Chapter 3 The Morning After
As Lorelei started down the highway back towards Stars Hollow, Rory started explaining the events of her evening with Tristan. "Well, I walked into the library not knowing what to expect when I see Tristan, I have to admit that I wasn't all that upset to see him, until that is he made a cocky, obnoxious comment that sent me running up to the room Grandma gave me…" As Rory wrapped up her story, they were pulling up in front of the Crap Shack.
Rory and Lorelei split up to go change into their pajamas and get comfortable and Lorelei made herself coffee. "RORY!! What are you going to do??? You can't have caffeine now!!! How will you survive??"
"Crap!!! Mom, what am I going to do? I think that I will die from a lack of caffeine!!! What will I do??" Rory joked with little enthusiasm. Once Rory and Lorelei were situated on the couch Rory began to think out loud hoping that her mother could help her shed some light on her situation and her evening. "Seeing Tristan tonight makes me really think that I like him and would like to spend more time with him, I am just scared that now because of the baby, he'll feel that the baby is the only reason I'm with him or he'll push me away once I start to get big and my heart will be broken. Another thing is, I don't want to be unfair to Tristan, this baby will have to become my life. I just don't know what to do!"
"I think you should go on this date with Tristan tomorrow, see what happens, it might just all fall into place." Lorelei tried to reassure her daughter not really knowing what to say to address her fears because she was thinking the same things, worried that this situation would only break her daughters already torn heart into more pieces. Then suddenly to break the tension and the stress of the night, Lorelei breaks out into, "Rory likes Tristan, Rory likes Tris…."
"Mom!!!!!" Rory yelled giggling a little for the first time that day. "Thanks for your help and for making me feel better! I have a lot to think about tonight so that I can get ready to make some lists tomorrow, so I'm going to go to bed. See you in the morning. Love you mom!"
"Good idea, love you too babe!" Lorelei said in response.
The Next Morning
Rory trudged out of her bed and stumbled into the kitchen and began making coffee, before remembering yesterday and everything that happened. There would be no more coffee for her but she was sure her mom would appreciate it. She grabbed a bottle of water, a pad of paper, and a pen and began making a list of things to consider. "Yale, dorms, day care, a job, Stars Hollow, Tristan, Grandparents, Dad." Then she pulled out a piece of paper and made a list of things she needed to get done that following Monday. "Make a Doctor's appointment, pay Dad a visit, talk to an advisor at school, look into family housing, visit my Grandparents, and look into part-time jobs."
As Rory was lost in her thoughts Lorelei came down the stairs and into the kitchen to join her daughter. "My love!!! You made me coffee! Have I ever told you that you are my favorite and that I love you?!" Lorelei joked as she saw that Rory had coffee ready for her. "After I finish this coffee, let's take a look at those lists of yours and then head to Luke's for breakfast! That way we can let the list sink in while we eat our breakfast."
"Sounds good Mom, I started my lists by first making a list of things that will be affected by a new baby and things I need to consider or make changes to once a baby comes. I started with Yale, I really want to keep going, prove that I can do it. I think I would like to look into family dorms and see if I can qualify. I also think I need to consider child care of some kind for when I am at work or school, then there's getting a part-time job to help pay for all the expenses of a baby, as well as considering moving here to Stars Hollow and commuting to school to save housing expenses. I also need to think about what to do about Tristan and how to tell everyone." Rory said as she rambled off her list ending with a sigh of stress.
"Whew, kiddo, you have nine months to think things through and figure everything out. Don't kill yourself trying to figure it all out in twenty-four hours, I know you want a plan and all and I think that's fantastic! But let's start small." Lorelei said trying to ease some of her stress. "Let's start with your date this evening!"
"Mom, I know I have time, that's why I made another list. It's a to-do list, starting with going to see a doctor and confirming it, and working up to telling everyone and seeing an academic advisor. After all that, I can make all the decisions. But for now, I'm hungry let's go to Luke's and get breakfast!" Rory said feeling slightly better about everything she decided.
Rory and Lorelei walked hand-in-hand through the town on their way to Luke's for breakfast. They walked in and sat down at a table with an air of confidence.
"Mom, I don't think I want to tell the town until I am 100 sure of my situation." Rory announced to her mother as they opened the menus they had memorized years ago.
"Sure babe, anything you want. We will have to tell everyone soon, but for now it's our secret." Lorelei said as Luke walked up and began pouring them cups of coffee.
"What's it gonna be today? The usual?"
"Yes, but make her's with an orange juice." Lorelei said with a smile aimed at Luke.
"Is she sick or is she finally coming to her senses about the evils of coffee and what it does to your insides?" Luke grunted as he wrote down their orders and poured Lorelai her cup of coffee.
"Yup, Luke you've got it, she's suddenly very health conscientious!" Lorelei said quickly trying to cover up why Rory, someone who loves coffee would turn it down for a dreaded glass of Orange juice something she wouldn't drink if someone paid her. Fortunately for them, Luke was too busy to further question their drinks of choice.
He returned a few minutes later with their food grumbling about something under his breath that sounded like clogged arteries. "Here's your food, don't call me when your heart stops beating."
