Disclaimer: I do not hold the rights to anything cool.
Author Notes: I am going to keep this short. Thank you to everyone that reviewed. You made me wanna write the story, so go reviewers. This is the end. Maybe one day I will get inspired to write a sequel, but my story ideas come few and far between. I hope everyone enjoys this last installment.
Luvs: Its the end! I want my big huge review!
Chapter 11: Baby We Can Make This Last A Lifetime
11 am December 15th
Lorelai sat in her newly remodeled bedroom waiting patiently for her curling iron to heat. She had made Sookie and her mother leave about an hour ago, wanting some time to herself to get ready. Sookie flipped out thinking that Lorelai was planning to run away and leave Luke at the alter ala Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride. Finally, after giving Sookie her IDs, credit cards, and keys to the jeep and telling her that without money, identification, and transportation she wouldn't be able to go anywhere. Emily, knowing the reason for Lorelai's melancholy, dragged Sookie out the door telling Lorelai that they would be back about 1:30 to make sure that she was ready.
Lorelai looked in her mirror and smiled slightly at the face looking back at her. Her eyes in the reflection sparkled with anticipation and excitement at finally become Mrs. Backwards Baseball Cap or formally known as Mrs. Luke Danes. Deep within her eyes, however, Lorelai could see sadness. She was happy, she wanted to get married today, but yet she was disappointed that Rory didn't show up. She was supposed to be there in her shimmery, blue dress helping Lorelai get ready and singing silly songs to calm her mother down. Lorelai smiled while picking up her curling iron as she caught sight of her dress in the mirror. She was right yesterday; it's not alright, but it most defiantly will be okay.
She was about to start curling her hair when the phone rang for the third time since Sookie left. She put the curling iron down with a sigh and picked up the phone.
"No Sookie, I have not run away. I am still here trying to fix my hair. I have no plans to hop on a UPS truck or change my identity and move to Nova Scotia. Can I finish getting ready now?"
"Glad to hear that you aren't leaving, especially via UPS truck. Those brown uniforms do nothing for you."
"LUKE! Don't tell me you are concerned about me bailing? You know I am going to be there right?" asked Lorelai, brightening at the sound of Luke's voice over the phone, but concerned that he may doubt that she actually will be there.
"Oh I know you are going to be there, after all how else will you get coffee," responded Luke, grinning into the phone.
"As superior as it is, I am not marrying you solely for the coffee. A girl has to eat too," said Lorelai with a laugh.
"Well, we can't have you starve now, can we?"
Lorelai smiled, but stayed silent on the phone, staring at a picture of her and Rory.
"Lorelai?"
"I wish she was here Luke. I thought that she was going to come, I just hoped that she would want to be here," said Lorelai holding back her tears.
"Hey, you know we don't have to do this today right? We can wait till things are good between you two again. I am sure this won't last much longer," responded Luke, wishing he could be there to hold her.
"No, I want to get married today. I love you and want to be with you whether Rory is here or not," Lorelai said looking out her window. "HEY!"
"What? What happened?" said Luke, startled by the sudden excitement in the voice over the phone.
"IT'S SNOWING! I knew it would snow today, I just knew it. You know that the-"
"Best things always happen in the snow," said Rory quietly, smiling at the sight of her mom so happy.
"Rory?" said Lorelai in disbelief, still holding the phone, while turning towards the door.
"Rory? Lorelai, what is going on! LORELAI!" yelled Luke into the phone, wondering if he should buck tradition and run over there.
"Mom, talk to Luke, I'll still be here," Rory said walking over to her mom and putting the phone to Lorelai's ear.
"Luke-I-Rory-snow," Lorelai whispered into the phone, before breaking down into sobs.
"Lorelai! Do you want me to come? Lorelai," responded Luke to the incomplete ramblings that Lorelai sputtered into the phone.
Rory ran over to her mom and took the phone from her. "Luke?"
"Rory!"
