Thanks for the reviews.
I own nothing. I'm a poor student who can barely afford her train fare to school!
Chapter Nine - Hit Me With Your Best Shot
"Hello?"
"What's the worst possible thing that could happen?" Rory asked, throwing her briefcase into the passenger seat of her car.
"You say hello when the person you're ringing answers?" Lydia grinned as she ran her green pen through an incorrect equation on the paper she was grading.
"Hello." Rory sighed. "It's terrible."
"What's terrible?"
"Well, you know it's my mom's wedding this weekend?"
"I'm aware."
"Well, my grandma called, and she was asking about the bachelorette party on Saturday, and I mentioned you were coming, and then she suggested you come along to the rehearsal dinner at her house on Friday."
"Rory!"
"I know. I tried to get you out of it. I said you guys had Lily-"
"Oh, Lily! Yes! I can't leave her."
"Not so fast. Lily's invited. She'll make a lovely dinner companion for April."
"Rory!" Lydia moaned again.
"We've haven't got the worst part yet. Because my grandma's table is an odd number, I have to find a date, and it would be rude to just bring him to the rehearsal and not the wedding too. So I have four days to find a guy I'd be willing to spend the whole weekend with."
"Wowser. So there's no one you work with? Oh, what about the President?"
"I think he's busy." Rory laughed. "And married."
"Mathew."
"What?" Rory asked and Lydia smiled at the shock in her voice.
"Well, you're friends with Mathew. And I can personally testify he's great at these fancy family functions. Plus he can keep Jess company at the bachelor party, and he can hang with me and Lil at the wedding when you and Jess are doing your thing."
"Well...I dunno.." Rory hesitated.
"He looks great in a suit." Lydia offered.
"Would he even say yes?" Rory sighed.
"Sure. He's never said no to me yet."
"Well that's comforting."
"Phone Emily. Tell her you're fixed for a date and leave the rest to me. He'll be there."
"You are a life saver." Rory smiled.
"You can make it up to me later. Oh listen I gotta go. Jess is back, and Math is with him. I tell him the good news. Talk soon Ror."
"Yeah, bye! Thanks again!" Rory closed her phone and threw it back into the bag, before starting her car and pulling out of her parking space.
"What good news?" Math asked as he set the pizza box he was carrying on the coffee table.
"You have a date this weekend." Lydia smiled as she closed over the paper she was grading and put it into her file.
"No." Mathew mistook her statement as a question.
"I'm not asking. I'm telling you that you have a date."
"With who?"
"Rory." She smiled, "Gilmore." She then clarified when neither Mathew nor Jess reacted.
"I know what Rory you're talking about." Mathew told her, "But why am I dating her?"
"Not dating her. You're just going to be her date. For Luke and Lorelai's wedding weekend. Her grandma's forcing her to bring someone. I suggested you. You're friends with Rory, right? And you'll be alone this weekend with Chris and Simon in New York. Plus you'll get to see Jess in a tux!"
"Fine." Mathew conceded with a sigh.
"Lyds, can you help me grab the plates and drinks?" Jess asked his wife and walked towards the kitchen.
"Sure." Lydia stood up and followed him. "Lily! Dinner!" She called out before she entered the kitchen.
"Why are you meddling?" Jess asked her, pulling four plates out of the cupboard.
"What do mean? Meddling?" Lydia walked to the fridge and pulled it open.
"Mathew and Rory? You're trying to set them up."
"What?" Lydia turned, leaving the fridge door open, and faced Jess. "No I'm not."
"Then what's with the fix up?"
"It's not a fix up. Rory just needed a date. To appease her grandmother. I figured since she and Mathew are friends, and we're going - it made sense."
"So, this isn't about setting them up?" Jess rubbed his chin.
"God no!" Lydia shook her head. "And why do you care?"
"I don't. I just think that if they're going to date, they should get there by themselves. You shouldn't force their hand."
"You think they're gonna date?" Lydia's eyes widened, and she grabbed three beers and one soda from the fridge, before pushing the door closed with her elbow. "That can't happen!" She told Jess before leaving the kitchen.
"Lydia-" Jess sighed, following her into the living room just in time to hear her speak to Mathew.
"You're not allowed to date Rory Gilmore." She told him, handing him a beer.
"Now I'm confused." Mathew twisted off the top of his bottle and took a sip. " I thought I was supposed to?"
"No, you're still going to be her date, but you can't date her, date her."
"Lydia," Jess warned, "you can't dictate-"
"No I can." Lydia cut him off, before turning to Mathew again. "Math, as much as I love you, you have a pattern with girls. You date them for a week, then sleep with them, and then you get bored and I will not let that happen to Rory. Because then she'll never come back. And she is the first friend I've had, who is a girl, in, well forever."
"I know." Mathew sighed. "I won't date her. I never said I wanted to."
