Author: Sunday Rain

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Second season.

Disclaimer: Don't own em.

Summary: Rory has to deal with her past, while Tristan has to deal with the present.

Better Days

Chapter 11: Apologies for the Past

Tristan glanced at Mary. She had been quiet the whole time that he had told her the story of Regina and him, how they met, how the broke up. He didn't know whether it was appropriate for a girl her age, but he knew that this little girl had already had to go through much more than a five-year-old had too. She was growing up but it hurt him to know the reason for it.

"Honey, I just want you to know," Tristan said, gathering her in his arms and hugging her as tight as he could, "That whatever happened between your mother and I had nothing to do with you. You will always be the most important thing in my heart." It was true, she was. She was the first thing that he thought about every morning and his last thought at night.

"I know daddy," Mary said. "I just want to meet her. Does she love me?" She looked at the photo she was clutching in her hand, a six-year-old photo of her father and the mother she had never met.

Tristan didn't know what to say, but he knew his duty as a father. "I wish you could meet her too, sweetheart, but your mom and I, well, we don't really like each other very much, so we haven't talked in a very long time. I'm sure though, if she found out what a beautiful girl you turned out to be, how smart, how funny and how lovely you are, she would want to see you too. I'm sure deep down in her heart, she loves you very much." Mary looked up at him, and he could see she was almost close to crying. "Darling, I'm sorry for everything. Your mother hates me, not you. Please remember that. I'm sorry that this had to happen. I'm sorry that I can't say anything better but I have to tell the truth. Remember sweetheart, our promise?"

Mary nodded, "That we'd always tell the truth?"

"That's my girl. Yes, we'd always tell the truth, so I'm telling you the truth. I don't want you to be hurt, but maybe you will understand when you're older."

"Daddy, can you do something?"

"Anything sweetheart," Tristan replied.

"Will you—will you find mommy for me?"

"Oh…okay, I promise I will try to find your mommy, okay?" He said. He knew he had work cut out for him. But he saw his daughter's eyes light up again and retain their usual sparkle, and he knew it would be worth it.

The doorbell rang. "Rory!" Mary squealed. She jumped off her father's lap and ran on her little legs to the door. Tristan laughed. She may be a mature little girl, but she was still a five-year-old. This time though, he decided that her short attention span was an advantage.

He sighed and stood up, looking at the photo that was left on the chair. He picked it up and looked at it. Where are you?

Placing it down on the table, he went off to temporarily forget about his problems.