I can't believe I'm over 200 reviews. Your support really has blown me away so thank you so much! :) Also, I just want to clarify that as Rory is 18 now, Katie is 9 and LJ is 5. I've realised that I haven't exactly mentioned the years passing so just wanted to make it clear for you all. :)

Chapter 27

"A scholarship?" Rory asked amazed.

"Yeah.." Tristan let out a breath.

"Wow congratulations Tristan!" Lorelai smiled warmly at him.

"Thanks." Tristan ducked his head in acknowledgement, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"Yeah this is incredible!" Rory smiled, going over to hug him. "Congratulations. I'm so proud of you." She said softly.

"Thanks." He said softly. "I thought it was a joke to start with. I never thought I'd be salutatorian, let alone get a free pass to college."

"Well I did. You're so bright. It was definitely going to be between you and Jess." Rory said.

Tristan glanced over at Jess. "Sorry."

"Nah it's fine. I didn't want to have to make a speech in front of everyone anyway." Jess waved it off.

"I have to admit, I was worrying about how I was going to pay for Yale." Tristan admitted going to sit down on the couch with Rory and Jess. "My dad made sure I had nothing."

"Well you don't need to worry about that anymore. You're going to be amazing at Yale, I just know it." Rory beamed enthusiastically.

Tristan smiled at her enthusiasm. "Thanks. I hope so."

"I'm so proud of you." She said softly, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I knew you could do it."

Tristan smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Thanks."

Tristan and Rory were leaving school the next day when someone shouted over to them from the gates.

"Tristan!"

Tristan and Rory looked over. Tristan's face broke into a huge smile while Rory looked confused as she saw a brown haired girl or woman should she say, waving frantically. "Who's that?" Rory asked.

"Chloe. My sister." Tristan said.

"Sister?" Rory asked shocked. "How did I not know you had a sister?"

Tristan looked at her. "I never mentioned her?" He asked genuinely surprised.

"No." Rory said looking slightly hurt.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hide it from her. She lives in California so I don't see her much and she's really busy so I can't really speak to her much either." He said. "I honestly wasn't trying to hide it from you. I could have sworn I mentioned her to you."

Rory saw that he was being genuine. "It's ok." She said.

"Come on, I'll introduce you." He smiled leading her over.

"Hey little bro!" Chloe grinned throwing her arms round him.

"Hey Chlo." Tristan smiled reciprocating the hug. "Chlo, this is Rory, my..."

"Girlfriend." Chloe finished for him. "Yeah you mentioned her. Hi, it's great to meet you." She smiled at Rory.

"You too." Rory smiled.

"I hear you're the one who finally tamed my brother." She said, her eyes twinkling.

"Chloe!" Tristan groaned.

Rory just laughed, instantly warming to her.

"So I hear some stuff's gone down at home." Chloe suddenly said, changing the subject.

"You just found out?" Tristan asked.

"I rang to find out what the Christmas plans were going to be and dad just pretended not to know you. What the hell's happened?" She asked.

Tristan sighed. "It's a long story." He said.

Chloe sighed. "You're ok though, aren't you?" She asked concerned. "If I had known all this was happening, I would have come sooner..."

"It's fine. Rory's dad put me up. There's an apartment above the diner where he works. I've been bunking there." He said.

"Ok good." Chloe said obviously relieved that he's been ok. "Anyway, the reason I was ringing home was because Tom and I had some news we wanted to tell you all at Christmas and we wanted to know if you'd all be here. But I guess it'll just be me, Tom, the kids and you now." She said.

"You're staying for Christmas?" Tristan asked.

"You're an uncle?" Rory asked amused.

"Oh yeah, and he's a real hit with my two." Chloe grinned.

"How old are they?" Rory asked.

"Ellie's 9 and Harry's 5." Chloe smiled proudly.

"Wow...I would never have thought...uh...sorry I didn't realise you were that much older than Tristan." Rory stammered.

"I'm only 29. I had them young." She explained.

"Oh right." Rory said.

"Irresponsible I know. Don't worry, I had that from my parents." Chloe laughed.

