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Chapter 5
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A few hours later the party was in full swing aided, of course, by Miss Patty's Founder's Punch. Because, honestly, what's a Stars Hollow event without the Founder's Punch?
Taylor had done some festival juggling so that the Founder's Firelight Festival coincided with the wedding, somehow managing to realise that Luke and Lorelai were like those two original lovers. They had come from different worlds and survived great animosity to be where they were today. And he felt honoured to have watched their story unfold, a fact that he was willing to share with those who would listen, and those who were just pretending to do so.
After an amazing meal, cooked by Sookie, Taylor took it upon himself to begin the speeches. He climbed the steps of the gazebo and cleared his throat into the mic. The guests quietened down.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for being here tonight for this very special occasion." he looked geared to send the guests into stupor, before Miss Patty had the sense to get up and drag him down.
"The speeches are for the father to start, not the Town Selectman!"
Everyone laughed and Richard took it as his cue. He stood at the mic and looked over all the people who were so important to his daughter.
"What can I say?" he asked the guests. "I venture a start like Mr Doose's would be appropriate, would it not?" the guests murmured their agreement and Richard smiled. "In that case, thank you all for being here. For those who may not know, my name's Richard Gilmore. I'm the very proud father of the beautiful woman who was married today."
The guests clapped and cheered, while Lorelai blushed and Luke smiled.
"Thirty-nine years ago I never would have imagined I would be standing here in front of you like this and, I have to admit, this is profoundly better than anything I could have ever hoped to dream. I would like to propose a toast to the wonderful woman and her new husband that sit before you. May their love grow strong, and may they grow old with that love. To Lorelai and Luke." he raised his wine, the same proud smile he wore walking Lorelai down the aisle adorning his face.
The guests raised their drinks. "To Lorelai and Luke!" they chanted.
"And, may I also thank you, the people of Stars Hollow, for accepting Lorelai, and Rory by extension, into your lives and looking after them as they grew into the amazing women they are today. To Stars Hollow." he said, raising his glass again.
"To Stars Hollow!" the guests cheered.
He stepped down from the gazebo and offered Lorelai a kiss, and Luke his hand. "Welcome to the family, son." he said, genuinely happy.
Luke nodded. "Thank you, Richard." replied Luke.
Lorelai smiled, and when the men had stopped shaking, she took Luke's hand and dragged him up onto the gazebo. It was their turn to speak.
"Hi!" she said brightly into the mic. "Wow, um, firstly I wanna thank my dad for his kind words." she paused as the guests politely applauded. She looked to Luke, her gaze soft and full of love. "We finally got her." she said, smiling happily. He simply nodded. "Who knew, after that initial meeting, nearly twelve years ago, that we would one day be here? I know many of you hoped and prayed this day would come. I was that beautiful, yet charmingly annoying, young woman who stumbled upon the diner looking for a simple cup of coffee, that was told to sit down, shut up and wait my turn." she put on a gruff voice, mimicking Luke and laughed lightly.
Luke shook his head and stepped up to the mic. "And, apparently, I was the gruff diner owner in the middle of a lunch rush who had no time for crazy, rambling women, no matter how beautiful."
The guests let out a collective "aww" and Kirk called out "what do you mean 'was'?" to which the guests laughed. Luke shot Kirk a dirty look and gestured for his wife to continue.
"But, here we are, nearly 12 years, millions of coffees and thousands of fights - some of which weren't just in jest - later. And, you know what; I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Luke smiled. "Me either. I am in, I am all in." he said, gazing into those blue eyes.
Lorelai smiled sweetly and leant forward, kissing him softly. "I love you, burger boy."
"I love you, too, crazy lady."
If it had been a winter wedding, the snow would have started falling as if Mother Nature was giving their union her seal of approval. But, as it was a summer wedding, not a winter one, the first rain in three months started to fall, giving them the seal of approval.
The End...
Never fear, there's still at least one more to come. Loook out for New Life. I still gotta add the finishing touches, but it should be here in about a week.
Hope you enjoyed Written In The Stars... And Snow. Please review.