AN: Happy New Year! My apologies, I did not forget about this story or my others. I had every intention of updating a lot sooner than this. December got away from me. Between the holidays, my birthday, and my real life job in retail, the month just flew by me without me having the time I'd like to have to write. So, I hope your holidays were good. Enjoy the update. Happy reading!
Chapter 13: "So, Baby Girl, are you ready for a week of playing 'Mommy'?"
"Ladies and gentleman," Riley began, taking hold of Rory's hand as she stood to his left on the steps of the gazebo with April at her side holding Sophie. The four of them standing together to introduce their parents to the awaiting crowd, "It is our honor to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Luke Danes."
The crowd of family and friends littering the square around the gazebo looked towards Miss Patty's as they awaited the grand entrance of the town queen and her newly crowned king.
"You hear that, Mr. Danes," Lorelai said as they walked hand in hand out the door of Miss Patty's the applause of the crowd waiting for them and beginning notes of a familiar song.
"They're playing our song," Luke said, stopping to give her a kiss as they listened to the first few notes of Sam Phillip's Reflecting Light. It was the song that was playing when he asked her to dance on their first date and it played again at his sister Liz's wedding two years prior. It was the perfect first dance song for them, "Dance with me, Mrs. Danes?"
"Absolutely," Lorelai said as he led her to the dance floor in the square.
As the song wound down, Luke and Lorelai shared a kiss before joining their children at their table. A large table was set up in the square in the middle of all the guests where Luke and Lorelai sat surrounded by their children. Rory and Riley were seated alongside them with Tristan and Stephanie at their sides. Also at the table were April and Jay. And Jess, who until Riley came along was the closest Luke had to a son, was seated there with Olivia.
"Ready, Dodger?" Rory asked, getting up from her seat to head towards the gazebo with Jess following behind her after they finished their meal and were preparing to deliver their speeches before the cake was cut and the rest of the dancing began.
"You know it," he told her, joining her on the steps of the gazebo.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Rory and I'm the maid of honor," Rory began, "Until recently for as long as I could remember my life was just me and my Mom. The two of us against the world, we didn't need men in our lives. As long as we had each other, we were good. But then, Luke happened. With one cup of coffee he became the man we never knew we needed."
"He celebrated with us on our birthdays and holidays; made us mashed potatoes and chicken soup when we were sick; and shoveled our driveway when it snowed. No matter what, without fail or obligation to me or my Mom, Luke was always part of our lives and now he has a permanent part. He's the best husband and stepfather two Gilmore Girls could ever ask for. To Mom and Luke!"
"So, I'm Jess. I'm Luke's nephew and the best man," Jess said, "I'm not the most loquacious person. In fact I believe when I first met Lorelai I probably spoke no more than two words to her and the few I spoke to her during our next encounter when she invited Uncle Luke and I over for dinner were less than polite."
"But, if you'll recall Lorelai, part of my smart ass comments included accusing you of sleeping with Luke. And even though it was truly meant as a smart ass comment, I could see from the moment I saw these two interact that we would one day be here at their wedding. Luke and Lorelai were always meant to be. Congratulations Luke and Lorelai!"
As the evening went on they danced to a mix of songs played by the DJ and a few from Hep Alien. Tristan and Riley had a laugh at the look on Jess' face when Olivia caught the bouquet and all three men shared a look of annoyance when Jay slipped the garter he caught on April's leg before giving her a kiss.
"Relax, guys. It's just a bit of fun," Rory told them, laying a hand on Tristan's chest to calm him down as she squeezed Riley's hand with her other, "They're not doing anything, alright. No need to get all worked up."
"And you know this, how?" Riley asked.
"Because she told me," Rory said, "She's talked to me about it; mom, too. And we gave her the same talk Mom gave me. She's supposed to come to us when she's ready and so far she says she's not."
"Okay, but I'm trusting you and Mom on this one," Riley said.
"Don't worry, Ry, we got this. Mom and I will make sure April doesn't take that step before she's ready and when she does we'll make sure she's being safe," Rory told him.
"Good," Riley said, placing an arm around Rory has he kissed the top of her head, "So, Baby Girl, are you ready for a week of playing 'Mommy'?"
"I can't wait to watch Sophie. It's going to be fun getting to spend so much time with her," Rory said, "I'm glad we all get to spend this week together while Mom and Luke have their honeymoon."
"Okay, there is tons of extra milk in the freezer so you should be good for the week, but she'll take the formula if you need it," Lorelai said, holding Sophie close to her, "Oh, I'm going to miss you sweet girl. Are you sure you're going to be okay with her?"
"It's only a week, Mom and I've watched Sophie before," Rory said, "Riley's here, plus April and Tristan. I can call Sookie if I need her. Plus, Dad and Sherry are going to be in Hartford for the week so Gigi can spend time with the Hayden's and Sherry's parents."
"I know, but this is the first time she won't have me or Luke here," Lorelai said.
