With just over twelve hours to spend together, Rory and Tristan knew that they had no time to waste. Rory quickly wrote a note to Lorelai about going out with Tristan and to call her cell number if she should need anything. Their first stop was Tristan’s Grandpa’s house so that he could change.
Rory waited for him in a room towards the back of the house. Tristan had walked her through the house, where she could see rooms that look much like her grandmothers, but when they reached this room it was like walking into another world. He explained how his grandmother had came from a middle class family, and that she wanted to have a living room. A room where the kids could play and they could watch TV. It was a cozy room with white walls, and family vacation pictures all around. Most of which had Tristan and his grandfather fishing or building sand castles in. Though the couch was of fine leather, it was still very comfy and down to earth. Rory thought she was sitting in house from Star’s Hollow, that’s how comfortable it made her feel. She didn’t bother turning on the TV, but rather continued to look at the pictures.
“My dad never did like this room; he says it is too shabby looking.” Tristan said from the door way.
“I’ve never seen such a warm and inviting room. I’m guessing you played a lot in here while growing up.” Rory said while turning and smiling at him.
“My grandparents spend more time in here, than anywhere else in the house. Whenever I stayed with them, while my parents were on some business meeting, my grandfather and I would play board games while my grandmother worked on the quilt she was determined to finish. It was not socially right for them to act like such, but they never seemed to care. They do what the Hartford society tells them to do, but yet have this secret world all to themselves.”
“If you spent so much time here, why then were you so determined to be the rich snob at school?” Rory asked him in confusion.
“Mary, you still are innocent when it comes to Hartford society. My father did not like me coming to this house, so they hired more and more nannies to watch me, while they traveled the world. My grandfather and I were and are still close, I still had to keep my place in society according to my father. I acted like my father wanted me to, and when I stopped doing that he sent me away. It’s alright that he did just that, because I’m a better person now than I ever could have been if I still went to Chilton.”
Rory thought she understood where he was coming from, but what he said about her not truly understanding Hartford society was right. She could never understand how parents could choose society over their children.
“Let’s not talk of family or society anymore. Why don’t we go into Hartford, walk in the park, and just go where ever else the wind may take us."
The afternoon was spent walking through the park holding hands. They talked a little but not overly much, focusing more on them being together right now. If they talked to much they knew that they would have to talk about him leaving to return to North Carolina. They stopped in a small café for lunch, where they ate sandwiches and drank coffee. By three o’clock Hartford was getting busy with the Sunday crowds, so they headed back to Star’s Hollow.
Rory walked Tristan around the town, giving him a complete tour of the four block town that she loved. Lorelai suggest that they take a boat out onto the lake. Tristan paddled to the middle of the lake then stopped so they could just float along.
“Rory we need to talk about this.” Tristan said.
“I know.” Rory said while staring down into the water.
“I can’t leave like last time. I won’t just leave you here to forget about me.”
“I never forgot about you.” Rory said in shock as she looked into his eyes.
“Then what are we going to do?”
“Come to Yale with me.” Rory said firmly with just hint of shyness in her voice.
“Ok, but that is still months away.” Tristan said without hesitation.
“Write and call as much as we can. Maybe between your grandfather and you, your parents will let you come home for the summer.” Rory said with tears in her eyes. “Then we can see each other and plan for the start of school in the fall.”
“I’ll try it if you will.” Tristan said while wiping away her tears.
“There is no trying, just doing it. I can’t loose you now that I found you.”
They floated for a few more minutes, before Tristan started paddling towards shore. It was getting close to six, so they had just enough time to get something to eat, before having to head back to Hartford.
Luke was happy to see them, and asked them about the dance. It surprised Rory to see Luke so happy, but she knew that he was glad to have helped her out. Even if he didn’t know the consequences that the perfect prom night had. They both ate in silence when they were not conversing with someone from the town. When they were finished eating, Tristan said a quick thank you to Luke for helping out the night before, and then they headed back to Rory’s house. Tristan gave Lorelai a hug and kiss on the cheek for everything she did over the last few weeks, and then the two were off to Hartford.
Their first stop was at Tristan’s Grandparents house. They were two of the most happily married people Rory had ever met. When Tristan introduced her, they both pulled her into a hug and said how lucky Tristan was to have such a great girl in his life. Rory was a little shy around them, but was glad for the welcome. After Tristan grabbed his bag from upstairs, he hugged his grandparents goodbye and said thank-you to them for helping him come home for the weekend.
As they approach the airport Rory knew her time with Tristan was up. Why couldn’t they have formed this relationship while they were both in Chilton? Why couldn’t Tristan stay in Hartford? Why was she always saying goodbye to him?
They walked in together. Tristan checked his bag in, and they sat waiting for his flight to be called. At 11:30 Tristan stood up and pulled Rory up with him. He held her tight and whispered into her ear, “I’m not saying goodbye this time.”
“Good because I don’t want to say it either.” Rory said with tears running down her cheek.
“Grandpa said that he would get me home for the summer, no matter what my father say’s. Maybe my Fairy-God Mothers will help out this time.” He said in attempt to cheer her up.
“And I will call you as soon as I can.” Rory said while kissing him lightly.
“Rory you will always be my Mary.” Tristan said kissing her one last time before heading towards his airplane.