WHAT IT IS: A sequel, to my other Trory, What Happens When. Now, I had no
intentions at all to do a sequel. However, you're getting one, because of
all the Jess/Dean/Rory angst currently on the show—it's stressing me out.
So, since I had decided that fluff was probably all I'd get out of a sequel
and fluff is what I need right now (it's either fluff or unbearable angst
coming out of me right now)—here's a sequel.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
AN: Thanks for all the reviews! Just a note to a couple of you guys, Ange, Erin will be fine, we'll get back to her. And Jazz, yes, it was in reference to Gwenyth and Chris' baby naming skills. Yikes, that kid is going to have some serious issues.
Two months flew by as Rory and Tristan were now busy all the time, between work, getting a room ready for their first child, unpacking and all the visitors they seemed to be having. Lorelai brought Will down almost every other week, to help with the house and see how Rory was doing. She kept bringing things she'd find for the baby. She brought some new things, some of Rory's baby stuff, and some stuff from Sookie. When Luke came down, he brought her healthy food, which she didn't enjoy, but choked down to keep him happy. Rory and Tristan had gone 'shopping' for an OB-GYN, and settled on a wonderful doctor (that Paris had checked out for them, and highly recommended) who started Rory on a regimen of vitamins that resembled pieces of chalk. She claimed everyday that she would never get them all down, but every day Tristan gave her a look and she did it.
"Ugh, all those pills and to have to down them with water! Where is the justice in that? You know what I'm going to do the second I give birth?"
"Hold your child?"
"Drink a vat of coffee."
Tristan shook his head over the paper he was reading. It was Sunday, which meant neither had to work, but they were having a dinner party at their house that evening.
"Why are you shaking your head?"
"Can't have coffee when you're breast feeding."
"I'm breast feeding?"
"It makes the kid smarter."
"Mom didn't breast feed me."
"See, you could have been even smarter if she had. You could run the world or something."
Rory giggled at that, causing Tristan to look up at her. She was still in her pajamas, leaning against the counter, still holding her huge glass of water in her hands.
"What's so funny?"
"What you said, made me think of that cartoon—with the rats, you know. 'What are we going to do tonight, Brain? Same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world.'"
"You're losing it."
"I'm not. The neurons and synapses in my brain are very well interconnected, and I have a unique ability to cross-reference things. See, not breast fed and still very smart." She smirked at him. He shook his head again.
"No coffee."
"Damn. How do you think of all this pregnancy stuff, and I don't?" She slid into the seat next to him at their kitchen table, and started eating a muffin. "Aren't I supposed to be getting mother's intuition, not you?"
Tristan said nothing, just shrugged. She looked at him, suspiciously.
"Seriously. Have you done this before, you're just not telling me?" She joked.
He gave her a sidelong glance and went back to his paper. She took her hand and gently pushed the paper down so he was forced to look at her.
"Tristan," she coaxed.
"Fine." He stood up and walked out of the kitchen and made his way upstairs. She heard movement as he came back down the stairs and handed her a book. She looked at the title and giggled again.
"The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be," she read aloud.
"I know the title."
"You bought this?"
"Luke gave it to me."
"Luke gave you this?"
"Yeah."
"Luke."
"Again, yes."
More giggling.
"Are you mocking my interest in our child?"
"No, it's just, I thought you thought these books were crap."
"This one's okay. It's got some good points in it," he paused, looking at her. She was biting her lip, but focusing on his words. "You're still mocking me."
"No, I think it's sweet. I just can't see Luke reading it."
"He got it when your mom was pregnant with Will. He made me swear not to tell anyone where I got it. So that means," he pointed at her.
"I know, I can't tell Mom."
"Exactly. I'd like to live to see our child born."
She patted her stomach, which she insisted had begun to change, but no one else saw any difference. She was only nine weeks along. The morning sickness had hit a few days after she got out of the hospital, but had began subsiding in the last week. Her appetite had just started to come back to her. She grabbed a banana and poured a bowl of cereal.
"So, it's ten now," she glanced at the clock on the wall, "so I need to be showered by noon."
"People aren't coming 'til like 4."
"Yeah, but Paris is in town, and we're going shopping."
