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.
Ding Dong.
"TRISTAN!"
Ding Dong.
"TRISTAN!! THE DOOR!"
Rory was undressed, trying to change after work. She knew her father was at the door, and couldn't imagine where Tristan was. She grabbed her robe and hurried downstairs to find her father waiting on the porch, looking around.
"Dad!" Rory hugged her father.
"Hey, Ror. I was starting to think I had the wrong house."
"Nope, this is our humble abode. Come on in, I don't know where Tristan has gotten to. Have a look around, I just need to get changed."
"Take your time, honey. I have all the time in the world for you tonight."
Rory smiled and headed back upstairs. She couldn't imagine where Tristan could be. They came home together, and all she had done was take a shower, and poof, he was a regular magic act. She took her time, since her Dad was now in the house and she was tired and hungry.
Tristan came into the house to see Christopher wandering around the kitchen. He had run out to get gas in the car, thinking he would be back in plenty of time. He cleared his throat and put his keys on the table.
"Oh, hey, Tristan. Rory's just getting dressed."
"Okay. I should go check on her."
"I'm sure she's fine. Stay, talk with me a minute."
Tristan consented and sat down at the table. Chris followed his lead and sat opposite him.
"So, Rory tells me you got offered a very lucrative position."
"The money is okay. I took it more because it's exactly what I want to do."
"Well, that's good. I mean, to have something like that, that you really enjoy."
"Yeah, it is."
"And good timing, what with the baby coming soon."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"That's going to change everything, let me tell you."
"What do you mean, by change everything?"
"I just mean that babies need constant care."
"I know. It's not like we've never taken care of a baby. We used to watch Will all the time."
"Lorelai's son?"
"Yeah."
"Not that kids aren't great. They are."
"Right. I'm going to check on Rory now."
Chris nodded and Tristan had to restrain himself from running from the room. Rory was just coming out of the bedroom as he met her, and he turned her back into the room.
"Tristan, now is not the time," she giggled.
"No, it's your dad."
"What's wrong? And where were you anyway?"
"I went to go get gas. I know the smell makes you nauseous still."
"Thanks. What's wrong with Dad?"
"He's downstairs mumbling about how kids change everything, and how wonderful it is to have something you love in your life, not to mention looking all pathetic when I mentioned Will. It's just weird."
"I'm sure he's fine. Or we'll hear about it at dinner. Come on, I'll try to steer the topics to more happy things, okay?"
"Let's go eat. You must be starving."
"Am I that transparent?"
"Yes, yes you are. Let's go."
They made their way downstairs. Chris had heard them coming and stood up. He smiled at his daughter, holding out his arm for her.
"We ready?"
"We're ready. Where do you want to eat?"
"Any place is fine. I don't think I've ever been to the area before."
"We can just go into the city, or we can stay in town. It's your call."
"How hungry are you?" Tristan interjected.
"Right, we'll stay local," Chris answered, looking at Rory's facial reaction to the last question.
"So, you got the famous Gilmore pregnancy appetite."
"Well, what's Mom good for, if not for passing on her eating habits?"
"You're so much like her, I can't even believe it. Every time I see you, I see her."
"I get the impression she was trying to clone herself," Tristan laughed.
Tristan pulled into he and Rory's favorite local restaurant and they went in. It was fairly busy, so they went outside to wait.
"So, Dad, what was with the urgency of seeing me?"
"I just, hadn't gotten a chance to see you. I wanted to make sure I saw you before the baby's born. You won't have much spare time afterwards, let me tell you."
"It'll be a change, but we're excited for it."
"That's good. You guys seem really prepared."
"You should come up and see the nursery. Mom and Luke have it loaded down with everything. Luke built a crib, Mom's thrown two showers. It's insane."
"I'm sorry, I haven't been there for you. I can't believe I just found out about this."
"I would have told you sooner, but I'd been so busy with work, and just being pregnant."
"I understand. It's not like I've been the 'build a crib type' Dad."
