226AN: Here we go. Last chapter! And just a mere three months after I posted the first. Thank you guys so, so much for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting! I joined this site strictly as a reader and then got the idea for this story. I started writing this story purely because I wanted to get out the ideas in my head. This is my first fanfiction and I never expected the reaction I got from it so thank you! There will be a sequel or two. I'm not sure yet on how many, when I'll post it or what all I will include in it. For now, I have my Rory and Jess story, That Part Always Worked, that I am working on.
Chapter 35: "To Family!"
"Oh my God!" Riley said again as his eyes shifted from his sister in a robe to his best friend in just his boxers to the rumpled bed behind them, "Tristan get dressed. Rory, I'd like to talk to you in the living room."
"It's not a big deal, Ry," Rory told him as she sat next to him on the couch.
"Not a big deal!" Riley yelled, "I'm pretty sure what I just walked in on was a very big deal. I can't believe that you.. you just.."
"Ry, you knew it was going to happen eventually."
"I know, Baby Girl, I know, but knowing it and seeing it are two very different things."
"I'm sorry you had to see us like that, but I'm not sorry it happened."
"Does Mom know?"
"Yeah. We talked about it a few days ago. She didn't know it was happening tonight. Hell, I didn't know it was happening tonight, but I did think about it and well being here tonight, alone it felt right."
"You were safe?"
"Yes."
"And Tristan…"
"Was a complete gentleman. You have nothing to worry about, okay."
"Okay, and you love him, right?"
"Of course I do. You know I do. In fact I think you knew before I did."
"That's true. I suspected it the night we met. The way you talked about him and your first kiss together I knew you had feelings for him."
"And you were right, I just didn't want to admit it to myself let alone anyway else," Rory said, "So we're good?"
"Yeah, we're good," he said hugging her, "I love you, Baby Girl."
"I love you too, Ry! You can come out now, Tris. Riley's not going to kill you," Rory said, "At least I don't think he is."
"No, I'm not going to kill him," Riley said, "Oh that reminds me why I came over in the first place."
"What's that?" Tristan asked coming out of Rory's room to join them.
"Kirk!" Riley said with a laugh.
"What about him?" Rory asked.
"Did you know he has night terrors?"
"No."
"Well he does and while Paris and I were in the library playing chess he came running down the stairs, naked, screaming about assassins trying to kill him."
"Oh my God!"
"He ran out the door. We chased after him and found him in the middle of Taylor's rosebushes. After we got him back to the inn I rushed over here. One, to tell you and two, to get bandages and antiseptic for all the scratches he got from the thorns."
"Wow!"
"Yeah, Mom, Luke, and Sookie are with him now."
"Where's Lulu?" Tristan asked.
"Still up in their room. He doesn't want her to know. So get dressed, Ror. We got to head back," Riley said.
"I feel like I should apologize or explain or offer up some kind of excuse here," Tristan said after Rory went back to her room.
"Don't, there's no need," Riley said, "I need to learn to announce myself better so I don't walk in on things like that again, but I knew it was going to happen eventually."
"Yeah, but that doesn't make it any better."
"That's what I told Rory. Knowing it and seeing it, very different. If I didn't know how much you loved her I'd be kicking your ass right now."
"I appreciate that."
"And I guess it's better she had her first time with my best friend who I know would kick his own ass if he ever hurt her."
"That's true I would," Tristan said, "So we're good?"
"Yeah, man we're good," Riley said pulling him in for a hug, "Just not when I'm in the dorm okay and if possible try and stick to hers. I'd rather pretend it's not happening."
"You got it."
Arriving back at the inn they saw Kirk face down on the couch in the library with a blanket over him as Sookie was tending to the scratches he received from Taylor's rosebushes.
"Is he alright?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, he'll be fine sweets," Lorelai said, "Are you just getting back from getting the CDs?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Dinner was hours ago. It couldn't have taken you that long to gather up a few CDs. What took so… Oh!"
"Yeah."
"Wow, okay, um so who needs a drink?" Lorelai asked, "Rory, why don't you come help me in the kitchen?"
