AN- Hey well heres the next chapter, please let me know if you want me to continue after this one, I'm not sure. But at any rate, I hope you like it and please review. Thanks for reading.
Luv Hayls xo

Chapter 9 – Happy Birthday

"That movie was weird," said Tristan as he and Rory walked out of the movie theatre in Hartford.

"It was…. interesting" said Rory, before bursting out laughing, as she thought back to the movie; Tristan joined her, laughing hard.

"That really was a terribly movie huh?" she said, recovering from her laughter, a smile across her face.

"Ah yeah it was" he said still laughing a little, but mostly watching her happy face. He loved that him, and possibly that cheesy movie, could make her laugh, make her smile again. They walked to his car, and drove to Stars Hollow, discussing and mocking, the most weird and cheesy parts of the movie.

"Ooh I especially like the green monster that fell in love with that supermodel" said Rory "Ha yeah" said Tristan, as his flashy car pulled into her drive way. He pulled up behind Luke's old truck and cut the ignition.

Rory turned to face him, the laughter fading, replaced by slightly serious look in her eyes. She looked down, the back up at him before starting.

"So…tomorrows my birthday"

"Yeah?" he asked

"Yeah and um…ever since I can remember my mum has come in at 4am in the morning, and told me that story of when I was born…"

Realisation dawned for Tristan.

"But this year she's not here" he said completing her thought. She nodded.

"Yeah well…" he was trying to console her, but Rory cut in quickly.

"Would you stay with me?" she asked, a look of pleading in her eyes. He studied her face, looking for any sign she was joking.

"Like…" what exactly did she mean?

"Just like hold me, and be there. I don't want to be alone" I can do that, he thought.

"Ok" he said, his eyes intently focused on hers. She smiled.

Obviously Luke couldn't know that Tristan was staying over, so Rory got out of Tristan's car and walked to the front door. He pulled out of the drive way and drove away, rory waved to keep up pretences. Tristan parked his car around the corner and waited a few minutes before walking back to the Gilmore- Danes house.

Rory entered the house; it was quiet as could be. She slowly crept upstairs and found that Luke was already asleep; she hurried back down the stairs and opened the front door. Tristan slipped inside quietly and followed Rory to her room, both trying to be quiet and trying not to laugh as Tristan almost crashed into the wall, in the dark. Rory stifled a laugh and pulled him into her room.

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They lay comfortably together in Rory's bed, Tristan holding Rory tight towards him, with his arm protectively around her waist. Protected and safe Rory lay her head down next to Tristan's chest.

"Goodnight Tristan" she said, her eyes closing. Before he could answer, she'd already fallen asleep. He tucked her hair behind her ear, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight…Mary"

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Rory was awoken by the sound of Tristan's voice. She opened her eyes, but it was still dark outside. She looked sleepily up at Tristan.

"Happy Birthday" he said smiling brightly at her. She turned to look at her clock.

4.00am

She smiled and turned back to him, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. He lay there looking at her, smiling, still not believing he was here, just…being with her.

"Once upon a time there was a girl named Rory" Tristan started and Rory laughed a little.

"Ssh" he said putting his finger to her lips, she lay quietly listening to his story.

"Once upon a time there was a girl named Rory…."

I love that Tristan is here, it's sweet…but I miss mum, I would give anything, anything in the whole entire world for her to be here again.

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Rory heard the sound of birds chirping outside and slowly opened her eyes. Her face broke into a smile when she saw a sleeping Tristan next to her. She leaned up and gave him a small kiss on the lips. His eyes slowly opening and then he smiled much like she had done, when he realised Rory was next to him.

"Rory!" they both jumped as they heard Luke call her name from just outside her door.

"Yeah?" she said quickly, sitting up slightly

"Breakfast!" he called through the door.

"Ok, I'll be there in a minute" they heard Luke walk away from the door. Tristan kissed Rory sweetly on the lips before getting up and finding his coat. Rory got out of bed and wrapped herself up in her dressing gown. She walked over to the window, and drew back her curtains. Tristan crossed the room to her, and opened the window, the cold air streamed into the room. He turned to face her.

"Happy Birthday" he smiled at her. She leaned up and kissed him, her kissed her back passionately, but then pulled away and started to climb out the window. Once outside he popped his head back in. She leaned down to the window.

"Thank-you" she said and gave him another quick kiss on the lips.

Luke had made Rory a special birthday breakfast, wanting this day to be a happy one and not dwelling on the past. Rory came out of her room her eyes lighting up as she saw the birthday breakfast set out for her. Coffee, Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs, and Balloons. Baby Rosey on the floor in her bouncer net.

"Happy Birthday" said Luke proudly.

"Wow thank-you" she said, slowly sitting down at the table.

Luke sat down next to her and started to butter some toast for himself.

Rory slowly helped herself to some pancakes, taking it all in. She and Luke ate in silence for a while.

" So do you feel any old?" asked Luke jokingly, taking a sip of his 'healthy' orange juice.

"Umm" Rory had felt like since her mother had died she had felt older, she had to be older, and she was no longer the little girl with her mum there to protect her.

"Yeah sorta" she said, before taking another bite of her pancakes.

"Oh can't forget your present" said Luke getting up and walking around to the lounge room. He came back into the room holding a box wrapped up in colourful wrapping paper.

He handed her the present, looking slightly nervous, he shoved his hands into his back pocket.

Rory pulled back the wrapping paper, inside was a beautiful crafted jewellery box. The top had a pink and purple flower painted on it. She slowly opened the lid. The inside was lined with red velvet and placed inside were necklaces, and other jewellery. As Rory looked more closely at the jewellery she noticed it was her mothers. Inside the top of the lid a little card had been place. She pulled it out and read it.

Happy Birthday Rory

I am always here for you no matter what, and your mum would be proud of you, I am.

Love Luke and Rosey

Tears threatened to start from Rory's eyes, she looked up at Luke. Luke watched ash she read the card, she looked up at him her eyes starting to form tears, he saw the gratefulness her face held.

"Thank-you. Did you make this?" asked Rory holding up the box a little.

"Um yeah I did" he said looking down, then back to her.

"It's beautiful, thank-you so much" she put down the jewellery box on the table and stood up and gave him a big hug.

She hugged him tight, and in a voice only bigger enough for them to hear she said.

"Thankyou…Daddy" She buried her face deeper into his chest, the tears finally flowing from her eyes. Luke almost buckled as he heard her say those words Daddy. He held strong, holding her tight and letting her cry.

She missed her mum so much, the feeling stronger and more over powering than anything she'd ever felt before. She held onto Luke tightly, crying it all away. The pain, and the feelings of lose over coming her. She was so glad she had Luke, and her little sister Rosey, because without them she could see no reason to live. But with them…her little sisters smile brightening up her world. And as Lorelai had once described, Rory is how she would have described her sister now.
"The bright spot in all the Darkness"

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Please review, and a note for any one who recognises the quote at the end, it was originally said by Christopher, but I think it fits the story better this way. :)