Title: Strangers

Summary: What happens after they find out their parents have prevented them from seeing each other? Is Rory going to come clean about her fake husband?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and this immensely cute boy called Jayden.

Important: I know that some of you had probably already given up on updates for this or any other story I have written. Thing is, I can't write or type anymore since my wrist can't be operated on and it feels like a knife gets stabbed into my wrist whenever I type for a long time. So, I am relying on my boyfriend or other people to type up my stories. Unfortunately we have all been very busy with school and moving house. Plus my grandfather died and I suffered from a really bad depression. I hope you forgive me.

"Tristan..."

Rory started, unsure of what to say and how to explain this horribly messed up situation. Tristan smiled regretfully.

"Don't. I know that it would probably be too awkward. Maybe our parents aren't narrowminded. Maybe they represent the general society. If you're happy like this...I mean, I wouldn't want to do anything that made that precious boy feel anything but good about himself."

"Nobody would have to know. They would just see you as his father. Not..."

"You can say it Ror. I know how it feels. You blame yourself sometimes, don't you? Feel dirty?"

Rory nodded, her tearfilled eyes focused on the ground until he gently cupped her chin and forced her to look at him.

"Just tell me what you want. I will do anything. If you want me to stay out of your life...if you've finally got everything you wanted...just tell me and I'll leave."

Her hand caught hold of his, she pressed his fingers to her lips as a tear fell on his hand. He looked at her. Really looked at her. It pained him to see that his beautiful Rory was crying. He was finally with her again, and it seemed too short. He did not want to leave. He wanted to be with her, to be there for her. He wanted to marry her and raise Jayden together and wake up next to her when he was 80. He loved her so much that the thought of having to live without her hurt every fibre of his being. And yet he would do it for her. He would stay away if that could make her happy. He would do anything for her.

"Don't leave. Don't stay away. I've spent seven years without you. I don't want to spend another 50 years knowing that I said goodbye to the best thing that ever happened to me."

She looked at him. Blue eyes locked. Neither of them felt the need to look away. Their hands intertwined as they both took a step closer to the other.

"I'm the best thing that ever happened to you?"

His voice sounded gentle, if not a little hoarse. She smiled, a pretty smile he had never expected to see again. His heart skipped a beat and for a moment he wanted nothing more than to devour her lips. One second he experienced pure bliss. Hope for a future he had not expected. Love, for the girl he had lost over and over again in his mind. For one single moment he was truly happy. Until he remembered her husband.

Tristan put a finger to her lips as she was about to answer him, shaking his head regretfully.

"Don't answer that. You shouldn't give me hope."

His finger traced her luscious lips. The lips he would never again kiss.

"You're married."

She shook her head, as if trying to deny the truth. As if she was trying to get him to stay. Trying to get him to ignore the real world and live once again the fantasy. The dream.

"I'm not..."

He shushed her once again, not wanting to hear whatever heartbreaking thing she was about to say. She took his hand and kissed his fingertip before putting it down on her chest, right above her heart.

"Do you feel the beat?"

She whispered softly, her small hands trembling. He nodded.

"It's beating for our family. For me and Jayden...and for you."

He smiled sadly and started:

"And for your husband. Don't forget him."

She shook her head, her arms somehow having ended up around his neck, so that their bodies touched completely. Her breath tickled his neck as she brought her lips up to his ear.

"The only one I would ever marry is you..."

And just when he thought things couldn't get better...she kissed him.