Chapter 14: "Who is calling you at one in the morning?"
After Luke and Lorelai came back from their honeymoon, Stars Hollow began preparing for another wedding; the wedding of Lane Kim and Zach Van Gerbig.
The day of the wedding as she stood at the front of the church next to her best friend, listening to their vows to each other, Rory began to think about her own wedding day. She wondered what it would be like and when she thought it might be. Her and Tristan had talked about the idea of marriage and a future together on several occasions, but never anything so concrete as to when any big events may occur in their lives.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Tristan asked as he and Rory danced together in the square. The wedding had been over for a hours, the reception now in full swing.
"Just a penny?" Rory asked, running her fingers through his hair, playing with the ends at the back of his head.
"Oh your mind is definitely worth way more than that, but it's what I have on me at the moment," he told her, removing his hand from her waist to take a penny from his pocket, "I found it outside the church before I walked in. Could be lucky."
"Maybe," Rory said.
"Now, back to my earlier question," he said, "What's on your mind, Mary?"
"I've just been thinking about what my wedding will be like," she told him.
"Oh, any ideas?" he asked.
"Some. I want an outdoor wedding, I think. Somewhere beautiful with flowers and trees," Rory told him, "But I was also imagining when it would."
"You thinking when as in sometime soon?" Tristan asked.
"No. I'm twenty-one. I'm not ready to get married," Rory said, "It works for Lane. I know she's happy and getting married now was something she really wanted, but I'd like to wait at least until after I graduate, maybe even a year or two longer depending on what kind of job I get."
"That's a sound idea," he told her, "Would you be opposed to being engaged before graduation, though?"
"Is that a proposal?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at him.
"No, just thinking. I'm sure that when the day comes, I'll love your answer," he said, "But I'm just trying to gauge when the best time to ask would be."
"Tris you could ask me tomorrow over breakfast with both of us still in our pajamas and I would say yes," Rory told him.
"Good to know, but I'm sure I can come up with something a bit more romantic than that," he said.
"I'm holding you to that," she said, laying her head against his chest while he pulled her closer to him, kissing the top of her head as they continued to dance, letting their thoughts of their future flood their minds.
"Rory, Tristan, let's go. Senior year awaits," Riley said as he and Stephanie walked into Rory and Tristan's apartment the morning of their first day of classes.
"Relax, Ry. We have an hour before our first class starts," Rory told him as walked into the kitchen where Riley was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"But it's not just any first class, Baby Girl," Riley said, handing her a cup, "We need to get good seats."
"Do you really want to sit in the front row of an economics class being taught by our grandfather?" Rory asked him, "We'll look like such brown-nosers."
"Of course not. But I don't want to sit in the back either. We sit in the front, it's like we're trying to be teacher's pets; sit in the back it will look like we're trying to distance ourselves from the fact we're related to him," Riley said, "I'm thinking somewhere in the middle, maybe the second or third row will be just right."
"That sounds good," Rory said, "We'll have to stay close to the classroom so we can go in once other people start to. I don't want to be first in."
"You guys are ridiculous," Stephanie said.
"Yeah, seriously, I mean, no one is going to care that you're related to Richard," Tristan said, "So just go to class, take a seat where you want to and enjoy the incredible learning experience I'm sure he's going to give you."
"You think so?" Rory asked.
"Absolutely. He's a brilliant man," Tristan said, "I just wish I hadn't taken that class last semester. I would have loved to have Richard Gilmore as a professor."
"Me too," Stephanie said, "The professor we had was great and I really enjoyed the class, but I agree, Richard is sure to be an amazing professor."
"Good morning. Welcome to Microeconomic Theory," Richard said, standing before his first class, pausing a moment to smile at his grandchildren who had decided to sit in the front row after all, "Now, everyone has their syllabus, but not to worry I'm not going to bore you by reading it over, I'll leave that to you. I will make one note. Should any of you require it I am available beyond the afternoon office hours the university requires of me. Now then, microeconomics…"
At the end of seventy-five minute class, Rory and Riley ventured out to their favorite cart, now being manned by Joe as Nick graduated the year before.
"Alright Joe, time for the biggest test of your life," Rory told him, "We will take two R-squared specials, please."
"R-squared specials, right. Of all the drinks I was taught to make, Nick made sure before he left last semester that I had that one mastered," Joe said, taking two cups and beginning by pumping the caramel and chocolate into them.
"Perfection," Rory said, taking a drink when Joe handed it to her, "You've made this just right. It's really...wait...there's something different about this."
"Nothing's wrong with it, Baby Girl, it's delicious," Riley said, taking a drink of his coffee.
"I didn't say anything was wrong with it, I said something was different," Rory said, "What did you change?"
"I added a bit of nutmeg to it. If you don't like it I can…" Joe said.
"No, it's really good. The nutmeg is just faintly there, but you can taste it enough to wonder what it is," Rory said, "I love it. Keep up the good work, Joe. We'll see you at least three more times today."
"Really? Wow, Nick wasn't getting when he said you were his best customers," Joe said, "Are you sure you want to graduate this year?"
"Yes, but don't worry man, we'll be here everyday until then," Riley said.
"Several times a day," Rory added.
"Who is calling you at one in the morning?" Rory asked as Tristan climbed back into bed, laying his phone back on his nightstand.
"It was Logan," he told her, throwing an arm around her as she curled her body against him, laying her head on his chest.
"He's up at six o'clock in the morning?" Rory asked, "I didn't think he knew there was a six o'clock in the morning."
"Me either," Tristan said, kissing the top of her head, "But he seems to really like what he's doing. He didn't like it at first, Uncle Mitchum forcing him to go London to work, but it's been good for him."
"You think so?" she asked.
"Yeah, it was time for him to grow up," he said, "I don't agree with him being told he had to go, but I know he enjoys the work he does for his dad."
"And he is really good at it," Rory said.
"That he is," Tristan said, "He was sulking the first weeks, but he's got his routine down and now he's actually looking forward to the year he is spending over there."
"Good for him," Rory said, "He's getting some good work and life experience. Maybe there is a nice British girl who catch his eye and she'll convince him to give up his playboy ways."
"That's doubtful, but maybe," he said, tilting her head up with his hand to kiss her lips, "All it really takes his one look from the right girl, so maybe."
"I love you," she said, kissing him deeply.
"I love you, too," he said.
"So, senior year, can you believe it?" Jay asked as he took April's hand, closing the door when she got out of her car. Knowing that whenever she decided to go to college, having a car would be beneficial for her, Luke, Lorelai, and Anna discussed it and bought her one for her eighteenth birthday over the summer.
"I know, it seems like yesterday I was just starting here," April said, "And then my Mom decided to move I thought I'd never be back here."
"I'm really glad she let you choose," Jay told her, stopping to give her a quick kiss, "And even more glad you decided to stay here."
"Me too. I love you Jacob Parker," she told him, returning his kiss.
"And I love you, too, April Nardini," he said, pulling away from her to continue their walk into the school for their last first day of high school.