"Thank you." Lydia smiled and sat down on the sofa beside Lily.
"So, you're going to be Rory's date? For what?" Lily asked, lifting a slice of pizza.
"Her mom's wedding." Mathew replied, handing the teenager a napkin.
"This weekend?" Lily's eyes widened. "You're going too?"
Mathew nodded the affirmative and Lily's face dropped. "This sucks."
"Thanks." Mathew told her, his voice laced in sarcasm.
"Why does it suck?" Jess asked his sister.
"Well," Lily sighed, pushing her hair out of her face, "I was gonna ask you guys if I could stay home this weekend with Mathew."
"No." Jess told her firmly.
"But Ryan made plans."
"Unplan them."
"This sucks!" Lily threw her half eaten slice of pizza back onto her plate and let it drop on the coffee table with a loud clatter. "I don't even know these people getting married!"
"My uncle. Rory's mom." Jess told her calmly.
"But I don't know them!" Lily shouted.
"You're going."
"I hate you guys! Everything's ruined!" Lily pushed herself of the couch and ran to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
"And so arrives the teenager." Jess sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"She'll come around." Lydia gave a half smile. "She just needs some time to cool down." She glanced at Lily's door as 'Rocket to Russia' blurred from the room. "Maybe a lot of time." She sighed.
Lydia, Jess, Mathew and Lily pulled into the Gilmore's driveway at six thirty on Friday evening to find Rory waiting in her car. She got out, clutching a coffee cup and headed to Jess's car.
"Why are you out here?" Lydia asked as she got out, hugging Rory. "It's so cold!"
"I've only been here five minutes. Besides I couldn't go in without my date, right?"
"Right." Lydia smiled, as Lily got out of the car and slammed the door shut. "Hey Rory." She mumbled as she stalked past the two.
"Lily hates us." Lydia shrugged, "We ruined her big plans with Ryan this weekend."
"Does she know I'm the one who got her roped into this dinner?" Rory whispered as Jess and Mathew joined them.
"No. We figured it was best if she just hated us two," Lydia gestured between herself and Jess, "and not everyone at dinner."
"Okay." Rory smiled. "We should go in." She slipped her arm through Mathew's and the two headed towards Lily. Jess glanced down at Lydia and found her staring at the fountain, her head cocked to the right.
"Lyds?"
"Is it just me, or is that fountain slightly pornographic?"
"Not just you. Now, come on." He took her hand in his own and pulled her to join the others.
"Nervous?" Rory smiled back at them.
"A little." Jess nodded. "Your grandmother hated me."
"Yes, but you're not dating me anymore. There's a good chance she'll only be slightly passive aggressive." Rory grinned.
"Great." Jess sighed.
"Don't worry. Mom's warned her to be nice. I've warned her. If she's anything but, she's in trouble." Rory gave them one last smile before she rang the doorbell.
A maid, in her fifties, with a short crop of grey hair opened the door and ushered them into the foyer. After she took their coats, she instructed the five to go to the living room. Rory lead the way, Mathew close at her side, Lily trailing behind.
"Rory." Richard stood to greet his granddaughter, and Rory stood on tiptoe to hug him.
"Hey Grandpa. Hey everyone." She smiled at the rest of the room, her grandma, Lorelai, Luke and April. "Guys, this is Mathew Mitchell." Rory smiled as she placed her hand on Mathew's arm. "And this is Jess' sister Lily." She gestured for Lily to join her, "And you all know these two." She pointed to Jess and Lydia.
"Well I feel the love." Lydia whispered to Jess as they sat down, while Rory introduced Mathew and Lily to the rest of the bridal party.
"Drink Lydia?" Richard asked as everyone sat down.
"Martini, with a twist, please."
"Oh same for me grandpa." Rory smiled.
"Jess?"
"A Jameson's neat, if you have it."
"That's a very grown up drink." Lorelai smiled, as Mathew also asked for a whiskey, but on the rocks, and Lily asked for a club soda.
"Well, I can't drink beer forever," Jess smirked, "Right Uncle Luke?"
"Funny." Luke rolled his eyes and took a sip of his own beer.
"Thank you." Lydia took a sip of the drink Richard handed her, "You have a beautiful house, Mrs Gilmore."
"Please, call me Emily."
"Well, Emily, your house is still beautiful."
"Thank you." Emily smiled as Richard sat beside her.
"So, Lily." Lorelai focused her attention on the brunette teenager. "How do you like Philadelphia?"
"It's fine." She shrugged. "Cold."
"Lily." Jess warned.
"Sorry." Lily smiled back at Lorelai. "Philly's great. It's kinda everything California wasn't."
"That's good. And you like school."
"Yeah, I mean it's hard, but I like it."
