Surprises

I'm sitting on my bed, in the room I share with Paris, propped up against some pillows trying to read the latest book assignment from my lit. class, which normally wouldn't be a problem but lately my concentration has been disturbed mostly by thoughts of Tristan, probably just the hormones talking though. With a sign I turn my attention back to the book but in vain as my thoughts once again wanders to that blonde haired, blue eyed boy, who I haven't heard from in 7 months time. I wonder how he is. Is Stanford treating him well? Is he dating anyone? Who I'm I kidding he is Tristan Dugrey of course he is dating someone. Since I haven't heard from since our brief good bye on a greyhound station in Las Vegas, I assume we still are married, not that I've told anyone, a skill I have mastered lately. I who used to be the worst liar in whole Connecticut have now become your regular hustler. Paris storms into our common room interrupting my thoughts.

"RORY!", she screams on the top of her lungs. "Where are you?

"In the bedroom."

"Well get out here. You've no idea who I ran into at the store."

"Someone fascinating, I'm sure", I say trying my hardest to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, something I must have been successful at because Paris doesn't pick up on it as she normally does.

"You come out and be the judge of that."

"Paris, do you have any idea how long it took for me to get comfortable?"

"No and to be honest I don't really care, so get your butt out here now or I'll come and drag you by the hair."

"Fine I'm coming."

I get up, something that isn't all that easy these days, to go and see who has gotten Paris so worked up.

The moment I step into our common room I regret giving in because out there stands no one else than the guy, who occupied my thoughts mere minutes before.

"Tristan you remember Rory don't you?"

I can see how his eyes grow wide when he sees me standing there hands on my stomach trying to hide it, which is a losing battle.

"OMG, RORY YOU ARE PREGNANT!"

"And here I thought I was just getting fat… Thanks for clearing that up Sherlock."

"What, how, when…?", he stammers.

"What: I'm knocked up, bun in the oven, bambino on the way. When: 7 months ago. How: if you don't know that you need a talk about the birds and the bees."

"But...but…but…I still don't understand…"

"Keep doing that for a couple of more hours and you will be at where I was when I first found out."

"I can verify that and for the record, don't even bother asking who the father is because I have tried everything and she doesn't budge, trust me."

"I don't need to. I already know."

"You do? a surprised Paris repeats. "Who is it then?"

"Me."

"Come again."

"I'm the father. Look Paris I'm sure you want to know how this could happen but it's a long story and I would like to talk to Rory in private now so will you excuse us?"

Paris just stands there dumbfound nodding and Tristan half pushes half drags me into the bedroom.

"I remember that day. I was so confused but most of all floored because I didn't see that one coming, but when I think about it now I can't believe I missed it."

"I do."

"Be nice or you're getting some quality time with the couch tonight."

"I surrender" Jess holds up his hands to emphasize his point.

"Woos", Rory says.

"You have no idea how lumpy that couch is."

"Slept there a lot have you?"

"I'm living with Paris, what do you think?"

"Hey what happened with I surrender"

Instead of answering her Jess leans in for a kiss.

"Enough with the public display of affection (PDA) already", Rory protests.

"Sorry", they say in unison.

"No you aren't"

"True", they say yet again in unison.

"Ya know the whole talking in each others mouths, not cute."

"Sorry."

"Why do I feel like we are going around in circles here? Anyway back to the day in question."

Tristan slams the door shut behind him.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me about the baby?

"Because", I answer weakly.

"Rory that not going to cut it, so spill!"

"Fine you got an hour or so?

"Rory""

"Ok, ok jeez don't bite my head off. You got to understand that when I first found out I could barely function myself, let alone tell someone else and it took me some time to snap out of the daze that induced and even then I didn't know what to do. Those couple of weeks, which proceeded my decision was the worse in my entire life and when I finally had made up my mind I had to face telling my mom.

"O yeah, how did she take it?"

"She still doesn't talk to me, which means I won't be getting any help from her, which in turn means I have to quit school after this term. I guess I wanted to spare you the pain and shock something like this brings along. In addition I didn't want you to give up your dreams like I did. By the way what are you doing here?", I ask, the thought just popped up in my head.