"Sure," Rory said kissing Tristan's cheek as she followed her mother, "It will be fine."
"So, you and Tristan," Lorelai began.
"Me and Tristan," Rory said.
"How do you feel?" she asked
"Do you really want to talk about this? It has to be weird," Rory said.
"Yes, it's weird, but I seriously do want to know."
"Well, then, I feel okay. Great actually. It was better than I ever imagined it to be. All my life I've been terrified about how much it would hurt or whether I would be good enough or enjoy it or whatever, but it was just so perfect. Tristan's amazing Mom."
"You really love him don't you?"
"More than I ever imagined I could love someone."
"And you two were safe? He was respectful and everything?" Lorelai questioned.
"Yes, I've been on the pill for months now and he used a condom. He was super sweet Mom. He took his time and kept asking if I was okay and if I was absolutely sure. I can't imagine my first time could have gone better," Rory explained.
"Really?"
"Yeah, well with one exception. It would have great if I could have kept it from Riley a lot longer than I did."
"Oh, I guess I kind of blew that for you by questioning what took so long to find the CDs."
"No, we did that ourselves when we were only semi-dressed when he came into the house looking for us."
"Wow!"
"Yeah."
"Was he mad?"
"A little, mostly because he didn't expect to see us in that state and he'd love for this to be some fantasy world where I stay a virgin forever, but he knows we love each other and he knew I was thinking about it. So while, he wasn't pleased that it happened, he has accepted it."
"Well, I guess that's good then. Just please continue to be careful and just because you guys have done it once now you know you don't have to do it all the time, right?" Lorelai asked.
"I know that and I will continue to take precautions. Don't worry, Mom," Rory told her.
"Okay, let's go see how things are going with Kirk and then we should all head to bed. We're having brunch with the family tomorrow."
"What family?"
"Our family. All of us. You, me, Riley, Luke, my parents, the Hayden's."
"The Hayden's really? Dad and Sherry, too?"
"Yep, everyone's coming here for one last big family meal before you guys head off to London. Luke has invited Jess, Liz, and TJ to come as well so we can announce our engagement to everyone."
"That's great Mom. I am so happy for and you Luke, Mom."
"I know you are kid and I appreciate it. Now, let's get back out there, huh?"
"Riley can I talk to you for a minute?" Tristan asked after Rory and Lorelai had left the library.
"Sure," Riley said and followed him towards the front desk for privacy.
"Um, this is going to sound weird and you can totally say no, but after tonight I wouldn't feel right leaving her alone so do you think maybe you would be okay with me switching rooms with Paris?" Tristan asked, "Our room has two beds so I don't think she'll mind and I…"
"It's fine, Tris," Riley said cutting him off.
"Really?"
"Well, not really. I don't like it, but I get it and you're right. It wouldn't be right for you to leave Rory to sleep alone tonight after well, everything. So, yeah, if Paris is cool with it, I can deal with a neurotic roommate for one night."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Paris agreed to the room switch, but only after getting all the details from Rory on what occurred at her house between her and Tristan. And once Kirk was all bandaged up and feeling better everyone retired to their rooms for the evening.
Rory woke up the following morning with the biggest smile on her face as she felt the arms of her boyfriend wrapped tightly around her and recalled the events of the previous evening.
"Morning," Tristan said kissing her shoulder when he realized she was awake.
"Morning," Rory replied turning to face him and kiss his lips, "So, wow, second time was even better than the first."
"You won't hear me complaining," he told her with a laugh.
"We should get ready," Rory said looking at the clock, "Everyone will be here in a an hour for brunch."
"Yeah and then tomorrow morning you're leaving," he said sadly.
"Hey, we talked about this," she told him, "I thought you were okay with me leaving?"
"I am, sort of. I want you to spend time with Riley and your family, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to miss you like crazy," he explained.
"I know. I'm going to miss you, too, Tris."
"I love you," he told her with a kiss along her neck.
"I love you, too," she said, "but we've got to get up. There will be time for that later."
"Dad!" Rory exclaimed as she walked into the library to see her father looking around.
