Rather than go back to the inn, Rory had Luke drop her off in town. She wanted to walk around and clear her head. She stepped into the bookstore, she always went there when she wanted to feel calm. She smiled when she saw Jess in there as well, perusing the Jane Austen rack.

"Jane Austen huh?" She asked with a smile. "Didn't Paris criticize you for not having read her once?"

"Hey, I've read Jane Austen." He said with a smile. "It's just been awhile. Figured reading her would get me in the marrying mood."

"Really. And I don't?" Rory questioned with a coy smile. Jess chuckled.

"Oh yes. More than you know." He glanced around. "You wanna get out of here? Go for a walk?"

"Sure." Rory said putting her hand in his. "Other one where I can see it please." She commanded, and he held out his hand to her.

"You've always had quick hands. Can't have you stealing anything."

"I think your heart was enough for one day." He smirked. She rolled her eyes.

"So cheesy."

"But you love it."

"I guess I do." She said, snuggling into his side. Jess sighed as they walked outside.

"I would have never thought I'd be here three years ago." He said. "Meeting you changed everything." Rory was reminded of what Luke had said earlier, and she sobered.

"You okay?" Her fiancé asked.

"Totally." She gave him an unconvincing smile. "Tell me more about how I changed your life." He laughed, but went on.

"Well, before I met you, the worst thing I ever got into was smoking, maybe the occasional fight." He gazed down at her with a teasing smirk. "But you are much worse."

"Hey!" Rory exclaimed, elbowing him.

"And far more addictive." He continued, kissing her neck.

"Hey slow down." Rory giggled, pulling away. "You should have told me that you were performing The Bridges of Madison County without a script!"

"Cheeky." Jess growled, attempting to kiss her again. "You know how I like it when you're cheeky."

"I have to get back to the inn and get ready for my Bachelorette party." Rory broke away. "But I'll see you tomorrow hopefully."

"You will see me tomorrow." Jess agreed. She leaned up and kissed him, before leaving for the inn in a sprint. Jess shook his head. "What have I gotten myself into?" He asked fondly.


The bachelorette party was held in Miss Patty's studio, and consisted of every female in Stars Hollow, including a few not. Emily sat on a chair, conversing lightly with Michel, who had been forced to come. Or so he said. Lane and her band were playing some music, though Kirk was going to DJ later on. Miss Patty and Babette were gossiping off to the side, Paris was sulking in a corner with a drink, and Sookie was supervising the food. The two Gilmore Girls stood at the center of the room, Lorelai's arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"I can't believe you're getting married." Lorelai sighed. "And before me! My own daughter is getting married before me!"

"Don't take it so hard." Rory patted her shoulder. "I'm only 21, you couldn't have accounted for that."

"You're right." Lorelai tried to smile. "Though that doesn't make me feel less pathetic."

"Don't feel pathetic!" Rory urged. "The right man is out there for you. Maybe even closer than you think…" She said, thinking about Luke, Chris, and Max. Maybe one of them was the one for her mother. Lorelai gave her daughter a strange look.

"Perhaps so loin fruit. Anyway, I'm gonna go off and mingle. You make sure that Paris doesn't do anything drastic, like have a good time." Rory laughed.


The night wore on, and Lane and her band eventually closed up for the night. Rory was glad to have her friend back, and called her over to where she stood.

"You guys were great! Getting better every time I see you!"

"Relentless practice. The only way to get better is through a strict regimen." Lane suddenly groaned. "Oh, I sound like my Mom!"

"You do at that." Rory couldn't disagree. Their conversation was broken by Lorelai walking over to the small stage that was set up, microphone in hand.

"Hello everyone. I'm Lorelai, as you all know." The crowd cheered. "We're all here tonight, because the love of my life is getting married. And not to me, which sounds very sad and is possibly very wrong considering the context, but there you have it." She looked down at Rory and smiled.

"Rory, you are everything I have ever wanted. You're smart, kind, funny, and lovely. And you have met a guy who is just as smart and funny, though possibly not as kind and definitely not as lovely. Don't tell Jess I said that, he knows I love him. I am the proudest mother in the world knowing that you are embarking on a journey of your own design, and just know that I have never desired anything but your happiness, and never will. Congratulations sweets, this one is for you." Kirk turned on the music, and Lorelai began singing to I Will Always Love You. She started out strong, but suddenly faltered as she saw three men enter the studio. The crowd turned to look at them, varying emotions playing out on their faces. Miss Patty looked lascivious, Rory looked distressed, Sookie and Michel looked confused then suddenly recognition dawned. And Emily seemed shocked, evidently at Chris' presence. The song ended with Lorelai glaring, and she said,

"This party is for Rory's wedding only. Leave." They did as they were told, though Luke gave her a lingering, slightly challenging look. Lorelai then hopped off the stage and was swarmed by the whole party, especially Rory, who was crushing her with a hug.

"Thank you so much! I loved it!"

"And I love you kid. Always." They hugged again, and Lorelai then made a beeline for Sookie.

"Was that them?" Sookie asked immediately.

"Yeah." Lorelai shook her head. "What are they still doing here? I told them to go!"

"Well we must make sure that they leave instantly!" Michel interjected, butting into the duo. "They will not ruin Rory's wedding!" Lorelai and Sookie looked both shocked and happy.

"We have worked too hard on it!" Michel attempted to cover his blunder.

"Nope." Lorelai smirked. "You can't take it back now. You care about Rory!"

"I do not!" Michel argued. "However, I do care about all of the hours and preparation that I have put into this event." His slight blush revealed him, however, and Sookie hugged him.

"Release me!" He exclaimed, shoving her off.


Behind the studio, Rory saw Luke sitting on a crate, staring at his hands.

