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'Maybe I should just turn around, this probably wasn't a good idea.' Rory struggled with herself as she drove to Starbucks the next day. 'No, I said I was going to be there, so I have to go. Besides, it's not like a date or anything. We're just catching up on old times, like he said.' Rory rolled her eyes as she parked at Starbucks, 'I'm acting like a complete schoolgirl. I'm an adult now, there's nothing to be afraid of. God, I used to have the biggest crush on him even if I didn't realize it until years later. Hopefully he's changed, I hated the way he used to tease me'. Even now Rory wouldn't admit to herself that she had once loved the way he annoyed her. After Tristen left she had missed him so much, she never told anyone that.
As Rory walked into the coffee shop she scanned the tables for Tristen. She found him near the back sitting at the table reading a book. He was so absorbed in it that he didn't even realize she was there when she walked up and stood by the table.
"I didn't know you liked to read." Rory said as she sat down across from him.
Tristen looked up at her and smiled, "I guess some things change."
"What book is it?" Rory asked curiously.
"The Old Man and The Sea, it's been my favorite since like eighth grade." Tristen put the book in his brief case.
"Eighth grade, huh? I never took you for a reader back in high school."
"That's because I didn't let anyone know. It would've ruined my reputation." Tristen laughed, "That's almost the only thing I cared about in high school, among other things."
"So I noticed." Rory glanced behind her where they were serving the coffee, "I think it's about time I bought my coffee."
"I've got that covered." Tristen produced a Starbucks cup and handed it to her. When their fingers touched an electric shock went through both of them. They locked eyes for what seemed like forever until Rory looked away and took a sip of her coffee.
"Oh! Caramel mocha is my favorite! How did you know?" She exclaimed taking another sip.
Tristen shook himself out of his reverie and answered her. "Lucky guess."
"It's good, thanks! How was military school? I have to ask."
"Worse than Chilton, if that's even possible. And you weren't there for me to tease, so that made it even worse." Tristen sent her a flirtatious smile.
Rory blushed, "Well I finally became friends with Paris after you left, and people stopped calling me Mary. I have to say that my life improved."
"Come one Rory, you missed me, I know you did." Tristen wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"What? I missed the way you could never remember my name. Or the way you bugged me every second of the school day. Or the way Paris was constantly mad at me because you wouldn't leave me alone." Rory paused. "Oh, yeah, I missed that a lot." She added sarcastically.
"Well I missed you." Tristen said softly looking down at his own coffee cup.
Rory looked up at him startled, there was no smirk on his face this time. Not knowing what else to say Rory changed the subject, "So where did you go to college?
"George Town. My father wanted me to go to Yale, but I had no interest in taking up the family business. I just wanted to be a doctor."
Rory relaxed, grateful to talk about an easy subject. For a while they discussed their colleges and their lives now until it got around to the subject of Jessica's father.
"Jessica- on the hospital papers it said you were a single mom." Tristen said tentatively.
"Yes, I am a single mom. And if you're thinking Dean, no, he's not her father." Rory sighed, she knew she would have to tell him at some point. "Actually, Dean and I broke up soon after you left."
Tristen rolled his eyes, "Of course, as soon as I leave you become single."
Rory decided to ignore his last comment and continued, "I married when I was 22, I still hadn't finished college. A year later I had Jessica." Rory never spoke about this to anyone, it was so hard. "My husband's name was Jess Danes. I don't believe you ever met him but I'd known him since eleventh grade."
"You're no longer together?" Tristen asked softly, he could tell that this was a sensitive area for her.
"No, he left us. Jessica has never had a father." Rory said trying to keep her voice even, 'Don't you dare even think about crying!! Not in front of him'. She took another sip of her caramel mocha.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's not your fault." Rory sighed. "How bout you? Have you ever been married?"
"Almost. We were engaged, but we both thought it was best to break it off." Tristen tossed his cup into the garbage behind him. "It was more for our parents then anything else."
"Did you love her?" Rory asked secretly fearing the answer.
"Yes, I loved her. But I wasn't in love with her." Tristen shrugged. "It just didn't work out."
Both lost track of time as they talked about anything and everything. They laughed and winced as they brought up old memories of Chilton. Tristen couldn't keep his eyes off of Rory the whole time. She had changed since he had last seen her. Her hair was shorter, right above her shoulder and layered, he loved the way it framed her face. Her face looked older and had lost its freckles. But her eyes had changed the most, the eyes that Tristen thought could never change. In high school they had always been bright and full of hope, a strange innocence had lurked there. Now they were the same color blue as before, but the innocence was gone along with hope, all that was left was grief. Tristen knew that this Jess Danes had given her that grief and he wanted to kill him for it already.
