Chapter Eighteen: Paging Mr. Darcy

Rory shuffles her feet through the thick snow, watching as some flakes cling to her boots while others scatter freely into the air, blowing onto her jeans or back to the ground. The wind is cold and harsh and though it's no longer snowing, it hurts to look up. The air stings as it hits her face. She reminds herself that she's almost home, a warm bed and a cup of hot chocolate waiting for her. She could snuggle into bed and pull out her tattered copy of The Phantom Tollbooth and pretend she's 10 again, with no cares in the world save that of Milo being stuck in the doldrums.

Her house comes into sight; no lights are on. She'd have a little alone time before her mother came back home. Some peace would be nice after her afternoon with Mary and Lane. Their time together had been spent being falsely cheerful, Lane and Mary tiptoeing around her like any second she would fall apart. Rory, tired of their concern, painted on a happy face.

The bus had dropped her off by Tristan's neighborhood and Lane and Mary had continued on to their respective homes. She had insisted on being left alone there, determined that she was going to talk to Tristan this time and that they'd be stuck waiting around for hours while she and Tristan talked and made up.

Instead, it was she who did the waiting. Antoine informed her upon her arrival that Tristan was not home. The lights had been on in his many bedroom windows and therefore Rory felt she had a pretty good idea he was in fact there. Whether he was there or coming home soon, Rory decided that she would wait for him. So she did. She sat alone in the DuGrey's front sitting room for two hours. Antoine gave her two cups of coffee and offered cookies, but not her company. She waited patiently at first, then impatiently. After an hour had passed, she asked to use the bathroom and conveniently used the one upstairs.

He wasn't in his bedroom. Or if he was, he'd heard her coming and gone elsewhere. She wrote a note and left it on his desk and gone back downstairs to wait. After another hour's time, Rory gave up. Disheartened, she took the evening bus back to Stars Hollow and walked home alone in the darkness, the sun setting earlier every day now.

Rory sighs as she stops to check the mail. Lorelai hadn't brought it in yet, but it was only boring junk mail and bills. Closing the mailbox, she turns to go up the path and is struck with instant de ja vu.

"This seems strangely familiar," Rory says to Dean as he rises from his place on the stairs.

"I come in peace," Dean jokes. "I brought you coffee from Luke's." Rory accepts the cup gratefully, taking a long sip.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Dean replies, switching the plastic bag he's carrying from one hand to the other. "Where are you coming from?"

"I went to the mall with Lane and Mary," Rory states, walking past him and unlocking the front door. She steps inside and flips on the hall light and also the outside light, so her mother can see when she arrives home later. Dean hesitates outside the door. "Come in," Rory gestures, setting her coffee down on the table. She stomps off her snow covered boots and then takes them off, putting on the slippers she had left by the door.

"I hope you don't mind me stopping over unannounced yet again, but I kind of heard something today I wanted to ask you about."

"What did you hear?"

"Well, not so much heard, as maybe overheard..." Dean corrects himself. He looks down at his boots, which he still hasn't taken off.

"What is it?"

"Your mom and Luke were in the market today and I was stocking shelves...corn, actually, and I heard your mom talking about you and Tristan. About you two fighting."

"Oh, you did," Rory's face falls, then she turns away from him. She walks into the kitchen, her jacket still on. Dean hurriedly takes off his boots and follows her.

"Did Tristan do something to you?" Dean asks, concerned. Rory shakes her head, opening the fridge and hiding herself behind the door.

"No...I did something to him. And I wouldn't say we're fighting. Fighting would imply that there were two sides talking. He's not speaking to me." She closes the door. Dean rests his hands on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, uncomfortable. "If you're here because you think you have to protect me from him or something..." Rory starts.

"No, it's not that," Dean assures her. "I mean...maybe it is. Your mom sounded really concerned about you...and about him too, actually. It just seemed like something really huge had happened and it struck me as strange that you didn't mention something when we talked-"

"You mean when we fought? I didn't really feel like telling you that Tristan wasn't speaking to me when you were in the process of yelling at me for being with him in the first place. It'd be like giving a match to someone with dynamite."

"When I heard Lorelai talking today, Rory...I felt so out of my head or something," Dean replies. "It's like part of me was thrilled. Thrilled that you guys were over, and that you and I could get back together."

Rory doesn't respond. She wants to say that she and Tristan are not over. Yesterday she would've adamantly told him so; two hours sitting alone in his huge, cold house had her doubting herself and their relationship.

"Then I realized that us getting back together...that wouldn't happen anyway," Dean says, sadness in his voice. "I could try to win you back, Rory...I could try. But the truth is, what would I be doing that for? You and Me...it's like a gut reaction now...it's inherent that I just want to be with you. No matter what you've done to me or what's happening between us...it's instinct. Once I take a step away, though, I see that it would just be me fooling myself. I wouldn't be able to trust you again, I'd always be afraid there would be another Tristan, another somebody, out there to take you away."

Rory looks at him, wondering if the only reason for his visit is to tell her that in the case she and Tristan did break up, he wouldn't want her back. It seems harsh as well as pointless to her. Dean can sense that she's questioning his motives and hurries onward to his point.

"Why I came over was that what I said the other night about me not being able to be friends yet...I think I was wrong. I think I can be your friend, if you want me to be. I don't want to hear about you being upset from your mom in a grocery store. I don't want to worry about you and not be able to come over here and make sure you're okay. I want that part of us back, Ror."

Rory stares at him blankly, processing this heartfelt speech slowly. Dean gazes back, his fingers tapping the back of the chair awkwardly. He can't read her expression.

"Thank you, Dean," Rory finally murmurs, her eyes coming back into focus as she realizes she has to say something. "I think you were right, though, the first time. I don't know if we can be friends."

"Why not?"

"Because...it would be weird. Would you really want to talk about relationship stuff with me? It would be awkward and strange and one of us would freak out, and...I don't know what else."

"Rory, look. I know that we definitely can't talk about Tristan and believe me, I don't want to. Maybe with time we can talk about other relationships and all of that, but I know that's not now. But I do know that you're upset and that I want to make it better. That's something that I can do." Dean takes a video out of the plastic bag he's been holding and taps the case. "Friends can bring over Willy Wonka to cheer you up."

"You didn't..."

"I did," Dean replies. "Now can we stop this...uncomfortableness, or whatever this is, and get some junk food? I know from personal experience that in this house, bad food makes things good." He sets the video on the table and walks to the cupboard where he knows they keep their junk food stash. Rory walks over with him. "I'm sure we have something in here that can do the trick. A-ha...just as I suspected." Bags of chips and other assorted goods practically burst out from the cupboard. "Go put in the movie and I'll bring all this in," Dean instructs her. Rory smiles slightly and nods.

She picks up the video from the table and heads to the living room, stopping at the exit of the kitchen.

"Dean?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Thanks," she says, then disappears from sight. Dean smiles to himself and then begins gathering as much junk food as he can into his arms.

