Family Portrait
A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews I've gotten. I know it too a long time for my last update but I promise all of you read this that I'll be good and won't wait so long between updates from now on. The answer to why Tristan was introduced will be revealed later in the chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 7: Outrageous Ideas
Jess swerved around the diner that had been so familiar to him for the two years that he had lived in Stars Hollow. Although he would never admit it to anyone he had missed it here. The craziness of the town, Lorelai's begging for coffee. Luke had called him when he and Lorelai got engaged, but they both thought it was better if he didn't attend seeing as Rory would be there. Jess had wanted to go though, wanted to see his uncle finally marry the woman who had been in his diner every morning begging for coffee. Jess had known it would happen sooner or later. The two of them flirted every time they crossed paths. Truth is, Stars Hollow was the first real home Jess had ever known and he sometimes wished he never had to leave.
He had been placing an order for two teenagers when Lorelai's outburst had occurred. He had quickly lost interest in taking the order and turned his full attention over to where Lorelai sat with Luke, Lane and Dave all watching her intently. He slid the pen behind his ear and put his pad back into his back pocket as he slowly approached their table. Walking aimlessly around the tables he tried to listen to what they were saying. A loud bang caused him to draw his attention away from Lorelai. He now realized that he had crashed into a table sending the empty plates crashing to the floor. Everyone stared at him curiously as Jess sighed and leaned over to begin cleaning up the mess he had made. "Let's go for a walk," Lorelai said getting up from her chair and heading towards the door. Jess looked up just in time to see Lane, Dave and Luke following her. Just before he left Luke turned around. He had Lucas in his arms.
"Jess, you mind watching him a bit?" Luke grumbled, "And the dust pan is in the back." Jess nodded and got up to take his little cousin Lucas.
"No problem Uncle Luke," Jess shrugged and he shifted the two year old in his arms. Luke nodded brusquely before leaving to catch up with his wife and Rory's friends. Once Luke was gone Jess sighed and looked down at the rest of the broken glass. Kate, who had watched everything from her table, got up and approached Jess.
"Let me take him while you finish cleaning up," she offered. Jess nodded and handed Lucas over to Kate. This weekend was proving to be a lot more than Jess could handle. He could only imagine what the rest of the week would be like. Going over and getting the dust pan he swept up the last of the glass. Once everything was clean he got back to taking and delivering orders. He was only partially there though. So many things were running through his head. He had a daughter. Jess wasn't sure if he was ready to become a father, but he already was. He also had to baby-sit Liza tomorrow. What had been running through his head when he offered to do that, he had no idea. Liza seemed like a great kid though, he couldn't imagine what it had been like for Rory these past four years trying to raise a daughter and going to school to fulfill her dream. He was also hurt that Rory felt the need to hide the fact that he had a daughter from him. Kate showing up today hadn't helped at all. Jess knew that he would eventually have to tell her everything, but he still had stuff to figure out himself.
The morning rush seemed to die down and soon enough the diner was nearly empty and Jess found the time to take his first break since he started working that morning. He sat down at the table with Kate; Carrie had left to 'look around' not long ago, and enjoyed a burger with her. Lucas now sat on Jess' lap playing with the fries in the ketchup before shoving them in his mouth. "The people here don't seem so bad," Kate said, eating her own fries.
"Ah, you've only met the sane ones," Jess told her, "excluding Lorelai of course."
"Were you good friends with Rory and Lane when you lived here?" Kate wanted to know.
"You could say that," Jess averted looking at Kate, "There's a long story leading up to why I left."
"Well, you'll have to tell me that one day," Kate smiled. Just then a group of people entered the diner and took a seat.
"I better get back to work," Jess stood up and handed Lucas back to Kate. He took out his pad and pen and approached his new customers, relieved that they had entered. The story was a story Jess wasn't fully prepared to tell. It was a story he hadn't quite figured all the answers out to yet. At the moment though, he could once again put on the mask of deceit and pretend nothing could hurt him, the mask that would protect him from the truth.
(At the Gazebo.)
Lorelai, Lane, Dave and Luke all stood on the Gazebo waiting to see who would be the first to speak. Lorelai had revealed her plan to the three of them. Now, there was a silence while they all processed the information. Luke sighed and adjusted his cap. "It's a crazy idea," he shook his head.
"Luke is right," Lane nodded, "Lorelai too many people can get hurt."
"She's right Lorelai," Dave nodded.
"AW, come one," Lorelai groaned, "Its perfect! We'll use Jess' own trick to show him that he's still madly in love with Rory. He used Shane to make Rory jealous which resulted in her break-up with Dean. We'll use Tristan to get Jess jealous and make him realize he still loves Rory."
"Lorelai, it's not right," Lane plopped down, "It's not right to be playing with people's emotions like that."
"But Jess did!" Lorelai whined.
"Yeah, but there wasn't a four year old to think about then," Dave pointed out. Lorelai pouted and then bit her lip thoughtfully again.