"Oh my goodness!" Rory exclaimed looking at her watch. "I have to get home! I promised Jessica I would be there to put her to bed."
"Well, time flies when you're with me." Tristen said as he helped her put on her coat.
"Thanks." Rory said trying to ignore the sensation that shot through her whole body when he pulled her hair out from under her coat.
"I want to see you again."
"You will. Two weeks from tomorrow Jessica and I will be back in your office." Rory rushed through her words. 'He wants to see me again?'
Tristen took a hold her arms and looked her in the eyes, "Before that."
'He'll hurt you just like Jess did.' A small voice said in the back of her head. "I don't think so Tristen. I don't want to get involved with anyone right now if that's what you mean."
"That's precisely what I mean, but it's your choice." He was hurt from her words but did his best to shrug them off.
"Well, thank you for the coffee. It was good to see you again." Rory said becoming uncomfortable once again.
She was about to leave when he embraced her in a caring gesture. "You never cease to amaze me Mary." He kissed her cheek, "Until next time then." And he walked away with his brief case in hand.
'Mary'…It sounded more like a word of endearment now more than anything else. 'What am I doing? Of course I want to see him again!' Rory thought as she watched him walk out the door. 'But what if he-? No, he's not Jess'. Rory ran out the door after him, she searched for him in the parking lot and found him unlocking his car.
"Tristen! Wait!" Rory called walking over to him. He looked up surprised and hopeful. "I do want to see you again. Will you come to Jessica's birthday party tomorrow at Starshollow at 4? It's right in the middle of town. Do you know how to get there?" 'Jeez, stop babbling.'
"Yes I would like to came and I know how to get there." He watched as her eyes swam with relief.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Tomorrow ."
"Okay." Rory walked back to her car with a huge smile on her face.
************************************************************
"So when is he going to be here?" Loreli asked her daughter curiously as they removed chairs and tables from what would be the dance floors.
"An hour ago." Rory shrugged trying not to look disappointed. "I guess I got stood up."
"To a five year olds birthday party?" Loreli laughed. "Maybe he's just late, he is a doctor as you said."
"Maybe." Rory said. "But right now I just want to concentrate on Jessica, it's her special day."
"Five days early." Loreli said sadly. "I wish we could've had it on her real birthday."
"Mom, we've been through this." Rory said frustrated. "I can't be in Starshollow on her birthday, it's just too hard, okay?"
"I know." Loreli sighed. "I just worry about you sometimes. That's why I'm glad you invited Tristen to the party, even if we did once hate him and call him Satan."
Rory laughed, "Okay, let's start the music and get all the kiddies out here." Both Loreli and Rory rounded up all the kids and adults onto to the dance floor. The birthday was set up in the park and practically all of Starshollow was there joining in on the fun. Dusk was approaching and the park was lit up beautifully with lanterns, Loreli and Luke had gone through a lot to make everything perfect.
"How's the electric slide sound to everyone?" Rory asked through the array of people. When she heard a loud chorus of approval she turned the song on. Rory and her mother laughed as Ms. Patty dutifully began to teach everyone how to do the electric slide.
"Come on Luke! Come slide with me!" Shouted Loreli to her husband standing at the side of the dance floor.
"Maybe later." Luke replied backing away.
"Get back here!" Loreli grabbed him and brought him over, laughing she tried to show him how to do the electric slide. For about a half an hour songs were played and everyone had a great time dancing
Rory grabbed Jessica when The Way You Make Me Feel came on by Michael Jackson. "Come on hon, it's our song!"
Jessica giggled, "I love MJ!" Repeating words that Rory often said.
Rory twirled Jessica around as both sang their hearts out dancing. 'This is almost perfect!' Thought Rory, her happiness growing by the minute.
************************************************************
Walking toward the laughter with a present in his hand Tristen smiled. He watched as Rory danced with her daughter to a Michael Jackson song. 'She looks even more beautiful tonight.' Rory had on black capries with a baby blue shirt that matched her eyes perfectly, her bare feet danced across the grass. He noticed a table full of presents and placed his there along with the rest.
He had barely arrived to the dance area when the song ended. He watched as Rory whispered something in Loreli's ear and she winked back.
