How did we get here - A Gilmore Girls fan fiction

Chapter 3

"And I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

With cheers and petals falling upon them, Luke and Lorelai share their second "first kiss" in 24 hours. Music and laughter fills the air as they walk down the stairs of the gazebo into the waiting arms of their dear friends.

Lorelai looks for Rory. Grabs her hand, gives her a little squeeze as Lorelai is engulfed by the crowds. Lorelai looks for one more person.  Her mom. Emily is standing at the back of the crowds waiting her turn to greet the bride and groom. She has a staunch face. Trying so hard not to cry when she locked eyes with her daughter. Words unspoken were exchanged during those few seconds. All Emily could think of was "oh Richard. If only you were here. Our daughter is finally married."

Rory stands back as her mom and stepdad get engulfed by their friends. The smiles on their faces shining bright. Her mom's loud laughter ringing through the square. "Hi", says a soft voice behind her.

She turns and with a blush "hi." Standing there was the man she had been trying to avoid eye contact with all throughout the ceremony.

They both laugh as their short exchange brings back memories of their awkward exchanges in the early years.

"Hey, are you feeling ok, Rory? You look kind of pale."

"I'm ok. Just have to sort out my life. I'm so happy for my mom. She finally has everything. I just want to have that too one day."

"You will. I know you will."

As Jess leads her to the bench, he asks "so three chapters, huh? That's really cool. Are you gonna work on more?"

"I don't know. Something came up. It takes priority over a book right now."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, not right now. Maybe another time. Today is mom and Luke's day. Hope you have your best man speech ready."

"I have it in my pocket. Does best man get a dance with the maid of honor?"

"I thought you don't dance."

With that crooked smile that could melt the polar ice caps, Jess whispers in Rory's ear "I am full of surprises."

Rory watches as he walks down the stairs and hugs Luke and Lorelai and give them congratulations. Rory sees a look of worry on Lorelai's face as her eyes fall on her. Rory follows Jess's footsteps and hugs and kisses Luke and her mom.

******

Party time!!!

You can count on Kirk to not only decorate the most beautiful wedding this town has ever seen, but to DJ the night away.

What's on the menu? Burgers, hotdogs, bratwurst, and totally unexpected, grilled lobster.

Rory has chosen to avoid the lobster for many reasons. The obvious reason is that the smell has made her stomach queasy (blame the hormones) but also it brings back Logan memories.

It's not the time and place to think of Logan right now. Today is the day to concentrate on mom and Luke. But the day to have the talk with Logan is soon. Probably sooner than anyone thought. Rory just needs to know what she wants from Logan. As she picks through her plate of food, Rory's mind wanders toward Lindsay, Dean's ex-wife.

She thinks back to Lindsay. The hurt in Lindsay's face when she confronted Rory in this very square years ago when Lindsay found that note. Never, she promised then, would she be the cause of the end of a marriage. And yet here she is in that same position.

Logan has to know. But is Rory strong enough to say "Logan, get married. I can take care of this on my own." Or will Rory be held responsible once more for a breakup of a relationship.

*****

Jess is on the other side of the square. "Wow something must be really wrong. She's picking at her food. Rory doesn't pick at her food."

"Hey Jess." It's his uncle Luke. Jess has never seen his uncle happier than this night. The grumpy old man who hardly smiles hasn't stopped smiling all day.

"Hey old man." Jess stands up, grabs his uncle's hand, pulls him toward Jess as they give each other a manly sort of awkward hug.

"Congrats man. I heard that this is your second time around with the same person. Does this mean you're a polygamist?"

"I think it would only be polygamy if I was married to two different people."

"Are you happy?"

"Well what do you think?"

The uncle and nephew laugh together. They have always shared a special bond. Luke has been an influence on Jess since his teenage years. Since the day he stepped off the bus to now, Luke's fruits of wisdom has followed jess all throughout his life.

Jess never graduated from high school. But he did get his GED. He has already written five books. And in every book is a dedication to his uncle who took him in when no one else could.

Gone were the days when Luke pushed him in the lake. Now they walk proudly next to each other as friends and men.

Of course, Jess never said any of this to his uncle. Just like Luke and probably his grandfather, spoken word was never his strong point. Kind of ironic since he's an author. But actions always conveyed his feelings.

But today he was able to express some gratitude to his uncle and new wife in his best man speech. His relationship with Lorelai has improved through the years. And Jess is truly happy for them.

"Hey, Jess." Luke breaks into Jess's thoughts.

"Yeah Luke."

"I think you need to go talk to Rory. I'm not sure what's going on. But something is wrong. I know you were her compass when she's lost. I think you need to see what's up."

Jess looks in Rory's direction and sees she's still picking on the same burger and fries, looking to be thousands of miles away.

"Yeah. I'll go talk to her."