Rory's eyes opened and she found herself lying face down on the bed. Pushing herself up, she picked up the tank top that was lying beside her and slipped it on. Sliding off the bed, she grabbed her robe and pulled it on. She walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs, heading for the living room.
When Rory entered the room, she saw Tristen lying half on, half off the couch with a blanket wrapped around his middle. Rory walked over to him, kneeling beside the couch.
"Tristen?" she whispered
He stirred but his eyes did not open. She leaned forward, kissing him softly. As she pulled back, his eyes opened slowly.
"I think I could handle being woke up that way more often."
"Well we will just have to see what we can do about that?"
He sat up slowly, sliding over to make room for her. Rory sat next to him and he wrapped the blanket around both of them. Rory rested her head against his shoulder.
"So why were you sleeping down here?"
"You looked so peaceful." He said, "I couldn't wake you."
"You couldn't have been comfortable here."
"I was all right." He said, "Did you have fun with Paris today?"
"It was great." She said, then remembered what they talked about, "She and Jamie got married."
"When?"
"Last summer in Italy. She told me this afternoon." Rory said, "And she's pregnant."
"Who would have thought Paris Geller would be so spontaneous."
"Love makes you do crazy things sometimes."
Tristen took a deep breath. After a moment, he said
"I don't want a big wedding."
Rory turned so she was looking up at him.
"What?"
"I don't want a big wedding."
"But what about the plans."
"Rory what would you do if I said let's get married tomorrow."
"I would say you are insane."
"But would you do it?"
She thought for a moment.
"Yes."
"Then lets do it." He said, "We can go to the courthouse, get a license and a judge can marry us."
"We can't Tristen."
"Give me one reason why we can't."
"Your grandfather, my mother, Luke" she started rattling off a list of people
"Rory our families have nothing to do with us getting married. Our wedding is about us."
"But we have all the plans for the wedding in June."
"We can still have the wedding in June." He said, "But I don't want to wait that long to make you my wife. Please say you will marry me tomorrow."
"All right." She whispered, "Let's do it."
Tristen leaned forward, kissing her. Slowly he pushed her, until she was lying on the couch. The closeness of their bodies aroused him, making him feel desire that he wanted to postpone until later but it was happening now, and he was certain Rory could feel it too.
They kissed again and again until both were breathless. Tristen pulled back from her and looked into her eyes, which were more beautiful than he had ever seen them. Leaning forward, his lips took hers again, slowly this time, taking his time tasting her.
Rory hands encircled his neck, holding him close. Finally Tristen pulled back and looked into her eyes, smiling. He raised himself from her slightly, and his body began to pull away.
"Let's go upstairs." He whispered hoarsely
She nodded, not able to speak. Tristen raised himself up and off the couch. Holding out his hand, he pulled her to her feet. Slowly they made their way upstairs and into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.