Chapter Six: I Don't Want This Moment to End
She retreats back up to the porch of the inn. Richard joins her. As "My Guy" plays again, Lorelai stares at Luke with more love and devotion than she ever had before. He mouths "I love you" to her and she smiles and mouths "I know," in return. Richard places her hand in Luke's and then takes his seat yet again.
"I have preformed many weddings and in my experience this is the first time that I have had a wedding interrupted," Reverend Skinner joked. "Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly. It is a holy union with the deepest levels of love. Lucas Danes, do you in the presence of God and all these witnesses take this woman, Lorelai Gilmore, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, comfort her in sickness and in health, cherish her, keeping only to her till death do you part?"
Staring into her eyes, seeing only her, he answers, "You bet."
"Lorelai Gilmore do you in the presence of God and all these witnesses take this man, Lucas Danes, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, comfort her in sickness and in health, cherish her, keeping only to her till death do you part?"
"With all my heart," she says, barely audible. She stares into Luke's indigo eyes, watching everything else disappear.
"Before the exchange of the rings Lorelai and Luke have something they want to tell each other. Lorelai."
"To my best friend, my confidante, coffee guy, personal chef. Today I am eternally bound to you and our love. There have been times when we were at war with each other, not speaking for months. There have also been times of great joy and happiness. And there was a time of great pain. Through all of these times I know that they were all stepping stones to get us here. You have given me more than I could ever have wanted. I love you for now, for always, forever."
Rory looks over the group that has assembled. After Lorelai has stopped talking there is not a dry eye in the place. Staring farther she can see Christopher on his bike watching the ceremony. She shakes her head and then turns back to hear what her father is about to say.
"I never thought this day would come. I wished for it's quick arrival and now I don't want this moment to end. There have been times over the years when I have tried to tell you how I really felt. Now before all these people, I look at you and say, I love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am never going to let you go. Even if you're old and gray and can barely lift your coffee cup I will be here to hand you the straw. Lorelai, this thing we're doing here, you and me, I just want you to know, I'm in. I'm all in."
"Do we have the rings?" Reverend Skinner asked. Jess and Rory nod. "These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given, it has no beginning and no end. It has no giver and no receiver for each is a giver and a receiver. May these rings remind you each and everyday of the vows you have taken here this day. Luke repeat after me. Lorelai, with this ring, I swear to always love, cherish and keep you all the day of my life."
"Lorelai with this ring, I swear to always love, cherish and keep you all the days of my life."
"With this ring, I to thee, wed," Reverend Skinner prompted.
"With this I to thee, finally, wed."
He takes the ring from Jess. It is a Past, Present and Future ring. He slips it onto Lorelai's hand.
"Lorelai, please repeat after me. Luke with this ring, I swear to always love, cherish and keep you all the days of my life," Reverend Skinner prompted.
Staring intently at Luke she begins, "Luke with this ring, I swear to always love, cherish and keep you all the days of my life."
"With this ring, I to thee, wed."
Taking the ring from Rory she slips it onto his finger. "With this ring, I to thee, wed."
Taking her cue Lane begins to play Howie Day's Collide.
"Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the stars refuse to shine. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. But you finally find that you and I, Collide."
"By the power vested in me by through God and the great state of Connecticut I now pronounce you man and wife. Luke you may kiss your bride."
"What are you doing?" she whispers.
"Will you just stand still?" he whispers back.
Gathering Lorelai into his arms, he pulls her into a deep searing kiss. She pulls away first, just like in their first kiss. She puts her hand on his cheek.
"What are you doing?" he whispers.
"Will you just stand still?" she whispers.
The audience claps as the two share their kiss. Luke takes her hand and they turn to face the audience.
"May I introduce, finally, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Danes," Reverend Skinner said.
Lorelai and Luke rush down the aisle through the snow and to the waiting car to take them to the square. As they retreat "Somebody Like You" plays. Things were becoming increasingly perfect. The snow was falling harder which only added to the wonderfulness of the day.
Lorelai stares at her husband intently. Husband. That was a weird word for her to say. Nothing in her life was ever going to be the same again. The driver drove around town before arriving at the square.
"How are you feeling Mrs. Danes?" Luke asked, playing with a loose curl. "You are amazing."
"I have that weird anxious exited feeling going on right now. A part of me is wondering if this is all a dream and the rest just wants to get on a plane with you and leave this crazy town behind."