"Why didn't I know this?"
"It's a girl thing. She's only in town today, and she has to be at her folks' house tonight. We're hitting the city to go dress shopping for her. She wanted to let me get maternity things, but I don't need them yet."
"Be glad of that. Pretty soon nothing you own will fit."
"Thanks for that."
"It's a good thing," he insisted.
"Hmm. Anyway, she should be here by noon."
"You'll be back by four?"
"Four, five, you know," she smiled, shoving another spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
"Rory, people are coming to see us. Actually, they're coming to see you and your non-growing wonder stomach."
"Hey, it is bigger. My pants are starting to get a little tighter."
"Whatever you say. Just be home before six, we're eating at six."
"I promise. Oh, guess what? Paris hasn't told her parents yet."
"About what?"
"Being engaged."
"They got engaged on New Years Eve, right?"
Rory nodded, still eating her cereal, trying to drain the last of the milk out of the bowl.
"Actually, they haven't even met Marty. His folks know, but they always spend time with his family. She had some interview at a hospital in New York this morning, so we're going shopping, then she's sleeping at home tonight to tell her folks and flying back to LA tomorrow morning."
"God, even I talk to my parents more than she does," he said.
"Speaking of which, have you talked to your dad?"
Tristan shook his head. His mom and dad were dating again. The nerve it took for his dad to even show his face in Hartford again, not to mention to come begging back to his mom—he hated to think about it. He would take calls from his mom, but wouldn't talk to his dad yet.
"Your mom makes it sound like he's seen the error of his ways."
"I'm sure she thinks so."
"What about Janlan?"
"He won't talk to him either."
"I see. Well, I guess I should go get ready."
Tristan nodded, going back to the paper. He got up to let Paris in about an hour later, showing her around the house while Rory finished.
"So, you're engaged."
"So you've spawned."
"I've missed you, Gellar."
"Right. So, I hear your folks have reconciled."
"They're dating."
"My mom keeps telling me how happy your mom is. My mom's jealous. She sort of wishes dad would leave again."
"Again?"
"Remember in high school, dad left? Just for a couple of months, they called it a trial separation? Mom's nostalgic for those days."
"Healthy. So, you two are doing girly things today, huh?"
"We're dress shopping. I don't trust my own fashion sense."
"Smart. Look, don't let Rory get coffee."
"Tristan. I'm a medical resident. I think I know coffee is a no-no."
"She's wily, you have to watch her."
"I'm on it," Paris assured him.
Just then, Rory came bounding down the stairs, and hugged Paris.
"Did Tristan show you around?"
"Yeah, I love the house."
"Did he behave himself?"
"Mostly."
Rory smiled and turned to her husband. "You told her not to let me have coffee, didn't you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"But my favorite jeans wouldn't zip. I need coffee."
"Not even decaf."
"Mean!"
"Get a milkshake."
"So not the same," she said before she kissed him goodbye. It was warm for March, and they didn't even need jackets. They got into Paris' rental car and headed out.
"So, you seriously haven't told your parents you're engaged?"
"They don't even know about Marty."
"PARIS!"
"Well, you know I hate to tell them anything that isn't definite."
"Paris, seriously, you've been together as long as Tristan and I have."
"What's your point?"
"I think you've known it's definite before now."
"The timing was never right."
"You're afraid they won't like him?"
"Please. I just don't know the words to phrase it right. It seems so pedestrian."
"Just say what you told me."
"Rory, I don't have the relationship it requires with my parents to be able to call them up at 2 in the morning and scream 'HE DID IT' and hang up again. They wouldn't even know who'd called. They'd probably call the police."
Rory giggled, but also knew what Paris was saying was the truth. She thought a moment and tried to think of something Paris could say that would be appropriate. No words came.
"Just, do it gently."
"Right. I think I'm going to just to say it and go to bed."
"Leaving them standing there gaping at you?"
"My parents don't gape."
"Man, you know, you're much more normal than you should be."
"Thanks."