He quickly ran around to greet her as she walked away from the dancing. "Rory!" He called to her.
She turned around surprised, "You came?" Rory said.
"Did you expect me to stand you up?" Tristen asked catching up to her.
She shrugged and continued walking, "I wasn't sure. You are kinda late."
"I know and I'm sorry. The hospital was crazy tonight, I couldn't get away in time." He stepped in pace with her. "Where are we going?"
"To light the candles on the cake!" Rory laughed. "You arrived just in time." They reached Luke's dinner, but instead of going through the front Rory made her way around to the back with Tristen following her. "It's in here." She jiggled the door handle but it didn't open, she pushed on it but still it didn't budge. "That's odd, it worked fine before."
"Can't we go through the front?" Tristen asked.
"NO!" Rory said quickly, Tristen looked startled. "I mean, um, it's just easier to go through here."
"Let me try." Tristen shoved his whole body against the door, it opened. He observed Rory give a sigh of relief as they walked in to find a huge cake on a table.
"Sookie made it of course." Rory said. Together they lit the candles, lifted the cake between them and brought it out to they party area. By the time they got back Loreli had everyone situated at tables, the dance floor soon forgotten. Rory and Tristen brought the cake to Jessica and placed it in front of her wide eyed face on the table.
"Happy Birthday to you!" A chorus of singers sang the familiar song in unison and clapped when Jessica blew out all the candles. The cake was passed around until everyone was served. Rory sat next to her daughter and they talked excitedly about the party both enjoying their cake. Tristen sat across from the two smiling girls knowing that something was terribly wrong with the mother. Rory hadn't sung Happy Birthday to her only daughter.
************************************************************
Rory pulled the blanket tighter around Jessica who had fallen asleep at the party's end on the gazeboes bench. It was 11:45 and most of the party goers had gone home, only a few stragglers stayed to help clean up. She brushed Jessica's curly hair away from her face and kissed her forehead. 'I wish I were a better mother. I wish I could sing to you.' Rory's eyes filled with tears, she leaned down and whispered in Jessica's ear, "I love you more than life itself." A tear slipped down her cheek, 'I hate myself for doing this to you, why can't I just let go?' She stared at her only daughter thinking that she looked so beautiful when she slept.
"Rory?" A voice stirred her out of her trance.
Rory looked up to see Tristen climbing up the steps of the gazebo. She turned and quickly wiped her tear stained cheek, "Hey." She stood up and smiled.
"Is she okay?" He asked looking down at Jessica's sleeping form.
"Yeah, she was just really tired. A long day for a five year old." Rory glanced once more at Jessica and walked down the steps with Tristen. "Thank you for Jessica's present, I know she'll love it."
Tristen had given Jessica a beautifully crafted fairy tale book, full of pictures and stories. "Well if she's anything like you she will."
They sat down next to each other in some of the few chairs that were still out. "Did you have a good time?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, it was fun. I especially liked watching you and your mother doing that dance to Eye of the Tiger." He laughed recalling them.
Rory rolled her eyes and blushed profusely. "That would be my mother on a sugar high after the cake. We made that dance up so long ago it seem likes now." Rory paused, remembering coming home from school that Friday, her mother excited because they didn't have to go to Emily and Richard's that night. She told Rory since they both had a free Friday that they were going to make up a dance to Eye of the Tiger, her new favorite song that week. "It took us at least a week to get all of it remembered; by that time my mom didn't even like the song anymore. I still can't believe I remembered all of it."
"It sounds like she was hell of a mother." Tristen commented.
"Oh, God she was. Still is." Rory stated. "She's always there for me. Always."
"Just like you are for Jessica." Tristen said trying to figure out why Rory hadn't sang to her daughter.
Rory looked at him, "I only wish I could be as good of a mother to Jessica that mine was to me." She sighed and looked at the grass.
"I think you already are." Tristen said truthfully. "Do you see the way she looks at you?"
Rory was so grateful to him, she wanted to hear this so bad, wanted to hear that she was a good mother. "It's so hard for her though, growing up without a father. At least I saw mine every now and then. Jessica never even met hers."
"Do you know where he is?" Tristen could hear the raw pain in Rory's voice. 'That bastard, how could he have left them?'
"Yes, I know exactly where he is. He won't come back."
Tristen was surprised to see that Rory's face was contorted with sadness rather than anger. 'How can she not be mad at him?' He thought. "Oh." Was all he could think of to say.
