Chapter 13
After things had been solved between Tristan and me we moved in together in September. He was still going to school and I was usually sleeping. I couldn't wait to tell him the news. I busied myself by making dinner. I had taken some cooking lessons from Sookie during the summer. She taught me how to make some really simple dishes, along with some that I still had no clue had to prepare. I heard the keys jingling in the lock and the door swing open. Tristan walked in and threw his backpack on the floor.
I was frustrated. Classes weren't going well today. I had just gotten back an English paper and received a C- on it. I jabbed my key in the lock and turned it. As I swung the door open, I could smell the hint of garlic in the air. Rory was making spaghetti. I dropped my bag by the door on the way to the kitchen.
"Mmm! Smells good." I leaned down and kissed her.
"Hello to you too." She had this gleam in here eyes. She was excited about something but I didn't have a clue what.
"OK, what's up? Why do you look like you're in a room full of nothing but coffee?"
"Is there such a place? Do you know where I can find it? You know of a place don't you? And you've been keeping it from me all this time!" I just laughed at her. She was too cute.
"Yup! It's called a coffee shop."
"But coffee shops have decaf in them and that's not coffee! Plus they have other stuff like hot chocolate, not that I'm complaining because chocolate is yummy, but it's not an all coffee place!" I loved her obsession with coffee.
"It's still a place full of coffee!"
"Aww! No fun!"
"I try." I laughed again at the face she made. She just pouted at me. But that was soon replaced by a huge smile.
"OK, but seriously. Why do you look so happy?"
"Because I have great news!"
"That I've finally been recognized as the hottest guy on the face of the earth?"
"No. It would have to be the day when you're the last man on earth for you to get that title!"
"Ouch Mary. That really really hurt!" I loved the little banter sessions we had. They were just so much fun. I immediately felt better when I saw Rory. She was my angel.
"So my great news is... I can get this stupid tumor removed!"
"What!"
"Yup! I just need to make an appointment with Dr. Thomas and schedule the surgery! It's finally almost over!"
I scooped her up in my arms. This was the best new I had received in weeks. I was so excited. I started to swing Rory around the kitchen.
"Put me down! The sauce is going to burn if I don't stir it." I set her down and went to the living room. Life is good!
Hartford Hospital
I was scared.What if something goes wrong? What if I die? You won't die! You're too stubborn to die. Ha! Well at least you're here with me.
Mom, Luke and Tristan walked into the room.
"Hey sweetie."
"Hi mom, Luke."
"We just wanted to say good luck and we love you."
"I love you too." Tristan just stayed at the back of the room while I talked to my parents. Then someone else walked into the room.
"Hey Rory."
"Daddy!"
"Christopher! I'm so glad you could make it."
"What? Do you actually think I would miss this? Rory, I just want you to know I'm here for you."
"Thanks dad." He kissed me on the forehead.
"Umm, let's go get some coffee people."
"But Lore-" Before dad could finish, mom had hugged him. He looked at her in understanding and followed her out.
"Hey Tristan, will you stay here for a minute, we'll be back in a little bit."
"Sure."
I had planned to be brief when we went in to go see Rory, but then Christopher showed up.
"Christopher! I'm so glad you could make it."
"What? Do you actually think I would miss this? Rory, I just want you to know I'm here for you." I knew he wouldn't. I had called him a week earlier to tell him about the surgery. He told me that he would be here, but because of his past history I wasn't too sure, and yet, here he was. I looked over at Tristan. He hadn't said a word since we came in. He was in the back of the room just watching us. He must want some time with Rory.
"Umm, let's go get some coffee people."
"But Lore-" I wouldn't let him finish the sentence. I hugged him and whispered in his ear.
"No buts! I think we should give Tristan and Rory some time together don't you?" I pulled away and Luke and Chris followed me.
"Hey Tristan, will you stay here for a minute, we'll be back in a little bit."
"Sure."
I walked over to Rory. She just smiled at me.
"Are you scared?"
"Yeah, a bit."
I kissed her on the cheek.
"Don't be. Everything will be fine." She looked at me with questioning eyes.
"How do you know that?"
"Because if it doesn't then there wasn't really a point of me buying this, now is there?"
I looked at him kinda funny. I had no idea what he was talkin about! All my questions were answered when he pulled out a little black velvet box.
"What is it?"
"Well, let's just say it's a very nice little present for you when you get out of surgery."
"Aww! Come on! I wanna know!" I tried to make a puppy dog face, but failed miserably. I cracked up.
"Nope! You don't get to find out until you come back out. Let's just say it's something for you to look forward too."
"Fine!"
The nurse came in and told me it was time for me to go in for surgery. I just looked over at Tristan.
The amused look in her eyes faded away when the nurse came in. She looked at me desperately. I went over to her and kissed her. I pulled away and whispered to her.
"Remember, you have something to look forward to."
I pulled away completely and smiled at her. Inside I was a wreck. I was secretly praying that everything would be OK. Lorelai, Luke and Christopher came back in right before they wheeled Rory out. We all kissed her once more and watched as she departed.
A couple of hours later
"Why isn't she out yet?"
"Lorelai, calm down. I'm sure it's nothing." Luke tried to comfort her. Christopher seemed pretty calm. He sat in one of the chairs reading a magazine, while I paced back and forth.
"Tristan, you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up!"
"I can't help it Christopher! I'm just so worried."
I continued my pacing until I saw the doctor emerge from the double doors. Lorelai was the first to run up to him.
"Is Rory all right!"
"Yes. Rory is fine. The operation went well. We fully removed the tumor."
We all broke out in cheers and hugs.
"Can we go see her?"
"Not yet. I'll tell the nurse to let you know when you can go see her. She needs her rest right now."
"Thank you doctor!" He turned around and disappeared down the hall.
She's all right! She's all right! I let myself smile. Everything's going to be OK
