On the other side of the door stood Paris.

"What are you doing here?" Rory asked, opening the door and letting her inside.

"I'm here for you." she said

"For me?"

"Yes, you've been working far too hard and are in need of some serious relaxation."

A moment later , Tristen joined them in the hallway. Rory turned to him.

"What's going on here?" She asked him

"You are taking a day off." He said, "No talk about work, the house or the wedding."

"And where exactly am I going?"

"That's a secret."

"It sounds great but I can't…there's just so much to do."

"Too bad you're not getting a choice." Paris said, taking her arm. "You are heading down the same path I am and if you don't relax you're gonna burn out."

"All right. I'll go."

"See you later." Tristen called, shutting the door.

Looking around the house, he began to work out a plan in his head. Checking his watch, he saw he had just enough time to get things done if he started now.

Rory looked out the window as Paris drove through downtown Hartford.

"So why are you really here Paris?"

"I'm here because you're my friend."

"So you can all the way from New York because of me?"

"I've read the emails Rory. Your taking on too much too fast." She said, "You need to learn how to slow down."

"I can't believe I am getting this lecture from you."

"Thank Jamie." She said, "He made me realize that there is a world out there and it should be enjoyed."

A moment later Paris pulled into a parking lot for the Hartford Mall. They opened the door and climbed out. Slowly they made their way inside, heading for Starbucks

After ordering their coffee, they found a table in back and sat down. Rory began stirring her coffee absently, staring out the window. Paris watched her for a moment before speaking.

"What's on your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

"Normally you inhale your coffee. You haven't even touched it yet?"

"I was thinking about…" she stopped not finishing her statement

"The wedding….I know. You can't help it Rory."

"Its just there's so much that still needs to be done."

"Rory, I've known Tristen my whole life and the last thing he wants is the big fancy wedding."

"How can you be so sure."

"8 years worth of cotillions, DAR balls and country club functions. You would have laughed if you saw him then."

"I can only imagine." Rory said with a smile.

She picked up her coffee cup and took a drink. Setting it back down, she said

"So I want to hear about you and Jamie. Things are going all right."

"He's great." Paris said, "He's always there when I've had a bad day. He knows how to make me laugh."

"Do I hear wedding bells in the future?"

"Well…we…kind of…already…are…"

"WHAT!!!"

"Remember last summer when he took me to Italy for our one year anniversary."

"Yeah."

"I don't know how to explain it. We passed this little church where they were having an outdoor weeding. Everything was just so beautiful. He proposed to me and we decided we didn't want to wait so we got married at the same church a week later."

"What did your parents say?"

"My mom hung up on me and my dad is too busy with is new family." She said, "It doesn't matter because Jamie and I are a family now and…I'm gonna have a baby."

"You're pregnant. Paris that's so great. We have to go shopping."

"Rory its too early." She said, "I just found out 2 weeks ago."

"But you live in New York and I don't see you. So you have to let me get you something."

"All right."

They finished their coffee and stood up. They cleaned up their table and headed into the mall. After mostly window shopping, Rory spotted a bookstore. She pointed to it and said

"Let's go in there."

Paris looked at the store and said

"I'll meet you over there. I forgot I have to call Jamie about something."

"All right."

Rory took off for the store. She walked around, looking at everything. Finally she found a section in the back with books for children. She picked up a few story books and headed for the register. After paying for them, she headed outside to find Paris waiting for her.

"So how's Jamie?"

"He's fine. He said to tell you hi."

Rory handed her the bag.

"These are for the baby."

Paris opened the bag and smiled.

"Thank you Rory. These are great."

They started walking again, stopping in different stores. After a while, they stopped for a quick bite, then continued shopping. When they were loaded down with bags, they made their way to the car. Paris looked at her watch.

"Do you believe its already 7:00"

"It can't be…it seems like we just got here."

"And I hate to do this but I have an early flight back to New York."

"All right." She said, "I'm getting kind of tired too."

They loaded their bags into the car and headed for Rory and Tristen's. As they pulled up in front of the house, Rory saw that the house was dark.

"Tristen must have gone out." She said

"Maybe he got hungry." Paris said, opening her door.

"Maybe." Rory said, opening her door.

They climbed out of the car and walked around to the back of the car. Paris opened the trunk and they pulled out Rory's bags, setting them on the ground. After a quick hug, Rory said

"Call me when you get home."

"I will." She said, "Jamie wanted me to ask if you and Tristen would want to be the baby's godparents."

"We'd be honored."

Rory picked up her bags and headed up the sidewalk. She turned, waiting until Paris drove away before unlocking the door and heading inside. Setting the bags next to the door, she looked up to see several candles lining the stairs. Sitting on the banister was a piece of paper with her name on it. Picking up the paper, she unfolded it and read

Go upstairs to the bedroom

Slowly Rory made her way up the stairs to the bedroom. Opening the door, she found the entire room filled with candles. On the bed was another note. Slowly she made her way to the bed. Picking up the card, she unfolded it and read:

Go into the bathroom.

She set the card down and walked over to the bathroom door. Pushing it open, she found this room was also filled with candles. The bathtub was filled and she could smell the lavender scented bath oil she used in the air.

On the counter was a box with a bow. She walked over to the counter and opened the box. Inside she found a pair of spaghetti strap silky tank top and pair of matching bottoms. Under them was another note. Unfolding it, she read:

Relax, enjoy your evening and remember I love you.

Rory set the card down and turned to the bath. She slowly began to pull off her clothes, putting them in the hamper. Picking up a hair tie, she pulled her hair into a messy bun. She walked over to the tub and stuck her foot in the water, testing it.

Slowly she stepped into the tub and sat down. The warm water felt good, immediately starting to relax her. She slid down until the water touched her chin. After a few minutes, she felt her eyes begin to close.

"Rory?" a voice whispered

Her eyes opened slowly and she saw Tristen sitting on the edge of the tub.

"Hey sleeping beauty."

"What time is it?" she asked

"Almost 9:00."

"I guess I fell asleep."

"Its all right." He said, "Now get dressed, I have one last surprise for you."

He stood up, helping her stand. As she wrapped the towel around herself, he could not help but stare at her body. She stepped out of the tub and over to the counter. Tristen walked into the bedroom, closing the door. Rory pulled the pajamas out of the box and slipped them on.

She walked into the bedroom to find Tristen sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Lie down on your stomach."

Slowly she laid down as he took a seat next to her on the bed.

"Have you ever had a massage before?" he asked.

"No."

"Well, the idea is for you to relax and enjoy it,"

A moment later, she could smell the faint aroma of roses. Looking over her shoulder, she watched as he poured a small amount of oil into his hands and rubbed them together.

Slowly he began to work the oil into her skin with long, smooth strokes. His touch was firm and assured but, at the same time, incredibly gentle. Slowly he lowered the straps on her tank top and went to work on her shoulders.

"How ya feelin'?" Tristen asked after several minutes of silence.

Rory let out a sound halfway between a purr and a moan in reply.

"That's good; shows that you really are letting yourself go and relaxing."

He moved down towards her back. Slowly he lifted her tank top up and over her head. He slid down the bed as his hands went to work on her back. His touch soon became featherlight, just the tips of his fingers on her back, until her breathing evened out. Moving up, he saw that her eyes were closed. Carefully he got up, so not to disturb her. Picking up a blanket from the floor, he draped it lightly over her. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead.

"Good night Rory." He whispered

Turning, he slowly walked out of the room and headed downstairs. Walking into the living room, he sat down on the couch and flipped on the television. Stretching out on the couch, he pulled a blanket down from the back of the couch. After a few minutes, his eyes began to close.