Lorelai smiled at the teen, and in the moment of silence Emily turned to Mathew. "So, Mathew, how'd you meet my granddaughter?"
"Through Jess." Mathew pointed at his friend. "We work together."
"And by work, Mathew means they own a business. Several, actually, with their friend Chris." Rory smiled.
"Several businesses?" Richard asked.
"Yeah." Jess nodded.
"We have a bar, coffee shop and the publishing house. Course we're only in the first two if we need a beverage." Mathew continued.
"So you're in publishing?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, I mean Chris deals with editing the 'zine we publish every month, and Jess is mostly editing manuscripts and I deal with the PR/communication side. I deal with new writers, poets, artists."
"That sounds very interesting." Emily smiled. "Where did you attend college?"
"Both Chris and I went to Stanford. He majored in Journalism and I was a Communications major, but we met in a Media Psychology class in our first semester."
Emily didn't get a chance to reply as the maid reappeared to announce that dinner was ready.
The ten filed into the dining room and took their seats. Emily and Richard at either end of the table, with Mathew, Rory, Lydia and Jess on side of the table, and the bride and groom along with the two teens on the opposite side.
"I'd like to propose a toast," Richard lifted his wine glass, "To Lorelai and Luke, may your lives together be happy and filled love and laughter. So, here's to love, laughter-"
"And happily ever after!" Rory interjected, smiling.
"And happily ever after!" Richard finished.
The rest of the table lifted their own glasses and chorused, "Love, laughter and happily ever after!" at the bride and groom to be, who smiled at each other.
"So, Lorelai, you excited?" Lydia smiled across the table as she stabbed a cherry tomato with her fork.
"Yeah, and nervous I guess. But this has been a long time coming."
"I'll say." Jess smirked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Luke raised an eyebrow at his nephew.
"Nothing." Jess shook his head. "Just that it was obvious nine years ago, even to a surly seventeen year old like me, that you two were meant for each other."
"Aw, Jess!" Lorelai cooed. "Have you gone soft in your old age?"
"He's not soft," Lydia nudged him with her elbow, "he's just mellowed. Less swans to worry about in Philly."
When she mentioned the word 'swan' Jess groaned, Luke, Mathew and Lily all laughed, and the rest of the table looked at Lydia and asked 'Swan?"
"Oh my God!" Lydia gasped. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yeah." Jess sighed.
"What are you talking about Lyds?" Rory asked the redhead bedside her.
"Don't say a word." Jess warned.
"I have to Jess. I can't say the word 'swan' at dinner and then expect everyone to breeze past it. And it's not that embarrassing. Okay. Well, actually Emily, do you remember when Jess came to dinner, when he was dating Rory?"
Emily nodded, and then looking at Jess she added "With a black eye."
"Excatly." Lydia nodded. "Well Rory thought he'd gotten into a fight, and then Jess confessed he'd gotten it playing football. That's not true."
"It's not?" Rory asked.
"Nope. He got attacked. By a swan. It got him right in the eye." Lydia said looking around the table. They were silent for a few moment and then, at once, they all broke out laughing.
"Oh jeez." Jess ran his hand across his jaw.
"Okay so maybe it's a little embarrassing," Lydia squeezed his hand, "but weddings are about the embarrassing stories."
"About the bride and groom, Lyds."
"Oh, not the groom's hapless nephew?"
"Nope." Jess sighed.
"Sorry, baby." She gave him a small smile.
"It's okay. And it wasn't that funny." He told the table, which resulted in them laughing even harder.
After the laughter had died down, dinner passed without much incident. They had just been set their desserts of apple and cinnamon crumble when Emily turned her attention to Jess.
"Jess, Mathew mentioned you're an editor?"
"Yeah, manuscripts mostly. A few poetry anthologies."
"And you're qualified for that?"
"Well I can read, if that's what you mean?" Jess told her, "And I've a pretty good grasp of spelling and grammar. But if you mean have I been to college? Then no."
"Jess." Luke warned, but his nephew made no indication that he was listening.
"And it doesn't bother you that you're in business with two Stanford graduates?" Emily asked, taking a sip of her wine.
"Mom." Lorelai warned Emily, but Jess spoke regardless.
"I'm also married to one, and no it doesn't."
"Jess rounds us out." Mathew told Emily. "He has life experience that neither Chris or I have. A college education isn't everything."
Emily pursed her lips and then turned to Lydia. "So Lydia, we never asked, what do you do for a living?"
"Oh," She pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, "I teach high school math."
"Oh, you teach?"
"Yeah, I mean, I know that quadratic equations aren't exactly sexy, but the look on a kid's face when they get something? That's amazing."
"She's one of the best teachers in school." Lily said quietly.
Lydia flashed her a smile of thanks, "Well, it's nice to be liked."
