When he had the preparation all done and packed into the car, he got ready. He took a shower, shaved and done his hair. He chose to wear slightly baggy jeans and a hooded sweater. He sprayed a bit of Georgio A. He got out of the house to go to pick up Rory. He was nervous and excited at the same time. A ring like that, symbolized official commitment, even though Rory had his heart from the beginning.
Rory asked Lorelai to help. She wanted to look extra special for tonight, and who else knew better than to do that? Lorelai of course! Her mom helped Rory with her hair by taking the top half of her hair twisted up with curls coming down slightly. Her bottom half of the hair was slightly curled. Rory did her make up to the minimal. She swept sparkling gold on her lips with a slight pinky colour blush. She glossed her lips with a bit of a red tone gloss. Rory decided to wear a three-quater turtle neck sweater in the colour of red. She borrowed Lorelai's skirt that was pink and red strips. She wore calf length boots to match. Rory and Lorelai looked into the mirror and was at awe. Rory looked gorgeous.
"So mom, how do I look?" Rory asked nervously, "Do you think Tristan will like it?"
Lorelai gave a little laugh and quirked, "Are you kidding. That boy will drool! You look gorgeous, babe." Lorelai had little tears at the corner of her eyes. Although Rory wasn't dressed up to the extreme as she had when she went to the winter formal with Dean, there was a glow in her that wasn't from the blush. It was a glow of new love and excitement. Everything was a rose-coloured glass when you were in love. It was a different feeling that made you smile at oddest times. She went through that at Rory's age with Christopher.
"I have to leave now. Emily Gilmore does not wait for anyone. Don't worry, Tristan will love you whatever you wear. You know that. Have fun hun" Lorelai kissed her daughter's temple and walked out the room. I did I get so lucky to have a child like Rory?
Rory picked up her gift to Tristan from her vanity table. She was playing with the box at of nervousness. "I wonder if this gift is enough...?" Rory mumbled to herself. To get her mind of her anniversary date, Rory turned on the music and sat down to read her unfinished book, Jane Eyre.
"Ok, you're Tristan Dugray. You are about to take Rory Gilmore on a picnic for your 6th month anniversary. You will not be nervous. BREATHE. Inhale, exhale..." Tristan gave himself a little prep talk before ringing the Gilmore's residence.
"Here goes nothing."
*Ding Dong*
Rory was interrupted from her book when she heard the door bell. She knew it had to be Tristan. Oh crap, he's here. He's... she looked at the look clock, and sure enough, it was 6, right on the dote. ...on time! Ok, ok, Rory, don't be nervous. It's just Tristan. Yeah the Tristan who went out with several girls. The Tristan you fell for. The guy you've dated the longest of your life. *Ding Dong* Ok, he's waiting, Rory Gilmore. Go get your coat and open the door. Fear shook throughout Rory's body. She had to force her legs to move out of the bed and to the front door. She opened it wide open and saw Tristan's smile. A simple smile that made her knees to shake.
"Hey" Rory said quietly.
"Hey yourself, you look...beautiful" Tristan said. He leaned down to kiss her softly by the cheek. He meant it. He has seen girls who were termed pretty, gorgeous, sexy and wore more revealing clothes, more makeup, but no girl has even been able to compare to Rory's beauty. He's heart skipped a beat.
"Happy 6 month anniversary, Rory. This is for you." Tristan handed her 2 dozen baby breathes with white daisies.
"Thank you. They're beautiful. Let me go put them in a vase. Be back in a minute." Rory went into the kitchen to find an empty vase and added water with a sprinkle of sugar. She quickly arranged the bouquet of flowers and placed them on the kitchen table. She wore her coat and walk towards Tristan. She gave him a smile and said, "Let's go. ..So where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." He said simply, and took hold of her hand. He had this insatiable thirst for her - he always had to touch her somehow. Whether be holding her hand or his hand on her shoulder. He felt safer and calmer knowing that she was nearby.
He opened his Porsche door so Rory got in safely and closed it. He walked over and sat down in the drivers seat. "Rory, turn around. I don't want you to see anything as of yet." He brough his scarf that he used last winter. It still carried a sent of him of his cologne. It was Rory's favourite. He gently, but firmly wrapped the scarf over Rory's eyes. "Trust me" Tristan finished off.