"I came back. I know I was wrong and I have a lot to tell the two of you, but right now you both need to get ready for ceremony. I sent Logan over with my contribution to the ceremony and you and all your merry men need to wear one. I'll take care of mom and we both will see you in a few hours okay?" said Rory, while giving her crying mother a hug.
"It better not be tights. Hey Rory?"
"Yeah?"
"I am glad you came," Luke said in the phone.
"Hey, it's not everyday a girl gets to see her parents get married. I wouldn't miss this for the world. And Luke, thanks for the advice, it really helped," replied Rory, her eyes tearing up slightly.
"Love you kid. Tell your mom that I'll see her in a few hours," said Luke, holding back tears himself.
"Love you too. Now go get ready, or you'll be late," said Rory before hanging up the phone.
Rory tossed the phone on the bed and turned to her mom, who was still standing near the window, tears streaming down her face.
"Rory?"
"Mom, I am so sorry. I was so wrong and I don't hate you, I was just ashamed and confused and wanted to figure everything out myself. I thought you would be disappointed that I didn't know what to do, that I was confused, because I am Rory, I always have answers. I figure everything out with lists and what I find in books and this time I didn't do that. I disappointed myself and I couldn't deal with it so I ran because I couldn't deal with being wrong. Luke told me not to give up my dreams, Jess told me I was acting like a brat, even you told me not to give up, and I ignored everyone. I just don't know what to do," said Rory before breaking down into tears.
"Hey, it's alright. I know you were confused, I just didn't understand why you gave everything up. I was wrong too, I should have listened to you and tried to help you figure stuff out," said Lorelai, pulling her sobbing, prodigal daughter into her arms, her own tears flowing down her face. "As I have said before we are too much alike, both of us blaming ourselves when no one really was to blame."
"But it is my fault Mom, I just gave up."
"Rory, your grandfather told me something not to long ago and it made me realize that you can't change the past, you just have to live in each moment as it comes."
"What did he say?"
"Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."
"What does that mean?"
"Like I said, stop thinking about what happened with that Huntzberger jackass, stop thinking about whether or not people are disappointed in you. What do you want to do with your life right now? Without thinking about the dreams you have or had or what happened two hours ago? What do you want Rory?"
"I think, no I know. I want to go back to school," replied Rory hesitantly.
"Then go back, study what you want to study whether it is English, Journalism, Biology, or Yoga, but don't stop yourself from doing what you want to do just because one person says you can't do it. Don't let your dreams be worth so little that they can be pushed away because someone says you can't do it. Prove them wrong, baby. Life isn't easy, but nothing worth getting ever was," said Lorelai quietly, holding her still sobbing daughter close to her. "Now, if you don't mind, I have a wedding to get ready for and I would love it if you would help a girl out because frankly I don't know what to do with my hair."
"Mom! You're getting married!" yelled Rory jumping up from her seat on Lorelai's bed.
"I'm getting married!" squealed Lorelai, as she and Rory jumped around her room.
"I'm getting married!" Lorelai glanced at her clock. "AHHHHHHHH!"
"What?" exclaimed Rory, frightened by her mother's sudden scream.
"I'm getting married in less than 2 hours and I am not close to being ready!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEE! Okay, what needs to be done?"
"Well got my dress on, so that is a start, but I need to get my hair done. Curls up or down?"
"Down, that way we can put flowers in it and it would look simple, but elegant," replied Rory, sitting her mother down at the vanity and picking up the curling iron.
1:00 pm
"So my hair is done, your hair is done. My dress is on, your dress is on; good pick on the dress by the way. Shoes are waiting patiently to be put on, are you sure I can't wear my Hello! Kitty slippers?"
"No slippers mom, those shimmery faux Manolo Blahniks go perfect with your dress. Besides they are your something borrowed right? Because I know you stole them from me at least a year ago"
"Oh no! I don't have my somethings!" Lorelai said, panicking slightly.
