August 2008

"Everything looks perfect! I am so happy I could be here!" Rory exclaimed as she ran to her mother. She just got back to Stars Hollow after a year on the Obama campaign trail.

"It's not every day your mother gets married. I wish you could stay longer, but am so glad you could be here and be my maid of honor," Lorelai said.

Luke and Lorelai decided against a fancy society wedding, much to Emily and Richard's disappointment. They opted more for a more low-key event right in Stars Hollow. They figured it was home and the town was family, quirks and characters and all. They did, however, relent and allow Emily to add more formal touches. There were tables set up with elegant linens and beautiful white floral arrangements in shiny silver vases. Twinkling white lights sparkled in the trees all around the square. Instead of chairs, they moved all the benches from all over town for guests to sit and watch the ceremony.  Somehow Emily managed to circle Taylor's permits and have stone fountains carted in and set around. The water trickled in them reflecting in the lights from the trees like diamonds. The result was stunning and magical. It was like a night time fairy tale.

When the bridal party was in place, Lorelai waited to walk up the aisle with her father. She looked around and knew it was all perfect. Lorelai wore a flowing cream color strapless dress with flowers in her hair. Rory and Sookie, maid of honor and bridesmaid respectively, wore simple strapless dresses in a moss green. Their hair was styled up and also decorated with flowers. They waited in front of the gazebo with Luke, Jess, and April. Jess was Luke's best man. And April was acting as a "groomsman". April wore a tailored suit as Rory did at Emily and Richard's vow renewal years before. They wanted a small, intimate wedding party of only a very few select people.

"Shall I give you away now, dear?" Richard smiled down at Lorelai. All previous issues between her parents and Luke seemed to have disappeared. They were quite touched at Luke's efforts and devotion to Lorelei and Rory at her graduation party. They finally realized Luke truly loved their daughter and granddaughter.  She simply nodded as they began their walk up the aisle. Her eyes were focused only on Luke.  He was standing there like her prince.  She had waited so many years for this moment.  When they reached the front of the aisle, Richard kissed Lorelai on the cheek and gave her hand to Luke.

"Who gives this woman away?" the preacher asked.

In unison, Richard and Emily said, "We do."

After the vows were read and the newlyweds shared their first kiss, the party began. Sookie made an enormous spread of food. She saw to all the details and went totally overboard.  The cake was a masterpiece of white.   Lane and Hep Alien provided the music.  After their first dance as a married couple, Luke and Lorelai made the rounds and talked with all the guests.

Rory found herself at a table with Jess, Gypsy, Miss Patty, Babbette, Morey, and Taylor. They all wanted to know about the last year of her life and her travels.

"Well, I just got back from the Middle Eastern and European tour. It was all of July. We were everywhere. It was exhausting but so exciting! I didn't really get to meet all the heads of the countries personally, but I saw them and heard them speak. It was fascinating," Rory went on about that leg of the campaign. "Barack is really doing well. He connects with all the other leaders and they really seem to respect him. And his wife, Michelle, is so interesting. She is such a good mother to the two girls."

"I read the piece you did on Mrs. Obama and their daughters. That was great. How did you get such an in-depth angle and perspective on their personal life," Jess wanted to know.

"They actually chose me. My boss called me in one day and asked if I would be interested in spending some time with Mrs. Obama and the girls. They wanted a story showing the more personal, intimate side of Mr. Obama," Rory explained. "But I did miss quite a few of Barack's speeches and some meetings doing that project."

"It was so heartwarming though. You really showed the human aspects of everything, the toll the campaign takes on a family, the dedication," Taylor praised.

Babbette and Patty chimed in, "Yeah, I don't know much of that political stuff, but those girls are so cute." "I think Barack is pretty cute too. And a good father and husband. That's good stuff, isn't it, Morey?"

"That really was a good article. You do well with that sort of writing. It was picked up by nearly all the news outlets. I saw your article everywhere," Jess said.

"Yeah, well, it was definitely interesting, but it wasn't really what I signed on for. I was hoping to be writing more pressing stories more relevant to the campaign," Rory said. "We leave for the first of the debates soon. There is so much preparation and work to do for them. The first one is September 26 at the University of Mississippi. After that we go to Belmont University. Then Hofstra University. Hopefully I will get the chance to cover one of those."

"No work talk at my wedding! I only get you for a few days, then you leave again! Forget politics for a night!" Lorelai interrupted.

"As you've heard her say all day, it's HER day. We are really happy you're back and glad things are going well," Luke said.

"Hush husband. Come dance with me," Lorelai said as she dragged Luke off to dance in the grassy patch in front of the band.

Jess and Rory watched them for a few minutes.  Then he asked her to dance.  "So, this a  little weird.  I guess we are kind of related now," Jess said.

"Cousins of some sort?  It is strange how it all worked out.  How have you been, Jess?" Rory asked.

"Pretty good.  I just had another book published.  It's another small one, not many copies.  But things are moving along.  You should think about writing a book.  I know you encouraged me, but I always thought it would be you to do it," Jess said.

"That's awesome!  I am so proud of you. Something to think about for me, I guess.  I am too busy with the campaign right now though," Rory said.  "It's just nice to have a little break from it all. " 

"Meeting anyone on that bus?  I heard what happened between you and the blonde dick," Jess said.

"I know you never liked him, but...just...don't.  It's been hard."

Jess pulled her a little closer.  "I'm sorry.  That was insensitive of me and just mean.  No, I didn't like him.  But I hate to see you hurt," Jess soothed.

"I just miss him.  He hasn't even contacted me.  I am too scared to contact him.  I did kind of dump him.  I don't want to talk about this anymore.  It is Mom's night.  She is so happy.  I just want to enjoy this and the next couple days. Mom and Luke leave for their honeymoon soon and I have have to go back. I just want to enjoy for now,"  She put her head on his shoulder and they danced into the night as Hep Alien played.