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.
The air was crisp, but not biting. Guests were bundled up in dress coats, though the wedding party braved the elements for posterity's sake. Heaters kept the women's teeth from chattering through the ceremony in the freshly snow-dusted lawn behind the Inn.
The vows had just been exchanged, and Erin stood facing Jess, her hands warmed by his. The minister was pronouncing them husband and wife. As they kissed, Rory found Tristan in the crowd and gave him a wink. He blew her a kiss, which she caught before noticing her mom sitting next to him, holding Ella. Lorelai appeared to be whispering into Ella's ear, though she was pretty sure Ella was fast asleep on her shoulder. She smiled and continued looking around until she saw her brother, who'd obviously grown quite bored some time ago. Giggling at the funny faces he was making for the crowd, she finally glanced up and saw Luke. He looked so proud she thought he might burst. She could hear Liz crying in the front row as well.
The couple pulled out of their embrace and turned to face the crowd. Stabilized by the other, Jess and Erin made their way through the crowd and into the Inn, as they crowd cheered them on.
Taking a breather, the couple retreated to the honeymoon suite to relax until Lorelai came to get them for the reception.
"Why do people cheer at weddings?" he asked as they collapsed on the edge of the bed.
"I have no idea," she laughed at the focus of his current thoughts.
"We're married," he whispered, as he leaned in to place his lips softly on her neck.
"We are," she agreed, closing her eyes as he increased his pressure and moved further down her neck.
The two had never rushed into the physical part of their relationship, but both agreed it'd been well worth the wait. She was helpless at his every touch still and simple kisses turned into hours of ecstasy. Realizing they'd be called on in a matter of moments, she struggled to find her voice.
"As much as I want you to continue with this," she breathed.
"It's our day. Isn't that what everyone kept telling us?" he asked as his hands slid down her back to find the hook on her dress.
"Come on guys, everyone's assembled in the dining room!" came Lorelai's voice through the door.
Jess stopped his actions immediately and sat up, throwing her off balance a little. She sat up next to him, and looked at him quizzically.
"That was fast," she commented.
"Sorry. Major flashback," he said, standing up and rebuttoning his jacket.
"So, any mom does that to you?" she giggled.
"Well, yours, mine and Lorelai. Oh, and Emily. That's about it."
"Good to know. I'll try to keep those women away from you at crucial moments," she laughed as she stood to join him on the way out the door.
Lorelai hadn't been kidding. The guests were all seated at their tables in the dining room, the wedding party towards the front of the room, with two open seats for them. Jess hesitated, as he saw the crowd of family and friends. He looked down when Erin squeezed his hand. As much as the idea of his mother and her mother being in the same room gave him hives, knowing she was there made it okay. He squeezed back and led them to their places at their table.
Luke and Heather gave the first toasts, and food was served. Once Rory had almost finished, she saw Tristan coming over to her table.
"Hey, your turn," he said, handing Ella over to her.
"What, you wanted to eat in peace?" she giggled.
"Are you finished?"
"Yeah. I've had enough uninterrupted time in the last day to last me 18 years," she gave him a look and took her daughter.
"Oh, and she's hungry, too."
"Bottle?"
"We ran out of those."
"Damn. Guess I'll head into our room."
She excused herself and headed up to feed Ella, as Tristan got a plateful of food. He got back to his table to sit next to Lorelai.
"This sucks. How come we have to sit here with them up there?"
"We're not in the wedding. They are," he explained.
"Well, duh. But it's the reception. We should get to sit with our mates."
"Dancing starts soon enough, just eat."
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at her son-in-law, and dug her fork into her chicken. Luke came up and leaned over Will's chair. Will leaned back, looking up at his father gratefully.
"Can I have chicken nuggets?"
"Sorry, kid, none of those here. You don't like your food?"
"It tastes funny," he complained.
"Honey, Sookie made this, you love Sookie's food," Lorelai reminded him.
"He likes her cookies. Chicken with orange glaze stuff isn't up to his refined palate yet," Luke sighed at his wife.
"Well, in twenty years, he'll be crying over the fact he wanted chicken nuggets more than this," she said, looking at the two. Neither looked like they believed her.
"Come on, let's go raid the kitchen," Luke whispered to Will, pulling his chair out so he could escape.