Half an hour and two bags of chips later, Dean notices that Rory's attention is wandering from Charlie Bucket, her eyes often looking longingly at the all-too-silent phone. Dean sighs, knowing that the brief grace period of her mind being focused on something other than Tristan had passed. He picks up the remote control and pauses the movie. Rory doesn't even notice.

"Rory," Dean taps her shoulder. Rory breaks out of her daze, her head snapping toward Dean. She glances at the paused screen and then back to Dean.

"What's the matter?"

"You can call him if you want," Dean tells her, looking down at the remote control in his hands. Rory shifts awkwardly in her place on the floor, also looking down. "I'm not going to get mad or freak out if you do."

"He won't answer. I've tried."

"Oh..." Dean sighs. "Maybe you should try again."

"I'e tried twenty-seven times in the past week."

"He won't even get on the phone?"

"He's never home...supposedly," Rory mumbles, tearing at a piece of thread that has come free from the hem of her jeans. She tries to rip it off, but can't. "Let's just forget it, I don't want to think about it."

"But that's all you're doing. Sitting here thinking about it. How is time number 28 going to hurt?"

"I thought we both agreed that talking about Tristan was something weird and uncomfortable and that we didn't have to do it?" Rory reminds him. "You said you wanted to cheer me up...the movie is cheering me up. I swear." She gestures for him to turn the movie back on. Dean hesitates a moment, then clicks the play button. They are silent for about five minutes, both of them wanting to say something to alleviate the tension.

"Remember the first time we watched this?" Dean asks quietly, smiling faintly at the memory. Rory smiles too, adjusting the pillow behind her back.

"Yeah...I was mortified."

"Mortified?" Dean turns to her, surprised.

"My mother invited you over, Dean. Our first date was not only arranged by, but also supervised by her."

"Well, there's worse things than having Lorelai around," Dean laughs. "As first dates go, I'd say it was a nice one...apart from her threatening me."

"Sorry about that," Rory blushes. "But yes, it was nice." They both smile at one another amiably. "I really thought it was going to be a disaster and that you'd hate me forever. I'm glad it wasn't."

"I'm glad too," Dean replies. He looks at her for a longer moment than is comfortable, the familiar urge to kiss her soft lips starting within him. He coughs slightly and picks up the bag of gummy bears from the table in front of him, popping one into his mouth and turning his attention back to the screen.

"This is one of my favorite parts," Rory states as Wonka leads the children into his factory. Dean holds the bag of gummy bears out to her.

"Want one?"

"Sure, thanks," Rory takes one out and settles back into her spot. Dean sets the bag of candy between them.

The moment he manages to get drawn back into the film, there is a knock on the front door.

"That must be the food," Rory says, getting up.

"Here," Dean digs a twenty out of his pocket and holds it up, gesturing for her to take it.

"No, I can get it. You got the movie," Rory replies. "Be right back." She walks to the foyer and opens up the front door, trying to find her own money in her pocket. Finding some bills, she looks up to greet Joe's familiar face but instead finds another. "Paris."

Paris reaches over and grabs someone's arm, dragging him forcibly into view.

"Tristan," Rory's face pales at the sight of him. He doesn't look too happy to be there.

"Rory." He replies, his eyes cast downward.

"What...what are you doing here?" She asks, looking between the two of them. Paris rolls her eyes.

"Well, after what happened in the mall today, I realized that the two of you both needed a kick in the butt if you were ever going to fix this. So here you both are. Work it out," She instructs them, pointing to the space between them as if they were supposed to come together and kiss each other right there and everything would be okay.

Rory looks at Tristan, wishing that he would.

Tristan looks at her, then looks away.

"Quit being so stubborn," Paris demands, pushing Tristan toward Rory. He shakes off her touch and turns around, like he's going to leave.

"Tristan, please don't," Rory pleads suddenly, not wanting him to leave. "I've been trying to call you all week. Didn't you get my messages?"

"No." Tristan says shortly. He sounds like a small child denying something he really knows is true, but is too strong-willed to admit it.

"I stopped by your house. I left two notes in your locker. I tried to talk to you after exams, I even waited by your car. I'm sorry about what happened. I had no right to say those things to you and I didn't even mean them. I was just upset and angry with myself and I was taking it out on you. It was stupid and idiotic and I would give anything to just take it all back. I can't stand the idea that we're in this mess just because I flipped out over a grade. I feel like a moron and I hate that I hurt you," Rory blurts out, feeling like she has to say it all as quickly as possible so he doesn't have the time to run away from her. He doesn't even acknowledge that she has spoken. "Tristan, please...look at me?"

"Quit being a jerk, would you? She's sorry!" Paris exclaims at him. Rory shoots her a look, knowing that her anger won't help matters.

"Rory?" Dean appears in the entryway from the living room, wondering what was taking her so long and why he thought he heard Paris' voice. "What's going on?" He glances at her and then at Paris, then follows both their gazes out onto the porch steps where Tristan is standing. Tristan stares at Dean for a long moment, then looks at Rory coldly.

"She doesn't look so sorry to me," He says snidely, turning on his heel and heading back toward Paris' car.

"Tristan!" Rory runs after him. Paris glares at Dean.

"Nice going."

"I didn't know he was here," Dean shoots back at her, annoyed. They go after Rory and Tristan, walking up behind the pair as they argue on the front lawn.

"Why is he here?" Tristan demands of her, gesturing toward Dean as he approaches.

"We were just watching a movie. He was trying to make me feel better," Rory explains. "It's not anything like you're thinking."

"You expect me to believe that your ex-boyfriend was over trying to lift your spirits because we're fighting?" Tristan snorts. "You really do think I'm stupid."

"It's true," Dean cuts in. "We were just watching a movie."

"Stay out of this," Tristan points a finger at him, stepping toward him angrily. Rory puts her hand on his chest, pushing him back toward Paris' car gently. Dean looks at Rory, who looks back at him pleadingly. Everyone is silent for a second, Tristan still fuming.

"Rory, I'm just going to go," Dean says. He opens his mouth to say something to Tristan but Lorelai's voice comes in first.

"I didn't know we were having a party," she remarks, walking across the lawn toward the four teens. Rory hadn't heard the Jeep pull into the driveway; her mom must have walked from Luke's. "And what a motley crew we have here. Paris, hi, nice to see you. Dean...good to see you without the apron. Tristan...overjoyed to see you've finally come back to us. How ya'll doing tonight?" Lorelai looks at each and every one of them, knowing she had just broken up something potentially volatile.

"I was just leaving," Dean informs her. "I'm just gonna grab my coat." He gestures toward the house.

"Probably a good idea," Lorelai nods. Dean nods back and heads inside. Paris walks around to the driver's side of her car, the locks clicking and her lights flashing as she turns off her car alarm.

"I'm going to go too," Paris tells them. Tristan whirls around to look at her. "You're staying," she informs him.

"How am I going to get home?"

"Rory will just have to take you," Paris says simply, getting inside her BMW and turning on the engine. She pulls away from the curb, leaving Tristan, Rory and Lorelai standing on the front lawn. Tristan kicks at the snow covered ground with his boot, his hands in his pockets. Lorelai takes off her coat and drapes it over Rory's shoulders, since Rory had dashed outside without thought to a jacket. She points down to Rory's slippers.

