A Day They'll Never Forget

'Wow, I'm getting married today. Who would have thought that I, Lorelai Gilmore would be getting married? There are no words to express how happy I am. God, I wish I have a camera to document this happy face of mine.'

"Mom," Rory asks through the door, interrupting my thoughts, "Its just me, can I come in?"

"Yeah." I answer. She comes in, turn around, smile at her and say, "Hey hon. Mommys getting married today."

She walks up to me and wraps me in a tight hug. She pulls away, and says, "Mom you look beautiful and you're glowing, must be that whole pregnancy thing."

"I am? I don't remember attatching a lamp to my head," I say, refering to myself glowing.

"No joke mom, I'm serious. Are you happy? Cause you look happy."

"No, I'm not happy. I won't be happy until I hear, 'I now pronounce you man and wife'. But, this will deffinantly be classified as a happy moment in my life. Its right up there with the day you were born and the day I found out that I was pregnant with Baby Danes." I say touching my bump, which is hidden under the poofyness of the dress.

She lets out a breath that I didn't realize she was holding, and says, "Mom, don't scare me like that. You're not happy, jeez. Give me a heart attack!"

"Glad to see you're fully recovered." I tell her.

"Oh yeah, just a small one, nothing to worry over." She says with a smile. "Uh, mom, Grandma and Grandpa are here."

My smile fades to a look of shock, "So, they swallowed their stupid pride and came?"

"Mom, they're trying. Um, Grandpa wanted to come up and talk to you. Do you want me to go get him?" she asks hopefully.

I sigh, and say, "Yeah, go ahead."

"Ok." she says then leaves the room, and almost a minute and a half later she returns with my dad.

"Hi dad. I'm glad you could come, believe it or not, it means a lot to me." I tell him, and it does, even though I masked my true feelings with Rory, it makes me happy that-and I will deny this if I'm asked-both of my parents are here.

"I'm glad to hear that, Lorelai." he tells me. "I understand that we haven't gotten along well in the past. But, I would be honored if you would let me give you away. As your father, it would mean the world to me."

I can feel myself tearing up. 'Damn hormones!' I think, though, its not all my hormones' fault, I never thought I'd hear my dad say that to me. "Dad I...I would love for you to give me away. On one condition. Keep mom from standing up when Rev. Skinner says something about 'if anyone doesn't want these two married...'"

He laughs and says, "Alright, consider it done."

"Uh, Rory, how much longer until I become Mrs. Danes?" 'That has a nice ring to it, don't you think?'

She looks at her watch and says, "10 more minutes. I'll go see how dad's doing out there."

"No fair! You get to see Luke. Tell him that I'll see him soon."

"I will, bye Grandpa."

"See you soon Rory." he says then she leaves again. Dad turns back to me and says, "Lorelai, you look really beautiful. I know I don't show it much, but I'm very proud of who you've become. You look happy and in love. Are you?" he asks

"Yes dad, I'm very in love with Luke, he makes me happy." I assure him.

"Good." he looks at his watch, "Lets get your vail on." he helps me put it on and leads me out the door and down the stairs.

We take our place behind Caesar and Lane. The music starts, and Rory and Jess walk out, then Sookie and Jackson, Lane and Caesar. The wedding march starts, I link my arm through my dads and think, 'FINALLY!'

We start walking out the back door and around the portch. Blue and gold decorations are everywhere, and there are daffodels and lillys-which make up my boquet-and white roses littering the way down the aisle to Luke. As I come into view, the guests stand. We round the corner to get to the end of the aisle, and there he is, the man I love, waiting for me.

Luke is wearing a simple black tux, and the same red tie-I believe-that he wore to Liz's wedding. Yes, let it be known that Lorelai Gilmore can remember that far back. It was the first time that I ever felt safe and knew that Luke was the only one for me. He smiles at me, I wink at him.

Finally, we make it to Luke. My father kisses my hand, and hands me over to Luke.

"You may be seated" Rev. Skinner says. "Who gives this woman to this man?"

"Her mother, daughter, and I do." dad answers, then returns to his seat.

"Welcome family and friends of the bride and groom. I have lived in Stars Hollow all my life, and nver before have I seen two people who love eachother as much as Luke and Lorelai do. It took them eight years for them to express that love, but as you can see, everything that they've experienced has brought them closer." he says.

I hear Miss. Patty and Babette Crying, I look out the corner of my eye and see Rory crying, and, 'Oh, my god! My father just handed my mother a tissue and...she just wiped her eyes. My mother, Emily Gilmore is crying because I'm getting married to Luke. She hates Luke. Does this mean that she's happy?'

"Luke and Lorelai," Rev. Skinner continues. "turn towards each other please." we do so, and smile as we make eye contact. "Lucas William Danes, do you take Lorelai Victoria Gilmore to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Luke answers, squeezing my hand slightly.

"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, do you take Lucas William Danes, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes, I do." 'And through so much more.'

"At this point, Luke and Lorelai would like to tell each other how they feel with words, and the exchange of rings. Luke?"

He clears his throat and begins, "Lorelai, you know I've never been one for words, but, I've tried to find a way to tell you how I feel, the only thing I can come up with is, I love you more than anything in this world." A few stray tears escape my eyes, he reaches up and wipes them away with his thumb.

"Lucas, take this ring, put it on Lorelai's finger and repeat after me. 'This ring is a token of my love and affection for you, as long as it is on your finger, I will protect you."

He slips the ring on my finger and says, "This ring is a token of my love and affection for you, as long as it is on your finger, I will protect you."

"Lorelai?"

"Luke, when I first came into your diner, I knew that I annoyed you, so I kept coming in, but eventually, annoyance turned in to friendship, and friendship turned in to a relationship, and from there it evolved in to love. I've loved you for a long time, and will keep loving you in this life and what ever comes next." I tell him with tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Lorelai, take this ring, put it on Lucas's finger and repeat after me. 'This ring is a token of my love and affection for you, as long as it is on your finger, I will protect you."

I smile, take the ring from Rory, slip it on Luke's finger, and say, "This ring is a token of my love and affection for you, as long as it is on your finger, I will protect you."

"By the power invested in me by the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you man and wife. Luke, you may kiss your bride."

He lifts my vail, and we kiss a slow sensual kiss. Everyone cheers, Luke and I hug, and I think, 'I did it. I'm Mrs. Lorelai Danes. Really, did you see this coming?'

"Luke?" I ask through muffled happy tears.

"Yeah." he says.

"We're married." I say happily.

"Yes we are. It only took us nine years to get here; but the next 70 years are what I'm looking forward to."

"Me too." I tell him.

We join hands, and walk back down the aisle to the house to change for our wedding reception.