Paris didn't come home that night. In fact, it was almost twenty-four hours
before she finally came back to the dorm. Rory was beside herself with
concern and had barely been able to concentrate in classes. She hadn't even
emailed Tristan back. Part of her was dying to talk to Paris about it since
she knew Tristan, but she didn't want to bug her about it right now. It
seemed, well, trivial in relation. She could call her mom, but she was
going home tonight as it was, and she was more focused on Paris.
Paris walked into the suite and almost as if on cue, Rory and Paris' room phone rang. Rory held her index finger up to Paris to tell her to wait a second, and grabbed the phone. Paris sat down on her bed and nodded.
"Hello?"
"Rory! Hey, are you coming home this weekend?"
"Mom? Yeah, I'm coming home."
"Where are you? Your classes have been over for an hour."
"I'll just meet you at Grandma's."
"Oh, well, okay. Got some studying to get out of the way so you can spend the whole weekend with me?"
"Um, well, not really. I'll talk to you when I get there, okay?"
"Something's going on."
"Yeah."
"With you?"
"No, I'm fine."
"But you'll explain fully later?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I love you, babe."
"Love you too. Bye."
"Bye."
Rory hung up the phone and turned to Paris.
"Sorry Paris. Okay, so you talked to Asher?"
"Yeah. I went over there and I told him what was going on."
"And?"
"And he asked me if I had taken the test, and I said no, so he had me take it then. He wanted to know what we were 'dealing with'."
"Why do you say that like it tastes bad?"
"Because immediately he made it sound like something to be dealt with, to be covered up and gotten rid of."
"Are you saying he'd want you to have an abortion?"
"Well, that's the vibe I was getting, but I asked him, and he said it was my decision. He went on and on about how progressive his thinking is, and I got so fed up with his spiel that I went into the bathroom and peed on the damn stick."
Rory nodded, wanting Paris to go on. Paris took a deep breath and looked at Rory.
"No, I'm not pregnant."
"Oh, that's so great!"
"I guess so."
"What do you mean, you guess so? You wanted to be pregnant?"
"No, I didn't want to be pregnant, but God, the way he reacted! It really showed me what he thought of our relationship, as far as the future is concerned."
"So you're cool about the pregnancy thing, but not cool about his reaction? I mean, Paris, guys get really freaked out about their girlfriend being pregnant."
"Rory, he's done this before. He has kids. He has grandkids. He should have been supportive and loving, and well, not like this."
"So if all this was so quick and bad, why were you there all night?"
"I wasn't there all night. We were there for hours, breaking up and then I walked around New Haven for the rest of the day."
"Oh, Paris. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. Really. I'm just going to go to bed for the weekend."
"Do you want to come home with me? I'm going to Stars Hollow, and my mom is really good at the wallowing."
"Wallowing?"
"Yeah, you know, sitting around in pajamas, eating pizza and junk food, watching sappy movies and crying. Getting all the angst out of your system."
"You don't mind me coming along with you?"
"Not at all! Paris, you can't stay here alone all weekend, you've had a lot of stuff to process this last week."
"And Lorelai won't mind?"
"Definitely not. Come on, get packed, we need to get to my grandparents for dinner."
"Okay, great. I'll just take a minute."
Later that evening, after a long dinner at the Gilmore house thanks to Paris and Richard's long debates about politics, the three women arrived in Stars Hollow. Emily had been gracious about the surprise guest. Rory had pulled Lorelai into the bathroom and explained the situation quickly about why Paris was along. Lorelai and Rory got all the 'ick factor' out of their system about the possibility of Asher having knocked up Paris and were prepared to be truly supportive the rest of the weekend.
They got Paris all set up on the couch and decided the wallowing started in the morning. Paris was relieved to be in a house that felt like love and warmth could just wrap around you. She knew Rory had a great life, but was never anything but amazed how happy she felt in that house.
"Hey, Paris, I'm going to bed, but come get me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks, Rory. Do you mind if I come and get something to read?"
"Knock yourself out. I was just going to check my email anyway."
Paris followed Rory into her room and started to browse the shelves while Rory sat down at her desk.
She opened Tristan's last email and copied the survey before hitting reply.
TO: tdugrey1@unc.edu
FROM: rgilmor@yale.edu
SUBJ: Survey return
Tristan,
That was enlightening, but you still never told me how you ended up at UNC! But since you took so much time out of your oh so busy schedule, here is my survey for you to read.
