Chapter Seven: Speeches and Dances

The car pulls up in front of the diner. Luke climbs out and offers his hand to Lorelai. They exit the car and begin the walk to the square. People are milling about getting things ready. Sookie has her chef's jacket on over her dress and is setting up the buffet in Miss Patty's. Jackson and Gypsy see Luke and Lorelai approaching and shout, "They're here!"

Luke and Lorelai begin to make their rounds with eager townsfolk. Hugs and tears were the mixture of emotions surrounding the square. Sookie was the worst. She was so happy for her best friend that she completely forgot that the salmon puffs were supposed to be in the first chafer with the egg rolls and not with the pot stickers.

Lorelai shivered slightly when she and Luke took their seats at the head table. Luke took off his tux jacket and placed it lovingly over her shoulders. He then took her hand and watched as people walked past with plates of food. Amongst the clatter and conversation, the distinct sound of a clinking glass quieted everyone.

"I'm not sure if she remembers but today, Rory how old are you again?" Mia asked.

"22, Mia," Rory replied.

"Thank you. I'm not sure if Lorelai remembers but today 21 years a skinny, wavy haired teenage girl showed up at my inn with a tiny baby in her arms. She looked me right in the eye and asked for a job, any job. Eventually this teenage girl worked her way up and became my protégé. I taught her how to run an inn and she took over as excutive manager of the Independence Inn. Lorelai was the daughter I had wished I had. She was so eager to learn and take care of that precious little girl of hers. Nothing would stop her."

Mia stopped and looked over at Lorelai. In her mind's eye she saw that skinny girl again. She was cold, scared and unhappy. Mia blinked and looked again and saw the same girl cold, unafraid and in love.

"I also knew that young man sitting next to her. Lucas Danes, I knew you back when you wore that Star Trek t-shirt everywhere you went. Your mother was one of my dearest friends. It was a great loss to this community when we lost Avery. I know she would be proud of you today."

Lorelai's eyes brimmed with tears when Mia mentioned Avery. Her hand went to the small pendant around her neck. Luke's grip on her hand tightened.

"Congratulations you two. May your years together be blessed. To Lorelai and Lucas."

Mia lifted her glass and the others did also. Luke and Lorelai nodded to Mia in a silent thanks for her speech. The next person to stand was Sookie.

"It was right there wasn't it?" Sookie asked.

"Yeah it was right there, Sookie," Lorelai confirmed.

"If there was a poll taken in town to see who is most likely to be together it would have been Luke and Lorelai. For years I tried to tell her that he had a thing for her. But Lorelai, honey, you just wouldn't listen. I even think Rory told you. I wish you guys all the love and laughter in the world," Sookie said, tearing up. "To Luke and Lorelai."

Everybody in the place raised their glasses. Soon Lane, the DJ opened the dance floor with the first song Luke and Lorelai danced to, "Reflecting Light" by Sam Philips. No one dared enter the floor.

"The bride would now like to share a special dance with her father," Lane said.

She put on "Because You Loved Me" and Lorelai and Richard started to dance.

"You looked so beautiful today Lorelai," Richard said.

"It meant so much that you and Mom were here. I just wish that Luke's parents could have been here."

Across the floor Rory and Jess were talking quietly. Luke walks up to her and holds out his hand.

"It is a father-daughter dance," he said.

Rory nods and joins her mother and grandfather on the dance floor.

"Hey Luke, I just want you to know that I have always thought of you as my father. You have been there for me in more ways than Christopher ever was."

"You have always been my Rory."

Lorelai looked over to Luke and Rory. They were smiling and laughing. With the fresh snow on the ground and the ring on her finger, life was at that moment absolutely perfect. She finally had it. The whole package. Damn, Luke is always right.