Thanks for the reviews, guys. Loving you ALL like a two dollar whore!

xxxxxxxxx

Chapter 4

xxxxxxxxx

Miss Patty's Dance Studio was a buzz of excitement that summer morning. People were rushing in and out and around all trying to get ready for the wedding. Rory and April were standing in front of a mirror trying to get their hair and make-up right. Liz and Emily were fussing over Lorelai's dress. Liz was saying how pretty it was, and Emily was complaining that Lorelai made it, instead of buying it.

Though, all in all, everyone was glad to be a part of one of the town's greatest weddings. If not the greatest.

The fairy tail love that was finally in the right place. Such excitement that rippled through the town hadn't been seen since, well, since the last time Lorelai and Luke looked set to marry. Except, this time, things weren't going to come undone. It wasn't going to fall apart.

Lorelai watched everyone as they got ready and was happy to see Rory and April discussing the finer points of mascara application, instead of the latest book they'd read. She had to admit, she did like they way they seemed to get along so easily. It probably helped that they had a lot in common, both being book worms and academically inclined.

"They're an eccentric bunch, your guests." commented Emily from beside Lorelai.

She nodded and smiled affectionately. "Yeah. But they're Stars Hollow. I wouldn't take them any other way."

Emily nodded and Lorelai knew she had more to say, but she waited. Years of experience told her that if she pushed, her mother would just get defensive and they'd have a fight.

Emily took a deep breath. "Lorelai, I don't know… if I've ever told you…"

Lorelai was tempted to say "that you're my hero." but bit her tongue.

Emily squared her shoulders and Lorelai saw her face soften.

"Mom?" Lorelai whispered, turning to face her mother properly.

Emily looked into her daughter's sparkling blue eyes, the eyes that were so similar to both Rory and Richard's. "I'm proud of you. So very proud. Of the woman you've become and of the life you've made here. Of the way you raised Rory. Of everything."

Lorelai smiled softly and reached out to hug her mother. "Thanks, mom."

Their hug ended and they stepped back. "And I cannot believe you actually made your wedding dress."

Lorelai shrugged. "Well, in my life I've brought to wedding dresses, and look how they turned out. I wanted it to be my own."

Emily nodded. "Well, I respect that."

Lorelai nodded. "Thank you."

The sliding door opened and everyone turned to look at who was making such a late arrival.

"Kirk?" asked Lorelai.

He cleared his throat. "I have been sent her to inform you that everything is ready outside. and Taylor also said that now is the time for anyone not walking down that aisle to please take your seats." he nodded once and disappeared.

Lorelai and Sookie looked at each other. "Anyone would think it was Taylor's wedding today."

Sookie giggled and ushered everyone out the door.

"Good luck, doll!" called Miss Patty.

"Gorgeous, honey." said Babbette.

"A sister-in-law?" laughed Liz, shaking her head.

Emily paused in front of her. "Absolutely beautiful." she said, before leaning forward and hugging her daughter for the second time in under ten minutes.

XXX

Lorelai climbed into the horse drawn sleigh that, in hindsight, seemed a little ridiculous for the middle of summer. She shared hers with Sookie, who was the maid-of-honour. As they made their way from the Dance Studio to the top of the aisle Lorelai looked around at all the people who had come to see her and Luke get married. She didn't realise how many people actually cared about it until that very moment, and she was touched.

They came to a stop where Richard stood standing, a very proud smile on his face. He graciously offered his arm to all the women who were climbing out of the two sleighs and finally got to Lorelai. She grinned at him like she had when she was a little girl and accepted his arm.

He waited for Sookie, Rory and April to head of down the aisle, before he led Lorelai down. Neither could wipe the grin off their faces. He left her standing next to Luke with a kiss on her cheek as her eyes met Luke's.

"Now or never, right?"

Lorelai nodded quickly. "Yeah, now or never."

Richard took his seat in the front row and could be any prouder than he was at that moment. He had finally got to walk his only daughter down the aisle. Sure, there were times when he didn't think he could be happier, like the night she was born, but sitting there he knew that there was no more special moment than the moment he got to see her promise to love and be loved for the rest of his life.

He felt his chest swell and he knew, at that moment, he was the luckiest father in the world.

Then, with a humble "you may now kiss the bride." he had a son-in-law. He looked over at his wife and saw the tears glistening in her eyes and knew that everything was going to be okay. Things may have turned out differently to how he had planned all those years ago, but they were all happy and healthy and he really couldn't ask for more.

Did I do them justice?

One chapter to go...