"Don't stay out here too long, you're going to freeze your feet," Lorelai says, leaving Rory and Tristan behind. Dean exits the house and Lorelai meets him halfway down the walk.

"I left Willy Wonka for you inside. It's due back on Monday."

"Thanks, Dean," Lorelai replies. Dean forces a smile. He takes a long look at Rory and Tristan, standing on the sidewalk, and turns in the opposite direction.

"I'll see you," Dean says to Lorelai and heads off toward home. Whether he and Rory were friends or not, he would never truly get used to the sight of her with him. Despite that, he hoped that Tristan didn't crush Rory the way she'd crushed him.

Tristan watches Dean walk away, turning back to Rory. The front door of her house clicks shut as Lorelai disappears from sight, leaving the two of them alone. He lets out a long breath, which turns into icy fog in the air. Rory looks up at him, shivering. She is heartbreakingly beautiful; the light snow beginning to fall dusts her hair in a frosty white. He wants to kiss her and turn away from the sight of her all at the same time.

"I am really sorry, Tristan. You have to believe me," Rory starts, stepping toward him.

"Why should I believe you?" He asks. "Why was bag boy here?"

"He heard about you and me-"

"And tried to sneak back in and-"

"No, he didn't," Rory interrupts. "He brought me some coffee. He told me that he'd overheard my mom and Luke talking about us. He wanted to make sure I was okay."

"That's bullshit. He was obviously trying to get you back, Rory."

"He doesn't want me back, Tristan. He knows I'm with you. He hates it, but he knows that he and I are over. And he says he could never trust me again anyway...we would never get back together. He wants to be friends. That's all. And that's all that was. He brought over Willy Wonka. Candy and oompaloompas. Nothing romantic there. At all."

She tries to meet his eyes but he averts his gaze.

"Tristan?" She wants him to say something, anything. He sets his jaw tightly, determined not to answer her. He shoves his hands in his pockets. It's clear he doesn't quite believe her. "I can't stand this. You not talking to me is the worst thing in the world."

"No, it's not," Tristan replies quietly, and Rory knows he means that hearing the things he had heard from her ranks above hearing nothing from him.

"I don't know why I yelled at you like that, Tristan," Rory says, then pauses, sighing in frustration. "I mean, I do know."

"Yeah, your grade."

"That's not it, Tristan. It was part of it, but the truth is that I...I don't think I know how to handle us anymore." Tristan is silent. "I've never felt so much, so strongly, for anyone. And I know I've said this before. It's just the other day, Paris was talking about how you don't hang out with your own friends anymore-"

"This is because of something that Paris said?"

"No. Not entirely. She was right though. And then I can't even keep away from you for one night so I could study...and me and books have always had a stronger relationship than everything else in my life. And then you were going to spend Christmas with me...with my family, in my town..."

"You invited me, Rory."

"I know, I know...and I don't regret that I did..." Rory back tracks, knowing she's not making herself clear. "We're with each other almost all the time, Tristan. You're this huge part of my life now, and I'm part of yours. And then all I can think about is how much I want to be with you...to...make love to you..." Rory's voice gets quieter. "Even though we said we'd wait, Tristan...I can tell you now that I'm having a really hard time doing that."

"Rory..."

"And when we do have sex, Tristan...you're going to become a bigger part of me than ever before."

"You keep saying this like it's a bad thing, Rory. I don't understand," Tristan replies, taking a step toward her. The gap between them is slowly growing smaller.

"It's not a bad thing. It's terrifying. And this past week has made me realizing just how terrifying. I don't know what I'd do if you were suddenly gone from my life, Tristan. Everyday...you're just becoming more..." Rory searches for the right word. "More necessary. To me being me. And that's scary. Apart from my mom, I don't think I've ever depended on someone so much. If you left, or if something happened..." Tristan reaches for her, his expression soft and concerned now. Rory backs away from his touch.

"So on one hand I feel like I want to be closer than you than ever. But on the other, I know if I do that, there's no going back."

"Rory...I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to hurt you."

"How can you say that? Tristan, you just spent a week pretending I didn't exist."

"I never for a second pretended you didn't exist, Rory," Tristan chuckles bitterly. "You were on my mind every minute of every day. What you said to me, it absolutely... I don't think you realize what you mean to me...and..." He stops, not being able to explain himself more. "You can hurt me more than I've ever been hurt in my life. More than my parents forgetting my birthday, more than my brother leaving, more than anything."

Rory laughs slightly, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"So all we've established is that we can really hurt each other," she says.

"What we've established is that we love each other," Tristan corrects, once again stepping toward her. He pulls her close, using his thumb to brush away her tear. "And that's supposed to be terrifying, isn't it?" Tristan kisses her gently on her right cheek, then her left. "Being in love means you have to take that risk of being hurt, right? That's what they always say in the movies."

"We're not in the movies."

"I still think they have a point," Tristan replies, putting his arms around her. Rory nestles her body close to his, the feeling of his arms around her better than ever. She draws in a deep breath, taking in his comforting smell and trying to catalog it in her mind to hold onto forever.

"It's amazing how much you can miss this in just one week," Rory murmurs and Tristan pulls her closer. She tilts her head up toward his, finding his lips and drawing him into a long, passionate kiss. "That too," she adds as they break the kiss, quickly delving into another.

"We should go inside," Tristan mumbles as he feels Rory shivering in his arms. "You're trembling."

"I'm not cold," she tells him.

"You're shaking."

"I am not."

"Come on," Tristan takes her hand, leading her toward the house.

"I liked what we were doing out here," Rory pouts as they walk up the front porch steps.

"We can do that inside too, you know," Tristan assures her, kissing her one last time before opening the front door. He takes a step inside but Rory's pulls him back to her, not satisfied with just one last kiss.

"You two are letting all the heat out," Lorelai interrupts. They break apart and turn, finding Lorelai standing in the doorway to the kitchen, coffee mug in hand. "In more ways than one. Shut the door, please? You can do that inside. Mommy is freezing."

"Sorry," Rory mumbles sheepishly. Lorelai looks between the pair, happy to find that their expressions have quite changed and they're holding hands as if they're never going to let go.

"I see you've worked things out, then," she appraises. "Which is good, because I was getting sick of seeing sad Rory. I like happy Rory much better." Lorelai walks over and pinches Rory's cheek, then turns to Tristan. "Keep her this way."

"I will."

"You better," she taps him on the arm. "Now take off your jacket and stay awhile. Willy Wonka will continue in a moment's time."

Tristan and Rory look at one another, really wanting to just disappear to her bedroom and spend some time alone, talking and having a bit of a makeup makeout. Lorelai rolls her eyes.

"You can play kissy-face when Rory takes you home. Wonka is waiting."

Tristan smiles as Lorelai goes into the living room. Rory squeezes his hand and then lets go so she can take off her jacket. Tristan does the same, kicking off his shoes. He retakes her hand and they walk into the living room. They are both pelted with gummy bears. Rory laughs and sits on the couch. Tristan sits down and draws her into his arms. The doorbell rings and Lorelai looks at her daughter, smiling.

