A/N: Sorry it took a while to update. I appreciate all the reviews you gave me. I still don't have a new beta. The thing with my cousin didn't really worked out, as you might have figured out already, so this one is just me. Some of you think it's important if I just update and don't care about my grammar, others recommend me to find a new beta. Just tell me if you want to help me, I'd be honoured, but make sure you have the time to do it, because I'm not the kind of person that can wait for a few weeks before I can post a chapter.
Chapter 19 Every girls dream
It was 10 o clock, 31st of December, year 2005. The guests started to arrive for the last wedding of the year. Or the first wedding of the year 2006, depends on how you see it.
The preparations for the wedding went very well. Emily spent most of her time in Stars Hallow helping out. She and Rory were walking around the inn once more to see if there was anything left to do. Everything looked perfect though. The guests seemed to enjoy themselves and everything was set in place.
They went upstairs were Lorelai was already busy to prepare herself when her cell phone went off.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
Lorelai smiled at the sound of Luke's voice. "What's up?"
"Nothings up. Just checking if you still want to go trough with this."
"Absolutely." Her smiled went bigger. "But I hope you haven't changed your mind."
"No way. I've been waiting for this day way to long to walk away now."
"Good."
"So I see you walking down the aisle in a little less than a hour and a half?"
"You bet!"
"Good, that's all I needed to know."
"Hey Luke, are you nervous?"
"Not at all."
"Good. Hey, don't forget I love you."
"I love you too Lorelai." And with that he hung up.
The truth was Luke is very nervous. He had never been so nervous his entire life. But the sound of her voice, and the confidence she had in it, made it a little better. He turned around when he heard someone knock on his door.
"Come in."
Buddy entered the room. "How are you son?"
"Just a little nervous, that's all."
"That's natural. I remember how nervous your father was at his wedding day. That day he still couldn't believe your mother wanted to marry him. He was so afraid she'd abandon him at the altar. It wasn't the thought of spending the rest of her life with him that made him so nervous, it was the thought of spending his life without her."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'll tell you the same thing I told him back than. She loves you Luke. She said yes to your proposal because there is no day in her life she wants to spend apart from you. And you know this is the right thing. You knew it the first time you looked her in the eyes. And you'll know when you see her walking towards you. Her eyes will be fixed on you. Her smile will be bigger then you have ever seen, and she will be more beautiful then you could ever imagine. And you know that it's right."
"I hope so."
"I was right when I told your father."
"Well, that's true." Luke managed to smile.
Lorelai was having the same kind of conversation with her mother. Rory went to check on some more things, leaving the two of them alone for a while.
"Mom, how do you know this is it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Were you nervous on your wedding day?"
"Yes, I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life."
"Really?"
"Yes. While I was planning my wedding I knew it was the right thing and then there is this time, right before the ceremony started. It was the first time I could sit down and think. That's when I realized what it meant. You are spending the rest of your life with that man. You're having children and you think, what if it doesn't turn out the way I expect?"
"What did you do?" Lorelai looked at her mother curiously.
"I realized that you can't predict the future. I realized that we were the future and that we were supposed to make it work, together. And I knew how much I loved Richard and I knew that love was growing every time I saw him. That's when I knew that it was the right thing. That I had nothing to be nervous about."
"Wow."
"A few weeks later your father told me he was just as nervous as I was at the day of our wedding."
"Do you think Luke is nervous too?"
"Why do you think he called you?"
"I never thought about that. I guess he was really checking to see if I wouldn't leave him standing at the altar."
"Exactly."
"Wow, I never really thought he would be nervous. But then again, it doesn't sound so crazy at all."
"The dress is really beautiful." Emily changed the subject. "I have something for you." She pulled a little box out of her purse.
"What is it?"
"Just open it."
With her fingers a little shaky Lorelai opened the box and pulled out a beautiful necklace and matching earrings. "Oh, mom, this is beautiful."
"My mother gave it to me at my wedding day, and I want you to have it. You don't have to wear it now, if you don't want to. It's just a gift I thought you should have."
"Can you help me put it on?" Lorelai looked at her mother.
"Of course." Emily smiled and helped her daughter with the necklace. Lorelai could do the earrings herself.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you mom. This means a lot to me. All of this. You've done so much for me the past few days and it shows me that you really approve this. That you approve Luke. That's what I wanted my whole life, that you approve me." A few tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oh honey, I approve you. And now stop crying. You shouldn't be crying on your wedding day."
"I thought that was the only day you are actually allowed to cry."
Emily smiled and kissed her daughters forehead. "I love you Lorelai."
"I love you too mom."