"Dad, that's not what I meant," Rory said, feeling bad.
"It's true. And I'm sorry."
"I know."
The hostess called out their name and they headed into the restaurant. Tristan wanted a drink really bad, and felt bad that Rory had to endure this night without alcohol. They placed drink orders and were left to themselves.
"I had another reason for wanting to come down so soon," Chris announced after they put in a food order.
Rory looked up at him and her eyes widened in anticipation. She noticed in this light that he looked sort of drawn and tired. Like he hadn't been sleeping.
"Sherry and I, we've not been doing too well lately. Actually, I'd been sleeping on the couch for the last month. We've decided to get a divorce, and I'm moving out."
"Oh. Dad, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It's been on its way, maybe from the beginning. I was hoping, you could tell your mom for me."
"Dad, maybe you should be the one to tell her."
"She doesn't want to talk to me. Not after the last time. I really messed up any chance of us remaining friends."
"Maybe the baby will soften her up. You two are still parents, and you're about to be grandparents. She doesn't hate you Dad, she really doesn't."
"I don't know. I just, wanted to let you know that I'll be moving. I'm not sure where too yet. Sherry is going to keep Georgia most of the time, we've decided on joint custody, but I'll probably be restricted to weekends and summers."
Tristan kept his eyes on his glass, not wanting to be there. It seemed more like a father/daughter moment, and Chris never was one much for speaking with Tristan. Rory looked from her father to Tristan. She wanted to change the subject, but felt badly for both of them.
"Well, you're welcome to visit us anytime."
"Thanks."
"So, Dad, would you like to do something tonight?"
"Like what?"
"Well, actually, I was thinking you and Tristan could go to the park, shoot some hoops or something," she offered.
Tristan kicked her softly under the table.
"That's okay, honey. I should get back."
"To what? Do you even have anywhere to stay?"
"Rory, it's okay," Chris said. Tristan looked at Rory, and then stood up.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back."
"Dad, don't you like Tristan, at all?" she hissed after Tristan had disappeared into the restroom.
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't talk to him, you won't even acknowledge him! I know you're going through a hard time right now, but you've never given him a chance."
"I don't even know him."
"Well, he's my husband, I think you should get to know him."
"Rory,"
"Look, I know you haven't really found things out on a first hand basis when it comes to my life. But Tristan has had nothing to do with that."
"You were engaged for over a year before I knew, and pregnant for over four months!"
"Then, you should be angry with me, not him."
"I am not angry with you. I wanted to be there for you from the beginning!"
"So, this is about Mom?"
"Rory,"
"No, seriously, is this about Mom?"
"Maybe, I don't know. I just feel like everything keeps getting worse."
Rory looked at her father. She hated that he did this to her. He made her more angry than she'd ever been, and more sad at the same time. She knew that her parent's relationship was complicated, especially when she was born, but it didn't make up for the fact that he wasn't there most of the time.
"Rory, can I talk to you for a second?" Tristan reappeared at the table and stood next to Rory. He didn't look bored and bitter like he had when he had left for the restroom. He looked distraught and foggy.
"Tristan? Are you alright?"
"Uh, I was coming out of the bathroom, and my phone rang. It was my Dad, he said, Gramps, he's in the hospital."
"Oh no, is he okay?"
"He's in surgery. It was something about his heart. The doctors said they wouldn't know much until he was out of surgery. I need to get to Hartford."
"We'll go right now," she assured him, turning back to her dad.
"Dad, we have to go. We have to go to Hartford. Tristan's grandfather is in the hospital," Rory explained.
"Come on, I'll drive you. Do you need to stop by the house?"
"No, we just need to go."
Chris nodded, and threw down several large bills to cover the meal as Rory ushered Tristan out to the car. He'd nodded numbly at Chris' offer to drive them to Hartford. He got into the backseat, with Rory in the passenger side of the front seat, next to Chris.
"What did your dad say?" Rory turned slightly to see Tristan.
