"Oh my god look at the size of that thing" Sookie gushed to Rory as she held her hand, tears began to form in her eyes "I can't believe this" she said "I looked at the newspaper and there you were"
"I know, it's a lot" Rory told her giving her a hug, as Sookie cried in her shoulder, Lane and her had arrived to the town decorated in lights and streamers, they were throwing her her own bachelorette party, considering Rory knew that as soon as Lorelai heard about where she was she'd be sending a car "But it will be okay" Rory assured her
Sookie wiped her tears "He's an okay guy?"
"He seems to be not bad, considering his past, and considering the circumstances" Rory told her
"I still can't believe your mother would do that, I thought it was just me"
"No" Rory shook her head, "Trust me, what happened with mom, is nobody's fault, this is what she decided was best"
"I still can't believe I'm not going to be there to watch you get married" Sookie told her taking a bite out of a cookie that Rory had on her plate
"I'll send you the dvd" Rory told her smiling "Trust me, I wish the whole town could be there"
Sookie smiled weakly at her "That would be great, maybe we'll have a movie night" she said wiping her tears again
It had been two hour since she had arrived into town, The entire town had bought her a pile of presents that reminded her about why she loved it here, Miss Patty and Babette made sure she was equipped for the honeymoon; meaning clothing and also various toys, Andrew made sure he gave her the books in the store that he knew she didn't already have, Mrs. Kim gave her an old antique table set, Sookie and Jackson gave her vegetable and baking mixes that Sookie assured her only needed water to make, they also gave her a couple wedding presents that they told her she wasn't allowed to open until the wedding day, Fran baked her a special coffee cake, Kirk gave her a video saying that if they hadn't found a photographer that he was still available, Taylor gave Rory a coupon for 50% of Doose's but it expired in a couple weeks, Lane had made up a collage of picture of Rory and the rest of the town as a reminder of where she came from and she also provided her with a mixed CD with a number one song from the years that they had known each other, Rory assured she would be putting up the picture in the house somewhere and would listen to the CD a million times. Near the end of the night Rory noticed a box that was wrapped in light blue paper and a green bow, "Who's this from?" Rory asked picking up the box
Sookie and Jackson looked at each other, Sookie took a deep breath "Before the accident, a couple weeks before, Luke came to me with this box" Sookie explained as Rory looked at the box, "He told me that it was just a precaution, but if something were to happen to him and he didn't get to see you get married that this is what he wanted to give you" she told her taking Rory's hand "He told me to make sure that if that ever happened to make sure you got this before the wedding"
Rory stared at the box in shock, "I" Rory breathed "Think I need to do this on my own" Sookie and Jackson nodded understanding as Rory got up from her seat, she walked away from the party, she was walking blindly around town before she stopped in front of the diner, it had been boarded up his sign still hung on the post near the sidewalk, she reached for the spare key that she knew would still be hidden above the doorframe and she unlocked the diner door, to her surprise everything was where he left it, the table and stools were still tucked and placed where they always were, the no cellphone sign still remained above the counter and she walked over to the stool that she would sit at to have coffee with him every morning. Looking around the diner she noticed that the salt and pepper shakers were still placed on the tables, almost as though anyone that was in the restaurant that day had left abruptly. She stared at the box as she placed it on the counter, hesitant about whether she wanted to open it, after deciding that this was something he wanted her to see she slowly pulled the ribbon off the box. Inside the box there were various items that she recognized, there was a picture of the first time Rory came into the diner on her own and ordered a cup of coffee, there were coffee beans from her favorite brew, the cup that she first drank out of, the recipe for the chicken soup that she ate when she had the chicken pox and also for the coffee cake he made her the past year, the newspaper from the first day she started school, the first article that was published at Chilton, her kindergarten graduation ticket, in this box was everything that Luke went through with her, it was a time capsule of the time that they had together, when she reached the bottom of the box she noticed two notes, one said Rory and the other said Lorelai, Rory grabbed the note with her name on it and a pendant fell out, it was a book shaped charm with her name engraved on the front, on the back it said You deserve the entire world, she placed that on the counter as well before opening the note to read it:
Dear Rory:
If you're reading this, it means that Sookie and Jackson did what I asked them to do. I'm sorry I'm not able to be there for this big moment in your life. You know I'm not much for words, but here's what I always planned on telling you on your wedding day, you Lorelai Leigh Gilmore deserve whatever the world has to offer, you're going to make a man very lucky one day just as your presence in my life has proven that, I'm hoping that this letter doesn't have to be revealed any time soon but if it does, you've always been like a daughter to me, and it has been a complete honor in watching you grow, this special day of yours, you deserve it, and you're going to make this man the luckiest in the world. Make sure he can cook and fix things for you or you'll be doomed, don't pay anyone to do the work that someone can do for free, make sure he supplies you with fresh coffee everything day and a Danish on Danish day. Make sure he allows you continue with your dreams and that he doesn't hold you back from who you're supposed to become, I hope you've found your soul mate like I've found mine. Believe that your mother only wants the best for you as I'm sure she's struggling right now, she'll always be the person she taught you to be, believe that. And though It saddens me to think that I may not be there to see you graduate university or get married, if this happens know that I'll be there with you even though I can't be seen. Believe in everything that you are. And stay true to yourself, it will get you a long way. Enjoy this day, it's been a long time coming. Love Luke
She took a deep breath as tears streamed down her face and she packed up the thing into the box, she put the lid on and got off the stool and walked up through the curtain, she walked up the stairs into the apartment, which remained the same way he left it, Jess' bed on the left Luke's on the right, the couch set in the middle and the kitchen on its left. A stack of magazine's on the coffee table, Rory moved and sat on the old brown couch and looked around, the picture frames that Lorelai had insisted that he put up were on the walls, showing their engagement pictures, there was a picture of him and Jess, and then one of him and her. When she finally got the courage to get up off the couch she left the apartment with one final look, knowing she probably wouldn't be back here for a while so she took a mental picture and closed the door. She picked up the box on her way out, once again taking one last look at the diner before locking the door and re-hiding the key.
"You alright?" Lane asked her coming over to her from the gazebo
Rory gave her a weak smile and nodded her head "Yeah" she said looking at the diner "Just getting one last look"
"Kirks talking about a conga line" She said trying to joke
Rory laughed "I think I need to make one last stop"
Lane nodded her head, "You want me to go with you?"
Rory shook her head "No, I think I'll be okay"
"Alright, well when you're done, we'll cut the cake" Lane told her and Rory nodded her head
She walked behind Luke's and past Sookie and Jacksons, through the path that her mother had found as a short cut, past Monty, and down the long dirt road before she stood in front of what she used to call home, wondering if everything was the way they left it "It's empty" a voice said from behind her, she turned around and her eyes widened
"Dean" she acknowledged him
"Sookie came and cleared everything out, it's in storage"
"I figured as much" Rory told him glancing back at the house
"So you're getting married" he said with question
"In five days" Rory told him holding up the hand that she wore her ring on
"Mrs. Tristan Dugrey" He told her, she could tell the disappointment in his voice
"He's not as bad as everyone thinks" Rory assured him
Dean stood awkwardly nodding his head "You can't get in" he told her knowing that she wanted in the house, she looked at him confused "Luke, fixed all the locks and Taylor took the key out of the turtle" He explained
Rory turned to look at the house "It's okay" she said looking at every square inch of the house "I just wanted to see if one last time"
"So your husband won't want to move here" Dean joked
Rory shook her head "He's built me a house in the city"
Dean nodded "Looks and money, he's a keeper, sounds like you're not doing so bad"
"I'm alright"
"Well yeah when you Connecticut's most powerful couple…"
"You've seen the papers" Rory told him knowingly
"Yeah"
"Look I am sorry for everything" Rory told him suddenly "When everything happened it happened so quickly"
He stopped her "I know" He shrugged "Clearly that wasn't the path you were supposed to go on"
"I'm sorry for what she said to you" Rory apologized
"I'll get over it"
When the awkward silence was too much he turned to walk away "You'll be alright?" she asked "I mean with everything"
"I'm just glad the Hartford Magazine doesn't come here" he told her "I'll see you" he told Rory before turning and walking away
She watched him walk away, his tall shadow fell behind him as he walked. She sighed before turning back to the house one last time, she walked up to the patio and peaked inside the window, the couch was left in the living room, it was dark but she could tell it was still there, she moved over to her bedroom window and it was just an empty room. She sighed and walked back to the front of the house, glancing at it one last time before turning away and returning to the party.
