Chapter 15: The Wedding

Lorelai, Luke and Rory stood in the front of the Gilmore house together. They stood like this for almost 5 minutes now and Rory was confused and a little bored - she wanted to see her grandparents. But Luke asked her to wait patiently until mommy will be ready to come in. It didn't look like she was ever gonna be ready, though.

"Lorelai, I don't know if you remember, but we have 6 days to plan our wedding. And telling your parents is one of the first steps. You want them there, remember?"

It was only a day after Luke proposed. And from today's morning the all-hands-on-deck preparations have begun. Rory was thrilled that her parents were getting married and was very excited about being a flower girl and a bridesmaid. Sookie, who was Lorelai's maid of honor, has already started putting together the whole menu, and Lorelai picked up fabric for both wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses this morning. She would probably have to sew all night every night for a week to make it in time, but she didn't really mind, she just wanted to have her dream dress and on such short notice no-one else would do it for her. The date was set for next Saturday, November 25th, as it was the only time the town's only priest was available. The location was a little trickier, Mia wanted to throw it at Independence Inn, but it was booked solid for the next 6 months. So after pleading with Taylor, and signing about ten different contracts regarding using the public space, they were all set to throw the wedding at town square. Lorelai was happy with the work they've done so far, and honestly surprised that they could pull it off in such a short time. The hardest part of it all seemed to be telling her parents about the wedding. Telling Emily and Richard Gilmore that they're throwing a wedding in a week was like telling them that flying in a coach is perfectly okay - it just was a foreign and an absolutely ridiculous statement to them. But she had to do it. So she took Rory and Luke to be her support and they drove to Hartford.

"Fine, let's get this over with." She said and rang the doorbell. It was Emily who opened the door.

"Come in, come in." She said happily. "I'm so glad you called, Lorelai. It's been almost a month since we had dinner together."

"Yes, I know, mom. And I'm sorry. But things have been pretty crazy for us lately."

"Yes, I know." Emily was exceptionally understanding, which seemed suspicious to Lorelai. But in reality Emily was just in a very good mood, she honestly missed her daughter and granddaughter and was so happy to see them that she didn't feel like arguing.

They somehow got through drinks and most of the dinner without actually bringing up the topic of the wedding. Luke gave her a few pointing looks, waiting for her to tell the big news. When she started talking about their car's new insurance policy, it became clear to Luke that she was stalling. Nothing could keep up the conversation like insurance in Gilmore's house. Richard was very happy to answer all of her questions and Luke thought that it was very possible that they could finish the dinner without telling them about the wedding.

"Luke, I'm sorry we didn't ask before, but Lorelai is unusually chatty this evening. How is your father doing?" Emily asked after they were done talking about their car. This gave them the perfect opportunity to tell the big news. So Luke kicked Lorelai under the table lightly and gave her a look, which said 'we are doing it now, be ready to speak up.' She sighed but nodded.

"That's okay, thank you for asking, Mrs Gilmore. The truth is my father is not very well right now. The doctors are not optimistic, to put it lightly. " Rory winced at his words, even though she knew it was the truth. She talked with Luke, Lorelai and even William himself, and she understood that he would be gone soon. But understanding and accepting are 2 very different things, especially for a 5 year old.

"I'm sorry, Luke. It is never an easy thing to lose a father. I still remember how it hurt when my dad was gone. If there's anything we can do to help, please, do not hesitate to ask." Richard said honestly and Luke was touched by his words.

"Thank you so much." He answered. And then, it was Lorelai's turn to speak up.

"Mom, Dad, me and Luke actually have really big news. Big and happy news. Luke proposed last night. And I said yes." And with that she showed them her hand with a ring on it which she had been hiding from them for the last couple hours. She wasn't sure how they were gonna react, but they both smiled widely.

"Well, I think that's wonderful." Emily said happily.

"Yes, and about time, too. In my opinion you should've done this a long time ago." Richard chimed in.

"Oh, we know your opinion, dad. But this time, it's our decision and we're very happy about it." Lorelai said.

"Oh, this is so exciting. I finally got to plan my daughter's wedding. It will be fabulous. We can get started right away. Do you have a date in mind already?" Emily asked, excited. Lorelai cleared her throat.

"We do. November 25th." She said it so quietly it was almost a whisper.

"Next year?"

"This year." Lorelai clarified.

"But that's next week." Richard said, confused.

"Lorelai, you cannot do this to me." Emily raised her voice. "It is just so typical of you. First you refuse to marry for God knows how long. And then, when you finally agree, you wait with telling me till the very last minute so I get no say in planning it. This is just cruel."

Lorelai's first instinct was to start a fight. Of course, her mother always assumed the worst of her. She didn't even hear the explanation and was ready to blame it all on Lorelai. Luke could see the tension between them so he decided to jump in and avoid the fight.

"Mrs Gilmore, it's not the reason, I swear. We really did decide to marry just last night. And I wanted to do the whole long engagement and planning of the wedding. But my father is very sick. And we want him to be there. That's why Lorelai suggested speeding it up." Luke explained.

"Oh. In that case I apologize." It was always hard on Emily to admit to her mistakes, but she decided to make an exception in this case. "I understand it has to be planned very quickly, but would you please let me help you, Lorelai?"

"We would also like to contribute to the wedding financially." Richard added. Lorelai was about to protest when Emily stopped her:

"Lorelai, I know what you're about to say. It's gonna be a small wedding, you have enough money and there's not really a lot to be planned. But just hear me out, we will pay for the wedding as a gift, so you will receive nothing additional from us, I swear. Also, I know your taste is very different from mine, but I could just make it a little more classy. It is your wedding after all, I have a lot of contacts, I can put a rush on some things. And I swear, that you'll have a final say at everything, I will not buy anything unless I get your approval. Please, let me do this for you" Emily pleaded.

