Author's Note: I promised that I would post this chapter as soon as I was done writing it, and here it is! the chapter that you all have been waiting for! I hope that you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the characters that I created.
Today was the day. The day of the wedding. The reason that she and Jess were in Stars Hollow in the first place. Both she and Jess were up by noon and Zoey was still a little tired. They were up late the night before reading, talking and watching movies. The wedding was at five, so they still had a couple of hours to themselves. Zoey looked at the clock and it read, "1:55."
Jess was scrolling through Facebook as he sat in bed. Rory was posting all kinds of photos of the pre-wedding festivities. Scroll. "When do you think you need to start getting ready?" Jess asked.
"In about five minutes." Zoey responds before putting her phone down on the nightstand. "So, tell me the plan again."
"I'll leave around three to meet Uncle Luke and perform my groomsmen duties. You can walk downstairs whenever you are ready. There should be a car to take you to the church. The ceremony will happen. There will be cars bringing everyone back here for the reception.." He pauses and Zoey nods. "Then we will catch back up at there.."
Zoey nods once more and looks back at the clock. A minute to two. "All of that sounds good. Now, I have to start getting ready." She smiled and kissed him on the cheek before getting up and taking her dress into the bathroom.
About 15 minutes later, Zoey was out of the bathroom dressed in a flowing lilac gown and starting to do her make up as the curling iron heated up. Jess took a quick shower and got dressed and messed with his hair in front of the mirror. "Good?" Jess asked, straightening himself out as he stood in front of Zoey.
"Handsome.. and I might even go as far as to say downright sexy.." Zoey winked and smiled before finishing her makeup.
Jess couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. "Thank you, Zo." He said as he leaned down to give her a chaste kiss. "I have to go. I'm gonna be late. The guys are all meeting at Luke's."
"Alright. Have fun." Zoey stood up and straightened Jess' tie. "I'll talk to you at the reception." She smiles and kisses him on the cheek, leaving a slight lipstick residue. "Oops. Let me get that." She said, grabbing a rag and rubbing it off.
"I'll see you at the wedding." He smiled and made his way out the door.
The next hour seemed to go by in a flash as she put the finishing touches on her hair. Zoey grabbed her things that she needed and made her way downstairs to the car that was indeed waiting. The ride to the church was smooth, smoother than she had expected.
Zoey thanked the driver as she was dropped off at the church. There were a few people standing outside as Zoey made her way into the warm church. Not knowing anyone would be the notso fun part of the day. It was almost five when she saw Jess. "Would you like for me to show you to a seat?" He asked.
Jess and Zoey walked into the Sanctuary which was decorated with candles, flower petals, and other little whimsical touches that made it look beautiful.
Zoey nodded. "They asked you to seat people, huh?" She smirked as Jess nodded and walked her to a pew that had an empty spot next to a larger, but still beautiful woman. "See you soon." Jess told Zoey as he then made his way to the back of the church.
"Hello, I don't believe that we've met. I'm Miss Patty." The woman turned to Zoey with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Patty. I'm Zoey." Zoey smiled back.
"Zoey, that's a pretty name." Patty complimented. "I don't think that I've seen you around town. Are you new here?"
"Oh, uhm. Thank you." Zoey paused. "I don't live here, though I love what I've seen of it so far.. I came with Jess. I'm his girlfriend." She explained.
"I see.. Well, it's always nice to see a new face."
The music started and the lights dimmed slightly to start the ceremony. The priest came up from the choir loft and took his place. Then Luke came around from the choir loft and stood next to the priest. A groomsman and bridesmaid came up the aisle, then it was Jess and a woman who looked like the picture he had showed Zoey of his mother, another pair, and another pair except this woman had a different dress so Zoey assumed that she was the maid of honor.
It was then that the music stopped and started to play the wedding march. Lorelai looked stunning in her strapless dress. Her hair was curled and half up half down. her face was covered by a vail. It was at that moment that Zoey decided to look back at Luke. Luke looked like he had won the lottery. The way that he looked at Lorelai was the look that every relationship strived for. They were lucky to have found each other.
