Unconditional Presence
By: curlyk03
Rating: M. There is and will be sexual content.
I own nothing but the right to have an imagination.
Enjoy!
"What if you can't fall asleep?"
"Then I'll just relish in the fact that you're naked next to me, we had sex, and that the reason your stomach is protruding is because my baby is in there." He said sweetly.
"Can you keep the staring on the DL until I at least fall asleep?" She narrowed her eyes at him. He nodded.
"I'll try, but you're just so amazing so it'll be a struggle." She beamed.
"Thanks." She leaned up and kissed him softly before scooting back down and resting her head on Tristan's arm. He moved closer to her so they could share the warmth of each other. He shut his eyes and fell asleep soon after.
2 weeks later
12:15 PM
Even though everyone knew about Rory, she still couldn't shake off the stares everyone gave her as she walked into school.
"Wow." Rory turned at the voice and saw Paris.
"Yes?"
"Nothing, I just…" Paris just looked at Rory's ever-growing stomach.
"You just what, Paris?" Rory sighed.
"I wanted to talk to you this morning, but I was too busy."
"And?"
"Your situation is serious."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're pregnant, Rory."
Rory couldn't help but to burst out laughing. "I had no idea. You mean, I'm not just gaining weight? There's actually a baby in there? Who wouldda thunk it?" Paris rolled her eyes.
"Why do I bother?" She muttered and started to walk away.
"Paris, what is it?" Rory called after her.
"Are you going to be at the Franklin meeting tonight?"
Rory quietly cursed. "No, I have an appointment. Assign me an article topic and email it to me."
"Will do. Good luck, Gilmore!" Paris turned and walked away. Rory turned back to her locker and sighed.
"3 hours until school's over, and that includes lunch." She heard as she felt a body press against her back.
"Hallelujah." She murmured and leaned against Tristan. He placed his hand on her stomach and rubbed gently.
"How are you doing?"
"So so. My back is a little sore." She immediately felt his hand pressing into her lower back, relieving a few knots. She moaned as his nimble fingers pressed into her.
"Better?"
"Oh yea." He continued working his fingers for a few more minutes before he rubbed gently with his whole hand.
"Ready for lunch, beautiful?"
"Well I sure could use some food, but I don't know about the person you're calling beautiful." She said, teasingly, turning around in his arms.
"Funny." He smiled at her and held out his hand.
"Shall we, gorgeous?"
"Wow, whoever this person is, you sure are laying the charm on them. Too bad I don't know who it is." She took his hand and closed her locker with her free hand.
"Oh you're just full of sarcasm today, aren't you?"
"Can't help it. I have to pee every 33-49 minutes."
"You're timing it?"
"Clearly." He stuck his tongue out at her and she grinned.
"I hope they have meatloaf today."
"Rory, you hate the meatloaf. If I remember correctly, you've described it as spongy, multi colored Play-Doh that was left out of the container for too long."
"Oh yea. Well, then I hope they have chicken nuggets."
"Which you've described as tasteless white filth."
"Tristan, could you please shut up."
He laughed at her quietly. "Sorry."
"Sure you are."
3:20 PM
"Hey Mary, are you ready to go?" Tristan asked as he came up next to Rory at her locker.
"Not really." He turned her to face him.
"Why not?"
"I hate these appointments." She sighed and looked away.
"Hey, hey. Look at me." He said gently, cupping her check and moving her face to look at him. "What's wrong? I thought you liked them. You get to see the baby and make sure it's healthy."
"I know, I like that part. I just don't like getting my blood taken. It always leaves me feeling sick and dizzy."
"Every time?" She nodded. "Rory, why didn't you tell anyone sooner?"
She shrugged. "It doesn't really matter."
"Of course it matters. Come on, we'll see if there's something we can do so that doesn't happen again. Okay?" She nodded slowly. "You have everything you need?" She nodded again. He held out his hand for her and they walked hand in hand to his car.
They arrived to the OB-GYN's office a bit later and once again walked hand in hand into the office. He told Rory to sit down as he signed her in. He joined her again and took her hand in his, kissing it.
"You're doing amazing with all of this, Rory. I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you." She looked at him and couldn't help the tears that formed.
"Thank you, Tristan."
"You're welcome. I just, if the roles were reversed I would be having a panic attack daily." She smiled at that.