"And Jess may not have been to college, Mrs Gilmore, but school isn't for everyone." Lily continued, "Jess is incredible at what he does. The books he has written are amazing." Lily flashed both her brother and Lydia a small smile, that they knew was an apology for the past few days.
"Thanks, Lil. Though I think you might be slightly biased." Jess laughed.
"Never." She smiled back.
"So, Lily, what do you want to do?" Richard asked her.
"Right now? Be fifteen. I have plenty of time to figure out what to do after that."
"Anything specific in mind?" He pressed.
"Not like April here," Lily nodded to the seventeen year old beside her, who had told the group earlier of her hopes of getting into M.I.T in order to study biological engineering, "but journalism or law or art. Or being a pilot might be cool." She smiled. "I really don't know."
"You'll figure it out." Lorelai smiled. "Now, we really should be heading. Mom, dad, this has been lovely. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Oh, yes. Tomorrow." Emily stood and ushered her guests to the door, calling for the maid to bring the coats.
"I'm so sorry." Lorelai turned to Jess as soon as the front door was closed.
"Don't be." Jess shrugged. "I was actually expecting much worse."
"I'm still sorry." Lorelai sighed.
"Me too." Rory said walking towards her car.
"Nothing to worry about." Lydia smiled. "Except for where we're sleeping tonight."
"Oh, I've set a couple of rooms aside at the inn for you guys." Lorelai smiled as she got into the passenger side of her jeep.
"You going with Rory, April?" Luke asked his daughter as he opened his car door.
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow dad. Night."
"Night." Luke nodded and closing his door, started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
"Ah guys?" Lily faced her guardians and smiled at them.
"What?" Jess asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Well, April asked if I wanted to stay at the diner with her tonight, and I was wondering if I could?" Lily said quickly. "I know I've been a royal pain this week, but I'm sorry. I've hated fighting with you."
"Sure." Jess sighed.
"Ah! Thank you!" Lily squealed, hugging them both at the same time. "You guys rock!"
"You're so not getting any sleep!" Lydia grinned at Rory.
"Well you can always crash with me?" Mathew nudged Rory with his elbow.
"I think I can survive." Rory grinned up at him, as Lily and April got into her car, and Jess ushered Lydia into theirs.
"Night Ror!" Lydia called as Jess closed her door, before getting in himself.
Rory waved at the two before turning back to Mathew. "Thanks again, for doing this."
"I don't mind." He shrugged, "That was an interesting dinner." He nodded towards the house.
"That's one way to put it." Rory laughed, "But I kinda had fun."
"Me too. And I don't know if I told you, but you looked beautiful tonight."
Rory dropped her eyes to the ground, her cheeks flushing pink, before she looked at Mathew again. "Thanks." She whispered. "Night." She reached up and pecked his cheek, before getting into her car.
"What was that all about?" April asked her sister to be.
"Nothing. We're friends." Rory replied starting her car.
"So they say." Lily smirked from the back seat. "But really who are you fooling?"
"Whatever." Rory rolled her eyes and pulled off.
In the car following them, no banter was made about Mathew and Rory's friendly goodnight, but Lydia sat in silence, her eyebrows knitted, as she thought about the encounter she had witnessed.
"52,000 dollars? Who'd they poll? Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos?"
"What?" Jess walked into the bathroom, and found Lydia still in the shower.
"Oh, just reading the back of my shampoo bottle. Apparently a woman spends on average $52,000 on shoes in her lifetime. Can you believe that?" She called back.
"Yes." Jess grinned as he picked up his toothbrush.
"I'm not that bad." Lydia turned off the water. "Pass me a towel?"
Jess passed one to her and she pulled back the shower curtain. Jess noticed her hair was dry and tied up in a bun.
"You didn't even wash your ha..." He trailed off shaking his head.
"I know, I was bored and wanted something to read." She shrugged as she wandered back into the bedroom to get ready.
"Yeah, that makes sense. I'm gonna take a quick shower then we can go for breakfast."
"Okay!" she called pulling a pair of black jeans out of her suitcase.
Ten minutes later she was sitting indian style on the bed, her back against the headboard, watching Jess get dressed. "You think I made a mistake?" She broke their easy silence.
"About?"
"Rory and Mathew. I mean he said he didn't want to date her, right?"
"No." Jess sat beside her. "He said that he never said he wanted to date her."
"Okay. Now you've confused me."
"Just because he didn't say it doesn't mean he doesn't want to."
"So he does want to date her?" Lydia asked slowly.
"I dunno." Jess rubbed her knee. "You'll have to ask him."
There was a knock at the door and Jess crossed the room to answer it. Rory burst into the room as soon as he pulled the door open.
"Can you dance?" She asked him.
"No." he shook his head.
"Total crisis."
"What is?" Lydia asked.
