AN: I am truly sorry for much this anticipated installment of I Know You. It wasn't my intention to put this on the backburner for over a decade. As I am sure you are aware life has a sneaky way of catching up on you. So I hope you enjoy this installment. Love, Lexie M.
Part XVIII
The LDB's mixer weekend approached faster than Rory would have liked. She and Tristan had spent most of the nights getting reacquainted and mostly Rory sharing stories of Lani's infancy to Tristan.
Logan didn't fail to notice how his girlfriend was becoming distant nor how his cousin was monopolizing her time. Colin, Robert, Stephanie, and Finn did their best efforts to distract him from Tristan's and Rory's re-bonding.
"Why does he get everything he wants? He was practically disowned and yet he's stealing my girlfriend right out from under me," a drunk Logan screamed out into the empty student union where he and his three musketeers with hanging around.
Robert had just walked into the commotion and groaned. How any of them didn't get caught by campus security was a miracle.
Robert walked up to Logan and punched him hard in the shoulder. "Technically, you stole her from him. He's just taking back what is rightfully his my man."
"Who's side are you on? His or mine?" Logan questioned. "You're my friend, not his."
"I'm on Rory's side," Robert stated firmly. "This isn't easy for her either Huntz. She has to pick between you and her child's father. You weren't around when she had to deal with his disappearance. You didn't have to pick up the emotional pieces. You forget Finn and I have known her longer then you have."
Finn, looking up at Robert standing his ground, sobered quickly. Robert normally sided with Logan during all his major temper tantrums. For some reason, Finn was proud of Robert for standing his ground.
Finn knew Robert's secret though. Robert kept very few secrets from the group, mostly because he felt that friends were always your most trusted allies. Robert's secret though was that Rory was his cousin through Emily Gilmore. Emily was Robert's Great-Aunt making Rory his third cousin through his own mother.
"What the hell are you talking about? You were away at boarding school when that asshole caused this mess and Finn here he was back home in Auzzie," Logan fumed.
Robert scoffed. "You have heard of this thing called Summer Holiday right? My school has a three month holiday because it was year round. I spent my summer that year in Stars Hollow because Rory was beside herself. She was pregnant, the man she loved betrayed her and her mother was too busy opening up yet another Inn."
"Mummy sent me here to the States with Robert over the Holiday as well. Only good thing that lush has ever done I say," Finn interjected. Then turning to Robert, "Robert, my good man," Finn interjected. "You need to tell them. It's time."
"What does he need to tell us? And why the hell are you sober?" Colin inquired looking at Finn and Robert.
Instead of answering Colin, Finn glared at his friend and shrugged. Then he returned his attention to Robert, waiting in suspense for his friend to come clean about his friendship with Rory.
"Emily Gilmore, well, she's…" Robert hesitated.
"Drop the dramatics already and spit it out," Logan demanded. His irritation now exploding into anger.
Robert sighed, "Emily Gilmore is my Great-Aunt on my mother's side," he supplied.
Stephanie smirked, Logan scoffed and Colin sneered.
"All the times I thought you were just trying to get into Rory's pants…" Logan shook his head. "Why I always thought there was something intimate with both of you? You're cousins!" He roared.
Colin crossed his arms over his chest and took deep calming breaths. He didn't like that his social circle was at odds with each other and he definitely didn't like the fact that he may have to choose sides.
"Yes, we're cousins. Really close in fact. So close people sometimes mistake us for love interests but what I feel for Rory is simply sibling affection. I can't say the same for our illustrious Finnegan Rothschild though."
Finn shrugged. "What can I say I love all things named Lorelei Gilmore, Old and young."
Logan wanted to punch something or someone. This feeling of being unhinged didn't sit well with him. He looked to all four closest friends and felt nothing but alienation.
Part XIX
"So what's your decision for the upcoming LDB event," Paris asked Rory as the two were sitting in the campus quad sipping on coffee and studying for their upcoming mid-terms in their classes.
Rory shrugged her shoulders. "I really don't know. This weekend is important for everyone in the LDB. The person we hook up with…" She flicked a strand of hair away from her face with her hand and sighed. She looked into her best friend's eyes. "This weekend is mate selection."
Paris spewed the coffee she just moments ago sipped from her cup and sputtered. Her eyes widened at the implication Rory just admitted. "That shit's real?"
Rory nodded. Instead of talking right away, she took a huge pull from her coffee and gulped the liquid down.
