He called her every evening, after supper. He waited until whomever had come to see him that day had gone home.
He was careful, but he was also getting impatient.
"When do I get to see you again?" he finally asked.
There was a momentary silence.
"I'll be back Saturday." Rory said.
"Can't you come after school tomorrow?" he said
"No. I'm working at the Inn tomorrow."
"How about Friday?"
"I go to dinner at my grandparents every Friday."
"Can't you skip it?"
"No. I can't." she didn't offer any other explanation. Her voice sounded tense. Tristan suddenly knew he was pushing too hard.
"Okay. What are the assignments like?" he asked. He actually heard the relief in her voice as she told him about the work. He steered the conversation back to neutral territory and soon was laughing at another of her Paris stories.
"I have to go, Tristan. I need to finish my homework." Rory said finally.
"Okay. I'll see you Saturday "he said.
"See you Saturday."
Rory thought about Tristan for the next two days. She was getting butterflies. What was she doing? Was this really a good thing? Why was she even considering going forward with this? She needed advice. Panic was pushing in.
"He called you?" Lorelei said expectantly. They were driving to Hartford for Friday night dinner.
"I told him to." Rory admitted.
"Oh my! Is this serious?"
"I have no idea! I'm nervous, scared, excited, all those feelings jumbled together. Am I nuts? What was I thinking?" Rory exclaimed. "I need to stop this!" She said with conviction.
"Why?" Her mother asked quietly.
"WHY? This is Tristan!" Rory said wildly.
"And…?" Lorelei prompted.
"And…oh I don't know!" Rory was flustered.
"How did it happen?" Lorelei made Rory refocus. Rory told her about the Shakespeare, the movie, and the handholding.
"And you kissed his cheek and said "Call me later." She said as if to clarify.
"Yes." Rory mumbled
"How did he look?" Lorelei asked sagely
"Happy."
"Happy like a spider with a fly or goofy happy like he really likes you." Rory thought briefly. She turned to Lorelei and grinned.
"Goofy happy."
"I think you have your answer."
"Will you go out with me?" Tristan asked her the moment she walked into the library. His stomach dropped to his knees. He just sort of blurted it out, thereby creating the 800 lb gorilla in the room. Rory just stared at him, looking a little like a deer in the headlights. Surprise evident on her face, she said nothing. His stomach skidded to his feet. She put her backpack on the floor and took off her coat. She said nothing as the housekeeper brought in her coffee.
She said nothing as she sipped.
Tristan turned to look out the window. He couldn't say anything.
"I'm really a selfish person you know." Rory said offhandedly.
"You? You think you are a selfish person?" Tristan responded in disbelief. Controlled desperation colored his tone.
"Yes. I need you to understand. I've thought long and hard about this."
She thought about this? A tiny glimmer of hope began to grow. Tristan remained silent, holding his breath.
"I need you to know that I won't drop everything to 'be with you'. There are things I do that come first, like school or my Friday Night dinners with my grandparents." Rory continued. She watched his back. He hadn't moved. "I still don't know why you want to go out with me. Why me?" She said honestly.
Tristan turned and smiled. Desperation evaporated. "Why you? Let me see, you are, after all…you, you are gorgeous, smart, self confident…" she started to interrupt and he held up a hand and continued "you stand up for yourself when you need to, you stand by your convictions, you are loyal, and oh, did I mention gorgeous?" Rory blushed.
"I don't think I am self-confident." She mumbled
Tristan thumped across the library and sat next to her on the couch. "You were right, in the beginning. You were a conquest. You know- the new girl! I expected you to fall at my feet like many others had. Then, you shot me down so often and with such ruthless efficiency that I was forced to open my eyes and really look at you, to really see YOU. I was doomed. You stole my heart." He admitted, shaking his head.
Rory raised her gaze to his and studied his expression, seeking intuitive answers. Then, she scowled.
"There will be no making out in front of your locker. Public Displays of Affection like that are definitely off the table."
"Oh, come on! I can't kiss you in public?" Excitement began to course through him.
"Not there. It is contaminated ground. I will not be one of those girls!" Rory said pertly.
"Okay." He said suddenly.