"Oh no, I wasn't judging I swear!" Rory exclaimed, worried she had offended her.

"Rory's mom was 16 when she had her." Tristan explained.

"And she's pretty much the best mom I could have asked for." Rory said.

"Well us young ones normally are." Chloe smiled. "You should come for Christmas as well."

"I'd like that." Rory smiled. "But my family usually has all these traditions. You should come join us."

"Really?" Chloe asked surprised. "We wouldn't want to impose."

"Oh you wouldn't." Rory assured her. "It'll be fun. Plus my sister and brother are the same age as your kids. I'm sure they'd love to play together."

"Oh cool! That would be fun actually for them to meet new people around here." She said.

"Around here?" Tristan asked confused.

"Oh yeah, that was going to be our news. Tom's company has relocated him to Hartford so we're moving back." Chloe said.

"Seriously?" Tristan asked not able to keep the smile off his face.

"Yep! We've already signed our contract on a house. And it has a spare bedroom so if there's someone who needs a room..." She smiled.

"You'd let me live with you?" He asked surprised.

"Let you? Of course you can live with us. You're family, Tris. Plus you're going off to college next year so it will really just be a base for you." Chloe said.

Tristan looked at Rory. "Do you think your dad would mind?" He asked.

"What? Why would he mind?" Rory exclaimed. "Chloe's your family. Of course you should live with her."

"I know but..."

"No buts." Rory shook his head. "My dad's all about family. He'll be happy that you've got a permanent place and I'm pretty sure you'll be happier with Chloe than in that small apartment."

Tristan smiled. "I want you all to know how much I appreciated the apartment though. You really helped out in a...well a crap time for me." He said.

Rory smiled. "We know." She assured him. "It will be nice for you to have family here."

"Yeah." Tristan said sharing a smile with Chloe.

"I better get back. I promised mom that I'd pick up Katie and LJ today." Rory said. "But you stay, spend some time together."

"Are you sure?" Tristan asked.

"Stop asking that." Rory laughed. "Go have some fun." She said. She then smiled at Chloe. "It was really nice meeting you." She said sincerely.

"Yeah you too Rory." Chloe smiled.

"See you later." She said giving Tristan a kiss before heading to catch the bus. She glanced back before turning the corner and she smiled when she saw the two of them laughing and then walking off together, Chloe's arm around Tristan's shoulder. This was the happiest she had seen Tristan in a long time and she was glad. She was happy that he was going to have some family around. He deserved it.

Meanwhile, Chloe and Tristan started heading into town to grab a coffee together. Chloe saw Tristan glance back after Rory and smiled. "You really love her don't you?" She said.

Tristan blushed slightly. "Yeah. She's amazing. She really helped me." He admitted.

"I'm glad you've had someone." Chloe smiled. "You deserve it Tris."

"Thanks Chlo." Tristan said softly.

"You should have told me about everything." Chloe said. "I would have come over much sooner."

"It's not your problem. You've got your family to think about. I didn't want to worry you." Tristan said.

"Tris, you are family. You always will be." She said.

"I know. I just...I didn't want to bother you with it all." Tristan shrugged.

Chloe sighed. "Well at least I know now. The kids will be so thrilled that you're going to live with us for a bit." She smiled.

"How are they? I've missed them." Tristan admitted.

"They're great. Harry's just started school and Ellie's still excelling in her class." She smiled proudly.

"Good. I'm glad." Tristan smiled. "And Tom?"

"He's good. Had to work a lot lately but he's good." She said.

"And you're happy?" Tristan asked.

Chloe smiled. "Very happy."

"Good." Tristan nodded. He glanced at her. "It is really good to see you." He said.

Chloe looked over at him a smirked. "Aw you big softy! Rory really has mellowed you." She teased, ruffling her hair.

"Shut up." Tristan smirked, giving her a playful bump.

Chloe grinned. "It's good to see you too though. I've missed you."

Tristan smiled at her. "Me too."

"Come on, let's go grab some coffee and we can ring the kids." Chloe said, linking her arms with his and quickening their pace.

Tristan smiled and let her drag him off.

So I've introduced another character! I hope you liked Chloe! :) Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks! :)