In My Daughter's Eyes

The Bridal room which for most of the day had been bursting with people had finally quieted down. The bridesmaids, Lane, Paris, Lucy, Olivia, Madeline and Louise were now waiting to walk down the aisle. Emily had finally finished fussing over every little detail and stood with Richard to await their turn to go down the aisle, as did Lorelai and Christopher.

Now only Luke stood in the doorway of the room, watching in silent awe as Rory finished adjusting the little white flowers in her hair. She looked beautiful, no woman had ever looked as lovely as she did right now. Her gown was elegant, a strapless beaded bodice with a satin a-line skirt to the floor. Her hair was all up in curls and decorated with those flowers and he was reminded of the days when a much younger Rory used to tuck dandelions into her ponytail.

Today was one of the biggest days in Rory's life and Luke felt like he was bursting with pride, not only because of the woman Rory had become, but because she had asked him to give her away. She had chosen her stepfather, who had been there from as far back as she could remember, over the father that appeared in and out of her life. Luke had been a part of almost every milestone in the younger Gilmore's life and now she asked him to do one of the most important things in this particular one and he had never been more honored by a request.

He'd been touched when she chose the necklace he had given her on her twenty-first birthday as her something old, as it had been his mother's before that. It was another testament to how much Luke meant to her and there were no words that could describe how much she meant to him. Luke may have a daughter of his own, but Rory always held the first child position in his heart. He'd been blessed to have a part in raising her.

"I think I'm ready." She turned to smile sweetly at him, her eyes already blurred with a thin film of tears. "This is it."

"Yeah." Luke embraced her tightly as she stood, mindful of the dress. "I'm so happy for you, Rory. You've really become this incredible person I always knew you'd be. I'm so proud of you. Tristan's a good man and very lucky to have you." He was mortified to be fighting his own tears.

"Luke." Rory sniffled. "I never told you this but barring my mother of course, you're my hero."

"You're mine too, kid." He managed to choke out gruffly.

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise, and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I want to be

In my daughter's eyes

He pulled back enough to smile down at her. He could still see the little girl in her eyes that would come bounding into the diner, an adorable pout on her face to plead for coffee. He could also see the shy but determined sixteen year old ready to take on Chilton and, the college girl who was trying to find her way in the world as an adult. On the outside, he could see the woman all those girls had become. Standing before him was a beautiful, confident, intelligent and courageous woman, who had the world at her feet. To his relief, she had chosen a partner who recognized those same qualities he did and loved her for them.

Rory reached for her bouquet, giving them both a moment to blink back their tears. Although he had given the groom his full blessing, it was still going to be hard to let Rory go, for some days he still saw that little girl who would bury her nose in a book and avoid most of the outside world. Now this woman not only lived in the world, but made it her own. Now she would do it with a man by her side.

As the music for the wedding party to begin down the aisle played, Rory tucked her arm through his. "I believe that's our cue."

"I guess so." He smiled down at her, knowing that even though she was out there living her life, all roads would lead her back home, to Lorelai and to him.

In my daughter's eyes

Everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light

And the world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me

Gives me strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

Luke took his place beside Lorelai in one of the pews and turned his eyes back up to the front, where Rory and Tristan were staring lovingly into each other's eyes.

There was a glow about the two as they said their vows to one another, each lost in the moment and each other. No one else might have been there for all they know because as soon as Luke walked her down the aisle and her eyes locked with Tristan's, Luke knew she was gone. She was Tristan's now, and that was okay, because Tristan had proven he was worthy of her.

Lorelai rested her head on his shoulder, happy tears glimmering in her eyes. She too had approved of Tristan wholeheartedly, as had the Gilmore's and Christopher. Rory meant the world to all of them and they knew that Tristan would take care of her until his last breath. They had seen the love for her in his eyes the moment Rory had brought him home from the campaign trail.

Emily too had happy tears leaking onto her perfectly made-up cheeks and try as he might; Richard was failing at trying to keep his eyes dry. Christopher just sat there quietly with a smile on his face, knowing his daughter was in good hands.

"Remind you of anyone else we know?" Lorelai whispered her voice thick with emotion.

"Us." Luke squeezed her hand. "They have what we have."

"They're both very lucky." Lorelai agreed.

"I'd say he's more lucky than she is." Luke shook his head slightly. "Rory's the best he could ever hope to find."

And when she wraps her hand around my finger

Oh, it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hanging on when your heart

Has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

The reception was just as beautiful and touching as the ceremony. Rory and Tristan been cooed over during their dance to Lonestar's 'Amazed'. Lane and Tristan's best man Austin had given charming speeches. Tristan had waltzed with his mother and Luke got to dance with Rory right after Christopher did, to Heartland's 'I Loved Her First'.

As Luke danced with Lorelai, he looked over to watch Tristan and Rory wrapped in each other's arms, just as they had been at that party when Luke had first realized that Tristan would be "The One".

His love for Rory swelled within him. He still couldn't believe he had played such a big role her life. This incredible woman had learned things from him, when he should be learning from her. He had never loved anyone the way he loved Rory, not even April. The love for the two was different. He knew once he was gone, Rory would carry him with her everywhere she went. Those blue eyes had shown him so much over the years and he knew he had more to see through them.

"Thank you, Lorelai." He placed a kiss in her hair.

"For what?" Lorelai blinked up at him in confusion.

"For giving me Rory, she's the greatest gift anyone could ever receive." He kissed her softly and sweetly.

"You're telling me." Lorelai grinned as both parents looked over to watch their daughter and now son-in-law show off their love to the world.

In my daughter's eyes

I can see the future

A reflection of who I am

And what will be

And though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see

How happy she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed it. I enjoyed writing it. Of course I can't resist the Trory undertones.

The songs were as follows:

"I Loved Her First" by Heartland

"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

"In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride

I'm usually not a big country fan but I make an exception for these songs, and decided to keep to a theme. Review please. I might write a story about Rory and Tristan and how they got together and to this point as a companion piece to this. So stay tuned. I've got my hands full with another story at the moment, but it'll come soon. Hope you enjoyed this.