"My mom, in her infinite wisdom, had decided, because you and I," Rory gestured between herself and Jess, "are friends, that she's going to have the traditional best man/maid of honor dance."
"How's that a crisis?" Lydia laughed
"Well, I can't dance. And Jess can't dance. And Luke can waltz! Everyone's going to be looking at us!"
"Yes, but I don't think they're going to be handing out numbered paddles for people to score you." Lydia smiled getting off the bed. "Calm down, I can teach you guys."
"You can?" Rory asked. "How? If you mention the words 'Dancing with the Stars', I will throttle you."
"Well, I love D.W.T.S, but I took ballroom lessons when I was a kid."
"Really?" Rory looked surprised.
"Yeah," Lydia laughed, "I can also play the piano, and I have a killer backhand. Emily Gilmore is a total pussy cat compared to what Grandma Montgomery was. Now, go get Mathew and meet us downstairs in ten minutes."
"Why do we need Mathew?" Rory asked halfway out the door.
"You think I'm gonna dance by myself like Baby on the bridge?" Lydia smiled as she opened her purse in search for a hair elastic.
"Okay, so now you have the basic box step mastered, you can pretty much ballroom dance." Lydia smiled.
"That's it?" Rory asked
"Well, you need to do it in hold before I can fully sign off. So face each other."
Rory and Jess turned to face each other.
"And you're not in seventh grade. Within a foot of each other please." Lydia rolled her eyes. "And hold position." She instructed holding her arms up to demonstrate. "Okay Rory, no need to death grip," She said, loosening Rory's hold on Jess' upper arm, "you're not a falcon in 'Star Wars'."
"Vulcan. 'Star Trek'." Mathew corrected her, smiling.
"Like I care, geek features!" Lydia smirked at him, "I only went to see that movie 'cause that Spike guy was pretty hot."
"Spock." He corrected her again, laughing.
"Whatever." She focused her attention back on Rory and Jess. "So now you're in hold, Rory you'll be starting on your left leg, going backwards. Jess on your right, going forward. And if it's a waltz, then it's a one, two, three beat. Ready?" She smiled and took hold with Mathew.
They nodded and started to dance while Lydia kept the beat, "One, two three. One, two, three. You're waltzing guys. You've nothing to worry about. I'd give it a 'ten'!"
"Thanks Lyds. This has been really helpful." Rory smiled.
"No problem. It's actually been fun dancing again."
"I know. You think we'll ever forget how to foxtrot or waltz?" Mathew laughed.
"No, it's up there forever." Lydia tapped her temple with her index finger.
"Can I see? You two dancing, I mean." Rory asked.
"Sure." Mathew pulled Lydia back into hold and led her around the library of the inn, performing a few foxtrot steps.
"Okay, they're really good." Rory whispered to Jess.
"Yeah." Jess nodded.
"They totally show us up. We can't let them dance tomorrow." Rory frowned.
"I can't see you making that work." Jess smirked.
"I'll think of something." Rory smiled, as she clapped when Mathew and Lydia came to the end of their mini routine.
"So where are you guys going tonight?" Lydia asked Jess as the walked hand in hand to Luke and Lorelai's house.
"Just a bar. Luke just wants to have a few beers, shoot some pool."
"So, no getting wasted and tying Luke to a signpost?"
"I don't think so. What are you doing?"
"Well the words 'slumber party' were bandied about earlier, so I'm hoping for a game of twister, painting each others toenails and a late night showing of 'Clueless'."
"A slumber party huh?" They stopped in front of the house, and Jess pulled Lydia to him, hands on her waist.
"Yip." Lydia smiled, "You won't see me until tomorrow."
"Well not unless you sneak out at midnight to see me."
Lydia shook her head, "You don't leave a slumber party."
"How do you know?" Jess asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've never been to one."
"You wound me Mariano. And I saw it on 'Gossip Girl'!"
"So, no sneaking out?" Jess asked as he caught her lips with his. He raised his hands to her neck, and was about to deepen the kiss when they heard wolf-whistles from the porch. They broke apart and saw Lorelai, Miss Patti and Babette watching them.
"No boys allowed sugar!" Babette called out.
"He can't come in?" Lydia pouted.
"Nope!" Lorelai smiled, "This is 'The She-Woman Man Haters Club'!"
"Oh, okay." Lydia nodded and turned back to Jess. "Sorry Alfalfa, you've been given your marching orders." She reached up and kissed him again. "See you later." She whispered, giving him a wink and heading up the path to join the others.
"Finally strapping on the old ball and chain, huh, Uncle Luke?" Jess set three beers in the table and sat in between Luke and Mathew.
"Yeah, well I saw how much you'd taken to being tied down." Luke grinned lifting his bottle.
"Lydia doesn't count."
"Neither does Lorelai."
"My god this is a bachelor party. We're supposed to be talking about boobs and football and stuff." Mathew complained, reaching for his drink.
