Pairing: Tristan and Rory
Author's Note: Tristan never did become friends with the Duncan group or been sent away from Chilton. This is an alternate universe, and don't expect perfect grammatical essay or realistic happenings.
Summary: Tristan became a well-known bachelor in New York, CEO of his own firm, Dugray Corp. The story of how and when he fell in love with Rory Gilmore. Talking about his pain to 20/20 anchor, Barbara Walters, for the first time in ten years.
"Today is the death of your wife, ten years ago. You have kept your personal life very private, even with the paparazzi hounding you. The only pictures they were about to get of you were of you and your children, Shane and Mary." Barbara stated matter of factly.
"Well, yes. I am a busy man, but my children comes first. Rory would have wanted that our children are well-taken care of." He voiced turned one notch husky, adding to his sex appeal.
"Well yes, Dugray Corporations would not be this sucessful without you working hard. But, you are still young, mid-thirties, and yet, we do not see you with dates. Are you taking your dates to romantic, private locations?" teased Barbara.
"I don't date." Tristan bluntly interrupted. How dare this woman talk about dating other woman when he was still deeply in love with Rory. His mother-in-law, Lorelai, asked him to date other woman, and find someone to spend his life with. She told him, it will be very lonely if he continued his life the way he was going. She never failed to mentioned that Rory would have wanted him to. But he didn't want to. Couldn't they see that he still loved Rory?!
"...sorry, it's just that, it seemed impossible for a good-looking, young man, not to date." Barbara apologized.
Barbara Walters had noticed how hard this interview was for Tristan Dugray. A man who had fell in love with a girl since high school, who had tragically died shortly after their marriage. The press loved their fairy-tale love. They found it appealing, that people in the upper crest society would find true love, a marriage based on mutual respect, trust, and most importantly, undying love.
After the death of Lorelai Gilmore the Second Dugray, Tristan Dugray was treated for depression. His children had watched their mother die, and their father wilting away from the heartache that throbbed with each passing second of his wife's death. He had failed for the first few months to barely eat, talk or sleep. He had neglected his own children, and just immersed in his own grief. Lorelai came in and helped him out, finding a care-taker for her grandchildren, and making sure that Tristan got a sharp reality check. She slapped him, forced him to take a cold shower and lectured him on neglecting his own children - his and Rory's. She told him, no amount of crying and grieving would bring her back. Rory was dead, and nothing would change that fact.
"Sorry, it's just that, it is still hard after all these years."
"I am very sorry for your loss. Even with beautiful, wealthy girls thrown on your path, you do not seek to find another wife? A wife and a mother for you and your children?" She asked. The show must go on. Barbara felt sorry and compassion for this young man, but the show demanded that she ask personal questions, no matter how hard they were.
"My children are doing fine without a mother. Yes, it would be easier with a wife, to help my children grow to become mature adults, especially Mary, who is twelve, needs a mother; however, they need a mother who would love them, like my Rory does. I need a wife I can love with all my heart as I do with Rory. Until then, no amount of debutantes thrown my way will ever have my heart." Tristan was frank. This would be the last interview based on his personal life. Let the media have it now, truthfully, and to never hound him again.
"We'll be back after these commercials." Barbara concluded. She walked off the platform quietly, leaving Tristan to his own grief. From the audience, his two children walked down and comforted their father.
"Daddy." Mary said, and climbed onto her father's lap. No matter her age, she depended on her father deeply. She could sense how much this was killing her father.
Shane walked towards his father. He heard stories from Grandma Lorelai, how much his parents loved each other. But he was thirteen. No self respecting teenager, a grown boy would meekly like a three-year-old, climb to their father's lap. He stood by his father, watching. He vaguely remembered their mother. She had died when they were too young. But with photos all around the house, it was hard to forget as well. His father didn't dare that anyone forget their mother, his wife.
"Sweetie. You are the splitting image of your mother." Tristan said. His heart contracted. The name, the eyes and hair from his daughter resembled too much of Rory. During the first few months, Tristan had a hard time to look at his own daughter. Too much rushed emotions. Now, all he did was hold her tightly and let old memories ensue his mind. Tristan pushed aside the hair over her face, closed his eyes and kissed her temple, as he once done to his dying wife.
"I love you both, and so proud of you." Tristan told his two children. His love children with Rory.
"I love you too, Daddy." Mary dutifully replied with a sad smile. Her brother, went and hugged his father, with the shock appearant on his face. Shane rarely showed emotions.
Further away from the set, a paparazzi saw this scene and snapped, capturing the moment of togetherness brought by pain.
TBC. Thanks to all those with positive comments. I hope this chapter meets your previous expectations. As another reminder, no negative reviews please. If you don't like it, don't read it, don't comment on it. As always, do not expect perfect grammar, because I don't have grammar check on my old computer, and this is just a thought bubbling in my head, and I just decided to write it out the best I thought of. There will be few more chapters I believe, depends on...any suggestions please email me! sugarbubblez@hotmail.com PEACE.