When Luke left, Lorelai expected Emily to start questioning her about Luke and their relationship. But instead she noticed that Emily was looking around the room.

"What are you looking for? Is everything okay?"

"Your Father promised he would be here and I haven't seen him yet."

Lorelai glanced around and saw Richard at the bar, "There he is."

Emily sighed and headed towards her husband, "There you are."

"Yes, here I am," Richard responded. He downed the rest of his drink and requested another. When he noticed Lorelai he tensed and sneered, "Look at that, you made it this time. And your dress fits."

Lorelai tried to hide the fact that it felt like she was just slapped across the face.

"Richard! This isn't the time or the place to rehash this," Emily snapped.

"You know what?" Lorelai started, "If this night wasn't about my daughter I would make a big scene. But for now I will just tell you that when Christopher cancelled on Rory, surprising no one, she first thought about asking YOU but then realized that you've been a pill since Mom roped her into this. You could have had a nice moment with the Granddaughter that you love, but you ruined that for yourself."

"Well, all I could think of was -"

"I don't care, Dad. That was seventeen years ago and I thought we were moving past it. I'm back in your life, Rory is in your life. We are not going anywhere. Even when I manage to pay you back for the Chilton money I am still going to be on your doorstep every Friday night." Lorelai was looking at her Father with all the sincerity in the world so she missed the fact that her mother gasped and teared up at that last part.

"Dad, I'm sorry I hurt you back then. I'm sorry I let you down. But look at what we have now? Rory is amazing. And no, I didn't marry Chris. But every time he lets Rory down I thank my lucky stars that I didn't. Rory and I are happier and stronger without him."

Richard softened and nodded, "You're right, you are very strong My Girl. I'm so proud of the life you have built for yourself and Rory. Let's finally put this behind us and -"

"Ladies and Gentlemen please take your seats as the ceremony is about to begin." The woman at the front of the room wearing ridiculously large jewellery announced.

Richard smiled at his beautiful wife and daughter and motioned towards their table, "Shall we?"

Luke found Rory upstairs and was taken aback by how grown up and gorgeous she looked. He pulled his gloves on as he approached her. "Hey Kid, you look beautiful," he smiled.

Rory let out a sigh of relief when she saw him, "Thanks. It's so good to see you. These girls are really into this and I've had no one to help me make fun of all this insanity."

"I'm here now and you know I'm used to the running commentary your Mom makes, so go ahead."

"There's one girl who's doing this eight times this season because she wants to marry one of her escorts and figures she's bettering her odds. Two girls are totally hammered and I'm just happy that they're ahead of me in line so if they tumble down the stairs they won't hit us. Plus look at this ridiculous updo they've given me!"

Luke couldn't stop smiling, she reminded him so much of her mother. He'd come to love them both so much. "Thankfully you and I are here just for the one night and we can leave these crazies behind."

"And go home to a different kind of crazy in The Hollow," Rory added.

"That's true, but it's our crazy and we love them."

Rory smiled brightly at him, "Thank you again for doing this. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"You could repay me by being honest," Luke started. The scotch he drank was giving him a little boost of courage.

"Honest about what?" Rory asked while looking at all the other girls, clearly getting nervous.

"How would you feel about me taking your Mom on a date?"

Rory's head snapped around and locked eyes with him, "Are you serious?"

He nodded.

"Just one date or do you want to be her boyfriend?"

"Well, I -"

"Because honestly, I think it would be the greatest thing ever! You two have spent so long pretending you don't like each other like that. But I know, I can tell. Really? You're going to ask her out? This is so great!" Rory's nerves about the ball were gone and she was giddy.

"I'm glad you're for this, because I don't know how I would have gone forward if it would have upset you."

A loud but tiny woman informed them that it was time and the line started to move.
Rory linked her arm through Luke's and took a deep breath, "Promise you won't let me fall."

Luke squeezed her arm between his arm and his side, "I've got you!"

Rory felt a flood of emotions, she had never felt more safe in her life. She was suddenly so relieved that her father didn't show up so she could have Luke by her side. It felt so right that he was in this role as her Dad and she was hopeful that things would work out with him and Lorelai making them the little family she always dreamed of when he would come by and fix things.

Richard was telling Emily that the room would have looked better if she had been in charge as he refilled her champagne glass. Lorelai smiled at how perfectly her Father could handle her Mom. Emily's smile said she knew she was being played, but since Richard was saying all the right things she was happy.

Lorelai ripped small pieces of a bun and ate them when Emily wasn't looking. She was starving but knew Emily would scold her for eating before the meal officially began. She was pretty proud of herself when she was able to stifle her laughter when an obviously drunk debutante slipped on the last step and fell on her ass.

