Chapter Twenty-seven

A voice pulled Rory from a deep sleep. "Rory… Oh, Rory…"

Rory peeped out to see her mother standing by her head, and squeezed her eyes tightly shut again with a groan. "No."

Lorelai's laugh was infectious. "C'mon Ror. It's a big day."

Rory grabbed her duvet and threw it over her head. "Too early!"

Lorelai walked to the bottom of Rory's bed and ripped the duvet away with a flourish. "It is not too early. It's your wedding day, Rory. You need to get up."

Rory sat bolt upright, sending her hair flying everywhere. "Holy crap."

"Ah, so you forgot, huh?"

"I'm getting married today. Oh, my god. I can't breathe… Mom! You should have got me up ages ago, it's gone ten!"

"Oh, hon. You have hours. Everything is done. All you need to do is relax, and get ready. Mommy took care of everything."

"Everything is done?"

"Everything, Rory. I promise you. Now, your grandmother is here, driving everyone insane. I had to make her come to see you, because I thought Sookie might try to shove her in the oven…"

"But… Flowers? And food? And candles, ah, I always wanted loads of candles at my wedding…"

Lorelai became stern. "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore. Everything. Is. Done. Sookie has thought of every possible food-related problem we could ever have, and made enough canapes to last the whole town through four more weddings. I have personally overseen the placement of every single flower for the entire wedding and reception. The band is ready, the place looks stunning. All that's left, my dear, is you."

Rory smiled sheepishly. "I should never doubt the powers of a Gilmore on a mission, should I?"

"Not this Gilmore. Or my mother. She's done good too, kid. The tables look amazing, but I'm not giving away any details. I can't wait to see your reaction."

Rory felt a second of overwhelming happiness before a wave of nausea washed over her. Her face paled, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. Lorelai grinned. "Ha! That's exactly how Logan looked this morning. Nervous or pregnancy sick?"

Rory swallowed several times. "Er, both? You saw Logan?"

"Yeah, hon. He came out this morning to check on things, and add his own little touches. I have to say, he really loves you."

"I know. I really love him too."

"So you're definitely happy? No last-minute change of heart?"

"Nope. My feet are toasty warm. This is how it was always meant to go. We're just a little late getting there, that's all."

Lorelai smiled at her only daughter as she furiously blinked back tears. "Oh jeez. If I'm crying now, I am never going to make it through the wedding intact."

A sudden knock at the door made them both jump. Emily Gilmore pushed open the door without waiting for a response. "Rory? Everyone is here. It's time to move!"

Two hours later, Rory was bathed and pampered. Her hair had been curled and twisted up into a beautiful style similar to the one she'd had for her grandparents vow renewal. A make-up artist had worked some magic on her face, giving her a healthy glow instead of the nauseous, washed out complexion she had recently developed.

Sitting on a chair in her mother's kitchen, Rory smiled as a mirror was held up for her to examine her reflection. "Wow."

Lane and her mother stood in front of her with sentimental expressions and tears in their eyes. They echoed Rory's simple response. "Wow."

Emily walked into the kitchen. "Well, don't you look wonderful! Oh, Rory. Simply stunning."

"Thanks, grandma. You don't look so bad yourself."

Emily smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle from the skirt she was wearing. She had gone for a dark grey fabric that shimmered as she moved. The matching jacket had a row of what looked like pearl buttons running down the front. Her hair was perfectly blow-dried, and small diamond earrings finished the look. Rory looked around. "You all look amazing."

Lorelai did a little twirl. The strapless black dress she wore flicked out as she spun. The bodice of the dress was pleated to Lorelai's waist, where a thin belt of sparkling clear gems pulled it in, then the skirt floated down in several layers of tulle fabric. Lane and Lorelai both looked fantastic.

"Come on, kid. It's your turn."

Lorelai led Rory upstairs to her bedroom, where Rory's dress was hanging. "I forgot how pretty the dress was, mom."

Lorelai smiled. "You love it?"

"I do." Rory stepped forward and admired her mother's handiwork. I can't believe she made this for me, Rory thought as she examined the dress.

"Let's get you in it then."

Five minutes later, Lorelai stepped back from tying the belt of Rory's dress and began to cry. Rory frowned. "Do I look that bad?"

"Oh, honey, no! You look amazing. I did good."

"Do I look like a big pregnant cream puff?"

"Of course not. More an iced doughnut. I'm kidding! Here, mirror."

Rory finally caught a glance of herself in Lorelai's full-length mirror. The ivory dress was similar in style to her bridesmaids. The strapless bodice was covered in beautifully embroidered lace to her waist, but the belt that ran around her middle was carefully stitched with hundreds of tiny beads and gathered the dress in neatly above her now invisible bump. Her mother had designed the dress to fall in a Grecian style at the front, cleverly disguising her stomach and falling all the way to the ground, allowing Rory to wear flat shoes. Extra layers of fabric in the skirt added warmth and her mother had also made a matching wrap.

Tears filled Rory's eyes. "Mom, it's…" Struggling to find the words, Rory simply flung her arms around her mother.

"You look perfect, Rory."

Emily's voice interrupted them as she called from below. "Hurry up, you two. I want to see my granddaughter in her wedding dress!"

Rory and Lorelai exchanged a look and rolled their eyes. "Coming mother!" Lorelai called back to her. She turned to Rory. "Ready, kid?"

Rory nodded, and together they descended the stairs. Waiting for them in the living room was a small crowd of people who all looked up expectantly as she made her way down. Rory caught sight of a newcomer and smiled in delight. "Dad!"

Christopher grinned back. "Hey, kiddo. Looking good. Something going on today?"

Emily gave him a withering look. "It's only her wedding day, Christopher. Rory, you look divine. Something is missing though." Emily produced a jewellery box from out of thin air and proceeded to pass it to Rory.

Rory opened the box and gasped. "Grandma!"

Inside the box was the diamond necklace Richard had bought for Emily on the day of their second wedding. Emily smiled. "You recognise it?"

"Of course. You picked the other one for the wedding."

"Yes. This was a birthday gift in the end. But I want you to wear it. It will go perfectly with your dress. It can be your something old."

Christopher took the necklace and fastened it around Rory's neck. "And your mother and I have your something blue."

Lorelai stepped forward with yet another box. Inside this one was a pair of small sapphire and diamond stud earrings that had clearly been made to match the necklace. Rory choked back tears as she hugged her parents. "Thank you, guys. Thank you so much. So I have something old, the dress is new, I have my blue… I need something borrowed!"

Lane stepped forward and pulled a pin out of her hair. She used it to fix a stray strand of Rory's hair. "There. Something borrowed. Now you're perfect."

Christopher looked at his watch. "It's time to go kiddo."