"Wow you're early" Rory joked to the driver that had pulled into the middle of town the next morning "I haven't even had breakfast yet" she told him
"Miss Gilmore has asked you return to Hartford and in time for your graduation" He told her robotishly
"Well Miss Gilmore will have to accept that I am not going to graduation." The driver just stood there emotionless, Rory sighed before turning to Lane "Wish me luck" she told her friend
"Make sure you keep in touch"
"I always do" Rory smiled "Tell Dave I say hi when you see him next"
"I will"
Rory turned to the driver "All this stuff has to come with us" pointing to her mount of presents on the groud
"Yes Miss Gilmore", he said immediately moving to load up her presents
"I can't believe the next time I see you you're going to be married" Sookie told her pulling her into a hug "You make sure you let me know where your honeymoon is, he better not take you anywhere shabby"
Rory laughed "I'm sure he won't disappoint"
"Now remember honey" Miss Patty interrupted "The blue gown is just for you to sleep in, the red is for seduction"
"And the white is for every time after that" Babette finished
Rory shook her head "Thanks"
"And remember it'll hurt like a bitch the first time" Babette explained
Sookie smacked her shoulder "Good lord Babette, stop giving her pointers"
"Miss Gilmore, it's time to go"
Before Rory could say goodbye to everyone the driver had already opened her door, she gave one final hug to Sookie before waving goodbye to everyone, telling them thank you for everything the night before, they all yelled congratulations and we'll miss you Rory, she ducked into the car and the driver closed the door. She rested her head on the leather seat as she felt the car pull away, she looked out the window at the people that she held near to her heart, she hated saying goodbye especially to them, she watched as they drove past the sign that said Welcome to Starshallow and said goodbye to the town that she loved so much.
"What the hell" Tristan told Rory as he opened the door and she came walking in with the presents she had gotten "What is all this"
"My presents" she told him putting a box down as the driver came in carrying the rest
"Your presents" He said picking up a feather boa that she got from Miss Patty
"Yes" She told him simply "I didn't think you would be here"
"Plans change" he told her digging through the box "What's this for?" He said with a grin pulling out a pair of furry handcuffs
Rory blushed with embarrassment "My town forgot I was only 17"
Tristan rolled his eyes as he put the cuffs back into the box "They have character" he said glancing at the other stuff
"That they do" Rory told him "So you're plans got changed?" she snatched a lingerie piece quickly from his hands before he could look at it
"Yup" he told her not explaining any further he laughed at the embarrassed look on her face
"Why?" she asked ignoring his ignorant grin
"I didn't need to get it done just yet" he said simply again
"When will you need to get it done?" Rory asked
He shrugged "Whenever we get back from the honeymoon"
"Speaking of, where're we going?" she asked him
He shook his head "Can't tell you"
Rory frowned "Why not?"
"It's a surprise"
"Fine how long are we gone for?" she asked him
"A month"
"WHAT!" Rory cried "I can't be gone that long"
"What else do you have to come back to?" he asked
"That's a long time"
"It's not that bad, it could have been longer"
"Why wasn't it?"