Back at the house, Tristan wandered up to the room that was slowly becoming the nursery. They'd painted it a soft orange color, since Rory had claimed it was the most soothing color she'd seen at the paint store. They didn't want to know the sex of the baby, so there were no pinks or blues in the whole room. Rory had begun to store the masses of things Lorelai brought for her, and the things Emily had delivered there. At this rate, the baby was going to need two of the rooms, he thought to himself. He walked down to their room and took a shower, noticing how Rory had left things out that he'd need, like the toothpaste and mouthwash. After he finished cleaning himself up, he wandered back downstairs and heard knocking on the front door. Rory and Paris should be trying on dresses by this time, and no one was due to show up for hours.
He opened the front door to see Jess standing on their porch. Tristan looked at him questioningly and stepped back to let him inside. Jess came in wordlessly, looking around.
"Is Rory here?"
"No, she went into the city with Paris."
"Paris is in town?"
"You know Paris, huh?"
"We've met. She's cracked."
"She's slightly more calm these days. So, did you want to talk to Rory? She probably has her cell on."
"No, I wanted to talk to you."
"Aren't you supposed to be here in a few hours with Erin?"
"Yeah, I mean, I still have to go back and pick her up."
"Okay, do you want to sit?" Tristan asked, still confused.
"I can't sit. God, I can't sit still. I can't sleep. I can't eat, I'm a mess. When did this happen to me?"
"Slow down, and back up. I'm lost."
"She's leaving. She's going and I can't stop her."
"Erin?"
"Yes."
"Why is she leaving, did you two break up?"
"No. We're still together. She got a job offer. In Michigan."
"She's moving to Michigan?"
Jess had been pacing back and forth in the front room of the house, while Tristan sat on the couch watching him. Jess stopped and slumped down in a chair across from him. He put his hand in his hair and ran it through slowly.
"She got offered a job in Michigan. At a university publishing house. It's sort of her dream job right now. So, she's going to accept the position."
"So, why don't you go with her?"
"What the hell would I do in Michigan?"
"So ask her to stay."
Jess shook his head vehemently. "I can't ask her to stay, there's only one reason for her to stay here."
"For you."
"And that means, well, you know," Jess looked directly at Tristan.
"She's gotten to you, huh?" Tristan smiled.
"Damn it! It's going so well, and now I'm going to screw it up."
"Just ask her to stay!"
"Nothing I do will be right. If I let her go, then I don't love her and if I ask her to stay, I'm asking her to give up this great job for me."
"So, you love her?" Tristan asked calmly. Jess made a groaning sound and ran a hand through his hair again.
"Jess, come on. It's easy. You've been dating much too long not to know."
"Your family is screwed up, right? I mean, really truly textbook dysfunctional?"
Tristan nodded, frowning. "Why?"
"I need someone's advice from where I'm coming from. Basically I'm the product of the two most fucked up people on the face of the earth. They're in their forties and just now have pulled their shit together."
Tristan nodded again. He could relate to that.
"So, here I am, half their age, and have no idea how to do this stuff!"
"What do you want to do, it's that simple. Jess, you're smart, you're responsible, and I promise you, you can do this."
"I love her," Jess said. He smiled a little, as if he'd just fully realized it by hearing the words come out of his mouth.
"That's a good start. Have you told her?"
"No. I don't just, say that to people."
"Not even to get girls in bed?"
"I never had to lure girls into my bed," Jess stated casually.
"Fair enough. Okay, well, then, maybe you should start by telling her that."
Jess stood up, again starting with the pacing.
"I thought you were calmer."
"Well, the fear is back, my friend."
Tristan shook his head. At this rate, Jess will have walked a hole in the floor by the time everyone else got there.
"Tell me about you and Rory."
Tristan looked back up at Jess again. He knew Jess couldn't really want to hear about this stuff. Even though they were far in the past, it just wasn't a conversation he ever pictured them having.
"What about us?"
"When you first got together, what was it like?"
Tristan thought for a moment, back to when they first got to know each other again. He smiled, remembering the night of their second kiss, how amazing she looked and felt.
"It was perfect."
"Perfect?"
"Well, not so perfect. She was at Yale, and I was in North Carolina. Actually, that part sucked."
"But you ended up moving to Yale?"
"Yeah, eventually."
"Because you knew you loved her?"
"I knew it the second I saw her."