"Wow," Lorelai breathed as she watched them walk out of the dining room.
"What?"
"I just never thought I would have ever seen Luke corrupt our child. I'm so proud," she said, wiping away tears that weren't there.
"You're so weird," he said, looking at her like she was on exhibit at some museum.
"Shouldn't you still be trying to get on my good side?"
"Nah. I like to think we're beyond that," he smirked, as he continued eating.
Rory finished nursing Ella and headed back to the party. She didn't want to miss the first dance, and definitely didn't want to miss out on dancing with Tristan. She got to the bottom of the staircase, and saw Luke coming out of the kitchen.
"Hey, there you are," he said, walking over to the two.
"Yep. She was hungry," Rory explained.
"Can I?" he asked, holding his arms out for the girl.
"Sure. So, today," she said, handing over Ella.
"I know. Surreal almost," Luke commented.
"You looked so proud," she smiled.
"Well, you know. It's nice to see him doing so well. He's like a grown-up now. Both of you," he said, in a rare moment of sentimentality.
"Aw, Luke. Mom always said you were a big softy," she chided him gently.
"You're good kids. All of you. And you," he said, holding Ella up as she stared at him with wide blue eyes, "You are going to break so many hearts, I can tell already. Look at those blue eyes," he smiled.
"Is that what does it?" Rory giggled.
"Did it for me," he nodded, heading back into the dining room.
Everyone watched in anticipation as the couple danced for the first time as man and wife, then everyone was welcomed to dance by Ms. Patty, who had stepped in for Kirk as the DJ.
"Are you dancing with her, or do I have a shot?" came Lorelai's voice from behind Luke.
"Uh, well, that depends. Who's going to take this one?"
"Oh, hand that child to me. I'll have her taken care of in half a second," Lorelai commented. Before she could open her mouth, Ms. Patty had stepped down from the stage and taken Ella from her, so she and Luke could have a dance. Rory was already in Tristan's arms, being led effortlessly around the dance floor.
"When did you learn to dance so well?" Lorelai asked Rory as the danced up next to them.
"It's all natural talent," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"I taught her. She wanted to lead before."
"Yeah, she got that from me. Sorry," Lorelai feigned shame.
"You have always danced perfectly," Rory interjected.
"Ah, after hours and hours of countless cotillion lessons. It's not natural when they beat it into you," she reminded.
"Well, I did that too," Rory reminded.
"You went to a cotillion?" Tristan looked at her in shock and amusement.
"Maybe," she narrowed her eyes at her mocking husband.
"Please, tell me you have pictures," he turned to Lorelai.
"Pictures of what?" Jess asked, as the happy couple came up next to the others.
"Rory in cotillion."
"She looked like a cotton ball."
"Hey, I was a pretty cotton ball. Dean said so."
"Dean wanted to get l--," Jess started.
"Hey!" Rory and Lorelai interrupted.
"Shutting up now," he said, holding his hands up in laughter and defense.
"I'm sure there are tons of pictures. I took lots, for evidence. Oh, and some in that Donna Reed dress you wore that time," Lorelai laughed.
Luke even chuckled remembering that night. "Wasn't that dress orange?"
"It was peach, and you don't have pictures of that," Rory started.
"Oh, no, you're right. But I have a photographic memory," she tapped her head.
"Donna Reed?" Tristan asked.
"Pearls and all," Lorelai giggled.
"Wow, so much information, so fast," Tristan looked at his wife, his eyes twinkling evilly. He was obviously enjoying these stories.
"Hush, you. Today is about Jess and Erin," she smiled at the two.
"That's right. When is this party over?"
"Jess, there are tons of things to do. Father/daughter and Mother/son dances, cutting of cake, garter toss, the whole gambit," Lorelai explained.
"You're kidding," he said, looking to Erin.
"It won't be that bad. I want to dance with my dad."
"I don't want to dance with my mom."
"Why not?"
"It's my mother."
"So?"
"Luke, help me out," he pleaded.
"I'm not dancing with her," he said.
"Ugh," he looked at his wife, who was pouring on the innocent puppy faces.
"Please? One dance."
"I hate you. All."
Erin smiled. "That's the spirit!"