Rory reached up and softly toughed his face, "You shaved."
Her touch sent tingles down his spine, he wanted to catch her hand and kiss it. "I figured it was time."
"It makes you look like what you did in high school again." Rory wanted to kiss the place on his face in which she touched. I want to kiss him? Where did that come from?
He rubbed his face, "Does it now? Maybe I should let it grow again."
Rory shrugged, "You look good either way." As soon as she said it a pink color crept up her face.
"Rory Gilmore are you implying that I'm hott?" Tristen spoke flirtatiously.
"N-no. I was just saying that-that you," Rory stumbled. "I was..." But Rory was cut off when Tristen kissed her fully on the lips sending waves of delight through Rory's entire body.
"I'm sorry, but I had to do that." Tristen said softly when he pulled away.
Rory looked stunned, looking at Tristen she thought, He just kissed me… Her mind didn't even think of Jess it was completely concentrated on Tristen.
When Rory didn't say anything Tristen became uncomfortable, "I hope this won't be like the last time I kissed you…" This time it was Rory that interrupted a sentence with a kiss. Surprised Tristen felt Rory's lips on his, seeking. He ran his tongue along her lip looking for entry, Rory opened her mouth willingly and their tongue's collided wrapping themselves around each other. Tristen put him arms around Rory and brought her closer, she ran her hands through his hair at the back of his neck. They pulled away at the same time slowly, both out of breath.
Their foreheads still touching, Rory said, "I've only just met you again."
"I know." Tristen fingered Rory's soft hair tenderly.
"I have a daughter, I'm a single mom."
"I know." Tristen kissed her forehead.
"I'm still hurting."
"I know." Tristen rubbed her back calmly.
"I don't know what I want."
"I've wanted you since the moment I saw you." Tristen said without hesitation.
"At the hospital?" Rory looked at him carefully.
"Since September of tenth grade." He kissed her again softly.
"You always teased me though."
"I didn't know what else to do. You were different from all the other girls."
"You mean I didn't fall at your feet the moment I saw you?"
"Precisely."
"Tristen?"
"Yeah?" He kissed her nose.
"I missed you when you left."
He pulled her close and they sat together for awhile just glad to have the other one close by.
'Maybe I should just turn around, this probably wasn't a good idea.' Rory struggled with herself as she drove to Starbucks the next day. 'No, I said I was going to be there, so I have to go. Besides, it's not like a date or anything. We're just catching up on old times, like he said.' Rory rolled her eyes as she parked at Starbucks, 'I'm acting like a complete schoolgirl. I'm an adult now, there's nothing to be afraid of. God, I used to have the biggest crush on him even if I didn't realize it until years later. Hopefully he's changed, I hated the way he used to tease me'. Even now Rory wouldn't admit to herself that she had once loved the way he annoyed her. After Tristen left she had missed him so much, she never told anyone that.
As Rory walked into the coffee shop she scanned the tables for Tristen. She found him near the back sitting at the table reading a book. He was so absorbed in it that he didn't even realize she was there when she walked up and stood by the table.
"I didn't know you liked to read." Rory said as she sat down across from him.
Tristen looked up at her and smiled, "I guess some things change."
"What book is it?" Rory asked curiously.
"The Old Man and The Sea, it's been my favorite since like eighth grade." Tristen put the book in his brief case.
"Eighth grade, huh? I never took you for a reader back in high school."
"That's because I didn't let anyone know. It would've ruined my reputation." Tristen laughed, "That's almost the only thing I cared about in high school, among other things."
"So I noticed." Rory glanced behind her where they were serving the coffee, "I think it's about time I bought my coffee."
"I've got that covered." Tristen produced a Starbucks cup and handed it to her. When their fingers touched an electric shock went through both of them. They locked eyes for what seemed like forever until Rory looked away and took a sip of her coffee.
"Oh! Caramel mocha is my favorite! How did you know?" She exclaimed taking another sip.
Tristen shook himself out of his reverie and answered her. "Lucky guess."
"It's good, thanks! How was military school? I have to ask."
"Worse than Chilton, if that's even possible. And you weren't there for me to tease, so that made it even worse." Tristen sent her a flirtatious smile.
Rory blushed, "Well I finally became friends with Paris after you left, and people stopped calling me Mary. I have to say that my life improved."