"You order food before?" Rory nods.

"Best daughter ever," Lorelai jumps up, dashing to the front door. Rory snuggles in closer to him and he kisses the top of her head. He looks around the Gilmore's living room and then down at Rory. Lorelai re-enters, carrying a bucket of chicken wings, tossing the bag of celery and carrots to the floor. "Don't need that."

"Certainly not," Rory replies.

Tristan smiles; it almost felt like he was finally home.

"He shakes and says something in Japanese when you press his tattoo," Lorelai informs Tristan happily, clapping in excitement, as Tristan stares at his strange gift. "Go ahead, do it." Tristan takes one finger and gingerly presses the tattoo on the plastic Sumo wrestler's muscled arm. The small toy shakes wildly in its box, saying something undecipherable. Lorelai and Rory both laugh hysterically and Luke just shakes his head.

"Thanks, Lorelai," Tristan says, smiling. "This is..."

"Going in the trash?" Luke supplies. Lorelai looks offended.

"Come on! It's fantastic. Rory, isn't it great?"

"It is certainly something," she agrees. Lorelai pouts for a second, then smiles, reaching down and picking up another wrapped gift box and handing it to him.

"Okay...here's your real present. Although I don't know what could possibly beat that. It's beyond me why you're not overjoyed."

"I love it, Lorelai, really," he assures her. She waves him off.

"Just open it," she tells him. He rips off the wrapping paper and opens the box, finding a baseball jersey inside it. He lifts it up to look at it. On the back is his last name and is written: Citizen # 9,974. On the front left lapel is his first name and underneath it, in quotations, "Dance King". "I figured that since you're a part of Stars Hollow now, you better make it official. Miss Patty gave you the nickname, you can blame her."

"Thank you, Lorelai," Tristan gets up and walks to her, giving her a big hug. She hugs him back fully, smiling widely.

"No problem, kiddo." As he pulls away, she picks up the Santa Claus hat from beside her. "Now will you wear the hat?" She and Rory laugh and Luke shakes his head again.

"Lorelai, don't make him wear it." Rory takes the hat from her mother and places it on Tristan's head, smooshing down his tousled hair.

"It looks fantastic," she kisses him on the cheek and Tristan groans, giving in.

"Fine, Santa hat it is then."

"Thanks for leaving me alone on this side of sanity," Luke grunts. Lorelai points at him.

"You're next, buddy."

"Here, Lorelai, this is for you," Tristan holds out a box. Lorelai grins, accepting it happily.

"You didn't have to get me anything! Oo, I wonder what it is." She tears off the paper like an excited four year old, then shrieks in joy. "You remembered!"

"What are those?" Luke asks, puzzled.

"Remington Steele napkin rings. Look! They have little Pierce Brosnan faces on them! Thank you, Tristan!" There is another exchange of hugs and then Lorelai plops back down next to Luke on the carpet, showing him her wonderful gift.

"I don't know how I'll top that...but I'll try," Luke states, turning away for a second. He moves the box containing the designer plaid shirt Tristan had bought him and the new baseball cap from Rory, looking for something. He rifles through the presents that Lorelai had gotten him as well.

"Did you lose it?" Rory asks him.

"No...no, oh, here it is," Luke says, taking out a gift basket from Barnie's Coffee that was for some reason hidden behind the couch. He hands it to Lorelai, who smiles.

"Coffee? Luke, are you going soft on me?" Lorelai kisses him on the cheek, then pulls the basket into her lap. "Oh, wow...there's like every flavor of coffee in the world in here." She unwraps the plastic from around it and sets it aside. She looks at the coffee mug and then notices a small velvet box sitting next to it. She stops for a moment, then glances at Luke. She looks into the basket, then at Rory. Her daughter is beaming, excited, her fingers playing with the opal necklace Tristan had given her for Christmas. Her face shows that she clearly knew about this beforehand. "Luke..."

"Open it," he instructs her gently. Lorelai takes out the small box gingerly, beginning to feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She opens it slowly, the tight hinges snapping into place and revealing a delicate but absolutely stunning diamond ring.

"Oh god, Luke...it's beautiful," Lorelai gazes at it, tears flowing freely now. "It's so beautiful." Luke takes the box from her and lifts the ring from its place. Rory and Tristan exchange looks of anticipation and excitement. Luke holds it out to Lorelai, his hand trembling nervously.

"Lorelai..." He starts, then stops. "I had this big speech prepared." He chuckles anxiously. "But now it all just seems so...All I can say is...I love you. Ever since I met you I wanted to be with you..." He pauses again, as if trying to remember his speech, but then decides to just say what he wants to. "So what I'm asking is, will you let me do that? Be with you? Forever?"

"Oh, Luke..."

"Lorelai, will you marry me?"

"Will you say that again?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Ha. Now I've been proposed to five times," Lorelai laughs. Luke rolls his eyes at her, letting out a small grunt. Lorelai smiles, reaching over and cupping his face with her hands. "I would love nothing more than to marry you, Luke," she tells him, kissing him deeply. Rory and Tristan both applaud, then Tristan wraps his arm around Rory's shoulders, turning his head to kiss her temple sweetly. Lorelai giggles as she pulls away from Luke. Tears threaten Rory as well as she sees the huge smile on Luke's face. It is quite possible that he has never been happier than he was at that very moment.

Luke slips the ring onto Lorelai's finger and they kiss again.

"I never thought I'd get coffee and a fianceé for Christmas. It's like I've died and gone to heaven. A weird heaven, but heaven," Lorelai says, holding out her hand so she can look at the glistening diamond now on her ring finger. Rory walks over to her mother, sitting down on the floor and giving her a huge hug.

"Let me see," Rory says, pulling her mother's hand toward her. "Luke, it's gorgeous."

"Please, Rory, like you didn't help him pick it out," Lorelai teases.

"I didn't! I only guessed he was going to propose, I didn't know," Rory says, an innocent look on her face. Lorelai smirks.

"You really do suck at lying," she states. "How long have you known?"

"Only a week..." Rory replies sheepishly. "Luke showed me the ring to make sure that you would like it. He did pick it out on his own."

"Well he has excellent taste. And here I was, thinking I was going to get something with cats on it," Lorelai jokes.

"It really is beautiful, Luke," Tristan nods in appreciation. Luke nods back.

"Thanks."

Lorelai and Rory both look at the two men, something striking them as odd. Suddenly Rory gasps, pointing a finger at Tristan.

"You knew!" Lorelai exclaims, knowing what Rory's accusatory gesture means.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rory jumps up, swatting Tristan on the arm.

"I bumped into Luke when I was buying your necklace," Tristan explains quickly, fending off Rory's attack.

"How long ago was this?"

"Three weeks ago."

"Three weeks? And you didn't tell me?"

"I promised I wouldn't tell."

"So I should thank Tristan for the ring's gorgeousness?" Lorelai asks Luke,who hesitates, then shrugs.

"Maybe he gave me a word or two of advice."