"No you wouldn't. You would've come to terms with it, like I have. And Tristan? You're role is stressful enough as it is and you're doing just fine." She squeezed his hand.
"How is my role in this stressful?"
"Well, you have to live with the fact that you got a girl pregnant in high school."
"And you have to live with the fact that you got pregnant in high school."
"You're going to be a father in about 4 months."
"And you're going to be a mother in 4 months. Plus you're carrying it."
She sighed. "I'm attached to it. I already love this baby, Tristan. So much." She took his hand and rested it under hers on her swollen belly.
"I care for it too!" He argued.
"I don't doubt you do, it's just…I don't know. My words aren't coming today." A moment of silence passed. "It's taken a lot of courage on your part to step up to the task. That's all I'm saying. Males are programmed to spread their seed, to continue the family line. And for you to stand up against your parent's and support me unconditionally…it's very brave of you." She took a breath. "I don't think I could have done this without you. In fact, I know I could not have. So thank you." He smiled appreciatively.
"That means a lot to me." She nodded and kissed him gently. He cupped her check and kept her lips on his for a moment longer. She pulled away and smiled. He smiled back.
"Rory Gilmore?" Their moment was cut off by the receptionist calling her name. Taking Tristan's hand, they walked toward the examination room.
"Room 6 on your left." The woman said kindly and went back to her desk. They remained in a comfortable silence until the doctor came in.
"Rory, Tristan! Good to see both of you." The two teens nodded in agreement. "Will Lorelai be joining us today?"
"No, she had an important meeting she couldn't miss." Rory provided.
"It's not a problem. Ready to get your measurements?" She nodded dully and lifted her shirt above her stomach. Tristan couldn't help his widening eyes. The doctor chuckled at Tristan. "She has grown quite a bit, hasn't she?"
"It's only been like a week." Tristan sputtered, but had to hand it to Rory. She covered the growth of her stomach really well. The doctor chuckled again.
"She'll be growing very rapidly now until she's almost at full size."
"Tristan, you can stop oogling my belly now." Rory teased and laughed.
"I'm sorry, babe." He cringed. She rubbed his upper arm and smiled.
"And let's get your weight." The doctor led Rory out of the room as she took a deep breath. The blood test was coming next. The doctor recorded her weight and then told her to sit in the chair. Rory groaned, but sat down anyway.
"Hey, would it be okay if you draw blood while Rory's lying down? She told me earlier today getting her blood drawn makes her feel sick." The doctor looked at Tristan, surprised.
"Of course! Rory, you should have said something. Tristan, take her back to the room. I'll be right in." Rory sighed a breath of relief and shuffled back to the room. The doctor entered with a small tray and patted the examination table. "Come lay down." Rory did as she was told. "I had no idea that drawing blood was causing you problems. You need to share any discomfort you're having. Having a baby is stressful enough, we don't need to be giving you any extra unneeded stress." Rory nodded.
"I didn't think there was anything that you could do about it." She admitted.
"Oh dear. There are always things that can be done. Always alternative's." A minute passed. "Alright you're done. How did that feel?"
"I feel okay…" She trailed off. The doctor smiled and handed her a can of Sprite with a straw.
"Drink this and I'll be back shortly." True to his word, the doctor returned quickly flipping through her chart.
"Well, I'm happy to say that you're growing at an excellent rate—right where you should be more or less. Your weight increase is on schedule as we hoped and it nicely reflects your stomach growth. How are you feeling?" He asked, now that Rory was sitting up.
"Good! Thank you."
"How have your mood swings been?"
"Same days good, some days bad." The doctor laughed quietly.
"Just as it should be! And overall? How have you been feeling?"
"My back gets sore sometimes."
"Perfectly normal as well, especially since you have somewhat of a petite frame. A heating pad would work well, don't stand too long on your feet. Sometimes a gentle massage of the inflamed area works wonders. Trial and error, see what you like best."
"Okay, good to know."
The doctor nodded. "Now, are you ready to see your baby?"
"Always." Rory smiled brightly and nearly skipped to the ultrasound room. Tristan laughed and followed her as she nearly dragged him.
"I can tell she doesn't mind this part." The doctor joked. Tristan laughed.
"Not at all. After these appointments she gushes for a good hour about what she's seen." Tristan spilled, grinning at Rory. She hopped onto the table and lifted her shirt, once again.