"This is why you've been debating with yourself? You're afraid they'll each start a Rory tug-o-war." It wasn't a question and she knew Rory would understand.
Rory nodded again. "I wish it were such a simple decision. If I pick Logan, Tristan will feel like I'm trying to take Lani away from him again. If I choose Tristan, Logan will do everything in his power to socially kill Tristan. Then I have to think of Lani's well being. She's just starting to warm up to Tristan."
"For as long as I have known you, Rory, you've always made pros and cons lists. A habit I find utterly annoying. I'm sure you've made about thirty of them this week and still don't have an intellectual decision. Lorelei at this point would tell you to do what your heart tells you to do. So who does your heart want?"
That was the advice Rory hadn't wanted to hear because she knew who her heart chose and it scared the shit out of her.
"You know who your heart wants don't you? You're scared shitless, he'll burn you again," Paris confirmed her best friend's mental monologue. "The Lorelei Leigh Gilmore-Hayden I grew up with doesn't let shit like this scare her."
Paris let that thought sink into Rory's head. In the quiet reverie, the two young women held, Paris began fuming. "Who's Finn going with?"
Rory looked into her best friends eyes, shocked. It was very rare that she saw any emotion in Paris. Rory knew it was because of her upbringing. Anytime, Paris showed any affection to one of her nannies, they would be fired and in their place, a new one was hired. Mr. And Mrs. Gellar was not what you would call spectacular parents. They only had Paris because it was a requirement in their prenuptial agreement. In fact, Rory didn't even doubt their hatred for one another. Why they were married in the first place was an enigma to her.
"Paris Marie Gellar, are you jealous?" Rory teased.
"Don't be stupid. I'm dating Doyle." Paris avoided answering the question.
That statement was all the confirmation Rory needed. Finnegan Rothschild was the love of Paris Marie Gellar's life. Unfortunately for her, she was not a Brigader and she would never get a chance to be with him. Rory's heart broke a little for Paris.
Doyle was Paris's first boyfriend and lover. The two got on like fire and water most of their relationship. In fact, they both temporarily broke up and Paris began an affair with a professor here at Yale. When the professor died of a heart attack Paris and Doyle started dating again. Rory shook her head. "I don't know Paris. You know Finnie, he never has one lover more than two nights in a row. Most of the time he doesn't even remember their names."
Except for Rose Hamilton Biltmore, Finn had told her that his parents had set up an arranged marriage to the hotel heiress. Unfortunately for Paris, she was a Brigader and she was coming to reconnect with Finn over the weekend.
"Don't you dare give me that pathetic look Gilmore. I know who you are thinking of. She's been my primary enemy since the third grade. Your silence says volumes. She's going to be there this weekend isn't she?"
Rory sadly nodded her head.
"Well, at least he's not going with her because he hasn't said anything to you."
"No one's said anything to anyone, Paris," she paused, "Those are the rules. Pairing off Weekend is the most top-secret event in the LDB."
Part XX
Tristan sat across from his daughter and was in awe of her intellect. Lani wasn't just a miniature version of her mother and grandmother but she also had quite a vast knowledge of sports history.
"Mommy and Nana were strictly opposed to me playing any sort of sport," Lani chuckled. "Pop Luke had to intervene and promise that he wouldn't let me break a single bone in my body. Uncle Jess had to promise the same thing as well."
"What's your favorite sport," Tristan asked.
"Field hockey, I like that its a mix of hockey, soccer, and lacrosse. I especially love it because it doesn't involve ice skates," Lani laughed. "I may have athletic Hayden and Dugray blood in me but when it comes to ice skating I'm as clumsy as a Gilmore."
Tristan laughed as well. "I assume you love literature just as much as your Mom."
Lani nodded, "It's better than that garbage they make me read in school. I may be a first grader but I read better than a seventh grader."
"Rory must have read to you a lot when you were still inside her tummy," Tristan stated.
Lani agreed with her father, "I think so too because Nana and Grampie have both said that when I was born and Mommy started talking my eyes popped open and I looked her straight in the face, cooing like a monkey.."
"Do you like living away from Mommy so much," Tristan inquired.
Lani just shrugged. "I guess. I like living with Grampie and Nana. Auntie Gigi and Uncle Derek not so much."
"Why's that Sweetheart," Tristan asked. He didn't know Rory's siblings very well. Gigi was just three at the time he got shipped off to military school and Lorelei was eight months pregnant with Derek making him just a few months older than his daughter.
