This is a short story based on characters that I do not own and references to established works.
"The Two Anniversaries"
"Happy anniversary, baby," Trina said softly, as she moved the hair that somehow ended up in the middle of her husband's forehead-being very careful not to wake him up. Sometimes, she just loved watching him-whether he was sleeping or reading or doing whatever. Spencer meant the world to her and she never tired of being able to catch him in little moments like this.
"We made it, another year," Trina said smiling as she snuggled up closer to Spencer. This was her happy place- no matter the date. Here with Spencer, her twin-soul, her one true love, is where she always wanted to be. There were so many times in the past when she feared that this would not be their final destination. She shuddered to think about those obstacles and people who nearly destroyed their happiness before it could really grow and develop.
She thought back, in particular to their second anniversary-not of their wedding (which was today) but, of their first time meeting that night at the Savoy. During the two years after that first meeting, they had gone through more than most couples celebrating an actual ten-year wedding anniversary do. Almost, or was it exactly, two months earlier to that day two years ago, Trina thought that she had lost Spencer for good.
The Greenland skies lit up from the drone explosion that had zeroed in on the Haunted Star-the ship where Spencer was. Trina bristled just remembering the explosion. But, he survived and they survived-at least for a while. When they returned home to Port Charles, she really thought that they were going to make it. And for a while, it looked like they would-until it didn't.
Esme had been the reason for so many of their problems, but Trina really thought that their time in Greenland had made their union untouchable. Unfortunately, it hadn't. After a particularly brutal argument, which resulted in her leaving Spencer bruised in a bar, Spencer found himself being cared for by Esme. That night, Trina would soon learn, brought up memories for Spencer of his "first love". When Trina finally decided the next day-their second anniversary- to seek out Spencer at Laura's, she was not met by her future husband, but by the one who always seemed to find a way to block any forward movement for Spencer and Trina. It was Esme who opened the door.
"Hi," Trina said. "Is Spencer awake?" she asked.
"No, he's not," Esme responded. "And honestly, I hope that he doesn't wake up for a while. He needs his rest after that beating he took last night. He was in so much pain. I'm surprised that he was able to make it back here on his own," Esme rattled on, trying her best to strike a nerve in Trina. Unfortunately, she was succeeding in doing just that.
After she got to Joss's last night, Trina felt horribly guilty for leaving her boyfriend like that. And now standing there listening to her worst enemy, amnesia or not, made Trina feel even worse than she had before. It was guilt that had brought her to see her boyfriend so early. That's why, despite what Esme was attempting, Trina was determined to see him.
"Yes, I know. I was there. So, can I...? Trina started.
"You were there for all of it?" Esme questioned, continuing to egg Trina on. "Didn't you see that he was hurt or had you already left? Because I don't know how anyone who supposedly cares for someone could have left them in such bad shape!" Esme finished.
Trina was fuming. "Look, Esme. I did not come here to discuss what happened between Spencer and me with you. In fact, it's actually none of your business!"
"Well, I beg to differ, Trina. It became my business when I saw my son's other caretaker hurt. It also became my business when I had to take care of Spencer last night. After seeing that nasty bruise, there was no way that I was going to rest easy. But, you look like it didn't get in the way of your rest one little bit," Esme smirked.
That did it. Trina could no longer contain herself. Esme was the reason for all of this. There would have been no bar brawl had it not been for Esme because they would not have needed to go to that bar if they had not been looking for clues about Esme's purchase of the burner phone. Trina snapped, "You psycho!" and slapped Esme across the face-HARD.
The hard slap and Esme's wail were loud enough to wake both Cassadine brothers. Ace was the first to wake by screaming at the top of his lungs, which caused Esme to run to his room. Hearing two sets of wails, Spencer came rushing down the steps, as best as he could, while still gripping his bruised side.
"Trina, what's going on?" he shouted, as he rushed by her to go check on Ace. Trina just stood there and watched Spencer pass her by. She couldn't believe what she had done. She always tried to take the high road when it came to Esme, but something was different this time. What was it? Why was this time different? Trina slowly realized why it was different-Esme was not wrong in what she had said. Trina had left a hurt Spencer to fend for himself and if Esme was the one who had been able to offer him comfort, then that was on her.
Within moments, Spencer, with Ace in his arms, and Esme returned to the living room.
Trina didn't know what to say. Esme had done too much to her-there was no way on earth that she was going to apologize. So, knowing that something should be said, Trina asked, "Is Ace ok?"
"Is Ace ok? That's all that you have to say? Look at my face!" Esme screamed at Trina.
"Esme, be quiet. I'm trying to calm Ace down," Ace interjected.
"Well, Spencer, my son would not need to be calmed down if it wasn't for your irrational girlfriend! Now, if you don't mind, I'll take my son myself and try to undo this damage," Esme snapped, as she glared at Spencer, while removing Ace from his arms.
Trina remembered that morning years ago very well. She and Spencer just stood there in silence-neither wanting to be the first to wave the white flag.
Trina finally broke, "How are you feeling?"
"Not well," Spencer answered brusquely.
The silence between the two was deafening.
"Why are you here, Trina? When last we spoke, I was selfish and entitled. Oh, and let's not forget, a jerk that you can't stand. Did I forget anything?" Spencer asked harshly.
Trina was taken aback by Spencer's attitude towards her. It was usually Spencer who was always ready to apologize-oh, that's right. He tried, but she had refused it.
"Spencer, I really want to know how you're feeling," Trina said softly.
