Early June 2013
"La la la…" Rory sang randomly. She stood in front of the mirror and straightened her tailored black pants. She tugged on her Bordeaux Beaded Halter, a gift from a shopping day with Steven. She checked her hair in the mirror, satisfied with the style she had chosen for the evening. She and Steve were meeting Jess and Paris for dinner. Slipping on her favorite stilettos, she walked into the hallway of her apartment at the same time Steven walked out of the bathroom a little down the hall. He wore navy sweatpants and no shirt and Rory let out a low whistle. He turned, not knowing she was there, with a shocked look on his face. Rory began laughing.
"You think that's funny?" He asked. "I'll show you funny." He suddenly grabbed her around the waist and lifted her onto his shoulder with ease. Rory struggled for a second and then gave into his strength. She figured he would throw her on the couch or something.
What she didn't expect was for him to open the front door.
"Steven?" She asked as he walked barefoot down the hall of the apartment building. As he got to the end of the hall, he knocked on Jinx and Tristan's door. They lived at the end of Rory's hall. The door opened almost immediately and Rory strained to see. She saw a double inline stroller and judging from the masculine legs beneath it, Tristan had opened the door.
"Oh my god...what the hell are you two doing?" He asked, his voice laced with laughter.
"Rory thought she would be funny today, so I decided to show her funny." Steven said mischievously.
"Steven Daniel Cashen, you better watch yourself! This is no way to get a girl!" Rory said from her upside down position.
"Tris, do you have a megaphone?" Steven asked, and surprisingly Tristan returned quickly with one.
"Thanks a million, Tristan."
"Tristan?" Rory heard Jinx call from inside the apartment.
"Come check this out, babe. It'll have you laughing for a year!" Tristan called back.
"Tris!" Rory cried. She pounded her fists on Steven's back to no avail. Suddenly a peal of laughter was heard and she recognized it as her sister.
"Genevieve Danes Dugray!" Rory called. She could see another double inline stroller and she assumed they both held her nieces and nephews.
"Sorry, Rory, this is too funny." Jinx said.
Steven continued down the hall, using the megaphone as he went through each hallway and then, once outside, down street after street announcing "Come see Rory Gilmore be thrown in the lake!"
"Steven! I'm wearing nice clothes! Do you know how much these shoes cost?" Rory screeched from over his shoulder.
She should have known better. No sooner had she finished her sentence than Steven reached up and plucked her brand new Michael Kors heels off of her feet.
"There," He said. "No worries."
She felt the warm sun beating on her shoulders and watched a crowd begin to form behind them, led by Patty and Babette. As they passed the diner, Luke noticed what was going on and ran out to catch up. They arrived at the Gilmore house finally and Steven stood still in front. "Lorelai, Meg, Jack! Come outside!" He called through the megaphone.
Rory had long ago stopped struggling and now propped her head up by resting her elbow against his back and resting her chin in her hand. Luke ran up behind her, ready to come to her rescue, but Rory shook her head and submitted to the idea of being thrown into the lake.
Meg poked her head out of her upstairs bedroom window and began to laugh hysterically. She disappeared from the window and reappeared with Jack and Lorelai on the front porch.
"Get your video camera and watch me throw Rory in the lake!" Steven called. Jack held up the video camera already around his neck and Lorelai held up a still shot camera. He now continued down the street. Rory glanced at the crowd behind her and realized half of the town must be there.
They reached the bridge and the entire group stopped at the edge with Jack in front with the video camera. Steven proceeded on. He lifted her off his shoulder and she closed her eyes, ready to feel herself soaring through the air, ready for the cold shock she was expecting. Instead, she felt solid ground beneath her feet. She opened her eyes to see that Steven had not thrown her into the lake but instead set her on the bridge.
"I've heard this is a special place." He said and instinctively Rory looked around for Jess. Jess and Rory had had many special moments on this bridge in the past 10 years that they had known one another. Shockingly, she found him at the edge of the crowd, near the front, with Paris. He had a small grin on his face. She looked back at Steven and nodded.
"Well, I'd like to make it more special." He turned to the crowd and Lorelai ran forward with a tiny ring box and her eyes shined like pearls. As she ran back, Steven got down on his knee. He looked up at her and she looked shock.