"Let's just propose this idea to Rory," she offered and then began to go back towards to diner to get Dave's car. Luke, Dave and Lane ran to catch up with her. Luke ran ahead and stopped in front of Lorelai.
"Don't Lorelai," he shook his head, "Don't go and do this to her."
"Luke, I've been where she is now," tears formed in Lorelai's eyes, "Sure, things were a bit different in my case but when I found out that Chris was with Sherry I was devastated. Chris and I weren't meant to be, we were. I was in love with you for a long time Luke before we were able to admit it to each other. Thing is though, Jess is the one for Rory. Jess is to Rory as you are to me. He's not her Chris Luke, he's her Luke. I just can't see her let this go, miss her chance on being with the one person who understands her, the one person who is meant to be with her."
"I don't want to see that either," Luke informed her.
"But, Lorelai we got to let them figure it out on their own," Lane put in, "No matter how long that takes." Lane's voice was filled with sadness. The past had finally caught up with Rory, who had tried to hard to make things right after she had gotten pregnant. Lane knew how hard it had been for Rory four years ago when all this had started to happen. How hard it had been for Rory to push Jess away so he would be able to have a life, how hard she had worked to get into Yale despite the fact she was pregnant. She couldn't imagine how much Rory was hurting right now, but Lane knew she was although Rory would do her best to hide it from everyone. She couldn't hide it though Lane saw right through her as did Paris and Lorelai.
(Outside the elder Gilmore home.)
Rory waved Paris off as she and Jamie headed off to visit with Paris' mother. They would be back in and hour, two at the most to pick them up and head off back to New Haven. Liza had already run up ahead to the door and waited for her mother to come so she could ring the bell. Rory looked at her daughter and wondered how much longer she could hold together, how much longer she could pretend she was all right and that everything was still all fine and dandy. Taking a deep breath, she took each step up to the door slowly reminding herself that she was supposed to be happy, that she was supposed to be fine. She lifted Liz up and allowed her to ring her doorbell. A young maid answered the door. "Hello, are Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore expecting you?" she wondered.
"No, but I'm their granddaughter," Rory informed the maid kindly, "Can you please tell them I'm here?" The maid nodded courteously and allowed them to enter the entrance closing the door behind them. A minute or so later the maid re-entered the room followed closely by Emily.
"Why, isn't this a delightful surprise," Emily smiled, "We weren't expecting you two until next week with your mother."
"Well we came down to surprise mom and Luke," Rory smiled, "We're on our way home so we decided to stop by and see you."
"Tara, please go get Mr. Gilmore but don't tell him his granddaughter is here," Emily ordered. She then ushered Rory and Liza into the sitting room. Rory sat down on the couch and leaned back into it tilting her head towards the roof and closing her eyes. She could here her grandmother gushing over how big Liza had gotten since she had seen her last week. She remained sitting in that same position until Richard entered the room.
"Emily, what is so important that I..." Richard trailed off as he saw Rory and Liza sitting in the room, "My, isn't this a wonderful surprise."
"Grandpa!" Rory exclaimed not even having to paste on a fake smile. She hadn't seen her Grandfather in three weeks and rushed over to give him a big hug. After Rory was done with her hug it was Liza's turn. Richard scooped Liza right up and began to talk to her. At this point Emily was ready to offer drinks.
"Rory, what would you like?" Emily wondered, "A soda as usual?" Although she was of drinking age Rory never quite took to alcohol. Then again she was too busy juggling her priorities at school and as a mother to go out drinking and partying with her friends and fellow students. Yet, right now Rory felt that was exactly what she needed, alcohol. It might help her hold together a tiny been longer, or make her break down quicker but she felt a need for it she had never felt before. All that was happening was too much for her.
"Actually I think I'll have a glass of wine," Rory said. There, that was enough. It was alcohol but not hard alcohol. Emily seemed slightly taken aback by Rory's request but poured three glasses, one for each of the adult present.
"How about you?" Richard asked his great-granddaughter, "What would you like to drink young miss?"
"Um...apple juice like mommy!" Liza exclaimed. Rory looked down at her glass of white wine and almost wished it was apple juice. She wasn't quite used to the taste. Swirling the wine in her glass Rory glanced at her watch. It was one; the morning had passed quite quickly. Looking back over to her grandfather and daughter Rory smiled at how well the two were getting along, as usual. Richard Gilmore had taken an immediate liking to the youngest Gilmore from the day she was born; it went the same for Liza. Rory was glad that she was able to share her daughter with her grandparents and that they had been supportive of her since the day they found out she was pregnant. Rory had never introduced Jess to her grandparents, but she had a feeling that Jess and Richard would get along great except for the fact he had gotten Rory pregnant.
Almost immediately after Liza was served her apple juice they were ushered into the dining room for a late lunch. Rory sat at the table reflecting on the many Friday night dinners that had taken place here. They ate rather silently but after the meal was done the small talk began. "So, Rory how's school?" Richard wondered.