Rory stared in disbelief. She thought she would have to fight him on this. "Excuse me?" she whispered
"I will do whatever is necessary to make you happy. If that means ignoring each other in school, or not holding your hand, or not kissing you in front of others, that's okay. If you want to keep this relationship under wraps, that's okay. I don't care." Tristan said in all honesty. "Just tell me what you want Rory".
There it was. What did she want? The 800-lb gorilla just blinked. She looked at Tristan, and he waited patiently.
"Patience." She said suddenly.
"Patience?"
"Yes. I'm still kind of new at this relationship dating thing."
"So, you want me to be patient?" he asked taking her hand in his good one.
"Yes. I like you Tristan, but I am still nervous. I don't like being the center of attention and something tells me that this will be talked about … a lot!" She said as she covered his hand with her other hand. Tristan grinned as he looked down. This was becoming epic! He turned to look at her and was delighted to see her smiling. She leaned in and kissed him shyly. A soft gasp escaped his lips.
Tristan was stunned. No other kiss had ever made him feel this way. Tingles danced across his mouth and joy shot through him like quicksilver. It wasn't an expert kiss, it wasn't nearly long enough, but Tristan suddenly realized that it was going to be one of the most unforgettable moments of his life. He wasn't able to speak for a second.
The goofy expression on his face was all the confirmation Rory needed. His reaction to her kiss told Rory that Tristan wasn't the practiced Romeo she originally thought he was. He was a boy-a nice, smart, gorgeous boy and she liked him even more this minute.
"Wow!" he whispered. It was all he could manage at the moment.
"Hey! Your jaw isn't wired anymore!" she exclaimed softly.
"Ahem." They both turned to see Henri Dugrey knock on the doorjamb.
"Good morning Rory." He said. The expression of pure happiness on his son's face warmed Henri's heart. He noticed the hand holding going on, and had actually seen Rory kiss Tristan. Rory blushed delightfully.
"Have you told Rory the good news?" he prompted.
"The good news?" she asked and looked at Tristan's smiling face.
"The jaw wire is off, and I get to lose the casts and the patch next Friday!" he said
"Will you be back at Chilton the following week?"
"I think so, probably on Monday. I may need the cane for a bit. We'll see." He said, still not relinquishing her hand.
"How much work do you need to finish for this week?" Henri said gently.
Rory broke their handhold and crossed the room to retrieve her backpack.
"There is a new play to read, "Twelfth Night" and then, studying for midterms." Rory said. She put a videocassette on the table with the book. Tristan picked it up and grinned.
"How many questions?" he asked as he flipped through the play.
"Only fifteen."
"Okay. Crank it up." He said as she turned on the TV.
Henri withdrew as the movie began. The two kids were sitting side by side, holding hands again.
"You would never pass as a man." Tristan said at the end of the movie
"No?" Rory asked.
"No. You are just too beautiful." He said honestly.
Rory blushed. She opened her notebook, and they began to go over the questions. Rory had already done her assignment. Once this was finished, she would have to leave. Lorelei needed the car again.
"Will I see you during the week at all?" Tristan asked, as if reading her mind
"I don't think so. I have to study for midterms. Mom has exams for her business courses, so I have to cover at the Inn. Next Saturday is the first time I have free." She replied.
"Okay. I'll just call you or we can message." He said as he pulled out the Shakespeare book.
"Fine. Now, first question…" Rory plowed ahead with the assignment. She was pleased with his reaction. Tristan stayed where he was, on the couch, and did the work. Rory gently paced the room as they discussed the questions, and wrote what he dictated. Finally, the last question was finished as the housekeeper rolled in the lunch tray. There were two sandwiches this time.
"What? No soup" she asked cheekily.
"Roast beef!" he said with relish and took a bite. He closed his eyes and blissfully ate his lunch
"I have to go." Rory said after they finished eating.
"I know. Please do me a favor this week?" He said earnestly
"What would that be?"
"Do all your work. I don't want to spend all of my last Saturday alone with you doing schoolwork. I want to walk outside, even sit in the winter sun." He said quietly.
"I'll try. I promise." Rory said with a grin. She had actually planned to do just that. She put her coat on and gathered her things. Tristan walked to the door with her, his good arm around her shoulder.
"This is not a public display." He said with a chuckle.
He kissed her goodbye, and whispered "I'll call you tonight."
