Family Portrait

Author's Note: All right guys, here we go once again. I'd like to thank all of you for your reviews and I have taken everything you have all told me to heart. I'm just going to let this story go where it wants to so the pairing is still as of yet undecided in my mind, although for some reason I feel it leaning more to one side. To my reviewer KiKi: Lorelai's middle name is actually Victoria and not Elizabeth as Liza's is. Considering that Rory is pregnant I'm sure that she and Tristan will be trying to decide on baby names, as will Lorelai seeing as the twins are to be born in approximately 3 months. Rory's baby's sex is as of yet unknown to the general public, you readers, so feel free to shoot names at me if you want, I'm going to incorporate them all into the story anyway, and Lorelai is having twins, a boy and a girl. Once again thank you all for your reviews and enjoy this next chapter. As usual, please review!

Chapter 17: Friday Night in Hell

It had been a week filled with telephone conversations for Rory Gilmore, both men in her life called now and then. She found that Jess had learnt how to pick up a phone in the years that he had been out of her life, and Tristan was calling during his free time to kid around with her and ask her how she was feeling as each day went by. Thursday came and went, and Tristan had informed her of something important he had to go to. He would be in Stars Hollow Friday for dinner with Emily and Richard Gilmore; Rory planned on telling them her news during dinner that week. She would have the support of her mother, Luke, Paris, Tristan and her father in case anything went wrong this time around. Although her grandparents had understood when she had gotten pregnant with Liza she didn't know what to expect this time around.

Throwing open the door to her apartment Rory dropped her bag beside the door, relieved that her week was over, her last class had let out not even an hour ago. Looking up, she was shocked to see Jamie standing in the living room looking lost. The last time anyone had seen him was a week earlier at the dance marathon when he and Paris stormed off the dance floor arguing.

"Rory…" Jamie saw her; his tone was blank and distant. He looked worse Paris did, in her opinion.

"Jamie! What's going on? Where've you been?" Rory asked, rushing forward to talk to him.

"Home," Jamie responded, "With my parents. I don't know what's wrong with me Rory, why did I react like that? I love Paris, I don't want to be like this with her."

"I know," Rory nodded, "Does she know you're here?"

"No," he shook his head. Rory frowned, wondering where in the world Paris could've been. She hadn't had class with Rory today, and had stayed home with Liza instead of the sitter Rory had found when they got back to New Haven on Monday. Neither her daughter nor her best friend seemed to be present in the apartment.

"She was watching Liza today," she put in, "They probably went out. What're you going to do when she gets back?"

"I don't know," He shrugged, and then plopped down on the couch, "I just want her back Rory."

Rory offered him a small smile, "I hope you get her back Jamie. Things aren't the same without you, and she really does love you. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "Thanks Rory."

"Anytime Jamie," she put a hand on his shoulder and then headed towards the bedroom to pack a bag for another weekend in Stars Hollow.

"Dinner with your grandparents?" Jamie wondered, and Rory turned to give him a nod. When she got to her bedroom she closed her door behind her and thought about what might happen between Jamie and Paris when she got home. She just hoped they would be able to work things out between the two of them, what they had was hard to find. Rory knew better than anyone that that was true.

Fifteen minutes later, Rory heard the door to the apartment close, and then, not a second later, Liza ran into her room and jumped onto the bed. Smiling at her daughter Rory put another shirt into her small overnight bag, and zipped it up.

"Is Jamie coming home mommy?" Liza wanted to know.

"I don't know kiddo," Rory told her daughter truthfully, there was no use lying to her. After all, she didn't want to disappoint her by telling her that he was.

"I hope he does," Liza declared, "The 'sitter's no fun at all."

"I know," Rory sat down and pulled her daughter onto her lap, kissing her forehead lightly.

"Is Jess goin' to be back yet?" Liza varied between calling Jess 'Dad' or just by his name. Rory thought it was normal though, after all she had only just found out that he was her father. It couldn't be expected that she call him dad immediately as if being used to it. She was sure it would catch on quick considering Liza was young.

"Maybe," Rory shrugged. Last time Jess had called he hadn't been sure whether or not he would be back in Stars Hollow for the weekend or not. Although he had found a new temporary replacement, he had yet to train the new guy to do his job right. For all he knew, he would only be back in Stars Hollow come Monday.

"Is Tristan coming to dinner at Great Granny and Great Grandpa?" Liza continued her interrogation; she always wanted to know everything about everyone

"Yes," Rory nodded, a small smiled appeared when she thought about seeing Tristan that night, "He's going to meet us there."

