DISCLAIMER: Gilmore Girls isn't mine. All characters belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino and the WB.

AN: M, you're the best! To all my reviewers, thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

When You Least Expect It
03: What He Thought He Wanted

"So where is lover boy?"

Rory walked over to her kitchen, shifting the phone from her left ear to the right. "What are you talking about, Finn?"

Finn scoffed. "Don't lie to me, Love."

"I'm not. Look, I have to go. Tristan's picking me up."

"So I am right. You're going out on a date with him."

Rory rolled her eyes as if Finn could see her. "You know what? I think you spent too much time in Stars Hollow after Logan and I broke up. Ms. Patty and the entire town's nosiness must have rubbed off on you."

Finn shuddered. "As much as I love Stars Hollow, I don't think I can stand being surrounded by Ms. Patty and her cronies."

"That's your fault for offering her a drink. She thought you were hitting on her," Rory said, laughing when someone knocked.

"I was being polite," Finn huffed.

"Right. Look, I have to go. Tristan's here."

"All right, Doll. Take care."

She clicked the "off" button then opened the door. "You ready?" Tristan asked, "or do you need a few more minutes to do whatever it is you women do?"

"No, I'm ready," she said, grabbing her coat.

He led her to his silver Audi and opened the door for her.

"I see that chivalry isn't dead. How nice. Did you learn this in charm school?" she teased, a grin on her lips as he got inside the car.

He shrugged. "Habit." Turning on the ignition, music from the Black Eyes Peas filling their ears.

"What are you listening to?" Rory asked, reaching for the dial.

"Back off, Gilmore. Don't touch my radio." He peeled the car from its parking.

Rory crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine."

"I know you don't approve but my car, my music." Rory Gilmore was a brat and a snob. Funny thing is she had this way of having men at her beck and call without looking and sounding like one. Maybe it was because she looked innocent with her wide blue eyes and freckled nose. But it's about damn time that someone refused to give her what she wanted, even if it's as silly as changing the music.

She shook her head. "You still need to learn a lot about music."

He chuckled. "I like my choice of music just fine."

Compromise was a good thing. It made things easier and more pleasant. It does not hurt that it also brought two stubborn people closer to understanding each other. Sort of.

She turned to face him, an idea forming in her mind. "What if I lend you some of my CD's so you can learn how to appreciate them?"

"What? And make me listen to girlie bands or weird music?"

"Hey! My music does not only compose of girlie bands. And they're not weird."

"Whatever makes you keep your coffee in your stomach."

"I'm not giving up, Tristan. Lane will totally freak with your music."

Tristan had heard a lot about Rory's best friend and her legendary CD collection. She must be the Imelda Marcos of CDs. "Ok. How about a swap? I'll lend you my CDs and you lend me yours. Deal?"

Rory bit her lip. "Oh, ok!"

--

"What exactly do we need to buy?" she asked as they entered the mall.

He sighed. "A gift for my cousin's kid. I don't know exactly what to get."

"Ok. Is it a boy or a girl? How old? And what's the occasion?" They started walking to the direction of the department store.

"Boy. One. Birthday slash Christening."

"Wow. Could you be more a little excited? I mean, after all it is your cousin's son."

"I just don't feel like attending the party."

When Rory tilted her head with a question on her face, Tristan said, "I'll explain to you later. Right now, we need to look for a gift."

The pair went to the children's section and started looking. She suggested toys such as a rattle or a rubber ducky, and he looked horrified. "Please, I don't want my nephew to turn into this weird Sesame Street character."

She slapped Tristan's arm. "Ernie is not weird! I happen to think that he's cute and funny."

He looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "Whatever, Ror. I think he's in the same category as that fat bear who wears a red shirt without underpants."

"Ugh! You're disgusting!"

They continued to search for a gift and Tristan spotted a toy car with remote control. "Ooh how about this one?" he asked, his face showing excitement that rivaled a child's on Christmas day.

