Lorelai was a bit skeptical. But with a little encouragement from Luke, 'You guys have really made progress lately. This could help it along a little more,' she realized that she could at least let Emily help with this small detail of the wedding.

Emily and Richard had been the second ones to know about the engagement. Lorelai had been nervous to tell them, and Luke was even more nervous, but they had decided that it was only right that her parents should be the second ones to know, so after breakfast the morning after the engagement, Luke and Lorelai drove to Hartford to tell them in person.

The Gilmores' reaction was nothing like Lorelai had expected. She half expected her mother to be her usual condescending self to Luke, and tell Lorelai that she was doing something terribly wrong. She had expected to come out of there crying. But it actually went well. Freakishly well, in fact. She could tell that her mother was really making an effort to keep her comments at bay, and though there was no hugging involved, the most important thing was that Emily seemed to be trying, and she seemed to have realized that the most important thing was that her daughter was happy.

"Why don't you come to Friday night dinner this week, Luke?" Emily had offered as Lorelai looked on in shock. Luke glanced at Lorelai and hesitantly accepted.

Dinner that Friday had gone well, and seemed to go better every week, until one Friday at the end of July, Emily took Lorelai aside and apologized to her for judging Luke as she did, and admitted that he seemed like a "very respectable man". That meant a lot coming from Emily Gilmore. Lorelai found out later that Emily had also taken the time to apologize to Luke himself, and that had meant even more to Lorelai.

-------

The golden rays of the setting sun glittered into the bridal shop's windows by the time that Lorelai had chosen a dress and the three women were leaving.

Lorelai had finally landed on a dress that all three of them loved. It was a beautiful white dress, the strapless top was fitted perfectly, showing off her delicate shoulders and arms, and the skirt of the dress was sheer and flowing, but fluffed out just enough. Hints of tiny gold sparkles could be seen shining in the light as the fabric moved. Lorelai felt like a fairy princess while wearing this dress. It was perfect.

During the car ride home, Lorelai daydreamed about her wedding day, and of wearing that dress. She pictured herself and Luke standing underneath the chuppah together, promising to love each other for the rest of their lives.

"…right Mom? …hello, earth to Lorelai!" Rory said, looking over at her from the passenger seat of the Jeep. She had been talking for the past couple of minutes and just realized that Lorelai hadn't heard a word that she said.

"What?"

"Nevermind," Rory laughed once she saw the dreamy smile on Lorelai's face, knowing pretty well what Lorelai must be thinking about.

…………………………………………

Arriving home, Lorelai asked Rory to take the dress inside. "I'm gonna hang out here for a few minutes."

"Okay. Is everything alright?" Rory asked, concerned.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine!" She smiled. "It's just so pretty out tonight, I thought I'd enjoy it for a few minutes."

"Okay. I'll be inside."

Once Rory had gone into the house, Lorelai walked over to the chuppah that was sitting over at the edge of her yard where it had been for the past four years. She stood underneath it in the dim, fading sunlight and reached out to run her fingers over the golden wood, over the beautiful carvings that Luke had painstakingly worked on. She spent a few minutes reflecting on their past together, and daydreaming about their future together. She thought about how Luke had gone through so much trouble to make this beautiful thing for her when she had almost gotten married to another man. She thought of how many times she and Luke had almost gone down paths that would have taken them away from each other, and she thanked the fates for giving them their chance together. She thought about what it will be like in just a couple of months when they stand under this chuppah together and get married to each other.

She was pulled out of her reverie by Luke's arms snaking around her waist from behind, the sound of his voice, soft and close to her ear asked, "What are you thinkin' about?"

She smiled and answered simply, "You. Us." She covered his arms with hers and leaned her head back against his chest.

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

She nodded. Then after a few moments' silence, as Luke moved to stand beside her under the chuppah, she spoke tentatively, "Hey Luke? Does it bother you that we're getting married under this chuppah when you originally made this for me under… different circumstances?"

Luke took a deep breath, "You mean when you were supposed to marry Max?"

"Yeah." She said quietly, turning to look at him.

"No," he answered confidently after a thoughtful pause.

"You sure?" she asked.

"Yeah. I mean, the thing that matters is that you didn't marry him… or anyone else. And I made this as a gift to you; not to you and…him anyway."

Lorelai smiled and reached over to put her arm through his, taking a look around her, at the chuppah surrounding them, and at the man next to her.