After the dreaded dance, during which Jess had fidgeted with his suit and his hair, and turned red from either embarrassment or fury, Erin and her father danced. They were much sweeter, and people actually took pictures of them. No one had dared photographed Jess with Liz. Luke had restrained Lorelai and that was all it really took. After that, Jess threw the garter, which Kirk caught. Erin threw the bouquet, which was caught by her youngest sister, who was more than thrilled and her mother had nearly passed out from joy. Her dream was to have all her daughters married off to doctors. Well, she figured she was lucky that Erin had gotten married at all, which she informed everyone she could talk to of that fact. Not that Jess was a disappointment, you understand, she insisted.
"So, any chance I can get you to dress up for me later?" Tristan whispered lowly into Rory ear as they danced after the cake had been cut.
"Donna Reed or Cotton Ball?" she giggled.
"Which ever one did it for you more," he suggested.
She blushed and pulled him tighter to her. "We might just want to skip the costumes."
"Really?" he asked happily.
She nodded into his chest, and he scanned the crowd to see where Ella was. Jess had her, as Erin was dancing with Luke.
"I'll race you up to the room," he said, as she looked back to find Ella as well. Seeing she was safe with Jess, she ran quickly behind him as he hurried out of the dining room.
"So, when are you going to have one of those of your own?" Lorelai's voice came up next to Jess and sat down. She took her granddaughter's hand in hers and jiggled it a little, causing Ella to watch her.
"Uh, later."
"Later?" Lorelai raised an eyebrow.
"Much, much later."
"I don't believe you," she smiled, looking at him with Ella.
"What?"
"You love that little baby!"
"So? She's my goddaughter."
"You loved Will, too."
"My cousin? Yes, I do."
"You love babies!" she squealed.
"You do?" Liz asked, coming up behind her son.
"Aw, geez," he groaned.
Lorelai cringed knowing Jess might kill her later in her sleep, but smiled up at Liz.
"Are you going to have one of these soon? I'd love to play grandma," she cooed.
"Please, stop this now," he asked.
"Why?" Liz asked.
"I got married like a second ago. No kids yet."
"Fine, I'm just saying, it would be nice. It's nice, right?" Liz asked Lorelai.
"Yeah. I mean, when I can get her out of his clutches, it's great," she smiled at Jess.
"I'm protecting her from the crazy people," he pointed a finger at her.
"Where is Rory, anyway?" Liz asked, looking around.
Lorelai looked around a minute before it dawned on her. "God, she really is my kid," she said softly.
Jess turned slightly red, and looked at Ella. "There's no hope for you, kid. Sorry," he kissed the top of her tiny head and handed her off to Lorelai.
Jess and Erin waved goodbye to everyone as they made their way out to the honeymoon suite. Most everyone else filtered out, except Lorelai, Luke, Will, Ella, Rory and Tristan, who'd rejoined the group looking a little disheveled and happy.
"So, we're going to take this all down tonight?" Luke yawned loudly.
"Hell, no! We're just surveying the damage that we have to clean up tomorrow," Lorelai smiled at him sweetly.
"Good. I'm taking the kids home to bed," he said, taking Ella from Rory and Tristan.
"Oh, no, Luke, that's sweet, but we'll keep her," Rory insisted.
"Nonsense. Get a bag together, we'll be on baby patrol tonight," he winked at her.
"Hey!" Lorelai protested. "But they, they already--," she stammered, not wanting to say what they had done to Luke and embarrass him and Rory. She knew Tristan didn't embarrass. Well, not yet. She saw this as more of a challenge over the years. Rory ran upstairs as her mother continued to point and pout, and put some stuff for Ella in a bag.
"Lorelai, come on, it's late. Good night, you two!" Luke said, as Lorelai picked Will up, dumbfounded. The four year old was instantly asleep on her shoulder, as was Ella on Luke's. Rory smiled and Tristan smirked as they left.
"She knew?" Rory asked, looking at Tristan in mortification.
"I would say so. But who cares?"
"My mother knows we snuck off for a quickie," she reiterated.
"And now, we have time for a not so quickie," he smiled, taking her hand and kissing her palm.
"Well, when you put it that way," she smiled, and they retired to their room for the evening, the last to leave the reception.
AN: Okay, yeah, here's what happened. I had a houseguest all week, and I didn't stop sightseeing all week. I was exhausted all the time when I was home, so I got zero writing done. But here it is, and there will be an epilogue next, then all done! Yea!