"That was it," Tristan quickly adds. Lorelai and Rory exchange looks yet again.

"Looks like we've bagged a couple good ones," Lorelai says, mocking that she's talking into a walkie-talkie.

"Let's take 'em home," Rory mimics back. Rory laughs as Tristan pulls her backward, wrapping her arms around her from behind.

"Well, this one should go start breakfast," Luke rises from the floor, offering Lorelai his hand to help her up. "If we want to eat soon, that is."

"Right," She agrees. "I'll wait until after we eat to get dressed. I like these pajamas." She re-adjusts her flannel pajamas as she rises.

"I like mine too," Rory says.

"I don't feel particularly attached to mine," Tristan gestures to his pajama pants and wife beater undershirt.

"Well I can always get you out of them," Rory whispers daringly to him after Lorelai and Luke go into the kitchen. Tristan raises his eyebrows at her in surprise. "What?" She asks innocently. "Christmas gets a person in the mood to unwrap things."

"You're awful."

"How so?"

"You know I'm one of those people who just can't wait to tear open their presents...I'm impatient to see what's underneath..." Tristan says, pulling her to the side of the foyer, away from the kitchen, and drawing her close. They kiss one another searchingly, their lips making promises of what's to come. "This is my best Christmas morning ever," Tristan tells her sweetly. Rory grins.

"I dunno...I think this ranks second to when I got my Fisher Price Pony. It had wheels."

"Gee, thanks."

"I rode it around for months and months. I wouldn't let go of it."

"Your mom just got engaged and you still think the pony is better?"

"I named it Sparky."

"Rory..." Tristan pulls her close again. Rory looks up at him.

"What?"

"I love you," He murmurs, kissing her.

"I love you too," She replies. "Now let's go eat. I'm starving."

"Now remember, don't eat too much now...just enough to sufficiently stretch out your stomach for the events ahead," Lorelai reminds them as they enter the kitchen. "I know Luke's breakfasts are good, but Sookie's Christmas dinner is not a thing to be trifled with."

"We're going to make cookies later if you want to join us," Luke adds as he starts scrambling eggs for breakfast. "I'll need help icing after your mom's hand gets tired five minutes into it."

"Oh, come on. That won't happen! I have strong hands."

"But you said you usually only last a few minutes at Sookie's," Luke points out. Lorelai rolls her eyes.

"That's because Sookie's a control freak who doesn't think I frost well enough. I am certainly capable of frosting some cookies, believe you me," Lorelai responds strongly, sitting down at the kitchen table. "Although..." She holds out her hand, eyeing her ring. "I'd have to take off my ring to frost cookies and I don't want to take it off."

"Why would you have to take it off?" Luke inquires, raising an eyebrow.

"I might get frosting or sprinkles or something on it! And that would be terrible. So maybe Rory and Tristan should ice them," Lorelai says. Luke smirks.

"Didn't even take you a minute, much less five. I mean, we didn't even start the cookies."

"Well too bad you didn't bet on it then, you could've won some money," She replies. Tristan and Rory sit down next to each other at the table, Tristan's hand settling on her knee comfortably.

"We can ice them, Mom," Rory chirps. "If Luke bakes them, that is. I think I'd set the kitchen on fire."

"A Gilmore who truly knows her limits," Luke retorts.

"Gilmores don't have limits," Lorelai cuts in.

"We can do anything," Rory adds.

"We just happen to also be very good at getting others to do things for us as well," Lorelai laughs. Luke looks to Tristan, shaking his head in dismay.

"Get out while you still can. It's too late for me," he tells him.

"Why would I want to leave all this?" Tristan responds.

"Besides, if he leaves he doesn't get to go to Sookie's dinner and that would be a huge loss," Rory says. "We wouldn't want him deprived of such a fabulous opportunity."

"Indeed not," Luke states flatly, the mouths "Run" to Tristan. Lorelai gets up and stands next to him, hitting him on the arm before wrapping her own arms around his waist. She kisses his cheek as he puts more bread into the toaster. Lorelai takes half of a piece of toast that's already done and bites into it.

"God, you even make toast better than me. How is that possible? You just press a button."

"It's a talent," Luke responds. "Go on and sit down, the eggs are done." Lorelai sits as Luke hands them each a plate of scrambled eggs and toast one at a time.

"I think this is the first real Christmas breakfast at our house," Lorelai states, looking at Rory. Luke sits down next to her with his own plate. Rory and Lorelai both fall silent, pondering the moment. "I like this."

"I like this too," Rory agrees.

"We all like it. Your food is getting cold," Luke points to her plate. Lorelai grins and picks up her fork, already looking forward to many many more mornings just like this.

"Wow, Tristan...I thought my parents went all out," Lorelai tilts her head upward to look at the vaulted ceiling of the DuGrey foyer. There is a Christmas tree by the large curving staircase that has to be at least 12 feet tall, twinkling with white lights. The entire house is bedecked in the spirit of the season, gold and silver shimmering everywhere. "I feel like Clara...where are the Sugarplum Fairies?"

"The house does look fantastic," Rory agrees, her arm linked through Tristan's as he leads her, Lorelai and Luke deeper into the party. They weave through hoards of middle-aged and elderly socialites dressed in glittery overdone party dresses and tuxedos and bored looking children who obviously would be elsewhere than with their parents on New Year's Eve. Tristan hands Lorelai and Luke flutes of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. Luke downs his glass quickly, but not as fast as Lorelai does.

"These things make me nervous," Luke mutters, adjusting his tie. Even Tristan was wearing a tuxedo. For the first time, Luke felt like the strange one in the room. Lorelai rubs his arm reassuringly, seeming to sense his trepidation.

"I grew up with this, and it still makes me want to run for the hills," She says. "It's a perfectly normal reaction." Lorelai looks around the huge room, searching. "I suppose we should find my parents, shouldn't we? They said they'd be here."

"Looks like they've already found us," Rory remarks, pointing behind Lorelai. She turns to see Emily and Richard approaching.

"Rory, Tristan, you made it!" Emily greets her granddaughter and her boyfriend, but stops short of hugging them both when she sees Lorelai and Luke. "Lorelai? Lucas? We didn't know that you would be here. What a pleasant surprise."

"We decided that being a New Year and all, maybe starting a new tradition wouldn't hurt anything. So, here we are!" Lorelai explains, setting down her champagne glass and grabbing another from another passing tray.

"It's nice to see you again Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. Gilmore."

"Please, call me Emily," she tells him. "And it is indeed wonderful to see you here, Lucas. It's a real rarity to get you out of that diner of yours!"

"Well it's the holidays, I do have an excuse to close down for the day," Luke explains amiably, not letting her jibe get through to him.

"Tristan, your parents really have outdone themselves this year. The decorations are splendid," Richard comments as he looks around the room, very pleased with what he sees.

"And the crab puffs are divine. You simply must compliment your caterer for me."

"I will," Tristan replies, though he has absolutely no idea what business is responsible for the event. His mother switched caterers like Emily went through maids. Nothing was ever quite right.