………………………………………………

"So, you bringing Marty to the wedding?" Lorelai asked Rory with a knowing smile. They were sitting on the couch partaking in their last Mother-Daughter Movie Night of the summer before Rory went back to school for the semester. The coffee table was covered in junk food in proper Movie Night fashion, and they were just about to start the movie.

"Um, why would you assume that?"

"Oh come on, Rory. You know the two of you are like, practically in loooove with each other," she cooed. "You haven't spent more than ten minutes apart all summer."

Rory rolled her eyes, "Mom! We are not in love with each other!" Rory popped a marshmallow into her mouth.

"Okay, well, I know you like him a whole lot, and I know he likes you. So just ask him to go with you."

"…I don't know"

"Aww, come on. It could turn out really great for the two of you."

"I don't know; I'll see how it goes."

Halfway through the movie, Rory looked over, and Lorelai had fallen asleep. It was very un-Gilmore of her to fall asleep during a movie night, but the wedding planning had really tired her out lately. Rory took this opportunity to give Marty a call.

------

"Hey Marty."

"Oh Rory, hey!" she could practically hear him smile.

"I wanted... to ask you... something."

"Sure."

"Well, you know how my mom and Luke are getting married in a couple months?" Rory didn't know why she was so nervous. This was Marty, for Pete's sake… and that was precisely why she was so nervous.

"Yeah..."

"Well, I was wondering if you'd go to the wedding with me... as… my date."

"Oh… yeah, sure! That sounds like fun."

"Yeah? You don't have to if you don't want to. It was just an idea."

"No, I want to. I do." He had been caught a little off-guard by her question, which is where the hesitation in his answer had come from, but in actuality, he was thrilled that she asked.

"Okay, great! Well…" there was an awkward pause. "I'll let you get back to what you were doing. I was just watching a movie with my mom anyway, so I'm gonna go… finish watching. I'll call you tomorrow." Rory was glad that he agreed to go with her, and that he sounded happy to, but she still felt a bit nervous about asking him, and would rather get off the phone as quickly as possible. She'd talk to him tomorrow, and all would be normal again.

"Ok, talk to you tomorrow. 'Night, Rory."

"Goodnight."

……………………………………….

October 4, 2005

The day of the wedding had arrived. Lorelai awoke in the morning feeling like she was buzzing with excitement. She turned over in bed, and saw that Luke was already awake also.

They both agreed that the tradition of bride and groom not seeing each other on their wedding day until the wedding was stupid and archaic, so there they were, in bed together on their wedding morning, and they couldn't stop smiling at each other. They felt goofy and a bit foolish— Lorelai couldn't stop comparing herself to Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie" when she got pinned by Hugo and sang that stupid, giddy song.

After lounging around in bed for a while, kissing, enjoying each other's company, and kissing some more, they finally joined the real world of last-minute wedding preparations before the big event.

Luke had to pick up Jess from the train station, while Lorelai got ready with the help of Rory and Emily. The three Gilmore girls spent the morning in preparations, talking about weddings, and about how your wedding never turns out quite as it did when you used to dream about it as a little girl; it's usually even better. Emily knew this from experience, Lorelai only knew this as far as the preparations for her own wedding had gone so far, and Rory was just enjoying listening to her mother and grandmother chat about the topic because the only experience Rory had in the area was when she was three years old and took Miss Patty's ballet class and got to play a bride in the annual Star's Hollow Young People's Opera.

………………………………

Soon, chairs were set up in the back yard of the Dragonfly, the chuppah was standing in place with golden, yellow roses decorating it, people were dressed, make-up was done, and guests were arriving.

Lorelai and Luke had written their own vows; Luke had resisted at first, but soon realized it was something special to write one's own vows for their wedding. And, even more so, he knew it meant a lot to Lorelai.

As the music started, and Lorelai began her journey down the aisle on her father's arm, she locked eyes with Luke's and they didn't take their gaze away. Lorelai always imagined that she'd feel nervous at her wedding, but she didn't. She felt an intense feeling of calm as she looked into Luke's eyes. She knew this was right beyond a doubt, and as she arrived underneath the chuppah, she gave Luke a confident, loving smile which he returned.

The ceremony was beautiful, and very surreal to Lorelai. This was something she had been beginning to think would never happen for her before she had fallen in love with Luke a little over a year ago, but here she was, standing in front of Luke at their wedding, and they were about to say their vows.