"Just that Gramps collapsed, and he rushed him to the hospital. He and mom are there now."
"I'm going to call Mom and Luke."
Tristan nodded again, as Chris continued to head to the interstate. Rory pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number. She got no answer at the house, so she dialed her mom's cell phone, and finally she heard her mom's voice.
"Hello?" Lorelai sounded out of breath.
"Mom?"
"Yeah, hey, Rory. Uh, is this important, can I call you back?"
"It's important—what are you doing?"
"Uh, I'll tell you when you're older?"
"Oh, ew. Where are you, anyway?"
"The stables at the Inn," Lorelai admitted.
"MOM! I can't, ... words can't ... I can't believe you!"
"What's the emergency?"
"Tristan's grandfather, he's in surgery."
"What happened?"
"We're not sure. We're on our way to Hartford right now."
"I thought you were having dinner with Chris tonight?"
"We did, he's driving us to Hartford."
"Alright, well, we'll meet you at the hospital."
"Thanks. Oh, can you call Grandpa and Grandma?"
"Yeah, sure."
Rory hung up the phone, and realized there was an uncomfortable silence, due to both men having heard her end of the conversation. And probably most of Lorelai's half, due to her voice screaming through the cell phone.
"So, uh, your mom is coming to meet us at the hospital?" Chris said, trying to appear comfortable.
"Yeah."
"Do I even want to know what your mom was doing?"
"Probably not."
Tristan broke into a little laugh in the backseat.
"It's not funny," Rory said.
"It kind of is," Tristan said, sobering back up. He turned to look out the window, hoping his grandfather was fine.
Once at the hospital, Tristan raced up to the information counter. Rory followed him, at about half the speed. Chris parked the car and met them at the counter. They got up to the waiting area, to find Tristan's parents and Lorelai and Luke sitting there.
"Tristan!" Elizabeth stood and hugged her son.
"Is he alright?"
"He's still in surgery. The doctor said he should be out within the hour. Then he'll come talk with us."
"Where are grandma and grandpa?" Rory asked as she hugged her mom.
"They're in Europe. I called and told them what happened, they send their best wishes. They'll be home as soon as they can get a flight."
"Good. OH, and you have some hay in your hair, there," Rory said, pulling the twig from her hair.
"Nice, Lor," Chris laughed.
Lorelai gave Chris a look, and sat back down next to Luke.
"Can I get anyone anything? Coffee, tea?" Rory offered. Elizabeth stood up, and joined her.
"Good idea, I'll come with you."
She put her arm around Rory as they headed off to find a vending machine.
"So, you were there?"
"We'd gone over to have dinner with him."
"Was it horrible?"
"He just sort of fell over. He had a heart attack. Tom was so calm, calling 911, taking care of him. Then we got here, it was a big blur, before I knew it, we were waiting in the room while the nurse told us he was having a by- pass surgery."
"They do those all the time, right? I mean, it's serious, but people recover from it all the time, right?"
"That's true. We just have to wait and see. He'll have a long recovery."
"Guess he's retiring early, huh?"
"Yeah. Tom wants to move in with me and have Janlan stay with us."
"Wow."
"I haven't given him an answer yet, but he's basically living there now anyway."
"Again, wow."
"Tristan won't like this, will he?"
"Probably not. But let's not focus on that right now. We'll just focus on one thing at a time."
"Good idea," Elizabeth smiled and grabbed a few cups as Rory took the others. They made their way back to the waiting area. They handed out the drinks. Luke was playing cards with Lorelai and Tristan, and Chris was talking with Thomas. As it turned out, Chris was good friends with one of Tom's cousins back in high school. Elizabeth sat down and started talking about old friends they shared.
Rory walked over to Tristan, placing his coffee in front of him and ran her hand through his messy blonde hair. She ran them down to his neck and gently massaged his neck and shoulders. He leaned back into her and she placed a kiss on the top of his head. All they could do now was wait.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
Ding Dong.
