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: Sorry it took me a while. Work and I was trying to rewatch some of season one to get back to how Rory used to be. Damn the end of season four. . .

At long last the doctor came into the waiting area. Rory was lying in Tristan's lap on the small couch, taking a nap. Lorelai had gone to get more coffee, leaving Luke alone to stare at his shoes. Tristan watched his father, who had his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders as she rested against him. They all looked up as the doctor entered.

"I have news about Janlan Dugrey. Who is next of kin?"

"That's me, doctor. How is he?"

"Well, I'm sorry this took so long to get to you. The surgery took longer than expected. We had to do a much more extensive bypass than we'd originally thought, but he's pulled through it. Now, that's not to say the recovery won't be long and hard, but making it this far is important."

Thomas nodded, and Elizabeth squeezed his hand. Rory had woken as Tristan shifted towards the front of his chair, and she smiled at him as the doctor gave them the news.

"Now, as I said, it'll take a while until he recovers, and he'll need constant care. Is there someone he can stay with?"

Elizabeth looked at her ex-husband and smiled. "He'll be coming home with us."

Tristan looked to his mother, confused. Both his parents were almost beaming, and the doctor just nodded.

"Very well, I'll have the nurse notify you when you can go see him, two at a time, and if you'll just come with me, I'll have the head nurse go over some things about home care with you, while you wait."

"Thank you," Thomas said, as he and Elizabeth stood to follow the doctor.

"Well, that's a relief," Chris offered.

"What was Mom talking about, stay with us?"

"Tristan, I was talking to your mom earlier," Rory began.

"Uh, Chris, why don't we go see what's keeping Lorelai."

"Right."

The two men stood and left the room. Rory was grateful to them, knowing both probably wasn't comfortable with the situation of being left alone. She turned back to Tristan and took a breath.

"I was talking to her earlier, and the nurse had mentioned about the extensive home care Janlan would need after surgery, and your dad brought up the idea of him moving back in and them taking your grandfather in until he was better."

"So, they're moving in together?"

"Yeah, it looks like it."

Tristan sat back, a little in shock. Not that he hadn't foreseen this happening the way his parents had been talking. He was so tired, so drained emotionally, he didn't feel especially weird about it.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, I don't really hate the idea as much as I thought I would. Maybe it's for the best."

"You really feel that way?"

"Dad seems to really be stepping up the family ties, taking charge of taking care of Gramps. I hope it's who he is, not who he's trying to be."

Rory smiled and kissed Tristan. She took advantage of the fact that they were alone to deepen the kiss and run her hands through his hair. When they pulled back, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"What was that for?"

"Just felt like it."

"Thanks. I needed that."

They looked up to see Lorelai and Luke reentering the waiting room.

"Where's Dad?"

"We offered to take you back tomorrow, you can stay the night with us. I told him to go ahead and get home."

"Mom, he--,"

"I know, honey. He told us about the separation. But he said he needed to get back, to start looking for apartments."

"Oh. Alright."

"So, we can stay as long as it takes, 'til he wakes up, then we can head to the house."

"Thanks, Lorelai."

"No problem. I'm going to call Sookie and check on Will."

They sat around for another hour, playing cards, and not talking much. Tom and Liz had come back in, going through some paperwork and sitting at the table the others were playing cards at. Liz kept looking at Tristan, who seemingly remained concentrated on his cards.

A nurse came in, and instructed them that they could go in and see him, two at a time, in room 507. They looked amongst themselves, and Thomas spoke up.

"Rory, Tristan, why don't you go first. It's late, and Rory should get some rest."

"Thanks, Dad," Tristan said, helping Rory up out of her chair.

They entered the room Janlan was recovering in, and crept in slowly. Janlan was lying in the bed, appearing to be still out or asleep. Tristan stepped up beside his grandfather and put his hand over his. He bit his lip and his facial muscles tightened, a sure sign he was trying to hold back tears. Rory had only seen him like this on a few occasions.

"Gramps?"

No motion came from the older man, and Tristan looked to Rory. She put her arm around him, rubbing his back in slow movements.

"I guess he's still out."

"Yeah. But at least you can see him, see he's okay."

"I'll probably be coming up here a lot."

"I know. I'll come with you."

"Rory?"

"Yeah?"

"I just, I'm not ready for him to die."

"I know. He's going to be okay."

Tristan nodded and looked to his grandfather again. After several minutes, Tristan turned back to Rory and nodded towards the door.