Rory
What time is it? 11:04 pm
Name that appears on your birth certificate: Lorelai Leigh Gilmore
Nicknames: Rory
Parents' names: Lorelai and Christopher
Number of candles that will appear on your next birthday cake: 20
Date that you will blow them out: November 10
Pets: none, too dangerous at the Gilmore house
Eye color: Blue
Piercing(s): 0
Tattoos: 0
How much do you love your job: oh, swiping those cards is my true calling, definitely my life's work.
Favorite color: Pink.
Hometown: Stars Hollow, CT
Current residence: New Haven, CT
Favorite food: Is coffee a food group? If not, then Danish.
Been to Africa: Not yet.
Been toilet papering: no, but I have devil egged a car.
Loved somebody so much that it made you cry: yes
Croutons or bacon bits: um, are we talking salads, here? Get serious. That would involve eating something green, and you can't trick me. Neither.
Creamy or crunchy peanut butter: Creamy
Sprite or 7up: Sprite
Ice cubed or crushed: Crushed
Favorite movie: Willy Wonka. It's a bit of a classic in our house.
Favorite Holiday: Week-long birthdays
Favorite day of the week: Saturday
Favorite word: duly. Although crap-tastic? Sounds like a word my mom would have made up.
Favorite Toothpaste: Aquafresh
Favorite Ethnic food: Indian
Favorite Flowers: lilacs
Favorite cola: Coca-Cola
Favorite sport: I'm sorry, what? Isn't that an oxymoron?
Favorite type of ice cream: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate
Favorite Sesame Street character: Snuffleupogus
Disney or Warner Bros: Warner Bros.
Favorite fast food restaurant: Hector's. Mmm. Tacos.
When was your last hospital visit: last year, my sister was born
What color is your bedroom carpet: it's tile. Ditto.
How many times did you fail your driver's test: never
Who is the last person you got email from before this: Tristan
Have you ever been convicted of a crime: no
Better yet, have you committed any?: does devil egging a car count? Um, otherwise, I'm going to say jaywalking. Hasn't everyone done that?
What single store would you choose to max out your credit card: Amazon
What do you do most often when you are bored: read
Most annoying thing people ask me: 'You're Lorelai, too?"
Who will respond the quickest to this email?: Tristan, by default
Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond: um, hopefully not Tristan
Favorite All time TV show?: AbFab
Who was the last person you ate dinner with?: Paris, Mom and the grandparents
Last movie you saw: Sylvia
Can You Juggle?: Sort of
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?: in stars hollow
FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?: butt
WHAT'S THE LAST CD(s) THAT YOU BOUGHT?: thanks to Lane, I think Macy Gray was the last cd I bought, but that was four years ago. Now I just copy hers.
WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?: at home
WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?: at my grandparents social events
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED: Feet!
WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY? mind
WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE IN THE MORNING? There's a five am? Geez! Most of the time, seven am. If I have to.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?: hello, coffeemaker. Or Gus, as he's lovingly referred to in our house.
WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY? People who make others feel small because of their own insecurities.
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?: Harold and the Purple Crayon
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Fall
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CHORE? cooking
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? flying
WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER? hamburger
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?: international journalist
WHAT WOULD YOU NAME YOUR CHILD? Lorelai? Maybe. Keep the tradition strong!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE ABOUT YOURSELF? My eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, Tristan sent this survey thing. I was filling it out."
"Tristan, huh?"
"Yeah. We don't have to talk about that now."
"Why, 'cause I'm sad about Asher?"
"Yeah."
"No, it'll get my mind off of it. So you guys have been talking?"
"Just emailing."
"He still likes you."
"What? No, we're just catching up."
"Sure. You like him too, don't you?"
"What? I barely know Tristan. I mean, we fought at Chilton, because he was annoying, and I haven't seen him for years."
"Then why are you emailing him? Come on, Rory, you guys had more than you let on."
"We did not."
"Yeah, you did. You have this connection."
Rory sort of nodded and bit her lip. She hoped they had a connection. She always felt that Tristan was supposed to be more in her life, and that he cared about her. Honestly it was just an intuitive thing, she had no proof of that. They never even talked about being friends, really. They comforted each other once, and he usually seemed to be honest when he talked to her, which she felt was more than he gave other people. They had a respect, that was a good word. She said goodnight to Paris and sent the email, wondering what sort of response she would get. She nodded off to sleep wondering when he would get the email and what if anything this would bring about.
