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.
Rory had called Erin on the way to pick her up, explaining only what she knew, that something had come up so that Jess had already gone to White Plains, but since she was in town, he had wanted her to give Erin a ride. Erin seemed a little unsure, but agreed, and now she sat in the back of Paris' rental car with Rory and Paris in the front. No one spoke after the pleasantries had been passed out, and Rory felt the need to keep the conversation going. She turned sideways a bit in her seat, so she could see both Erin and Paris. Paris shot her a disapproving look, but Rory pinched her to keep her quiet.
"I'm sorry if this is weird for you, but Jess must have had a good reason for going up early. Tristan must have needed help with something around the house."
"No, it's fine. He knew I had to work this morning; there was a staff meeting. I'm sure you're right."
Rory nodded and smiled at her. She couldn't wait to get her hands on Jess and find out what his deal was. Erin said it was fine, but she seemed way too uncomfortable. Something was definitely up. Silence again filled the car.
"So, Erin, how long have you been dating Jess?" Paris looked up in the rearview mirror at her new passenger.
"Oh, a few months here and there."
Silence hit the three again, and Rory wanted to scream. It was going to be a long hour in the car at this rate. The silence was broken yet again, this time by Erin.
"So, Rory's how's the pregnancy coming?"
"Well, now that the morning sickness is over, it's not so bad. I think I'll like it better when I can feel it moving around."
"Are you guys going to find out the sex?"
"No. We agreed it's the only real surprise, you know? Plus, it ticks the grandparents off, which is sort of fun."
They continued to talk about baby stuff until they at long last got off the freeway. Paris felt like if the word baby was used one more time, she would scream. There was definitely a tension in the car, and from what Rory had told her before picking up Erin, Jess had freaked out about them, and evidently Erin knew it, so no one was comfortable. She pulled to a stop in front of Rory's house, behind what she assumed was Jess' car, and said goodbye to the two. Erin got out and approached the house, while Rory gave Paris a hug.
"Sorry the last part of the trip was so angsty. I have no idea what Jess' problem is, but I feel I'm going to have to kill him."
"It's okay. Wish me luck," Paris added.
"Just don't give them a coronary," Rory smiled, grabbing her bags and shutting the door as Paris pulled away from the driveway. She headed to the front door, where Erin was standing, not really waiting for Rory, but not looking ready to go in.
"Hey, you okay?"
Erin looked up at her, indecision on her face. "Can I tell you something?"
Rory nodded, sitting down on the porch. Erin followed suit and lightly wrung her hands.
"I got offered this incredible job. It would mean transferring to the University of Michigan to take the job, to finish my last year of school, but it's the perfect job for me."
Rory nodded, starting to see why Jess had to suddenly come to see Tristan earlier.
"Have you told Jess you're taking this job, yet?"
"I told him last night. I applied for it before he and I got serious, I had started to think I'd never get it, I hadn't heard in so long. But they called, and I was so excited."
"What'd he say?"
"He congratulated me."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Neither spoke for a moment. Rory had no idea what to say. She could give advice about Jess, but Erin was supposed to know him better at this point, she might not think it appropriate.
"Can I give you some advice? I don't want to butt in, but I've known him a long time. I'm no expert on him, but I have seen some things that might be helpful to you to know."
Erin nodded. "Please. He just clammed up, didn't say anything else. We'd had this amazing evening, and after I told him, he didn't even ask when I had to leave, he just thanked me for a lovely evening and said he had to get up early today and left."
Rory smiled softly. "Erin, Jess has had it sort of rough in the relationship department. In fact, you and he have the healthiest relationship he's ever had. I think he really likes you, that's why I want you guys to work. All he sees is that he's losing you."
"He didn't even ask me to stay."
"Would you?"
She took a deep breath and looked at Rory. "I'm not sure. It depends a lot on how he feels."
"To him, he can't ask you to stay and give up that job, but if he doesn't ask you to stay, then you're going and he did nothing. Either way, he loses, can you see that?"
"I know, I know he can't really come with me. He's got all this amazing stuff being offered to him here, in New York, and my job here is fine and I love my program at school. He just got so weird, last night, then today, I was sure when you'd called that something was wrong. Did he say something to you?"
"Honestly, I haven't spoken with him. He showed up here after I'd left, and talked to Tristan. Tristan called me and just said Jess was here, could I pick you up."
"Oh. Thanks, Rory. I'm sorry about bringing all this stuff to your house, and all that."
