What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas

by B R Cary

What if the last scene in Partings had not taken place? This is the story of what might have happened.

6. Am I only dreaming?

Chapter 6 – "Am I only dreaming?"

After sitting through a round of photos, Luke and Lorelai found themselves in a limo on their way to the reception Luke had planned. Lorelai was so happy that she practically bounced in her seat. She looked over at the man seated next to her. There was just something about him that was so different than any of the other guys she had ever known. There was none of that posturing she had seen in Jason or any of the inconsistency Chris was so famous for. Luke had the quiet, relaxed confidence of a man who knew who he was and was comfortable with it. It even crossed over to how he dressed. Both Jason and Chris, and to some degree Max, had dressed to impress. Luke never felt the need to impress anyone and it seemed to make him all the more desirable. Lorelai had seen the number of women whose heads turned when Luke was wearing his usual plaid shirt and backwards baseball cap. And now, wearing a suit, he had all the ladies at the chapel they had just left practically falling over themselves in order to help him. Normally that would have bothered her, but since Luke had vowed to forsake all others in favor of her, she just stood back and watched him squirm under all the attention. That was another thing she loved about Luke – he didn't realize the affect he had on women.

Luke suddenly turned and looked at Lorelai. "Okay, why are you staring at me?"

Breaking into a smile, Lorelai replied, "It's your own fault. If you weren't so good looking, I wouldn't be forced to stare."

Smiling back, Luke said, "Speaking of good looking, have I told you how absolutely breathtaking you look?"

"No, but feel free to give your positive views on all aspects of my being."

Remembering that he had said something similar to her right before their first 'official' date, Luke's smile widened. "I would, but then we wouldn't make it to the reception."

Lorelai pretended to pout. "Mean."

"Maybe, but we'll just have to wait to get to the 'dirty' later."

That caused Lorelai to laugh. "I'm rubbing off on you."

Winking, Luke said, "Again, that will have to wait until later unless you want to give another limo driver a show."

Blushing, Lorelai recalled the drunken limo ride the year before after the party for the article featuring in Inn. "That's all right. I don't want to share any of your positive views"

"I appreciate that. You are the only one I want seeing my them," Luke said, laughing as well.

Suddenly the limo stopped and seconds later, the door was opened by the driver. "We're here, Mr. Danes."

"Ooooh, so formal. Too bad you're not in a tux then I could be your Bond girl."

"I thought you already were," Luke answered as he got out of the limo.

Lorelai gave Luke her hand and he helped her out of the limo. She leaned into him and gave him a kiss. "Always." Then she noticed where they were. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant. She had seen a picture of the inside of the restaurant once and at once fell in love with the amazing views that could be seen from the windows. She had always wanted to eat there, but it was something that she didn't think that she had shared with Luke. "How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I've always wanted to eat here."

"I didn't. I just saw it on the website when I booked the plane tickets and it seemed like a good place to hold a reception," Luke replied, honestly.

"Luke Danes, you never cease to amaze me."

"And I hope I never will." Luke held out his arm to Lorelai. "Shall we go? Everyone should be waiting inside for us."

Linking her arm through Luke's, Lorelai leaned into him again. As she kissed him, she said, "Let them wait just a few seconds more."

- - - - - -

As Emily sat waiting for her daughter and that . . . diner man to show up, she looked around the room the wedding reception was being held in. She had been quite surprised when she had stepped into such a fancy restaurant. She was so certain that the reception was going to be held at whatever local greasy spoon or burger joint that Lorelai and her new husband could find. Her surprise had grown even more when they had been escorted to a private room with an incredibly beautiful view of the city below. She wondered how a man who wore a ratty baseball cap and flannel – that word gave her such a horrible taste in her mouth – could afford all this. Surely he didn't expect for her and Richard to help pick up the tab. They would have been happy to do so if the couple had gotten married in a proper manner, but they would not pick up one tab for this . . . whatever it was.

Leaning over to Richard, who was sitting contently in his chair drinking a glass of scotch, Emily said, "Richard, if that man asks us to help pick up the tab for all this, we are not going to do so."

Richard just let out a chuckle. "I hardly think he will, Emily. Luke does not strike me as the sort to plan something like this without being able to pay for it out of his own pocket."

