Finding Rory

Chapter 29: Movie Night, Round Two

Rory, Tristan, Jess and Rebecca arrived back at the Crap Shack half an hour later with massive amounts of junk food, Chinese and pizza. They quickly set all of the food up on the coffee table while they were waiting for Lorelai to arrive.

"So, what movie did you two pick out?" Rory asked Jess and Tristan. Tristan just shook his head at her and laughed.

"No way, Mary. You don't get to know until we press play - it's a surprise," Tristan reminded her just as Lorelai walked into the house.

"Mom! We have everything ready to go for movie night," Rory told Lorelai when she entered the living room. She just hoped that everything would go smoothly tonight; she wasn't sure she could handle another night like last night. Fortunately, her mom's behavior seemed to be better when Tristan was there.

Lorelai looked at the scene in front of her and plastered on a smile.

"Great, sweets. Just let me change clothes and I'll be right down. You guys go ahead and start eating," Lorelai told Rory before walking up the stairs.

Lorelai closed her bedroom door behind her and took a deep breath. She had to try her best to be nice and keep her opinions to herself tonight. She could only push so far before she would lose her daughter. Honestly, it wasn't that she disliked Tristan personally; she just disliked what he stood for and the fact that Rory would be immersed in the world of Hartford society if she was with him. She just couldn't stomach the idea of her daughter turning into one of those fake society people who were always concerned with appearances and status.

Lorelai shook herself from her thoughts and finished changing clothes quickly. If she didn't get back downstairs soon Rory would come looking for her, and the last thing she needed was another showdown with her daughter this weekend. She once again fixed her learned society smile on her face as she descended the stairs, determined to hold her tongue for the night.

"Mom, there you are! I was starting to get worried about you. We got pizza and Chinese," Rory told Lorelai as she handed her a plate.

Lorelai accepted the plate and began filling it with food as Jess pressed play on the movie. The girls all laughed out loud as they saw what movie they were watching.

"Seriously, you guys rented Cinderella Story?" Rory asked incredulously.

Jess held up his hands in surrender.

"Look, I told Tristan that you guys like a movie that's highly mockable, and we thought this one fit the bill," he defended.

"And we figured you all would want to drool over Chad Michael Murray - isn't he every girl's dream?" Tristan asked with a sly grin.

Rory just turned to him and chuckled before reaching over to kiss him.

"You're my dream, Bible Boy, not Chad Michael Murray," Rory whispered, but not quietly enough because everyone heard her.

"You two are disgustingly adorable," Rebecca pointed out.

"Love does that to you," Tristan replied just as the movie began.

They all ate quietly as they watched the movie. In keeping with the Gilmore girls movie rules, the only noise in the house was the mocking of the movie, which primarily came from Lorelai and Rory.

As the movie continued on, Rory snuggled closer into Tristan's side and covered them both with a blanket. She sighed happily at the situation. She had the man she loved, two of her best friends, and her mom all together, and so far things were okay, or at least she thought they were. Perhaps she spoke too soon, because Lorelai chose that moment to interrupt the silence.

"This movie is ridiculous. Who would seriously think that the king of the school would fall for Sam?!" Lorelai exclaimed. "And it's not like they'll ever last - he'll get bored with her and move on with someone who is more suited to his lifestyle."

Suddenly the room was completely silent other than the noise coming from the television. Rory, Tristan, Jess and Rebecca looked at each other awkwardly.

"Actually, Lorelai, I think it's sweet. You never know where you'll find love. Look at Jess and me - we have completely different personalities, but we work together. And you and Luke, too. I've never seen two people who are such polar opposites, but you guys have been together and happy for a decade now. I think you just need to find the right one and then it all falls into place. Love doesn't make sense," Rebecca said firmly.

Rory gave her a grateful smile and gripped Tristan's hand more tightly. He began rubbing soothing circles over her knuckles. He was always her rock, and she was so grateful.

"I agree," Tristan said quietly. "Love is hard, and it's messy, and some days you won't feel it, but it's all worth it when you're with the one you're meant to be with. And I think Austin might surprise you - even a self-proclaimed king of the school can grow up and change."

Rory smiled up at Tristan and kissed him lightly, and he responded by gathering her in his arms and sitting her on his lap. She settled in and laid back on him, enjoying having him so close. She felt like she could face anything as long as he was next to her.

They were so wrapped up in each other that they both missed the glares that Lorelai was sending their way. Lorelai watched them awkwardly for a moment and then cleared her throat before continuing.

"So, what else did you guys do today?" she asked the two couples.

"Oh not much. Rebecca and I worked through editing a few chapters of my book, and then we all packed up my room and loaded the boxes so we're ready to leave first thing in the morning," Rory replied, not realizing that she was starting another argument.

Lorelai looked at her frustratedly and sighed. She didn't feel like she could keep her mouth shut any longer.

"So you're really going to do this? Throw everything away and move to Hartford?" Lorelai asked angrily, surprising everyone else.

Rory closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't back down.

"I'm not throwing anything away, Mom. I'm moving closer to my new job; you should be happy for me," Rory insisted.

"So you're really going to try to tell me that this has nothing to do with pretty boy?" Lorelai scoffed.

"Do you see me moving in with Tristan?" Rory shot back angrily. She'd had it - her mom had pushed too far.

"Not yet, but give it time and I'm sure you'll be shacking up and turning into the perfect trophy wife, Lorelai replied.

Rory stood up and pulled Tristan up behind her. She wasn't going to sit through this tonight.

"You know, Mom, you made your opinion of my relationship with Tristan perfectly clear last night, but that's not going to change things. I'm not going to turn into a trophy wife, and I'm not going to lose myself in society. I wish you could just learn to be happy for me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm not spending another night under this roof while you're acting like a petulant child," Rory exclaimed.

She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the house. Tristan walked out a few seconds after her and found her pacing on the front porch. He wrapped his arms around her and just held her until he finally felt her relax in his arms.

"I'm sorry," Rory whispered. "I just...I can't deal with her anymore. She needs to get some help for whatever's going on with her, and I need some distance."

"Don't apologize, Ror. She's the one in the wrong here. Jess and Rebecca are just saying goodbye and then we'll all head to my house for the night," Tristan reassured her just as Jess and Rebecca joined them on the porch.

Rebecca immediately embraced Rory, who was now crying, and held her. Jess had told her that Lorelai didn't like Tristan, but she'd never guessed that it had gotten this bad. Frankly, she thought Tristan was an amazing man and that he and Rory were perfect for each other, but she didn't have the bias against society that Lorelai had. She released Rory into Tristan's arms and they all loaded into their cars for the unplanned drive to Hartford.