Finding Rory

Chapter 35: A Quiet Night In

"Thanks for inviting me along today, Sweets," Lorelai said as she and Rory pulled back into the driveway at the pool house.

Rory turned and looked at her mom as she put the car in park.

"I'm really glad you could come; it was a fun day," Rory replied happily.

"It really was. So I'll see you guys next weekend?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, we'll be there Friday and Saturday, and then we'll head to Boston to spend the fourth with Tristan's family. We'll have the dogs with us, so we'll need to stay at the house," Rory reminded her.

"And you're sure you can't stay longer? You guys don't need to rush off to Boston," Lorelai whined.

"I'm sure, Mom. Tristan is really looking forward to introducing me to his family, and they'll all be in town for the holiday," Rory said firmly.

"Alright, I'll take what I can get," Lorelai conceded. Of course, that didn't mean that she wouldn't try to get more.

Rory hugged Lorelai goodbye. "I'll talk to you later this week, Mom. Tell Luke hi for me," Rory told her mom.

"Will do, Kiddo. Enjoy your evening," Lorelai called back as she got into her Jeep.

Rory watched her mom drive off and turned back toward the pool house. Tristan's car was there, so he must have already arrived.

"Hey, babe," she called as she walked into the kitchen.

Tristan crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a kiss.

"Hey, Mary. How was your day with your mom?"

"It was good, actually. There was minimal tension, and we had a great time together. Thank you for encouraging me to invite her along," Rory said gratefully.

"Of course. I know what it's like to have a strained relationship with your parents, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone," Tristan replied. He hesitated and rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. "I hope you're not angry, but I saw the card and flowers in the trash."

Rory looked up suddenly.

"Why would I be angry?" she asked. "If I'm going to be angry at anyone, it would be Logan."

"So, I'm guessing from the arrival of the flowers that he knows where you're living now?"

"No, he sent them to Mom's house in Stars Hollow, and she brought them with her. She didn't even realize they were from him," Rory replied.

Tristan breathed a sigh of relief and visibly relaxed.

"Oh, that's good. I was really hoping he hadn't figured out where you were," replied Tristan.

"Nope, we're still all good on that front. Something smells amazing - what is it?" Rory asked.

"It's chicken parmesan; I hope that's okay with you," Tristan answered as they both walked back into the kitchen.

"Better than okay; I'm starving," Rory replied before getting up to check on the puppies. They seemed to have already bonded with her, because they started whining as soon as they heard her voice. She let Romeo and Juliet out of their small play area and they both were immediately clamoring for her attention.

"Did you two miss Mommy today?" she asked as she rubbed their heads. They were both licking her fingers and nuzzling her hands. Tristan walked over and joined Rory on the floor to play with the dogs while dinner finished cooking.

"What did your mom think of the dogs?" Tristan asked.

"I'm pretty sure she would have tried to sneak them in her purse before leaving if I'd let her come back in the house," Rory joked.

Tristan picked Juliet up and she snuggled into his chest.

"Well, they are pretty cute," Tristan chuckled.

"They really are. Thank you so much for suggesting that we get a dog; I don't think I ever would have thought of it," Rory said gratefully.

"Hey, I just wanted to make you my fur-baby mama," Tristan teased.

Rory looked at Tristan and started giggling.

"You'd better tread carefully, Bible Boy. You're stuck with me now that we have kids together," Rory joked.

Tristan leaned over and kissed her and then leaned in close to her.

"Maybe that was the plan, Mary," he whispered before getting up and walking into the kitchen. Rory shook her head and laughed.

"I guess you've got me right where you want me then, you sneaky man," Rory chuckled.

"My evil plan is coming together," Tristan replied with a laugh. "Dinner's ready, by the way."

Rory scooped the puppies up and put them back in their play area and then washed her hands and joined Tristan in the kitchen. They both sat down with their food and began talking about their days.

"Did you get your contract signed?" Tristan asked in between bites of dinner.

Rory nodded and swallowed her food.

"I did, and I got my key, ID and key card. Then Mom and I went to Target and got a few things for the office - pictures, desk accessories, curtains. I'm all set to start my job next week."

"That's fantastic. I know I've already said this, but I'm really proud of you," Tristan told her.

"Thanks, Tris. I'm really proud of me, too. And you - you've been amazing since we reconnected last month. I'm so thankful that you're in my life now," Rory whispered.

Tristan reached over and entwined his fingers with Rory's.

"It's been fifteen years in the making, but it was worth the wait," Tristan agreed. He quieted for a moment and heard the puppies whining. "Do you want to take Romeo and Juliet to the park to play after dinner?"

"Yeah, that sounds perfect. I'll clean up the dinner dishes while you get them ready to go," Rory replied.

She carried their dishes into the kitchen and began loading the dishwasher. Five minutes later, she met Tristan outside. He'd leashed the puppies and they were bouncing all over the place and getting tangled up in their leashes.

"They look like they're pretty excited," Rory chuckled as she took Romeo's leash from Tristan and they began walking toward the park.

"They are definitely energetic. We need to get them both in obedience school soon."

"You're right. Want me to go sign them up for classes this week? We could pick an evening that works well for both of us," Rory offered.

"That would be perfect."

They continued their walk to the park in a comfortable silence, occasionally laughing at the dogs as they pounced on leaves and explored their surroundings. The park near the house had a fenced play area for dogs, so they let the dogs off of their leashes and sat down on a bench to watch them play. Rory snuggled into Tristan's side and sighed happily.

"This is really nice," she whispered.

"It really is," Tristan agreed quietly. "I'm really proud of you for being independent, and I would never dream of discouraging you, but I am going to miss you on the nights we can't be together."

Rory leaned up and kissed Tristan sweetly.

"I'm going to miss you, too. We'd better make the best of these nights we do get together, huh?" Rory asked seductively.

"Mmm...let's take these dogs home and put them in their crate - I don't think they need to see what I'm going to do to their mom," Tristan smirked.