"Breathe mom. Your dress is new. You're wearing my stolen shoes so those are borrowed since I am taking them back after today. You are wearing the earrings that Luke gave you a long time ago those are your old. They don't make sixpences anymore, so that part is antiquated."
"What about blue? I knew I should have bought some blue underwear. I had to go and get the pretty black ones just to be a rebel."
"Well, I bought something that I thought you would like, kind of an apology gift and my way of helping plan the wedding," said Rory softly pulling out the bag she left by the door.
"Ooohh, what did you get me?"
"Well, I remembered you always calling Luke Flannel Man; so I managed to find some blue plaid flannel stockings in New York. I got a pair for you so they could be your something blue. There a few extra pairs, I am sure you want your maid of honor and bridesmaids to wear them."
Lorelai took the stockings from Rory, tears once again coming to her eyes. Only her daughter knew her well enough to know that flannel stockings would be perfect today. "Will the stockings fit you?" she asked softly.
"What?"
"I don't have a Maid of Honor. I was hoping you would come so I never picked one."
"But what about Sookie? And Luke? He won't have enough-" started Rory.
"Baby, it's okay. We worked it out. Jess and Jackson are standing up for Luke and you and Sookie are standing up for me."
"How did you know I was going to come? We weren't talking or-" asked Rory before breaking down into tears again.
"I had hope. Sometimes it's all you have, but nonetheless I hoped that you would come."
"But my dress?"
"I knew O-Daughter-of-Mine, that when you came it would be in the dress that we talked about after that first date with Luke. Sookie's is the same."
"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm just-"
"Rory, it takes too much time and energy holding on to everything that has happened. We both have too much to look forward to. Let's just forget the bad, keep the good, and be happy," said Lorelai pulling her sobbing daughter to her again.
"I need to tell you something Mom."
"And what is that?"
"Thank you for the journal and how you raised me. You did good and everything good that I have or am is because of you. I wanted to tell you that."
"Oh baby, it was my pleasure. You made me happy when I didn't think I could be. That was all the thanks I needed."
"Logan is dropping off some blue plaid flannel ties with Luke. Now you guys will match," said Rory, trying to lighten the mood, but still clinging to her mother.
"I'm sure Jess will be thrilled to wear a blue, plaid flannel tie. Logan's here, huh?"
"Mom, he was as angry at me for quitting Yale as the rest of you. He also was positive his father said those things just to make me quit. He is a good guy," said Rory, not wanting to fight with her Mom again.
"Well I would like to actually meet him, and not just hear him talk to my parents, but actually get to know him," said Lorelai, wanting to make amends with Rory on all fronts.
"You will, I promise."
"Now, let's get ourselves together, because I am getting married in like half an hour and your grandmother should be here any-"
"Lorelai!" echoed Emily's voice up the stairs.
"-minute," finished Lorelai.
"Lorelai! It's nearly 1:30. Please tell me you are ready. Sookie is already at the gazebo making sure everything is set," yelled Emily as she walked up the stairs to Lorelai's room. The scene she came upon was not what she was expecting. Rather than Lorelai by herself trying to finish up, she was with Rory, but had on some ridiculous stockings. The stockings weren't what shocked her into silence. It was the fact that her daughter and grand-daughter seemed to be actually getting along.
"Rory?"
"That's my name," Rory said, smiling at her grandmother.
"What-why-you came?" stuttered Emily.
"Of course I came Grandma. I know I was confused and messed up before, but I worked everything out. I'm okay now, I'm going back to Yale where I belong," she said before going to hug her grandmother.
"I hate to break this up, but I really want to get to the church on time, so can we get this show on the road," interrupted a radiant Lorelai.
"Lorelai, yes, of course. The car is downstairs. You do look lovely," said Emily wiping tears from her eyes and reaching toward her daughter and giving her a hug.
'Ok boys and girls. Copper Boom! Move out!" yelled Rory, already moving toward the stairs.