"And you told her?"
"On the phone one day. Then I hung up on her."
"Nice."
"Well, I was in a mood. I had other stuff going on. She knew that."
"Did she say it back?"
"Hours later. I got on a plane after hanging up, and she picked me up at the airport and told me then."
"Okay. Not helping. How did you ask her to marry you?"
Tristan smiled again, remembering. "Her mom and Luke dropped Will off at our place for their honeymoon, and all of a sudden, I just couldn't not ask her. It was like a force of nature."
Jess nodded and sat again. Tristan now had a goofy grin on his face, and Jess felt like his insides were going to implode. Tristan obviously had this stuff down. Knowing how to listen to himself. Jess was trying, he really was. But this was a huge step, to tell her he loved her, to ask her to stay, he just didn't want to have so much control over her decision. Or to not have any control as the case may be.
"What if I ask her to stay and she leaves anyway?" Jess blurted out suddenly, bringing Tristan back to focus.
"You honestly don't know how she feels?"
"I think I do, but I thought things were going well. Obviously not well enough," Jess said, shaking his head.
"Look. You probably shouldn't drive. Let me call Rory, she and Paris can pick Erin up and bring her back here."
"That would be good. Actually, that would be great."
"Go to the kitchen, raid anything you want. I'll be right in."
Jess nodded and headed off towards the kitchen. Tristan picked up his cell phone and hit the entry labeled 'Wife'. In a dressing room at Bloomingdale's, Rory heard her cell phone ringing, and she looked at the ID box. It read, 'Husband'. Tristan had messed with her phone again. Smiling, she answered.
"Hey."
"Hey. Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Jess is here, and I was wondering if you guys could pick Erin up on your way back."
"Sure. Is everything okay?"
"He'll be fine. Just a little freaked out."
"Okay. I'm just changing back into my clothes, I found some maternity clothes to get."
"I knew you couldn't resist. Did Paris find her dress?"
"Yeah, it was the first one she tried on. I picked it out."
"Good. See you soon."
"Bye." She got back into her clothes and brought the mound of new clothes out to pay for them. Paris was waiting for her.
"We need to make one more stop, if you don't mind."
Paris nodded as they made their way back to the car to load the bags into the car and they headed back uptown to collect Erin before heading back out to Rory's house.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
AN: Thanks for all the reviews! Just a note to a couple of you guys, Ange, Erin will be fine, we'll get back to her. And Jazz, yes, it was in reference to Gwenyth and Chris' baby naming skills. Yikes, that kid is going to have some serious issues.
Two months flew by as Rory and Tristan were now busy all the time, between work, getting a room ready for their first child, unpacking and all the visitors they seemed to be having. Lorelai brought Will down almost every other week, to help with the house and see how Rory was doing. She kept bringing things she'd find for the baby. She brought some new things, some of Rory's baby stuff, and some stuff from Sookie. When Luke came down, he brought her healthy food, which she didn't enjoy, but choked down to keep him happy. Rory and Tristan had gone 'shopping' for an OB-GYN, and settled on a wonderful doctor (that Paris had checked out for them, and highly recommended) who started Rory on a regimen of vitamins that resembled pieces of chalk. She claimed everyday that she would never get them all down, but every day Tristan gave her a look and she did it.
"Ugh, all those pills and to have to down them with water! Where is the justice in that? You know what I'm going to do the second I give birth?"
"Hold your child?"
"Drink a vat of coffee."
Tristan shook his head over the paper he was reading. It was Sunday, which meant neither had to work, but they were having a dinner party at their house that evening.
"Why are you shaking your head?"
"Can't have coffee when you're breast feeding."
"I'm breast feeding?"
"It makes the kid smarter."
"Mom didn't breast feed me."
"See, you could have been even smarter if she had. You could run the world or something."
Rory giggled at that, causing Tristan to look up at her. She was still in her pajamas, leaning against the counter, still holding her huge glass of water in her hands.
"What's so funny?"
"What you said, made me think of that cartoon—with the rats, you know. 'What are we going to do tonight, Brain? Same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world.'"
"You're losing it."