"Good," Liza grinned, "He can play with me and Georgia, right?"

"Right," Rory nodded once more, "But we've also got to talk just the adults, okay?"

"O-Kay," Liza heaved a sigh, to her any time that involved "just the adults" was the most boring thing imaginable.

There was a knock on the door and Rory stood up, going to answer it. Standing in the door was Paris; her expression was calm and much like the Paris that Rory had known a long time ago. The Paris who delegated everything with an iron fist, Rory wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a very bad thing.

"Jamie and I are going out to talk," she announced, "We still have many things to discuss before we can decide where we're going to go from here."

"So, no dinner at the Gilmore mansion then?" Rory sighed, there went one of her strongest supports. At least she still had the others to make sure that things went smooth while relaying the news of another pregnancy to Emily and Richard Gilmore.

"You know I wish I could be there Gilmore," Paris said and Rory nodded. It was more important to her that Paris and Jamie work this out than having Paris at a dinner that she was likely overreacting about.

"I'm leaving my keys on the counter," she informed Rory, "Take the car to Hartford and I'll see you when you get back."

"Take care Paris," Rory called out to her friend as she walked away, grabbing her jacket.

"You too Gilmore," Paris shot back, and then the door closed behind her leaving Rory and Liza alone to prepare for the dinner ahead.

(Outside the Elder Gilmore Mansion, two hours later.)

Rory pulled up to the Gilmore mansion almost five minutes late, looking herself over quickly in the rearview mirror, she got out of the car and then moved to get Liza out of the back seat. From the corner of her eye she saw Tristan's car pull into the driveway behind her.

"You're late," he pointed out, getting out of the car.

"As are you," she couldn't help but shoot back.

"Actually, I was on time," Tristan replied, joining her at Paris' car, "But I didn't want to go in without you here. I don't know if they know I'm coming or not."

"They don't," Rory mentioned, "Mom just told them to set a few extra places."

"Where's Paris?" Tristan inquired, looking around.

"Jamie showed up today," Rory explained, and that was all Tristan needed to know. He nodded as Rory then led the way to the large doors. Liza held onto her mother's hand as Rory reached out and ran the doorbell. Tristan stood close behind her and she felt some comfort knowing he was there.

"Good evening," the maid greeted, stepping aside to let them in.

"Hi!" Liza waved as Rory smiled at the maid and then headed to the living room where she knew her mother, Luke, and probably her father would be too. She was right; there they all were sitting in awkward silence. Probably waiting for them to arrive and ease the tension in the room.

"Rory!" Emily greeted happily and then went over to give her daughter a hug, "And who is this young man?"

"Why, it's Tristan DuGray!" her grandfather chuckled, walking up to them, "My you've grown up since I last saw you. I spoke to your father not long ago, told me how well you were doing in Harvard."

"You and Rory went to Chilton together didn't you?" Emily asked curiously. Rory could see a small smile behind both of her grandparents' faces. This was the kind of man they had always wanted Rory to be with, a man of high society from a rich family they were familiar with.

"Yes," Tristan nodded, shaking Richard's hand and nodding hello to Emily.

"Rory and Tristan met up at a Grocery Store in New Haven," Lorelai interjected, as Rory went over to hug her father hello.

"Is that so?" Richard asked, "What were you doing there anyway?"

"A friend of mine from Military school goes to Yale," Tristan explained, "He was having a party and invited me down. I was picking up some extra provisions when I ran into Rory."

Rory glanced at him and smiled, somewhat surprised at how he suddenly remembered her name a whole lot better when he was around her grandparents. She also felt somewhat relieved that her grandparents seemed to like him so far. It made what she had to tell them so much easier.

"So, what are you studying Tristan," Richard asked, as Emily went over to pour both of them drinks.

"Law," Tristan replied, "It's what my father wants, and I wouldn't know what else to study really."

"Ah, well, I'm sure you'll make a fine lawyer," her grandfather nodded in approval, "In fact, I'll put in a good word for you with my old firm."

"Thank you Mr. Gilmore," Tristan said, accepting the drink of champagne Emily handed him, "But I already have a job lined up for me by my father."

"Yes, Yes, I expect you do," Richard chuckled.

"Here you go Rory," Emily handed another flute of champagne to Rory.

"Can I just have some water?" Rory asked, attempting to hand the glass back to her grandmother.

"Now, don't be silly," Emily waved her hand away, "It's a special occasion. We should have a toast."

"Grandma, I really can't," Rory persisted.

