Saviour from the Past

Chapter 25

"You never did answer me about whether you wanted to make it clear you were my proper date tonight or just the plus one?" Rory asked Tristan, as their town car approached the hotel that was hosting the Gilmore Insurance Gala.

Rory had persuaded her Grandmother to hold the event somewhere other than the club for a change, an attempt at not coming across as 'elitist' and 'high society'. Yes, they were as a family, but not all of their staff are and it doesn't exactly scream welcoming to host the event at a members only club.

"I think, I didn't spend nine years trying to get you to deny it when it finally happened." Tristan said, leaning in and giving her a kiss, careful not to mess with her lipstick. "I'm happy for everyone to know we are a couple, if you are?"

"I agree, I don't want to head into the holiday party season pretending that I don't have you, and dealing with set up attempts."

"Ah, I get it now. I am really just here to save you from interfering grandmothers."

"Yep, as long as you know your place we are good," Rory said, leaning over with a smirk to give him a final kiss as the car slowed to a stop.

"And just where exactly is my place, Mare?" Tristan asked softly, sliding close to her so he could get out of the car first, to help her out.

"Right here, beside me," Rory said, kissing him and pulling him as tight as their location allowed.

"Rory! Tristan! When did you get here?" Richard exclaimed, pulling his granddaughter into a swift hug.

"Hey Grandpa!"

"Richard, we just got here ten minutes ago, sir," Tristan answered, greeting Richard with a handshake, returning his arm to its position wrapped around Rory's waist.

"Ah, have you seen Emily yet? She was hovering near the door hoping to catch you as you came in."

"For any particular reason, or just so she could inspect whether my dress and date are appropriate?" Rory asked, the look on her face telling Richard that she already knew the answer.

"Well at least with young Mr DuGrey here, we know she will have no complaints in that department, and you are looking particularly lovely tonight, isn't she Tristan?"

"She always does sir," Tristan said, pressing a gentle kiss against Rory's temple.

"I think you are correct, it was just an inspection that she wanted, I will try and buy you some time. I know she seems to forget that you need to mingle as a member of the board and society now, and not just as an aimless teenager forced to attend these things," Richard said, with a wink.

"Well, I am still forced to attend these things," Rory said with a laugh. "It is just more noticeable if I don't show up these days. Anyone we must say hi to sooner rather than later? Other than the obvious ones that is."

"Not that I can think of. Francine came tonight unexpectedly, she said she wanted to see what the hotel was like. I think a few people are here for the same reason, we are having it somewhere different and they all want to be nosey."

"Well that's only human nature Grandpa," Rory said with a smile. "We are going to go and greet some of the easier people, and be seen to mingle."

"Sounds like a plan."

"See you in a bit sir," Tristan said, as he followed Rory across the room, keeping his arm around her. "Richard is right, there is definitely a higher percentage of the society crowd here than normal."

"Oh well, hopefully that will lead to some new business for the firm. They tend to feel the need to at least contact us for a quote after they have gotten drunk on our dime."