"Hey, kiddo," Chris said giving her a hug, kissing the top of her head as he did, "You look happy. Are excited for the big trip?"
"Very. Mom and I had so much fun last summer. It was an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back and share it with Riley this time."
"That's great, Ror. So, I was thinking."
"Yeah?"
"Now, I've already talked to your grandparents about this and they're on board, but how would you feel if Sherry, Gigi, and I joined you guys for part of your trip? We can have sort of a little family vacation."
"That would be great Dad. When would you come?"
"Probably not for a couple of weeks. Maybe when you guys hit Paris. Your great-grandmother never really liked me much so I think I'll pass on seeing her again for now," Chris said, "So you're really okay with us joining you?"
"Absolutely Dad. It will be so fun and it will give us more time to get to know more about each other," Rory said, "I know we have brunch every week and I've come to Boston a few times, but with school being so busy and your work we haven't had as much time together as I would like."
"I agree. I would love to spend more time with you. How about we do something just the two of us on this trip then? What do you say?"
"I would love that!"
"Hey, Cuz," Jess said sitting down by Rory on the porch swing outside the inn, "Rumor has it we're going to be related."
"Yep, Luke proposed last night. Isn't it great?" Rory asked.
"Definitely. Those two have been dancing around their feelings for each other for years. I saw that when I first moved here," he said, "So, I also hear you're heading off to Europe again?"
"Yeah, Grandma and Grandpa are taking Ry and I to London so he can meet our Great-Grandmother. Then we're going to travel around a bit. Dad, Sherry and Gigi are going to join us in a couple of weeks so we can have a little family vacation."
"That's great, Ror. I'm really happy for you, you know. You've finally got the family you always wanted."
"Yeah. You're part of that family, too, Jess. Luke's your uncle and since he's officially becoming part of the family so are you."
"Thank you."
"Anytime. So how's that book of yours going?" she asked.
"Pretty good actually. There's a chance it may get published," he told her.
"What! Why wasn't that the first sentence out of your mouth when you came over here? Who's publishing it? When can I buy it in a store?"
"Chill out, won't you. It's not published yet. I've just showed it to these guys I met a couple of weeks ago. They run this publishing house in Philly."
"Philly?"
"Yeah, I moved down there after Liz's wedding. New York was getting expensive. I've got my new address written down for you. I wanted to get settled in before I told anyone I moved," he said, "Anyway, I came across their place when I first got there and showed them my book. They loved it almost as much as you do. We're in the process of doing some more final editing and things and if we're all happy with it, we'll publish it."
"We?"
"Yeah, they gave me a job there. I help out reading through manuscripts we get sent and also help run the storefront we've got."
"That's so great, Jess. So where are you living?"
"The three of us live in this little apartment above the store. Nothing too fancy, but I'm used to living above my workplace."
"True, so what's it's called?"
"Truncheon Books. I'll give you a tour of the place if you ever come down."
"Oh, I will definitely have to do that. I'm so proud of you Jess. This is amazing. You have to tell me the moment your book hits stores so I can be first in line to buy it."
"I think I can wrangle you a free copy, Rory."
"Nope, absolutely not. I have to buy it! You've earned this Jess."
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. You're the only one who's ever really believed I could do anything with my life."
"You're welcome."
"Before we dive into this incredible food that Sookie has prepared I would like to propose a toast," Christopher said, "To Luke and Lorelai, may you continue to be as happy and in love as we can all tell you are right now. And to Luke, I just want to thank you for always being there for Rory when I couldn't be. You've been a great father to her. Lorelai's an amazing mother, but I'm sure Rory is the woman she is because of you, too so thank you. To Luke and Lorelai."
"To Luke and Lorelai!" everyone repeated.
"And to Family!" Rory and Riley said.
"To Family!"
AN: And that's a wrap on Rory and Riley! I know, it's sad. I don't want this story to end, but if I continued it will be ridiculously long. But, I will continue to write for this universe and these characters. Look for a sequel that will bring us into Rory and Riley's second year at Yale.