Coming Together Chapter 25 Wedding Day Part II, a gilmore girls fanfic

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Warner Brothers or Dorothy Parker Drank Here or anyone else attached in any way with Gilmore Girls.

Chapter 25 –Wedding Day Part II

Luke pulls Rory's Prius up in front of the home of Donald Lydecker, retired Circuit Judge and active Justice of the Peace for the city of Woodbridge, Ct. To Luke's amazement, they have actually arrived twelve minutes early. It's a good thing since it will give them a chance to talk with the girls.

Ever since they picked up April, there has been an undercurrent of whispers coming from the back seat. Neither Luke nor Lorelai have been able to pick up more than a word or two but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that April and Rory are trying to guess their destination.

Luke and Lorelai on the other hand are quiet and withdrawn during the drive. Luke is deep in thought, contemplating the step they are about to undertake while Lorelai is trying to just hold herself together.

Up until they got in the car she was fine but then it all began to hit her. What if she can't do this? What if he ends of hating her because she doesn't know how to be a wife? She's screwed up every relationship she's ever had, what on earth makes her think she can do this now?

When Luke shuts off the car, Lorelai turns to look at him with fear and anxiety reflected in her face. He sees this as their eyes lock but she only sees confidence in his eyes. There is a silent question bridging the space between them. Then, as if on cue, they both smile reassurances to each other which quickly transforms into beams of happiness as they lean over for a kiss of confirmation.

"Hey, let's keep it PG up there. There are captive children present." exclaims Rory.

Smiling, Luke and Lorelai break apart but their eyes are still locked. Luke raises his eyebrows, silently asking Lorelai if it is finally time to tell the girls. She nods affirmation.

Luke turns towards the backseat and announces, "Okay ladies, everyone out of the car and we'll explain all of this to you."

"Thank God, we're finally here but where the heck is 'here'?" asks Rory as she exits the car. "It looks like a house, a really nice house granted but still just a house. Oh my god, you aren't buying a new house in Woodbury, are you? Mom, you can't leave Stars Hollow?"

Lorelai chuckles mischievously.

Rory tries again, "Or is this place like a photographer's studio? Are we having a family picture?"

Still smiling, Lorelai waits until Luke and April join them before she answers. "No, we're not moving to Woodbridge and this isn't a photography studio." She takes a deep breathe and exhales slowly before continuing, "Okay, here it is. This is a Justice of the Peace. We asked you to come with us so you can witness a wedding, our wedding."

Rory and April both froze, dumbfounded. This is the last thing either of them anticipated especially today.

April regains her speech first. "Oh wow, you are, uh, uh, oh gosh." She turns towards Rory and asks, "What about..."

Emerging from her daze in time to hear April speak, Rory quickly jumps in "You're getting married? Right now?" Rory begins pacing as she processes, "Whoa, okay, okay, so you're getting married. This is good, this is a good thing. And this is what you want? I mean, this is great but I thought you wanted people at your wedding? You know a fancy wedding with guests and cake. This is small Mom, really small! No one is here to see you get married but April and me and there's no cake. You need to have a wedding with cake and people. And what about Grandma and Grandpa and poor Sookie? What about the town? The town wants to see your wedding." Rory stops pacing, turns and looks closely at both Lorelai and Luke. "Is this really what you want?"

Lorelai smiles at Luke as he wraps a protective arm around before she answers, " Yes, this is what we want. We have never been surer. Babe, this just feels right, it feels like us. The June 3rd thing never did. Trust me, you know how much I love throwing kick-ass parties with cake so we will do that but later. We will party down with the town big time but for now we want a small, intimate ceremony with just you two."

Lorelai notices that April seems a little overwhelmed by the news. She catches Luke's eye and silently conveys to him that he needs to talk with her. Gently he approaches his daughter and asks her if she wants to take a walk. Shrugging her shoulders in agreement, Luke steers April away from the Gilmore girls, leaving them to talk privately.

Meanwhile Rory's mind is racing as she tries to assimilate this latest turn of events. All of the plans, all of the subterfuge, all the hard work to produce the "perfect" wedding for Lorelai and Luke were for naught. She had been wrong; they were all wrong. The wedding they had all worked so hard to produce was wrong. Left on their own, her mom and Luke had found what they wanted and this is it. This is the "perfect" wedding, something quiet and simple. She can't believe that she let herself get sucked into the town's crazy plans and then worse of all, she brought her grandmother into it. Why did she let this all happen? She of all people should have just waited and trusted Lorelai and Luke to work it out.

Composing herself, she finally smiles reassuringly, "I think its perfect Mom. This is great. It's just that I can't help but think about Grandma and Grandma. Not being invited to see you get married will really hurt them. I mean, you're getting married; married! Their only child is getting married. It's not right that they aren't here to see it."

"Hon please, try to understand. I am already nervous enough about this. I mean, I know this is what I what but still this is a big scary step. The only family I need here with me is you, my daughter. Mom and Dad would only disapprove and I can't handle their reproaching ritornelle ringing in my ears today. Please just try to understand how important this is to me. I know they won't like it but I need today to be peaceful and happy. Please, try to understand?"

"But your wrong Mom, Grandma and Grandpa would be happy. Remember your graduation? You didn't want to ask them but they came and were so proud of you. It all turned out good for you and them. They would be thrilled for you today, if you just let them. You can't keep shutting them out. They love you and want you to be happy. Mom, let them share this with you? Please, for me, ask them come? Please?"

Lorelai closes her eyes and begins breathing deeply. She can feel her stress level rising as she fights to remain calm. "Rory I don't know why but I can't so please don't push."