"Come one Rory, you missed me, I know you did." Tristen wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"What? I missed the way you could never remember my name. Or the way you bugged me every second of the school day. Or the way Paris was constantly mad at me because you wouldn't leave me alone." Rory paused. "Oh, yeah, I missed that a lot." She added sarcastically.
"Well I missed you." Tristen said softly looking down at his own coffee cup.
Rory looked up at him startled, there was no smirk on his face this time. Not knowing what else to say Rory changed the subject, "So where did you go to college?
"George Town. My father wanted me to go to Yale, but I had no interest in taking up the family business. I just wanted to be a doctor."
Rory relaxed, grateful to talk about an easy subject. For a while they discussed their colleges and their lives now until it got around to the subject of Jessica's father.
"Jessica- on the hospital papers it said you were a single mom." Tristen said tentatively.
"Yes, I am a single mom. And if you're thinking Dean, no, he's not her father." Rory sighed, she knew she would have to tell him at some point. "Actually, Dean and I broke up soon after you left."
Tristen rolled his eyes, "Of course, as soon as I leave you become single."
Rory decided to ignore his last comment and continued, "I married when I was 22, I still hadn't finished college. A year later I had Jessica." Rory never spoke about this to anyone, it was so hard. "My husband's name was Jess Danes. I don't believe you ever met him but I'd known him since eleventh grade."
"You're no longer together?" Tristen asked softly, he could tell that this was a sensitive area for her.
"No, he left us. Jessica has never had a father." Rory said trying to keep her voice even, 'Don't you dare even think about crying!! Not in front of him'. She took another sip of her caramel mocha.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's not your fault." Rory sighed. "How bout you? Have you ever been married?"
"Almost. We were engaged, but we both thought it was best to break it off." Tristen tossed his cup into the garbage behind him. "It was more for our parents then anything else."
"Did you love her?" Rory asked secretly fearing the answer.
"Yes, I loved her. But I wasn't in love with her." Tristen shrugged. "It just didn't work out."
Both lost track of time as they talked about anything and everything. They laughed and winced as they brought up old memories of Chilton. Tristen couldn't keep his eyes off of Rory the whole time. She had changed since he had last seen her. Her hair was shorter, right above her shoulder and layered, he loved the way it framed her face. Her face looked older and had lost its freckles. But her eyes had changed the most, the eyes that Tristen thought could never change. In high school they had always been bright and full of hope, a strange innocence had lurked there. Now they were the same color blue as before, but the innocence was gone along with hope, all that was left was grief. Tristen knew that this Jess Danes had given her that grief and he wanted to kill him for it already.
"Oh my goodness!" Rory exclaimed looking at her watch. "I have to get home! I promised Jessica I would be there to put her to bed."
"Well, time flies when you're with me." Tristen said as he helped her put on her coat.
"Thanks." Rory said trying to ignore the sensation that shot through her whole body when he pulled her hair out from under her coat.
"I want to see you again."
"You will. Two weeks from tomorrow Jessica and I will be back in your office." Rory rushed through her words. 'He wants to see me again?'
Tristen took a hold her arms and looked her in the eyes, "Before that."
'He'll hurt you just like Jess did.' A small voice said in the back of her head. "I don't think so Tristen. I don't want to get involved with anyone right now if that's what you mean."
"That's precisely what I mean, but it's your choice." He was hurt from her words but did his best to shrug them off.
"Well, thank you for the coffee. It was good to see you again." Rory said becoming uncomfortable once again.
She was about to leave when he embraced her in a caring gesture. "You never cease to amaze me Mary." He kissed her cheek, "Until next time then." And he walked away with his brief case in hand.
'Mary'…It sounded more like a word of endearment now more than anything else. 'What am I doing? Of course I want to see him again!' Rory thought as she watched him walk out the door. 'But what if he-? No, he's not Jess'. Rory ran out the door after him, she searched for him in the parking lot and found him unlocking his car.
"Tristen! Wait!" Rory called walking over to him. He looked up surprised and hopeful. "I do want to see you again. Will you come to Jessica's birthday party tomorrow at Starshollow at 4? It's right in the middle of town. Do you know how to get there?" 'Jeez, stop babbling.'
"Yes I would like to came and I know how to get there." He watched as her eyes swam with relief.
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Tomorrow ."
"Okay." Rory walked back to her car with a huge smile on her face.
************************************************************
"So when is he going to be here?" Loreli asked her daughter curiously as they removed chairs and tables from what would be the dance floors.
"An hour ago." Rory shrugged trying not to look disappointed. "I guess I got stood up."
