The weeks and months passed. Tristan and Rory got to be better friends. Once in awhile after exam month they attain a party. Just as friends they go together. They had made some friends...well Rory did. But Tristan had become Big Man on Campus (BMC). A lot of girls liked him. (Who wouldn't?) But it seemed that he wasn't all that interested. Rory and Dean were distant as days went by. Sometimes he wouldn't call when he was supposed to, and Rory didn't call or visited Dean when she said she would. Just life got in the way. But surprisingly, Rory thought of Dean less and less and more of Tristan. To Tristan, Rory was a goddess. He fear that if he dated, Rory would surely never think of him more than a friend or think that he wasn't interested in her. Because, he did. The end of their first year in university was over, and Rory and Tristan both made good finals and received A's in all their courses.
"Hmmmmmm good coffee. I love your coffee making skills. I could just marry you!" Rory laughed, then realized that she made some comments about the marry part she reddened.
"I know! Well, Rory sorry to say, I didn't propose just yet, and we're too young..you understand right?" Tristan joked back. But he spaced for a minute...
Scene of marriage in a chapel, Rory wearing a while gown, her hair up in curls looking angelic as ever....
"Tristan...! Tristan...! Earth to Tristan Dugrey, did the coffee caffine alien get you or something?" Rory tried to get Tristan, but he had a distant look upon his face. Something so serene, peaceful.
"Uh..sorry. Space out for a minute. So glad exams are over" Tristan changed the subject.
I wonder what he's thinking about? That look on his face was so calm, so at peace, so...there was something else on his face..that look.
"Earth to RORY. You're the one who just spaced off!!" Tristan laughed.
I like his laugh.
"Oops, sorry, just the caffine got to me I guess.." Rory laughed ruefully.
I could listen to her laugh forever...wohhh, slow down Dugrey, forever? That's a long time, you're young, girls like you...Yeah but Rory doesn't have feelings for me that way...I wish she did. So ok, I liked her for three years...thats...*all*. If she and I dated, how great would it be. Best friends and more. Someone to talk to, some to laugh with. Someone to love.
Rory noticed that look upon Tristan's face, and didn't dare to interrup his thoughts. I'll let him be. Both knew when each other need space and quiet. They left the each other out and just sipped their coffee just enjoying the friendship and the stillness it provided. Only their company alone.
The girls at Harvard thought that Tristan was hot. Chased after him, been blunt, made double entendres. But he's eyes were just for Rory Gilmore. Sure a lot of guys liked Rory, for her looks and brains. But she never was interested in any other guy. Her heart was confused. Did she love Dean? Or losing interest and love for Dean? Lately, her eyes and heart seemed to recognize Tristan only. During the the last two years of Rory graduating, she broke up with Dean. She thought that it wasn't fair for her or him if her heart doesn't seem to be there. Dean on the other hand was furiously. But Rory had suspected the Dean was cheating on her...and he was. But as time went on, Dean realized that change was happening, they weren't in love, because if he was, he'd never cheat on Rory. Rory stayed at Harvard for her Masters degree to obtain a Ph.D, and Tristan was finishing his degree as well. Slowly the two people started to fall in love. They have known each other for now 10 years. Grade 10 to 4 years of university obtaining a bacholars degree and 4 years of Masters...Time will tell if they were meant to be.
"Hey, Rory. Another year has passed. Congrats on your final exams. I hear you received highest in the Honors Programs." Tristan said.
"Yup. I'm so happy! Mom called and she wants me to come home to celebrate! You want to come?" Rory asked shyly.
"Well,aren't I intruding in a family celebration?" Tristan extended.
"Nope, and I want...I want you to be there..." Rory blurted out.
I can't believe I said that.
I can't believe she said that! Yes!!!!
"Then, ok. I'd love to, Rory." Tristan answered. "I'd like that a lot." They both smiled at eachother in peace. The people around them saw something between Tristan and Rory. Some aura that held them in place. Some peace, serenity that they didn't want to disturb. They had to part their ways. They made plans to get together for the celebration. When Tristan was walking towards his room and took a nap...
*Wedding March*
Tristan standing at the alter waiting for his bride. Rory came through the heavy double doors wearing a long white gown, her hair up in curls, a veil covering her face, but not hiding it's beauty. She reached him and smiled. A single tear dropped down from her eyes.
"Don't cry, Rory." Tristan said and took her hand in his, and squeezed lighly.