By the time Lorelai made it up to the altar, everyone was advised to sit. The ceremony was beautiful. Lorelai and Luke had written their own vows. Lorelai's made everyone chuckle and then go "awe." Luke's were more straight forward but nonetheless heartfelt. You could tell. They said "I do" and became Mr. & Mrs. Luke Danes. The ceremony wasn't very long at all. She was actually a little bit surprised, but she couldn't wait to get to the reception.
Zoey rode to the reception with Miss Patty and got some of the town gossip on the way. By the time they had reached the Dragonfly, Zoey had heard more than her fair share of gossip.
Everyone made their way into the tent to try and find warmth. Stepping into the tent was like stepping into another world. Fairy lights almost covered the top and there were so many different things to look at. Zoey soon found a little cup with her name on it. She smiled. 'That's a nice touch.' She thought to herself.
It wasn't long before the bride and groom were announced and everyone cheered. Jess found his way over to Zoey and smiled. "Hey." He said, coming in for a hug. Zoey returned the hug for a moment or two before parting.
"Are you not going to eat at the sweetheart table for dinner?" Zoey asked.
"The what?"
"The sweetheart table. It's traditionally where the bridal party sit and have dinner." Zoey explained sweetly.
"Nah. I told my mom that TJ and Doula could take my place up there during dinner. I didn't want to leave you alone and awkward around people you don't know. This way, we can spend time together and I could maybe introduce you to some people." Jess smiled and put his place card at the table.
"That was sweet of you." Zoey grinned. "So, did you happen to hear what was for dinner? I'm starving.."
"From what I could gather, It's more of a buffet." Jess told her.
"Oh, great." She smiled. "And one more question. Why do I get the feeling like I'm being stared at?"
Jess stopped and looked around to find that they were definitely being stared at by some of the locals and even Emily Gilmore. "They're probably just trying to figure out who this stunningly attractive woman is that I'm with.. Don't let them get to you." Jess hugged Zoey once more and kissed her on the cheek. "Do you want something to drink? I'm going."
"Yeah, but maybe I could see what they're offering." Zoey responded as she took Jess' arm.
"Alright. Let's go." Jess smiled, guiding her to the drinks.
"How old is that girl, 18?" Emily asked, turning to her husband.
"Why does that matter Emily?" Richard retorted. "It's our daughter's wedding day. Let's just bask in the joy of that.. Besides, that girl looks like she's somewhere in her twenties."
"I suppose you're right Richard." She conceded and took a sip of wine. "Maybe he's just trying to get under Rory's skin..."
"Emily..."
"Okay fine." Emily crosses her arms and sits back in her chair.
By the time Jess and Zoey made it back to the table, an announcer came over the PA system and announced that it was time for the couple's first dance. Jess looked around to see Rory standing with some guy, looking at her mother and his uncle. Jess put their drinks on the table and took ahold of Zoey's hand.
Zoey smiled as she looked up at Jess. From what she could tell, Lorelai's first dance song was an instrumental version of "All of Me." Zoey couldn't help but hum what would have been the lyrics to herself. Jess heard her and smiled as he looked onto the scene.
[A Little While Later]
Zoey had just sat down from dancing with Jess. She took a sip of her wine, took out her phone, and crossed her legs.
Jess was up getting himself a beer when he ran into that familiar face that he hadn't seen in a few years. "Hey Rory."
"Hello Jess.. How've you been?" Rory grinned slightly.
"I've been ..good. Still at Truncheon Books, working on my second novel... How about you? You look great." He complimented.
"That's great! You should let me know when it's published. I would love to read it." She smiled. "Thanks.. I'm.. actually married." As if on cue, Rory's husband appeared by her side.
"Oh I will." Jess took a swig of his beer and ended up sputtering a bit at the news. Jess was speechless for a moment before he could respond. "Really? Congratulations! I'm happy for you."