"But how can he pay for it? The man owns a diner, for heaven's sake," Emily said, bitingly.

"Emily, your dislike of the man's profession is well-known and seemingly well-founded, but Luke is hardly destitute. Granted he could have made millions had he franchised like I advised him to, but I've had a chance to check him out since then. In fact, Luke himself sent me over his financial portfolio. He seems to be quite a wise business man on his own merits. He owns his business outright, so all his profits go back into the business or into the bank. He also owns the entire building his diner is in, as well as the one next to it, so he gets money for the lease of the soda shop as well as rent for the apartments above the soda shop. That money is invested in stocks and bonds. Our firm's financial guys assure me that Luke is financially stable."

"But Lorelai could have done so much better," Emily practically pouted, though she would not have called it that.

Richard put his drink down. "Lorelai has made her decision and we have to abide by it. Did you not learn anything from the whole debacle after our vow renewal? Let her be, Emily. I know you don't like Luke, but he really does seem to make our daughter happy. Maybe it's time we let that be enough."

As Richard picked up his drink again, Emily say there and stewed. She would never accept Luke being in her daughter's life. He just was not good enough for her. Not that Chris was either, but at least he was from their social circle and could give Lorelai the security of those connections. Luke would never have that.

Sighing, Emily picked up her glass of wine and took a drink. Despite her objections, she did have to admit that the ceremony had been lovely. It might not have been what she had always envisioned for her daughter, but it seemed to fit her daughter.

A sudden commotion around her caused Emily to look up to see what was happening. She noticed that Lorelai and Luke had finally arrived. Seeing the smile on her daughter's face, both Richard and Rory's words echoed in her mind. Why wasn't it enough that her daughter did indeed seem happy? Was she such a snob that social status and breeding were more important than her daughter? It scared her a bit that she truly did not know the answer to that. Then something else Rory had said to her came to mind and she looked at Luke, trying to see him with unbiased eyes. She watched as he stepped back when Rory came over to give her mom a hug, seemingly letting mother and daughter have a moment together. But she noticed for the first time a look of pride on Luke's face as he looked at Lorelai and Rory together. It wasn't a look of arrogant pride that she had seen cross Chris' face, but one of genuine satisfaction. As Rory moved to hug Luke, Emily noticed the smile that crossed his face. It surprised her to admit that Luke was quite a nice looking man and standing there in a well-fitted suit, he almost had an air of the good-breeding that she was used to seeing in men. Gone was the rough and tumble diner owner. In his place was a well-mannered gentleman. Had that always been there? Emily thought back to her past encounters with Luke and she realized that it had been. He might never have the polish of the society set, but he was indeed well-mannered and polite. Even the times she had yelled at him, he had bit his tongue, when she knew that he would have loved to yell back.

Emily continued to watch Luke and Lorelai for a few minutes as the rest of the wedding attendees surrounded the couple. She noticed how Luke always seemed to step back a bit and let Lorelai stand in the limelight. Then looking around again, it struck Emily that none of Luke's relatives were here, except his nephew. Where was his daughter? Surely Luke would have wanted her at his wedding. A smug look started to cross her face at the thought of finding something she could point out to Lorelai about her new husband, when another thought crossed her mind. The chapel, the flowers, the people in attendance, the reception location – these were all things that Lorelai would like. Luke knew her daughter well enough to realize that and to surround her with the things and people she loved most. Luke had totally taken himself out of the day and let Lorelai be the one to step to the forefront. He had put her feelings and wants above his own. As Emily watched Lorelai turn toward Luke and smile up at him, she finally got it.

- - - - -

Luke excused himself from the group of people that surrounded him and Lorelai. He needed to refill his glass, but he also needed to get some air. He had never been comfortable in a group setting. As he made his way to one of the waiters that were milling around the room, he felt a hand on his arm. Turning, he saw Rory standing there. "Hey, Rory. Thanks again for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment."

Noting the serious look on Rory's face, Luke put his glass down on the nearest available space. "Of course." Sensing that she might want a bit of privacy for whatever it was she had to say, he placed his hand on Rory's back and led her to the far side of the room. "Is there anything wrong?"