"Rory's next, Rory's next!" Emily squealed.

"Yeah Mom, we know. Calm down."

Lorelai shook her head and then directed her attention to the staircase. She held her breath when she spotted them. Rory, dressed in a white ball gown with her arm linked with Luke. The two of them were smiling and chatting until the woman announced, "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, daughter of Lorelai Gilmore and Christopher Hayden. Presented by Lucas Danes."

Rory nodded at Luke and they began their descent down the staircase. Lorelai couldn't take her eyes off of them even when she heard her Mother start talking. All Lorelai could think about was how perfect it felt. Luke in the role of Rory's father and it hit her like a ton of bricks. She was madly, desperately and completely in love with Luke. As Luke gave Rory's hand to Dean, Lorelai felt butterflies in her stomach knowing he would be heading back to the table. When he did, she pretended to be focused on the ceremony. They smiled at each other when he sat next to her but then she didn't look at him. She felt him looking at her but she kept watching the girls come down the stairs. Then she giggled at the fan dance.

When the ceremony was over the band began to play and Luke stood up. Lorelai thought he was going somewhere so she turned to her Mother. Before she could get a word out she felt a warm hand on her bare shoulder. she jumped and turned to see Luke smiling at her, "Would you like to dance?"

She nodded without a word and stood, she slid her hand into his and let him lead her to the dance floor. Luke placed one hand respectfully on Lorelai's waist, held her other hand in his and then began a simple two step. He was smiling because she would not make eye contact, when she finally did she giggled and immediately looked away, pretending to be fascinated with the other party goers. The advantage of her not looking at him was he could stare at her as long as he wanted. He also slowly slid his hand further around her waist, pulling her closer. Soon he had her close enough that she was pressed against his chest, she was looking over his shoulder and he leaned in taking in the scent of her coconut shampoo.

Lorelai pulled herself closer and rested her head on his shoulder. They stayed that way for two full songs, neither noticing how Rory and Emily were staring, Emily with concern and Rory with the biggest smile she ever had.

When the music changed to a faster paced song Lorelai slowly pulled away from Luke. They stood still looking at each other, both with goofy grins.

"You're gorgeous," he whispered.

"I could dance with you all night," she replied softly.

"Let's get out of here," he begged.

"You're forgetting we drove here with Rory and Dean?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. Okay, I'm going to splash some cold water on my face before I have to go back to the table with your parents."

She smiled at him and pointed to the washrooms, "Men's room is that way. I'll meet you at the table."

Luke smiled and slipped away, Rory was immediately at Lorelai's side. "Oh my GOD, Mom. You and Luke!"

Lorelai smiled as they headed back to the table, "Luke and I, what?" she played dumb.

"Oh come on! You guys looked pretty cozy out there!" Rory said excitedly.

"Indeed," Emily said from behind the girls. "All those times I asked if you were seeing him and you lied to me."

"No, I swear Mom! Luke and I have never dated. We were always just friends."

Luke was approaching but the women didn't notice, his stomach dropped when he heard 'just friends' but he kept listening.

"You didn't seem like 'just friends' on that dance floor," Emily stated and used air quotes when she said just friends.

"Mom, give me a break. Luke has been one of my best friends in the world for almost six years. And then he offered to do this for Rory and the second he offered it was like a flood of new emotions for him hit me."

"Were they really new emotions?" Rory asked.

"I thought they were. But then tonight. Seeing him walk you down the stairs, it looked so right. Like he's been your Dad for years."

"It felt that way to me too," Rory smiled.

"Me too," Luke added, surprising the ladies.

"Well, so you weren't dating before, but I take it you are now," Emily glared at the couple.

"Um, well I did promise to buy him dinner next week for coming here tonight," Lorelai confessed.

"Well then, Luke, I expect to see you next Friday at our house for dinner. Clearly it's time Richard and I get to know you better."

"Oh Mom, I don't know. I mean -"

"This man plays a large role in both my daughter and my granddaughter's life. Would you rather I make plans with him alone? I can meet him at the Diner and we can talk there."

"No, no! He'll join us on Friday night."

Emily raised her eyebrows while glaring at Luke.

"Yes, I would be happy to join you all for dinner."

"Wonderful! See you then." She then left and chatted with various people.

"Let's get out of here before Dad ropes you into golf!" Lorelai smiled at Luke and then nodded to Rory.

"Mom, come help me get my stuff from upstairs. Luke, Dean's over there, can you tell him we're leaving?"

"Sure, Hon."
"No problem."