"My drink is empty. Luke, would you like to accompany me to the bar? They have excellent Scotch," Richard suggests. Luke hesitates a moment before responding, but Richard doesn't take note. He's already walking away.

"Okay," Luke responds to his back, taking a step after him. "I'll be right back," he says to Lorelai, setting his hand on her elbow. She nods, watching him go. When she turns back to her mother, she is giving her a knowing smile.

"I must admit he does clean up very nicely," Emily says. Lorelai smiles.

"That he does."

"Mom, we're going to go find Tristan's parents, okay?" Rory informs her.

"When you find them, bring them around here, as I have yet to meet them!" Lorelai says pointedly at Tristan.

"We'll be right back," Tristan states, leading Rory away by the hand.

"It's so nice to see both my girls in love," Emily tells Lorelai, smiling kindly. "Now, what prompted you to change your mind about your New Year's plans? Don't tell me that something I said actually got through to you."

"No, sorry to get your hopes up, but it didn't," Lorelai replies, purposely needling her mother just for fun. "There's actually another reason why I'm here...besides that whole New Year's thing." Lorelai pauses, wondering what the best way to breaks the news is. "Since you mentioned being in love...why don't I show you my Christmas present?" Lorelai extends her hand to her mother, displaying the twinkling diamond on her finger.

"Why Lorelai, it's absolutely gorgeous! Does..." Emily looks at her daughter questioningly, hopefully. "Does this mean what I think it means?"

"Luke asked me to marry him, Mom."

"He asked you to marry him? I assume you said yes?"

"I couldn't say yes enough." Emily is silent for a minute, leaving Lorelai guessing as to what this reaction means. "Have any thoughts you'd like to share on the subject, Mom?" Lorelai edges, wanting her to say something, anything.

Abruptly, Emily steps forward and pulls Lorelai into a tight hug, catching Lorelai entirely off guard. She almost spills her champagne down her mother's back, her eyes opening wide in surprise at her mother's unusual gesture. When Emily pulls away, she is beaming.

"This is wonderful," she says. "We must go find your father. He'll be delighted to hear the news."

Lorelai is even more shocked by this than the hug.

"Really? No comments about Luke's family background or his profession...or his clothes...or about me and my decisions? Nothing at all?"

"Lorelai, despite my grievances against Lucas, they are by far outweighed by the fact that it is apparent you love him and he loves you. And he clearly loves Rory as well. There's no question in my mind that he would do anything in the world to make you happy. What more could I possibly ask for in a son-in-law?"

"Wow, Mom..." Lorelai almost begins to cry; she hadn't expected her mother to actually embrace the idea so whole heartedly. There were always gripes and pointed comments; something had to give. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you being happy about this."

"My only daughter is finally getting married. Your father never thought it was going to happen. I gave it a 50/50 chance. It certainly looks like I've won that bet."

"And the other shoe drops," Lorelai replies, knowing her mother would manage a snide remark somewhere.

"Am I allowed to throw you an engagement party? Because I've always wanted to."

"You don't have to do that, Mom."

"Did you not hear me just say I want to? I'm already planning it in my head, you know."

"It's really not necessary," Lorelai assures her.

"Lorelai, a chance for you to get money and gifts from people you barely know? I wouldn't think that would be something you would pass up."

"Well when you put it that way, sign me up!" Lorelai responds.

"Let's go find your father. I'm sure he has Lucas cornered somewhere, discovering to his dismay that Lucas knows absolutely nothing about stocks."

"He knows a little," Lorelai mutters as she follows her mother into the crowd. She taps her on the shoulder and Emily pauses. "And by the way, Mom? It's not Lucas, it's Luke."

"Luke is short for Lucas, what does it matter?"

"No, actually, see, his mother named him Luke. Straight from the get-go. His birth certificate says so."

"How odd. I much prefer Lucas," Emily remarks, turning and continuing on her way. Lorelai rolls her eyes and follows her toward her father and fianceé.

Across the room, Tristan has finally managed to get his father's attention away from his business circle.

"I just wanted to let you know that we're here, Dad," Tristan says to him quickly.

"I can see that you're here, son. Now who is we?"

"Rory," Tristan explains. Rory steps forward slightly.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. DuGrey."

"It's nice to see you too, Miss Gilmore. I daresay, this is the first time I've met one of Tristan's girls more than once. You must have cast quite a spell," he says, his tone jesting but his words undermining it all.

"I suppose so," Rory replies, changing topics. "Did you have a nice time in England?"

"It was a very pleasant trip, thank you. Tristan's brother, Rian, is really making his mark over there. Perhaps someday Tristan will follow in his footsteps."

"Do you know where Mom is?" Tristan asks, not wanting to get onto the oft-annoying subject of his father's plans for his future.

"Off somewhere, I don't know. Perhaps with GiGi VanHausen by the fireplace, that's where I left her."

"Thanks," Tristan replies, not a hint of gratitude in his voice. Rory takes his hand and obligingly follows him to the next required stop. "He's something, isn't he?" He asks her as they weave their way across the room.

"He's not exactly Cliff Huxtable, but it's not like he's Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People either," Rory replies, knowing that telling Tristan his father was actually fantastic would be a bold-faced lie he'd see right through. Tristan pauses, glancing toward the fireplace and then off toward the bar.

"My mom and dad must've fought about the music again. She's already graduated from vodka tonics to martinis."

"The music?"

"It's a usual thing. He wants a string quartet, she wants to go old fashioned jazz band. He wants an opera singer, she wants a Celine Dion sound-alike. They always argue about it, because inevitably whoever won the music choice for the year gets criticized when their instrumentalists arrive for the evening and the other one is displeased with their playing. It just goes to show you how little they really have to worry about."

"I'd definitely go for the jazz band," Rory replies. "It has that New Year's Eve feel to it."

"Then you have a friend in my mother," Tristan states. "Hey, your grandparents seemed happy that we're here."

"Yeah, they really wanted to see me tonight. I think they're even happier that Mom came."

"Is she going to tell them about the engagement tonight?"

"Yes, I think she was planning on it. Though if Grandma and her get into a fight, she might not. It takes very little to throw her off her chosen course."

"I think she stayed true to it," Tristan points across the room, to where Richard is raising his glass in a toast to the couple. He and Emily are glowing with happiness. "Should we go over?"

"In a minute," Rory says, taking Tristan's arm and putting it around her shoulders. She leans into him, smiling. "It's nice to be able to look at them from afar. They all look so happy. Don't my mom and Luke just look right together? I look at them and it makes sense."

"It's good to see you two all cozy again," Paris' voice interrupts Rory's observations. They both look to their left and smile at their friend in greeting.

"Hey, Paris," Rory says.

"Hey to you too," she replies. "You two are a sickening sight to see, by the way. It's like something out of a romance movie, the little black Audrey Hepburn dress, the sleek tux, the big party in the big mansion, the start of a new year...it's like you're trying to make everyone envy you."

Tristan glances around, then looks at Rory.

"I'd envy me too if I saw Rory on my arm," Tristan says, then furrows his brow, wondering if that made any sense at all.