"Tonight." Rory responded and gave him a return kiss that was delightfully soft and, once again, far too short for Tristan.
"I cannot believe we have so many things to study for Medina's midterm!" he grumbled over the phone. He had been diligently going over the impressively big notebook that had been delivered to his house today. He was determined to be done with all this stuff by Friday. Saturday was going to be for just Rory.
"You shouldn't have to worry about it. We've been working hard, and most of it will be on the Shakespeare.
"Thank God for the movies. You were a genius to think of them." He replied. He had actually watched both movies again, to make sure he was remembering correctly.
"You're welcome. How are you doing in the other classes?"
"Not too bad. French will be a breeze, as will calculus. I have to go over the History stuff again, but I'm not too worried." He said as he flipped through another ridiculously big notebook.
"I have to get back to work Tristan. I will see you Saturday." Rory said gently.
"So soon?" he whined comically
"Unless you want me to sleep late Saturday morning and not get there until 3" she said firmly.
"No, no, no.." he said in comic defeat. "Study, go to bed, sleep! I will see you Saturday morning!" he laughed.
"See you Saturday" Rory said and she hung up. She was smiling. She wanted to see him! This felt nice! This felt right. It was exciting, not scary. She opened her notes and forced herself back to work.
Saturday morning, Rory was once again at the Dugrey front door. Tristan opened it with a flourish. He bowed in front of her, showing her that he was, indeed, free of his casts.
"Excuse me, who are you? Where is Stumpy the Pirate Boy? He was going to be my valentine." Rory asked in mock solemnity.
"Gone for good." He grinned and took Rory's hand. The shiny pink skin on his now unencumbered hand was obvious.
"Pink!" she exclaimed and pushed up his sleeve.
"I scrubbed. It was gross, flaky, itchy and disgusting." He said with a shudder. "My leg was worse."
"How does your jaw feel?" she asked as they walked into the library.
"Better." Tristan glanced around the room. He swooped in and kissed Rory soundly. "I missed you." He said simply.
"I missed you too." Rory said with a gentle smile.
Monday morning, Tristan returned to Chilton. Rory came in after him, to see a group of kids surrounding him, talking. He didn't look up. She walked to her locker to see a tiny pink envelope sticking out. She pulled it out and opened it to find a silly little valentine card. She laughed silently as she read
"Be my valentine?" signed "Stumpy the Pirate Boy".
She grinned and put it into her backpack. Tristan watched her out of the corner of his eye, delighted at her response. It took every ounce of willpower not to go to her.
She looked right at him and smiled broadly. He grinned back, just as the bell rang. Everyone hurried to class.
Later, in the cafeteria, Rory watched as he entered. She stood up and hailed him quietly.
"Tristan. Walk with me for a second?" she said softly.
"Hey, Mary." He winked. Then, his whole world tilted. Rory took his hand and walked towards the doors. Took his hand! In the most public place in Chilton!" He practically stumbled as he walked after her. No one seemed to notice.
"Rory..?" he asked as he regained his equilibrium. Then, she did it again. She kissed him in the hall. Right out in the open. He looked delightfully confused and absurdly happy.
"Happy Valentine's Day Pirate Boy." She whispered.
Tristan pushed her away from the door and into an empty classroom. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her with all the emotion that was bubbling through him. She laughed quietly and hugged him back. "Just so you know this will not be an everyday occurrence." He murmured.
"Good." She whispered back, and then kissed him.
Rory and Tristan left school at the end of the day holding hands in front of one and all.
Epilogue:
Rory looked up from her book and glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight! She was beginning to worry. Tristan was driving up from Princeton for the week-end. It was their last weekend together before graduation. Finals were looming and Rory, true to form, studied like a fiend. She was looking forward to the weekend, snowstorm or no snowstorm. She got up and went to the window, just in time to see Tristan pull up in front of the building. Miraculously, there was a parking space.
A few moments later the bell rang. Rory pushed the buzzer and opened the door. She heard him bounding up the stairs. He entered the apartment shaking off heavy wet snowflakes. He pulled Rory into a bear-hug, then swept her up in his arms and marched into the bedroom. She gasped, and then laughed delightedly.
"You have finished studying." he stated as he stripped off his clothes.