Both Rory and her husband smiled in thanks. "Thanks Jess." Rory said sweetly.
It was then that Zoey appeared with her wineglass in hand. "Hello." She smiled and took a sip of wine.
Rory stood up a little straighter and smiled, stretching out her hand. "Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Rory Gilmore-Hastings."
Zoey shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you Rory. I'm Zoey Anderson." She greeted as she felt Jess' arm make it's way around her waist.
Rory's glance darted over to her husband, who took ahold of her hand. "This is my husband Parker. Parker this is Jess Mariano and Zoey Anderson." Parker seemed to perk up as he outstretched his hand to shake Jess and Zoey's hands.
The group shook hands and were smiling politely. It was after a moment or two of silence before Zoey spoke, "So, how did you and Parker meet?"
Parker was the one who took the lead as his face lit up. "Rory and I met on the campaign trail. Obama's second campaign. I had seen her from afar on the first campaign trail and finally perked up my courage to talk to the incredible Rory Gilmore." He smiled and took a sip of wine. "We became fast friends and I asked her out on our first date a couple of months later, and the rest is history, as they say."
Zoey glanced up at Jess with a smile. His face was stoic but there was a hint of a smile.
"What about you two. How did you meet?" Rory asked.
Jess took a swig of his beer and began. "We met in Philadelphia. I posted a 'wanted roommate' ad and Zoey was the person who responded and that I thought would be a good roommate. I'm happy that I was right." He tightened his grip on Zoey's waist.
"And how long have you two been dating, if you don't mind me asking.." Rory inquired.
"A month tomorrow." Zoey grinned.
It was at that moment that someone came up and whispered in Rory's ear. Zoey and Jess both took a sip of their drinks, which were almost empty. "I'm sorry, but Parker and I have to go. It was a pleasure meeting you Zoey. ..It was nice seeing you Jess." She waved as she and Parker walked away.
"So, that was the famous Rory that I've heard so much about..?" Zoey asked as she got more wine.
"Yeah, that was Rory Gilmore." Jess responded as he was handed another beer by the bartender.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Jess retorted.
"Well, you just saw an ex, and that can be awkward sometimes."
"I'm fine.. Really." Jess reassured her, giving her a peck on the lips.
"Okay, if you say so." Zoey sipped her wine.
There was a brief pause before "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran started to blare from the speakers as they arrived at their table. "Would you like to dance?" Jess asked, putting his beer down.
Zoey's face softened immediately. She loved this song, and Jess asking her to dance made it even better. "Of course I would." She smiled and put her wineglass down on the table before taking Jess' hand and walking out onto the dancefloor.
It was almost surreal dancing with Jess in such a wonderfully decorated area. Zoey thought that it almost felt like she was in some movie, that this couldn't be real. She had a wonderful boyfriend who she was crazy about and who she hoped felt the same way. Jess' hands wrapped around Zoey's waist and Zoey's arms wrapped around Jess' neck and they started to sway.
Jess looked into Zoey's eyes and couldn't help but get lost in them. Zoey looked beautiful and he couldn't believe that she had agreed to come with him to the wedding, but here they were, dancing. He was lucky to have found a woman like Zoey. Just as the lyric, "Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars" was sung, Jess leaned down and tenderly kissed Zoey. She returned it and tightened her grip on him for a moment before they broke the kiss.
"What was that for?" Zoey asked with a sweet smile on her face.
"Just a thank you for coming with me and being by my side tonight." Jess replied simply with his patten crooked smile.
"It is my pleasure. What are girlfriends for?" She giggled slightly.
The rest of the night seemed to go by in a haze. There was lots of alcohol, dancing, and selfie taking. By the time Zoey and Jess made it to their hotel room it was close to three in the morning. Now that was a successful reception.
There was the wedding! I hope that you all liked it! I'm sorry if I got some of the characters wrong, but I did my best. Please let me know what you thought. I would love to hear some feedback! I hope that you all are having a wonderful day/night!