2 P.M. The Gazebo
Rory walked down the aisle, smiling at Logan and her grandmother. She nodded at Jess and smiled at him, hoping that he would get the silent thank you. Her grin spread wider when he smiled and nodded back. When she got to the chuppah she saw Luke standing there grinning and his eyes wet. Instead of going to her place next to Sookie, she stopped and hugged Luke and told him thank you. She started crying when he hugged back and told her he was glad she was back. The bridal procession started and Rory went to go stand by Sookie and watch her mother finally get the whole package.
Luke doesn't remember much of the actual ceremony. He remembers seeing Lorelai walking down the aisle on her father's arm. He remembers Jess punching him slightly in the arm telling him to breathe. He remembers the large smile on Lorelai's face and the hug Rory gave him when she made it down the aisle. Suddenly, he and Lorelai are kissing and the tent of people erupts into cheering and yelling. Obviously, he said what he needed to say at the proper moments because they were just declared Mr. and Mrs. Danes.
As Lorelai walked down the aisle she had no thoughts of 'oh no this is forever' or that she needed to leave. She was nervous true, because what bride isn't, but the second she saw Luke standing at the chuppah, looking uncomfortable in his suit and flannel tie, which she will need to mock him about once the ceremony was over, she knew that Luke was forever. With that thought in her head and the sight of her daughter, who was once lost, standing there, waiting for Lorelai to walk up and complete their family, the already present grin grew bigger. As she walked down the aisle, women in the audience sighed hoping that they had the kind of love that she had because Lorelai Gilmore had the look that only true love can give a girl.
The ceremony rushed by too quickly for Lorelai, who wanted to savor the slight tremor in Luke's voice as he said that he would take her in sickness and health, coffee and junk food, forever and ever. She wanted to imprint in her heart and soul the way she felt when she put the ring on Luke's finger and felt him brush the tears off her cheeks. Before she was ready the ceremony was over and she was kissing her new husband. Lorelai looked up at Luke, happiness overwhelming her features and started to laugh at the stunned, deer in head lights look on his face.
"Nice tie Mr. Danes," she said with a smile.
"Nice stockings there, Mrs. Danes," Luke responded catching a peek of them as they walked together up the aisle, whistles and cheers in their ears.
"They were much needed gifts."
"Hey, you two, you're holding up the procession. I would like to get some cake sometime soon," said Rory from behind them as they had stopped halfway up the aisle to kiss again.
Lorelai smiled to herself and dragged Luke up the rest of the aisle to where Kirk was waiting with one of her father's classic cars that would drive them to the Dragonfly. She didn't care that her mother would make her stand in one of the stupid receiving lines, she was just glad that after thirty odd years she and her parents finally were getting along. She turned her head and saw her daughter looking back at her, mouthing I love you to her. She mouthed it right back, thrilled the Rory finally seems to be finding her way. As Luke pulled her into the car, yelling at Kirk to put up the partition, she started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Luke as he pulled her onto his lap.
"I just can't believe you got Jess to wear that tie."
"It just took some persuading."
"I hope it isn't the kind of persuading you use for me because otherwise, buddy, we have some serious issues to work through."
"Lorelai?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up," said Luke, kissing her quite passionately.
Lorelai sighed and pressed herself closer to Luke. She finally had it all. A smart, worldly daughter who was going to make her dreams come true, parents that approved of her life, and a husband that she loved more than she thought possible.
Lorelai pulled away from Luke with a smile. "I love you."
"Love you too, Mrs. Backwards Baseball Cap. Love you, too," responded Luke kissing her again.
As Lorelai lost herself in her husband's kiss she couldn't help but think that finally she had the whole package and it was more amazing than she thought.
AN2: A final word. I really hate Christopher and this new daughter that appears. I hate November, but as Luvs says we must be Zen. Happy endings will occur. I hope everyone enjoyed this wild ride. I hope to back soon.