"And if I haven't?" she whispered, taking off her own clothes. .
"Too bad." He responded and fell with her onto the bed. They wrapped themselves in each other, touching, caressing, and making love until they fell into contented sleep burrowed under the comforter while the snowstorm raged outside.
Tristan awoke first, reveling in the sensation of the soft, warm skin pressed against his back. Rory, curled up on her side and snuggled against him, was still sleeping. Once again, he marveled at the beauty of the woman he loved. Their relationship had defied the odds, and they were still together. Then again, he knew they would be. After all, he was a Dugrey. Like his father and his grandfather before him, he had met The One at a young age. He weathered the ups and downs of growing up, clinging with patience and affection to the girl who stole his heart at Chilton. He rose from the bed and slipped on a pair of sweatpants. He padded into the kitchen and began to make coffee. He knew his Gilmore girl and knew that coffee was about the only thing to get her up without a tussle. He yawned and ran his fingers through his hair as the dark brew tinkled into the glass pot and the aroma filled the apartment. Tristan took two mugs down from a cabinet and then pulled out a tray. Rory was just stirring when he returned to the bedroom, tray in hand. He slid back into bed and settled the tray on the mattress.
"Mmmm." Rory murmured and laid her head on his bare shoulder. She closed her eyes and delved into the pleasure of having Tristan here, of having his warm skin beneath her cheek, and having coffee in bed! She opened her eyes and noticed a little black box on the tray."
"What's this?'
"Before you open it, I have to tell you a story." Tristan said as he put sipped his coffee.
"Ooo! I love stories." Rory agreed happily.
"Once, there was a good family whose family tree was full of handsome men and beautiful women. For generations they brought forth gorgeous, successful children. One generation, however, wasn't so lucky."
"Oh, poor family." Rory played along.
"The unfortunate son became known as" Tristan paused for dramatic effect.
"…Stumpy, the Pirate Boy."
"No!" Rory gasped
"Stumpy would follow in another family tradition, however." Tristan continued.
"What tradition would that be?"
"Stumpy fell in love with a beautiful girl."
"What kind of tradition is that?"
"Shh!" he admonished her.
"The men of this family would find 'The One.' and then have to win her heart."
"Did Stumpy win her heart?"
"Not at first. You see Stumpy was full of himself. He expected the beautiful girl to fall at his feet, like many young maidens had done before her. She, however, being a girl of intelligence and good taste as well as beauty, crushed his pretensions at every turn."
"That would be me!" Rory said happily
"So, Stumpy developed a plan, and even though it took many weeks, and much gnashing of teeth…"
"Gnashing?"
"Stop interrupting. As I was saying, Stumpy had a plan. He would win this beautiful girl with his smarts, because, even though he had the unfortunate name of Stumpy the Pirate Boy, he knew that he had to follow the sacred family tradition and win the heart of the girl he loved. Like all the men who came before him, he knew, from the moment he saw her, that she was 'The One'."
"Oh, poor Stumpy." Rory said sleepily. "Did he win the heart of the beautiful girl?" Tristan was quiet. He moved a bit, but Rory waited.
"Did he win the heart of the beautiful girl?" she asked again. She opened her eyes and looked at Tristan. She gasped in surprise, all sleepiness now gone at the sight of Tristan, wearing an eye patch and a silly clip on hoop earring. He presented the little velvet box and handed her a small envelope. Rory opened it, to see that silly little valentine from all those years ago, but this time it said 'Will you marry me?' and was signed 'Stumpy, the Pirate Boy.'
"You have to answer that. Did he win the heart of the beautiful girl?" Tristan whispered.
Rory opened the box to see a sparkling diamond ring, nestled in the dark folds of velvet. It winked in the low light of the bedside lamp. Tears welled in her eyes, yet she smiled.
"Yes" she said and sniffed. Tristan smiled, a heartbreakingly beautiful smile of happiness, and then kissed her with all the passion he felt for her. Rory clung to him and kissed him with as much happiness and joy.
"I love a happy ending." Rory whispered.
"It's a good thing you agreed. I didn't tell you about what happens to the men in the family who don't win the girl…"
"Anything that is mended is but patched: virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue."
Twelfth Night Act 1 scene 5