AN: whew, that was sort of long. But I like where this is going. All of you who have been reviewing, you rock! You keep me so motivated. I don't even know where I'm finding the time to write, but thanks. To all of you so concerned about Paris being knocked up by the creepy old guy (I love how that kept being put), I agreed. Thought it was a fun idea, though. OH, and we will get to some true Trory action, thanks for being patient!
Paris walked into the suite and almost as if on cue, Rory and Paris' room phone rang. Rory held her index finger up to Paris to tell her to wait a second, and grabbed the phone. Paris sat down on her bed and nodded.
"Hello?"
"Rory! Hey, are you coming home this weekend?"
"Mom? Yeah, I'm coming home."
"Where are you? Your classes have been over for an hour."
"I'll just meet you at Grandma's."
"Oh, well, okay. Got some studying to get out of the way so you can spend the whole weekend with me?"
"Um, well, not really. I'll talk to you when I get there, okay?"
"Something's going on."
"Yeah."
"With you?"
"No, I'm fine."
"But you'll explain fully later?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I love you, babe."
"Love you too. Bye."
"Bye."
Rory hung up the phone and turned to Paris.
"Sorry Paris. Okay, so you talked to Asher?"
"Yeah. I went over there and I told him what was going on."
"And?"
"And he asked me if I had taken the test, and I said no, so he had me take it then. He wanted to know what we were 'dealing with'."
"Why do you say that like it tastes bad?"
"Because immediately he made it sound like something to be dealt with, to be covered up and gotten rid of."
"Are you saying he'd want you to have an abortion?"
"Well, that's the vibe I was getting, but I asked him, and he said it was my decision. He went on and on about how progressive his thinking is, and I got so fed up with his spiel that I went into the bathroom and peed on the damn stick."
Rory nodded, wanting Paris to go on. Paris took a deep breath and looked at Rory.
"No, I'm not pregnant."
"Oh, that's so great!"
"I guess so."
"What do you mean, you guess so? You wanted to be pregnant?"
"No, I didn't want to be pregnant, but God, the way he reacted! It really showed me what he thought of our relationship, as far as the future is concerned."
"So you're cool about the pregnancy thing, but not cool about his reaction? I mean, Paris, guys get really freaked out about their girlfriend being pregnant."
"Rory, he's done this before. He has kids. He has grandkids. He should have been supportive and loving, and well, not like this."
"So if all this was so quick and bad, why were you there all night?"
"I wasn't there all night. We were there for hours, breaking up and then I walked around New Haven for the rest of the day."
"Oh, Paris. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. Really. I'm just going to go to bed for the weekend."
"Do you want to come home with me? I'm going to Stars Hollow, and my mom is really good at the wallowing."
"Wallowing?"
"Yeah, you know, sitting around in pajamas, eating pizza and junk food, watching sappy movies and crying. Getting all the angst out of your system."
"You don't mind me coming along with you?"
"Not at all! Paris, you can't stay here alone all weekend, you've had a lot of stuff to process this last week."
"And Lorelai won't mind?"
"Definitely not. Come on, get packed, we need to get to my grandparents for dinner."
"Okay, great. I'll just take a minute."
Later that evening, after a long dinner at the Gilmore house thanks to Paris and Richard's long debates about politics, the three women arrived in Stars Hollow. Emily had been gracious about the surprise guest. Rory had pulled Lorelai into the bathroom and explained the situation quickly about why Paris was along. Lorelai and Rory got all the 'ick factor' out of their system about the possibility of Asher having knocked up Paris and were prepared to be truly supportive the rest of the weekend.
They got Paris all set up on the couch and decided the wallowing started in the morning. Paris was relieved to be in a house that felt like love and warmth could just wrap around you. She knew Rory had a great life, but was never anything but amazed how happy she felt in that house.
"Hey, Paris, I'm going to bed, but come get me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks, Rory. Do you mind if I come and get something to read?"
"Knock yourself out. I was just going to check my email anyway."
Paris followed Rory into her room and started to browse the shelves while Rory sat down at her desk.
She opened Tristan's last email and copied the survey before hitting reply.
TO: tdugrey1@unc.edu
FROM: rgilmor@yale.edu
SUBJ: Survey return
Tristan,
That was enlightening, but you still never told me how you ended up at UNC! But since you took so much time out of your oh so busy schedule, here is my survey for you to read.
Rory
What time is it? 11:04 pm
Name that appears on your birth certificate: Lorelai Leigh Gilmore
Nicknames: Rory
Parents' names: Lorelai and Christopher
Number of candles that will appear on your next birthday cake: 20
Date that you will blow them out: November 10
Pets: none, too dangerous at the Gilmore house
Eye color: Blue
Piercing(s): 0
Tattoos: 0
How much do you love your job: oh, swiping those cards is my true calling, definitely my life's work.
