Chapter Title: Getting to know him.
Pairing: None right now, unless you count Luke and Lorelai.
AN: I am really surprised by how many reviewed the last chapter. I guess the consensus is that you guys like a headstrong, independent Rory. I do too. I hope like this chapter. Our favorite golden boy makes his re-entrance in this chapter. And he'll be pretty much a main stay from now on.
Rory had somehow made it through the rest of the week. Her cell phone woke her up early Saturday morning.
"'Lo?" She said half asleep.
"Rory?"
Rory shot up in bed. It was Tristan.
"This is her." She said, wide-awake now.
"I woke you up didn't I?" He asked laughing shyly.
"It's okay." She said while looking at the clock.
It was just after eight. She wasn't used to getting up this early on the weekend.
"I should have waited." He said with a sigh.
"No, it's okay. Really."
"I was wondering if you could meet me somewhere."
"I did promise to have coffee with you."
"Yes you did. But my daughter would have to be there."
"That's fine." Rory said smiling.
He gave her directions to where to meet him. It was only a couple blocks from Jess' so she decided to walk. She sat down at an outside table waiting for Tristan. A few minutes later she saw him coming from the direction she had come from. Maddie really did look like him. She had his eyes, his mouth, and the same hair color. Her hair fell around her shoulders in a wave of bouncing curls.
Rory stood as they walked up to her. She smiled when she saw the way Maddie held on to her fathers arm. Not because she was scared. But almost afraid that if she let go she wouldn't be able to keep herself still. Tristan looked down at her and smiled. Maddie was watching Rory, like she was trying to size her up. Tristan picked her up bringing her to Rory's level.
"Hi." Rory said smiling.
"Hi. Maddie said before hiding her face in Tristan's neck.
"She's shy. Give her a few minutes and you'll probably be her best friend."
Rory laughed rubbing the little girls back. Tristan was surprised Maddie was letting her do it. Then again, Rory had always amazed him. Maddie lifted her head to look at her dad. Then she turned to look at Rory. She gave her a big grin; she was missing one of her bottom front teeth.
"You okay now?" Tristan asked looking at her.
"Yes sir."
Rory gave him a surprised look.
"Her mom made sure she had manners."
"It's nice." Rory said smiling at him.
"What's your name?" Maddie asked once Tristan set her down.
"Rory. And you're Maddie."
"Yes ma'am."
They sat down and a few minutes later a waitress came and took their order. They slipped into easy conversation catching up, leaving out the really personal things. They had two weeks to do that. Megan wanted Rory to take a different approach on the article. She wanted an in depth story on Tristan the man. Not Tristan the lawyer. Anybody could do that. Rory felt a little awkward knowing she would have to get personal. She had a feeling he wouldn't give up the information willingly. Who liked having people poke into their private life? Rory sure didn't.
"I need to drop her off at a friends house. Do you want to come with us?" He asked cleaning Maddies' hands.
"Sure." Rory said nodding her head.
She was amazed to see how good he was with his daughter. He really had changed. And he was becoming someone Rory wanted to get to know better. She watched them interact as they shared a cab. He was funny, and yet knew how to keep Maddie in line. A few minutes later Rory and Tristan were alone. They were walking through Brooklyn in silence. She turned to him stopping. He looked down at her with questioning eyes.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything." He said smiling at her.
"It's personal."
"Starting that already?" He asked once his smile faded.
"You don't have to answer." She said putting a hand on his arm.
"Go ahead and ask." He said bracing himself for the worst.
"Why aren't you married? Are all the women of New York blind?"
Tristan laughed while rubbing his neck.
"I have high standards."
"Really?" Rory asked giving him a quizzical look.
"Yes really. I have a daughter to think of."
"I can understand that. It can't be easy raising her by yourself."
"How would you know? You don't have a kid do you?" He asked staring at her.
"No. My mom raised me pretty much on her own."
"Your dad wasn't around?"
"When he could be. But not as much as I would have liked."
"Didn't you say your mom was married?"
"She is. She got married four years ago."
"Any brothers or sisters?"
"I have a sister on my dads side. And two brothers on my moms."
"How old are they?" He asked glad that the focus was off of him.
"Gigi is eight. And Landon and J.J. are one."
"Your mom had twins?" He asked laughing.
"Yep. She wouldn't have it any other way."
"What does J.J. stand for?"
"Jason James."
"Why not make it Jesse James?"
"Luke's nephew's name is Jess. He's the one I'm staying with."
"Right. The mystery of the disappearing fiancée."
"That is a story for another day."
"I'll hold you to that."
Rory smiled thinking she had been wrong about him. Fatherhood had mellowed him out. He couldn't be the person he used to be. He had a daughter to think about.