Lorelai wasn't sure if she was gonna regret this later on, but at the moment Emily's request sounded pretty reasonable. So she caved in.

"Fine, let's do it."

"Momma, you look so pretty." Rory said when she and Sookie walked into Miss Patty's.

"Well, thank you, honey. You look really pretty, too." Lorelai answered with a smile, although inside she was all freaked out. It was it. The day they've been waiting for. Lorelai felt like she hadn't slept at all last week. It was very intense to try to squeeze what is usually months of planning into 7 short days. And although she really didn't like to admit it, Emily has been a huge help in this whole process. She got flowers, table arrangements, hired the whole waitress and bartending stuff and even found an available band. She never even argued with Lorelai, whenever she decided that something was over the top for her, Emily would immediatly change it to Lorelai's liking.

And now the day was here and all the preparations were done. Everything was perfect, and Lorelai had a minute to herself. When she looked at her reflection in the mirror, standing there in a perfect white dress, she felt panic. Not because she didn't want to marry Luke or that she didn't love him. In fact she felt nothing but excitement these past few days. But she felt panicked because she realized how big of a deal it was. In a few short moments she would become Luke's wife. She would be his family and he would be hers. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health. It was a lot of responsibility.

But then she looked at her daughter, standing happily next to her in the new light blue dress which Lorelai made for her. Rory was the biggest responsibility in both her and Luke's life. And they managed to do it together. She was a happy, bright and very smart kid. So they had to do something right. And marriage was just another step. And really it wouldn't change much, because Luke was her family for a really long time now. And she was there for him, as he was for her - in sickness and in health. So she smoothly went back from panic to excitement. She couldn't wait to be Mrs Lorelai Gilmore-Danes. It was the right time.

"Where are my parents? It's supposed to start in a few minutes" She looked at the clock nervously.

"Don't worry, Lorelai. We can't start without you." Sookie chuckled. She was extremely happy for her friend, she believed there was nobody in this whole damn world who deserved this more than her. And it was kind of fun for Sookie to see Lorelai being a nervous mess while she was the one who was calmed and collected, for a change.

Finally, Emily and Richard came into the room.

"We're here. I apologize for the delay but I had to have a little chat with that fiance of yours." Richard said.

"Don't tell me that you drove him away on our wedding day, dad."

"Don't worry. He's very steady today, I don't think he's going anyway." He smiled at his daughter. "Are you happy, Lorelai? Is this what you really want?" Richard asked, suddenly very serious. "I know I talked numerous times about how you and Luke should be married, but you have to know that I only really want you to be happy."

"Thank you, dad. It means a lot to hear it. But this is exactly what I want, I promise." Richard looked her in the eyes and saw nothing but honesty.

"Okay, than. Shall we take a little walk?" He gave her his hand and she accepted it with a smile. She watched as Rory, Sookie and Emily walked down the aisle and it was finally her turn. The town square was packed. They tried to make the wedding small, but it looked like everyone in Stars Hollow showed up to witness their wedding.

"Would you look like that, Lorelai? All those people came here for you and Luke. You mean something to each and every one of them. I think it takes a remarkable person to assemble such a crowd." Richard said sincerely and Lorelai felt touched by these words. She got teary eyes but tried to hold them in, so it wouldn't ruin her make-up.

"Thanks, daddy." As they walked down the aisle she looked around, grateful that so many people wanted to be there for them. But when her eyes turned to Luke, she couldn't look around anymore. Her eyes were locked at him and she knew there was no way she would get through this without ruining her makeup. It was too important not to cry. Finally they stopped at the gazebo. It was a fitting place for their wedding, as it was the exact place when 6 years earlier a 15 year old Lorelai decided to go for it and kissed Luke for the very first time. She could only smile looking back at their crazy journey, which led them here.

"Wow, Lorelai. You look.. breathtaking." Luke said quietly, once again stunned by her beauty.

"Right back at you." She gave him a wink.

The ceremony was traditional. They didn't write their own vows, and wanted to stick to the usual script. It was simple but beautiful. Rory was smiling so widely the entire time, that every person there could easily count all of her missing teeth. It didn't take long before Lorelai had a wedding ring on her finger and was dancing with her new husband, feeling happier than ever.

After a while it was time for toasts. A lot of people came on the stage and told stories about Luke and Lorelai or were just simply wishing them the best. They were both almost overwhelmed with the love that they were getting from their guest. Especially when Rory unexpectedly walked up to the stage. The mic stand was too tall for her, so Sookie rushed to help her with it.

"Hello, everyone. Some of you may know me, I am the daughter of the bride and groom." People laughed at her joke - obviously everyone here knew Rory. "A lot of people told their stories about how they first met them. And for obvious reasons I can't tell that story. Because from the moment I came into this world, they were always here. And I am very lucky to have them. I just came here to say that they are the best parents and my best friends, and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. My whole life you have always put me first, so I am really happy that we're finally here. Because this day is all for you and all about you. I love you both so much. " This wasn't just the best speech given by a 6 year old. As far as Luke and Lorelai were concerned, it was the best speech given by anyone ever. They were both in tears, happier than ever. Because looking at Rory they knew they did something right. She was perfect.

Then it was time for dancing. William was sitting at their table with Rory on his lap feeling nothing but happy and proud. He went off chemo a couple days prior and felt unusually well. He even managed to dance twice - once with Rory and once with his new daughter-in-law. Seeing a smile on William's face made Luke and Lorelai very happy with their decision about a quick wedding. And on that special day everything felt perfect. For this day only, it didn't matter that William was sick, it mattered that he could be here to celebrate with them. And even when only 5 short days later he passed away and Luke, Lorelai and Rory were feeling an excruciating pain, the memory of their wedding day was their light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.