"To a five year olds birthday party?" Loreli laughed. "Maybe he's just late, he is a doctor as you said."
"Maybe." Rory said. "But right now I just want to concentrate on Jessica, it's her special day."
"Five days early." Loreli said sadly. "I wish we could've had it on her real birthday."
"Mom, we've been through this." Rory said frustrated. "I can't be in Starshollow on her birthday, it's just too hard, okay?"
"I know." Loreli sighed. "I just worry about you sometimes. That's why I'm glad you invited Tristen to the party, even if we did once hate him and call him Satan."
Rory laughed, "Okay, let's start the music and get all the kiddies out here." Both Loreli and Rory rounded up all the kids and adults onto to the dance floor. The birthday was set up in the park and practically all of Starshollow was there joining in on the fun. Dusk was approaching and the park was lit up beautifully with lanterns, Loreli and Luke had gone through a lot to make everything perfect.
"How's the electric slide sound to everyone?" Rory asked through the array of people. When she heard a loud chorus of approval she turned the song on. Rory and her mother laughed as Ms. Patty dutifully began to teach everyone how to do the electric slide.
"Come on Luke! Come slide with me!" Shouted Loreli to her husband standing at the side of the dance floor.
"Maybe later." Luke replied backing away.
"Get back here!" Loreli grabbed him and brought him over, laughing she tried to show him how to do the electric slide. For about a half an hour songs were played and everyone had a great time dancing
Rory grabbed Jessica when The Way You Make Me Feel came on by Michael Jackson. "Come on hon, it's our song!"
Jessica giggled, "I love MJ!" Repeating words that Rory often said.
Rory twirled Jessica around as both sang their hearts out dancing. 'This is almost perfect!' Thought Rory, her happiness growing by the minute.
************************************************************
Walking toward the laughter with a present in his hand Tristen smiled. He watched as Rory danced with her daughter to a Michael Jackson song. 'She looks even more beautiful tonight.' Rory had on black capries with a baby blue shirt that matched her eyes perfectly, her bare feet danced across the grass. He noticed a table full of presents and placed his there along with the rest.
He had barely arrived to the dance area when the song ended. He watched as Rory whispered something in Loreli's ear and she winked back.
He quickly ran around to greet her as she walked away from the dancing. "Rory!" He called to her.
She turned around surprised, "You came?" Rory said.
"Did you expect me to stand you up?" Tristen asked catching up to her.
She shrugged and continued walking, "I wasn't sure. You are kinda late."
"I know and I'm sorry. The hospital was crazy tonight, I couldn't get away in time." He stepped in pace with her. "Where are we going?"
"To light the candles on the cake!" Rory laughed. "You arrived just in time." They reached Luke's dinner, but instead of going through the front Rory made her way around to the back with Tristen following her. "It's in here." She jiggled the door handle but it didn't open, she pushed on it but still it didn't budge. "That's odd, it worked fine before."
"Can't we go through the front?" Tristen asked.
"NO!" Rory said quickly, Tristen looked startled. "I mean, um, it's just easier to go through here."
"Let me try." Tristen shoved his whole body against the door, it opened. He observed Rory give a sigh of relief as they walked in to find a huge cake on a table.
"Sookie made it of course." Rory said. Together they lit the candles, lifted the cake between them and brought it out to they party area. By the time they got back Loreli had everyone situated at tables, the dance floor soon forgotten. Rory and Tristen brought the cake to Jessica and placed it in front of her wide eyed face on the table.
"Happy Birthday to you!" A chorus of singers sang the familiar song in unison and clapped when Jessica blew out all the candles. The cake was passed around until everyone was served. Rory sat next to her daughter and they talked excitedly about the party both enjoying their cake. Tristen sat across from the two smiling girls knowing that something was terribly wrong with the mother. Rory hadn't sung Happy Birthday to her only daughter.
************************************************************
Rory pulled the blanket tighter around Jessica who had fallen asleep at the party's end on the gazeboes bench. It was 11:45 and most of the party goers had gone home, only a few stragglers stayed to help clean up. She brushed Jessica's curly hair away from her face and kissed her forehead. 'I wish I were a better mother. I wish I could sing to you.' Rory's eyes filled with tears, she leaned down and whispered in Jessica's ear, "I love you more than life itself." A tear slipped down her cheek, 'I hate myself for doing this to you, why can't I just let go?' She stared at her only daughter thinking that she looked so beautiful when she slept.
