A/N: Chapter Sixteen! Still the wedding day…

Wow. This thing's almost 3,000 words, plus it's nine pages. My longest chapter yet. I wanted to include a lot. :)

Alexis asked if Dean was going to be a possible boyfriend or whatever. I'd have to say no. I really only needed him for that chapter, and I'm not planning on having him in any more of the story. But there's always the possibility that I might need him for some reason. You really don't know till you're done that you're positively not going to do something. So that's my answer. Probably not, but I don't know. There's always possibilities.

Oh, and it's vacation time!! Meaning that I have tons of time to write, meaning that you guys get more (and longer) chapters…

Thanks for all the reviews! I've got over 260… :) You guys are awesome!!!!!

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: R/T, R/J

Disclaimer: I do not own "Gilmore Girls." That is owned by Amy Sherman-Palladino and the WB. I do, however, own most of this storyline (some was taken from previous episodes), so steal that and I will haunt you for the rest of your life.

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Rory lay back in the bed. She was going to do it. She was going to call them. Who first? She groaned. Grandma was going to be bad because of the whole engagement gone to waste, the possible connection with the DuGreys, the whole expense of the wedding, and just overall disappointment. But Tristan. She had almost literally left him at the altar. Sure, she was going to call him now, but it was only three hours before the wedding. She hadn't even given him 24-hour notice. She groaned again.

"Wow," Lorelai interrupted her thoughts. She walked in the hotel room. "You just groaned twice in two minutes. Must be bad."

"Very funny. You know very well that I have to call him."

"Yeah, I know sweets. But I'd have thought you'd already thought about it."

"Well, I didn't really think that much," she paused as Lorelai sat down on the bed, then asked, "Where's Tricia?"

"Oh, some guy on a motorcycle came and picked her up. Said she'd be back … uh, actually he didn't say."

"Mom…" Rory groaned.

"Fine, fine. She's talking with the owner of the hotel. Nice woman. Apparently has a large collection of books. I left after they started arguing about … Helium? Hemins?"

Rory laughed. "Hemingway. He's just about my favorite author. You know, I used to hate him, till Jess put notes in the margins. Then it got more likable, and eventually I loved it."

Lorelai eyed her daughter. "Is it because of Jess?"

"Is what because of Jess?" Rory frowned.

"Is that why you decided not to go through with the wedding?"

"No! He actually encouraged it. Or, at least he did last night. Or, maybe it was this morning…"

"What? When did you talk to him?" Lorelai frowned.

"I was having doubts last night, and I couldn't sleep. So I went over to the diner, pounded on the door till he opened up. We talked."

"You went to Jess when I was just down the hall?" Lorelai queried, confused.

"Well, I was afraid of walking in on something between you and Luke."

"Hon, you know very well that we're old. We don't DO anything after ten." Lorelai laughed. Frowning, she said, "But you went to Jess. Not me. Not Lane, who was at the Inn. Jess. You went to Jess. Of all people …" Lorelai finished with a little smile on her face. "Of all people, you chose Jess."

"Mom, I don't see the significance of this. So I went to Jess. He's like, my best friend."

Lorelai shook her head, looking at her daughter sympathetically. "I can't believe it. I really can't believe it…" she trailed off. Taking one last glance at her daughter, she stood and left the room.

What on earth was her mother getting at? So she'd talked to Jess. What was so big about that? Jess was her friend. But then again, what she'd said made sense. She knew that Luke and Lorelai were almost always asleep by eleven at the very latest, since in their 'old age' they needed more sleep. Lane was actually in town. She wasn't that far away at all. So why had she gone to Jess? He'd mentioned something about needing to go talk to Lorelai, but she hadn't given it much thought.

Okay. So she'd chosen Jess above all people. Even her mother. And that made her frown, because her mother was her best friend. They were closer than sisters, and definitely closer than normal mothers and daughters. So what did that mean? Why had she chosen Jess? The only time she'd ever heard of women choosing someone over their family (and her mother was her family) was for a man they loved.

Wait. Did she just say love? She didn't love Jess. No. She didn't. She couldn't. She loved Tristan. Tristan!

Didn't she?

Rory groaned. "This is just what I need…"

She couldn't love Jess. Why would she love Jess? And if she loved Jess, then why had she said yes to Tristan? She thought back to that day by the bridge…

"Rory?" It was Tristan "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," she said quietly. She wasn't really listening though, just staring across the water, not looking at the man who stood next to her.

Tristan laughed nervously. "You know, this would be easier if you were standing." Rory was confused, but stood anyway. Tristan got down on one knee and pulled out the box he had been fiddling with. Rory's eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do. "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, will you do me the tremendous honor of becoming my wife?"