"Mom, I was almost sixteen years old before I really started to know my grandparents. They've added a lot to my life and part of me sort of regrets that I didn't get to know them sooner. I understand your reasons but it affected me too. If you shut Grandma and Grandpa out of this, it may take you another sixteen years to get back to this point. You have two new kids that may never get a chance to know them because of this. Don't do this to the twins and don't do this to Grandma and Grandpa. You know they aren't getting any younger and the twins may never have a chance to know them like I do."

Lorelai begins to feel queasy and a little light headed. Realizing that she is a little unsteady, Lorelai place her hand against the car to brace herself she tries to rationalize her decision to Rory, "I'm sorry but it's just too much. Everything is getting so complicated. I don't want to hurt them, but I just want today to be happy and special. I don't want to risk them ruining it for me besides it's too late. Our ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 AM. That's in, uh …"

All of the color begins to drain from Lorelai's face and her knees begin to buckle. Rory leaps quickly to support her mother as she yells, "Luke!"

April is quiet and seems to be very focused on her feet as she and Luke walk away from the car. There is a bus bench on the corner next to Judge Lydecker's property and April sits down on it. Luke sits next to her.

"Look, if this is weird for you, you don't have to stay. I can take you home. You don't have to do this." Luke tells her.

April looks down at the ground and Luke isn't sure what to do. She's doesn't say anything for a minute but he can tell that her mind in working overtime. He becomes more and more uncomfortable because he feels he should be saying something but he doesn't know what so he just waits.

Still looking down, April suddenly asks, "Am I the reason you didn't get married before?"

"What? No, absolutely not. No."

"Then why not? You love her and she loves you. You had plans to marry June 3rd but you didn't? If it wasn't because of me, then why?"

Feeling extremely inadequate, Luke wishes that Lorelai was here to help him through this but she's with Rory. "No", he thinks, "this is my daughter and I need to explain it." Luke starts out unsure. "Being an adult doesn't mean that you have learned everything, at least not for me. There were things I needed to deal with in my life so that I was ready to be a husband. What is it that everyone always says? They have issues to deal with? I had 'issues' to work through and I had to do it alone. Lorelai had some issues of her own to work through."

"And you both have worked through your issues?" asks April.

"I believe we have. We have dealt with the things that we needed to deal with alone. That doesn't mean we won't have more problems to face. That's just part of life. But we believe that now we're ready to deal with things together as a team. All relationships are hard at times but a good relationship is worth the work it takes."

"So, you really want me here?"

"Of course I do, you're my daughter. You're my family. I guess that sounds kind of dumb to you. You haven't known me very long and you have your mother so it's okay if you want to leave. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. It's just that I like having you around."

April appears to be concentrating on her feet again but her face breaks into a shy smile. "I kind of like being around you, too. I like being around you and Lorelai. This whole eloping thing is kind of cool, you know. I'm okay with it if you really want me here."

A big cheesy smile breaks out on Luke's face as he says, "Okay, good, good." Luke stands up and holds out his arm beckoning her. April stands up and starts walking back next to Luke. Just then, Rory's scream for help interrupts the touching father/daughter moment and Luke, followed closely by April, runs back towards the car.

Rory is trying to support her mother and open the car door at the same time so she can lay Lorelei on the seat. Lorelai has fainted and her dead weight is just about more than Rory can handle. Luke arrives almost instantly and effortlessly picks up Lorelai while asking, "What happened?"

Rory starts to answer when they all hear a voice coming from the house behind them yelling, "Bring her in here!"

Without hesitating, Luke quickly walks toward the house. Rory and April trail behind. As they reach the front door, the women opens it wider and says, "Lay her on the couch. You must be the Gilmore-Danes party? I'm Mary Lydecker, the judge's wife."

As Luke places Lorelai on the couch, he explains, "I'm Luke Danes, this is my fiancé, Lorelai Gilmore, that's her daughter, Rory, and my daughter, April. Thank you for your help."

"Oh, don't worry. This happens all of the time especially with the bride-to-be but sometimes with the husband. Can I get her something? Water or brandy or tea?"

"Some water would be good or Chamomile tea if you have any."

Lorelai is starting to come to and is a little disorientated. Luke is trying to reassure her along with Rory as April, the ever practical one, is attempting to remove Lorelai's shoes. Luke notices his daughter's activities and asks, "April, what are you doing?"

"I'm taking off her shoes. When a person faints, you should raise their feet above their head to help the blood flow to the brain. I want to raise her feet up on the pillows but I don't want to get them dirty from her shoes."

Grinning, Luke tells her, "Oh, good idea."

After a few minutes, Lorelai is sufficiently restored to attempt to get up. She feels embarrassed by her girlie swoon and wants everyone to quit fussing over her. Luke is insisting that she continue to rest and is physically holding her down on the couch as Mrs. Lydecker returns with the Chamomile tea.

"Now honey, you need to rest for a while. Believe me, this happens all of the time. If you get up now, you'll just faint again." voices Mary Lydecker as shares with them her years of experience. "What you need is to drink this tea and rest for a little while. It will do you a world of good."

Smiling warmly at Lorelai, Mary suddenly exclaims, "Oh no, you managed to smudge your pretty dress." Mary looks at Luke as she continues, "Why don't you take her back to rest in our guest room. She can take off that pretty dress and give it to me. I think I can clean it good as new. "

Luke picks up Lorelai under her protest and follows Mary to the bedroom. Rory takes the tea and accompanies them as April picks up the shoes and follows. Once in the room Luke helps Lorelai remove her dress as Mrs. Lydecker pulls back the covers of the bed. "Now drink your tea and everyone will leave you alone to rest. I'll wake you in 30 minutes and you'll see how much stronger you feel. Don't worry about the Judge. He has nothing else planned for awhile. He's happy as long as he has a book to read."

