a/n: hellloooo. I'm back. Hope you guys are having a good weekend! How was your valentines day? Mine was pretty boring considering I have no boyfriend right now!!! Stupid guys. Oh well. Don't let me get you down. On with the story…
Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore girls, but I do have the new norah jones cd which makes me EXTREMELY happy!!!!!!
***Chapter 6: Countryside Café***
"How many more stops are there?" Tristan whined from the backseat of the car.
"Only three more," Marsha answered. They had been driving around all day looking at potential wedding locations. It was after three thirty, and both Tristan and Rory were beginning to feel exhausted. But Marsha was merciless. She was used to long drives through the country and miles of strolling through gardens. She was practically giddy with joy.
Rory sighed and sunk down in her seat, resting her head on Tristan's shoulder. "Wake me when we get there," she said sleepily.
Tristan kissed her forehead and turned back to the window. They were driving through a very green pasture. He wondered where they were going. Silently he cursed his father for pushing them to make progress in the wedding planning. But at least he had been getting a lot of days off work to spend planning. And he got to be with Rory.
"We're here!" Marsha cried excitedly, parking the car and springing out of her seat.
Rory lifted her head, one eye open, looking around.
"Where exactly is here, Marsha?" Tristan asked, opening the door hesitantly.
"The Countryside Café. Isn't it just charming?"
Rory got out and looked around. There was a small white building with ivy growing up the walls. Outside there were dozens of tables and chairs set up, but no one was seated. About twenty yards away from the lone building stood a gazebo, looking small and lost in the vast green pasture.
"Um, Marsha," she said. "Can we just get back on our way? It's getting late, and we're really tired. We just want to finish looking at the locations without any extra stops."
"Didn't I tell you? This is one of the locations. Isn't it just charming? Perfect for simple weddings. Now, I know your father wants a large wedding, Tristan, but if you can convince him otherwise, this place is perfect.
"There's no convincing my father when he's set in his ways," Tristan answered.
"Well, since we're here, it's almost tea time. Let's just have a cup."
Marsha walked away before they had time to reply. Tristan and Rory just leaned against the car, watching her enter the small building.
"Should we go after her?"
"Nah. She's the only one that really wants tea anyway."
"I'll never get used to all the tea over here," Rory answered. "Tea's fine and all, but I would really kill for a good cup of coffee."
"They have coffee too. I've seen you drink it."
"Not as good as Luke's," Rory insisted.
"For you, nothing is ever as good as Luke's," he teased. Rory smiled fondly, thinking of him.
"I miss them," she answered. "We've been here for more than two months already. I want to go home, see my Mom."
Tristan slipped his arm around her, and they started walking.
"You should go home and see her."
"I can't. I had enough trouble getting today off work as it is."
"We could fly her out," Tristan suggested.
"She's busy with the inn. She says business is better than ever. I just hope I'll be able to go home for Christmas."
"I'm sure the Times will let you off," he assured her.
"You know, I've been thinking. I'm not so sure this job is right for me."
"What are you talking about? Your articles are awesome. Even the Times says you're one of the best rookie journalists they've ever hired. That's why they gave you such a good position right away. You've got talent."
"Maybe that's true," she said, looking thoughtfully across the open land. "But I miss home, I miss my friends and family. I always said I loved Europe, but not like this. You know how people say 'it's a nice place, but I wouldn't want to live there?' Well that's how I feel. England is beautiful, but it's not home."
They had reached the gazebo and climbed the steps. Against one of the sides was a swinging love chair. They sat down.
"And it's probably my fault," she continued. "In college I came home every weekend because I missed my mom so bad. I can't stand being so far away from my comfort zone. But maybe I just need to grow up."
"Or maybe you just know where you're happy and want to spend your life," Tristan answered, taking her hand. "There's nothing wrong with knowing what you want."
"But I don't know what I want. I thought this was what I wanted. But I'm so homesick. Tristan, I don't know what I would do without you. I know I've never really said it before, but I'm so glad you're here."
Tristan took her in his arms. "I'm glad I'm here too."
They sat for a long time, wrapped in the comfort of each other's arms. The day grew late, and together they watched the setting sun, grateful for the beautiful moment they shared.
"There you are!" Marsha's shrill voice called just as the last of the brilliant colors faded from the sky. "We've been here for hours. Come on! We've gotta get going!"
Rory reluctantly moved from Tristan's arms. She was quite surprised to find herself longing to be back in them. But instead she just reached out her arm and took his hand in hers.