"It's no problem. Jess is family, and you are too, by extension. We should go in, though."
"Yeah," Erin said, standing up as Rory did, and followed her into the house.
Tristan and Jess were in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner when the girls walked in. Rory loudly dumped her bags on the kitchen table, causing them to turn around. Tristan's eyes got wide as he looked at his wife's purchases.
"I thought you found a few things!"
"What, you want your baby to be stylishly displayed, don't you?" she smiled at him.
"You're just going to grow out of those things," he countered.
"I'll keep them for later use."
"If you're concerned about style, by the time you need them again, you'll need updated versions."
"Hmm. Good point. Good thing they were on sale," she giggled at his response. He rolled his eyes at her, and picked up a few bags, following her up to the bedroom to put them away. This left Jess and Erin standing a few feet away from each other, now alone for the first time since last night.
"Sorry about leaving early. I needed to talk to Tristan."
"You should have been talking to me," she replied. She had him there, he knew that much.
"I have to tell you something," he looked like he might pass out at any moment. She nodded, and didn't move as he stepped closer to her. He was now just inches from her, and she could feel the energy between them.
"I don't want you to go to Michigan. I know it's selfish, I know I should be happy for you and let you go, but I just can't bring myself to do that."
"Jess," she started, but he cut her off.
"No, Erin, I can't let you move to Michigan right now. I can't go with you, if I could, I would, but I can't and you know that."
"Jess," she said a little more demandingly this time.
"What?"
"Why?"
"I love you."
Tears sprung to her eyes. That is what it had depended on. As trite as it sounded, as much as she always prided herself in living her life on her own terms, not being controlled by a man or a relationship, this was it. She knew if he felt about her what she felt about him, she'd stay.
"Are you okay?" he sounded concerned now. He told her he loved her and she bursts into tears? Happy tears? Sad tears? Angry tears? God, why were women so damn difficult to understand?
"I love you too."
He smiled, still not knowing if that changed her mind or not. He'd loved Rory and still he'd left her. Twice, in fact. He leaned in to kiss her and she finally was able to move from her shock and wrap her arms around him as he pulled her into him. They stood there in the kitchen, kissing until the back door opened and people came trampling into the kitchen behind them. Will came up and pulled on Jess' leg, causing them to break apart, a little embarrassed. Luke looked just as embarrassed, walking in on this moment, and Lorelai came in lastly not having seen the embrace.
"Hey, Jess. Where's Rory?"
"They went upstairs to drop some stuff off."
Erin excused herself to the bathroom, to splash some cold water on her face. Lorelai helped Luke bring some stuff in from the car, and Jess picked Will up and sat down at the kitchen table with him, listening to his story about his and Davey's latest way to annoy Michel at the Inn.
"I think we can go back in the kitchen now," Rory whispered to Tristan. They were standing in the living room. He had been telling her how wrong it was to eavesdrop, but she insisted it was their house, and that Jess deserved it by freaking out like that. They'd heard the professions of love, which made Rory tear up a little, too, her tears out of happiness, and Tristan was glad that the stupid guy finally told Erin how he felt.
"Yeah, okay. But don't give him a hard time about this."
"I'm not going to bring it up as dinner conversation. They obviously still need to talk. In private. I get that."
"Let's go," Tristan pushed her ahead of him, into the kitchen. They found Jess and Will, but no Luke and Lorelai.
"Where's mom?"
"You'd think you two would have a greater sense of the other than you have," Jess commented.
"What?"
"Normally you two have some unearthly mind link, but since you got pregnant, it's all screwy."
"I'm developing a new link, sorry if that puts you out. Where are they?"
"Getting stuff out of the car. I'm guessing you're going to have to put an addition on the house for the baby's room."
"Not more stuff!" Tristan exclaimed.
"It's sweet," Rory corrected.
"We need a crib and a changing table. We don't need more toys and crap."
"Shush you," she pulled him to her to kiss him as Luke walked back into the kitchen.
"Aw, Geez, what is it about this room?" Luke muttered.
"What the hell do I keep missing?" Lorelai mused, seeing nothing unusual. Rory and Tristan had broken apart moments before walked in. She took Rory by the sleeve and pulled her up to Rory and Tristan's bedroom.
"Mom, what's with you?" Rory asked breathlessly, feeling slightly harassed.
"I have something for you, it's just between us."
"Okay."