"Uncle Dre thinks he's still a toddler and Auntie Gigi is a boy crazy ass-hat. All she does is talk on the phone with her best friend Amy talking about Scotty Forester. He's the biggest schoolyard bully in Stars Hollow and he really hates me for some reason."
Tristan smirked at his daughter's glum face. I wanted to say that was the boy just showing her, that he had feelings for her. He shook himself out of that notion though. The last thing he needed was another familial blood feud on his hands. Lani didn't need to be at more odds with her close Aunt.
Forester? He couldn't be Dean's son, could he? No! Tristan reasoned with himself. He did a background check on Dean Forester before he came back into Rory's life. As far as Tristan knew Dean only had a daughter and she was about Lani's age.
"How old is Scotty?" Tristan asked.
"He's my age. He has a twin sister name, Suzette. She's a pain in my ass too."
"Watch your language little Lady," he scolded. He fought to hide his approving smirk because his daughter definitely was a little spitfire. He could also see Paris's influence on her.
Lani rolled her eyes and smiled. She liked her father and was beginning to trust him. "Mommy never tells stories about you. Why?"
Tristan sighed. He rubbed his face to take a moment to wash the surprised look away. He knew this line of questioning would come sooner or later. He had just hoped it would have been much much later.
"I would imagine Mommy doesn't talk about me much was because I hurt her very deeply when I went away. You see your Mom and I have known each other since we were in diapers. We were so close it was kind of expected of us to start dating and eventually get married. Before I started really going out with your Mom, I dated this girl. Her name was…I mean is…Summer...Summer Russell. I thought I was in love with her, she was very special to me. She cheated on me and it was devastating. Rory had to pick up the pieces left in Summer's wake. Eventually, we began dating. To make a long story short, Rory caught me in bed with Summer. She had just found out about you and she came to share the exciting news. I ended up breaking her heart instead."
"So you think, she didn't say anything about you because she didn't want to open up old wounds," Lani asked
Tristan only nodded. "I promise you, I would never intentionally hurt either or you. You both are the most important things in my life. You have to know that."
Lani nodded. "I know that. I can tell you mean what you are saying. Mommy's a different story."
Tristan knew Lani was right. Rory was different. She was a thinker mostly not a romantic. He hoped that this coming weekend his heart wouldn't be crushed forever.
"Mommy's going away this weekend. Can I come and visit you if it's ok with Nana and Grampie?"
Tristan was shocked by this development. It meant the world to him that Lani trusted him enough to want to stay the weekend with him. He felt horrible for not being able to say yes. "I wish I could say yes sweetheart but I don't think your grandparents would let you stay with me this soon."
Lani looked down at the table picking her fingers and nodded sadly. He was right Nana and Grampie wouldn't let her stay. They didn't trust him like she instinctively trusted him.
"I'll tell you what, you and I will have another Daddy/daughter day again next weekend."
"Why not this weekend?" Lani asked suspiciously.
Tristan smiled at the suspicion in his daughter's eyes. "I have to go back to North Carolina this weekend. A friend of mine is marrying his high school sweetheart. I'm his best man."
Lani's eyes perked up. "You're going to a wedding? Can I come? I've never been to one before."
Tristan gave her a pointed look. He just had a mature conversation with his six-year-old daughter and now she's behaving like a normal six-year-old girl. He wanted to laugh but knew better of it. "We just talked about Nana and Grampie not allowing you to stay with me this weekend. They won't allow me to take you out of Connecticut either sweetie."
Lani groaned. She couldn't trick him into spending more time with her this weekend, she wanted to cry. Mommy was leaving for the weekend and now her Daddy too. Daddy? She'd never had a Daddy before, everyone at school, including her Auntie and Uncle, teased her for only having one parent. Now she had two.
"Please Daddy?"
Tristan's eyes widened. Ever since he met his daughter a month ago, she only ever addressed him as Tristan. The pride he felt with her calling him Daddy was uplifting and heart melting. He stood up and walked over to his daughter. He lifted her into his arms, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead.
"You called me Daddy." He choked. Tears were in father and daughter's eyes.
"Well you are my Daddy," Lani stated through tears.
Tristan wiped the straying tears from his daughter's cheeks. "I love you very much sweetie but I'm afraid I still can't take you with me. I really want you to meet my friends but Grampie terrifies me and I really don't want him any more angry with me ok?"
Lani nodded. "Ok, I guess I'll see you next weekend then."
"No guessing sweetie. You will see me next weekend." He smiled and kissed her cheek. He walked her up to the Hayden Mansion in Stars Hollow. Lorelei and Christopher wouldn't allow him to take her out of Stars Hollow.