"Being a college drop-out."

"Come again."

"I dropped out of college."

"Why?"

"Because from the moment I got there it felt all wrong but for my family's sake I sucked it up for a while, but last week it came down to a boiling point and I just couldn't take it anymore. I've actually gone in therapy for a couple of months and come to the conclusion that in order for me to be happy I have to start being selfish and go after what I want and that's why I'm here hoping that you will have me."

"I'm lost."

"I don't know when it happened but somewhere along the line I fell for you, hard."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I love you."

"I need to sit down."

"Not exactly the answer I was hoping for."

"No, no it's not that. It just a little eerie, like you just read my mind or something, because I love you too."

"Yeah?", Tristan asks carefully like he doesn't believe what he is hearing.

"Yeah", I reply with a smile.

Tristan beams out of joy and hurriedly kisses me with all that he is, causing us to fall back on my bed. Not long into the kiss I can feel his hands making their way under my sweater.

"Tristan, we can't do this."

"Oh I'm sorry, is it bad for the baby?"

"No", I laugh feeling happy for the first time in months. "It's just a physical impossibility."

"Why?"

"Because of this", I say patting on my 7months pregnant belly.

"Now Mary, since when have little details like that ever stopped me?"

"Good point, but how..."

"Just leave it to yours truly."

"Do your worse."

"Oh I intend to", he smirks.

After we both have climaxed we crawl, naked, under the blanket on my bed, intertwine our fingers and just enjoy each other company.

"How can you be attracted to me now?", I say out of the blue.

"How can I not?"

"Because I look like a walrus."

"Rory, you have never been more beautiful and besides you're my walrus."

I smack him.

"If that's how you like it these days you should have said something."

"Ahh", I scream in frustration diving into my pillow, but as usual these days, it doesn't take long for my mood to change and all of the sudden I feel myself crying.

"Rory, what's wrong?", I hear Tristan's worried voice asking.

"Nothing", I mumble.

"Rory, look at me."

When I won't turn around on my own he does that for me.

"Now this doesn't look fine to me", he says drying my tears.

"It's just, what are we going to do Tris? I mean this is all great but where do we go from here? Where will you stay? What is our deal? We have been sleeping together for years yeah, but things are different now, it's just not us, there is an innocent baby that I won't let get in the middle of this. I've grown up with a father that came in and out of my life as he pleased and I won't put my child trough the same emotional rollercoaster."

"Rory, slow down will you? I have no intention of being an on and off dad. I was raised with one myself remember and I don't want to be that kind of dad to my kid. I know it won't be easy but I promise you that I will be with you every step of the way and I'll never be far away from neither you nor the baby. I've finally found what's making me happy and it's you and now I want to spend the rest of my life making you and our baby just as happy as you make me."

"You already do, more by the minute. By how do you plan on accomplishing that?"

"First off I need to find a work and a place to stay, hopefully with you and our….Do you know what gender is?"

"No I want it to be a surprise and yes I would love to move in with you, hell we are already married aren't we?"

"Well yeah, I have been too distracted to do something about that", he says embarrassed. "What's so funny?"

"You're cute when you're blushing."

"Ok, moving on. Second I won't let you drop out of school, somehow we will find a way for you to continue, I promise."

I smile and kiss him.

"I appreciate the thought but I don't think it's possible. You see my grandparents' are paying for Yale and I don't think they will do so after they find out about my condition."

"Wait, you haven't told them?"

"No, you, mom and Paris are the only ones who know…well as I have told...obviously my classmates and teachers have noticed but I haven't said anything."

"Wow, you need to tell them, like now."

"I know it just that I'm scared considering how my mom reacted."

"I can understand that. Would it feel better if I'll go with you?"

"You would do that?"

"Of course just tell me when."

"When, it's Friday and I haven't exactly been to the Friday night dinners as the deal is lately and my grandma is pretty pissed about it and made me promise to come plus my mom will be there."

"When do we go?"

"In 30 minutes."

"We better get ready then."

I nod and reluctantly we get out of bed preparing to go to my grandparents.

TBC