As they all leave Lorelai to rest, an idea springs into Rory's mind. Walking outside to the front porch, she takes out her cell and places a call.

Emily along with Richard arrived at the Dragonfly early Saturday morning to oversee the final preparations. The wedding planners, Cecily and Gregory, worked all night along with the townies to decorate the area but Emily, of course, finds much to criticize. The flower placement on the archways is inconsistent, the tulle bows and banners aren't full enough, the tapers aren't even or the right height, the vacuum trails on the carpet aren't parallel, and so on and so on

Emily sends Richard off to oversee the alcohol delivery and the bar setup while she supervises the rearrangement of the flowers. She meanders up toward the ceremony staging area. Observing closely the craftsmanship of the chuppa for the first time, she is mesmerized by its simple beauty.

"Luke made that."

Lane had glided in behind Emily and noticed her examining the workmanship. Emily was so captivated by the artistry that she hadn't heard Lane's approach. When Lane spoke, Emily jerked as though shocked by an electric current."

"Oh my goodness Mrs. Gilmore, I didn't mean to scare you. I just noticed that you were admiring the chuppa that Luke made for Lorelai."

"He made it for her? When?"

"When she was engaged to Max. He didn't want her just standing under the hot sun. It was really sweet. I think she keep it even after the breakup because Luke made it for her .It means a lot to her. It still looks beautiful after all these years."

"He made it for her to marry Max?"

"Yeah, he did. I think her engagement bothered him a lot more that he was willing to admit back then but he still wanted her to have something special."

"That's remarkable."

"Yeah, those two have been dancing around each other for years. Everyone knew that they are perfect for one another but it just took them awhile to figure it out."

Smiling knowingly, Emily admits, "This day has been a long time coming. I recognized it was inevitable almost from the first time I met Luke though I did fight against. I have now resigned myself to this union. It's what my daughter wants. He is a good man."

Suddenly the air is pierce by the ring of Emily's cell phone. When she checks the caller ID, she sees that it's Rory.

"Rory dear, where are you?"

"Grandma, please listen. I have something serious to talk with you about. Is Grandpa around?"

"I believe he is inside the Inn dealing with the liquor suppliers. Of course they brought the wrong wine and not nearly enough champagne. But don't worry, your grandfather will get it sorted out before tonight."

"Grandma I need you to focus and stay claim. Call Grandpa. I need to talk with you both"

"Stay calm? What's happened?"

"Grandma please, get Grandpa so I can explain it to both of you together. Do you promise to listen and stay calm?"

"Rory, for heaven's sake, hold on." Emily starts walking towards the Inn yelling, "Richard, Richard, come here right now."

"Emily? I am kind of busy right now, is it important?" yells Richard through the screen in the parlor.

"Of course it's important, Richard. Come out here right now." replies Emily. Then she returns to the phone and tells Rory, "Your grandfather is on his way."

"Okay Grandma, I need you and Grandpa to find someplace private so I can speak to both of you on the speaker phone without anyone overhearing."

When Richard arrives, Emily fills him in what Rory's has told her which isn't much and explains that they need to move to a private location so that Rory can talk to them both together.

Richard forever the problem solver formulates a plan. He takes the phone from Emily and tells Rory that they will call her back in a few minutes. Then he leads Emily to their Jag and tells her to get in. Once in the car, he explains to Emily that this car is the best way to insure complete privacy and that car's phone offers a clearer speaker enabling them to hear Rory better. Now he calls Rory back.

"Rory dear, your Grandfather and I are in our car. No one else can hear you. Now will you please explain."

"Good," Rory starts, "but I need you both to promise to stay calm and hear me out. Do you agree?"

Richard replies, "We agree. Please continue."

Rory takes a deep breathe and then plunges right in. "Mom and Luke are getting married."

Emily nods her head gently as she responds, "Well of course they are. I am looking at that silly chuppa right this minute where they will take their vows tonight."

"No Grandma, they are getting married right now."

"What do you mean right now?" inquires Richard.

"They decided to elope this morning and we are at the Justice of the Peace right now."

With her voice rising emotionally, Emily responds, "No, no, no, no. This can't happen. Rory you have to stop this. No, I will not let this happen!"

"Grandma please, listen to me. This is what they want and after all, it is their wedding. They chose a simple but elegant service with just their family. They are entitled to have the ceremony that they want. You can pitch a fit about it or you choose to be a part of it. If you want to see your only daughter marry the man she loves, then you and Grandpa have to promise me something or I won't tell you where we are. Do you want to come to the wedding or not?"

Emily responds with a bristle in her tone, "Why isn't your mother the one calling to invite us?"

"Grandma please, this is all very unplanned and spontaneous. I'm calling you but you have to promise to behave when you get here or I'm not going to tell you where we are."

Emily, irritated by the news and Rory's veiled acquisition, starts to protest but before she can, Richard speaks, "Of course, we will come. Do not concern your self, Emily and I will comport ourselves in the manner befitting that of proud parents witnessing the marriage of their beloved daughter to the man of her choice. We both want this to be perfect for Lorelai and will do our utmost to ensure that."

Trusting in her grandfather's assurances, Rory replies, "Okay Grandpa, but you will have to hurry. You have about 20 minutes to get here. You need to come immediately."