Rory and Lorelei didn't talk much as they scarfed down their double cheeseburgers and fries only stopping to exchange pleasantries with their fellow townspeople. After finishing they said their goodbyes to Luke and attempted to pay for their food as Luke once again turned down their money. As they were heading outside Rory's phone began to ring. "Oh my god, its probably Tristan!" She said anxiously before flipping her phone open to answer it. "Hello, sure three O'clock sounds good, I'll be ready! Wait, what should I wear? Ok, make a right after First Street onto Coconut Grove and we are the third house on the right. I can't wait either! See you soon! Bye!" Rory hung up the phone with a great big grin on her face.
"Rory loves Tristan, Rory loves Tristan!!" Lorelei began to taunt as she saw the goofy grin on Rory's face while she talked to Tristan. "So what's the plan with loverboy?"
"Mom, what time is it??" Rory asked suddenly realizing that she didn't have long before it was time for her to get ready for her date.
"It's almost 12:30, why? He's not picking you up until 3." Lorelei answered.
"Because Mom, I don't know what to wear, and I still need to shower, do my hair, and make-up…I'll never be ready on time! Why am I so nervous about seeing him? I don't get like this thinking about guys!" Rory ranted when she discovered that she had only two and a half hours to physically and mentally prepare herself for her upcoming date. "He says he's picking me up at three and to dress comfortably. What kind of information is that?"
"Babe, it's ok, you have me…I'll help you get ready, we can find an outfit together!" Lorelei said trying to comfort Rory. They walked up to the house and decided that they would worry about what to wear after they watched a rerun of Dawson's Creek while they mocked mercilessly.
After they finished their episode, Rory got up abruptly, "Mom, its time…I really need to get ready!! We only have an hour and a half left!"
"Rory, don't worry… go get into the shower and I'll pick out an outfit or two and then you can get dressed and then we can do your hair." Lorelei said getting excited about the prospect of finding an outfit for the date her daughter was looking forward to so much.
"You are a life saver Mom! Just don't pick out anything I wouldn't wear! Love you!" Rory yelled as she disappeared into the bathroom.
While Rory was in the bathroom, Lorelei pulled out a white modest mini skirt, and a royal blue halter top, she grabbed a little white clutch as well as a pair of royal blue flip flops with rhinestones across the strap. She then grabbed a denim jacket for her to wear in case it got cool after dark that evening. As Rory walked into the room Lorelei said "Voila!" as she displayed the outfit she had chosen for Rory.
"Wow, Mom that's incredible! How do you do that?" Rory said in disbelief.
"Lot's of practice and a little creativity!" Lorelei said in response. "I'm gonna go watch TV get yourself dressed and then we will work on that hair of yours!"
Rory shut the door and began to dress herself, her excitement was growing by the minute and she couldn't wait for three o'clock to come around. "Mom, I'm ready!" Rory yelled to her Mom in the living room.
"Ok, I'm coming!" She said as she came out of the living room and into Rory's room. "Rory! I knew that outfit would look great on you, but I had no idea it would be so perfect! It does wonders for your eyes!" Lorelei smiled at her daughter whose eyes looked phenomenal paired with the blue in the shirt, giving the effect Lorelei had been hoping for.
"Thanks Mom! I do like this combination and it's comfortable and casual but it doesn't look like I didn't put in any effort." Rory said.
Lorelei and Rory realized that they had only a half hour to finish up so they got down to it, blow drying Rory's hair and then putting it into loose curls to fall gracefully down her back. They then applied a little foundation, a small amount of blush, a little bit of royal blue eye shadow to tie it into her shirt, then they added some mascara and some shiny lip gloss and Rory was ready for her date.
"Well kiddo, you have five minutes, why don't you switch your stuff over to the clutch and I'll meet you in the living room to await your…ding dong….date. I'll get the door, you wait here!" Lorelei said as she walked out to answer the door.
"Hey Ms. Gilmore it's a pleasure to see you again!" Tristan greeted.
"Hello to you too, but now that we aren't in front of the stodgy, old fogies, I'm Lorelei, none of that Ms. Crap…blah, makes me feel old!" Lorelei said. "Rory will be out in just a second, you my friend are early. Keep in mind, we Gilmore's expect every man to be late by at least 5 minutes, but not more than fifteen minutes late. Rory will be out in a minute though. Have a seat."
As Rory walked out the door of her bedroom, Tristan looked up and caught her eyes and his breath caught in his throat, she looked absolutely amazing in her outfit, showing just enough skin to make him want more, but she still looked modest and innocent. "Wow, Rory you look amazing!" he said in awe amazed with himself that he could voice anything at all.
Rory looked at Tristan and took in his comfortable jeans, paired with a bluish grey polo shirt and a pair of black flip flops. He looked comfortable but handsome and well dressed. "You look good too." Rory said with a slight blush.
"Are you ready to get going, we have a couple of things to do first?" Tristan asked. Rory grabbed her bag and jacket and the two of them stepped out into the warm summer afternoon. Tristan led Rory over to his car and opened the door for her.
Review please..let me know what you think and what kind of twists should happen…I'm at a loss as to how to make this a little more original.
Where is Tristan taking Rory? Will they hit it off or will it turn out terrible?