Well, folks, the moment has finally arrived. The last chapter of this whimsical story is upon us. It's been a long journey, and I couldn't have made it this far without all of you. Now, on with the show...

The walls of the Inn's dining room were now decorated with shades of brown, yellow and green. Luckily, they were childproof walls, (Kirk proof, too) and could therefore withstand the food fight of the century. Sookie was in the kitchen, adding final touches to her dessert platters, the others sat restlessly in the mess they'd created.

"I'm hungry," Lorelai whined.

"That's because you threw most of your food at Kirk," Luke reasoned.

She laughed, recalling the memory, "Ah, yes. But so worth it."

Kirk huffed, "You throw like a girl," he accused Lorelai.

"You scream like a girl," Lorelai retorted.

Kirk blushed, "I can't help it. My larynx is abnormally tight."

There were giggles all around.

Sookie proudly entered the dining room, her hands heavy with trays of tantalizing desserts. "Dig in, everybody!" the chef encouraged. She was an epicurean to the core.

The tablemates filled their plates with pastries galore. There were happy faces all around.

"Oh, Sook, I'm practically drooling over here," Lorelai cooed.

Kirk was literally drooling. Lulu tended to the puerile man. With a mouth half-full of cookies and cake, Kirk returned to a previous conversation, "I still can't believe you gave a floorshow," he directed at Luke.

Luke sighed in frustration, "I did not give a floorshow."

"He did so…and he wears boxers," Gyspy stated for the third time that day.

Luke groaned.

"Why do I always miss the good stuff?" Kirk protested.

"I'm sure if you ask Luke nicely, he'll do it again." Gypsy instructed Kirk.

Luke groaned louder. Lorelai quietly hummed Private Dancer.

"I tell ya, that bit of Luke we saw was somethin' else," Babette added her two cents.

Morey's eyebrows rose to unusual heights.

Patty eagerly agreed with her bosom buddy, "Lukeliciousness at its finest."

"What?" Luke and Lorelai simultaneously queried.

Patty and Babette giggled naughtily, "Oh, its just a playful term. I expect to see it in Webster's within a few months time," the dance teacher declared.

"Yeah," Babette agreed, "right after Bootylicious."

Luke was about ready to get up from the table, when Taylor interrupted things. "People! I would like to have the floor now! People!"

"I think Taylor wants to give us a floorshow," Lorelai revealed.

Babette chuckled, "Can anyone break a twenty?"

Taylor's face took on a crimson hue. "Defiance!" he shouted.

"I've got two fives and a ten," Sookie offered.

"Mutiny!" the Selectman hissed.

"I've got fifty bucks that says Taylor's too chicken to go through with it," Gypsy chimed in. The mechanic was obviously rolling in the dough. Under-stock and Overcharge was her company slogan.

"Outright insubordination!" Taylor pounded his fists against the table. That seemed to be the ticket. Silence ensued. Taylor took a deep breath and composed himself, "What I was going to say…before I was so uncouthly interrupted, is that this Town Event has, for the most part, been successful."

There were some suspicious rumblings.

Taylor pressed on, "The walls have been painted, the doors are installed, the flowers have been planted and the electrical work is complete. Of course, the hospitality needs work, but other than that, I wont hesitate to say that I'm impr…" he indeed hesitated, then continued, "mostly satisfied with your efforts." It was a very didactic speech.

"Great speech, Taylor. Now, how about that floorshow?" Gypsy nudged. Well, she had money riding on this.

Taylor sighed indignantly, "Didn't I ban you from D-Day?"

Lorelai spoke up then, "Hey, guys? I'd like to say a few words, too, if I may."

Patty smiled, "Of course, dear. Go right ahead."

"Ok. I just want to thank you all. This day has meant so much to me. You know, I was making myself sick, worrying about preparations for the Inn. I thought that it was never going to happen…this Inn, our dream." She looked to Sookie and her eyes began to well up. Luke rubbed her arm; his eyes encouraged her to continue. "And then you all showed up. You pitched in and whipped this place into shape. I just don't know what to say…I'm overwhelmed."

There were teary eyes on every face, even Taylor's.

"Aw, Lorelai, honey. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. We love ya, and that's unconditional," Babette assured.

Kirk nodded in agreement, "I'd even be willing to continue monitoring the wood."

Lorelai grinned, "That's very chivalrous of you, Kirk."

It was starting to get dark outside. Things would need to wrap-up soon.

"Alright, who's on dish-duty?" Sookie surveyed the townies.

"I think we can figure this out in an orderly fashion, Sookie," Taylor stated.

"I swear to God, if you put us in pairs again, I'm outta here!" Gypsy threatened the man with the vest.

"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," Taylor spewed. He and Gypsy were getting friendlier by the minute.

"That's enough, you two!" Patty hollered. "I think the men should take dish-duty. And Kirk, you clean the dining room. After all, the food fight was your idea."

"Big whoop!" Kirk sulked.

Patty ignored his peevishness, "Now, skeddadle, all of you!"

"Yes, master," Jackson quipped under his breath. Feisty, Mr. Belleville.

The men did as they were told. The women moved into the foyer of the building. Three quarters of an hour passed. It was time to check on things.

"How's everything going in here?" Sookie carefully asked the recruits.

"We're almost done," Jackson answered.

The men had a system; two washers and two dryers. Luke traded jobs with Kirk. It was too cramped in the kitchen for his taste. The fact that Taylor's hand had brushed against his own under the soapsuds, helped to influence the switch.

Gypsy took in the scene before her. "Idiots," she mumbled.

"Who're you calling an idiot?" Jackson returned.

"All of you. The dishwasher is up and running now."

"What?" The four men bellowed in unison.

The mechanic carried on, "But obviously none of you dimwits had the brains to check."

The rest of the women couldn't hold in their laughter. The men rolled their eyes and finished with their task. At last, the drain was pulled and the remaining dishes were dried and put away. The men grumbled as they made their way past the amused expressions of the women and back into the dining area. Luke and Lorelai were there to greet them.

Taylor jumped right into conversation and condemnation, "Lorelai, I think we'd better call it a day. We wouldn't want to breech the Town Event agreement now, would we?"

"What the hell are you talking about, Taylor," Luke questioned.

"According to the Town Acts Bylaw, once an event has surpassed the twelve-hour mark, it is subject to re-examination. This is liabilities territory, people. Don't even get me started on twilight insurance. The costs can be astronomical."

Everyone groaned.

"Maybe Taylor has a point, guys," Lorelai began, "It is getting pretty late."

Kirk griped, "Mother's probably worried sick about me."

People started moving towards the exit.

"Thanks again, everyone. We're planning on having a test-run in about a week," Lorelai was pleased to report, "I do hope you'll join us."

"Absolutely, sugar," Babette promised.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Patty was ecstatic. Maybe she'd get to sneak another peak at Luke.

The others nodded in agreement. There were parting hugs and handshakes, then finally, they stepped out into the night. It was a beautiful, warm night; a night full of hope.

Lorelai stood in the empty space that was now her paradise. Luke pulled her tight into his body, breathing into her hair.

"So, is it everything you hoped for?" he whispered.

Lorelai leaned back, smiling warmly at the man she loved, "And then some."

They kissed.

FIN -

Final Note: I want to send out a giant THANK YOU to all you wonderful readers out there! Your loyalty and support have made this process most enjoyable for me! The cast of my story would like to thank you as well, Kirk especially. He made t-shirts for everyone. Go check your mailboxes ;)

Cheers.