Emily pipes up, "We can't possible change and get there in 20 minutes. You have to delay it."

"Grandma, I can't delay it. You'll just have to come as you are. I'm sure you look fine." With that, Rory provides Richard with the address and he enters it into the navigational computer. Richard and Emily set off immediately.

Luke is pacing around the Lydecker living room, fidgeting. He's feeling really jittery even after drinking the Chamomile tea Mrs. Lydecker made him. April tried to engage him in a conversation but gave up because he wouldn't focus and now she's working a crossword puzzle.

Rory has gone back out to sit on the front porch so Luke heads out there. Lorelai had insisted that they each write a personal statement. Luke hated the idea because he feels his words are always so inadequate. He tried to get Lorelai to help him last night or at least review what he wrote but she had been stubborn. Now he's hoping that Rory will help him.

"Hey." Luke says to catch her attention as he stands awkwardly in the doorway.

Rory turns her head and smiles warmly, "Hey Luke, how are you doing? Is Mom up yet?"

"No, I actually peeked in on her a few minutes ago and she looks like she still asleep. We're going to let her sleep a little while longer. She didn't get much rest last night, you know, nerves and all. I think it caught up to her."

"Did you get much sleep last night?"

Smiling sheepishly, Luke admitted, "No, I guess I was a little nervous too but then I'm not pregnant." Luke stands there shyly before he continues, "Uh, are you busy right now because I was sort of hoping that you'd do me a favor?"

"Sure."

Luke pulls a slip of paper out of his breast pocket and hands it to Rory as he explains, "Your mom insisted that we had to write something for the ceremony but I'm no good with these types of things. I'm kind of hoping that you might take a look at what I wrote and punch it up a little so I don't sound so dumb."

With a warm smile, Rory takes the paper. As she reads the words that Luke so carefully chose, Rory's face takes on a tender but sentimental expression. Luke nervously stares out into space as Rory carefully rereads the paper. Finally she takes her pen and makes one change and hands it back to Luke, telling him, "Here, now I think that's better."

Luke reads over the words and a puzzled look sweeps over his face. "I don't see what you changed?"

Grinning she tells him, "You forgot to cross a 'T' but really, I didn't need to change a word. It's beautiful. The sentiments you expressed are perfect."

Luke blushes at Rory's praise and hesitantly moves to give her a hug when they both notice a Jag pulling up next to the house. Luke recognizes the occupants immediately. Instead of hugging Rory, he pulls back and glares at her with a look of accusation. "You told them."

"Yes, I did. They should be here." Rory says with a bit of defiance in her tone. Getting up to welcome her grandparents, she hugs Emily and greets her with "I'm so happy that you made it. I know that you're excited and proud to be here, aren't you Grandma?"

With a warm smile, Emily assures her, "Yes, I'm excited and happy."

Taking a deep breathe, Luke cautiously greets his soon-to-be in-laws. "Hello Emily, Richard."

Richard holds out his hand to Luke who takes it expecting a handshake but instead Richard pulls him in for a hug and tells him, "Congratulations, son. Welcome to the family."

When they separate, Luke is smiling until he turns towards Emily. Her face is blank and he can't read it but braces for the worse. Suddenly feeling very much like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he waits for her reprimand.

Emily fixes an icy stare at Luke as she begins. "You're a fool, you know, both of you are fools."

Luke decides that no response is probably the wisest course so he just stands there waiting for her to continue.

"I can't believe you and Lorelai are doing this. Well, at least you two have finally come to your senses. It's about time that you two realize what everyone else has known for years, you two are made for each other. Though I can't believe that you are eloping and that Richard and I only had about 20 minutes notice!" Scanning her eyes critically around the area, she continues, "You do realize that this is unacceptable. You can have this elopement but this is far from the end of this. Richard and I have a certain social position to maintain. Considering what you and Lorelai have put us through in the last year, you owe us. You still will have to go through some sort of socially accepted acknowledgement of this marriage but we will talk about this later. Right now, we need to get you two married. Where's Lorelai?"

Luke just stands there since he's not exactly sure what to make of her comments. It didn't sound as bad as he expected but he's not sure it was good either. All in all, he decides the safest response is simply to answer her question. "Lorelai is in the other room."

"Come on Rory. Let's get your mother ready for her wedding."

"Err Grandma maybe I should go see Mom alone; at least at first."

"Nonsense."

"Grandma, please?"

But Emily is not having any as she drags Rory into the house where she comes face to face with Mary Lydecker. Emily reacts to this stranger by adopting her regal authoritarian pose and asked, "Who are you?"

Rory immediately steps forward to make the introductions. "Mrs. Lydecker, this is my grandmother, Emily Gilmore. Grandma, this is Mary Lydecker, wife of the Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Lydecker kindly invited us into her home when Mom got a little overwhelmed and fainted."

"Lorelai fainted? You didn't tell me that. Is she alright? Has she seen a doctor?"

"Emily, we frequently have brides that succumb to the stress of the occasion, especially when they are expecting. That's why I insisted that she rest for a while." Turning to Rory, Mary continues, "You should go check on your mother. It's been almost 30 minutes and we should wake her now. Here's her dress. I was able to clean the smudge off and it looks perfect."

Rory thanks her profusely and heads into the bedroom with Emily right behind. Before opening the door, Rory turns to her grandmother and with a voice ringing with accusations reminds her grandmother, "You remember your promise. This is Mom's day. She doesn't need more stress."

"Of course I do! Now let's get your mother ready for her wedding."

"Grandma, just give me one minute with Mom alone and then you can come in."