Favorite color: Pink.
Hometown: Stars Hollow, CT
Current residence: New Haven, CT
Favorite food: Is coffee a food group? If not, then Danish.
Been to Africa: Not yet.
Been toilet papering: no, but I have devil egged a car.
Loved somebody so much that it made you cry: yes
Croutons or bacon bits: um, are we talking salads, here? Get serious. That would involve eating something green, and you can't trick me. Neither.
Creamy or crunchy peanut butter: Creamy
Sprite or 7up: Sprite
Ice cubed or crushed: Crushed
Favorite movie: Willy Wonka. It's a bit of a classic in our house.
Favorite Holiday: Week-long birthdays
Favorite day of the week: Saturday
Favorite word: duly. Although crap-tastic? Sounds like a word my mom would have made up.
Favorite Toothpaste: Aquafresh
Favorite Ethnic food: Indian
Favorite Flowers: lilacs
Favorite cola: Coca-Cola
Favorite sport: I'm sorry, what? Isn't that an oxymoron?
Favorite type of ice cream: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate
Favorite Sesame Street character: Snuffleupogus
Disney or Warner Bros: Warner Bros.
Favorite fast food restaurant: Hector's. Mmm. Tacos.
When was your last hospital visit: last year, my sister was born
What color is your bedroom carpet: it's tile. Ditto.
How many times did you fail your driver's test: never
Who is the last person you got email from before this: Tristan
Have you ever been convicted of a crime: no
Better yet, have you committed any?: does devil egging a car count? Um, otherwise, I'm going to say jaywalking. Hasn't everyone done that?
What single store would you choose to max out your credit card: Amazon
What do you do most often when you are bored: read
Most annoying thing people ask me: 'You're Lorelai, too?"
Who will respond the quickest to this email?: Tristan, by default
Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond: um, hopefully not Tristan
Favorite All time TV show?: AbFab
Who was the last person you ate dinner with?: Paris, Mom and the grandparents
Last movie you saw: Sylvia
Can You Juggle?: Sort of
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?: in stars hollow
FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?: butt
WHAT'S THE LAST CD(s) THAT YOU BOUGHT?: thanks to Lane, I think Macy Gray was the last cd I bought, but that was four years ago. Now I just copy hers.
WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?: at home
WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?: at my grandparents social events
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED: Feet!
WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY? mind
WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE IN THE MORNING? There's a five am? Geez! Most of the time, seven am. If I have to.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?: hello, coffeemaker. Or Gus, as he's lovingly referred to in our house.
WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY? People who make others feel small because of their own insecurities.
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?: Harold and the Purple Crayon
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Fall
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CHORE? cooking
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? flying
WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER? hamburger
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?: international journalist
WHAT WOULD YOU NAME YOUR CHILD? Lorelai? Maybe. Keep the tradition strong!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE ABOUT YOURSELF? My eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, Tristan sent this survey thing. I was filling it out."
"Tristan, huh?"
"Yeah. We don't have to talk about that now."
"Why, 'cause I'm sad about Asher?"
"Yeah."
"No, it'll get my mind off of it. So you guys have been talking?"
"Just emailing."
"He still likes you."
"What? No, we're just catching up."
"Sure. You like him too, don't you?"
"What? I barely know Tristan. I mean, we fought at Chilton, because he was annoying, and I haven't seen him for years."
"Then why are you emailing him? Come on, Rory, you guys had more than you let on."
"We did not."
"Yeah, you did. You have this connection."
Rory sort of nodded and bit her lip. She hoped they had a connection. She always felt that Tristan was supposed to be more in her life, and that he cared about her. Honestly it was just an intuitive thing, she had no proof of that. They never even talked about being friends, really. They comforted each other once, and he usually seemed to be honest when he talked to her, which she felt was more than he gave other people. They had a respect, that was a good word. She said goodnight to Paris and sent the email, wondering what sort of response she would get. She nodded off to sleep wondering when he would get the email and what if anything this would bring about.
AN: whew, that was sort of long. But I like where this is going. All of you who have been reviewing, you rock! You keep me so motivated. I don't even know where I'm finding the time to write, but thanks. To all of you so concerned about Paris being knocked up by the creepy old guy (I love how that kept being put), I agreed. Thought it was a fun idea, though. OH, and we will get to some true Trory action, thanks for being patient!