"TRISTAN!"
Ding Dong.
"TRISTAN!! THE DOOR!"
Rory was undressed, trying to change after work. She knew her father was at the door, and couldn't imagine where Tristan was. She grabbed her robe and hurried downstairs to find her father waiting on the porch, looking around.
"Dad!" Rory hugged her father.
"Hey, Ror. I was starting to think I had the wrong house."
"Nope, this is our humble abode. Come on in, I don't know where Tristan has gotten to. Have a look around, I just need to get changed."
"Take your time, honey. I have all the time in the world for you tonight."
Rory smiled and headed back upstairs. She couldn't imagine where Tristan could be. They came home together, and all she had done was take a shower, and poof, he was a regular magic act. She took her time, since her Dad was now in the house and she was tired and hungry.
Tristan came into the house to see Christopher wandering around the kitchen. He had run out to get gas in the car, thinking he would be back in plenty of time. He cleared his throat and put his keys on the table.
"Oh, hey, Tristan. Rory's just getting dressed."
"Okay. I should go check on her."
"I'm sure she's fine. Stay, talk with me a minute."
Tristan consented and sat down at the table. Chris followed his lead and sat opposite him.
"So, Rory tells me you got offered a very lucrative position."
"The money is okay. I took it more because it's exactly what I want to do."
"Well, that's good. I mean, to have something like that, that you really enjoy."
"Yeah, it is."
"And good timing, what with the baby coming soon."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"That's going to change everything, let me tell you."
"What do you mean, by change everything?"
"I just mean that babies need constant care."
"I know. It's not like we've never taken care of a baby. We used to watch Will all the time."
"Lorelai's son?"
"Yeah."
"Not that kids aren't great. They are."
"Right. I'm going to check on Rory now."
Chris nodded and Tristan had to restrain himself from running from the room. Rory was just coming out of the bedroom as he met her, and he turned her back into the room.
"Tristan, now is not the time," she giggled.
"No, it's your dad."
"What's wrong? And where were you anyway?"
"I went to go get gas. I know the smell makes you nauseous still."
"Thanks. What's wrong with Dad?"
"He's downstairs mumbling about how kids change everything, and how wonderful it is to have something you love in your life, not to mention looking all pathetic when I mentioned Will. It's just weird."
"I'm sure he's fine. Or we'll hear about it at dinner. Come on, I'll try to steer the topics to more happy things, okay?"
"Let's go eat. You must be starving."
"Am I that transparent?"
"Yes, yes you are. Let's go."
They made their way downstairs. Chris had heard them coming and stood up. He smiled at his daughter, holding out his arm for her.
"We ready?"
"We're ready. Where do you want to eat?"
"Any place is fine. I don't think I've ever been to the area before."
"We can just go into the city, or we can stay in town. It's your call."
"How hungry are you?" Tristan interjected.
"Right, we'll stay local," Chris answered, looking at Rory's facial reaction to the last question.
"So, you got the famous Gilmore pregnancy appetite."
"Well, what's Mom good for, if not for passing on her eating habits?"
"You're so much like her, I can't even believe it. Every time I see you, I see her."
"I get the impression she was trying to clone herself," Tristan laughed.
Tristan pulled into he and Rory's favorite local restaurant and they went in. It was fairly busy, so they went outside to wait.
"So, Dad, what was with the urgency of seeing me?"
"I just, hadn't gotten a chance to see you. I wanted to make sure I saw you before the baby's born. You won't have much spare time afterwards, let me tell you."
"It'll be a change, but we're excited for it."
"That's good. You guys seem really prepared."
"You should come up and see the nursery. Mom and Luke have it loaded down with everything. Luke built a crib, Mom's thrown two showers. It's insane."
"I'm sorry, I haven't been there for you. I can't believe I just found out about this."
"I would have told you sooner, but I'd been so busy with work, and just being pregnant."
"I understand. It's not like I've been the 'build a crib type' Dad."