"It's actually really good," Rory nodded fiddling with the remaining rice in her plate, "I'm anxious for this year to end though."
"Ah, and get out into the world," Richard chuckled, "Any idea where you'll be working yet?"
"I've got a few offers already," Rory shrugged, "But I'm also looking into where Liza will start school next year."
"It's true she'll be starting next year," Richard looked at Liza, "It doesn't seem that long ago that she was in diapers."
"That's because it wasn't Richard," Emily put in.
"I mean when she was just home from the hospital and Rory was showing her off," Richard chuckled at the memory, "She was just so tiny, kind of like Rory when she was born." Silence fell upon the table except for the light scraping of Liza's fork as she tried to pick up her last piece of meat. Even after all these years Lorelai's failure to become a lady of high society and marry Christopher was still a heavy topic. Although Rory had become pregnant out of wedlock she was still fulfilling their dream for her. Going to college, and becoming something of herself. They had been slightly more prepared for this type of thing to happen to Rory. After all she was her mother's daughter. Lorelai had been slightly jealous of the way they reacted to Rory's pregnancy. She had wished it could've been that easy for her.
Finally, after two hours with her grandparents Paris and Jamie finally showed up. Although her Grandparents offered many time they all refused to stay, even for a minute. They had to get home and get ready for the long day ahead of them.
(In Jamie's car.)
On Liza's demand Paris slipped into the driver's seat, Rory into the passengers' seat and Jamie into the back so he could read to Liza a story. It had been Jamie's night to read. The three of them had always taken turns reading to Liza since Jamie had moved in with them and Liza refused to miss a night. Rory took her cell phone out of her purse and called her mom. "Come on," Rory begged after the fourth ring, "Pick up."
"Hello?" Lorelai sighed on the other end.
"Mom?" Rory asked. The sulky voice on the other end of the phone couldn't be her mother.
"Rory!" Lorelai seemed to perk up slightly, "Where are you?"
"In the car on the way home," Rory responded, "We had lunch with grandma and grandpa. It was okay."
"I can't believe you guys went," Lorelai laughed, "You've got to go again next week too."
"You and Luke are the only two who dread going," Rory pointed out; "Why Luke does I'll never know. They like him."
"Yes, but this is my parents we're talking about," Lorelai reminded Rory, "They're evil!"
"Uh-huh. You keep telling me that," Rory glanced out the window to see why Paris was turning, "Oh, mom I got to go. We're getting gas."
"Bye honey, I love you!" Lorelai saluted.
"Love you too mom," Rory hung up the phone and opened her car door. "Paris I'm going inside alright?" Paris nodded and Rory headed off.
(Inside the gas station shop.)
Rory walked into the store and browsed through the aisle. She wasn't quite sure what she was looking for but she needed to walk around. She could feel the barrier she had put up falling apart inside of her and she felt the need to get out of the car. She picked up a package of gum, a chocolate bar and M&Ms for Liza and approached the cash. Not watching where she was going, Rory rummaged through her wallet for cash and ran into someone. "Oh, sorry," she mumbled and didn't look up.
"Why, Mary we just keep running into each other," the stranger chuckled. Rory furrowed her eyebrows and looked up already knowing who she was going to find. Tristan.
"What are you doing here?" she asked cautiously.
"My parents found out I was in the state," Tristan explained, "They wouldn't let me go without stopping by. So, where's Paris and you're adorable daughter?"
"Paris is getting gas and Liza's in the car with Jamie," Rory informed him. She then pulled out a five dollar bill and stepped into line, Tristan right behind her.
"Were you ever going to call?" he wondered.
"Um...I don't know," Rory shrugged, "At least now I don't think I will. I'd rather not talk about dating or be dating or any such things."
"Okay," Tristan shrugged, "I'd ask why but I think that qualifies under your such things category." Rory nodded and stared into Tristan's blue eyes for a sign of disappointment which she found easily. She didn't notice that the line in front of her had vanished and the cashier was waiting impatiently for her to step forward.
"I've had a rough weekend," she confided, "Either way I know I'm not ready to date." Then, it happened. Rory felt the final pieces of her shield break apart the pain struck her hard and Rory let out a single sob before the tears began to stream down her face.
"Rory, Rory what's wrong?" Tristan sounded worried, "Why are you crying? Are you alright?"
"I love him, I love him so much," she sobbed, sinking down to her knees and covering her face, "It hurts so much to see him with her, to know he's with her. My baby has a father, a father who knows about her and wants to know her. I can't, he's with her and it hurts, it hurts." She was barely audible through her sobs but Tristan caught bits and pieces. He knew now he had missed any shot of being in Rory Gilmore's heart as anything but a friend and he could tell she really needed a friend right now. As she sobbed he dropped his stuff and joined her on the floor wrapping his arms protectively around her. Paris, who was coming in to pay caught the sight and immediately knew the meaning reaching for her cell phone Paris called the one other person who knew this was coming, Lane. As Paris explained the situation to the other girl Rory continued to sob in the arms of a newfound friend.