Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore girls. Such a pity, isn't it?
***Chapter four: The Wedding Planner?***
"Can you get that?" Tristan yelled to Rory from the bathroom, referring to the doorbell that had just rung for the fourth time. "I'm just about to get in the shower."
It was their third week in London, and the first weekend Rory had off since they arrived. Richard Dugrey had just arrived the night before, but he had already left for work for the day. Tristan was supposed to meet him at an hour at the London office.
Rory went downstairs to see who was at the door. It was still rather early, only eight thirty. She had no idea who would be bothering them at that hour.
"Hello, Miss Gilmore I presume," the woman at the door said when Rory opened it.
"Yes," Rory answered. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
"I'm Marsha Peterson, the wedding planner. Mr. Dugrey hired me to coordinate your upcoming nuptials. Aren't you excited? I just love weddings. But then again, that's why I'm a wedding planner, isn't it? Well, let's get started. Have you picked out a dress yet? You would look lovely in something traditional. With a long veil. Or do you prefer modern?"
Rory stood by the door, stunned. Marsha had managed to push her way past Rory into the house, bringing several albums and briefcases with her. She had settled down on the couch and begun to spread her samples out on the coffee table by the time she was done talking.
"Who is it Mare?" Tristan called down the stairs.
"Can you come down here for a sec?" she called back.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry. I thought your name was Rory, how embarrassing. I am sorry Mary."
"No, no. Tristan just calls me Mary. It's my nickname."
"Nickname? I see. I just love when couples have little pet names for each other. Especially when they are more original than "snookums." How did it originate?"
"He's actually been calling me Mary since high school."
"Aww, you're high school sweethearts? That is so adorable."
"Not quite," Rory answered. She was starting to get annoyed with the woman. Marsha's conclusions were making her uncomfortable.
"I don't think we've met," Tristan said, turning up behind Rory.
"I'm Marsha Peterson, the wedding planner. Are you Mr. Dugrey? I thought we talked on the phone."
"You hired a wedding planner?" Rory asked him, more than a little annoyed. She had agreed to stage an engagement, but she never thought that actual plans would be made.
"A lot of the brides I have worked with in the past have felt strongly about planning their own weddings. But they always see that I am a huge relief once the stress of the ceremony kicks in. Just wait and see, six months from now, I will be your lifesaver. When is the big day anyhow?"
"I didn't hire her," Tristan said to Rory, completely ignoring Marsha.
"Someone did," Rory answered. "Are you sure you got a call from Tristan Dugrey?"
"Tristan? No, no. I got a call from a Richard Dugrey. Did I get the wrong address? This was the only Dugrey residence in the book."
"No, this is the right address," Tristan answered. "Richard Dugrey is my father. Why in the world is he butting in on this?"
"I feel it is wonderful when the parents are involved in weddings. Be thankful that they accept this marriage. It will make your special day that much happier."
"I can't believe he sent us a wedding planner," Tristan repeated. "It's like he's trying to push me into this. He's that eager to have me married off. Why? How does he benefit from all this?"
"Maybe I should give the two of you a minute alone," Marsha said, walking towards the kitchen.
"She's a little slow," Rory said.
"Well at least we have privacy now," Tristan answered.
"So what are we going to do?" she asked. "I didn't think our 'engagement' would last to this stage."
"Neither did I. But we can't really fire her, Dad would find out and that would cause problems."
"But if we go forward and start planning this wedding it will be a waste. A waste of money, waste of time."
"Mare, remember who you're talking to. Money is not an issue."
"But it would take up so much time, and with my new job, I don't have that much time to spend."
"We wouldn't have to make this a 24/7 investment," Tristan said. "We could just fool around with it enough so that we don't look suspicious."
Rory was silent for a minute. It would be kind of fun to try on wedding gowns, she decided. "Fine. That works for me."
"What about a date? Any preferences?"
"How about November 25," Rory suggested automatically.
"So soon?" Tristan asked. "That doesn't give us much time. It's already July."
"Tris, we're not actually getting married here. I'm just the stand in until you can find a real girl to marry," Rory reminded him.
"Yah, but that doesn't give me much time to find a wife."
"I've always dreamed of a fall wedding," Rory protested. "Even if this is false, it gives me the chance to plan it all out. Please? If you haven't found someone by then, we can postpone it."
"That sounds fair."
"Good."
"Maybe we should call Marsha back in here so we can pick out our china. I have to go meet my Dad, but just so you know, I've always loved the blue willow dishes. See if she can order some of those for us."
"And what exactly are you going to do with a complete set of dishes when we don't get married? Surely you're real wife will want something different."
"I'll take a hammer to them and make a mosaic in your likeness. Now I really have to go," he said. He kissed her on the cheek quickly. "Have fun."
"Mmm, you too," she replied.
"So, is everything all hunky-dory again?" Marsha asked, returning to the living room when she heard the door close.
"Everything is hunky-dory," Rory replied.
"So where would you like to start?" she asked, settling down on the sofa. Rory sat down next to her.
"Tristan says he wants Blue Willow china. Did you happen to bring your china samples?"
a/n: thank you so much for all the great reviews. All your England info is really helpful. Thanks so much for giving me feedback and ideas! Love ya lots!
