Not feeling like Kelly's this time around and wanting to avoid Joss as much as possible, Trina decided to make a Charlie's stop. Spencer was looking into registering for classes at PCU and then he was meeting with Diane to discuss the Cassadine family business. It seemed that his father was seriously MIA and it was going to be up to Spencer to take over until his father returned. He had always found such meetings boring and she knew that he would be in a bad mood, so she figured some of his favorite bar food would be just the thing to cheer her man up.

Trina smiled at that thought. Her man. She actually had a man!

Entering the bar, she happily waved at Kristina, happy to see a familiar face on duty.

"Trina, hi! Congratulations on you and Spencer. Daddy said that you two got married," Kristina greeted her new cousin-in-law.

"Yes, we just recently got back from our honeymoon in Paris," Trina smiled, feeling dreamy about the memories of the city of love.

"Oooh, Paris! I bet it was super romantic."

"Oh, it definitely was. And Spencer...he's more romantic than you'd think. And I learned so much about what his life was like over there."

"I bet he showed you a lot of the nontouristy spots"

"He did, but we also did the touristy spots too. Be expecting a blu ray when we get it all organized and put together."

"I'm going to hold you to that, girl," Kristina smiled taking out her pencil and notepad. "So what can I get you?"

While Trina was putting in her order, she didn't notice an African-American girl about her age enter. Trina didn't notice her until she was standing next to her at the bar.

"Is the food in this place good?" The girl questioned, eyeing the day's specials that were scribbled on a chalkboard in Kristina's pretty handwriting.

"It's pretty good. Not as good as Kelly's but good," Trina shrugged, eyeing the girl curiously. "I haven't seen you around these parts before. Not that I know everyone here in Port Charles, but it's not that big of a town."

The girl chuckled. "Oh, I'm new here. I'm starting my sophomore spring semester at the local university. My family is from Port Charles though, even though we haven't lived here in years. I'm Reasia Ward. You might have heard of my family. My great-grandmother was Mary Mae Ward."

"That name does sound familiar…"

"We're the black relatives of the Quartermaines, rumor has it," Reasia rolled her eyes. "Not that I know much about the Quartermaines. We don't really talk about them much."

"You mean like Ned Quartermaine and Olivia? And Micheal...even though he goes by Corinthoes…"

"I guess...something tells me that family is more complicated than I'd want to be involved with," Reasia looked uncertain. She had told her mother that she would get in contact with the Quartermaines and see if they'd take her under their wing, but the people were strangers to her. She didn't really want to bother them.

"They're not that bad. They're a pretty friendly family really. There are worse families…"

Kristina came out with a teasing look in her eyes. "Yes, so says the girl that married into one of them."

"Oh come on, all of that is rumors! A weather machine?" Trina stared at Kristina, trying not to laugh. "The Cassadines are weird, but that's insane! And how dare you talk about your cousin's family like that."

"You married into the Cassadines? Even I have heard about them," Reasia stared.

Feeling a little defensive, Trina shrugged. "I married Spencer. He's not evil and insane. As far as I can tell all of that stuff is rumors…"

"Spencer's grandmother is Laura Collins, formerly Laura Spencer and she's always going up against that family," Kristina explained. "Oh, and I'm Kristina Davis by the way. Spencer's cousin."

"Reasia Ward….Laura Spencer...wait, I know her. My mother said she had brought great grandma's house…"

"Oh, that must be the house she's letting me and Spencer live in. It's really pretty. She had to remodel it though because there was a fire...but there's just something about that house. My Aunt Gia always says that houses hold memories...and I think it's true. The minute I stepped into that house, there was a sense of love and peace…"

"You wouldn't mind if I stop by sometime and see it, would you? I've heard so much about my great-grandmother. It'd be interesting to stand in a place where she once stood…"

"Sure. You can come over today if you like."