"Boobs and football?" Jess smirked.
"Or something. I can bet that those girls aren't sitting around talking about how perfect men are."
"Weirdest place you've ever had sex?" Rory read out the card she had plucked from the fishbowl being passed around. She looked up and looked around the room, picking a target.
"Lydia." She smiled
"I knew you'd pick me." Lydia frowned.
"Well I already know Lane's answer, and I don't think I want to know anyone else." Rory gestured to the older woman in the room.
"You know mine?" Lane asked from her spot on the floor.
"Yeah. Your 'From here to Eternity' moment on your honeymoon."
"You had sex on the beach?" Lorelai asked pointing her finger at Lane.
"Yeah, and it was horrible." Lane shuddered at the memory.
"Oh, I didn't think the beach was that bad." Emily smiled.
"Gah! Mom! Do not need the details of your sex life!" Lorelai put her hands over her ears.
"Because you never share anything mom!" Rory laughed as she poured herself another glass of wine.
"That's different."
"It's really not." Rory smiled, "Now, Lydia, answer the question."
"Damn I hoped you'd forgotten about me. And if I answer you have to 'fess up to your weirdest place."
"Yeah." Lane agreed.
"Fine. Answer it."
"Okay, weirdest place." Lydia tapped her finger on her chin, "There's a few."
"A few?" Miss Patti laughed.
"Oh, yeah." Lydia smirked. "Okay, well the weirdest place was in freshman year in college. In the store room of a lecture theatre."
"Well that's not that weird." Miss Patti said, disappointed.
"I wasn't done. It was ten minutes before class, with the professor!"
"You slept with a professor?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, and don't tell Jess I told you that."
"This whole night is going to the grave with me." Lily laughed.
"Okay, Rory, weirdest place." Lydia grinned.
"Oh, foot of the bed." Rory shrugged.
"Bore!" Lydia laughed and threw a noise maker at her friend.
"Lydia, you pick the next question." Babette held out the fishbowl for her.
"Okay, it's one for everyone. 'Which male body part is your favourite?' We'll start with boring old Rory!"
"The hands." Rory smiled.
"Like a bit of manual labour, huh?" Lorelai grinned at her daughter.
"Mom!" Rory protested, putting her head in her hands.
"Tell us sugar, does that boy who was squiring you around have good hands?" Babette asked.
"He was not squiring me about. And we're just friends, so I have no idea what his hands are like."
"So she says!" April laughed, "But we saw you last night too!"
"Yeah, you guys looked pretty close for friends, sweetie." Miss Patti told her. "And he's a fox. How'd you meet him?"
"Through Jess and Lyds."
"He's Jess' business partner." Lydia smiled.
"And your oldest friend." Lily threw a balled up napkin at Lydia.
"Oh, so do you know if he has good hands?" Miss Patti laughed
"I'm going to give you a respectful 'no comment', considering my mother in law is present." Lydia smiled
"Oh boo!" Liz shouted.
"And," Lydia continued, "there is a minor present who looks up to me for moral guidance."
"Not after tonight." Lily grinned.
"So, does that mean you do know how good his hands are?" Sookie laughed.
"Yeah, are they better than Jess'? Cause I tell ya, Jess always looked like he had good hands!" Babette said before finishing her glass of gin and tonic.
"So, favourite body part?" Lydia tried to change the subject, "I've always loved a man with good shoulders. What about you Emily?"
There was a knock Jess' room door at twenty past midnight. He padded, barefoot, across the room, with his toothbrush in hand and opened the door.
"Hey babe." Lydia smiled up at him. She had a purple plastic tiara on her head, her long hair was tucked into her grey coat and teal scarf and her cheeks were flushed pink from the cold.
"What are you doing here?" He shook his head as she walked towards him and pulled him into a kiss, kicking the door closed with her foot.
"You do recall asking me to sneak out?." She smirked when they broke apart. "I missed you." She confessed as he unwound the scarf from around her neck and unbuttoned her heavy coat.
"You saw me six hours ago."
"Too long. You know what I realised though? We haven't spent a night apart since we got married."
"Really?" Jess quirked an eyebrow and Lydia nodded at him.
"So you decided to walk back here, in the dead of night and in the cold so we can have a shot at being this years Paul and Linda McCartney?"
"Yeah. Something like that." Lydia laughed as she threw her coat over the chair.
"Where's Lily?" Jess asked as he walked back to the bathroom to replace his toothbrush.
"Still at Lorelai's. Everyone is."
"So you really snuck out?" Jess stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Yeah." She smiled turning to face him. "I mean, I didn't climb out of a window or anything."
"Still, it's kinda hot." Jess smirked.
"Really?"
"Yeah. That tiara's not so hot though." He laughed.
