Disclaimers: I don't own anything except for Hope, Faith and Dustin.

Special thanks to Jayde who takes the time to help me improve!

This chapter is dedicated to my regular reviewers.  Today is my birthday and this chapter is my gift to you.

Memories

Chapter 12: The unveiling

Tristan wakes up in the early hours of the morning, looking at the clock, he knows he still have five hours before his big surprise to Rory.  Going back to sleep, he holds Rory tight against him and drifts away.

Rory wakes up as the sun starts to rise.  She delicately unwraps herself from Tristan's embrace and go inside the bathroom to ease the pressure in her belly.

Tristan wakes up by the loss of warmth in his arms but keeps his eyes closed as he waits for Rory's return.

Rory slides back under the covers and tries to get the warmth she felt earlier back without waking Tristan up.  She feels Tristan's mouth against the back of her neck; she turns around and hugs Tristan while whispering, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to wake you up."

 Kissing her tenderly, Tristan answers, "You didn't, it's time for your Christmas gift."

"Which is?"

"My love."

Rory is sipping her coffee still in her pajamas while watching over Leila who is crawling around the kitchen.  Tristan enters the kitchen after a shower still wearing his night outfit.  Tristan pours a cup of coffee before he rejoins Rory at the table.  They smile at each other without saying anything.  They just can't comment on what has happened earlier.  The kitchen's door opens at the same time at the front one.  Rory looks at the newcomer while Tristan has a satisfied smirk covering his features.

"Lane?  What are you doing here?  It's seven in the morning!"

"I was invited!"  A boy follows Lane and Rory can't remember where she's seen him before when Lane speaks again,"Rory, you must remember Henry?  We met when we went to that Chilton party together!"

"You know I really liked her."

"She's an idiot."

"So is he."

"You're odd."

"Thank you."

"Oh man."  Turning around to face her, Tristan slowly closes his face to Rory's and kisses her softly.  Suddenly, Rory gets up, tears in her eyes, trying to escape.

"I'm sorry; did I bit your lip or something?"

 Rory walking backward to the door says over her shoulder, "It's not you!"

Rory looks at Tristan with a small smile as she says, "I remember him, how can't I?  I was the one he called so he could talk to you Lane!"  Lane lets little chuckles out of before she is ready to answer but is interrupted by Faith, Hope and Dustin.  That is when Rory realizes that everybody is still wearing their pajamas.  The kitchen door opens once more to let in Jess and Paris.

Rory asks, "What are you all doing here at seven?"

Paris takes a bowl, fills it with water, and puts it in the microwave before she replies, "We were all invited Rory.  We were invited for Leila's first Christmas."

Luke comes in with many 'Luke's' take-out bags and says, "I bought pancakes for everybody!"  Lowering a bit to kiss Rory's cheek, he whispers, "It's good to have you back."

Everybody is ready to exchange gift in the living room but nobody moves and Rory asks, "Can I start giving gifts?"

Tristan takes her hand and says, "We're still waiting for more guests before we start that.  Just wait"

At that moment Faith, Hope and Dustin come through the door, their arms loaded with gifts.  Merry Christmas's were exchanged and Faith was already starting to play with Leila.  Dustin pilled the gifts under the trees when the doorbell is heard.  Tristan gets up to open the door to Emily and Richard.  Tristan takes their coats and Rory retains a laugh when she sees her grandfather dressed in his silky royal blue pajamas.  That is only when she realizes that everybody is wearing their sleepwear. 

"Mom!  I know its Christmas morning but do we have to eat breakfast in our PJ's?"

"Come one Rory!  Live a little!  I think that no one should get dress at all for Christmas!"

"But mom!  The kids are going to laugh at my Winnie the Pooh outfit!  I don't mind not getting dressed as long as we stay home!"

"Rory!  You are ten, grow up!  We can't hide inside the house all day!  We have to celebrate!"

With tears threatening to fall she stands up and walks over to Tristan whispering, "I can't believe you remembered!  I think this will be one of my best Christmas's ever!"

They are all sitting in the living room once the presentations are done and Rory asks Tristan in a sweet voice, "Are we expecting anyone else darling?"

"No, everyone is there!"  Rory gets up and takes a gift from under the tree, gives it to Tristan without saying anything.  Touching the gift, Tristan is opening the card slowly and reads:

          To the love of my life,

          This is an apology, for the wonderful moments I kept you away

          from.  I know it can't give you back what I took away from you

          but I hope in time you'll be able to forgive me. 

          I want you to know that I love you with all my heart and you're

          one of the reasons that made me come back, come back to you.

          What I really want to say is that I'm not saying yes yet, but it's

          definitely not a no.

          Your Mary forever..

          By the way, a second part of your gift is in me.

Tristan looks at Rory with a confused smile when the doorbell is heard again.  Rory gets up to open the door.  Mr. DuGrey and Mrs. DuGrey.  She smiles and lets them in.  Taking their coats away, she holds a laugh when she sees Mr DuGrey in his best night outfit.  Motioning them to follow in the living room, Mrs. DuGrey walks up to Tristan and says:

"Tristan, what a great pleasure to see you!  Have a Merry Christmas my son!"

