Title: Strangers

Summary: Sequel to "Just Family". Rory is invited to the funeral of her grandfather. Will she go and risk facing Tristan again?

Disclaimer: I happen to own a few gorgeous posters of Chad.

A/N: I was so glad to read all those amazing reviews!!! I'm really happy there are still people interested in this story! Please all review! Merry christmas!

Chapter two:

Taking a deep breath she put her earrings in. Finished. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Apart from her eyes nothing showed that inside she was feeling like a nervous wreck. Her hair was curled expertly, the dress that clinged to her body screamed 'expensive' and her make-up was exactly where it should be. It made her feel a little safer. Even when the dress had costed more than she could afford she had still taken it, knowing that when she would face him again she needed everything she could to hold on and stay strong. The clothes, her looks, made her feel strong. Intouchable. Only her eyes gave away her true feelings. And, if one looked really close, they could see the little mark where she had bitten her lip, and the short nails she had bitten on. She hoped nobody would look that close.

Turning around she smiled upon seeing her son, jumping up and down the bed even though she had told him a million times not to. Memories flashed back, of a time long gone. Her jumping up and down on the bed together with her brother. Tristan. Her body still felt a yearning sensation as she thought back of him. Pain flashed through her heart and she bit her lip once more. It was almost like her son could feel the pain going through her body. He stopped jumping up and down and walked towards his mother, wrapping his arms around her waist and cuddling her stomach. She smiled again, her hands ruffling his hair, while her heart filled itself with joy and love. She wasn't alone. Not anymore. They hadn't broken her, and they never would.

No, they never would break her. Her thoughts wandered off for a moment, but the tugging at her dress made it obvious that the little boy wanted some attention too. She looked down, smiling again. He looked so handsome in his little tux.

Matthew Jayden DuGrey.

Matthew, because it meant God's gift and he was. He was her life-buoy when she thought she would drown in a sea of sorrow and misery.

Jayden, because her real maidenname had been Hayden, though she had never called herself that. Because finding out she had been adopted had made the love between her and Tristan possible, even if it was just for a little while. Jayden, because somehow it reminded her of Janlan, her grandfather, and Janlan had been Tristans' second name as well. DuGrey, because even if things had gone wrong he would always be the father of her baby. No matter how alone she was, when nobody wanted her to be family anymore, he still was. He was the son of their son, and nothing could change that.

"Are you okay mommy?"

Her eyes softened as she looked at her six year old son. He really was her gift. Her everything. She would never want him to feel like he was less special than that. So she wouldn't hide him from them. She would take him with her to the funeral and she would show the world her beautiful son.

She pressed her lips lightly on his forehead, cuddling him for a moment.

"I'm fine Jayden. I love you"

His blue eyes lightened up.

"I love you too"

His little hand slipped into hers as they walked to the car.

As soon as she entered the room people started whispering. Somehow, as young as Jayden was, he seemed to notice his mothers discomfort and he softly squeezed her hand for one second. She squeezed back, looking at him lovingly, and pretending not to care what other people thought. She knew that they would only have to cast one glance at her son and they would realize. Their eyes travelled between Rory and Jayden, still standing near the door, and a man standing at the other side of the room, with his back towards them.

When she noticed him she felt that familiar twinge in her stomach. She took a deep breath, prepared for anything. When he slowly turned around she bit her lip. She had been fooling herself. She hadn't been ready for this. For his blue eyes, taking her in coolly. For his blonde tousled hair that seemed to want her to run her hands through it.

She had thought she was over him.

She was wrong.

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