"Everything ok?" She asked. Luke shrugged.

"I guess. I don't know. Your Mom kind of jarred me back there with that look. I haven't seen it since I left that day."

"Yeah, she can be pretty scary when she wants to be." Rory nodded sitting on a crate next to him.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" Luke wondered.

"You just did." Rory giggled. "But sure, ask away."

"What do you want to do with your life?" That was not the question she was expecting.

"Well I want to marry Jess." She said quickly. "And settle down in Stars Hollow." Luke glanced at her.

"But you went to Yale. You managed to graduate early, just to stay here?" Rory shrugged.

"My Mom needs help." She explained. "She says she doesn't, but I know that's not true. She'll be all alone without me. So I figured I could get married, have a family, and work at the bookstore." Luke gave her a look.

"That's not a reason to get married." He stated. "Trust me, I have experience with bad reasons to get married."

"I do want to marry Jess." Rory said. "That's not a question."

"But maybe not right now?" Luke reasoned.

"Today, tomorrow, next year, if it's going to happen eventually, why not start it now?"

"Because you're young!" Luke argued. "You may think you know what you want, hell you may even know what you want. But why make a decision so early? I got married when I was 19 and looked where that landed me!"
"So you're going to base everything off of your failed relationship?" Rory demanded. "Don't you think that's a bit cynical and unfair?"

"Life is cynical and unfair." Luke replied. "You should have gotten used to it by now."

"You think I'm not?" Rory shouted. "My Mom got pregnant with me when she was 16, was dropped like she was nothing by my Dad, and now I'm here, not knowing who the hell I really am! You're damn right I'm used to life being unfair!" She stormed off back into the studio. Luke watched her go, shocked. Lorelai got pregnant when she was 16.

"Aw jeez!" He muttered, smacking his forehead.


Rory saw Max sitting at the makeshift bar with a drink in his hand, Miss Patty getting ready to pour him another one.

"You like that handsome?" She asked and he appeared to almost choke. Rory sat down next to him and said,

"I'll take one too Miss Patty." Rory said and was soon given a drink.

"Are you okay?" Max asked. "You seem a bit tense."

"Oh I am." Rory agreed. "I am very tense. Weddings are so stressful! You have to worry about decorations, and venues, and food, and people. All of the people, who give you more stress. Especially the ones who aren't really even supposed to here, but think that they know what your life is supposed to be!" She turned to Max, who was looking more confused by the minute.

"Are you married Max?" He blushed.

"Oh no. Marriage was never for me; I don't think I ever found the right person." Rory got frustrated. That was not the answer she was looking for.

"Do you have any kids then?"

"Nope." Max said. "Never married, never kids. It would have been nice though, at least the kids part. I teach high school, so I've always been good at relating to them." Rory was calmed down slightly by Max's honest response and sighed.

"Maybe you'll have some." She said, downing her margarita. "Or maybe you already have one." She muttered.

"What was that?" Max asked. "The music's a bit loud in here."

"Nothing." Rory replied quickly. Max looked around.

"Where's your father anyway?" Rory tilted her head back.

"Isn't that the question?" She moaned. At his confused look she clarified, "I never met him."

"And your 21?" Max asked thoughtfully.

"Yep." Rory nodded and stood. "I'm going to get some air." Max followed her with his eyes.

"Oh my God." He gasped, the truth dawning on him.


Rory left the studio to see Christopher talking to Emily outside.

"Whatever you feel your business is here, you'd better forget about it." Emily was saying. "I know what you did to Lorelai, Christopher. You abandoned her with your child. If you had any moral character at all, you would have taken care of them. You are not going to come back now on a day like today and think you can be in her life, my daughter and granddaughter deserve more than that."

"My child?" Chris asked confused. "Do you mean Rory?"

"Of course I mean Rory." Emily snapped. "Why else would you be here if not for her?" Chris moved his gaze and saw Rory standing there.

"That's why you invited me?" He asked with tears in his eyes. "Because I'm your Dad?" Rory felt tears come to her eyes as she nodded. He walked over and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

"You didn't?" Emily asked, but neither was paying attention to her.

"Chris?" Rory asked. He pulled away and looked at her.

"Will you give me away tomorrow?" His face lit up.

"Me?" He asked and she smiled in response.

"Rory." Emily interjected. "I think this is highly foolish to allow a man who just reappeared in your life to give you away."

"Maybe so." Her granddaughter responded. "But it's what I want. It's what I've always wanted." She gave Chris another hug, and walked back into the studio. She was almost instantly accosted by Luke.

"Rory listen. I know I got upset before and I'm really sorry about that. I just don't want to see anyone else make a mistake like I did. Especially not my daughter…" Rory's eyes went wide.

"Your what!?" She all but shouted, but, at Luke's hopeful face, she couldn't just say no. "You're right. That's why I invited you, I wanted you to be here for my wedding."

"Your Mom's not giving you away tomorrow is she?" He asked.

"No." Rory shook her head.

"Then I am." He kissed her on the cheek and filtered back into the crowd. Rory suddenly felt very dizzy, and saw her Mom walk over to her.

"Sweetie, are you okay? You look confused."

"I'm fine." Rory insisted, walking away. She had to get out of here. She couldn't deal with this; it was too much. As she headed back towards the studio door, Max intercepted her path.

"I'm your father!" He stated as soon as he got within earshot. "Aren't I?"

"Oh Max!" Rory cried. "I can't handle this right now!"

"You wanted me to be here so that I could give you away tomorrow, and I will be. I promise!" Rory shoved past him and stepped outside. As soon as she got to the grass, things began to swirl around her.

"Rory dear, are you alright?" Her grandmother's voice called to her. Rory couldn't respond, couldn't do anything, before she collapsed onto the ground and everything went black.