So many emotions flew through her brain. Joy, happiness, shock, amazement, and even a little bit of fear. She was overjoyed that he'd asked, since she thought that they'd really been getting somewhere with their relationship. But she was a little shocked at the same time, because she thought it was a little soon. Also, this was her mother's wedding. What was he doing proposing at her mother's wedding? She was happy, though, despite that. Tristan, the man she loved, had proposed. He was the father of her daughter. And if she said yes, he could be that father in the fullest sense of the word. He could be there for Tricia like he hadn't been before. And that really was the deciding factor.

Rory sighed. That was it. That was why. Tricia. She remembered now, how much she'd thought that day about Tricia needing a real father figure. That was it. Well, maybe not all of it. She was sure she loved Tristan. But then again … maybe it was like what she'd thought about the night before. Maybe it was the memory of Tristan, and the fact that he was Tricia's father. That really created a bond between people. Parenting a child.

Rory snorted. Yeah, like Tristan had actually done any parenting beyond the initial creation. Rory almost gasped. Was that how she viewed it? Was she mad that Tristan had skipped town when she'd said no the second time? Well, of course she was. Who wouldn't be? But maybe it wasn't that he'd skipped town, but also that even before he'd left, he hadn't really done anything. He'd just … been there.

He'd never baby-sitted while she was taking summer courses. He never took summer courses at his college. He didn't care what his counselor said. And those courses had been the first ones she'd taken after the birth. Tristan had come down for almost the entire summer. He'd never helped. Jess had baby-sat that summer. Luke had baby-sat that summer. Lorelai had baby-sat that summer. Geez, even Miss Patty had, though Rory still questioned why. She hadn't even had to ask. She'd just say, "I've got classes," and everyone would volunteer. Except Tristan. Sure, he might stay around, but he never took any real responsibility.

Was that it? Did she resent him for not taking responsibility? And if that, then why had she ever said yes? Why had she ever thought she loved him? And if she was right about loving Jess, well, that was another reason. Why had she thought she loved Tristan when in reality she loved Jess? Why hadn't she explored these feelings before?! Why now, when the wedding was going to start in – Oh God, two hours.

Rory picked up the phone like it was a snake – and she didn't like snakes – and dialed the number at the Inn. She was going to call Tristan first.

"Independence Inn, Michel speaking."

"Hey, Michel," Rory attempted cheerfulness.

"Ah, Rory. And to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Michel drawled.

"Could you transfer me to room 208?"

"Of course…"

The phone began ringing again, and Rory's heartbeat increased ten-fold.

"Hello?" It was Jack, Tristan's best man.

"Jack?"

"Rory? What are you calling for?" Jack sounded bewildered, but also like he had a smile on his face.

"Umm, can I talk to Tristan?" Rory's heart was beating erratically.

"Yeah, sure." There was a muffled noise that sounded like Tristan's name.

"Rory?" Tristan was on.

"Yeah. I – I need to tell you something." Rory's eyes were wet. She was crying.

"Rory, what is it?" Tristan sounded worried. And Rory knew he had a right to be.

"I…" Oh, God. How do you tell a guy you don't love him? How do you tell a guy you're supposed to be marrying in two hours … that you're not?

"Rory?"

"I'm not marrying you," she choked out.

"What? What did you just say?"

"I said," Rory's voice stabilized more with each word she voiced, "That I'm not marrying you today. I've already called Lane. She's going to tell everyone in Stars Hollow. I'm calling my grandmother next."

"Rory, you can't do this to me. Do you have any idea what it's like to be left at the altar? Do you have any idea? You don't just do something like that. Not to me."

"Oh, so it's about you now? Well what about me? What if I don't want to marry you? What if I realized at a very early time this morning that I don't love you?!"

There was silence for a few seconds before Tristan responded. "If you realized that at a very early time this morning, then why didn't you call me earlier?" He sounded remarkably calm.

"Well…I'm kind of in … well, actually, I don't know where I am. I just started driving. We drove for five hours, and I think it was west, so … well, I really don't know where we are."

"We?"

"I pulled Tricia and my mom with me."

Tristan sighed. "Look, Rory…as long as…you're sure. Just remember, that this is the last time. I'm not asking again. In fact, I'll probably be gone before you get back. And I don't think I'll return."

"I understand that, Tristan. And believe me when I say I am so, incredibly sorry." Rory's eyes were still teary as she said her final good-bye to her second love.

***

The phone was ringing. And ringing.

"Gilmore residence." It wasn't Emily.

"Hello, is Emily Gilmore there?" Rory asked.

"No, I'm afraid she left a few hours ago. May I please take a message?"

"Oh, no, that's okay." Rory hung up quickly. She should have known. Of course she would have gone to Stars Hollow early, to make sure everything was ready. Stupid, Rory berated herself. She quickly dialed the Independence Inn again.

"Independence Inn, Michel speaking."

"Hey, Michel. It's me again. Is my grandmother there?"

"The lovely Emily Gilmore? Ah, yes. Would you like to speak with her?"

"Yeah, could you put her on?"

"Of course."

A few seconds later, Rory heard her grandmother's voice. "Emily Gilmore speaking."

"Grandma?"