"Rory?" A voice stirred her out of her trance.
Rory looked up to see Tristen climbing up the steps of the gazebo. She turned and quickly wiped her tear stained cheek, "Hey." She stood up and smiled.
"Is she okay?" He asked looking down at Jessica's sleeping form.
"Yeah, she was just really tired. A long day for a five year old." Rory glanced once more at Jessica and walked down the steps with Tristen. "Thank you for Jessica's present, I know she'll love it."
Tristen had given Jessica a beautifully crafted fairy tale book, full of pictures and stories. "Well if she's anything like you she will."
They sat down next to each other in some of the few chairs that were still out. "Did you have a good time?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, it was fun. I especially liked watching you and your mother doing that dance to Eye of the Tiger." He laughed recalling them.
Rory rolled her eyes and blushed profusely. "That would be my mother on a sugar high after the cake. We made that dance up so long ago it seem likes now." Rory paused, remembering coming home from school that Friday, her mother excited because they didn't have to go to Emily and Richard's that night. She told Rory since they both had a free Friday that they were going to make up a dance to Eye of the Tiger, her new favorite song that week. "It took us at least a week to get all of it remembered; by that time my mom didn't even like the song anymore. I still can't believe I remembered all of it."
"It sounds like she was hell of a mother." Tristen commented.
"Oh, God she was. Still is." Rory stated. "She's always there for me. Always."
"Just like you are for Jessica." Tristen said trying to figure out why Rory hadn't sang to her daughter.
Rory looked at him, "I only wish I could be as good of a mother to Jessica that mine was to me." She sighed and looked at the grass.
"I think you already are." Tristen said truthfully. "Do you see the way she looks at you?"
Rory was so grateful to him, she wanted to hear this so bad, wanted to hear that she was a good mother. "It's so hard for her though, growing up without a father. At least I saw mine every now and then. Jessica never even met hers."
"Do you know where he is?" Tristen could hear the raw pain in Rory's voice. 'That bastard, how could he have left them?'
"Yes, I know exactly where he is. He won't come back."
Tristen was surprised to see that Rory's face was contorted with sadness rather than anger. 'How can she not be mad at him?' He thought. "Oh." Was all he could think of to say.
Rory reached up and softly toughed his face, "You shaved."
Her touch sent tingles down his spine, he wanted to catch her hand and kiss it. "I figured it was time."
"It makes you look like what you did in high school again." Rory wanted to kiss the place on his face in which she touched. I want to kiss him? Where did that come from?
He rubbed his face, "Does it now? Maybe I should let it grow again."
Rory shrugged, "You look good either way." As soon as she said it a pink color crept up her face.
"Rory Gilmore are you implying that I'm hott?" Tristen spoke flirtatiously.
"N-no. I was just saying that-that you," Rory stumbled. "I was..." But Rory was cut off when Tristen kissed her fully on the lips sending waves of delight through Rory's entire body.
"I'm sorry, but I had to do that." Tristen said softly when he pulled away.
Rory looked stunned, looking at Tristen she thought, He just kissed me… Her mind didn't even think of Jess it was completely concentrated on Tristen.
When Rory didn't say anything Tristen became uncomfortable, "I hope this won't be like the last time I kissed you…" This time it was Rory that interrupted a sentence with a kiss. Surprised Tristen felt Rory's lips on his, seeking. He ran his tongue along her lip looking for entry, Rory opened her mouth willingly and their tongue's collided wrapping themselves around each other. Tristen put him arms around Rory and brought her closer, she ran her hands through his hair at the back of his neck. They pulled away at the same time slowly, both out of breath.
Their foreheads still touching, Rory said, "I've only just met you again."
"I know." Tristen fingered Rory's soft hair tenderly.
"I have a daughter, I'm a single mom."
"I know." Tristen kissed her forehead.
"I'm still hurting."
"I know." Tristen rubbed her back calmly.
"I don't know what I want."
"I've wanted you since the moment I saw you." Tristen said without hesitation.
"At the hospital?" Rory looked at him carefully.
"Since September of tenth grade." He kissed her again softly.
"You always teased me though."
"I didn't know what else to do. You were different from all the other girls."
"You mean I didn't fall at your feet the moment I saw you?"
"Precisely."
"Tristen?"
"Yeah?" He kissed her nose.
"I missed you when you left."
He pulled her close and they sat together for awhile just glad to have the other one close by.