Finding Rory

Chapter 47: Bonding Over Beers

The two couples had headed back to the inn after dinner. Jess and Rebecca had checked in and gotten settled into their room. Rory and Rebecca decided to commandeer a quiet table in the dining room at the Dragonfly to work through some more chapters while Tristan, Jess and Luke went to the Secret Bar to grab a beer. The guys gave them a quick kiss and headed out to leave them to work in peace.

Tristan and Jess walked the short distance to the Secret Bar and arrived just as Luke did. They all sat down at a table and ordered their beers before they began talking.

"Has Rory said anything else about Logan's gift?" Jess asked after their beers were delivered to the table.

"No, I thought I'd try to talk to her some more tonight when we get back to the Dragonfly."

"What happened?" Luke asked. Apparently he hadn't heard the earlier conversations.

"Logan sent flowers earlier in the week, and then today he sent a bracelet with a note asking her for another chance. It really made her angry," Tristan replied.

"Wait a minute. Lorelai was ranting earlier - something about a bracelet and your cousin and how there was no way in hell that she would let Rory marry into that family. Is Logan your cousin?" Luke asked.

Tristan sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. "He is, but my family isn't like his family. The way the Huntzbergers treated Rory was awful. My parents will adore her - they're already beside themselves and they haven't even met her yet."

"She also mentioned something about you cornering her about something on a walk. What was that about?" Luke asked.

Tristan sat up straighter and looked at Luke for a moment. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that, too. I bought an engagement ring today; I want to ask Rory to marry me. I'd like your blessing."

Luke's eyes snapped up and he looked at Tristan in surprise. "My blessing?"

"Yeah. Rory thinks of you like a father. You've been there for her during most of her life, more than her biological father, from what I understand. I wanted to ask you and Lorelai both."

"What did Lorelai say?" Luke asked.

"Lorelai was...less than receptive. We had a long conversation, and she finally reluctantly agreed that Rory could make her own decision."

"Whoa, I bet that was intense. What did this conversation consist of?" Jess asked.

"There were lots of questions - why so soon, is Rory pregnant, just to name a few."

"And?" Luke asked expectantly.

"Rory is not pregnant, so you can start breathing again. As for the why so soon - well, that's a longer answer. I've known for years that Rory was the one for me, but I didn't know if I would ever get the chance to have a relationship with her. Rory and my sister had lunch yesterday, and Rory told Abby how much she wants to marry me and that she's ready to start our lives together now. I may not be the smartest man in the world, but even I know that when the woman of your dreams says she wants to marry you, you jump at the opportunity," Tristan confided with a smile and a laugh.

"But Lorelai still isn't on board?" Luke asked.

"No, she's definitely not on board yet. We made some progress during our walk. She opened up to me about her parents and how they tried to control her life, and because of that she raised Rory to be independent. It's funny that it's that independence that is at the heart of Lorelai's issues now," Tristan chuckled.

"I'd never really thought of it that way," replied Jess.

"I listened while she told me all about what she hates about society and what my life represents. Then I told her about getting sent to military school and how it changed me. I don't like who I used to be either, but I'm not that person anymore. I've matured and realized that you have to work for what you want in life. I don't expect to be taken care of anymore. I don't employ a staff or want to be waited on hand-and-foot; I'm just a normal guy who wants to spend the rest of his life loving her daughter," Tristan finished with a smile.

"You don't need my blessing, but you have it. I think you're the best thing that's ever happened to Rory. I think Lorelai's objections are mainly driven by fear of losing her daughter, but I know that you wouldn't let that happen. Hell, you still come around with Rory despite the fact that Lorelai makes it about as pleasant as a root canal. That speaks volumes about your character," Luke admitted.

Tristan smiled and relaxed. He'd known Lorelai wouldn't be ecstatic or give an enthusiastic yes, but he'd hoped Luke would be on his side.

"Thank you, Luke. I'm planning on asking her on the Fourth of July. We're going to Boston to spend the holiday with my family. I thought I might ask her right before the fireworks," Tristan confided in the two other men who had become friends and allies.

"Don't make the mistake of doing it in front of everyone - she would hate that," Jess warned.

"No, Abby already warned me about that. I guess Rory talked to her about why it wasn't right with Logan and what happened between them. I'll make sure it's a private moment," Tristan promised.

"How is Rory doing, by the way? Are the nightmares any better?" Luke asked. It had broken his heart to hear about how much Rory was struggling.

"They are better. Her doctor changed her birth control in hopes that it will help. They haven't been as frequent, which is a relief. Now I'm just concerned about her relationship with Lorelai," said Tristan.

"What about it?" Luke asked.

"I'm afraid if Lorelai keeps pushing, it will damage her relationship with Rory beyond repair. Rory made it clear when she was talking to my sister that she wanted to marry me even if Lorelai was against it. Lorelai's not going to change her mind, but she may well alienate her daughter. I don't want to see them lose their relationship."