My favorite Mary

Chapter 67: Fatherly Advice

Michael called Tristan up and ask him to join him for lunch. He needed to talk to him and needed some advice. 

"Hey baby, I am going to go meet Michael for lunch he is wanting to talk. I will let you know what about when I return. I love you I will be back in a couple of hours."

"Okay, sweetie let me know that everything is okay. I hope he and Deena are okay. I love you too baby and be safe." She kissed him and he left. 

He drove to the restaurant and parked his car. He texts Michael to let him know he had arrived. Michael was five minutes away. 

Tristan goes in and gets a table for the two of them. He orders them both a beer and waits for his son to arrive. 

Michael walks in and sees his dad. He walks over to the table and sits down. "Hey dad, thanks for meeting me."

"Hey, son, and no problem. I'm actually glad I get to spend time with you alone. Normally you are calling your mother for lunch or coffee dates."

"Well, this particular time I needed some fatherly advice. I know you will tell mom but I just needed to talk to you."

"Alright, I am here. I ordered us each a beer." Just then the server brought their beers, took their food order, and left.

"So, what's going on Michael?"

"Well, dad you know me and Deena are pretty serious. We have almost been together for two years."

"Yes, we have noticed how serious you were getting. We also know that you two have been living together for over a year. Please continue."

"Okay, well I um how did you know that mom was the one?"

"Michael, I had been in love with your mother since the tenth grade when I first laid my eyes on her. I thought that maybe I was just infatuated with her because she was the first girl who didn't fall for me."

"Then I got sent away to military school with only a kiss well actually a few kisses. One where she wanted to kiss me and the other kisses from The Romeo and Juliet play that we had to do. Ask your Aunt Paris about that. She dressed up as Romeo and almost kissed your mom. I wasn't there but heard about that it was funny." 

"So, anyway after I got to the Military school all I could think about was my Mary and her blue eyes. I didn't even look at other girls because they were nothing compared to your mother. So for the next fourteen years, I got my life on track and worked really hard to make something of myself."

"I knew then that if I ever got another chance with the one and only Rory Gilmore I was going to be the right man, a man she could love."

"So, you didn't date anyone for fourteen years? That is a really long time to hold out for a woman. You really did love mom."

"No, I dated a few times and of course had several one-night stands but no one and I mean no one compared to your mom. I decided not to renew my contract with the Military school and that I was moving back to New York."

"Did you know mom was in the city?"

"No, but I knew Paris lived in the city and I knew that your mother was a freelance writer. So I was frustrated one day and decided to go for a run. Yes, that is why I was frustrated. I was running and really not paying attention to anyone and this woman was standing right in the middle of the running area and I almost ran over her."

"I was mad and I stopped and turned around and told her she needed to watch where she was going. When she turned around I saw it was your mom, my Mary and she seemed upset so I invited her back to my condo."

"Then here we are almost twenty-three years later and we are happily married with three amazing kids. I knew your mom was the one when I couldn't stop thinking and dreaming about her. The moment I laid eyes on her again I knew I loved her and she was the one I wanted to marry, have children with, and spend the rest of my life with."

He sat there and let everything I had just said sink in. "So, pretty much that feeling I got in my stomach the day I first laid my eyes on Deena and the fact that I can't get her out of my mind. I can picture her walking down the aisle and becoming my wife. I can see us with kids and being happy just like you and mom."

"Well, son there is your answer. She is the one you picture spending the rest of your life and growing old with. She is your soul mate."

"Thanks, Dad, I really needed to hear that. Now, I need some advice on a ring and help with the proposal."

"First thing to remember is it has to be something that fits her. She looks like a modest woman so a nice size diamond but not gigantic. The next thing is if I were you I would take her to a nice motel room or even the summer home in Martha's Vineyard."

"Make it romantic, candles, wine, dancing, and maybe even rose petals. I proposed to your mom in Bruges on the bridge of the lake of love. I told her the story behind the bridge and proposed. Just do something different than your normal. Make it special for her and for you because one day you will be telling your story to your kids."

"Thanks so much, dad. I am going to go ring shopping and make the plans. I will let you and mom know the plans once I make them. I am thinking of next weekend for the proposal. I will get the keys to the summer house. I talked to her dad when they were here for my graduation. He said yes when I asked for permission."

Just then the server brought their food and was checking Michael out. He didn't even notice her and Tristan noticed the way his son's eyes were polite but nothing more. He knew that he was in love with Deena.

They ate lunch and caught up a little bit since last Sunday. Tristan paid the bill and they left. He hugged Michael.

"Good luck son we will be waiting for your call. I love you kiddo be safe and send me a quick text once you make it back home."

"I love you too dad, I am always safe, and I will you be careful too."

They each got in their vehicles and went to their homes. Tristan pulled into the garage and went into the house. 

Rory was sitting on the couch with her pajamas still on and her hair in a messy bun. She had her reading glasses on and was reading a book. She put the book down when she saw Tristan.

He walked over, bent down, and kissed her. He walked to the empty area and sat down beside her.

"Well, is everything okay with Michael?"

"Yes, dear everything is great. He just wanted to know how I knew you were the one that you were my soulmate. So I told him everything from Chilton to the day I proposed. Then he asked for advice on the proposal so I told him to make it romantic. I think he is going to take her to the summer house and propose next weekend."

"Rory started jumping around. I knew she was the one the first day they met. The way he looked at her and was speechless. I am so happy for him. This is so exciting Tristan our son is getting married."

"Yes, I believe he is and I couldn't have picked a better girl for him than Deena. Right now it is just a plan we have to wait until he buys the ring and she says yes. Our baby boy is all grown up. It was really nice to spend some time with Michael and catch up."

"I know that and I am glad you got the time with him. He needed his father for this advice. Yes, he is all grown up. It was like yesterday I was just bringing him home from the hospital and now he is going to be engaged. Where did the time go? I blinked and he was a man. "

Just then Tristan's phone beeped. Michael had texted him to let him know he made it home. Tristan pulled Rory into his arms. "I know sweetheart but this is a good thing. We aren't losing a son we are gaining a daughter."