Smiling softly, Rory replied, "No, nothing's wrong. Something's finally right. I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you and my mom got married. I know I've never told you, but I want to thank you for always being there for my mom . . . and me. I told Grandma and Grandpa on the way out here that I've always viewed you as the male role model in my life, that you were more of a father to me than my own dad ever was. I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am for all those times and to let you know how much they meant to me."

For the second time that day, Luke had to fight to hold back the tears. He reached out and wiped the tears that Rory had no such luck fighting. "They meant a lot to me, too."

"Did you know when I was younger, I always dreamed of having what other kids did. You know, the whole family unit – mom, dad, and kid. I told Mom that once and she said that maybe someday I would get what I wanted. At the time she meant that maybe my dad would finally decide to grow up and become a man. I, too, held onto that dream for awhile. Then one day Mom came to me and told me that she thought she was dating you and I got scared. Not because I didn't want the two of you to get together. I got scared because of how badly I did want it to happen. Without me realizing it, the picture in my mind had changed. My dad was not the man in my dream family – you were. And if you and my mom got together, then broke up, not only would I lose someone I thought of as a friend, but I would lose my dad as well."

At that, Luke felt a few tears slip down his face despite his best efforts to keep them in. "You would have never lost me, Rory. I would have always been there for you, no matter what. And I still will be."

"I know that – now, but at the time I was so used to men just picking up when things got too hard. Thank you for showing me that real men stay. Oh, and also never thanked for being willing to knock some sense into me last year when I dropped out of Yale. Mom told me who you had been willing to camp out at campus and go to classes with me to make sure I went. Although I don't think I would have learned much with all the girls who would have been trying to flirt with you," Rory joked.

Luke just rolled his eyes. Rory was sometimes too much her mother's daughter. Not that he would have changed either of them for the world. "Thanks for the last part, I think. But as to the first, I knew that wasn't you talking. The Rory I knew wasn't a quitter and never walked away from things that were unfinished. I also knew that school was your dream and I was not about to let you give that up. Your dreams are important to me."

"Just as my mom's are to her. I know about the money you gave her. And before you go jump on her for telling me, she didn't. I heard the two of you talking about it one day. It's yet one more thing I want to thank you for. Opening that inn has been something my mom dreamed about for as long as I can remember. I know that without you, it would not have happened. It's the same thing with this wedding. You made this day so special for her," Rory said.

"I just wanted to give her a day to remember," Luke answered simply, embarrassed at Rory's accolades. "Oh, and just so you know, I didn't invite Jess. I wouldn't have done that to you."

Rory gave Luke a small smile. "I know, but don't worry about it. I'm okay with the whole Jess thing. I have been for awhile now. We talked when his book first came out and if you remember, I did go to his bookstore launch. When he first came back, I was still at my grandparents and he said pretty much the same things about me dropping out of school that you did, about how it wasn't at all like me."

"Rory, I know that you are a big part of why Jess turned out the way he did. You were a good influence on him. I know he hurt you and I'm sorry for that, but I still wanted to say thank you for giving him a chance when no one else would."

"I didn't have all that much to do with it. You were the one he responded to. Though neither of you want to admit it, you are both alike in a lot of ways," Rory pointed out.

Luke just shrugged. "I guess so."

"I know so. All Jess needed was to know that someone would always be there for him - to love him enough to stand up to him when he needed it, to kick him in the pants when he deserved it, but to love him through it. You're really good at that."

Blushing a little, Luke said, "Thanks."

Rory smiled. "I hope April knows how lucky she is to have you as her father. I would trade places with her in a heart beat." She paused for a moment. "Oh, I've been meaning to give you back your mom's pearls. I leant them to Mom to wear for today, so I'll just give you the box so you can put them back in it."

Luke gave her a confused look. "Don't you like them? I thought they might be something you would."

Shaking her head, Rory said quickly, "No, I love them. They are the most beautiful thing I've ever owned. It's just when you gave them to me you didn't know you had a daughter, so I'm sure that now you do, you'll want your mom's pearls to go to her."

Luke could hear the sadness in Rory's voice. He knew he had to make her understand that he viewed her as his daughter as well. "Now, I might not be up to date on all whole family thing, but isn't it tradition that jewelry and things like that go to the oldest daughter? So, in my eyes I did give them to the right person, my oldest daughter, the one who held a place in my heart first and who always will – no matter what."