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, will you marry me?" He said, opening the ring box to reveal a large diamond. She brought her hands to her mouth and it seemed like everyone there was holding his or her breath. Finally, she nodded. A smile broke out on her face, lighting up her pretty features. He slid the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. Everyone broke into loud applause. Rory even heard some whistling. Then, like a flash of lightning, Steven shot to his feet and lifted her in his arms.
Spinning around, Steven forgot he was on a bridge. When he set Rory down, she was at the very edge of the bridge and as they kissed, she leaned backward setting them off balance. She tried to scramble forward and Steven tried to pull her back, but the damage was done. With a scream, Rory fell backward into the lake pulling Steven with her. They surfaced to hear loud applause as Jack ran forward on the bridge with his video camera. Everyone followed him and Rory, in Steven's arms, looked up in amusement.
"I guess we caused quite a splash." Rory said, wiping tears from her eyes and laughing. He laughed and looked into her eyes.
"I really wasn't going to throw you in." He said with an adorable smile. They kissed again and Rory looked up again at the crowd. A sign was being unfolded that read "Congratulations Rory and Steven!" and suddenly she realized that this was planned. Her assumptions were affirmed when she saw Richard, Emily, and Beth, Brooke, Trip and Estelle Cashen standing with her family.
"You planned this." She said to him.
Water dripped from his wet dark hair and down his bare chest. "Yeah. Did you like it?"
"Loved it. It was perfect." She said, kissing him again. "And surprisingly warm."
"I'm glad." He said and she smiled, tickling his bare washboard stomach. "Well we have a party to get to." He said, pulling her through the water to the bridge.
"A party?" She asked as he hoisted her out of the water and sat her on the bridge.
"An engagement party." Lorelai said, squatting next to her daughter.
"Mom!"
Mother and daughter embraced sitting on the dock. Jack's video camera was still rolling, for which Rory was grateful. Not everyone got the most creative proposal on tape.
Finally they stood and Lorelai was now thoroughly soaked. Rory passed from hug to hug and Steven followed her down the line. Patty seemed to hold on to him a little too long and Rory had to swat her away.
"He's mine, Miss Patty." Rory said as she pulled him along with her. She laughed at the sparkle in Miss Patty's eyes.
Rory made her way through the crowd, hugging her sisters and her brother and Tristan and each niece and nephew and her grandparents and Steven's family and all the Stars Hollow people that she had known since birth. She hugged Dean and Lindsay and their two children, Donny and Grace. She hugged Paris and Jess and finally, she made it to the end where Luke waited patiently, a proud smile on his face. Rory settled into Luke's strong arms and he held her close.
"I don't care what the birth certificates or the DNA say. You're my baby girl." He said to her.
"I love you, Luke. You gave me a family...you made Mom happy and you gave me two sisters and a brother and I got you in the deal. Thank you so much. I love you all so much." Rory whispered in his ear. He kissed her cheek and then shook Steven's hand.
Steven hoisted Rory onto his shoulders and she waved her hands at the excited crowd.
"Attention! Attention!" Rory called. "Thank you all so much for being here. I am sure that Steven planned this somehow and I know I'll hear about it later. Right now, we need to go back and change. My fiancé didn't plan that well because he didn't bother to wear a shirt or shoes."
"Who's complaining?" Babette called.
Rory laughed as did everyone else. "I'm not! But we need to go get changed. See you in a few!" Rory called. Steve helped her down and they headed off towards her apartment while everyone else headed to the Gilmore house.
"I love you, Steven." She said, hugging his arm as they walked.
"Thanks for the update. I love you too."
"We're getting married."
"I noticed."
"I'm happy."
"Me too."
After two quick showers and a quick change, Rory and Steven made it to their engagement party. Rory wore her new Cynthia Steffe Pintuck Dress and Kenneth Cole New York 'Braidence' Sandals, more gifts from Steven. He sported Ralph Lauren Tissue Chinos and a light green polo. They exited the apartment building hand in hand and made their way toward the music and lights.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom!" Jinx yelled as soon as they entered the house. Rory and Steven laughed as everyone burst into applause.