"You know my comforter I made, out of your old baby clothes?"
Rory nodded. She loved that comforter.
"Well, I'd made you so many clothes, all your clothes in fact, so when I made the quilt, I had more left over. I kept them, I've given you some of them for that one," she pointed to Rory's stomach, "But I still had a few left over. So I made this," she gave Rory a small box.
Rory gingerly lifted the box lid, and lifted up what seemed to be a miniature quilt, identical to Lorelai's comforter. She looked up at her mom, and smiled.
"It's a baby blanket. Well, a baby quilt, for the crib. And when it gets too big for it, you can hang it on the wall, sort of an 'I remember when you were this small,' thing. I wish I had more things from you that showed how tiny you used to be. I think that's why I kept your old clothes so long."
"Oh, Mom, thank you so much," Rory hugged her mother tightly, both now crying a little. This was one of those moments she had imaged her pregnancy being full of. Moments of wisdom, passing down of things, bringing them closer together. If that was even possible. Luke came up after a moment, seeing more embracing, and cleared his throat. Tonight was turning way too emotional for his taste. He had a box in his hands and just wanted to be rid of it.
"Where can I put this?"
"Baby stuff?"
He nodded. Rory pointed down the hall. "With the rest of the stuff, in the baby's room. We got it all painted. Now we just need a crib, changing table, and some other stuff."
"We need to have you a Stars Hollow baby shower!" Lorelai jumped up and down a little.
"Mom, I'm not due for six months. At least. We can wait."
"Well, we'll have more than one, of course. We have to spread them out."
"Wait 'til at least month five. Please?"
"Fine, if you insist. Pregnant women and hormones, I tell you."
"You have no room to talk," Luke informed her, coming back in after dropping the box off.
"What?"
"You were much worse with Will."
"I was not. I was worse with Rory. I was a teenager, too. Talk about hormones," Lorelai commented.
Luke shuddered a little, trying to envision that. Lorelai gave him a playful slap.
"Speaking of hormones, I'm starved. Let's eat," Rory interjected.
They made their way back downstairs, where the rest had gathered. Erin had reemerged from the bathroom, looking a little more pulled together. They had a lovely meal, but Tristan kept sneaking looking at Jess, concerned, Jess and Erin couldn't keep their eyes off each other, and Rory was watching Erin every now and then. Luke and Lorelai would glance at each other and shrug, noticing the spy like behavior. After they finished eating, they retired to the front room, where Rory got a puzzle out for Will and everyone to help him with. They spread it out on the hardwood floor, and everyone busied themselves with the task. Puzzles were Will's new thing, it seemed, and he was getting better at them. The grown ups reminded him to find the edging first, to make it easier. Rory looked up at Jess, and nodded towards the kitchen. He nodded, and they slipped silently out of the room.
"What's going on?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Erin."
"We're fine," Jess sighed.
"Oh, really? Cause it really seems the opposite of fine, Jess. She was freaked out."
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"Not then, earlier. And yes, it's my house," she defended.
"She's leaving."
"How can you know that? She loves you."
"I loved you, and I still left. She'll do what she has to do. She hasn't told me she's staying."
"She didn't get the chance."
"I just need to talk to her again. Without everyone around."
"So, go take a walk. It's nice out still."
"Rory,"
"I'm serious. Go, walk it off, figure it out. Come back all happy and sickening and that's my final word."
"When did you get so bossy?"
"It's the hormones. I'm nurturing my maternal qualities."
"Yeah, you're getting those down. That kid's in trouble," Jess smiled, and hugged Rory. She gave him a look, and he relented.
"I'm going, I'm going."
He disappeared into the front room and a few moments later, she heard the front door close. She turned to get a glass of water, and heard footsteps come up behind her.
"What was that about?"
"I told him to go talk to her. It was so tension filled in here, with them all their problems unresolved and sort of hanging over their heads," she shrugged.
"You're meddling," Tristan clarified.
"I'm helping expedite the process. They love each other. They should get to enjoy the feeling."
"Well, now I'll agree to that. We shouldn't be the only lucky ones."
"You still love me now, but soon I'm going to be fat."
"I'll still love you and your big stomach."
"I'll have swollen ankles."
"I'll love those too."
"What if I lose my hair?"
"Pregnancy doesn't cause hair loss. Well, maybe my hair loss, but not yours," he smirked.
"That's unacceptable, I'm afraid."
