Disclaimers: I don't own anything except for Hope, Faith and Dustin.
This chapter is a Christmas gift for all of my readers but especially to Jayde who asked for it for Christmas.
Memories
Chapter 13: The Resolutions
Rory is lying down on the couch, breastfeeding Leila and watching the sun rise for the last time of the year. Looking at her baby, she almost can't realize that she'll have to stop nursing her to keep her strength for her unborn child.
"Hope! I can't believe that she's mine! She's so tiny, yet so perfect!"
"A child is always a gift. It's pure, what they become is the result of the parent's effort at educating them!"
Rory closes her eyes, thinking of her own mother. Her mother that sacrificed her youth to raise her and take care of her. A single tear falls down her cheek as she falls asleep with Leila close to her.
Rory opens her eyes and sees Lorelai standing close to the window, surrounding by this winter's morning light.
She turns around and come close to Rory. "I wanted to ask you a favor Rory."
"Mom, I'll do anything you ask."
Rory tries to sit up but Lorelai stops her by saying, "I won't stay long I just wanted to wish a wonderful year. You're son is going to make both of you proud. I want to ask you to be happy."
Rory smiles while she asks,"I'm going to have a boy?"
Lorelai smiles back at her daughter and whispers: "You already have your Lorelai, you can't have two!"
Getting serious, Rory murmurs, "I am happy mom! But I'll leave this house soon and that makes me sad."
Lorelai glances at the window for a split second and whispers, "I have to leave Rory. If you completely want to be happy, you have to give a little to make other people happy. I love you!"
And Lorelai disappears.
Rory opens her eyes in the soft morning light. The sun is now hidden by snow slowly falling. The smell of fresh coffee and bacon tickles her nose. Gathering Leila is her arms, she walks in the kitchen.
"Good morning beautiful." Tristan takes Leila from her arms and gives a quick kiss to Rory before sitting Leila in her chair. He pulls a chair, motioning Rory to sit down. Once she is sited, he brings her a plate filled with eggs, bacon, potatoes and a mug of steaming coffee. She murmurs a 'thank you' before she starts to drink coffee.
"Tristan! This is the worst coffee I've drank in my whole life!"
Tristan sits in front of her, feeding Leila cereal and explains, "Well, that's because it's decaf, I don't want my baby to drink coffee!"
"This is so unfair Tristan! When I was expecting Leila, the doctor said I had to cut down to one or two, not completely cut down!"
"But can you handle having only one or two? I don't think so!"
"I can! I just need my coffee in the morning. Let's make a deal, two coffees in the morning and I eat healthy. . .er!"
Tristan looks at Rory, his eyes filled with love when he stands up and exclaims, "Rory, you're going to be the end of me! I just can't say no to you."
Rory's right hand is holding Tristan's as they walk inside the DuGrey's mansion for the New Year's party. They walk around, exchanging polite words with the other guests until they are joined by Clarisse DuGrey. She leans to kiss Rory's cheeks, making two sonorous smacks but Rory has to contain her laugh as she doesn't even feel the contact of the supposed embrace.
"Rory, dear, you're still as beautiful. I want to wish you a happy New Year my dear. As Tristan's concubine I have to welcome you in the family." Tristan is getting angry at his mother when his father rejoins them.
William DuGrey turns to his wife, muttering his angry words to make sure the other guests can't hear him, "Clarisse, I told you to behave. She may not be the one you would have chosen for Tristan but she is the mother of our grandchild. I don't ask you to like her, just to be civil and polite."
Clarisse glares angrily at her husband, stating, "How can you be so sure she is OUR granddaughter? Plus I never asked to have grandchildren; I'm way too young and beautiful to be an elder!"
Tristan needing to speak up, tells his mother, voice cold, "Whether you like it or not mother, you are. And will be a second time soon. And Rory is not my concubine, she the woman I love and as soon as she says yes, she is going to be my wife."
William's features are illuminated when he takes Rory in his arms saying, "What a wonderful gift! Congratulations! But Rory, when are you going to say yes?"
Tristan looks at Rory neck and doesn't see the ring handing there. Lowering his eyes to look at Rory's left hand, he answers his father, "She just did Dad." He steps up to her and takes her in his arm, knowing that he wanted to avoind an ugly scene, it was all that he could do.
William DuGrey walks away, takes a flute of champagne and asks for attention.
"Everybody, I have an announcement to make. As most of you know, this year has been one of the best in my life. I grew closer to my son, learning to know him as a man and became very proud of him. He has fixed a goal many years ago and his determination to reach his goal never faltered even when his heart was completely crushed. I told him he was a fool but he objected. Tonight, I want everybody to know that he has finally reached his goal. My son is getting married to the woman of his dreams and I'm going to be a grandfather for the second time. I want to welcome Rory Gilmore in the DuGrey family. Congratulations to Rory and Tristan."
The rest of the evening was spent being congratulated by guests. Rory and Tristan escaped this masquerade early, leaving by the back door to be at the Stars Hollow gazebo by midnight.
The whole town is gathered near there celebrating when Taylor takes a microphone and starts counting backward followed by the crowd, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one; Happy New Year!"
Just as the fireworks burst in the sky, illuminating the crowd, Tristan holds Rory in a tight embrace and kisses her passionately. When he breaks the kiss, he whispers, "Happy New Year to my beautiful fiancée."
Before Rory can answer, Jess holds her tight giving his wishes to Rory as Paris hugs Tristan. They are carried in a whirlwind of well wishes.
They get home late during the night. Hope is watching TV while Leila is sleeping. Tristan goes up the stairs to give the two women some intimacy. They don't speak at first, used to the comfortable silence. After a while, Rory breaks it, asking, "Hope, would you be my mother figure at my wedding?"'
Hope holds Rory in a warm embrace whispering her answer, "Congratulation my new daughter. May this year be the happiest."
Rory is lying down beside Tristan, remembering the night.
"Who would have thought that I would be so happy that you are getting married to Tristan?" Paris exclaims excitingly.
Rory smiles and responds, "If you would have to me in Chilton that I would get married and have children with Tristan, I would have jumped down a cliff. Either that or had you committed."
Paris laughs at her words becomes serious asking, "Children?"
Rory's hands automatically go to her stomach as she whispers, "Due in the end of the summer."
"Luke, I have a favor to ask you." Rory asks blushing.
Luke hands her a cup of coffee, and says, "Anything you want, kiddo."
"Well, since my father seems to have forgotten all about me since he has Georgia, would you walk me down the aisle?"
Luke holds her while fighting the tears in his heart, whispering, "I would love to."
Tristan brings her from her reveries by asking, "What's your resolution for this year?"
Rory shifts her position to face him and whispers, "To become the best mother and wife in the world. What is yours?"
"To love you so much that you won't ever run away from me again."
Author's note: Review! That would be my Christmas gift! Merry Christmas everyone!
Siaram