That evening at Friday night dinner, Rory and Tristan pulled up to the Gilmore residence considerably late. It was unlike Rory to arrive so late without being under the circumstances of her mother- but with Tristan, it was another story. They had forgotten the time and were carried away in other activities that day, much to their amusement. They did, however, fear the wrath of Emily Gilmore with their tardiness as they noticed that Lorelei was already there.
"Okay Tristan, this is the third time we've been late and my grandmother is going to be angry… so you're prepared for yelling? Screaming? Wailing? Possible hitting and or flying projectiles?" each he nodded to as Rory listed them off, a slight chuckle was his response to the last on the list. "Alright DuGrey, let's get in there," she signaled to the front door and left the car in a hurry.
She rang the doorbell quickly and waited for her grandparents or the maid to greet them. They waited for quite some time and no one answered the door so Rory, unwillingly, pushed through the door to find the house deserted.
"Hello? Grandma?" she called as she began to check in each room.
"Maybe they're outside Ror-," Tristan said as he went towards the backyard. Sure enough, they were and Rory was quite relieved to find her grandmother in good spirits.
"Hello Rory, so glad you could make it," her grandmother said awfully cheery.
"Hi Grandma, sorry we're late. We lost track of time and then there was some traffic," she listed and stopped with a slight smile.
Lorelei was sitting happily in a chair next to her mother, beaming from ear to ear as she watched her young struggle to get out of the tight corner she'd put herself in.
Finally Lorelei decided to interject at her mother's odd behavior, "So Rory, what's new? How have you been?" she asked making casual conversation as Rory and Tristan took their seats at the glass table.
"Not too bad mom, nothing really new," she said quickly to which Tristan gave her "a look".
"Actually Lorelei, there is something we wanted to discuss with you," he said politely squeezing Rory's hand comfortingly.
"Yes there is mom," Rory added.
"Oh yeah, then do share with us all," Lorelei said happily.
"Is it good news with the newspaper or Yale?" Richard asked trying to get into the conversation.
"Actually no, but it does have to do with my living in the Yale area," she answered
"Oh and what might that be? Is there a problem with your residence because I'd be happy to find you a more decent housing arrangement," Emily said with a smile.
"No, I actually found my own housing, with Tristan," she dropped the bomb with a smile and watched her grandmother keep a plastered smile on her face. Why was she acting so unusual this evening?
"Rory, can I speak to you for a moment?" Lorelei asked before her parents could get a word in edge wise.
"Sure, please excuse me," she said, then whispered, "I'll be right back," to Tristan.
Lorelei walked quickly into the house and began to pace around the room.
"What's wrong mom?"
"What's wrong? You come here and tell me you're going to be living with a boy- a playboy who you hated years before- and you ask what's wrong! Are you crazy, did you think this through? Living with him isn't right, you haven't even been dating that long!" Lorelei ranted.
"Mom, calm down. I stay there most nights anyways, it would actually be easier if I didn't have to go home and grab my books for class. Tristan and I, we love each other and this just feels right," she replied.
"Rory, I don't want you to do something you'll regret- this could end badly for you and I don't want to see you upset or hurt if something were to happen,"
"I know mom, I thought about that- but Tristan has changed and I know he loves me," she replied to her mom's unhappy face.
"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you- now come give your mother a hug, I just realized your not a baby anymore," she smiled slightly and gave Rory a tight hug, then released her.
"Thanks mom, I love you," she said as they strolled back out to the porch. Tristan seemed to be happy and laughing with the grandparenst so Rory assumed he'd smoothed things over with them.
"Welcome back Rory, Lorelei. Tristan was just assuring us of your living arrangements and I do say he is a fine gentleman to be living with," Richard Gilmore said proudly giving Tristan a hard smack on the back.
"Thank you Richard, I hope you approve Lorelei," he said pleading with his eyes.
"I do, so- how about that dinner," she answered and smiled nervously.
--&--
"That was- even better than usual," Lewis said as he sprawled out on Paris' bed beside her.
"I completely agree," she responded wearily.
"I mean- you, you were great with that back ting you do- I mean that was hot!" he said loudly causing Paris to do something she did very little of- blush!
"Yeah, so…now what do we do?" Paris asked tapping her fingers on the loose covers.
"Go another round?" Lewis asked referring to sex.
"Eh, why not," Paris replied leaning into him to kiss him passionately.
--&--
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Tristan asked as they drove back to Yale later that evening. The night had been a total success- a moving day was even planned.
"No it wasn't that bad- it was easy. But didn't it seem odd how my grandmother was acting tonight? She was so…" Rory began but couldn't find the right word.
"Pleasant," Tristan finished.
"That's the word,"
"It was a little freaky, but maybe they don't mind you living with me. I am a DuGrey after all!" he said proudly as he kept his eyes on the road.
"I know my grandparents, and even a name like DuGrey isn't a good enough reason for them," Rory replied.
She sat back as they drove in silence, reaching Rory's dorm instead of Tristan's apartment. Rory left the car with a quick kiss and sent Tristan on his way home. Soon to be her home. That in itself was a scary thought- seeing Tristan everyday of her life- but as scary as it was, it was really comforting too. The only person left to tell was Paris and Rory was sure she wouldn't mind.
A/N: That's where it ends…I realize these chapters aren't long, but hey, the shorter they are, the faster they come! Please review!