"Come on Mom," Lorelai stood up, holding putting her own glass of water on the table beside her, "Give her a glass of water."

"She's old enough Lorelai," Emily refused to give in, "She can drink champagne."

"I can't," Rory muttered.

"Nonsense!" Emily exclaimed, "You're not pregnant." Rory looked down then, a move that caught both Richard and Emily's attention just then. "Oh."

"We were going to tell you," Rory spoke up, "I just found out last weekend and I didn't want to do it right now. We were going to wait until after supper…"

"We?" her grandfather raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of his champagne. Emily still remained in a shocked silence.

Rory glanced over at her father and Luke, who were now standing up, then at her mother by her side, and Tristan on her other. Liza, Lucas and Georgia were at the other corner of the room, playing some game of theirs oblivious to what was going on with the adults.

"Me and Tristan," Rory looked down at her shoes then, unable to face her grandparents right now. Twice had she failed them, twice had she gotten pregnant out of wedlock and before she finished her education.

"You?" Emily finally spoke up, her gaze focused solely on Tristan.

"Yes," Tristan nodded, words eluded him now much as they did Rory.

"Emily, you know how these things happened," Christopher stepped forward, "They're never expected."

"Yes, you would know, wouldn't you?" her grandmothers shot coldly at her father. Rory wanted to disappear into the background of the room, become invisible so she wouldn't have to be standing here in this situation right now.

"Mom!" Lorelai exclaimed, "That's uncalled for!"

"It's been a long time coming!" Emily exclaimed, "That man left you and Rory, Lorelai! Then just when you were working things out he abandoned his family again because he got that stupid tramp of his pregnant."

"Mother!" Lorelai exclaimed again, "This isn't about Chris or his abandoning me and Rory! This is about Rory and Tristan and how you're about to becoming great grandparents to a second child!"

"She's right Emily," Richard stepped in, "What do you two plan on doing?"

"We're not sure yet Grandpa," Rory replied.

"How long have you two been dating?" Emily asked suddenly, her voice calmer now.

"Actually, we're not quite dating Mrs. Gilmore," Tristan responded before Rory could think up something to tell her grandmother.

"Oh, so then you're engaged?" Richard asked, amicably. They obviously liked the idea.

"No," Tristan shook his head.

"And why not?" Emily asked, the shrill back in her voice.

"Yes, yes, why not? You two are having a child together after all," Richard nodded.

"Mom, she's already had a kid and she didn't get married," Lorelai reminded her mother, "In fact she raised Liza for four years on her own."

"That's because she was eighteen and got knocked up by that hooligan nephew of your husband's!" Emily exclaimed, "This is different, she's older now. She should know the responsible thing to do is get married."

"Like I did with Sherry?" Christopher put in, "I mean, that is why I left Lorelai, to do the right thing when Sherry got pregnant, and now she's leaving me. We were unhappy the whole time we were married."

"Those were different circumstances," Emily insisted.

"How about we just listen to what Rory and Tristan have to say?" Luke suggested, speaking up for the first time since the two of them had entered the house, "Or go and eat supper so we can go home."

"I think my hubby's onto something," Lorelai agreed, "Supper and maybe a sane conversation." She turned to Luke and Christopher just then, "Why don't we go get the kids cleaned up?" With that the three adults who had once been wrapped up in a love triangle of their own led the three kids out of the room and to the bathroom.

"Grandma, Grandpa, you remember Jess right?" Rory asked, as soon as her parents and Luke were out of the room, "The hooligan who knocked me up? Well, he's back in town and he wants to be back in my life. Liza knows he's her dad and I love him, but there's a lot to think about now."

"Oh," was all either of her grandparents could muster, speechless for the second time that night.

"Tristan's going to be here with me throughout the pregnancy," Rory continued, "And he loves me. I just…I just don't know whom I love, or whom I want to be with. Can you understand that?"

"Yes, yes of course," Emily nodded. Rory heaved a sigh of relief.

"And don't worry about my grades at Yale or anything," Rory added, "This isn't going to change anything."

"Don't worry too much Rory," her grandfather said, "We don't want you stressing too much about pleasing us. You're going to do fine." Rory smiled at her grandfather and then the two of them left to the dining room leaving Tristan and Rory alone.

"That wasn't so bad," Tristan grinned, wrapping his arm around her.

"No worse than the first time around," Rory shrugged, and leaned in to him, "Let's go eat."

"Agreed," Tristan nodded, and then led her away to the dining room where everyone awaited.