"We should get going. It's late, and we should let Mom and Dad come in."

"Alright."

They went back out into the waiting area, and they others stood, ready to leave and go into the room. Tristan kissed the top of Rory's head and whispered into her ear.

"I'll be right down to the car, okay?"

Rory nodded and went to walk with her mom as they left the hospital. Tristan turned to his parents wearily and looked at his dad.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure. Liz, I'll be right there."

Elizabeth smiled at them both, and turned towards the room. Tristan and Tom moved to the side of the hallway and stood for a moment. Tristan shoved his hands into his pockets, a nervous habit he'd never seemed to break himself of.

"Dad, I just wanted you to know, I think it's great how you've been there, for Mom and Gramps. Mom said you've had some things going on, stuff that brought about this change in you. I don't need to know what that is, maybe someday you'll tell me, but I guess I just wanted to say that I'd like to, I mean, I just, I want you guys to be happy, and I'm ... happy for you."

Tristan met his father's eyes and his father gave a little cough. He offered a genuine smile and nodded.

"Thank you," he stated simply.

Tristan nodded back and walked off to meet the others. He got into the backseat next to Rory, who looked at him oddly. He just smiled and mouthed 'later'.

The next day, Lorelai and Will dropped Rory and Tristan off at home. They were almost to the house, and Lorelai's face was turning red, as she tried to hold back her laughter. Tristan was in the front seat with her, as Rory sat in the back with Will.

"But why don't you know if it's a boy or girl?"

"Will, we just don't."

"But you said Jess was right, that you guys made it."

Rory sighed. "Mom, a little help?" she looked hopefully in the rearview mirror.

"No, hon, you're doing fine."

"Will, we didn't want to know, we wanted to be surprised. So when we made the baby, we didn't look."

"Oh. But how did it get in your tummy?"

"Ah, oh, it, you see. I don't remember."

"Huh?"

"I was asleep."

"HEY!" Tristan's protest came from the front seat. Lorelai's attempts to keep quiet failed, as she let out a happy yelp. Tears streamed down her face.

"Tristan, were you asleep?"

"Uh, no, I was awake."

"So, is it a boy or girl?"

Tristan looked to Lorelai, who was wiping tears from her eyes. He turned in his seat to look at Will, and noticed Rory's expectant face as well.

"It's just that, all babies choose whether they want to be a boy or girl. So we don't know that."

"Oh. Okay."

Rory's mouth fell open at the simplicity of how Tristan just made him satisfied. Lorelai looked impressed and continued looking straight ahead. Soon they arrived at the house, and Lorelai called out to them as they left the car.

"Call, if you need anything, or want to crash with us, anytime!"

"Thanks, for everything, Mom. I'll call you later." Rory kissed her mom through the window and turned to follow Tristan into the house.

Rory checked the answering machine as Tristan slumped into a chair. She wrote down a few numbers and turned to see him looking preoccupied.

"Hey, how are you holding up?"

"I've been better. How are you feeling?"

"A little tired. I might take a nap."

"Well, being on the firing line with a three year old will do that to you," he smirked.

"I can't believe you just jumped in an fixed it like that."

"Jealous?"

"A little. Why hadn't I thought of that one?"

"Ah, see, it's my smooth touch."

"I know all about your smooth touch," Rory glared at him.

"Well, evidently not. I had no idea you slept through my advances. I'll have to make sure you're achingly aware from now on," he hinted.

She blushed, but looked him in the eye. "I'm not afraid of you, you know," she retorted.

"Good. That'll make it more fun."

"I'm going to call Erin back and take a nap. Let me know if you need anything."

He nodded, kissing her hand she had used to pat his shoulder with. She smiled and headed off to the bedroom.

"Hello?"

"Erin, it's me."

"Oh, where have you been?"

"Tristan's grandfather had a heart attack yesterday. We just got back."

"I'm so sorry, is he okay?"

"Yeah, he is. They had to do surgery, though, so we'll probably be up there a lot."

"I just called to thank you. I mean, I know Jess already told you the news, but I wanted to say thanks for letting me complain to you."

"Anytime. I'm just glad Jess was smart enough to realize you were the one."

"And I was hoping you'd be in the wedding."

"Oh, Erin, that's sweet, but I'm sure there are people you'd rather ask."

"No, I want you there, and so does Jess. He joked about putting you on his side of the wedding party, but you've been so incredible to me, ever since I've been with Jess. Please, say yes."

