Finding Rory

Chapter 21: Found Their Way Back

"Mare, are you almost ready? We're going to be late to meet Emily if we don't hurry," Tristan called from the living room. He'd been dressed and ready to go for fifteen minutes, but true to form, Rory was running a bit behind.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Rory replied hurriedly as she walked into the living room. "Does this look okay for dinner with my grandma?" she asked as she spun around.

"Are you forgetting that I don't know your grandma yet, babe?"

"But you know society. Does this look acceptable for dinner?" she asked.

Tristan took a moment to look at her. She had on a beautiful deep plum wrap dress with black heels and a long silver necklace. She looked stunning.

"You look perfect - beautiful, classy. You look like you," Tristan reassured her before kissing the tip of her nose.

"Alright, let's go, then."

Rory and Tristan pulled up to the restaurant ten minutes later and were immediately taken to the table where Emily was already seated. She stood as she saw them approach.

"Rory, it's lovely to see you, dear!" Emily greeted her warmly. She embraced her granddaughter and then held her at arm's length to get a good look at her. "You look wonderful. I can't quite put my mind on what it is, but you look different. You're radiant."

"Thank you, Grandma," Rory blushed. "I've been working out and eating a bit better, and I think it agrees with me." Rory turned to Tristan. "Grandma, I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Tristan Dugrey. Tristan, this is my grandma, Emily Gilmore."

"It's lovely to see you again, Tristan," Emily said sincerely as she moved to kiss him on the cheek in greeting.

"It's lovely to see you as well, Mrs. Gilmore."

"How many times have I told you to call me Emily, Tristan? Now, let's all sit," Emily commanded.

"Of course, Emily," Tristan replied with a smile. He pulled Rory's chair out for her and helped her get situated before moving over to push Emily's chair in for her and sitting in his own.

"You always have been such a charmer, Tristan. I must know - how did you two reconnect?" Emily asked excitedly.

"We ran into each other at the Chilton reunion last month and started spending time together. Tristan's been helping me make some changes in my life," answered Rory.

"What kind of changes?" Emily asked.

"I've felt a little...lost, like I'm drifting, maybe...lately, and I needed to take control of my life again. I've started running and working out with Tris, and I'm writing a book. Oh! And I had a job interview at Yale yesterday, and I got the job! I start July 5th. It's an internal communications position with their medical school."

"Oh, that's so wonderful, Rory! I'm so proud of you," Emily beamed.

"Thank you, Grandma. For the first time in forever, I'm really proud of me, too," Rory said graciously. "Life is really good right now," she finished, looking at Tristan with a tender smile.

The group of three took a break from their conversation to order their meals before continuing.

"You two are simply adorable together. I can see how much you care for each other instantly. I always knew you'd find your way back to each other somehow," Emily gushed.

"Back to each other? I'd hardly call what we had in high school something to get back to," Rory chuckled.

"Oh no, dear! Didn't you know that you and Tristan were friends when you were toddlers? His grandmother, Gail, and I would take you two kids with us when we met sometimes. I remember on one occasion, you two were playing in the park and you got stung by a bee. You must have been about three, I believe, and Tristan would have been four. He was so distraught that you were in pain. He brought you over to Gail and me with his arm around you, and he was assuring you that his grandma would be able to make you feel better. He was the picture of concern. It was just darling! He kept rubbing your back and kissing your forehead," Emily shared with the couple.

"That was what my grandma always did for me - she kissed my forehead," Tristan said as he blushed.

Rory turned to Tristan with a genuine smile and leaned toward him.

"I guess you were always meant to be my hero, Romeo," she whispered.

Tristan leaned in and kissed her sweetly.

"If only it hadn't taken you fifteen years to admit it, Mary," he smirked.

"Well, if you hadn't been so unbearable in high school!"

"I must ask, why do you call her Mary? And what happened between the two of you in high school?" Emily asked.

Rory watched Tristan blush more deeply and rub the back of his neck - his nervous habit.

"Go ahead, babe. Tell her about it," Rory said with a sly smile, trying in vain to hide her pleasure at Tristan having to explain their high school rivalry.

"That's a bit embarrassing, Emily," Tristan began honestly. "I was a bit of a cocky jerk in high school, and I liked your granddaughter very much. Unfortunately, I didn't handle it very well. I was pretty horrible to her, including dubbing her Mary because I thought she was so innocent and untouchable."

"I had always wondered why the Rory didn't like you at Chilton; I suppose that explains it," Emily replied.

"She had every right not to like me then," Tristan admitted. "I don't like myself for the way I treated her."

"Yes, but you're not that guy anymore. You're an amazing man, Tris. Don't ever forget that," Rory replied sweetly.

"I'm just glad that I have a second chance to love you," replied Tristan as they two shared an intimate look.

"Oh, this is just so perfect!" Emily gushed eagerly. "I'm so happy for you both."

"Thank you, Grandma," Rory said gratefully. It was nice to have someone from her family on her side, even if it wasn't her mom yet.

"So, tell me more about this new job, Rory. Will you still be living in Stars Hollow?" Emily inquired.

"No, I need to look for a place closer to Yale. I thought about Hartford, although that's still a bit further than I would like for a daily commute, or perhaps Middleton or Wallingford. Either would be convenient for work as well as for seeing Tristan."

"You simply must allow me to purchase your first home. Your grandfather and I talked for years about doing that for you before he passed away," Emily said a bit emotionally.

"Oh, Grandma. I don't know - that's huge," Rory protested weakly.

"It was important to Richard, Rory. He would be so thrilled to know that we could do that for you. Please, allow me to do this?" Emily asked sincerely.

Rory shared a look with Tristan and then turned back to her grandmother.

"If you're sure, Grandma. But nothing too extravagant - I just want a space of my own. No mansions or maids or sprawling estates," Rory consented.

"Of course, dear, whatever you'd like. You and Tristan can look at real estate and let me know when you find something you like. In the meantime, you could stay in the pool house if you'd like? It's just like you left it when you moved out in college. It really would be doing me a favor because I would know that the house was being looked after," Emily offered.

"That would be wonderful! Thank you, Grandma."

"Of course, dear!"