He could only assume so the small town's townsfolk could keep a watchful eye on him for themselves. He had to give the Hayden's some credit the small town's townsfolk seemed to have a very possessive affection for his young daughter as they do for his Rory as well.
Part XXI
Cameron King sat in the unusual quietness of her apartment she shared with Rory, Paris, and Tristan. For some reason, since Tristan showed up she had felt unwanted in the apartment, so she made herself scarce.
She had tried to find a new dorm on campus but Student Housing stated there was no occupancy available. She really kicked herself for not rushing a sorority last year like everyone else she could be living the sweet life with thirty new sisters instead she was stuck with the Angsty Chilton Triad as she has taken to calling Tristan, Paris, and Rory.
"So where are your annoying roommates," her study partner Summer Russell asked, "you always talk about."
Cameron shrugged, "Beats me. I'm just glad it's quiet because when that Triad's around there is never a moments peace around here. Then add the six-year-old brat belonging to two of them it turns into a three-ring circus."
Triad? Kid? It couldn't be? Summer asked herself. Cameron and Summer had only been studying partners for about two months now. Cameron never really talked much about her roommates because apparently, she wasn't around them enough.
"What are your roommate's names?" She asked curiously. This was Summer's first semester here at Yale. She had studied the past semester and year before at UCLA Law. She came back to Yale because her parents threatened to disown her if she hadn't.
Cameron looked at her partner confused. Surely she had spoken their names before to her. She shrugged and answered, "Tristan Dugray, Paris Gellar and Lorelei Hayden."
So Rory was using the Hayden name now. That was interesting and the last time she heard anything about Tristan he was studying at Harvard. "Did they all attend Chilton Academy?"
Cameron was surprised. She never outright called them the Chilton Triad to her face. "Yes, they did. Do you know them?"
"Oh, I know them all very well. In fact, I'm the reason why Tristan and Rory are no longer together." She smirked.
This weekend was going to be a whole lot more interesting than she could have ever hoped for. The LDB Hooking Up Weekend was going to be her playground.
At the mention of Rory's nickname Cameron's eyes widened, "You're the one she caught in bed with T.J.?"
Again Summer smirked and nodded.
Part XXII
Rory kept looking at her cell phone. Which one did she call first? The one she picks or the one she rejects?
She was in the lobby of her apartment building when the problem was solved for her.
Tristan walked towards her with a spring in his step and a wide smile on his face. He picked her up in his arms and twirled her around making her giggle like a school girl.
"What's got you so happy?" She asked smiling because of his excitement.
"She called me Daddy. Can you believe it Mare, she called me Daddy!" He hollered. She hadn't seen him this excited about anything since she agreed to be his girlfriend back at Chilton Intermediate Preparatory school.
"OMG, Tris, I'm so happy for you," understanding completely how he was feeling at this moment. It was the same feeling she felt when Lani had called her Mama for the first time. So excited at the moment she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
Tristan didn't hesitate to respond to this kiss. A kiss he had waited for, for over six years. He pried her lips open with his tongue and delved into the cavernous space he knew so intimately it was like second nature.
Neither knew how long they were kissing each other for, they didn't break apart until they heard an irritating cough and broke apart. They maintained eye contact for a brief moment before they heard the cough again.
Both turned their heads to see an enraged Logan with his arms across his chest. Behind him was a bemused Finn and Robert. Behind Finn and Robert were a confused Stephanie and Colin.
"I guess I have my answer about this weekend, don't I Ace?" He gritted through clenched teeth. "I guess this means you've won yet again T.J." He continued angrily.
Rory and Tristan pulled away from each other and looked at the annoyed blonde man. Tristan still had his arms wrapped around Rory, the protective urge he was feeling refused to let Rory leave his arms.
"Logan…"
"No, Ace. I should have known the second he showed his face around here I was going to lose you."
Tears were slowly trickling down Rory's cheeks at Logan's harsh words. She could never knowingly destroy someone's heart because she had felt that feeling first hand. Yes, she was slowly regaining trust in Tristan but hurting Logan was not what she had planned.
Before anyone could say another word, there came a high pitched female screech. All eyes turned in the direction of the landing outside Rory and Tristan's dorm building.
"OMG Finny It's really you."
Robert, Finn, Tristan and Rory's eyes all widened at the voice. A voice none of them ever wanted to hear again. They all looked to each other and made a collective, "OH NO!"