"You don't like it?" She lifted her hand and pulled the plastic crown from her hair as Jess shook his head. "Okay, note to self, dressing up does not turn the husband on." She laughed and threw the tiara on the dresser.
"No, but dressing down really does." Jess pressed a kiss to her neck as he reached around and unzipped her dress.
"Oh, really?" Lydia bit down on her lower lip and her hands reached for the hem of his shirt. "I'll have to remember that."
"Lydia, do you have any brown eyeliner?" Lily called from the bathroom the next morning.
"Check the make up bag on the bed." Lydia replied as she released a section of her hair from her curling tongs.
"So when did you leave Lorelai's?" Lily asked as she sharpened the pencil she fished out of Lydia's large make up collection.
"About midnight. I went for a walk, and then I realised I couldn't get back into the house, so I just came here." Lydia shrugged as she pinned sections of her hair back.
"Really?"
"Really. You want me to do your eye make up?" Lydia asked standing up from her seat in front of the dresser mirror.
"Please." Lily smiled and sat down.
"Close your eyes." Lydia told her and lifted a brush as Jess came into the room.
"You guys aren't ready yet?"
"Just have to finish Lil's eyes, and then put our dresses on. Calm down." Lydia smiled, not looking from her task at hand.
"Well, I have to go. Meet Luke at the church."
"Go!" Lydia shooed him, flicking the make up brush in his direction.
"Don't drop the rings!" Lily advised him.
"Very funny." Jess crossed the room and kissed Lydia's cheek. "See you later."
"Yeah, and Jess? You should consider wearing a tux everyday." Lydia winked at her husband before focusing her attentions back to Lily.
Mathew, Lydia and Lily slipped into a seat near the back of the church, waving at Lane and Zach in front of them. They weren't long in their seats when Luke and Jess took their places at the front of the church.
A few minutes later and Ethel, Miss Patti's organist started to play and April walked up the aisle, closely followed by Rory, both in floor length royal blue dresses.
The music changed and the guests stood as 'The Wedding March' began to play. Lorelai entered the church, her arm through Richard's and they both walked to the front of the church, where Luke was standing, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Did you bring tissues?" Lydia whispered to Mathew.
"No." He shook his head.
"Damn."
"Here sweetie." Miss Patti handed her a packet of tissues from the row in front. "I brought extra."
"Thank you." Lydia smiled and then inclined her head to Lily. "Lorelai looks beautiful, doesn't she?"
"Yeah." Lily sighed as they took their seats and watched as Reverend Skinner began the ceremony.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Finally. You may kiss your bride." Reverend Skinner laughed, and Luke pulled Lorelai close to him and dipping her, kissed her.
They walked back down the aisle, guests clapping and cheering, followed by Jess and Rory and April, who carried her baby brother, who was dress in a mini tux.
Luke and Lorelai got into a vintage car that was to take them to their reception in Hartford. Jess, Rory, April, Richard, Emily and Baby Charlie all got into a limo that pulled away, and followed the bride and groom. The wedding guests were all climbing onto buses that had been hired to bring them to Hartford.
Lydia, Mathew and Lily had just left the church when Lydia heard her cell phone buzzing in her purse.
"It's Rory. Hello?"
"Hey. You, Lil and Mathew, go behind the church. Now. Quickly."
"She hung up. We've to go behind the church." Lydia shrugged and the three made their way around, to find the limo the wedding party have driven off in waiting for them.
"We're not ditching our dates!" Rory called as they neared the vehicle.
"This is so cool!" Lily shouted and ran to meet them.
"Yeah, cool!" Mathew laughed, kissing Rory on the cheek when he reached the car.
"Super cool." Lydia rolled her eyes and got in the limo and sat beside Jess, who took her hand as the car was put into drive.
"At last my love has come along"
Luke and Lorelai spun around the floor to the sound of Etta James for their first dance.
"Rory was right. Luke can waltz." Lydia whispered to Jess. "You're up next." She grinned as the song came to an end and the DJ called the best man and maid of honour to the floor, as well as the bride's mother and father.
"Good luck!" Lydia called to Rory and Jess. "Remember, 'walk, side, together'!"
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness.
Ease my trouble that's what you do.
"I love Rod Stewart." Lydia sighed as she watched the couple's dance, just as the DJ announced that anyone could now join in the dancing.
"Is that a hint?" Mathew smiled.
"No, I just wanna watch." She smiled.
"Are you sorry we didn't do this?" Jess asked his wife as they danced to 'Moon River'.
"Do what?"
"This." Jess indicated to the room with his chin. "The big wedding."
"Well, as much as I would have loved to have seen you trussed up like Sean Connery just for, no. I like how we did it."
"Really? The guy dressed as Elvis, the hazy memories?"
"Yeah." Lydia nodded. "We have a marriage, Jess. That's all I've ever wanted. Besides, a wedding is really just a party. And we have those all the time."