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
The air was crisp, but not biting. Guests were bundled up in dress coats, though the wedding party braved the elements for posterity's sake. Heaters kept the women's teeth from chattering through the ceremony in the freshly snow-dusted lawn behind the Inn.
The vows had just been exchanged, and Erin stood facing Jess, her hands warmed by his. The minister was pronouncing them husband and wife. As they kissed, Rory found Tristan in the crowd and gave him a wink. He blew her a kiss, which she caught before noticing her mom sitting next to him, holding Ella. Lorelai appeared to be whispering into Ella's ear, though she was pretty sure Ella was fast asleep on her shoulder. She smiled and continued looking around until she saw her brother, who'd obviously grown quite bored some time ago. Giggling at the funny faces he was making for the crowd, she finally glanced up and saw Luke. He looked so proud she thought he might burst. She could hear Liz crying in the front row as well.
The couple pulled out of their embrace and turned to face the crowd. Stabilized by the other, Jess and Erin made their way through the crowd and into the Inn, as they crowd cheered them on.
Taking a breather, the couple retreated to the honeymoon suite to relax until Lorelai came to get them for the reception.
"Why do people cheer at weddings?" he asked as they collapsed on the edge of the bed.
"I have no idea," she laughed at the focus of his current thoughts.
"We're married," he whispered, as he leaned in to place his lips softly on her neck.
"We are," she agreed, closing her eyes as he increased his pressure and moved further down her neck.
The two had never rushed into the physical part of their relationship, but both agreed it'd been well worth the wait. She was helpless at his every touch still and simple kisses turned into hours of ecstasy. Realizing they'd be called on in a matter of moments, she struggled to find her voice.
"As much as I want you to continue with this," she breathed.
"It's our day. Isn't that what everyone kept telling us?" he asked as his hands slid down her back to find the hook on her dress.
"Come on guys, everyone's assembled in the dining room!" came Lorelai's voice through the door.
Jess stopped his actions immediately and sat up, throwing her off balance a little. She sat up next to him, and looked at him quizzically.
"That was fast," she commented.
"Sorry. Major flashback," he said, standing up and rebuttoning his jacket.
"So, any mom does that to you?" she giggled.
"Well, yours, mine and Lorelai. Oh, and Emily. That's about it."
"Good to know. I'll try to keep those women away from you at crucial moments," she laughed as she stood to join him on the way out the door.
Lorelai hadn't been kidding. The guests were all seated at their tables in the dining room, the wedding party towards the front of the room, with two open seats for them. Jess hesitated, as he saw the crowd of family and friends. He looked down when Erin squeezed his hand. As much as the idea of his mother and her mother being in the same room gave him hives, knowing she was there made it okay. He squeezed back and led them to their places at their table.
Luke and Heather gave the first toasts, and food was served. Once Rory had almost finished, she saw Tristan coming over to her table.
"Hey, your turn," he said, handing Ella over to her.
"What, you wanted to eat in peace?" she giggled.
"Are you finished?"
"Yeah. I've had enough uninterrupted time in the last day to last me 18 years," she gave him a look and took her daughter.
"Oh, and she's hungry, too."
"Bottle?"
"We ran out of those."
"Damn. Guess I'll head into our room."
She excused herself and headed up to feed Ella, as Tristan got a plateful of food. He got back to his table to sit next to Lorelai.
"This sucks. How come we have to sit here with them up there?"
"We're not in the wedding. They are," he explained.
"Well, duh. But it's the reception. We should get to sit with our mates."
"Dancing starts soon enough, just eat."
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at her son-in-law, and dug her fork into her chicken. Luke came up and leaned over Will's chair. Will leaned back, looking up at his father gratefully.
"Can I have chicken nuggets?"
"Sorry, kid, none of those here. You don't like your food?"
"It tastes funny," he complained.
"Honey, Sookie made this, you love Sookie's food," Lorelai reminded him.
"He likes her cookies. Chicken with orange glaze stuff isn't up to his refined palate yet," Luke sighed at his wife.
"Well, in twenty years, he'll be crying over the fact he wanted chicken nuggets more than this," she said, looking at the two. Neither looked like they believed her.
"Come on, let's go raid the kitchen," Luke whispered to Will, pulling his chair out so he could escape.