"I love your swollen ankles, but you reject me if I lose my hair?" he asked incredulously.
"Them's the brakes," she giggled.
"Funny, very funny," he commented, stepping up to grab her and tickle her. She ran a hand through his hair, and smiled.
"I don't think you have much to worry about. I think I'm stuck loving you for a very long, long time."
"Good to hear."
He kissed her again, and sat down, pulling her into his lap. He brought his hand to her stomach and rubbed it lightly. She smiled and watched his movements.
"Whatcha' thinking about?"
"I can't wait until we can feel this little person moving around in there."
"You can't wait, but I'll be the one being beaten from the inside out!"
"I'm sure you're tough enough to take it."
"Tristan, does all this freak you out a little?"
"Having a baby?"
"Yeah, I mean, I know, we wanted this, and planned it, and all that, but sometimes it just hits me and I'm just so overwhelmed by it all."
He nodded, understanding how she felt. He looked into the family room, seeing Luke help Will with the puzzle as Lorelai rested her head in Luke's lap. He smiled and pointed at them, causing Rory to look as well. She smiled at her family. She knew what he was getting at. He hugged her tighter and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Your mom called me again today."
Tristan sighed. "Guess that moment's over."
"Tristan, she really wants to bring your dad down here, to have dinner with us. I told her I wouldn't get in the middle of it, it was your decision. So I'm just telling you she called."
"I know, but I need to go up there and talk to him first. I don't want him around our kid, not unless I know he's a completely different person. I just, I don't buy it yet."
"I know. That sounds more than fair, after all the things he put you through."
Tristan nodded, and they sat there in silence for a moment, just holding onto the other. When she was around, he felt he could handle anything, but the idea of talking to his father again unnerved him. Part of him felt he had to, not because he owed his father anything, but the idea of becoming a father while having all these unresolved issues with his father hanging over his head wouldn't do. He hadn't met this kid yet, but he already loved it more than he'd ever imagined loving someone. He couldn't image how his own father could have treated him in such a cold, calculating way. It didn't make any sense, unless his father really was the bastard he knew him to be. And if that was the case, his mother needed to know. At long last, Tristan released his grip on her, and they made their way back into the living room, to spend time with their family and await the return of Jess and Erin.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
Rory had called Erin on the way to pick her up, explaining only what she knew, that something had come up so that Jess had already gone to White Plains, but since she was in town, he had wanted her to give Erin a ride. Erin seemed a little unsure, but agreed, and now she sat in the back of Paris' rental car with Rory and Paris in the front. No one spoke after the pleasantries had been passed out, and Rory felt the need to keep the conversation going. She turned sideways a bit in her seat, so she could see both Erin and Paris. Paris shot her a disapproving look, but Rory pinched her to keep her quiet.
"I'm sorry if this is weird for you, but Jess must have had a good reason for going up early. Tristan must have needed help with something around the house."
"No, it's fine. He knew I had to work this morning; there was a staff meeting. I'm sure you're right."
Rory nodded and smiled at her. She couldn't wait to get her hands on Jess and find out what his deal was. Erin said it was fine, but she seemed way too uncomfortable. Something was definitely up. Silence again filled the car.
"So, Erin, how long have you been dating Jess?" Paris looked up in the rearview mirror at her new passenger.
"Oh, a few months here and there."
Silence hit the three again, and Rory wanted to scream. It was going to be a long hour in the car at this rate. The silence was broken yet again, this time by Erin.
"So, Rory's how's the pregnancy coming?"
"Well, now that the morning sickness is over, it's not so bad. I think I'll like it better when I can feel it moving around."
"Are you guys going to find out the sex?"
"No. We agreed it's the only real surprise, you know? Plus, it ticks the grandparents off, which is sort of fun."
They continued to talk about baby stuff until they at long last got off the freeway. Paris felt like if the word baby was used one more time, she would scream. There was definitely a tension in the car, and from what Rory had told her before picking up Erin, Jess had freaked out about them, and evidently Erin knew it, so no one was comfortable. She pulled to a stop in front of Rory's house, behind what she assumed was Jess' car, and said goodbye to the two. Erin got out and approached the house, while Rory gave Paris a hug.
"Sorry the last part of the trip was so angsty. I have no idea what Jess' problem is, but I feel I'm going to have to kill him."
"It's okay. Wish me luck," Paris added.