"We know what you meant," Paris stops him from trying to correct it. "Hope you don't mind me intruding on the perfect picture, but my mother went gallavanting off and I'm supposed to 'socialize.' Didn't really want to do that."

"Well, talking to us counts as socializing, so I guess you're set," Rory points out. Paris shrugs.

"I guess. I hate New Year's Eve. Everyone kisses each other at midnight and I have to stand in the corner feeling like a dolt."

"Maybe you'll find someone," Rory says optimistically.

"In the next three hours?"

"Stranger things have happened."

"I don't think so."

"Well Paris, if you don't find someone to kiss, I promise, I'll kiss you," Rory promises, half-joking.

"Me too," Tristan adds. Paris smiles sheepishly.

"Thanks," she replies, not enthused at the idea of resorting to kissing her best friend and best friend's boyfriend. "I saw your mom before. She looked estatic."

"Luke proposed a week ago," Rory explains. "I don't think her excitement is going to wear off for a very long time."

"Tell her congratulations," Paris says. "And tell her to make sure to sign a pre-nup."

"Romantic," Rory snorts.

"Realistic," Paris corrects. "I'm going to go get something to drink. You guys want anything?"

"I'm okay," Tristan says. "Ror?"

"I'm fine too."

"I'll see you guys later," Paris walks away, leaving Tristan and Rory alone again. They both survey the crowd for a moment, trying to find something or someone interesting to talk about.

"You wanna-"

"We should-" Rory and Tristan start at the same time, then laugh. "You first," Tristan concedes.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to take a walk or something. It's hot in here."

"We could go to the library," Tristan suggests. "It's quieter in there too."

"Sounds good to me," Rory nods, following him eagerly away from the party.

They enter the dark library and Tristan switches on one of the stained glass lamps on the dark wood end table. Rory closes the door behind them, the noise from the party almost completely muted. She walks into the huge room, never failing to be astounded by its size, no matter how many times she had been in it. She goes to one of the nearest shelves, gingerly taking an old volume into her hands. Tristan comes up behind her, wrapping his strong arms around her waist and bending to rest his head on her shoulder.

"What is that?"

"Whitman."

"I remember when I ran into you in the bookstore, you were reading this," Tristan takes the book from her hands, looking at it.

"That seems so long ago," Rory says, almost in wonderment. "I remember I was shocked that you could recite Whitman. Completely stunned."

"Glad to know I could surprise you."

"You do nothing but surprise me," Rory replies. "It's really quite mystifying how you do it."

"Well that's good," Tristan states. "Everyone needs a little mystery in their lives."

"Oh they do?"

"They do."

"Mysteries like...?"

"Like, what perfume you're wearing tonight."

"Splendor...it's my mom's."

"I like it," Tristan kisses her neck lightly.

"That's the deepest mystery you're going to unravel?" Rory inquires, giggling. Tristan snaps the book closed and sets it on the shelf as Rory turns around in his arms.

"Well, there's the question of how your eyes are so incredibly blue this evening..." "That would be my eyeshadow. Lane says it's meant to compliment my eyes...which are also due to my mom, if you want to know that too. Got them from her."

"You shouldn't tell me all the answers, you know," Tristan says. "Or else they aren't mysteries anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Rory apologizes.

"Apology accepted," Tristan retorts, tilting his head downward. He's about to kiss her when Rory pulls away. He's startled at first, but before he asks any questions, she has his hand and is leading him toward the deep red velvet couch. She sits down, pulling him with her. He lets out a gentle laugh as he almost lands on her.

They fall into an easy kiss, Tristan's left hand lightly running up and down her stocking-clad leg. Rory's fingers play at his collar, enjoying the sensation of his lips on hers.

"This is much better than standing around out there," Rory murmurs as he pushes her back onto the couch, his mouth exploring her neck. "Can we just hide out here for the rest of the night?"

"I think your mom might notice that."

"Probably," Rory sighs as Tristan draws away from her. She frowns. "Fifteen minutes or so won't be a problem though, right?" She says, tugging him back toward her.

"No one will be suspicious of fifteen minutes," Tristan agrees.

"Then get back here," she says with a wicked grin, tugging on his bowtie.

"Hey! It took me forever to get that tied. It's a major pain in the butt."

"Sorry," She says, laughing. Tristan straightens his tie and then leans in to kiss her, his hands going to touch her hair. She swats them away. "Not the hair. I come out with my hair messed up and-" Tristan laughs now, shaking his head. He stands up, holding his hand out to her.

"This is hopeless, Mary," he says. Rory takes his hand, letting him pull her up. She smooths out her dress and fixes a stray hair that had come loose from her french twist.

"You're right," she admits. "We'll save this for later?"

"Definitely." Tristan goes over and opens up the library door. "Shall we?"

"We shall," Rory chirps, brushing past him and out into the hallway. They walk back to the party, rejoining Rory's family in celebrating.

"6...5...4...3...2...1! Happy New Year!" The quartet begins to play Auld Lang Syne as people everywhere throw their arms up in celebration, hugging and kissing everyone within reach. Emily and Richard share a sweet kiss and then turn to watch as Lorelai and Luke kiss one another deeply.

"It's a great start to a new year, isn't it, Richard?" Emily asks him, leaning in close to his ear so he can hear her over the noise.

"I'd definitely say so."

Luke and Lorelai break apart, both of them grinning from ear to ear. There's confetti in both their hair; Luke brushes it out of his own but Lorelai stops him from taking out hers.

"I like it," she explains. "Happy New Year, Future Mr. Gilmore."

"Happy New Year, future Mrs. Danes," Luke replies. Lorelai smiles, kissing him again.

"I actually like the sound of that," she admits. She glances over Luke's shoulder, spying her daughter and Tristan still engaged in a liplock. She smiles faintly and Luke glances back as well.

"You'd think they'd have to come up for air."

"Young lungs," Lorelai says. Luke chuckles. "But I bet we could beat them. You wanna try?" Luke draws her in for another kiss. Emily and Richard exchange looks.

"To love," Richard says, not knowing what else to say, and holds up his glass to Emily.

"To love," she repeats, and they clink their glasses together. They each take sips and then Richard wraps his arm around his wife's shoulders.

"You're just as beautiful as the day I met you, Emily," he tells her and Emily looks up at him, genuinely touched.

"And you're just as handsome, Richard," she responds, kissing him on the cheek. "I hope Lorelai and Rory are just as lucky as we have been."

"I don't know...we're hard to beat," Richard says jovially.

Lorelai breaks away from Luke, looking over at her daughter.

"Still? I give up," she says, out of breath.

Across the room, Tristan and Rory finally draw away from one another.

"Happy New Year, Tristan," she murmurs, leaning her forehead against his, focusing just on him amidst all the celebration.

"Happy New Year, Mary," he whispers back, kissing her again softly.

"I got kissed!" Paris' exclamation causes them to break apart.

"Who?" Rory asks, surprised.

"I don't know! But I got kissed!"

"Congratulations, Paris," Tristan tells her as she estatically hugs Rory.