"I guess we do." Jess laughed, ducking down and pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
Rory brought her champagne glass to mouth, and took a small sip, watching her mom and Luke dancing, as Lydia and Jess stopped beside her.
"I think you need to dance with my husband now." Lydia smiled, breaking contact with Jess and taking Rory's glass from her hand.
"We already danced." Rory smiled, "Remember?"
"Yes." Lydia nodded, "You danced the obligatory 'we're-in-the-wedding-party' dance. But I seem to recall that you, Miss Gilmore are owed a dance. Something about a missed senior prom?"
"How'd you-?" Rory started.
"Never mind questions. Just go. Dance. Please." Lydia smiled and walked off to find Lily.
"You look beautiful Lorelai. Most amazing bride ever!" Lydia smiled.
"I concur." Luke pressed a kiss to his new wife's neck.
"Oh, you have to. It's the law now." Lorelai laughed. "Thank you for coming." She smiled at Lydia.
"Like I'd miss this! Congratulations, both of you. I'm so happy for you." She hugged Lorelai and then Luke. "Finally made an honest man of you Uncle Luke." She laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Enough with the 'Uncle Luke' stuff!" He grinned taking Lorelai's hand they moved on to thank someone else for coming.
Lydia smiled as she spotted Mathew standing at the side of the dance floor. She followed his gaze and sighed when she saw he was staring at Rory, who was dancing with her grandfather.
"I hope you've saved a dance for an old friend." She smiled as she reached him.
"Always." He took her hand and lead her to the middle of the floor.
"You should tell her." Lydia broke their silence after a few minutes.
"What?"
"Faint heart never won fair maiden. Tell Rory you like her. I know you do."
"That's irrelevant. She sees me as a friend." Mathew gave her a sad smile.
"No, she doesn't."
"Well, I'm not allowed to date her."
"Since when have you ever listened to me?" Lydia smirked. "I'm a jerk. A selfish, irrational jerk. Just dance with her."
"I'm dancing with you."
"Not for long." Lydia smiled and turn to the couple beside them, "Rory, do you mind if I cut in and dance with Richard?"
"Not at all. You'll be doing him a favour." Rory smiled and stepped aside for her.
"Want to dance?" Mathew held out his hand to Rory who immediately took it in her own.
"I'd love to." She smiled.
"You look incredible today." Mathew smiled at her, "I couldn't take my eyes off you in the church."
"Don't tell my mom that." Rory laughed. "And thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
Lydia watched them as she danced with Richard, trying to cover up her smile by biting down on her lower lip.
"There's is something there, isn't there?" Richard pulled her out of her thoughts. "With Rory and Mathew? I've never seen Rory look so infatuated."
"I have no idea what you're taking about." Lydia smiled at the older man, and then gave him a wink and started to laugh.
"Well you are crafty." He laughed, "And I was wondering if you could help me out with something?"
"Yes?"
"Well, I heard this song and I think it would be perfect for Lorelai and Luke."
"Go on." Lydia smiled as the continued to dance.
"And now we have a surprise for the bride and groom. Could you welcome Lydia Mariano on stage please." The DJ said to the room.
Lydia grinned as she climbed the stairs to the stage, giving Richard a small wave. She sat at the piano and adjusted the microphone. "Hey, everyone. This is totally unplanned, and totally Richard Gilmore's idea. But he thought this song summed up Luke and Lorelai perfectly, and when I, unfortunately told him that I knew it, I was forced into singing for them. So I hope you enjoy." She smiled and kicked off her heels in order to get a better grip on the foot pedals.
She started to play and then began singing.
"I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles, and the heavens open every time she smiles."
"Dad, you set this up?"
"Just listen Lorelai." Richard told his daughter.
"She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love.
She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down, nd when I come to her when the sun goes down.
Take away my trouble, take away my grief, Take away my heartache, in the night like a thief."
"This is us." Luke whispered, his arms around Lorelai's waist.
"Yeah." She smiled, looking down at their intwined hands.
"Yes it makes me righteous, yes it makes me feel whole.
Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul."
Lydia finished singing and glanced over at the newly married couple.
"Perfect day." Lorelai smiled, turning to face her husband and kissing him.
"Yeah." He agreed, a wide grin on his face.
They're married!! I love Luke and Lorelai! I still haven't finished all of my essays for uni... whatever! I'll probably fail! I hope you review to make me feel better!!
Oh, and one review made a suggestion about Jess and Rory getting back together. That was never the point of this story. And I would never have any of my character's cheat. Especially not Jess. He even broke up with Shane before kissing Rory. That boy was never a cheat. Possibly part of the reason I loved the character so much.
Also, I don't know if you want or need to know, but in my head, Lydia is played by Autumn Resser. :)