Without waiting for a response, Rory enters the bedroom alone and closes the door. She walks over to where Lorelai is resting and gently shakes her mother. Lorelai opens her eyes as a look of confusion passes over her face until she sees Rory's face.

"Hey Mom, are you ready to get married?"

Lorelai sits up and a look of panic crosses her face. "Oh my god."

With concern ringing in her voice, Rory asks, "Mom are you okay?"

Lorelai is clearly apprehensive and looks at Rory with sad eyes, "I can't do this."

"Mom!"

"You were right. I'm not a teenager anymore and I have to start acting like an adult. I can't just sneak off and get married. No matter what Mom and Dad said or did in the past, this is wrong. This is no way to start a marriage." Covering her face with both of her hands, Lorelai continues. "I knew it would get messed up. I always screw things up! Why can't I ever do something right? Mom and Dad will never forgive me if I get married and Luke, oh god, poor Luke. How can he put up with me?"

Rory rushes to give Lorelai a big hug. "Mom, it's okay. You haven't messed anything up. I knew you would feel like this so I called Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma is right outside the door." Getting up to let Emily in the room, Rory continues, "Everything will be perfect."

Rory opens the door and there stands Emily looking every bit the proud mother. Lorelai can't believe her eyes and without thinking jumps out of bed and rushes to embrace her mother. Emily accepts the embrace at first stiffly but then finds herself comforting her daughter warmly.

"There, there Lorelai. You must compose yourself. No tears or your eyes will be puffy and red for your wedding."

"Mom" is all that Lorelai can say as her tears begin to flow.

Emily holds Lorelai tenderly as she pats her back in a truly loving gesture. After a few minutes, she gently pushes Lorelai back and takes a good look at her. "Well, I certainly hope that you brought some makeup and a hair brush."

Lorelai grins through her tears as Rory picks up Lorelai's oversized handbag and looks inside. Pulling out bags of cosmetics Rory grins, "Grandma, I think she has that covered."

Quickly Emily and Rory begin helping Lorelai to get ready. Within a few minutes they repaired the damage caused to her makeup by the nap and the crying. Rory helps Lorelai fix her hair and both Emily and Rory help her put on her dress and shoes. Emily stands back and observes her daughter. Lorelai looks beautiful in her simple white dress and Emily is suddenly embarrassed as tears well in her eyes.

In an effort to distract them from noticing her emotional state, Emily sends Rory out to tell everyone to get ready. This will also give her a little time alone with Lorelai. Emily has dreamt of this moment for years. The words she planned to share with Lorelai have changed many times over the years but the message she wants to express always remained the same.

Emily sits down on the bed motions for Lorelai to join her as she prepares to finally give the speech that she has waited for years to give. As she takes a moment to compose her thoughts, Lorelai interrupts her.

"Mom, I know this isn't the wedding that you planned for me nor is this the marriage you dreamed of. We've had a rocky road you and me. I didn't really want to do this behind your back but I was scared. I knew you wouldn't approve and I couldn't handle that look of disappointment on your face today of all days. But the closer it came to actually walking down the isle, the more I missed you and dad. I now realize that I couldn't go through this without you here. I'm so sorry I hurt you and I'm really happy that you and Dad are here."

Emily pats Lorelai on the back as she quietly responds. "Yes, it hurt both your father and me that you considered getting married without telling us. I won't deny that but I suppose there is a part of me that does understand. We weren't always the most welcoming towards Luke. You need to understand that we don't dislike him, he's a good man but honestly, he will never feel at home in Hartford society.

Lorelai, I've always had so many dreams for you. You had so much potential but you always acted like the advantages your father and I offered you were some sort a burden. You were born to live in our world yet you rejected it. You rejected all that your father and I offered to you and it hurt because that meant that you rejected us also. I just wanted you back in our lives. I wanted to share things that I enjoy with my daughter and believed that if you married Christopher that would finally happen. Now I finally can accept that you will never fully be a part of our world no matter who you are with.

Please understand that I've never really been disappointed in you but only in the methods that you chose to accomplish your goals. Even as a toddler, you always had to do things your way even if it was the hard way. I will never understand why you refuse our help but your happiness is all I ever truly wanted. Well that and not to loose contact with you and Rory again. So if Luke is who you need, that I support your choice. Your father and I are happy to welcome him into our family."

Emily lays her arm across her daughter's back in an awkward attempt at a hug. Grinning, Lorelai pulls her mom into a full-fledge hug and whispers, "Thanks Mom."

Emily touched by Lorelai's show of affection, smiles happily and returns the hug before she steps away to regain her composure. She quickly adds, "So let's go and get you married."

Rory silently walks back into the living room where Luke, April and Richard are waiting. Luke, she notices, is a bundle of nerves with his hands constantly fidgeting and pulling at his fingers. April and Richard seem relaxed though. April appears to be explaining the advantages of organic pesticides to Richard who appears to be impressed with her knowledge.

Rory feels a momentary sense of jealousy as she recognizes the look on Richard's face. That look has always been reserved for her but now he is sharing with April. A realization is just beginning to settle on her that her life is also changing. She will never again be the only grandchild. Richard and Emily seem poised to embrace April even if only as their step-grandchild and soon there will be the twins. Rory will no longer be their only grandchild but merely their oldest.

But now is not the time for Rory to fully examine the implications of this new insight. Today she needs to keep her focus on her mother and Luke.

Luke notices Rory standing in the doorway and jumps up. "Is she okay?" he asks with at of trepidation in his voice.