"I'm not. The neurons and synapses in my brain are very well interconnected, and I have a unique ability to cross-reference things. See, not breast fed and still very smart." She smirked at him. He shook his head again.
"No coffee."
"Damn. How do you think of all this pregnancy stuff, and I don't?" She slid into the seat next to him at their kitchen table, and started eating a muffin. "Aren't I supposed to be getting mother's intuition, not you?"
Tristan said nothing, just shrugged. She looked at him, suspiciously.
"Seriously. Have you done this before, you're just not telling me?" She joked.
He gave her a sidelong glance and went back to his paper. She took her hand and gently pushed the paper down so he was forced to look at her.
"Tristan," she coaxed.
"Fine." He stood up and walked out of the kitchen and made his way upstairs. She heard movement as he came back down the stairs and handed her a book. She looked at the title and giggled again.
"The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be," she read aloud.
"I know the title."
"You bought this?"
"Luke gave it to me."
"Luke gave you this?"
"Yeah."
"Luke."
"Again, yes."
More giggling.
"Are you mocking my interest in our child?"
"No, it's just, I thought you thought these books were crap."
"This one's okay. It's got some good points in it," he paused, looking at her. She was biting her lip, but focusing on his words. "You're still mocking me."
"No, I think it's sweet. I just can't see Luke reading it."
"He got it when your mom was pregnant with Will. He made me swear not to tell anyone where I got it. So that means," he pointed at her.
"I know, I can't tell Mom."
"Exactly. I'd like to live to see our child born."
She patted her stomach, which she insisted had begun to change, but no one else saw any difference. She was only nine weeks along. The morning sickness had hit a few days after she got out of the hospital, but had began subsiding in the last week. Her appetite had just started to come back to her. She grabbed a banana and poured a bowl of cereal.
"So, it's ten now," she glanced at the clock on the wall, "so I need to be showered by noon."
"People aren't coming 'til like 4."
"Yeah, but Paris is in town, and we're going shopping."
"Why didn't I know this?"
"It's a girl thing. She's only in town today, and she has to be at her folks' house tonight. We're hitting the city to go dress shopping for her. She wanted to let me get maternity things, but I don't need them yet."
"Be glad of that. Pretty soon nothing you own will fit."
"Thanks for that."
"It's a good thing," he insisted.
"Hmm. Anyway, she should be here by noon."
"You'll be back by four?"
"Four, five, you know," she smiled, shoving another spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
"Rory, people are coming to see us. Actually, they're coming to see you and your non-growing wonder stomach."
"Hey, it is bigger. My pants are starting to get a little tighter."
"Whatever you say. Just be home before six, we're eating at six."
"I promise. Oh, guess what? Paris hasn't told her parents yet."
"About what?"
"Being engaged."
"They got engaged on New Years Eve, right?"
Rory nodded, still eating her cereal, trying to drain the last of the milk out of the bowl.
"Actually, they haven't even met Marty. His folks know, but they always spend time with his family. She had some interview at a hospital in New York this morning, so we're going shopping, then she's sleeping at home tonight to tell her folks and flying back to LA tomorrow morning."
"God, even I talk to my parents more than she does," he said.
"Speaking of which, have you talked to your dad?"
Tristan shook his head. His mom and dad were dating again. The nerve it took for his dad to even show his face in Hartford again, not to mention to come begging back to his mom—he hated to think about it. He would take calls from his mom, but wouldn't talk to his dad yet.
"Your mom makes it sound like he's seen the error of his ways."
"I'm sure she thinks so."
"What about Janlan?"
"He won't talk to him either."
"I see. Well, I guess I should go get ready."
Tristan nodded, going back to the paper. He got up to let Paris in about an hour later, showing her around the house while Rory finished.
"So, you're engaged."
"So you've spawned."
"I've missed you, Gellar."
"Right. So, I hear your folks have reconciled."
"They're dating."
"My mom keeps telling me how happy your mom is. My mom's jealous. She sort of wishes dad would leave again."
"Again?"
"Remember in high school, dad left? Just for a couple of months, they called it a trial separation? Mom's nostalgic for those days."
"Healthy. So, you two are doing girly things today, huh?"
"We're dress shopping. I don't trust my own fashion sense."