"Just don't give them a coronary," Rory smiled, grabbing her bags and shutting the door as Paris pulled away from the driveway. She headed to the front door, where Erin was standing, not really waiting for Rory, but not looking ready to go in.
"Hey, you okay?"
Erin looked up at her, indecision on her face. "Can I tell you something?"
Rory nodded, sitting down on the porch. Erin followed suit and lightly wrung her hands.
"I got offered this incredible job. It would mean transferring to the University of Michigan to take the job, to finish my last year of school, but it's the perfect job for me."
Rory nodded, starting to see why Jess had to suddenly come to see Tristan earlier.
"Have you told Jess you're taking this job, yet?"
"I told him last night. I applied for it before he and I got serious, I had started to think I'd never get it, I hadn't heard in so long. But they called, and I was so excited."
"What'd he say?"
"He congratulated me."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Neither spoke for a moment. Rory had no idea what to say. She could give advice about Jess, but Erin was supposed to know him better at this point, she might not think it appropriate.
"Can I give you some advice? I don't want to butt in, but I've known him a long time. I'm no expert on him, but I have seen some things that might be helpful to you to know."
Erin nodded. "Please. He just clammed up, didn't say anything else. We'd had this amazing evening, and after I told him, he didn't even ask when I had to leave, he just thanked me for a lovely evening and said he had to get up early today and left."
Rory smiled softly. "Erin, Jess has had it sort of rough in the relationship department. In fact, you and he have the healthiest relationship he's ever had. I think he really likes you, that's why I want you guys to work. All he sees is that he's losing you."
"He didn't even ask me to stay."
"Would you?"
She took a deep breath and looked at Rory. "I'm not sure. It depends a lot on how he feels."
"To him, he can't ask you to stay and give up that job, but if he doesn't ask you to stay, then you're going and he did nothing. Either way, he loses, can you see that?"
"I know, I know he can't really come with me. He's got all this amazing stuff being offered to him here, in New York, and my job here is fine and I love my program at school. He just got so weird, last night, then today, I was sure when you'd called that something was wrong. Did he say something to you?"
"Honestly, I haven't spoken with him. He showed up here after I'd left, and talked to Tristan. Tristan called me and just said Jess was here, could I pick you up."
"Oh. Thanks, Rory. I'm sorry about bringing all this stuff to your house, and all that."
"It's no problem. Jess is family, and you are too, by extension. We should go in, though."
"Yeah," Erin said, standing up as Rory did, and followed her into the house.
Tristan and Jess were in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner when the girls walked in. Rory loudly dumped her bags on the kitchen table, causing them to turn around. Tristan's eyes got wide as he looked at his wife's purchases.
"I thought you found a few things!"
"What, you want your baby to be stylishly displayed, don't you?" she smiled at him.
"You're just going to grow out of those things," he countered.
"I'll keep them for later use."
"If you're concerned about style, by the time you need them again, you'll need updated versions."
"Hmm. Good point. Good thing they were on sale," she giggled at his response. He rolled his eyes at her, and picked up a few bags, following her up to the bedroom to put them away. This left Jess and Erin standing a few feet away from each other, now alone for the first time since last night.
"Sorry about leaving early. I needed to talk to Tristan."
"You should have been talking to me," she replied. She had him there, he knew that much.
"I have to tell you something," he looked like he might pass out at any moment. She nodded, and didn't move as he stepped closer to her. He was now just inches from her, and she could feel the energy between them.
"I don't want you to go to Michigan. I know it's selfish, I know I should be happy for you and let you go, but I just can't bring myself to do that."
"Jess," she started, but he cut her off.
"No, Erin, I can't let you move to Michigan right now. I can't go with you, if I could, I would, but I can't and you know that."
"Jess," she said a little more demandingly this time.
"What?"
"Why?"
"I love you."
Tears sprung to her eyes. That is what it had depended on. As trite as it sounded, as much as she always prided herself in living her life on her own terms, not being controlled by a man or a relationship, this was it. She knew if he felt about her what she felt about him, she'd stay.
"Are you okay?" he sounded concerned now. He told her he loved her and she bursts into tears? Happy tears? Sad tears? Angry tears? God, why were women so damn difficult to understand?
"I love you too."
He smiled, still not knowing if that changed her mind or not. He'd loved Rory and still he'd left her. Twice, in fact. He leaned in to kiss her and she finally was able to move from her shock and wrap her arms around him as he pulled her into him. They stood there in the kitchen, kissing until the back door opened and people came trampling into the kitchen behind them. Will came up and pulled on Jess' leg, causing them to break apart, a little embarrassed. Luke looked just as embarrassed, walking in on this moment, and Lorelai came in lastly not having seen the embrace.