"Tris, that's not a toy for a twelve month-old boy." She took the plaything from him and turned the box. "See? It says here for 5-9 years old."

"Oh. Right." They walked along the shelves until Tristan stopped and grabbed another off the shelf, a plastic sword this time. "En garde!" he yelled, his stance like one of a fencer.

Rory laughed. "Ok, D'Artagnan, I don't think the baby will appreciate your gift. He'll just probably drool on you gift."

Scowling, Tristan said, "Grab a sword and fight like a woman!"

Her mouth twitched. This could be fun. When was the last time she acted silly and carefree? Grabbing a light saber, she muttered, "May the force be with you."

The two played sword, not caring that they were in a store. After a few minutes, they finally agreed on a truce, and continued on their search for a gift. Half an hour later, they had their purchases gift wrapped and decided to get coffee. "You're paying," she said.

Tristan snorted. "I always pay."

"Well it's not my fault that you won't let me." She turned to the barista and gave her order of double espresso and Tristan ordered brewed coffee. They found an empty table and Rory gave him the look.

"What?"

We don't always know what we want. Most of the time, the thing we thought we wanted and fought hard to attain wasn't what we desired after all.

"You said something about not wanting to attend the birthday party of your nephew. How come? I thought you were close."

They were and it wasn't that he wanted to avoid him or anyone back home. It was nagging and nosiness, especially from his mom, on having a girlfriend, getting married, and having children. "My mom wants grandkids." He shuddered.

"What's wrong with kids?" Their names were called for their drinks. "So?" she asked as soon as Tristan returned to their table with their coffee.

"Nothing's wrong with having kids. I don't think I want to have kids…or even get married," he said and took a sip of his coffee.

Shocked, Rory slowly put down her cup and frowned. "Really? Are you serious? I mean…how come?" she asked, wrapping her hands around her cup.

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Eventually, maybe, I don't know. But just not right now. I don't think I'm ready."

She didn't know what else to say. "That's what they always say."

"Yeah…but I just can't see myself as a family man."

"You just love being a bachelor too much," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Damn right I do. No nagging wife and no screaming kids who'll drive me crazy."

Her face turned somber. "That's a sad outlook, Tristan."

--

It was an intimate gathering and only family and a few close friends were invited. Everyone wanted to carry the baby. They cooed and played peek-a-boo while the little cherub chortled and clapped his hands.

Tristan felt someone sit beside him and heard a sigh. Turning, he saw his mother looking at baby Liam. Oh no. Here it comes. He decided to keep calm. "Hey, mom."

"Tristan," Alice greeted, giving her son a smile.

"So, this is a nice party." He stalled.

"Uh huh. It definitely is," she said as she continued to survey the people around them. There were adults talking and drinking while children were running around the garden.

"Yup." He was about to make an excuse when she said. "Your cousin is lucky to have finally met the love of his life. And now they have a son."

"That he is."

"What about you? Tristan, when am I going to have grandchildren? I really envy your Aunt Grace," his mother pouted.

Damn. "Umm I don't know. Maybe in the future. Yeah—"

Rachel, his cousin-in-law, who was carrying what seemed to be a bundle of baby clothes, walked up to him with a smile. "Tristan! Thanks so much for these. They're beautiful."

"Oh. You're welcome. Rory helped me pick them."

His mother's eyes lit up. "Rory?"

Double damn.

"You know what? I think Rory's a really nice girl. Pretty, too!" She took the baby clothes from Rachel and looked at them. "And she definitely has taste."

Rachel grinned. "Rory? Is she your girlfriend?"

Tristan almost laughed. He knew they would assume that. "Nah. She's just a friend. "

Alice raised her brows. "Are you sure?"

He rolled his eyes. "Course I am." Suddenly starting to feel annoyed from the women's questions, he stood from his seat. "Hey, I need to go to the bathroom. I'll talk to you later."

"Don't think we're finished with this conversation, Tristan."

"Yes, we are." Mothers. They're too nosy and meddlesome for their own good.