Luke was surprised when Rory suddenly threw her arms around him. "Thank you."

"No, thank you for telling me all this. Rory, you know you mom means everything to me, but know that you have always been part of that package as well. It means so much to me that you've accepted me into your life. I know how special your mom is to you and I would never want to do anything to try and come between the two of you. You know that right?" Luke asked.

"I know and I told mom that's one of the many reasons I love you so much."

Smiling, Luke hugged Rory again. "I love you, too."

Rory hugged Luke back. "We'd better get back to the party or Mom will think I'm trying to steal you away or something."

Knowing Rory was trying to lighten to mood much the way her mom did by tossing out a joke after things got overwhelming for them, Luke let the comment slide. He followed her back to where Lorelai stood. Lorelai looked over at the two people approaching and smiled. "So, you two looked deep in conversation. Care to share?"

"Nope," Rory answered, and then hugged her mom. "It was just something I needed to say."

Lorelai looked between Rory and Luke. She seemed to decide that everything was ok because she said, "All right then. I'll just have to grill you both later."

"I look forward to it," Rory replied. She leaned over and gave her mom a hug. "I love you, Mom." Then she turned to Luke and gave him a hug as well. "I love you, too, Dad." With that, she walked away.

Lorelai turned to Luke, stunned. Luke just stood there with a grin on his face. "Did Rory just call you dad?"

"Yep, that she did."

Lorelai began to smile as well. "Okay. Just checking."

- - - - -

Dinner was a fabulous affair and true to his word, Luke made sure lobster was on the menu. Even Sookie had to concede that the meal was wonderful. Jackson had to keep her from sneaking off to the kitchen to get the recipes, knowing that if she did, she would be lost for the rest of the evening.

After the final course had been served, Jess stood up and tapped his glass to get everyone's attention. "I know it's customary for the best man to give a toast. I've never been good at these things, but here goes. Authors and poets talk a lot about love. I should know. I own a bookstore. But I've never really had love modeled for me. My mom is on her forth marriage. My father, his third. Then my Uncle Luke and Lorelai finally got together. And watching them has made me realize what love is supposed to be. It's not the feeling that hundreds of books talk about, but instead true love is born out of friendship, something all those authors and poets never bother to tell you. Love is all the little things you do just because you know it will make the other person happy. So, today I want to thank the two people who taught me what true love is all about." Jess held up his glass. "To Luke and Lorelai."

When everyone had raised their glass and took a drink, Rory then stood up. "I could stand up here and tell a funny story about my mom, after all, I have a million of them. I might even be able to come up with some about Luke. But I won't. This day is far too special. Today marks the end of one journey and the start of another. The journey that is ending is two people who danced around each other for years pretending not to see or denying what every one else around them saw – they belonged together. Both are strong, but together they are stronger. They don't complete each other, but rather they compliment. And today, they join as one. Ten years of building a relationship has finally led to the start of something new and wonderful, something so many of us hoped and dreamed would happen for so long. I love you both so much. With that said, please raise your glass in celebration of the happy couple."

- - - - - -

After dinner was complete and everyone was again milling around, Richard walked over to Luke and Lorelai. "May I talk to you both for a moment?" Richard asked.

Surprised, Luke and Lorelai excused themselves from Sookie and Jackson, with whom they had been talking and followed Richard to the corner of the room. Richard handed Luke an envelope. "I didn't want to give you your present in front of everyone."

Luke hesitantly opened the envelope, not knowing what he was going to find inside. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to find photos and the deed to a house. Shocked, he handed it to Lorelai, who gasped, "Dad is this . . .?"

Richard spoke up. "Yes, it's the same house you saw at the realtor's. Now, I heard what you said that day, but I felt that things would work out and your mother and I wanted to give you this."

Standing there, Luke didn't know how to react. Obviously Lorelai's parents didn't think he could afford a house for their daughter. Well, he didn't need charity. "Mr. Gilmore, thank you for the offer, but . . . "

Richard held up his hand. "It's Richard, and, Luke, we didn't buy you this house because we think that you can't do it on your own. I know the contrary is true. We heard from that Kirk fellow you bought a house, but backed out when Lorelai didn't want to move from her home. Kirk also told us that you had liked that house since you were a child. We just wanted to repay your sacrifice. Lorelai's house is much too small if you intend to start a family. It's too small for the family you have now. Emily and I chose this house with the two of you in mind, not just Lorelai."

