Finding Rory

Chapter 75: Just Meant to Be

"Hey, babe!  I'm home!" Rory called as she walked into the house and threw her keys onto the table next to the door Friday afternoon.  She'd spent the day with her mom and grandmother, Michelle, and her bridesmaids.  They'd found the perfect wedding dress for Rory and had also settled on dresses for her bridesmaids.  She had elected to choose a color and allow the girls to pick their own dress style, all of them happy to be able to choose something more casual that they could wear again after the wedding. 

They had wedding planned and finalized the invitations over lunch; Michelle had thrown around the impressive weight behind their combined last names in order to get them printed quickly so they could send them out.  They had even chosen suits for Tristan and his groomsmen so they could all go in and get measured.  It was coming together quite nicely.

"We're in the backyard," he called back.  Fitz and McKenna had arrived about an hour ago.  He had gotten them settled into one of the guest bedrooms and then they'd gone outside to sit by the pool and catch up.

Rory walked outside and Tristan stood and met her halfway across the patio.  He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her and then turned toward their guests.  "Fitz and McKenna, I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful fiance, Rory Gilmore, better known as Mary.  Rory, this is my roommate from military school, Jacob "Fitz" Fitzpatrick and his wife McKenna," Tristan said by way of introduction.

"Rory, it's great to finally meet you.  This one didn't shut up about you in military school, and we all swore that you couldn't possibly be real with the way he talked about you.  It's nice to see that you do actually exist," Fitz said with a laugh as he reached out and embraced her. 

"It's so wonderful to meet you both," Rory replied warmly.  "Tris has told me so much about your family.  I'm thrilled that you could come down for the weekend."

They all walked back over to where the group had been sitting before Rory got home and Tristan pulled Rory down into his lap.  She curled into him and kissed him lightly.

"Alright, I have to know how this happened," Fitz demanded playfully.  "Based on how Dugrey admitted to treating you in highschool, I can't imagine how the two of you got together."

Rory laughed and slapped Tristan playfully.  "He was pretty...intense...and annoying when we were at Chilton, but he'd changed when we reconnected.  We happened to run into each other at our reunion back in May.  We started spending time together as friends, and Tristan helped me through some really difficult things.  It wasn't long at all before we kissed.  That was it for me - the minute his lips touched mine I just knew that he was it for me.  He asked me to marry him on July 4th, and the rest is history," Rory replied, smiling as she thought back to their beginning.

"The rest isn't history, Mary - we're just beginning," he said sweetly.  He then turned his attention to Fitz and McKenna.  "What Rory didn't tell you is that we're getting married Labor Day weekend, and we would love for you to be there.  Fitz, I'd be honored if you'd stand up for me."

"Of course I will, man.  I'm really happy for you both.  The next thing you know you'll be starting a family and living like the rest of us old married couples," Fitz teased.

"Actually, on that note, we just found out that we're about six weeks pregnant with twins," Tristan beamed proudly. 

"No shit, man?!  Well, congratulations again on that front as well," replied Fitz.

"That's amazing news," McKenna agreed.  "You two seem absolutely perfect for each other."

"I've known Dugrey for a long time, but I've never seen him so...settled and devoted," Fitz chuckled.  "This is definitely a different side of him."

"What can I say?  There have been a few serious relationships, but no one else could compare to her," Tristan replied softly.

"I'm just grateful that we found each other again," Rory said sweetly.  "Now, you need to feed me because I'm hungry."

"Gilmore girls are amazing creatures, but you have to give them a constant supply of food and coffee," Tristan whispered conspiratorially.  "Alright, let's go.  There's a great Mexican place downtown that we love."

The two couples walked out to the car and took the short drive to Agave Grill.  Conversation flowed freely during the drive and their minimal wait for a table, and soon they were seated and ordering appetizers, sparkling water for Rory, and beers for the other three. 

As soon as their drinks were delivered, Fitz raised his bottle.  "I'd like to make a toast.  To my brother from another mother finally winning over his mythical Mary.  I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness," he offered. 

They all clinked glasses and drank up, enjoying their evening out.  McKenna and Rory talked enthusiastically about the upcoming wedding and McKenna told Rory all about the joys and trials of parenthood.  The two girls were fast friends, having immediately hit it off.  Tristan sat back and watched Rory interact with one of his closest friends and couldn't help but smile - he finally had the life he'd always hoped for but never believed possible.

"What are you smiling about?" Rory asked, noticing the look of complete joy on Tristan's face.

"This - it's all perfect.  You, me, our babies, my friends.  I'm one hell of a lucky man," he chuckled.

"You'd better not forget it, mister," Rory teased. 

"Consider this your first piece of marital advice - you have to remind him often," McKenna said with a laugh.

"Oh trust me, I will," Rory joked. 

"Believe me, I'm well aware of just how lucky I am.  You could still be with my cousin instead of marrying me," replied Tristan.

"I like to think that we still would have found our way together," Rory said softly.  "You and I are just meant to be."