Chapter Thirty One

Disclaimer: See chapter one

The night before the wedding Lorelai and Rory stayed at the Gilmore house in Hartford, while Jess, Luke, Jimmy and Sasha, Luke's best man, David, and Jess' best man John stayed at the Gilmore house in Stars Hollow.

The Dragonfly Inn was a flurry of activity as both Inn employees and extras supplied by Emily set up the chuppah, the tables, and made sure every last detail was perfect. Even Kirk had an assignment, to go to the airport and pick up Lucy Kinkirk so that she could marry Rory and Jess alongside Reverend Skinner who would be marrying Luke and Lorelai. The entire wedding was running like a Swiss clock.

At six o'clock, Emily, Richard, Lorelai, and Rory arrived at the Dragonfly Inn to get dressed for the ceremony. Luke, Jess, David, and John would dress at Lorelai's and come over in Luke's truck about seven o'clock.

Lorelai and Rory were left alone a few minutes while Emily went to check the arrangements in the dining room. As Lorelai helped Rory pulled her hair up into a twist she asked, "So are you really ready to become Mrs. Jess Mariano?"

"Yeah, I am," Rory replied. "You know all my life I wanted to be a foreign affairs reporter, but now being Mrs. Mariano is going to be enough."

"I don't want you to give up your dreams, Rory," Lorelai said. "You worked too hard at Chilton to not have a career."

"I know," Rory said. "I'm just not going to go traveling around the globe to do it. I'm still going to be a reporter though."

"I'm glad I just want us all to be happy and healthy," Lorelai told her. "And whatever doubts I had about Jess, I know he loves you. These last seven months changed him. He's going to be a great husband."

"So is Luke," Rory replied rising to switch places with Lorelai. "Did I ever tell you that I've wanted Luke to be my Dad since I was ten?" Rory asked.

"No, you didn't," Lorelai replied. "You knew we were right long before I did, didn't you?"

"I knew that he loved you and me," she replied. "Part of me wished that you did this earlier, but anther part is glad you didn't because I don't know if I'd have appreciated him then, because I was o enamored with Dad. I couldn't see Luke in that role, you know."

"I know," Lorelai replied. "And I liked Dean so much I never gave Jess a chance."

"In some ways I'm so thankful for the accident," Rory sighed. "It brought us together. All of us."

Lorelai hugged Rory," Yeah, I guess it did."

The door opened then to reveal Emily with Lane, Sookie, and Sasha behind her.

"Your hair looks beautiful," Sookie gushed giving Rory a hug. "You need help with Lorelai's hair?"

"Nah," Rory shook her head. "Its nearly done."

Emily studied her daughter and granddaughter. They were still dressed in jeans and button down shirts but all ready they were beautiful. She very seriously doubted the matched they had chosen but she couldn't deny she was happy they were happy.

"How's everything going downstairs, Mom?" Lorelai asked.

"Going along wonderfully, Lorelai. You have a very good staff here. Very capable," Emily complemented eyes shining.

Lorelai read her mother's tone and saw clearly the meaning behind those words, so with a warm smile she said, "Thank you, Mom."

Over at Lorelai and Rory's house the men were getting ready. Tuxedos were laid out, boutonnieres assigned, and the placement of wedding rings checked and triple checked.

Luke was seated on the couch, Jess next to him. Jess was relatively calm, but Luke's palms were sweating. He nervously wiped them on his jeans.

"What are you so nervous about? Jess asked. "You've known them nine years."

"Yeah, that's why I'm nervous," Luke laughed. "No, I just want everything to work out. And I'm very sorry Liz isn't here."

"I'm not," Jess replied. "And I'm not just saying that. I've got Jimmy here and Sasha. John's here. I haven't seen him in forever, and of course there's you."

Luke smiled. "It really is a whole knew beginning isn't it? And soon our small group will grow."

"You talking about Kevin and Dr. Camden getting here?" Jess asked.

"Um, I meant on a larger scale, Jess," Luke smiled. Since Lorelai told him she was pregnancy it had been hard for him to keep it quiet, but he'd promised.

"You mean kids?" Jess suggested. "Rory and I never talked about kids."

"You shouldn't even consider it until you both graduate college," Luke advised.

"I don't know what she plans to do about prevention. I should have considered that as this is our wedding night," Jess sighed.

"Here," Jimmy had been in the kitchen and overheard the discussion. "There's three of them. They kept Sasha safe. 95 effective."

Jess took the contraception and secured them inside his wallet. "Thanks. They won't…they won't make it hurt will they? I mean Rory told me she's not experienced."

Jimmy sympathized, his son really had changed. "They's lubricated, but go slow," he advised.

"Thanks," Jess said softly. "Both of you, thank you. Uncle Luke, I really don't know what to say for all you've done since the accident."

"You take care of your wife and yourself," Luke advised as David got out of the shower. "It' s about time you guys got dressed isn't it?" David suggested. "It's 6:30."

The grooms shared a sudden look of panic, then Luke sighed. "Ninety minutes to lift off. We best get a move on."

COMING UP NEXT: THE WEDDING CEREMONY.