"Mom's good and she all ready. Why don't you all head into Judge Lydecker's office for the service so Mom can make a grand entrance befitting a bride."

Luke waits for April to accompany him and they both head over to the unattached former garage that has been converted into Judge Lydecker's office. Richard lags behind and motions to Rory.

"I'd like to have a private word with your mother before the service." he tells Rory.

"Sure Grandpa, Mom still in the room with Grandma."

Richard gently knocks and waits for permission to enter the room. When he hears a voice telling him to "Come in", he does. Inside the room he sees his wife and daughter standing next to each other smiling. The image does his heart good.

"Emily, I wonder if I might have a moment alone with Lorelai. I believe that Rory, Luke and April are all heading to the judges office for the service. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to walk Lorelai over."

Emily smiles proudly as she leaves the room.

Richard looks at Lorelai in a very soft and paternal manner as he starts, "Lorelai, I want to take a moment to tell you have proud I am of you. It took you a while but I think you found a good man."

"Thanks Dad, I did. "You look very beautiful today, as beautiful as your mother looked on our wedding day. I hope that you will allow me the privilege of escorting you to your wedding and the honor of giving you to your groom."

Smiling as a single tear trickles down her cheek, Lorelai replies, "Of course, Daddy."

Richard takes out his handkerchief and gently pats the tear from her check. Then bends his elbow and waits for Lorelai to respond. When she loops her arm through his, he smiles and pats her hand affectionately as he leads her out of the room.

Emily and Rory enter the study of Judge Lydecker together. The interior of the converted garage looks very reminiscent of Richard's study. The walls are dark rich wood paneling lined with shelves of books, some for the law but others for leisurely reading. A beautiful hand craved leather top country French desk catches Emily's eye. The entire atmosphere is one of dignity and grace.

Rory notices that Luke is holding a box containing flowers. She moves over towards him and asks, "What are those?"

Cocking his head shyly with a smile, "It's a wedding. There are supposed to be flowers."

"Did you order these flowers yourself or did Mom?" Rory asks suspiciously.

"We planned this so quickly and your mom was tied up with your grandmother all day yesterday. She didn't really have any time."

"So you ordered them? Luke, you old softy."

"It wasn't a big deal. I just called the number in the phone book and told the girl what your mother likes. You know, yellow daisies but the girl said yellow daisies are not appropriate for a wedding so, well, this is what she came up with, a bouquet of white daisies and yellow roses and rosebuds. It's okay, isn't it?"

"Mom will love it."

Luke hands Rory a corsage with a single yellow rose surround by three small daisies as he says, "Here, this is for you."

"Oh my gosh thank you Luke, it's very pretty." Rory says graciously. It's then that she notices that April is wearing a corsage made up a small yellow rosebud and two white daisies and Mrs. Lydecker is wearing a corsage of three white daisies . In both Luke's and the judge's lapels is a single yellow rose as a boutonnière.

Luke walks over to Emily who is still admiring the judge's antique desk and hands her a corsage of yellow rosebuds. "This is for you, Emily as the mother of the bride."

Emily is noticeably surprised and pleased as she tells him, "But you weren't expecting me. How did you get this?"

With an arched eyebrow and a wily smile, Luke explains, "I know Lorelai pretty well. I suspected that she would realize how much she really needs you to be here."

Choking up a bit, Emily tells him,"Thank you Luke. This is lovely." She tries to pin the corsage on her jacket but fumbles it and looks to Luke for help. He graciously helps and the task is accomplished quickly.

Just then, there is a knock at the door and Richard pokes his head through the door. "Are you ready for the bride?" he asks.

Rory picks up the bouquet and the last boutonniere as she replies, "Whoa, wait just a minute." She heads out the door.

Rory hands Lorelai the bouquet saying, "This is from your future husband."

Lorelai sniffs the flowers gleefully before asking, "He got me a bouquet of daisies and yellow roses?" Her eyes well up in tears as a hitch catches her voice. "Oh no, that's so sweet. I can't believe he thought of it. He's really not a flower guy, you know"

Rory is busy helping Richard pin on his boutonniere when he realizes that Lorelai is crying. Reaching once more for his handkerchief, he carefully blots her tears telling her, "You must stop this, Lorelai. After all, you're a Gilmore. We are known for our composure during times of stress. Stand up straight and breath deeply."

Smiling, Lorelai replies meekly, "Yes Daddy."

"Okay, you ready?" Rory asks. "Then give me a minute inside to get everyone set and then you two come in."

Rory enters and sees the judge standing behind his desk with his wife to his left. Luke is standing in front of the desk with April at his right. Emily is standing on the left side of the desk looking like she might begin to cry. Rory takes her place to the right of Emily and smiles. They all turn to look as the door begins to open.

Richard leads Lorelai in and walks her towards the wedding party.

Lorelai looks radiant and Luke finds that he suddenly has a catch in his throat. He can't believe that he is really marrying the women of his dreams. April smiles as she watches her father and shyly reaches squeeze his arm.

Richard guides Lorelai to the front of the desk and stops, waiting for the judge's question. Judge Lydecker is unaccustomed to family attending his wedding services and forgets to ask the appropriate question until his wife elbows him in his side.

"Oh right. Who brings this woman to marry this man?"

Proudly Richard enunciates clearly, "Her mother and I do." Then he takes Lorelai's hand and carefully places it in Luke's before he walks over to stand next to Emily.

Judge Lydecker continues. "Luke and Lorelai have each written something that they want to share. Lorelai, you may go first."