"Hey, Jess. Where's Rory?"
"They went upstairs to drop some stuff off."
Erin excused herself to the bathroom, to splash some cold water on her face. Lorelai helped Luke bring some stuff in from the car, and Jess picked Will up and sat down at the kitchen table with him, listening to his story about his and Davey's latest way to annoy Michel at the Inn.
"I think we can go back in the kitchen now," Rory whispered to Tristan. They were standing in the living room. He had been telling her how wrong it was to eavesdrop, but she insisted it was their house, and that Jess deserved it by freaking out like that. They'd heard the professions of love, which made Rory tear up a little, too, her tears out of happiness, and Tristan was glad that the stupid guy finally told Erin how he felt.
"Yeah, okay. But don't give him a hard time about this."
"I'm not going to bring it up as dinner conversation. They obviously still need to talk. In private. I get that."
"Let's go," Tristan pushed her ahead of him, into the kitchen. They found Jess and Will, but no Luke and Lorelai.
"Where's mom?"
"You'd think you two would have a greater sense of the other than you have," Jess commented.
"What?"
"Normally you two have some unearthly mind link, but since you got pregnant, it's all screwy."
"I'm developing a new link, sorry if that puts you out. Where are they?"
"Getting stuff out of the car. I'm guessing you're going to have to put an addition on the house for the baby's room."
"Not more stuff!" Tristan exclaimed.
"It's sweet," Rory corrected.
"We need a crib and a changing table. We don't need more toys and crap."
"Shush you," she pulled him to her to kiss him as Luke walked back into the kitchen.
"Aw, Geez, what is it about this room?" Luke muttered.
"What the hell do I keep missing?" Lorelai mused, seeing nothing unusual. Rory and Tristan had broken apart moments before walked in. She took Rory by the sleeve and pulled her up to Rory and Tristan's bedroom.
"Mom, what's with you?" Rory asked breathlessly, feeling slightly harassed.
"I have something for you, it's just between us."
"Okay."
"You know my comforter I made, out of your old baby clothes?"
Rory nodded. She loved that comforter.
"Well, I'd made you so many clothes, all your clothes in fact, so when I made the quilt, I had more left over. I kept them, I've given you some of them for that one," she pointed to Rory's stomach, "But I still had a few left over. So I made this," she gave Rory a small box.
Rory gingerly lifted the box lid, and lifted up what seemed to be a miniature quilt, identical to Lorelai's comforter. She looked up at her mom, and smiled.
"It's a baby blanket. Well, a baby quilt, for the crib. And when it gets too big for it, you can hang it on the wall, sort of an 'I remember when you were this small,' thing. I wish I had more things from you that showed how tiny you used to be. I think that's why I kept your old clothes so long."
"Oh, Mom, thank you so much," Rory hugged her mother tightly, both now crying a little. This was one of those moments she had imaged her pregnancy being full of. Moments of wisdom, passing down of things, bringing them closer together. If that was even possible. Luke came up after a moment, seeing more embracing, and cleared his throat. Tonight was turning way too emotional for his taste. He had a box in his hands and just wanted to be rid of it.
"Where can I put this?"
"Baby stuff?"
He nodded. Rory pointed down the hall. "With the rest of the stuff, in the baby's room. We got it all painted. Now we just need a crib, changing table, and some other stuff."
"We need to have you a Stars Hollow baby shower!" Lorelai jumped up and down a little.
"Mom, I'm not due for six months. At least. We can wait."
"Well, we'll have more than one, of course. We have to spread them out."
"Wait 'til at least month five. Please?"
"Fine, if you insist. Pregnant women and hormones, I tell you."
"You have no room to talk," Luke informed her, coming back in after dropping the box off.
"What?"
"You were much worse with Will."
"I was not. I was worse with Rory. I was a teenager, too. Talk about hormones," Lorelai commented.
Luke shuddered a little, trying to envision that. Lorelai gave him a playful slap.
"Speaking of hormones, I'm starved. Let's eat," Rory interjected.