Standing up still holding his unwrapped gift, Tristan kisses her and says coldly, "Mother, what a surprise! I would have invited you if I would have known you'd make an exception and be in the same country this year!"

Mrs. DuGrey gives him a warning look and replies, "Oh dear!  I wanted to surprise you!  And why aren't you dressed yet?"

  Sitting down again, Tristan motions to his mom while he speaks, "Looks around mom!"

Mrs. DuGrey looks around with a horrified look but when she sees Emily and Richard, she takes a sit beside them and exclaims, "Emily! What a wonderful surprise to see you here!" 

Emily tries to hide a disgusted look as she answers, "Clarisse, it's always a pleasure to see you!  But you shouldn't be surprised; after all it's my granddaughter's house!"

Before Clarisse can answer, Leila crawls up to Tristan and raises her arms to be taking.  She opens her mouth and says, "Dada!  Dada…"  Tristan takes her in his arms and she rests her head on his shoulder.

Clarisse DuGrey is looking at that scene and screams, "Tristan!  What does that mean?!  I want an explanation right away!"

Tristan looks at his mom and says with his strongest voice but it's somehow very soft, "Mother, this is my daughter, Leila.  If you would have been reachable in the last month I could have spared you the surprise.  Now, you weren't, so don't ruin everybody's Christmas, please.  Let's say it's your gift this year!  You being a grandmother!"

Clarisse DuGrey is stunned.  Her mouth opens and closes but no sound comes out of it.   

William DuGrey walks around greeting and giving well wishes to everybody to finally finish by sitting beside his son.  Whispering he asks, "Did she agree?"

"Not yet." 

Taking Leila he says, "Why don't you open that gift lying on your legs?"  Tristan starts to unwrap his gift.  Inside, he finds a brown leather book.  Slowly he opens it and one the first page he see a giant picture of a sonogram.  Turning the page he sees a picture of Rory showing a little belly.  He starts to read what Rory wrote under the picture but is interrupted by his father,

"I think you'll have enough time later to read it over!  Can I give a gift to my future daughter-in-law?"

Tristan closes the book and replies, "Of course you can!"  William gives Leila back to Tristan, stands up to go face Rory.  He retrieves a small dark blue velvet box from his pocket and opens it to reveal a beautiful wedding band.  Rory looks at William with confusion when he speaks, "This belonged to my mother.  When she died, she asked me to give it to give it to Tristan's wife.  It's been in the DuGrey's for over seven generations.  I want you to have it.  I know you haven't decided yet but, please, take it."  Before Rory can say anything, he slips it in her hand and goes back to his seat.

Paris gets up at that moment with a huge box and asks, "Which one of the parents will help little Leila unwrap her gifts?"  And for a long time they all stay in the living room exchanging gifts and talking.

"Now, the last gift!" Jess says while taking the last box under the tree.  He read the card, "To Mary" Giving the gift to Rory he adds, "I guess it's for you!"

 Rory takes the gift and read the card, then turns to Tristan and says, "You've already gave me your gift!"  Tristan smirks as he whispers:

"It a reminder of you gift."  Slowly she tears the paper away to discover a small box.  Opening the box she finds a delicate white gold chain for her wrist with a small golden heart attached to it.  Opening the heart shaped locket, she sees a picture of them sitting on a bench at Chilton talking.

"I made you cry!"

"I didn't cry about the kiss, I cried because I hadn't cried.  It was a nice kiss."

"Really?"

"Really, not at all crying material."

"Want to try it again then?"

One the other side, she sees a picture of her, Tristan and Leila in his arms.

"Grandma!  Don't you think you already have enough pictures?"

"Rory!  I'll never have enough pictures from now on!  What if I lose any of you?  At least I'll have something to help me  remember!"

It's sundown as they enter their future house with all their friends and parents.  Tristan gives them the grand tour of what will be their house in less than a month.  No interior design is done but he sees all the greatness it will be and tries to explain it.  Well they get in the last room, they see a table that could host twenty people in the center, all dressed up with candles softly lighting the room.  Tristan asks to all of them, "Will you give me the pleasure to share Rory and my first meal in our house?"

They fill their night with a lot of champagne and food.  By the time everyone starts to leave they are all tipsy in their pajamas.  All except Rory, Leila and Hope.

Tristan is holding Rory in his arm, she's almost asleep but not yet when he remembers the card and asks, "What the other part of the gift?"

Lethargically Rory answers, "What other part?"

Tristan turns her and starts kissing her neck while whispering, "You wrote that it was inside you!"

Opening her eyes, Rory takes both of his hands to rest them on her stomach and whispers, "I promise, you won't miss those moments this time!"

Tristan looks at her with questioning eyes then he says, "You said that since you were breastfeeding it was safe!"

Not fully conscious, Rory looks at him and replies with tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry, I said ninety-five percent safe."  Trying to turn on her side she mutters, "I'm sorry if you didn't want it, but I won't get rid of it."

Tristan keeps her still in her position and whispers, "Will I be there all the way this time?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"Are you happy?"

"You almost made me the happiest man on earth!"

"Almost?"

"Say yes and I'll be the happiest man.  Now stop talking and kiss me!"  Gladly, she obliged.

Author's note:  Review! You'll make my day!

Siaram