Rory had a smile on her face, "I can feel you everywhere." Although Rory couldn't see anything, the smell of Tristan was surrounded her of a cocoon of safe and warmth.
Tristan turned on the engine and brought one of his hand and grabbed Rory's hand. He placed it to his lips and kissed her hand. He then interwined their hands and quietly drove to Rory's unknown destination. After 15 minutes, Rory spoke up, "Will there be any coffee?"
"I'm not telling you anything, missy. It's a surprise. Now, be quiet you!" He teased. After few more minutes they arrived at their destination. It was a placed with a large pond and several trees. He parked the car nearby. "Rory, wait a minute, ok. No peeking!" Tristan than ran out of the car to the trunk and took out some lanterns and citronella. He placed them in a square sequence illuminating light. He placed a blanket and the basket of dinner. He got the portable cd player and softly played some music. He went to the door where Rory was patiently sitting. He opened it and led her to the picnic spot. "Close you eyes. I'm going to take the scarf off, but open them when I tell you to, ok?"
Rory just nodded.
Tristan slowly took the scarf off and dropped it carelessly. "Ok, you can open your eyes now."
Rory opened them, and she was surprised. "Tristan...this...it's so beautiful. Thank you!" She turned around and hugged him. She cheek pressed against his cheek. Tristan took his finger under her chin and lifted her face to kiss her lips gently. It was as if the wind brushed against her lips. "You're welcome. Come on, let's eat." He held her hand and walked her to the blanket. He brought out the salad first. When Rory had the first bite of salad she said, this is the best salad I ever had!" Tristan just smiled. The dinner went on, with good food, dessert with coffee. They had aimless chatters that entertained them, all awhile the music playing softly around them. When Elton John's music, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Tristan stood up and said, "May I have this dance?" Rory gave him her hand and stood up. They stood outside of their square where the lights and blanket were to dance. Her hand around Tristan neck touching the base of his neck where fine hairs grew. His arm around her waist and his hand on her back, absently taking his thumb in a up and down motions. Their free hands cupped together pressed against Tristan's heart, beating steadily.
Rory spoke softly, "This night, has been perfect. Whatever happens to us, this is the night I will cherish forever. It's those moment in life that makes me feel so special."
"Everyday with you, is a moment for me. But whatever that makes you smile, makes me smile." Tristan replied. He kissed the crown of her head and hummed the music to Elton John's. Rory felt so safe within Tristan's arms and his hums. She relaxed and enjoyed the moment. When the song finished, Tristan and Rory was still swaying to their own beat of the music. Finally, Tristan was ready to give Rory the couple ring. He said, "I have your gift, Rory."
"You didn't have to. This dinner and...tonight was wonderful. Perfect. I have your gift as well."
Tristan led Rory back to the blanket and they both took out their gifts.
Rory cleared her throat, "I want you to open mine first. It's nothing really, but I hope..." she wasn't finished when Tristan opened the gift. There he was at awe. It was a wooden book that was carved, The Story of Tristan and Rory. He opened it and there was a photo of Rory and Tristan at homecoming dance, and the other side of Rory at the wedding. "It's beautiful. Thank you." Tristan said. He leaned over and kissed her. The gift so simple made his heart feel so warm with love. Rory thought of something to give to me, a part of her heart. Nothing on earth have I ever received such a gift with so much thought and time into it.
"Here's mine." Tristan handed her the box.
Rory turned it around couple time, shook it to guess what it was. "Rory, just open it!" Tristan was nervous to see her reaction to the rings.
She carefully undid the wrapping and saw a box that clearly had the word, Tiffany's, on it. She slightly frowned, since already with a gift from Tiffany's was expensive. She didn't want her affections to be bought like every other girl. "Tristan..."
"Shh, trust me, I wanted to. I never, ever bought anything from them to give to a girlfriend. Please open it." He begged.
Without a word, she opened it. There was a ring with small diamonds sparkling brightly. "Tristan...it's beautiful." She took the ring and looked inside, and there was an inscription, You are my breath - Tristan.
She looked up with tears in her eyes, "Thank you."
"Don't cry, Rory. It's a couples ring. One is yours, and the other is mine." Rory turned her attention to Tristan ring which had an engraving on the top, Rory. She slipped her ring on and Tristan slipped his on.
"I..." Before Rory could start to say anything, Tristan silenced her with a heart-wrenching kiss.