"Smart. Look, don't let Rory get coffee."
"Tristan. I'm a medical resident. I think I know coffee is a no-no."
"She's wily, you have to watch her."
"I'm on it," Paris assured him.
Just then, Rory came bounding down the stairs, and hugged Paris.
"Did Tristan show you around?"
"Yeah, I love the house."
"Did he behave himself?"
"Mostly."
Rory smiled and turned to her husband. "You told her not to let me have coffee, didn't you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"But my favorite jeans wouldn't zip. I need coffee."
"Not even decaf."
"Mean!"
"Get a milkshake."
"So not the same," she said before she kissed him goodbye. It was warm for March, and they didn't even need jackets. They got into Paris' rental car and headed out.
"So, you seriously haven't told your parents you're engaged?"
"They don't even know about Marty."
"PARIS!"
"Well, you know I hate to tell them anything that isn't definite."
"Paris, seriously, you've been together as long as Tristan and I have."
"What's your point?"
"I think you've known it's definite before now."
"The timing was never right."
"You're afraid they won't like him?"
"Please. I just don't know the words to phrase it right. It seems so pedestrian."
"Just say what you told me."
"Rory, I don't have the relationship it requires with my parents to be able to call them up at 2 in the morning and scream 'HE DID IT' and hang up again. They wouldn't even know who'd called. They'd probably call the police."
Rory giggled, but also knew what Paris was saying was the truth. She thought a moment and tried to think of something Paris could say that would be appropriate. No words came.
"Just, do it gently."
"Right. I think I'm going to just to say it and go to bed."
"Leaving them standing there gaping at you?"
"My parents don't gape."
"Man, you know, you're much more normal than you should be."
"Thanks."
Back at the house, Tristan wandered up to the room that was slowly becoming the nursery. They'd painted it a soft orange color, since Rory had claimed it was the most soothing color she'd seen at the paint store. They didn't want to know the sex of the baby, so there were no pinks or blues in the whole room. Rory had begun to store the masses of things Lorelai brought for her, and the things Emily had delivered there. At this rate, the baby was going to need two of the rooms, he thought to himself. He walked down to their room and took a shower, noticing how Rory had left things out that he'd need, like the toothpaste and mouthwash. After he finished cleaning himself up, he wandered back downstairs and heard knocking on the front door. Rory and Paris should be trying on dresses by this time, and no one was due to show up for hours.
He opened the front door to see Jess standing on their porch. Tristan looked at him questioningly and stepped back to let him inside. Jess came in wordlessly, looking around.
"Is Rory here?"
"No, she went into the city with Paris."
"Paris is in town?"
"You know Paris, huh?"
"We've met. She's cracked."
"She's slightly more calm these days. So, did you want to talk to Rory? She probably has her cell on."
"No, I wanted to talk to you."
"Aren't you supposed to be here in a few hours with Erin?"
"Yeah, I mean, I still have to go back and pick her up."
"Okay, do you want to sit?" Tristan asked, still confused.
"I can't sit. God, I can't sit still. I can't sleep. I can't eat, I'm a mess. When did this happen to me?"
"Slow down, and back up. I'm lost."
"She's leaving. She's going and I can't stop her."
"Erin?"
"Yes."
"Why is she leaving, did you two break up?"
"No. We're still together. She got a job offer. In Michigan."
"She's moving to Michigan?"
Jess had been pacing back and forth in the front room of the house, while Tristan sat on the couch watching him. Jess stopped and slumped down in a chair across from him. He put his hand in his hair and ran it through slowly.
"She got offered a job in Michigan. At a university publishing house. It's sort of her dream job right now. So, she's going to accept the position."
"So, why don't you go with her?"
"What the hell would I do in Michigan?"
"So ask her to stay."
Jess shook his head vehemently. "I can't ask her to stay, there's only one reason for her to stay here."
"For you."
"And that means, well, you know," Jess looked directly at Tristan.
"She's gotten to you, huh?" Tristan smiled.
"Damn it! It's going so well, and now I'm going to screw it up."
"Just ask her to stay!"
"Nothing I do will be right. If I let her go, then I don't love her and if I ask her to stay, I'm asking her to give up this great job for me."