Soon, they saw the baby on the screen. "So, mom and dad, would you like to know the gender of your baby?" Rory and Tristan looked at each other, both grinning widely. They nodded in unison. The doctor laughed and looked towards the screen. He pointed out the arms, the legs, other parts that had developed since they'd last seen a picture. And finally, the doctor smiled and looked at them. "What are your predictions?"
"Boy." Rory said immediately.
"What? I thought you said it could be an Athena!" Rory laughed at Tristan's outburst.
"I said it could be, but I don't think it is. I was just trying to dissuade your Hercules notion." He grumbled to himself.
"Well, I was hoping for a boy, but whatever we're having is perfect." Tristan spoke up. The doctor grinned at the pair and their banter.
"Then it's a good thing it's a boy, huh?" The doctor smiled as he relayed the gender. Rory squeaked in excitement.
"My mom won't be thrilled, but the next one can be a girl." Tristan laughed.
"If there is another one."
"One day, there will be. We have to have a Gilmore Girl."
He smiled adoringly at her. "In due time. Let's get through this pregnancy first, hmm?" She smiled up at him and nodded. The doctor handed her a towel to wipe herself off.
"Give this to the receptionist for me, and I'll see you at your next appointment. Keep up the good work, you two." They nodded towards the doctor and waved goodbye.
Two months later
"Baby, you're driving me crazy!" Rory said in slight outrage.
"What am I doing?" Tristan asked sleepily, as he moved farther under the covers. He mumbled something else before returning to his sleep.
"Wake up." Rory poked him until he groaned and opened his eyes to look at her.
"What is it?"
"The baby won't stop kicking me! I want to sleep but this kicking is driving me freaking beserk!" She clenched her fist as the baby kicked her again. Tristan scooted up into a sitting position, leaning against his headboard, mirroring Rory's position. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and moved her closer to him. He rested his other hand on her stomach, soothingly rubbing it.
"Baby, calm down. I know it's getting cramped in there, but you're time is almost up. Just wait a little longer, buddy, okay?" Rory let her head fall against Tristan's shoulder as he continued murmuring words to her stomach.
As he continued to rub, the kicking settled down. She breathed a sigh of relief as the kicks decreased. Tristan started to remove his hand, but Rory caught it. "No, keep going. He likes that. He'll start kicking me again if you stop." She removed her hand and sighed contentedly as he continued to rub her stomach. He looked at the clock and groaned.
"It's 4:25 in the morning."
"I know. I've been awake for the last 30 minutes trying to get David Beckham here to quit it. I feel internal bruising coming on. I swear I didn't give him any Powerthirst! No energy legs!"
"Baby, that's a youtube video. Powerthirst doesn't actually exist. He's probably just trying to be a pain in the ass."
"Hey! Don't insult my child like that. Although he is half yours, so therefore being a pain in the ass is more than expected."
"Exact—hey!" He frowned dramatically. She giggled and kiss him quickly. They sat in a comfortable silence. "So how exactly did you get your mom to let you sleep over here?"
"She suggested it." Tristan rolled his eyes at her and scoffed. "Okay, I begged and groveled."
"That sounds more like it."
"Plus, I mentioned the fact that I was already pregnant and there wasn't really much else you could do to me."
"I bet she hates me mostly because she's going to be a grandmother before the age of 40."
"Yes that would be number 2 on her 'why I hate Tristan' list." She teased.
"What's number 1?"
"Honestly? You're asking me that?"
"Umm…yes…"
"Number 1 is because you got me pregnant."
"Oh, duh Tristan." He laughed at himself. "How's Beckham doing? Think we can try and go back to sleep again?" He asked, yawning.
"Yea let's try. Keep rubbing my stomach though." Tristan nodded and they moved down simultaneously. He pulled her closer to him and continued his massage on her stomach.
"Still calm?" He whispered.
"So far so good."
A/N: Sorry for the longer space between updates...I wanted to get some more done on future chapters before I posted this. I hope you all had an awesome new years! Any funny stories from parties? I have a couple. Any resolutions that have been broken already? My friend accidentally broke hers new years morning, hehe. She wasn't happy. Anyway, more soon! The story is almost done too! Yay! Hope you're enjoying. :) Review, please! Thanks, Kiki