It was 11.30 p.m. The guests were sitting in the garden of the Dragon fly inn. The garden was decorated with huge flowers. Light of candles and little camp fires made it look even more special, and another benefit was the warmth provided by it. Behind the altar was a big clock so everybody can see when the new year starts. The floor was covered in snow and the snow was still falling down from the sky slowly.
Lanes band was set up at the side. Luke was standing at the altar. Buddy stood by his side. Emily was sitting on the front row, next to Maisy. Both woman looked so proud. The rest of the guests were sitting on both sites of the aisle. Even the Dragonfly inn guests had come out to witness the wedding. Because they were here Michel could attend too. He was sitting second row, just behind Emily and Maisy and he was already wiping away some tears from his eyes, hoping nobody noticed.
The band started playing and everybody turned around. The bridesmaids started walking down the aisle. Luke smiled when he saw Rory. The smile on her face told him that she was more then okay with this. He felt the nervous washing away a little bit already.
When the bridesmaids gathered themselves around the altar, the music changed. Luke hold his breath when he saw her appear. Her arm was linked trough her fathers as they slowly, on the beat of the music, walked down the aisle. Lorelai heard everybody whisper how beautiful she looked but all she saw was Luke. Their eyes were locked and they both smiled. All the sudden the nervous were gone.
Richard kissed his daughters cheek and shook Luke's hand, wishing them both good luck. Luke took Lorelai's hand and whispered "You look beautiful. That dress, it's amazing!"
"You look pretty good yourself. You have an excellent taste in suits."
He smiled at this. "You nervous?"
"No, not anymore. This is what I've been waiting for, for a very long time. How about you?"
"I was until I saw you walking down the aisle. Now I know there is no reason to be nervous. Buddy was right?"
"What?"
"I tell you later."
"Uh Uhm." This was the third time the minister tried to interrupt the happy couple.
"Oh sorry." Lorelai smiled and the crowd started laughing.
"Okay, let's start this. Welcome everybody. My name is Phillip Greene. Today, at the last day of this year we've come together to make the relationship of these two people official. Luke and Lorelai asked us all together to come here and witness one of the most beautiful days of their lives. This isn't the first, and it won't be the last, but this one is special.
They asked us to come here to this specific location. This is the location were they shared their first kiss. That day more then one and a half years ago. The day of the test run of the Dragonfly inn. That night they stood there on the porch and they kissed. It was a first kiss of many to come. A special kiss.
Lorelai felt her eyes well up with tears.
A few days ago, on Christmas eve Luke asked Lorelai if she wants to become his wife. She had no doubts and said 'Yes.' They decided that they didn't wanted to waste any more time. Most of you know the story behind this couple. And so you must know that they loved each other for a long time before they shared that first kiss. At this special day, they made us come together and share their love with us.
When I met this couple, I also met Rory. Rory told me how happy she is that her mother and Luke finally decided to get married. She also told me that they wanted to wait a little more in the first place, but decided that enough waiting has been done. So today we won't only celebrate a new year, but we will celebrate a new life. Married life. Who can better describe the love they feel for each other, then the couple itself. So I want to give the word to Luke. Luke, go ahead."
He took both Lorelai's hands in his and looked her deeply in the eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to forget about everyone around him but her. After another deep breath he started:
"Lorelai, this whole week I've been thinking about what I want to tell you. I'm not a guy who expresses his feelings in words easily. You already know how much I love you and for how long I have loved you. You already know that there is no place in the world I would rather be then with you, right here, right now. You already know, that every morning I wake up next to you, the day can't be ruined anymore. You already know me.
I think you're the only person that has ever known me so well and that's what scared me for a while. But then I realized that is what makes you and me different from the relationships I had before. Knowing that you know me and you didn't ran away, that's what makes me love you so much. And that's what makes me want to spent the rest of my life with you."
Lorelai knew how hard this was for him. He had a hard time telling her these things when it was just the two of them, in private. And know he had to speak in public, surrounded by all their friends and family members. That's what made these words even more special than they already were.
She had to wipe away the tears and take a deep breath before she could say the words she had prepared herself.
"Luke, for years you have been my best friend. You were one of the few people I knew I could always count on. You gave me food and coffee. You fixed stuff around my house. You listened to me if I needed someone to talk to. You drove me to the hospital when my father needed you. You gave me a place to sleep when the independence inn burned down. You helped me to move all Rory's stuff to Yale. You helped me out when I needed the money to finish the Dragonfly. Not once you doubted before you did those things for me, and not once you complained. Yes, if I asked for a sixth refill of coffee you tried to sneak me decaf sometimes or told me it could kill me, but in the end you would give it to me anyway.