"I wouldn't want to impose…"

"You're not imposing. I'm mainly by myself today with Spencer being busy with registering for classes and looking into this family business thing. It'll be great to have some company," Trina smiled, thinking that some company will also keep her from missing her friendship with Joss too much. Over the past two days, she had found herself wanting to call Joss up or just see her, but then she'd remember that they weren't besties anymore and would decide against it. Plus, it was good to make new friends. Friends that wouldn't think of her as some sidekick.

"Ok...just let me get some food and I'll join you," Reasia accepted the offer. She usually didn't make a habit of going home with people she didn't know, but this girl seemed harmless and friendly and she did live in her great grandma's house. Besides, it was good to make new friends in the city that was to be her new home. She had been awfully lonely since her move here a month ago, so it felt good to finally be making a friend.

…..

The house of course was empty when Trina and Reasia Ward arrived. Trina unlocked the door and beckoned for her new friend to follow.

"It's not too big of a house. Perfect for a family, though. The neighborhood is pretty diverse too," Trina rambled, feeling as if she needed to fill the silence somehow.

Reasia looked around the house and then paused, feeling a sense of coming home. Trina was right. This place had a vibe about it. "I see what you mean...this place...it feels like home."

"Like you belong here, right?"

Reasia nodded. "Of course, it probably looks nothing like it used to."

"Well, Spencer's grandmother said she tried to keep the original look as best she could. She really loved this house back in the day. She was never able to sell it, even when she didn't need the space anymore. I take it that she was close to Mary Mae, at least that's the impression I got. God, I need to stop calling her Spencer's grandmother. Or Mayor Collins and just call her Laura."

"So she's the mayor?"

Trina giggled. "Yes. More like she's the heart of this town, really. She's so warm and friendly. This town is lucky to have her."

"Girl, you do get around, don't you?" Reasia smiled, amused.

Trina just shrugged. "I suppose I do. I better put this stuff up. Are you thirsty? I got juice, soda, tea…"

"Oh, I'm fine thank you. This really is a nice house. Is it just you and your husband?"

"For now. We're trying to get custody of his baby brother."

Reasia arched a brow. "So this is a marriage of convenience?"

"Eh...kind of started out that way, because I wanted to help him...but we were already on the way to being a couple and...well it's more than that now."

"I get it. Cool," Reasia smiled, her eyes still roaming the room, taking everything in.

"Let me show you around. Mind you, I'm not an expert on the house because I just moved in, but I think I can give a decent tour."

"I'd love that if it's not a problem."

"It's no problem at all. You've already seen the living room, next is the kitchen...and the garden out back."

…..

It was a long day for Spencer. He had gone to PCU and got registered for some business classes. Met with Diane and learned that he was indeed expected to take over for his father at Cassadine Industries. It was either do that or find someone to stand in for him. And now he was heading home to his wife. He was anxious to get home because all day he had felt like someone was following him. He'd look around, expecting to find Uncle Victor in the vicinity or a cop, but there was always no one there. He was seemingly alone. It was frustrating and now that he was done with his errands for the day, he just wanted to go home and forget about all of it.

He pulled into the driveway and was relieved to see that Trina's car was in the driveway, but was surprised to see his grandmother on the porch.

A happy smile brightened up his face as he got out of the car and ran into Laura's embrace. "Grandmother! What are you doing here?"

Laura laughed. "I wanted to drop by and see how the newlyweds are settling into married life. Is everything still going good?"

"It's great! I for one love married life. Trina is...amazing. There's no other word for her."

"I am so glad to hear that. I do worry about you young people."

"No need. We're fine," Spencer smiled, feeling bad for not telling his grandmother that he felt like someone had been tailing him all day, but he didn't want to worry her. "Do you want to come inside? I can make you a cup of tea…"

"You make tea?" Laura couldn't help but look skeptical.

"Well...actually I've watched Trina make tea...but it doesn't look too hard."

"Hmmm...well, I'm curious to try out tea made by my grandson. Lead the way."