Music was playing and every light in the house was on. Sookie ran out from the kitchen and threw her arms around Rory.
"Sweetie, I'm so excited for you!" She cried.
"Thanks, Sook! I hope you cooked for this!" Rory said, hugging her.
"I wouldn't let anyone else. Luke tried, but I kicked him out." She said with a giggle.
Rory laughed and pulled Steven into the living room where most of the action was.
"Sit sit!" Lorelai called. Several people jumped off the couch and Rory and Steven sat down with Meg and Lorelai.
"Ok, so tell me how this happened. Tell me about it all." Rory said eagerly. People sat around the coffee table on the floor and on chairs throughout the room and all conversations stopped when the story started to be told.
"Well, I knew I wanted to propose to you. It was just a matter of planning it, although I wasn't exactly sure what I was planning. I know some couples go for a private romantic proposal, but I know you Rory and I know that the most important moments of your life you like to share with your family and friends. I talked to your mom about it a lot and your whole family was in on it. Then, last week when you had to drive up to New York for a few days, we had a town meeting and I filled them in. I knew I would do it this week so my family came into town. They have been staying with your grandparents and as soon as we went to Tristan's, Jinx called the Gilmores. I wasn't sure exactly when I would do it, so today I walked up and down the street with the megaphone to let the town know that today was the day and because I went on every street, it gave your grandparents and my family time to get here." Steven said.
"It was like our secret code." Babette called.
"Wow. I'm impressed. That took a ton of planning, Steven, and it left a lot up to chance." Rory said.
"Yeah. I wasn't sure how I was going to get you to the bridge or how I was going to tell everyone but not let you know. It was a surprise for everyone, really, and that's why all the laughs and reactions were so genuine. They knew what I was doing but were surprised at how I did it. It worked out well because of that little whistle you gave me." He said with a smirk.
"Whistle?" Lorelai asked.
Steven opened his mouth but Rory pinched his side and he yelped. "Oh...nothing." He said finally.
"Wow, I don't know how to thank all of you for being here. Steven's right—I like to share important moments with all my family and friends." She said with a smile.
Luke, Sookie, Jack, and Tristan came into the room holding trays filled with glasses of champagne or juice for the minors. Everyone grabbed a glass and Luke stepped forward to make a toast.
"We have all known this little girl since she was born...she and her stubborn mother who breezed into town and took everyone by storm. She had a little girl, a little baby girl with big blue eyes and brown curls. That little girl turned four years old and her mom married a gruff young guy from the local diner. And that little girl latched on. She was a perfect angel all of the time, even when she didn't get as much attention because of one, two, and then three little siblings. She helped raise her sisters and brother and they always came to her when they needed advice or were in trouble. She watched her little sister be married and became the godmother of 2 of her sister's children. And now, now it's her turn. Rory Gilmore is getting married and we all wish her and Steven the best of luck." Glasses clinked together and a few tears fell down Rory's face. Lorelai stood up now.
"Not everyone is as lucky as I am. When people find out I had Rory at 16, they are shocked that she has done as well as she has. I'd like to, as her mother, take credit for all of that but I can't. Rory got where she is today on her smarts and charms and intuition and...well I don't have to list it all for this crowd, you know Rory. But she deserves credit for making me the way I am. Rory pushed me to do better. For the first four years of her life, it was just Rory and me. I knew I had to make a better life for her than living in the shed behind the inn. Everything I have done since I was 16 I have done for my children. And now, my oldest baby is leaving the nest. As Luke said, I wish Rory and Steven the best of luck in the future and hope they always stay close to us here in Stars Hollow and most of all I hope my baby stays close to me." Lorelai was choked by the end of her toast and she hugged her daughter tightly.
Jinx now stepped forward along with Meg and Jack. Each one held a baby and as the Quads, as the family liked to call them, grew older they were much easier to tell apart. "Ok, it's our turn. Meg, Jack, the Quads, and I would like to make a speech to our sister and our soon to be brother-in- law. Rory was five when I was born and that was a sort of big gap. It was good for me, though. When I was suffering through my teenage years, my sister was already out. I could go to her for advice and counsel. Rory and Mom definitely led me through my teenage years and I couldn't be closer to my sister. " Jinx looked to Meg.