"Yes, sure. I'd love to. When is this going to be?"

"We're not sure. We're not in a big rush, we're thinking a winter wedding."

"Well, that's okay by me. I just don't want to still be pregnant and fit into a bridesmaids' dress," Rory laughed.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do, to help out. Like I said, we'll be in Hartford a lot, but anytime I'm free, I'm all yours."

"Thanks, again, for everything. I'll let you go rest, I'm sure you've had a stressful day."

They said goodbye and Rory laid back, resting her forearm over her eyes to block out the light. Tristan came up a few minutes later and lay down next to her. She smiled and scooted over so she was up against him.

"So, you asleep?"

"Nope."

"Did you call Erin?"

"Yep. I'm a bridesmaid."

"What?"

"I know."

"Are you okay with that?"

"I guess so. I just figured she'd want her closer friends in there, you know?"

"That's not what I meant. Are you okay standing up in Jess' wedding?"

"It'll be in the winter, I won't be pregnant. I should be fine."

"No, you aren't understanding me. You'll be standing up for them, witnessing Jess get married."

"So?"

"Rory, I know you guys are far in the past, and I'm not jealous here, I'm just voicing concern."

"You think watching Jess get married will be hard for me?"

"Rory, he couldn't even get to our wedding."

"He was busy."

"He wasn't busy."

"Did he say something to you?"

"No, I just, trust me."

"You're insane."

"I'm not. Just, make sure you're really okay with this."

"I am. I'm fine with this."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Most people aren't mature enough to go to their exes weddings, let alone be in the bridal party."

"Well, he's family. Our situation is different."

"Alright. You're right."

"Good. That's what I like to hear."

A few days later, Rory got home to see that Tristan had gone up to Hartford to see his grandfather. Rory stayed behind because of work. She had a long day, and she was starting to feel tired more and more. She called her OB- GYN, who told her the stress of the family situation was a lot for her, and she might want to go back to her restricted working hours, especially if she was going to be traveling back and forth with Tristan a lot. She thanked the doctor and immediately dialed her mother's number.

"Lorelai Gilmore, wanton sex goddess."

"You just watched Bridget Jones!"

"Rory!"

"You guessed it. Damn."

"What's up, kid?"

"I have to cut back on my hours. Doctor says I'm under 'unnecessary stressors'."

"Cause of the heart attack thing?"

"That and added travel and helping plan the wedding," she rambled off the list.

"Whoa, helping plan the wedding? Who's wedding?"

"Jess and Erin's."

"Why are you helping plan the wedding?"

"I'm in the bridal party."

"I'm sorry, I must not have heard you properly. The phone must have the drive-thru speaker disease."

"Mom, what is wrong with me being a bridesmaid."

"Nothing, in Rory universe."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you don't like to disappoint people, you're good and sweet, and never worry about yourself."

"That's not entirely true."

"Rory, why would you want to put yourself through that?"

"Through what, seeing two of my best friends be really incredibly happy? What a tragedy, you're right, I should avoid that one altogether."

"Honey, you'll be right there. Standing up close and personal seeing Jess marry someone else."

"Again, I ask in futility, so?"

"You two dated. For a while. And it was intense and messy and unfinished until very recently. If it even is."

"It's finished. It's been finished forever."

"He couldn't even come to your wedding."

"He was busy."

"Honey, he couldn't watch you marry Tristan."

"That's not true. And even if it is, one has nothing to do with the other."

"I'm just trying to say, most people have mixed emotions about seeing old flames get hitched."

"Well, I have no mixed feelings."

"Then you deserve a prize."

"Mom."

"I mean it, a big one. With gold foiling covering chocolate, cause those are the best kind."

"Mom, it'll be fine."

"As long as you're sure."

"I'm sure."

"Okay. Well, go rest, young lady. Take care of that mystery fetus I'll be claiming as a grandchild."

"By the way, very mature in the car."

"Hey, I'm not the one who said I slept through sex with, what I can only imagine to be the incarnation of the Energizer Bunny in bed."

"Mom!"

"Tell me I'm wrong!"

"You're evil, and I'm going to take a nap."

Lorelai giggled as Rory hung up the phone. She went to take yet another nap and await Tristan's return for the evening. She drifted off to sleep wondering why everyone was making such a big deal about her being in the wedding. She had other, much more life altering things to think about right now anyhow.