"Lorelai, you know I'm not very good with words…but you know I have loved you for a long time-- even years ago when I pretended not to; when I was too scared that you'd never feel the same way. I will always take care of you, and of Rory. …And I know you're crazy and I'll probably want to kill you on a daily basis, but that will just make it more fun." He chuckled at that last part, and then added seriously, "Here's to the rest of our lives together."

Lorelai smiled genuinely at him, and began to recite her own vows, "Luke, remember that time I came to you crying about how I felt I'd never have "the whole package"? And you told me that I'd get it someday because you just knew? Well, you were right, and it was right in front of me, but it took me so long to realize it. I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't finally opened our eyes to each other. I love you so much, and I look forward to growing very, very old with you. And your coffee." She added that last part and giggled to lighten the serious tone that her vows had taken.

Minutes later, the conclusion of the ceremony prompted a loud cheering from everyone in attendance. The marriage that everyone had been waiting for for the past ten years had finally come about and everyone knew it would last forever. As Luke and Lorelai walked up the aisle with new, shining gold wedding bands decorating each of their left ring fingers, they swore they saw the good people of Stars Hollow paying off bets. Luke sighed in annoyance and Lorelai giggled. "Oh, come on, don't you love that everyone was betting on us getting married?"

…………………………………

The reception was one of Stars Hollow's best celebrations in history, and as everyone knows, Stars Hollow has a ton of celebrations.

Everyone from town was there, plus Richard and Emily, Jess, Liz and TJ, Buddy and Maisie, Marty, and Paris.

Lane's band had been more than happy to play at the reception. Zach had gotten a bit cranky about having to learn a number of slow songs, he whined, That's so not rock and roll! But Lane was able to convince him, People dance at weddings, Zach. How do you slow dance to a White Stripes song, huh? I sure as hell don't think it's possible!

-----

After dancing a few slow dances together, which were surprisingly not awkward, Rory and Marty took some time to hang out on the outskirts of the party by themselves for a while.

"Thanks for coming tonight, Marty. It was really nice."

"Hey, no problem. I loved being here."

"The wedding was beautiful."

"Yeah, it was." Marty moved a bit closer to Rory.

"And the twinkle lights make it feel all fairytale-ish."

"Yeah, they do," Marty almost whispered, facing Rory now.

"And the dancing was..." she looked up at Marty who was looking at her.

"Perfect." he finished her sentence for her just before leaning in the rest of the way and kissing her softly.

He was a bit surprised at first when Rory so readily returned the gesture, but quickly lost all ability to think until they separated from the kiss. Both smiled at each other then with the realization that they were no longer in limbo between friends and more-than-friends. This had just catapulted them into more-than-friends territory, and they couldn't be happier.

………………………………………

"Come make out with me in the horse stables," Lorelai whispered into Luke's ear with a slight giggle as they swayed slowly on the dance floor.

Luke jumped a little and whispered, "Not now!"

Lorelai feigned offense. "Why not!"

Luke leaned closer to her. "There's too many people around," he murmured. "Someone's going to notice that we're missing."

"Oh, come on, Luke!" Lorelai whined, gripping onto his arm.

Luke looked at her sternly and worked his jaw, clearly considering the idea.

A bright smile slowly grew across Lorelai's face, and she tugged on his arm once more before he followed her around the building. As soon as they were around the corner and out of sight, her lips were on his. They didn't even make it to the horse stables, which was a far better place to hide.

"Finally," she murmured against his lips. "There are too many people around."

He pulled away from her face for a second, his hands still lingering on the sides of her cheeks, "Lorelai, it's our wedding, and I think you invited all these people."

"Why didn't you stop me? We haven't had a moment to ourselves. I've been wanting to kiss you like this all day." She pulled his face back towards hers, and they kissed slowly and passionately, thoroughly enjoying their first moments alone as 'man and wife', Lorelai savoring the feeling of being securely held between Luke's body and the wall of the building.

They stayed like this until the sound of footsteps prompted them to part and look in the direction the noise was coming from. "Oh, sorry kids! Carry on!" a very drunk Miss Patty said as she turned and stumbled back the other way.

"Where was she going?"

"I don't know. She was drunk. Maybe she was going to pee in the woods?"

"Lorelai..."

"Sorry. It happens. Especially considering she made the punch."

Luke chuckled. "We probably should be getting back before people realize we're missing."

Lorelai sighed. "I suppose. Besides, we'll have plenty of time to ourselves tonight," she said, grinning.

Luke smiled. "That we will." he held out his hand, and they walked back to their wedding reception hand in hand.