"I'm crying beacuse I'm happy" Rory smiled. They faced the priest, the ceremony began. The couple decided to say their vows in their own words. Tristan went first.
"Rory Gilmore, I have loved you for so long. I never thought I would fall in love with anyone. But you surprised me. I couldn't have asked for a better friend, a better girlfriend...and now a better wive. I feel I don't deserve you, and I will forever make you, making you feel like a queen. I will be there till death do us apart. But I now believe in happily ever after. I would die for you, I would cry for you, I would take all your pains. I'd do anything for you, because I'm totally, head over heels in love with you. I'm not good with words, but know that, there could be nothing on earth that would change my heart for you. Only to love you more...but I doubt I could, because I love you so much." Tristan had tears in his eyes. Though he knew that his father would think that only a girl would cry, he didn't care. Because he had the woman of his dreams in his hands, and heart.
Rory cleared her throat, and wiped away some tears. She said,
"Tristan Dugrey, the only words when I think of you is that I love you. I think you're amazing. I can tell sometiems you think your not good enough for me, but you know what? I think that I'm not good enough for you. You're the first think I think about when I wake up. The first thing I think about when I go to sleep, and I dream of you. Your my other half. You have my heart, my eyes, my thoughts. I know that this is the real thing. That I was meant to be with you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Don't EVER doubt that...*ring ring*"
"Wahh?" Tristan woke up startled. He turned off his alarm, and looked at the time. It was 8 p.m. He and Rory made plans to go to a party at 9:00. "I better get ready"
At the party
As soon as they entered the building Rory and Tristan were apart. Mainly becuase girls tugged at Tristan and pulled him away from Rory. Secretly Tristan and Rory were not pleased to be separated. Around 12:00 a.m. in the party, Rory sitting on the couch and at one end of the room and right across the room Tristan sitting with other girls absentmindedly answering idle questions and looking for Rory. A song came on, "Two in a Million" by S Club 7. The dance crowd gathered in partners to dance. A girl was asking Tristan to dance. He was looking for Rory. He wasn't listening.
"Tristan...Tristan!" a girl name Mandy tried to catch his attention
"Hmm..? Sorry." Tristan said while looking at the other end, he and Rory caught each others eye. He half smiled, and she did as well.
"Would you like to dance?" Mandy asked.
"I'm sorry, I promised someone else..." and walked towards the middle of the dance floor dividing him and Rory up. Rory walked towards the dance floor. Both met at the middle. Tristan bent his head down and whispered, "Would you like to dance?"
"Yes..." Rory breathe out.
Their relationship was changing. Less platontically and more romantic. But both new that entering a relationship together would be different. They were already half in love with eachother. Knowing eachother for 10 years, they developed a strong friendship.
The song ended, but they never left each others arms...so oblivious to others they kept on swaying their own tune. Rory cleared her throat and said. "Tristan...I broke up with Dean last weekend." Rory said out of nowhere. She didn't know why she said that. But she knew that both in their own way felt for something, more than lust...but not quite love.
"Why are you telling me this?" Tristan asked. Hopeful at the same time. His dream seemed to be coming true.
"I don't...I don't know. I think I fell out of love with Dean. We haven't seen eachother in 5 years, Tristan. I'm surprise it did last that long." Rory said truthfully. She knew in her heart, one of the reasons for the lack of phoning and visiting on her part was that, she didn't love Dean as much. If she did, she would have accepted his proposal at graduation night. She cared deeply for Tristan, and for a long time.
Then it hit Tristan. Rory liked him. He could see her affection towards him in her eyes, the same reflection as it was in his eyes. So he did what any guy would. He bent his head and kissed her.
They kissed, an innocent kiss that meant so much more than any other kiss. "Rory..." Tristan sighed. One of Rory's arm fell to the side and Tristan immediately left one had off Rory's back and intwined his hand with hers. When they came up for air, they just smiled. They kept on holding one hand together. The other hand was at Tristan's neck, and Tristan's other hand on Rory's waist. Rory leaned her head on Tristan's shoulder and sighed in contentment.
They swayed to their tune and smiled. Their feelings were opened to each other. Tristan had to know something. He opened his mouth and quietly whispered in Rory's ear,
"Since when?" He was meaning since when did she fall for him as he fell.
Without moving her head, they swayed she said, "I think for years..."
"I'm glad. Thank you." Both knew the meanings what the other was saying. For they knew each other for so long, their meanings not clear to others...but clear to them. They smiled both enjoying their new found affections.
TBC (I know it seems to be the end..there is more to it..)