Author's Note: My story, "Accidents Happen," is based on the wonderful "Gilmore Girls" television series and the amazing characters created by…not me!

Accidents Happen

Chapter Seventeen: Hear the Wedding Bells Chime

Logan Huntzberger was sentenced to fifteen years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Assistant district attorney Jennifer Oliver told Rory that Logan would be eligible for parole after a minimum of five years. Following sentencing, two Hartford County sheriff investigators served warrants for the arrest of Mitchum and Shira Huntzberger for evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.

After sentencing, Jess drove Rory back to her mom's house. At home, Sookie had made enough food to serve an army of happy Gilmores.

"All of your favorites," Sookie assured Rory. "I promise."

"I just want to be alone for a little while," Rory said. "I'll be out in a little while," she promised all of them before slipping into her bedroom and shutting the door.

"Is she okay?" Lorelai asked Jess.

"I think she's burnt out," Jess said. "She just needs some time, Lorelai. She's dealt with a lot over the past few months and it all came to a head today. She's drained, both physically and emotionally."

"Been watching Dr. Phil again?" Luke asked with a smug smile.

"Don't start with me, Luke," Jess said.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"I think what Rory would want is for everyone to get back to normal. Lorelai, you and Luke put your lives on hold when Rory got hurt. You should pick up where you left off."

"What do you mean?"

"When are you getting married?"

"Oh, Jess, I don't know," Lorelai started, but Luke cut her off.

"No. We've put this wedding off too many times. First, it was for my daughter. Then, it was your daughter. Now, it's our turn." Luke got down on one knee and took Lorelai's hands in his.

"What are you doing?"

"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, will you marry me on December 1st?"

"Why December 1st?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does."

"Because you love snow and because it would give us enough time to plan a beautiful wedding at the Dragonfly without rushing too much."

"But December 1st is two months away!"

"Do you want to do January?"

"No, I want to marry you sooner than that. Luke, I want to marry you now, in two months, or in two years. When doesn't matter so much anymore."

"So, December first?" Luke asked, kissing Lorelai's hand.

"December first."

"Who-hoo!" Luke crowed, hopping to his feet. He picked Lorelai up around the waist and spun them around.

"Oh, my God, Sookie! Sookie, we're getting married! We're getting married! We've got so much to do."

"I know, Lorelai! You're getting married! Here I am. Best friend of the bride reporting for duty, ma'am!" Sookie said with a salute. "Let's get started. We'll need to come up with a color scheme and a menu and guest list. We have to pick out dresses and flowers and invitations. We'll book a minister and a band for the reception."

"Okay, colors – red and black. Menu – up to you, Sook. Guest list, just close friends and family. Flowers – roses and babies breath. That knocked quite a bit off the list! Anyway, Sookie, will you be my matron of honor?"

"Of course I will," Sookie said, smiling and hugging Lorelai.

"And will you loan Davey and Martha out as ring bearer and flower girl?"

"They would be honored."

"Luke, I want to ask April to be a bridesmaid. Is that okay?" Lorelai asked.

"Of course it's okay, Lorelai. I think she'd like that," Luke said with a smile.

"She'll look beautiful in red," Sookie said. "And so will Rory, with all that beautiful dark hair. They'll both be stunning!"

"Jess, I'd like you to be my best man," Luke said.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," Jess said.

"Good. I'll need your help to keep TJ away from me."

"It's going to be ugly," Jess said, referring to TJ and a wedding. "But I'm up to the challenge."

While the happy discussion of the wedding were taking place in the living room, Rory was lying on her bed in her bedroom with her iPod plugged into her ears. She was listening to a Ramones album while she was thinking about what had transpired since her break-up with Logan, which she had determined was the beginning of the end. Actually, the beginning of the end was when Logan went to London and when Rory went on without him, made friends without him, and had a life of her own, without him.

When Logan asked her to marry him, she panicked. She knew that she should have said no right away, but she was in such shock that she couldn't tell him no. He had done so much for her, and she really cared about him, but she didn't love him. She wasn't in love with him. He was not the man she was meant to be with.

He wasn't the Luke to her Lorelai. For years, she had seen her mother and Luke in love without even knowing it. They both needed each other and couldn't stay out of each other's lives whether they were in a relationship or not. Their love was real love, not just sex and not just convenience.

She told him no because she couldn't tell him yes, but what she had forgotten was that Logan Huntzberger was not used to taking no for an answer. She had expected that he would fight for her when he left for San Francisco, so when he didn't, Rory should have known she hadn't heard the end of it. She should have known better.

She didn't know what she should do. She needed to sort through her feelings to find out if she could ever find it in herself to forgive Logan for what he did. Part of her wanted to listen to Logan to find out what he wanted to tell her during the trial, but the rest of her wanted to yell at him to find out why. She needed to find closure with Logan so that she could move on with her life. She wanted to be happy. She wanted to be with Jess. She wanted to be free from Logan.

"I need to go back to therapy," Rory thought to herself.