"I have the same sentiments as Jinx. Rory is such a great sister. She just kind of jumped into the role of half mother. Whenever Mom or Daddy weren't available, we always knew we could go to Rory. I know people who are only children or worse, don't have any sisters. I don't think there could be anything worse than being sisterless- thankfully, I don't know. I also know families that are not close at all, something else I don't understand. Our family has always been close-knit. Even though Rory doesn't live at home anymore, it's still going to be weird when she gets married. I am very happy for her though. Having sisters, especially two as great as Jinx and Rory, is awesome." Meg said.
"I agree with my sisters—having sisters is awesome." A chuckle went through the crowd as Jack started speaking. "All of my friends who have sisters complain about it, but I couldn't love it more. I get advice about what girls like and how to treat them and I know firsthand the preparation that goes into dates and proms and dances. Rory is 11 years older than I am and most people would think 'what a huge gap, they can't be close.' Lucky for me, we are."
"The Quads would also like to congratulate Rory." Jinx said. Jinx, Meg, and Jack turned the babies around and on their butts was spelled out 'WE HEART R-G'. 'We' was on one butt, a heart was on the next, and then R and G was on the last two.
"My little babies! You are just too adorable!" Rory cried. Kissing and hugging each one several times.
"Are we going to be seeing any little Rorys or Stevens running around?" Miss Patty asked suggestively.
"Let's get them married first, Patty." Luke called.
"Oh of course." She said.
"Dinner is served!" Sookie called from the doorway.
Everyone moved to get in the buffet line and Rory and Steven were left with Lorelai on the couch.
"This is really great, Mom, letting us have the party here. Thanks." Rory said.
"No problemo." Lorelai said. "Rory, I've got sort of a surprise for you."
Rory looked at Steven to see an equally surprised look on his face.
"What, Mom?" Rory asked.
"Well, I don't know how this will be welcomed so I was hesitant to do this today. I don't want to ruin the day. But I don't think it will." Lorelai said.
Rory wrinkled her brow and as Lorelai pulled her up and toward the front door, she looked back to Steven for support.
Lorelai stood and went into the foyer. She returned with a dark haired man.
"Oh my god..." Rory whispered.
"Hey, kid." Christopher said, stepping forward.
"Dad!" Rory cried, running forward into his arms.
Everyone in the kitchen heard the outburst and ran to see who it was.
"Happy engagement, Ror!" Chris said, pulling back and holding her at her elbows.
"I can't believe you're here!" Rory cried.
"Me either...my baby girl is getting married." Christopher said.
"Yeah." Rory pulled Chris into the living room. "Dad, this is Steven, my fiancé. Steve, this is my bio-dad, Christopher Hayden."
They shook hands and shared greetings.
Lorelai walked over to Luke and took his hand. "She's so happy. I was afraid it would upset her or not work out. But he's here, he came, and she is happy."
"Yeah." Luke said. He stared at Rory, happily introducing Christopher to Steven, a huge smile ever present on her face. He felt a deep pain start in his heart, a pain he couldn't control. It felt like he was being...replaced?
"Ugh, I'm beat." Rory said, flopping her head onto Steven's chest. The house was empty except for Rory and her family. The elder Gilmores and the Cashens had returned to Hartford, Jess and Paris to the inn, and the Stars Hollowans to their homes.
"Yeah, I think we all are." Lorelai said, coming from the kitchen where she had been washing dishes. "You all are staying here tonight. I insist. My baby girl is getting married and we need another night in the house together. Tristan and Jinx and the Quads need to stay too. A big family thing."
"Mom, that's really too much trouble." Rory said.
"No it's ok, really. Tris and Jinx are putting the Quads to sleep on the floor in Jinx's old room (Rory's old room) and they can sleep in there with them. Meg and Jack can share Jack's room, Chris can have the sofa, and you and Steven can have Meg's room." Lorelai said to Rory. "It'll be like a traditional, Gilmore slumber party! Watch movies, eat candy, stay up late!"
Excited, she ran off to get the popcorn.
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