"Wow," Lorelai breathed as she watched them walk out of the dining room.
"What?"
"I just never thought I would have ever seen Luke corrupt our child. I'm so proud," she said, wiping away tears that weren't there.
"You're so weird," he said, looking at her like she was on exhibit at some museum.
"Shouldn't you still be trying to get on my good side?"
"Nah. I like to think we're beyond that," he smirked, as he continued eating.
Rory finished nursing Ella and headed back to the party. She didn't want to miss the first dance, and definitely didn't want to miss out on dancing with Tristan. She got to the bottom of the staircase, and saw Luke coming out of the kitchen.
"Hey, there you are," he said, walking over to the two.
"Yep. She was hungry," Rory explained.
"Can I?" he asked, holding his arms out for the girl.
"Sure. So, today," she said, handing over Ella.
"I know. Surreal almost," Luke commented.
"You looked so proud," she smiled.
"Well, you know. It's nice to see him doing so well. He's like a grown-up now. Both of you," he said, in a rare moment of sentimentality.
"Aw, Luke. Mom always said you were a big softy," she chided him gently.
"You're good kids. All of you. And you," he said, holding Ella up as she stared at him with wide blue eyes, "You are going to break so many hearts, I can tell already. Look at those blue eyes," he smiled.
"Is that what does it?" Rory giggled.
"Did it for me," he nodded, heading back into the dining room.
Everyone watched in anticipation as the couple danced for the first time as man and wife, then everyone was welcomed to dance by Ms. Patty, who had stepped in for Kirk as the DJ.
"Are you dancing with her, or do I have a shot?" came Lorelai's voice from behind Luke.
"Uh, well, that depends. Who's going to take this one?"
"Oh, hand that child to me. I'll have her taken care of in half a second," Lorelai commented. Before she could open her mouth, Ms. Patty had stepped down from the stage and taken Ella from her, so she and Luke could have a dance. Rory was already in Tristan's arms, being led effortlessly around the dance floor.
"When did you learn to dance so well?" Lorelai asked Rory as the danced up next to them.
"It's all natural talent," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"I taught her. She wanted to lead before."
"Yeah, she got that from me. Sorry," Lorelai feigned shame.
"You have always danced perfectly," Rory interjected.
"Ah, after hours and hours of countless cotillion lessons. It's not natural when they beat it into you," she reminded.
"Well, I did that too," Rory reminded.
"You went to a cotillion?" Tristan looked at her in shock and amusement.
"Maybe," she narrowed her eyes at her mocking husband.
"Please, tell me you have pictures," he turned to Lorelai.
"Pictures of what?" Jess asked, as the happy couple came up next to the others.
"Rory in cotillion."
"She looked like a cotton ball."
"Hey, I was a pretty cotton ball. Dean said so."
"Dean wanted to get l--," Jess started.
"Hey!" Rory and Lorelai interrupted.
"Shutting up now," he said, holding his hands up in laughter and defense.
"I'm sure there are tons of pictures. I took lots, for evidence. Oh, and some in that Donna Reed dress you wore that time," Lorelai laughed.
Luke even chuckled remembering that night. "Wasn't that dress orange?"
"It was peach, and you don't have pictures of that," Rory started.
"Oh, no, you're right. But I have a photographic memory," she tapped her head.
"Donna Reed?" Tristan asked.
"Pearls and all," Lorelai giggled.
"Wow, so much information, so fast," Tristan looked at his wife, his eyes twinkling evilly. He was obviously enjoying these stories.
"Hush, you. Today is about Jess and Erin," she smiled at the two.
"That's right. When is this party over?"
"Jess, there are tons of things to do. Father/daughter and Mother/son dances, cutting of cake, garter toss, the whole gambit," Lorelai explained.
"You're kidding," he said, looking to Erin.
"It won't be that bad. I want to dance with my dad."
"I don't want to dance with my mom."
"Why not?"
"It's my mother."
"So?"
"Luke, help me out," he pleaded.
"I'm not dancing with her," he said.
"Ugh," he looked at his wife, who was pouring on the innocent puppy faces.
"Please? One dance."
"I hate you. All."
Erin smiled. "That's the spirit!"
