Disclaimer: See prologue page.
Chapter 11: Everything
Tristan didn't see anything he recognized. He didn't care, though. Neither did Joie, who had invited herself along for the three day trip to Cambridge. To Harvard.
To Rory.
Rory sighed as she flopped onto Jess's bed. She liked his pillows better and he didn't really care.
She looked at the ceiling and allowed her mind to wander, which she hadn't done since she'd left Texas.
She knew Tristan loved her, but she also knew that a long distance relationship would be impossible. She knew Jess and Joie were trying it, but she wasn't that strong.
She heard the door open and, soon after, heard Jess muttering incoherently to himself.
Rory sat up and watched him. "How was your first day, Harvard Boy?"
"I quit," Jess deadpanned. "I'm never going to college again."
Rory giggled. "Quitter."
"Your mother always told me to quit while I was ahead," Jess responded.
Rory rolled her eyes. "I like your pillows better."
"Random," Jess said, throwing his bag on the floor.
"They're fluffier," Rory said.
Jess sat down on the bed. "Mind if I join you? I'm tired."
Rory made room for Jess on the bed. "Me, too."
"Little nap?" Jess asked, lying down next to Rory.
Rory's affirmative response was muffled as she buried herself into Jess's arm.
"Thanks," Jess said.
When she didn't respond Jess chuckled -- she was already asleep.
"Tristan," she whispered.
Jess nodded knowingly. He knew Tristan would be there soon. Joie had called him two days ago. It was only a matter of time.
Jess's cell phone rang. He got up and answered it.
"Hello?" Jess answered.
Joie's voice brought a smile to his face. "Okay, Harvard boy. Tristan and I are in your dorm building. Meet us down here in this meeting area place."
"Will do," Jess said, shutting his phone.
Rory sat up sleepily. "Who was that?"
Jess shrugged. "Shelly. She was making sure we had a good day. I told her you were sleeping."
Rory nodded and rubbed her eyes. "Okay."
"I'm going to go to the store. I'll be back in a bit," Jess said. "Need anything?"
"Coffee," Rory responded.
Jess nodded. "Okay."
Rory laid back down and heard Jess leave. She looked at the bracelet on her wrist.
She'd found it in a bag in her suitcase while she and Jess had been unpacking. It was a small silver chain with a heart on it, with Tristan and Rory, for always engraved on the heart.
Rory rubbed her eyes once more and got up to get some coffee. She didn't need to dwell on Tristan right now.
Jess made his way downstairs and saw Tristan and Joie waiting for him.
"Hey," Jess greeted, shaking Tristan's hand.
Joie cleared her throat. "Forgetting someone?"
Jess turned to Joie and hugged her. "Hey."
Joie kissed Jess's cheek. "Hello."
"Which one is it?" Tristan asked.
"Take the elevator to the third floor, make a right and it'll be the door with all of the pictures on it," Jess responded. "You may hear Frank Sinatra playing. She's been in a mood lately."
Tristan nodded and made his way to the elevator. He turned around and saw Jess and Joie watching him. He hoped this would work.
Rory heard a knock at the door. Confused, she made her way to the door. When she opened it, she felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Rory took a deep breath. "Tristan."
Tristan took a step towards Rory. "I don't care if we can't see each other only once a year."
Rory closed her eyes and a tear slipped down her cheek. "Tristan, it's more difficult than that…"
Tristan took Rory's hand. "Rory, do you remember when you ran?"
Rory nodded. "Yeah."
"I don't remember ever being so scared," Tristan said. "I thought something horrible had happened to you. I've never been one to be scared, but that scared me. The thought of losing you."
"You didn't lose me, though," Rory replied. "I was under the tree."
"But now, I feel like I have lost you," Tristan said.
Rory looked away from him. "Tristan, I can't be with you. I'm not that strong. I don't know what I'd do if you found someone else."
"I won't, Rory," Tristan countered. "You are all I want."
Rory released herself from his grip and walked away. "You don't know that, Tristan."
"I do," Tristan said, following her. "I want to see you every morning when I wake up. I want to argue with you about why you have to open the box of instant mashed potatoes in order to make them."
Rory let out a soft laugh. "One time and I'm labeled for life."
Tristan took a step closer to Rory. "I want you to be mine… for always."
Rory looked up at Tristan. She thought back to what he'd said that night he'd found her under the tree. He'd wanted to engrave their initials in the tree to remember the summer, but in reality she knew it was because he wanted them to always be together.
Rory looked up into Tristan's blue eyes. "Me, too."
Tristan took Rory's hands as she stood up. "I'm glad."
Rory kissed Tristan. She still felt the same way. She knew they would argue, they would feel like the world was ending when they were apart, they may even break up once, but she knew in the end that their love was timeless, and it would last.
Two Years Later
Jess and Joie laughed as Tristan picked Rory up and threw her over his shoulder. Jordan, holding baby Shelly, put his arm around mommy Shelly. Lorelai and Luke rolled their eyes.
"Tristan, put me down!" Rory squealed.
The ring on Rory's finger sparkled as she playfully hit Tristan.
Tristan rolled his eyes and set her down. "As you wish."
Lorelai stood up from the porch swing and pointed out to the land. "Look at those fireflies. Just beautiful."
Shelly stood up. "Shiny!"
Rory's eyes lit up. "Ooh!"
Joie ran off the porch. "Let's go catch some!"
The girls followed her out laughing uncontrollably. Jordan, Jessand Luke looked at Tristan.
"Are you sure about this whole marriage thing?" Jordan asked.
Tristan watched as Rory attempted to catch fireflies. He saw her look up at him and she gave him a wink and a smile.
Tristan smiled back. "Yeah, I'm sure."