"Dad, that's not what I meant," Rory said, feeling bad.
"It's true. And I'm sorry."
"I know."
The hostess called out their name and they headed into the restaurant. Tristan wanted a drink really bad, and felt bad that Rory had to endure this night without alcohol. They placed drink orders and were left to themselves.
"I had another reason for wanting to come down so soon," Chris announced after they put in a food order.
Rory looked up at him and her eyes widened in anticipation. She noticed in this light that he looked sort of drawn and tired. Like he hadn't been sleeping.
"Sherry and I, we've not been doing too well lately. Actually, I'd been sleeping on the couch for the last month. We've decided to get a divorce, and I'm moving out."
"Oh. Dad, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It's been on its way, maybe from the beginning. I was hoping, you could tell your mom for me."
"Dad, maybe you should be the one to tell her."
"She doesn't want to talk to me. Not after the last time. I really messed up any chance of us remaining friends."
"Maybe the baby will soften her up. You two are still parents, and you're about to be grandparents. She doesn't hate you Dad, she really doesn't."
"I don't know. I just, wanted to let you know that I'll be moving. I'm not sure where too yet. Sherry is going to keep Georgia most of the time, we've decided on joint custody, but I'll probably be restricted to weekends and summers."
Tristan kept his eyes on his glass, not wanting to be there. It seemed more like a father/daughter moment, and Chris never was one much for speaking with Tristan. Rory looked from her father to Tristan. She wanted to change the subject, but felt badly for both of them.
"Well, you're welcome to visit us anytime."
"Thanks."
"So, Dad, would you like to do something tonight?"
"Like what?"
"Well, actually, I was thinking you and Tristan could go to the park, shoot some hoops or something," she offered.
Tristan kicked her softly under the table.
"That's okay, honey. I should get back."
"To what? Do you even have anywhere to stay?"
"Rory, it's okay," Chris said. Tristan looked at Rory, and then stood up.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back."
"Dad, don't you like Tristan, at all?" she hissed after Tristan had disappeared into the restroom.
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't talk to him, you won't even acknowledge him! I know you're going through a hard time right now, but you've never given him a chance."
"I don't even know him."
"Well, he's my husband, I think you should get to know him."
"Rory,"
"Look, I know you haven't really found things out on a first hand basis when it comes to my life. But Tristan has had nothing to do with that."
"You were engaged for over a year before I knew, and pregnant for over four months!"
"Then, you should be angry with me, not him."
"I am not angry with you. I wanted to be there for you from the beginning!"
"So, this is about Mom?"
"Rory,"
"No, seriously, is this about Mom?"
"Maybe, I don't know. I just feel like everything keeps getting worse."
Rory looked at her father. She hated that he did this to her. He made her more angry than she'd ever been, and more sad at the same time. She knew that her parent's relationship was complicated, especially when she was born, but it didn't make up for the fact that he wasn't there most of the time.
"Rory, can I talk to you for a second?" Tristan reappeared at the table and stood next to Rory. He didn't look bored and bitter like he had when he had left for the restroom. He looked distraught and foggy.
"Tristan? Are you alright?"
"Uh, I was coming out of the bathroom, and my phone rang. It was my Dad, he said, Gramps, he's in the hospital."
"Oh no, is he okay?"
"He's in surgery. It was something about his heart. The doctors said they wouldn't know much until he was out of surgery. I need to get to Hartford."
"We'll go right now," she assured him, turning back to her dad.
"Dad, we have to go. We have to go to Hartford. Tristan's grandfather is in the hospital," Rory explained.
"Come on, I'll drive you. Do you need to stop by the house?"
"No, we just need to go."
Chris nodded, and threw down several large bills to cover the meal as Rory ushered Tristan out to the car. He'd nodded numbly at Chris' offer to drive them to Hartford. He got into the backseat, with Rory in the passenger side of the front seat, next to Chris.
"What did your dad say?" Rory turned slightly to see Tristan.