"Rory? Where are you? And where is your mother? She was supposed to be here an hour ago!" Emily sounded agitated.

"Grandma, I've got some really bad news."

"Well, what is it Rory?"

"There's not going to be a wedding," she blurted out.

"What?"

"I said—"

"I heard what you said. Why is there not going to be a wedding?"

"I don't love Tristan."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so…"

"So, what. There's not going to be a wedding. Of course there's not going to be a wedding."

"I'm so sorry Grandma…"

"I just want to know why."

"I told you why. I don't love Tristan."

"Well if you didn't love Tristan, then why did you say yes in the first place?"

"Because I thought I did."

"Well you should have known! Do you have any idea how much this cost? And not just the cost – we thought our granddaughter was getting married. We thought that our great-granddaughter would finally have a father. But nooo – you change your mind right before the ceremony."

"Grandma," Rory interrupted her, "I'm sorry. I mean it. I know how much this all meant to you, and I'm sorry. But you have to understand that I thought I loved him! But then I woke up this morning and I realized that I hadn't touched my wedding dress in two weeks."

Emily quieted at that. They all knew the importance of the 'wedding dress try-ons.' It would probably become tradition, now that two Gilmores had left men at the altar because of them. "Well, Rory, as much as I am disappointed in you, I understand. I'll just go tell everyone to stop getting ready…"

"I'm really sorry Grandma—" Rory started again, but Emily had already hung up.

***

Rory fell back on the bed and closed her eyes. She'd done it. She'd made both calls. She was done.

"Mom…" Tricia trailed off, pausing in the doorway of the small hotel room. Rory opened one eye and looked at her daughter.

"Hey, hon," she said, attempting cheerfulness. Tricia looked troubled. "What is it?"

"Mom, what are we doing here? Why aren't we at the wedding? Oh, and where is here?"

Rory would have laughed at the last question if her eyes hadn't watered at the second. She sat up and, biting back her tears, she attempted to console her daughter. "Tricia, please come over here." She tried to smile, patting the mattress beside her.

Tricia's eyes narrowed, and she walked over to the bed and sat down anyway. Before Rory could say anything, Tricia spoke. "Mom, please don't pull any crap on me. I'm old enough to know the truth, whatever it may be."

Rory tilted her head an eyes her daughter thoughtfully. She really was getting older. She wasn't a tiny little baby anymore. And she was older than she looked. Older than she was, really. Rory sighed. She deserved a real answer. "It's really complicated."

"Try me," Tricia stated, crossing her arms.

Rory sighed and fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Well, to understand everything that's going on now and in my poor mind, I'm going to have to tell you about all of mommy's past boyfriends."

Tricia giggled. One side of Rory's mouth lifted slightly. She might be intellectually old, but she was still a kid.

Rory continued. "Okay, then. I'll try to keep this as short as possible, but it gets complicated. Well, Tristan – your dad – and I met in sophomore year in high school…."

***

Lorelai walked towards the hotel room with coffee. Nowhere near as good as Luke's (okay, so maybe she'd snuck a sip or two), but it was coffee, and Gilmores needed coffee. Especially since they hadn't had any today. Lorelai shuddered. Blasphemy. As she neared the room, she noticed that Rory was talking animatedly, which she hadn't done AT ALL in the past however-many hours since Rory had woken her up. In fact, she'd been rather quiet.

Lorelai snuck up to the door, set the coffee down and put her ear up against the wood. The noise was muffled, and she scowled, glaring at the door. She leaned against the wall and slid down until she was sitting, and pulled out one of the coffees.

***

Rory yawned. "Geez. I've been up for eight hours and it's barely eleven." She laughed, "And I only got two hours of sleep before that."

Tricia sat up and leaned on one hand, looking down at her mother. "Thanks," she smiled. "Hey, mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Where's Grandma? Wasn't she getting coffee?"

"Oh, gosh. Yeah. Come on," Rory hopped up and headed to the door. She opened it and looked out into the hall.

"Hey, hon." Lorelai smiled at her daughter. Rory jumped.

"God, mom! You almost gave me a heart attack," Rory gasped, glaring at her mother.

"Good. Only seven hundred and fifty more before you catch up to me."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Where's the coffee?"

"Umm…"

Rory groaned and then both mother and daughter heard an almost-shriek from Tricia. "What?! Where's the coffee? I need coffee!"

Lorelai stood up and eyed her granddaughter. "Wow, she's good. Better than you," she said, looking at Rory.

Rory pouted. "I thought you said no one was better than me."

Lorelai grinned, "I lied."

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A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing chapter 15: Alexis, anonymousthinker, Catherine, des, destiny, dodgerluv, Genevah (thank you for all your thanks! I didn't know there were so many ways to say it…), girldevil, gohuskers8604, Jacks246, klm111a, Melissa Larkin, miss.pebbles, Phoebe1912, Pippin3791, Sarah V., starbelly, starshollow, Teea, Tiffany, Tricia, and the one anonymous reviewer.