"So, you love her?" Tristan asked calmly. Jess made a groaning sound and ran a hand through his hair again.
"Jess, come on. It's easy. You've been dating much too long not to know."
"Your family is screwed up, right? I mean, really truly textbook dysfunctional?"
Tristan nodded, frowning. "Why?"
"I need someone's advice from where I'm coming from. Basically I'm the product of the two most fucked up people on the face of the earth. They're in their forties and just now have pulled their shit together."
Tristan nodded again. He could relate to that.
"So, here I am, half their age, and have no idea how to do this stuff!"
"What do you want to do, it's that simple. Jess, you're smart, you're responsible, and I promise you, you can do this."
"I love her," Jess said. He smiled a little, as if he'd just fully realized it by hearing the words come out of his mouth.
"That's a good start. Have you told her?"
"No. I don't just, say that to people."
"Not even to get girls in bed?"
"I never had to lure girls into my bed," Jess stated casually.
"Fair enough. Okay, well, then, maybe you should start by telling her that."
Jess stood up, again starting with the pacing.
"I thought you were calmer."
"Well, the fear is back, my friend."
Tristan shook his head. At this rate, Jess will have walked a hole in the floor by the time everyone else got there.
"Tell me about you and Rory."
Tristan looked back up at Jess again. He knew Jess couldn't really want to hear about this stuff. Even though they were far in the past, it just wasn't a conversation he ever pictured them having.
"What about us?"
"When you first got together, what was it like?"
Tristan thought for a moment, back to when they first got to know each other again. He smiled, remembering the night of their second kiss, how amazing she looked and felt.
"It was perfect."
"Perfect?"
"Well, not so perfect. She was at Yale, and I was in North Carolina. Actually, that part sucked."
"But you ended up moving to Yale?"
"Yeah, eventually."
"Because you knew you loved her?"
"I knew it the second I saw her."
"And you told her?"
"On the phone one day. Then I hung up on her."
"Nice."
"Well, I was in a mood. I had other stuff going on. She knew that."
"Did she say it back?"
"Hours later. I got on a plane after hanging up, and she picked me up at the airport and told me then."
"Okay. Not helping. How did you ask her to marry you?"
Tristan smiled again, remembering. "Her mom and Luke dropped Will off at our place for their honeymoon, and all of a sudden, I just couldn't not ask her. It was like a force of nature."
Jess nodded and sat again. Tristan now had a goofy grin on his face, and Jess felt like his insides were going to implode. Tristan obviously had this stuff down. Knowing how to listen to himself. Jess was trying, he really was. But this was a huge step, to tell her he loved her, to ask her to stay, he just didn't want to have so much control over her decision. Or to not have any control as the case may be.
"What if I ask her to stay and she leaves anyway?" Jess blurted out suddenly, bringing Tristan back to focus.
"You honestly don't know how she feels?"
"I think I do, but I thought things were going well. Obviously not well enough," Jess said, shaking his head.
"Look. You probably shouldn't drive. Let me call Rory, she and Paris can pick Erin up and bring her back here."
"That would be good. Actually, that would be great."
"Go to the kitchen, raid anything you want. I'll be right in."
Jess nodded and headed off towards the kitchen. Tristan picked up his cell phone and hit the entry labeled 'Wife'. In a dressing room at Bloomingdale's, Rory heard her cell phone ringing, and she looked at the ID box. It read, 'Husband'. Tristan had messed with her phone again. Smiling, she answered.
"Hey."
"Hey. Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Jess is here, and I was wondering if you guys could pick Erin up on your way back."
"Sure. Is everything okay?"
"He'll be fine. Just a little freaked out."
"Okay. I'm just changing back into my clothes, I found some maternity clothes to get."
"I knew you couldn't resist. Did Paris find her dress?"
"Yeah, it was the first one she tried on. I picked it out."
"Good. See you soon."
"Bye." She got back into her clothes and brought the mound of new clothes out to pay for them. Paris was waiting for her.
"We need to make one more stop, if you don't mind."
Paris nodded as they made their way back to the car to load the bags into the car and they headed back uptown to collect Erin before heading back out to Rory's house.