AN omg i'm so sorry for the late update, i usually upload the stories at work so it makes it difficult when we are really busy and this is the first opportunity to post. I do hope people are still with us on this story!
The wedding couple ran down the makeshift aisle underneath a rainfall of confetti, Rory stood on the sidewalk and watched as the wedding car turned the corner of the square before disappearing from sight.
Lane placed her arm around her friends shoulder, and squeezed affectionately. Rory turned her head and smiled in return, placing her arm around Lane's waist.
"I can't believe they finally did it."
"I know, I've never seen my mom this happy. Not even with my dad." Rory tapped the bouquet against her hip.
"She does look happy, next is your turn."
"No it won't." Lane dropped her arm and grabbed Rory by the shoulders.
"Rory this is not you, since when did you give up on something you wanted?"
"Since he hated me, it's too late. Look grandma's signaling me I better go; I'll see you at the reception." Lane turned behind her to see Emily Gilmore waiting by the car.
Rory sat in the back of the car and glanced out of the window, Jess stood on the corner leaning against the hood of his car his eyes hooded as he watched her.
"That was a beautiful ceremony, I felt moved." Richard commented as he turned and maneuvered the car out of Star's Hollow. "Don't you think so Emily?"
Emily stared out of the window, her fingers delicately touching the pearls around her neck.
"Yes it was beautiful; I just don't understand why that man had to be there."
"Grandma, he's part of the town. He always cried at weddings."
"That wasn't crying, he was practically sobbing. He was ruining the whole ceremony." Emily grumbled to herself, Richard looked up and into the rear view mirror and caught Rory's amused expression.
Luke held onto Lorelai's hand and brushed against the gold band on her finger, resting her head on his broad shoulder she sighed contentedly.
"We're finally married Mr Danes."
"Yes we are Mrs Danes, is it going to be Mrs Danes or some crazy heifenated name to retain your individuality?" Lorelai lifted her head and stroked his cheek with her finger.
"Honey, you've been reading Jess's self help books again." Giggling she kissed Luke on the lips.
Richard pulled up outside the large hotel and un-buckled his seatbelt, climbing out of the car he followed Emily and Rory inside. Guests had already started to fill the reception hall and the band played soft music in the background.
Emily stood in the doorway and smiled, pleased with the decoration of the room. Lorelai's favorite season, Ice sculptures adorned the main table and hundreds of tiny lights hung from the ceiling. White roses became the centerpieces on all the tables, the white tablecloths covered with fake snow and gold glitter.
Lorelai climbed out of the wedding car first, her hand holding onto Luke's as they entered the hotel. She was slightly worried. Her mother had wanted to arrange the wedding and Lorelai refused, relenting and letting her organize the reception instead.
"Introducing, Mr and Mrs Lucas Danes." The band leader raised his voice over the microphone, as all the guests looked towards the door. Luke led Lorelai further into the room, while she took in the decoration of the room.
"Oh my god, look what she did Luke? It's beautiful." Lorelai breathed.
"Yeah it's looks great, your favorite season as well. And exactly whose idea was it to mention my biblical name?" Luke grumbled and held her close as they shared the first dance as man and wife.
"How about I use that biblical name, in the bedroom later?" Lorelai raised her eyebrows and Luke chuckled.
Emily and Richard Gilmore sat and watched from the head table, as their daughter and new husband floated around the dance floor. Rory stood off to the side of the dance floor, a camera placed in front of her face catching the intimate memories of the day.
Lorelai was led off the dance floor by Luke and was seated at the head table, Lorelai stood up and hugged her mother whispering delicately in her ear, which caused Emily to dab her eyes with a tissue.
Rory sat next to her mother and adjusted herself in her seat; she turned and smiled expecting to see Lane sitting next to her.
"You're supposed to sit on the other side, over there." Rory pointed further down the table.
"You said it yourself, traditions change. And I've never been one to conform to rules." Jess smirked as Rory looked at him and settled back in her seat her arms folded across her chest.
A couple of glasses of champagne later Rory had relaxed a little bit, the dinner had finally been served. And the main speeches were now being given; Luke stood up and clinked his glass with his fork.
"I want to thank everyone for being here today, I know there must be a few collective sighs. I myself never thought I would find myself in this position, I remember the first day I met this woman. Following around my diner eager to have what seemed like her tenth cup of coffee that morning, we soon became friends and I loved her although it took her slightly longer.
Not only did I fall for a woman with blue eyes that would hit you to the core, she also had a daughter with the same gaze. And I knew these girls would be forever in my life." Luke raised his glass and accepted a kiss from his wife as he sat back down in his seat.
A silence came over the guests and Luke looked down the table Jess looked back at him confused.
"What?"
"Best man speech, you're the best man."
Speech! You didn't say anything about a speech." Jess argued.
"So improvise, you're an author now you probably have words flying out of your butt." Rory giggled beneath her hand and lowered her head.
Jess shook his head and downed the glass of champagne; clearing his throat he pushed his chair back.
"I'm not one for speeches, but as the role of best man I am obliged to say a few words. Most of the town knew of the close friendship these two people had, but as an outsider you caught a different perspective. Something that went beyond friendship, they had understanding of each other and valued each other's opinion.
I envied this type of friendship; it's very difficult to find exactly what Luke and Lorelai have. Or at least be on the receiving end of that kind of love, and realize you never really had it in the first place."
Rory looked up to see Jess glance down at her, swallowing loudly she blushed and looked away.
"Now droops the milk white peacock like a ghost,
and like a ghost she glimmers on to me. Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,
and all thy heart lies open unto me. Now lies the silent meteor on, and leaves
a shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me. So to the happy couple, Luke and Lorelai." Jess raised his empty glass and everyone raised their glass.
Jess sat down and watched from the corner of his eye as Rory sipped quietly , before she leaned into Jess.
"That was un-called for." Jess turned his face towards her confused.
"What? I thought that was a good speech."
"You know what I meant, was that a specific dig at me? I loved you Jess, and you took that and fled town." Rory raised her voice slightly.
"Not everything is about you Rory, How do you know I wasn't talking about another girl?" Jess replied.
"Yes that would be right, because you have so many serious relationships." Rory spat.
"I think you need to sober up, and lower your voice. Before you embarrass yourself, whatever we had, has gone."
"You'd like to think so wouldn't you? When I said no to you, we both knew it wasn't the right time. I would never cheat on a person, no matter what they had done to me."
Jess looked around the room and noticed Miss Patty, Babette and few other guests were now looking towards them intrigued. This was not the right place to have everything out, and the way Rory was drinking it looked inevitable. And as usual she made him feel like everything was his fault, he wasn't about to let her.
"You don't need to explain, we're way beyond this now." Jess looked up as Rory pushed her chair back with a scrape.
"Cut the crap Jess." Rory shouted, loud enough for everyone to stop what they were doing.
"You broke my heart! You never thought what coming to see me would do, you made out like everything was okay. And I loved you so much; if you told me to wait I would've replied how long. It's about time you god damn learn what it's like to love and lose." Jess threw down his napkin and brushed past her.
Rory stood shocked her hands shaking from anger, that had now dissipated just as quickly. Leaving the table and low dim of gossip she walked into the foyer looking for him, sitting on a nearby couch she could feel the sting of tears. Looking around trying to spot that familiar head of brown hair that she loved so much, she lowered her head in her hands and cried.