"Just that Gramps collapsed, and he rushed him to the hospital. He and mom are there now."
"I'm going to call Mom and Luke."
Tristan nodded again, as Chris continued to head to the interstate. Rory pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number. She got no answer at the house, so she dialed her mom's cell phone, and finally she heard her mom's voice.
"Hello?" Lorelai sounded out of breath.
"Mom?"
"Yeah, hey, Rory. Uh, is this important, can I call you back?"
"It's important—what are you doing?"
"Uh, I'll tell you when you're older?"
"Oh, ew. Where are you, anyway?"
"The stables at the Inn," Lorelai admitted.
"MOM! I can't, ... words can't ... I can't believe you!"
"What's the emergency?"
"Tristan's grandfather, he's in surgery."
"What happened?"
"We're not sure. We're on our way to Hartford right now."
"I thought you were having dinner with Chris tonight?"
"We did, he's driving us to Hartford."
"Alright, well, we'll meet you at the hospital."
"Thanks. Oh, can you call Grandpa and Grandma?"
"Yeah, sure."
Rory hung up the phone, and realized there was an uncomfortable silence, due to both men having heard her end of the conversation. And probably most of Lorelai's half, due to her voice screaming through the cell phone.
"So, uh, your mom is coming to meet us at the hospital?" Chris said, trying to appear comfortable.
"Yeah."
"Do I even want to know what your mom was doing?"
"Probably not."
Tristan broke into a little laugh in the backseat.
"It's not funny," Rory said.
"It kind of is," Tristan said, sobering back up. He turned to look out the window, hoping his grandfather was fine.
Once at the hospital, Tristan raced up to the information counter. Rory followed him, at about half the speed. Chris parked the car and met them at the counter. They got up to the waiting area, to find Tristan's parents and Lorelai and Luke sitting there.
"Tristan!" Elizabeth stood and hugged her son.
"Is he alright?"
"He's still in surgery. The doctor said he should be out within the hour. Then he'll come talk with us."
"Where are grandma and grandpa?" Rory asked as she hugged her mom.
"They're in Europe. I called and told them what happened, they send their best wishes. They'll be home as soon as they can get a flight."
"Good. OH, and you have some hay in your hair, there," Rory said, pulling the twig from her hair.
"Nice, Lor," Chris laughed.
Lorelai gave Chris a look, and sat back down next to Luke.
"Can I get anyone anything? Coffee, tea?" Rory offered. Elizabeth stood up, and joined her.
"Good idea, I'll come with you."
She put her arm around Rory as they headed off to find a vending machine.
"So, you were there?"
"We'd gone over to have dinner with him."
"Was it horrible?"
"He just sort of fell over. He had a heart attack. Tom was so calm, calling 911, taking care of him. Then we got here, it was a big blur, before I knew it, we were waiting in the room while the nurse told us he was having a by- pass surgery."
"They do those all the time, right? I mean, it's serious, but people recover from it all the time, right?"
"That's true. We just have to wait and see. He'll have a long recovery."
"Guess he's retiring early, huh?"
"Yeah. Tom wants to move in with me and have Janlan stay with us."
"Wow."
"I haven't given him an answer yet, but he's basically living there now anyway."
"Again, wow."
"Tristan won't like this, will he?"
"Probably not. But let's not focus on that right now. We'll just focus on one thing at a time."
"Good idea," Elizabeth smiled and grabbed a few cups as Rory took the others. They made their way back to the waiting area. They handed out the drinks. Luke was playing cards with Lorelai and Tristan, and Chris was talking with Thomas. As it turned out, Chris was good friends with one of Tom's cousins back in high school. Elizabeth sat down and started talking about old friends they shared.
Rory walked over to Tristan, placing his coffee in front of him and ran her hand through his messy blonde hair. She ran them down to his neck and gently massaged his neck and shoulders. He leaned back into her and she placed a kiss on the top of his head. All they could do now was wait.