After the dreaded dance, during which Jess had fidgeted with his suit and his hair, and turned red from either embarrassment or fury, Erin and her father danced. They were much sweeter, and people actually took pictures of them. No one had dared photographed Jess with Liz. Luke had restrained Lorelai and that was all it really took. After that, Jess threw the garter, which Kirk caught. Erin threw the bouquet, which was caught by her youngest sister, who was more than thrilled and her mother had nearly passed out from joy. Her dream was to have all her daughters married off to doctors. Well, she figured she was lucky that Erin had gotten married at all, which she informed everyone she could talk to of that fact. Not that Jess was a disappointment, you understand, she insisted.
"So, any chance I can get you to dress up for me later?" Tristan whispered lowly into Rory ear as they danced after the cake had been cut.
"Donna Reed or Cotton Ball?" she giggled.
"Which ever one did it for you more," he suggested.
She blushed and pulled him tighter to her. "We might just want to skip the costumes."
"Really?" he asked happily.
She nodded into his chest, and he scanned the crowd to see where Ella was. Jess had her, as Erin was dancing with Luke.
"I'll race you up to the room," he said, as she looked back to find Ella as well. Seeing she was safe with Jess, she ran quickly behind him as he hurried out of the dining room.
"So, when are you going to have one of those of your own?" Lorelai's voice came up next to Jess and sat down. She took her granddaughter's hand in hers and jiggled it a little, causing Ella to watch her.
"Uh, later."
"Later?" Lorelai raised an eyebrow.
"Much, much later."
"I don't believe you," she smiled, looking at him with Ella.
"What?"
"You love that little baby!"
"So? She's my goddaughter."
"You loved Will, too."
"My cousin? Yes, I do."
"You love babies!" she squealed.
"You do?" Liz asked, coming up behind her son.
"Aw, geez," he groaned.
Lorelai cringed knowing Jess might kill her later in her sleep, but smiled up at Liz.
"Are you going to have one of these soon? I'd love to play grandma," she cooed.
"Please, stop this now," he asked.
"Why?" Liz asked.
"I got married like a second ago. No kids yet."
"Fine, I'm just saying, it would be nice. It's nice, right?" Liz asked Lorelai.
"Yeah. I mean, when I can get her out of his clutches, it's great," she smiled at Jess.
"I'm protecting her from the crazy people," he pointed a finger at her.
"Where is Rory, anyway?" Liz asked, looking around.
Lorelai looked around a minute before it dawned on her. "God, she really is my kid," she said softly.
Jess turned slightly red, and looked at Ella. "There's no hope for you, kid. Sorry," he kissed the top of her tiny head and handed her off to Lorelai.
Jess and Erin waved goodbye to everyone as they made their way out to the honeymoon suite. Most everyone else filtered out, except Lorelai, Luke, Will, Ella, Rory and Tristan, who'd rejoined the group looking a little disheveled and happy.
"So, we're going to take this all down tonight?" Luke yawned loudly.
"Hell, no! We're just surveying the damage that we have to clean up tomorrow," Lorelai smiled at him sweetly.
"Good. I'm taking the kids home to bed," he said, taking Ella from Rory and Tristan.
"Oh, no, Luke, that's sweet, but we'll keep her," Rory insisted.
"Nonsense. Get a bag together, we'll be on baby patrol tonight," he winked at her.
"Hey!" Lorelai protested. "But they, they already--," she stammered, not wanting to say what they had done to Luke and embarrass him and Rory. She knew Tristan didn't embarrass. Well, not yet. She saw this as more of a challenge over the years. Rory ran upstairs as her mother continued to point and pout, and put some stuff for Ella in a bag.
"Lorelai, come on, it's late. Good night, you two!" Luke said, as Lorelai picked Will up, dumbfounded. The four year old was instantly asleep on her shoulder, as was Ella on Luke's. Rory smiled and Tristan smirked as they left.
"She knew?" Rory asked, looking at Tristan in mortification.
"I would say so. But who cares?"
"My mother knows we snuck off for a quickie," she reiterated.
"And now, we have time for a not so quickie," he smiled, taking her hand and kissing her palm.
"Well, when you put it that way," she smiled, and they retired to their room for the evening, the last to leave the reception.
AN: Okay, yeah, here's what happened. I had a houseguest all week, and I didn't stop sightseeing all week. I was exhausted all the time when I was home, so I got zero writing done. But here it is, and there will be an epilogue next, then all done! Yea!