Luke looked at Richard to judge his sincerity and saw no judgment on the elder man's face. Richard did indeed seem to be telling the truth. Turning to Lorelai, he said, "You've seen the house. Is it something you'd want to live in?"

Lorelai smiled at Luke's thoughtfulness. She could not believe that he was again allowing her to pick where she wanted to live. She really did get THE good one. Handing Luke back the photos, she said, "It is a beautiful house and it has all the character that you liked about the Twickham place. But we did just put all that work into my house. However, it's your decision, Luke. I'll support whatever you decide."

A million thoughts were running around in Luke's head. As he looked at the house in the photos, it did appear to be a place that he would like. He had always been fond of houses with history and solid construction. But did the house come with a price? And he and Lorelai had just renovated her house. Yet, it was still her house. Wouldn't it be nice to start out in a place that neither had lived in before, to have a place of their own? Taking a deep breath, he decided, hoping he was making the right choice. "Then I say, let's accept the house." He turned to Lorelai's dad. "Thank you."

Richard accepted Luke's outstretched hand. "You're welcome, son."

Lorelai leaned over and hugged her father. "Thank you, Dad."

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

The three were just starting to walk back over to the rest of the guests when Emily suddenly appeared. "May I speak to Luke for a moment, please?"

Lorelai looked over at Luke, who nodded. "It's okay, Lorelai. Go with your dad and I'll be there in a minute." After Richard and Lorelai left, he turned back to Emily. "Yes?"

"Luke, I know we've had our differences and while I still would have preferred my daughter to marry someone with better connections to the world she grew up in, I've come to realize that in some areas I may have been too quick to judge you. My daughter and granddaughter appear to love you a great deal. And while I hate to admit it, you probably have been one of the few constants in either of their lives. I want to thank you for that. I told you once that I would stay out of your and my daughter's relationship and I will continue to abide by that agreement. Seeing how you are now apart of the family, you are welcome to come to Friday night dinners. You may also bring your daughter, if you so choose."

Luke just stood there for a moment trying to process everything Emily had just said. After several long seconds, he finally said, "Emily, I hope that one day you won't feel the need to stay out of my relationship with your daughter, but truly accept it. I love her and have for years. That isn't going to change and I'm not going anywhere. Thank you for the invitation to dinner, but I again I hope that you will welcome me, and your daughter, into your home, without the feeling of being obligated to. Lorelai wants nothing more than your love. I suspect that has always been the case. And you want your daughter's love just at badly. But in order to get love, you freely have to give it. That's something your daughter taught me." He paused for a moment. "I want to thank you for coming. I know it was short notice and I apologize for that. But your presence here today meant a lot to your daughter . . . and to me." With that said, Luke walked away and returned to his and Lorelai's guests, leaving Emily to think about what he had said.

Author's Note: I am SO sorry this chapter took so long to post. Like I said in my author's note, my home computer caught a virus and I can't use it right now. I'm using my work computer, which means I only have certain times in which I can type up anything. Then add on top of it the fact that this chapter was REALLY hard for me to write, for some reason. It's not my favorite, by any means, and it really didn't turn out how I wanted it to. I would have left it out, but certain things in the chapter do set up some things for the sequel. This chapter was supposed to have a Rory/Jess interaction scene, but the whole chapter was feeling already too disjointed, so I decided to leave it out. Just know that Jess and Rory talked and everything is good between them.

I hope to get the last chapter and the epilogue up in a more timely manner. The last chapter is almost completely written and the epilogue is already done. Please hang in there with me. Hopefully it will all be worth it.

Thank you to all who have been reading the story! In the past I would have just abandoned this story when my computer got sick and I got writer's block, but you all are what pushed me to keep going. I dedicate this story to you all.

Oh, and bonus points to anyone who can tell me where the title of this chapter came from. In the last few chapters, I've titled the sections after a piece of dialogue and that will continue in the last chapter and epilogue. Hint: The title of this chapter is from something Lorelai is a fan of and was featured in an episode. That's all I will say. : )