They made their way back downstairs, where the rest had gathered. Erin had reemerged from the bathroom, looking a little more pulled together. They had a lovely meal, but Tristan kept sneaking looking at Jess, concerned, Jess and Erin couldn't keep their eyes off each other, and Rory was watching Erin every now and then. Luke and Lorelai would glance at each other and shrug, noticing the spy like behavior. After they finished eating, they retired to the front room, where Rory got a puzzle out for Will and everyone to help him with. They spread it out on the hardwood floor, and everyone busied themselves with the task. Puzzles were Will's new thing, it seemed, and he was getting better at them. The grown ups reminded him to find the edging first, to make it easier. Rory looked up at Jess, and nodded towards the kitchen. He nodded, and they slipped silently out of the room.
"What's going on?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Erin."
"We're fine," Jess sighed.
"Oh, really? Cause it really seems the opposite of fine, Jess. She was freaked out."
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"Not then, earlier. And yes, it's my house," she defended.
"She's leaving."
"How can you know that? She loves you."
"I loved you, and I still left. She'll do what she has to do. She hasn't told me she's staying."
"She didn't get the chance."
"I just need to talk to her again. Without everyone around."
"So, go take a walk. It's nice out still."
"Rory,"
"I'm serious. Go, walk it off, figure it out. Come back all happy and sickening and that's my final word."
"When did you get so bossy?"
"It's the hormones. I'm nurturing my maternal qualities."
"Yeah, you're getting those down. That kid's in trouble," Jess smiled, and hugged Rory. She gave him a look, and he relented.
"I'm going, I'm going."
He disappeared into the front room and a few moments later, she heard the front door close. She turned to get a glass of water, and heard footsteps come up behind her.
"What was that about?"
"I told him to go talk to her. It was so tension filled in here, with them all their problems unresolved and sort of hanging over their heads," she shrugged.
"You're meddling," Tristan clarified.
"I'm helping expedite the process. They love each other. They should get to enjoy the feeling."
"Well, now I'll agree to that. We shouldn't be the only lucky ones."
"You still love me now, but soon I'm going to be fat."
"I'll still love you and your big stomach."
"I'll have swollen ankles."
"I'll love those too."
"What if I lose my hair?"
"Pregnancy doesn't cause hair loss. Well, maybe my hair loss, but not yours," he smirked.
"That's unacceptable, I'm afraid."
"I love your swollen ankles, but you reject me if I lose my hair?" he asked incredulously.
"Them's the brakes," she giggled.
"Funny, very funny," he commented, stepping up to grab her and tickle her. She ran a hand through his hair, and smiled.
"I don't think you have much to worry about. I think I'm stuck loving you for a very long, long time."
"Good to hear."
He kissed her again, and sat down, pulling her into his lap. He brought his hand to her stomach and rubbed it lightly. She smiled and watched his movements.
"Whatcha' thinking about?"
"I can't wait until we can feel this little person moving around in there."
"You can't wait, but I'll be the one being beaten from the inside out!"
"I'm sure you're tough enough to take it."
"Tristan, does all this freak you out a little?"
"Having a baby?"
"Yeah, I mean, I know, we wanted this, and planned it, and all that, but sometimes it just hits me and I'm just so overwhelmed by it all."
He nodded, understanding how she felt. He looked into the family room, seeing Luke help Will with the puzzle as Lorelai rested her head in Luke's lap. He smiled and pointed at them, causing Rory to look as well. She smiled at her family. She knew what he was getting at. He hugged her tighter and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Your mom called me again today."
Tristan sighed. "Guess that moment's over."
"Tristan, she really wants to bring your dad down here, to have dinner with us. I told her I wouldn't get in the middle of it, it was your decision. So I'm just telling you she called."
"I know, but I need to go up there and talk to him first. I don't want him around our kid, not unless I know he's a completely different person. I just, I don't buy it yet."
"I know. That sounds more than fair, after all the things he put you through."
Tristan nodded, and they sat there in silence for a moment, just holding onto the other. When she was around, he felt he could handle anything, but the idea of talking to his father again unnerved him. Part of him felt he had to, not because he owed his father anything, but the idea of becoming a father while having all these unresolved issues with his father hanging over his head wouldn't do. He hadn't met this kid yet, but he already loved it more than he'd ever imagined loving someone. He couldn't image how his own father could have treated him in such a cold, calculating way. It didn't make any sense, unless his father really was the bastard he knew him to be. And if that was the case, his mother needed to know. At long last, Tristan released his grip on her, and they made their way back into the living room, to spend time with their family and await the return of Jess and Erin.