I don't know how I could be blind for so long. I was afraid that if I started dating my best friend, and I screwed it up, I would loose him. I would loose you. But I forgot that your best friend is the best guy you can date. Having my best friends as my boyfriend, and lately my fiancée and soon as my husband, that's the best thing, besides Rory of course, that ever happened to me. I love you Luke, and I promise you that I will always love you."
"I love you too." He kissed her.
Phillip checked his watch. Only 5 more minutes before midnight.
"Those beautiful words mean a lot more than any of us can imagine. There are only a few minutes left so we have to go on with the ceremony right away.
Lukas Danes, do you take this woman, Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in heath, for richer and for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, do you take this man, Lukas Danes, to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"The rings please."
Buddy handed the rings to the minister. "People have been wearing wedding rings since the Roman time. They believed that the vein in the finger runs directly into the heart. A ring is a never ending circle and it symbolizes everlasting love." He handed the ring to Luke who slipped it over Lorelai's finger.
"Okay Lorelai, this one is for you." He handed the ring to her.
Lorelai looked Luke in his eyes while she slid the ring over his finger.
"Phillip turned around to the clock. Very slowly he said "I now pronounce you husband and wife." At the same time the clock went to twelve o clock exact. "Happy new year everybody!"
Fireworks filled the sky while Luke and Lorelai kissed. It was the first kiss of the year and the first kiss they shared as a married couple.
Everybody started a line to congratulate the couple. First Rory, then Richard and Emily and Buddy and Maisy, Liz and TJ, Jess, Sookie and Jackson, Michel and all the other guests. After they walked by the couple they went inside were the party was. The food was already set up and the band started playing as soon as the first guests arrived.
In the end Luke and Lorelai were the only once left outside. "So, this is it." Luke smiled.
"You were nervous."
"Never been more nervous in my life." He admitted.
"What did Buddy tell you?"
He smiled "I wondered how long it would take you to bring that up. He told me that it's natural to be nervous and that my father was just as nervous on his wedding day. And he also told me that the nerves would go away when I saw you walking down the aisle, and he was right."
"Wow."
"So, were you nervous?"
"Yeah, I had the same kind of conversation with my mother, who told me she was nervous too. She told meshe was afraid what the future would take her, but she realized that she and dad were the future. They had to create it and that made it a little less scared for her. After that she changed the subject and gave me the necklace and earrings. Her mother gave them to her on her wedding day."
"They are beautiful."
"Yeah, I hope I can give them to Rory one day on her wedding day."
"I know you will."
"I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"We have to get inside."
"Do we really? Can't we stay here instead, just the two of us?"
"Well, I have a feeling we will be missed."
"Was it anything like you expected it to be?"
"It was perfect."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, how was it for you?"
"Well, I hated being in the centre of the attention, but it was really special. I can't believe we're actually married now."
"Better believe it mister." She kissed him.
After he pulled back he noticed she was shivering. "You're cold."
"Just a little."
"Let's go inside."
"Really?"
"Yeah." He took her hand and together they entered the Dragonfly. Everybody started to applause the moment they walked in.
The band started playing and Luke directed Lorelai to the dance floor.
"But you hate dancing."
"Well, they expect us to dance anyway, and I know you love to dance."
"I feel very special."
They moved around the dance floor slowly and more people started to dance around them. Soon the floor was completely filled with people and the party was officially started.
After a few songs Rory asked the band if she could say something. The lead singer gave her a his microphone.
"Mom, Luke, I wanted to be the first one to bring out a toast. This day has been the best day of my life, and trust me, there has been some very good once. This is the day I've been dreaming of for years now. I'm happy it finally came and I must say it's better then I ever imagined. This is a big step for the both of you and there will only be a few weeks till your lives will change again. But I know you will be great parents for the baby, and I can tell from experience."
She smiled and Lorelai had to wipe away a few tears. "Mom, Luke, I am so proud of being here today and hate that I have to leave again tomorrow. Or today actually." She pushed away the sadness that threatened to take over. "Let's not talk about that now, this is a party. All I really want to say is that I love you guys."
Lorelai pulled her daughter off the podium and hugged her. "I love you to babe."
Rory hugged Luke. It didn't even made him feel unconvertible anymore. He was starting to get used to it. "I love you Rory."
Richard was the next one on the podium. "There was a time when I thought this day would never come. I'm glad I was wrong. Her mother and I have never been more proud. Lorelai, Luke, I wish you all the happiness in the world."
"Thanks dad." Lorelai whispered at her father.
"I love you Lorelai."
"I love you too dad."
After Richard there were a lot more people who wanted to say something to Luke and Lorelai. They each took a turn and after the last one finished talking, the band started playing again. Luke and Lorelai danced, they talked, they laughed and didn't noticed how exhausted they were. This was, without a doubt, the best day in their lives.