Lorelai turns to look at Luke and begins with a trembling voice, "For years I sought to find that one person that would always be there for me. I wanted, no needed someone to know the real me and still be able to accept me with all my foibles and quirkiness. I searched for years but no one seemed to truly understand and accept me until you. No other man I met could measure up to my grumpy diner owner. You had became the standard that I used to judge them all.

You, Luke Danes, are my confidant and my friend. You are always ready to share my dreams and secrets. You comfort me and support me when times get difficult and you encourage me to achieve my goals. You share my hopes and laughter and tears. I would still be lost and looking if you hadn't entered my life.

We were friends for years before either of us dared to take our friendship further. You finally took the initiative and I followed your lead, terrified at first that I would loose you in the process. But slowly our love grew and my confidence in a future with you was built. I know now that you are my soul mate and I love you with all my heart."

Judge Lydecker responds, "Thank you Lorelai. Now Luke?"

With one deep breath, Luke begins, " When I was young and thought about my life, I always imaged it with this perfect companion at my side. As I grew older, I became less confident that I could ever find that one woman that could accept and love me. But I was content with my life.

Then one day this crazy lady comes tearing into the diner in caffeine frenzy. She followed me around begging for coffee and promised that if I gave it to her she would go away. I gave her coffee but lucky for me, she didn't keep her word. She kept coming back and she became my friend.

Years later, I found myself taking stock of my life again and I realized something. My vision of a life companion now had a face. It was your face that I saw, Lorelai. I suddenly realized that I already had that one person in my life whose phone calls or visits are never unwanted or too long. I didn't need to look for someone to ward off moments of loneliness or comfort me when I'm in pain because I had already found her. I suddenly realized that whenever anything happened in my life good or bad, it was you whom I wanted to share my news with.

I had fallen in love with my best friend and I knew that I wanted to share my life with you forever."

"Thank you Luke. It is now time to exchange your vows. Luke, I'll ask you first. Do you, Luke Danes, take Lorelai Gilmore to be your wife? Will you love, honor, and cherish her, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to her as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Do you, Lorelai Gilmore, take Luke Danes to be your husband? Will you love, honor, and cherish him, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

''Lorelai and Luke, may you pledge to each other to be loving friends and partners in marriage. To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate one another; to respect and cherish each other's uniqueness, and to support, comfort, and strengthen each other through life's joys and sorrows. May you promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as you build your lives together. May your lives be ever intertwined, your love keeping you together. May you build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honor for others and each other. May your home be forever filled with peace, happiness, and love. Lorelai and Luke, please face each other and hold hands. Luke, as you look at Lorelai, repeat these words after me:

I Luke, take you Lorelai,"

"I Luke, take you Lorelai,"

"to be my wife,"

"to have and to hold, from this day forth,"

"to love, honor, and cherish,"

"to comfort and respect, in sorrow or in joy,"

"in hardship or in plenty, so long as we both shall live."

"Thank you Luke. Lorelai, as you look at Luke, repeat these words after me:

I Lorelai, take you Luke,"

"I Lorelai, take you Luke,"

"to be my husband,"

"to have and to hold, from this day forth,"

"to love, honor, and cherish,"

"to comfort and respect, in sorrow or in joy,"

"in hardship or in plenty, so long as we both shall live."

"Thank you Lorelai. Now it is time to exchange rings. May I have the bride's ring please?"

Suddenly Luke panics. He had bought the rings yesterday while Lorelai was in New York with Emily. They had decided to get simple matching platinum bands and that's what Luke had purchased. He knew he remembered to put the rings in his inside coat pocket this morning because he had showed them to April and Rory earlier while Lorelai rested. But now he can't remember what he did with them.

Just as he was about to break away and run back to the Lydecker living to search for the rings, he felt a gentle tug at his right sleeve. He looks at April and sees her open palm with Lorelai's ring resting gentle in its center. With great relief, he picks it out of April's hand and hands it to the judge.

Judge Lydecker continues, "The ring is a symbol of unity into which your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle; in which, wherever you go, you will return to one another." Then he hands the ring back to Luke as he says, "Please repeat this vow as you place this ring on Lorelai's finger:

I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion."

Luke takes Lorelai trembling hand and gently slips the ring on her finger as he says, "I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion."

"Let it always be a reminder of my vows to you."

Judge Lydecker smiles at Lorelai and Luke as he asks, "May I have the groom's ring now?"

Rory's hand immediately appears with Luke's ring in it and she hands it directly to the judge.

Again the judge recites , "The ring is a symbol of unity into which your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle; in which, wherever you go, you will return to one another." Then he place the ring in Lorelai's shaking hand as he tells her, "Please repeat this vow as you place this ring on Luke's finger:

I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion."

Luke extends his hand and Lorelai tries to slip the ring on his finger but she seems to be all thumbs. Luke takes his other hand to help her before she drops the ring and finally, together, they are able to slip the ring down his finger. The Lorelai repeats, "I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion."

"Let it always be a reminder of my vows to you."

Judge Lydecker smiles happily as he concludes, "And now, for as much as you have made your vows, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving your rings, with the authority vested in me by the state of Connecticut, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. Luke, you may kiss your bride!"

Luke and Lorelai lean towards each other as they exchange a passionate yet respectful kiss. Rory and April break out in spontaneous cheers and applause. Emily is using tissues to blot her tears of happiness as Richard attempts to disguise his emotions by coughing. For all it is a time of joy.

When Lorelai and Luke break apart, Rory and April rush to join them for a big family hug. Richard reaches out to shake Luke's hand and gives Lorelai a hug. Emily then hugs Lorelai as she whispers, "Congratulations Lorelai, you finally are a married woman."