"She'll be fine, Mom. Relax. You're only going to Martha's Vineyard. You can be back in no time if we need you," Rory told her.
"I guess. I'm going to miss her though," Lorelai said, giving her a hug and kissing her forehead before handing her to Rory, "You be good for your brother and sister, little girl."
"Have a good time, Mom," Rory said.
"We'll call you when we get there," Luke said, grabbing their suitcases and taking them out to his truck, "You kids have fun and behave yourselves."
"Bye, Dad," April said, giving him a hug as they all stood outside to see Luke and Lorelai off.
As the week went on they built up their routine. April still had a few days left of school and Tristan was helping out one of his professors with a project so Rory and Riley looked after Sophie during the day. In the evenings that worked together to prepare dinner for all of them while also keeping an eye on Sophie.
One day in the middle of the night, Rory woke to find herself alone in her bed. She rolled over to snuggle closer to Tristan and felt his side of the bed empty.
"Tris?" she called, expecting to him in the bathroom. Being met with silence she left her room to go in search of him. After stopping to check on Sophie and finding her room empty, Rory went downstairs to the living room, smiling at the sight before her as she stopped to sit at the bottom of the stairs, watching.
"It's late, Baby Girl. What are you doing up?" Riley asked a short while later, coming down the stairs and seeing Rory sitting at the bottom.
"Shh, quiet," Rory told him, pointing for him to look around the corner.
"Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life. You were only waiting for this moment to arise," Tristan sang, laying on the couch with Sophie against his chest, her eyes looking into his, "You ready to sleep yet, little one?"
"Did you know he could sing?" Riley whispered to Rory.
"No. I've never heard him before. I always just figured he didn't like to or something," Rory said, "He doesn't even sing along with the radio in the car."
"Blackbird fly. Blackbird fly," Tristan sang, repeating the song he found that seemed to soothe Sophie, "Into the light of the dark black night. Blackbird singing in the dead of night. Take these broken wings and learn to fly."
"He's going to be a great dad someday," Rory said, laying her head against Riley's shoulder as they continued to watch Tristan with Sophie.
"You think about that?" Riley asked.
"Yeah, we've talked about it a few times," Rory told him, "Haven't you?"
"Of course. Steph and I talked about a possible future together when we first talked about moving in together," Riley said, "Neither of us wanted to make that commitment if we weren't expecting it to go long term."
"Makes sense. Tristan and I first talked about being together long term after that dinner at his parents house, but to be honest I'd thought about it before," Rory said, "I think I've known he's the one for a long time."
"I knew he was the one for you the day we met," Riley said.
"What makes you say that?" Rory asked.
"A person doesn't talk so passionately about a single kiss three years after the fact unless the feelings behind it were pretty strong," Riley said.
"True," Rory said, yawning and moving down to lay her head in Riley's lap.
"You fall asleep here, I'm not carrying you back upstairs," Riley said.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," Rory said, closing her eyes.
"Okay, so did anyone sleep in their own bed last night?" April asked walking in the door after coming home the next morning from staying over at a friends, surprised to see Tristan asleep on the couch with Sophie and Rory and Riley beginning to wake from their spot on the stairs where they fell asleep.
"Ry. Ry wake up," Rory said, sitting up from her place on his lap.
"What?" he asked, opening his eyes and taking in his surroundings.
"I guess you really didn't want to carry me upstairs," Rory said, "Instead you fell asleep here with me."
"Why were you guys sleeping on the stairs?" April asked.
"That's a good question, April," Tristan said, having been woken up when he heard them talking, "You two weren't by chance spying on me and Sophie?"
"Spying, no. Watching from out of sight so you weren't aware, absolutely," Rory told him, getting up and taking Sophie from him to get her fed and changed.
"Same thing Mary," he told her, following her up the stairs to Sophie's room, "So, how long were you and Riley hiding out at the bottom of the stairs?"
"Not long. I woke up around two and your side of the bed was empty. I went looking for you and found you and Sophie together on the couch," Rory said, "I never knew you could sing."
"It's no big deal. It's not something I advertise, but I don't hide it either," he said.
"But, in the car. You never even sing along with the radio," she said.
"With you, no. I prefer to listen to you sing," he said, "I'll sing along when I'm on my own from time to time if I really like the song or the mood strikes me."
"You have an amazing voice. You should sing more," Rory told him.
"Maybe I will, for you," he said.
"I'd like that," she said, kissing him then leaning her forehead against his, "You're going to be a great Dad, you know."
"And you're going to be an amazing Mom," he said, giving her a kiss, stopping when Sophie let out a squeal, "I guess that's our cue to stop and get this one fed."
"I guess so," Rory said, pulling away from him and picking Sophie up to take her downstairs, "Each really is going to be amazing isn't it?"
"What?" Tristan asked.
"Spending forever together," Rory said.
"Oh, it definitely will," he told her, kissing her once more before giving Sophie a kiss, too, "Let's get Sophie fed so we can continue this conversation."
"Sounds good to me."