Tristan kinked his eyebrow "Would you have wanted it to be"
Rory froze "No, I was just curious as to why it would be shorter"
"Because I figured that's what you wanted" He said as he walked closer to her "But we can always extend it, if you feel like you're having a good time"
"So you don't have anything to do this afternoon?" She asked him as he stood in front of her
"Nope" he told her with a smirk on his face "You?"
Rory shook her head "No"
"What about graduation?" he questioned
"Not going, she can drag me back here but she can't make me go"
"Hm" He hummed "Whatever will we do" he said moving closer to her lowering his lips to her
"You know what's funny" She said suddenly just as his lips were about to touch hers
"What?" He asked not pulling away
"All of our uh encounters in this house have been in the kitchen" she told him shakily
He raised an eyebrow "Would you rather they happen somewhere else?"
"No, I well, uh, the kitchen really? Where we eat?"
"I don't think we've actually used the kitchen, for anything else" he told her pulling her hips to his
"Ha, it would seem that way, but…" he stopped her rambling by closing the distance between the two of them, she would never get used to kissing him, she just couldn't, every time they kissed it was something new, her tongue danced against his as her arms wrapped around his neck, his hands managed to fall underneath the shirt she was wearing touching her skin, he held her firmly against him as his mouth remained connected with her, she felt her heart rate rise, as his hands roamed under her shirt across her stomach, as they had just started heading north they were interrupted
"Well this is cute" Finn said from behind them leaning against the door frame
Rory pulled away instantly looking towards Finn, she looked at Tristan and he was shooting daggers Finn's way
"Did you forget?" Finn asked him as Tristan let go of Rory
"No" Tristan told him coldly
"Why weren't you there" Finn asked
"Because I told you yesterday it wasn't necessary"
"It was fucking necessary, this was a big one" Finn argued
Tristan rolled his eyes "Then you should've done it"
"You know I don't stand a chance against those guys by myself" Finn barked
"Maybe it's time you learned" Tristan told him in the same tone
Finn looked over to Rory "You're getting married on Tuesday?" he asked and Tristan nodded "Then you're away?" He nodded again "But when you get back we're.." Tristan nodded again, "And We're leaving…?" Tristan nodded his head, Finn nodded his head also and a smirk grew on his face "Perfect" he said turning to walk out "As you were" he called "I'll meet you in the car"
Rory questioned Finn's last words and ran her fingers through her hair embarrassed, if Finn would've walked in any later who knows where he would've found Tristan's hands "That was embarrassing" Rory said moving away from Tristan
"He's seen worse" Tristan assured her
"That makes it better" Rory rolled her eyes
Tristan sighed "I've got to go out of town for a couple days, but I'll be back on Monday"
Rory nodded her head "Okay"
He moved over to her again, their bodies as close to one another as it could possibly be, and he kissed her again continuing where they had left off, her hands clutched to his shirt as his tongue didn't hesitate to enter her mouth, she whimpered as he pulled away but then proceeded to leave kisses down her jaw and then her neck, she tilted her head to the side, closing her eyes as he softly sucked on her neck, his hands moved and cupped her rear as he hoisted her up onto the counter, his kisses got lower along her collarbone, she felt her body begin to react to him, her throat released a soft moan as his hands quickly moved up her shirt again, his mouth reconnected with her as he slid the material of her bra to the side and thumbed her, "god" she whispered against his lips and he slowly rolled her nipple between his fingers, he smirked against her lips as her shirt was being moved higher and higher, she kissed him again before slowly placing her hands on his, slowly moving them back down towards her hips, much to his displeasure, she pulled away from him and he placed his forehead on hers
"You're such a prude" he told her and she glared at him
"I am not" she told him kissing his lips once again
"Yeah you are" He argued "You pull away right when I was going to"
"I know" Rory smiled "I have self-control"
Tristan shook his head "Maybe right now, I don't think for much longer" he said letting her go as he went to pack his things