The drive home from Woodbridge was lively to say the least. Rory had started the mayhem by insisting on singing The Chapel of Love (by the Dixie Cups) and, of course, Lorelai joined in along with April (who didn't really know the words). By the time Luke pulled the car into the driveway, the girls had segued into We Are Family by Sister Sledge.

Things had been chaotic following the ceremony. First there was the paper work to complete. Lorelai signed the marriage certificate with her new name for the first time, Lorelai Victoria Gilmore-Danes . Luke had mumbled that she didn't need to change her name if she didn't want to but his smile told her that he was really pleased.

There had been some confusion who would sign the certificate as the witnesses. Lorelai had expected Rory to sign of course but now she also wanted her mother and father to sign. In the end, all of them signed including April, though her signature had no validity since she is underage.

After concluding the paper work, Luke had tried to pay the judge's fee but Richard, as father of the bride, insisted on shouldering the cost. There was a momentary but polite testosterone skirmish between Richard and Luke but finally Luke conceded to his new father-in-law.

Lorelai had remembered to bring her camera but she forgot about it until after the ceremony. When she finally remembered, multiple combinations and configurations of the wedding participants were taken and Rory insisted that Lorelai re-enact her dressing for the camera. It was a giddy time for everyone.

Luke and Lorelai had invited Emily and Richard to come back to Stars Hollow for a little celebration but they had declined. Emily pointed out that since they had not been given any forewarning of this wedding, she and Richard had already been forced to rearrange their plans just to attend. They could not possibly abdicate anymore of their responsibilities.

Lorelai wasn't completely surprised by their response but something in Emily's eyes made her wonder if her mother's excuse was entirely true. Then she caught an exchange of looks between Rory and Emily which set off a warning alarm in her spider senses. Given the circumstances, Lorelai chose to ignore her intuition and the two separate groups said their goodbye as they each drove away in their respective cars.

Upon entering the house, they are greeted enthusiastically by Paul Anka who is especially attentive to April. He and April have really bonded and April offers to take him for a walk. Lorelai and Luke both collapse on the sofa suffering from exhaustion and Rory heads into her room to change her clothes.

"I don't feel any different." Lorelai confesses. "Do you feel different? Shouldn't we feel different now that we're married?"

Luke shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head as he answers, "No, I don't really feel different."

"Well, did you feel different after your married Nicole?"

"Yeah, I felt stupid."

"Do you feel stupid now?"

Luke moves his arm around Lorelai and pulls her close. "No and could you please not mention Nicole anymore? You're the only wife that I want to think about ever again."

Resting her head on his shoulder, Lorelai agrees, "Good answer." They both feel relaxed and comfortable for the first time in several days. Luke leans his head against hers and they both are starting to drift off to sleep when Lorelai's stomach growls loudly.

"Hungry?" Luke asks amused.

"I'm not but your children are."

"Oh, they are my children when their hungry, are they? We are completely ignoring the fact that they seem to have inherited your appetite, right? So what do my children want to eat?"

"Hum, not sure."

"Well, I can go to the diner and make you anything on the menu or we can order pizza or Chinese. Or I could make you some beef stroganoff, if you want that."

"Beef stroganoff sounds good."

As Luke gets up he says, "Okay" and heads towards the kitchen. Stopping at Rory's door, he knocks. Rory, now dressed in her jeans, steps out into the kitchen. "Hey, I'm fixing lunch. What would you like?" he asks her.

Lorelai ambles into the kitchen as Luke is asking Rory. Seeing her mother, Rory says, "Wow, you two really know how to celebrate. Eating lunch at home with the kids, do you think that might be too wild?"

"Hey, we have just turned into an old married couple, what did you expect?" concede Lorelai.

April returned from walking Paul Anka and saw the preparations for lunch underway. "Luke, what are you doing?" she asks.

"I'm making lunch, why?"

"Because you can't. We have to go get Ashley."

"Ashley?"

"Yeah, my friend, Ashley, who you agreed could come with me today, remember? We didn't pick her up this morning because of the 'surprise' but I told her that we'd pick her up around noon. It's 11:54 now. We've got to go."

"Ah jeez, I'm sorry April. I forgot. Okay, here's the new plan, give Ashley a call and tell her that we'll be a little late..."

Rory interrupts, "No need, I'll pick up Ashley."

Luke looks at Rory with a sense of relief. "You can? That would be great. I'll fix lunch and have it ready for you when you get back."

Rory turns to April and winks as she tells her, "April, why don't you get into my car with Paul Anka and I'll take you to get Ashley."

Understanding, April smiles and takes Paul Anka out.

Rory picks up her car keys and starts to leave. She stops just shy of the doorway and turns back smiling. "I'll pick up Ashley and then take April home so she can change her clothes. Then I'll take both of the girls to the Dragonfly. I don't think April has ever seen it and I'm sure both girls will love looking around. We can all have lunch there. I'm sure Sookie will make anything they want. After that, we might go on a little sightseeing tour of Stars Hallow. All in all, I figure this will take at least three hours. Yeah, I can guarantee that we won't be back before 3:00. To bad you will be all alone in this house with just each other for the next three hours." Raising her eyebrows in a teasing expression, she adds, "Hopefully you can find something to do."

With twinkle in her eye and a jaunt in her step, Rory opens the door and steps through, stopping just outside as she turns to tell them, "Oh, by the way, don't make any plans for this evening." Giggling, Rory shuts the door quickly and rushes to her car.

(tbc)