"The New Year's draught has ended. I feel fantastic," Paris says happily. "I can't wait to go home and tell Nanny." She dashes off and Tristan and Rory smile at one another.

"Thanks for letting me spend the holidays with you, Rory. This has been the best time I've had in a long time."

"Don't thank me, it was purely selfish in motivation. I couldn't have you all those miles away in England..."

"Still, thanks."

"You're welcome." Tristan leans forward to kiss her again but Lorelai interrupts.

"Hey, that's enough of the smoochy smoochy. We're ready to go home. If we go now, we'll be able to catch Miss Patty leading a drunken conga around the town square."

"Oh, excellent."

"Why? It's so sad and pathetic."

"Have you ever tried it? It's so much fun," Lorelai says to Luke. She digs the keys out of her purse and hands them to Rory. "You drive, baby, Mommy's had one too many champagnes."

"You're leaving so soon?" Emily asks, walking up to the four of them, Richard in tow.

"Yes, we're going to catch the end of Stars Hollow's shi-bang," Lorelai explains.

"Would you and Grandpa like to come?" Rory asks. Emily smiles fondly.

"Thank you very much for the invitation, dear, but I'm afraid by the time we drove out there and partook in the festivities, it'd be far too late for us old folk. We're going to leave here in a little while and go home."

"All right. We'll see you on Friday for dinner?"

"Certainly," Emily responds.

"Have a safe trip home," Richard adds.

"You too," Rory says. "Happy New Year." She stands on tiptoe to give her grandfather a kiss, then kisses Emily's cheek as well. Lorelai hugs them both as well.

"Happy New Year," they both reply, waving good-bye.

Lorelai, Luke, Rory and Tristan exit the DuGrey mansion and step out into the crisp winter year, each one of them knowing that the following year would indeed be a good one.

"Ugggghhh!" Rory groans, flopping onto Tristan's bed face first, her backpack dropping to the ground with a heavy thud. It was their first day back from winter break and their teachers hadn't wasted any time diving right back in. Tristan lays down next to her on his back, moaning.

"My eyes are so tired and my hand is still cramped. I can't believe all the notes we took."

"I can't move," Rory states, her voice muffled, her face still buried in his comforter. Tristan reaches over and turns her over gently, brushing her hair from her face. Rory takes his hand, massaging his fingers softly. "Better?"

"A little," he responds. She kisses his fingertips, one by one.

"Better now?"

"Much," he murmurs, rolling closer to her. They kiss one another sweetly at first, though their mouths quickly begin to demand more and more of each other. Tristan moves on top of her, causing her to let out a small little groan. They continue for another few minutes, comfortable with their timid exploration. Tristan pulls away first, feeling himself beginning to get to get to the point where it would be uncomfortable. "We should study."

"Yeah, we should," Rory agrees, sighing as Tristan climbs off of her. He walks to his desk, picking up his bag from on the chair and setting it on the desk top. Rory sits up on his bed and picks up her own bag, searching for the right notebook. She watches Tristan as he takes off his Chilton blazer, tie and dress shirt, tossing them onto the back of his chair. He grabs a shirt from his dresser drawer and pulls it on. He glances at Rory and she looks away, blushing.

"Just getting comfortable," he says. Rory nods, taking off her own blazer and setting it aside.

"I hate these clothes. So much tweed," she says, unbuttoning the top button on her shirt so she is less choked. Tristan digs his binder, a notebook, and pen from his bag and sets it back down on the ground. He turns his desk chair to face Rory and sits down. "Why are you all the way over there?" She asks, confused.

"I sit over there and all I'm going to do is kiss you," Tristan lets out a short laugh. "We know what happened last time we did that." Rory sighs, knowing he's right.

"Yeah...so, where should we start?"

"I don't know...I actually zoned out for a little while in the middle of class there, so I got Henry's notes to copy them. We could see if he has anything that we don't." He opens Henry's notebook and smiles. He holds it up to show Rory the lovey-dovey doodles Henry has made about himself and Lane.

"I should make a copy of that to give to Lane. That would make her day."

"Really?"

"You should see her notebooks."

"It really looks like I didn't miss much," Tristan states, skimming Henry's notes. "Just a couple of facts here and there. I guess I didn't zone out as much as I thought I did." His brow creases and he bites his lip as he concentrates, trying to make sure he has everything he needs. Rory doesn't even bother checking her own notes, too intent on watching him think. He looks adorable, trying so hard to focus.

"Hey, Tristan?"

"Hmm-hmmm?"

"Can I see Henry's notebook for a second?" She asks, not getting up to go retrieve it from him. Tristan gets up and brings it over to her. "Thanks." Tristan turns around to go back to his desk. Rory sets the book onto the bed quickly and grabs his hand, stopping him from walking away.

"What is it?" He asks, puzzled by the look on her face. She tugs him back toward her, pulling him down to her face. Her kiss is yearning, her lips begging him to forget all the dates and names that he had piled into his head all day long. They slip away so quickly that Tristan wonders if he'll have to re-learn everything he'd been taught. Not knowing where exactly she's leading him, he lets Rory pull him down onto the bed, nestling his body between her legs as her tongue plunges into his mouth. They move against one another and her back pack topples off of Tristan's mattress. Tristan breaks away from her to pick it up but she brings her hand to his face, guiding his attention back.

"Forget about it," she murmurs. Tristan hesitates, and Rory runs her hand up his arm, reassuring him that she didn't care about studying, not today. Their mouths meet again. Her small hands grip the hem of his shirt, wanting to take off what he had just moments ago put on. He complies with her silent request, pausing to finish lifting his shirt over his head. Rory moves her fingers through his now entirely mussed-up hair, smiling at the innocent quality the tousled locks give him. At that moment he could've easily been the wide-eyed virgin and she the experienced one; she felt like she'd been through this before, like she instinctively knew what to do when it came to him.

Tristan's mouth descends upon hers, resting the full weight of his body onto her. His hands deftly unhook a few of the buttons on her blouse but begin to fumble toward the bottom of the row, betraying Tristan's nervous trembling. Rory sits up to shed herself of the annoying garment and then lays back down. She shivers as her skin hits his cool bedspread. They begin kissing again, Rory's senses reeling at the touch of his bare skin to hers. This was what they had been denying themselves, these wonderful sensations and tremors, these erotic touches and loving kisses...their sense of abandon is growing by the moment. Rory can feel her reservations fading, melting away in the heat of it all.

"Rory..." Tristan breathes her name as his mouth slips down her jawline to kiss her neck, her collarbone, her shoulders. Her hands fumble at the clasp of his pants and suddenly he withdraws from her, his face saying more to her than words could.

"I want to, Tristan," she tells him.

"Are you sure about this, Rory?"

"Are you?" She responds.

"Yes," he replies. He looks down at her, his expression earnest and affectionate. She lies on his bed, her big beautiful blue eyes whispering hard-kept secrets to him with every passing moment, her body waiting to be touched.

"Yes," she repeats, twining her fingers in his hair and bringing him back to her.

"I love you, Rory."

"I love you too."

End of series.

A/N: Thank you all for reading. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the story.