Spencer smiled, feeling his anxiety over the prospect of being followed fade away. That was why he loved his grandmother so much. She was the first person in his world who had made him feel not only loved, but safe. He was always going to love her for loving him so unconditionally. She was probably the reason why he hadn't turned out any worse than he had.

Unlocking the door, he stepped into the house. "Trina, baby! I'm home!"

"You call her baby?" Laura grinned, her eyes warm with happiness for her grandson.

"I also call her queen. She calls me preppy," Spencer laughed.

"The fun part of coupledom. Nicknames," Laura chuckled.

"Spencer! You're home and with your grandmother! Good, there is someone here I want you both to meet!" Trina came out of the kitchen with Reasia right behind her. Reasia looked nervous as she walked in behind Trina and saw Spencer and Laura looking at her with curious eyes. "This is Reasia Ward! I was at Charlie's when we began talking and she told me her last name and I remembered you telling me that the Wards had a connection to the house, so I invited her over to see where her great-grandmother had lived."

Lauras gasped as her eyes widened in wonder. "You're Mary Mae's great-granddaughter? Of course you are, you resemble her greatly. How do you do, I am Laura Collins. I was close with Mary Mae and was devastated when she left us."

"You knew her?" Reasia stared in wonder.

"Yes. I even have some pictures of her if you want to see them."

"I'd love that...if it's no trouble," Reasia stammered. When she came here, she had no idea she'd get to see some pictures of her great-grandmother. "What was she like?"

Laura smiled, walking over to a bookshelf and pulling down a nice-sized photo album. She went back to the couch and patted the space next to her for Reasia to sit. "She was warm and inviting. Comforting and wise. And she could sing, let me tell you. She comforted me so much in my times of need. I'll never forget her."

Laura opened up the album and turned a couple of pages until she found what she was looking for. A picture of Mary Mae Ward looking elegant and regal as she stood before a microphone, ready to sing. There was another picture of Mary Mae with one arm around a young Laura and another around a blond little boy with longish hair.

"That is my son Lucky. He's overseas these days. He adored Mary Mae," Laura explained.

"She was so lovely. Thank you for showing me these."

"Oh you are very welcome," Laura's smile was full of warmth that made Reasia feel right at home, as if she belonged among these people who were somehow connected to her family. It was a stroke of luck, or divine intervention that she had run into Trina at Charlie's.

"Are you staying on campus?" Trina asked curiously.

"Yes. The dorms at PCU are really comfy. I love it there."

"Aren't they? That's where my address was before I moved here. I kind of miss it…"

Spencer's smile was sad, thinking that when Trina said she missed it, she meant that she missed her roommate. Despite his own anger at Joss, he hoped that down the line, the girls can repair their friendship. "Well, I'm your only roommate this time around, so hopefully you don't miss it too much."

"You're a lot more fun than my old roommate. I can tell you that much," Trina gave Spencer a flirty look that made him blush.

"My grandmother's here, Queen. Plus we have company," Spencer winked.

"Oooh, he calls you Queen? Nice and trained," Reasia laughed.

"You have to start early," Trina giggled.

Meanwhile, Laura was looking at her album with a thoughtful look. With a resolute nod, she removed the picture of Mary Mae Ward behind a microphone and handed it to Reasia. "Here, take this. She would want you to have it."

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly…"

"You are her family. I believe that she lead you here because this place is spiritually connected to your family. I truly believe that and this way, she'll always be with you."

Reasia blinked away her tears and smiled. "You are such a kind woman. Thank you so much. I wish I knew my great-grandmother. She seemed like such a great woman."

"Oh, she was. If you ever want to hear more about her, let me know and I'll tell you some stories."

Reasia's smile was grateful as she looked at Laura and the young couple who stood off to the side. She had a feeling that her great-grandmother had led her here, not only to find out more about her but to finally find friends that she could depend on.

(A/N: Introducing Reasia Ward, played by Riele Downs. I figured it'd be cool to not only give Trina a new friend her age but to reintroduce the Ward family.)