"Well, Trina, it seemed as though I was the ONLY one you didn't care about last night! You defended your best friend, Joss and Dex, her not neanderthal boyfriend. But me, your so-called boyfriend, you light into and leave in pain! So, excuse me for wondering where this concern comes from," Spencer said with disdain in his voice.
"Spencer, I...I'm really...," Trina started.
At that moment, Esme returned-as if on cue-with a fidgety Ace. "I think he needs you, Spencer," she said as she placed him in Spencer's arms making sure that Trina was fully focused on their seeming closeness.
"Trina, Ace needs me now. Maybe we can talk later, but right now Esme needs my help," Spencer said as he soothed Ace, while Esme stood beside him looking like a proud mother and-if you didn't know it-wife.
As she walked out, Trina couldn't believe what had just happened. There in bed with Spencer now, Trina bristled thinking back to what was not to be their lowest point after that morning.
Esme, encouraged by Portia, convinced Spencer to take parenting classes with her. When the classes started, Spencer was still wary of Esme, but as the weeks went on, he began to remember what had attracted him to her at boarding school. He was less disgusted by her.
In the meantime, as Trina Cassadine continued to reflect, she and Spencer began to grow farther apart. The comment that she made about Greenland basically never happening had hurt him. That time had meant so much to him and Trina had thrown it away with her words. They tried to get back where they were, until there was no more use. Esme and Ace were Spencer's world now. Trina had faded into the background.
While this destroyed Trina, Portia was over the moon. Her plan had worked. Spencer was basically out of Trina's life for good. So, now she could get her life back.
One day, while completing work for her fellowship at the Chuck, Trina was surprised to see Spencer. They had barely spoken since July.
"Hi," Trina said when he approached her.
"I have something for you," Spencer said, handing her a letter. Trina was internally saddened by his failure to respond in their usual way after time away from each other.
"What is it? I mean, I see that it's a letter, but what's in it?" Trina asked.
"You'll see when you read it. The only things I ask are that you not read it until you are alone, you burn it after you read it, and you don't let anyone know that I gave it to you or what was in it. Can you do that? I used to mean something to you, so for that person, can you do that?" Spencer asked..
Trina felt herself about to cry, but she controlled it. She had cried too many tears over Spencer Cassadine. No more would be shed. "Sure, I can do that."
That would be the last time that she would see Spencer for quite some time. But the letter and its contents allowed her to deal with his absence, although she could not let on to anyone-per his request.
When she returned home, she went to her room and readied herself to read the letter from the one who she still loved, despite never telling him. That had been her biggest regret in all of this-that Spencer never got to hear those words from her. So, she began to read his letter:
Dear Trina,
Before I say anything else, I want you to know that I love you and that I've always loved you. I could not bear the thought of Esme getting away with everything she did to you, so I had to do something. I decided to use the argument at the bar as an excuse to distance myself from you and get closer to Esme. I hate even writing those words, but I had to do something. But, please know that we never, ever became physical. There were times when she seemed like she wanted to try, but luckily when there's a baby around, it's nearly impossible to do anything, other than to take care of all that the baby needs. No one knew, no one could know. She had to let her guard down and she did-not completely, but just enough for me to know how to proceed. Finally, I got enough to know where specifically I had to go in Canada. I'm going to see what I can find out about her time there. It may take a while, but know that I will be coming back to and for you.
Love, Spencer
When Trina finished reading the letter, she cried. She held the letter close to her chest and then, kissed the letter and did as instructed, burned it. Knowing what she knew was going to make those months both easier and harder to get through.
During the time that Spencer was gone, Trina remembered, Esme always seemed to take great pleasure in seeing Trina hurt. That changed a few months later, when Spencer returned and headed straight to the PCPD. Esme had been very busy between Canada and Port Charles, and between what Spencer had discovered, along with the PCPD, Esme would be making some serious jail time. It seemed as if her penchant for drugging people didn't end with drugging Oz Haggerty. There were witnesses, survivors, and dupes who helped in her schemes who had made deals and were not hesitant to turn on her. Before he would see Trina, Spencer had to ensure that Esme would be going away for a good long time, and in the end, she did. She still had at least another decade to serve.
"Why are you thinking about this of all days?" she wondered. She shook the thoughts of those terrible times out of her mind. Now, ready for her sleeping husband to wake up, Trina blew hard on the hair at his forehead. This time, he started to wake. He looked at his wife and said, "Happy Anniversary. Looks like we made it!"
"We sure did. Now, where's my present?" Trina asked as she sat up in bed and giggled. Spencer had always been a great gift-giver, so she was eager to see what she would get. Last year, for their first anniversary, which is paper, he gave her a round-trip plane ticket to Paris, where they stayed for seven glorious days. As the curator for the Chuck, Trina was also able to view some art exhibits that might benefit the gallery. Trina wasn't sure how he could top that this year with cotton being the gift for a second year anniversary. But, she was ready to see what it was. He rolled out of the bed and went down the hall. Moments later, he returned with a huge bag. He loved seeing how happy she was-just based on the anticipation.
"Well, it's our second wedding anniversary and that's cotton. So, I think you'll like it," Spencer said.
"It? This big bag is for an it and not a them?" Trina questioned jokingly, as she grabbed for the bag.
"Before you open it, I just want you to know how much I love you," Spencer declared. "The night I met you, six years ago, has to be the best night of my life."
"Spencer, I love you, too and I'm so glad that you fought for us beginning on our "first" "second anniversary". Who knows what would have happened had you not gone away all those weeks to..." Trina replied.
"No, those weeks and months apart-including the ones leading up to me leaving-were the worst of my life. I knew that it had to be done. I know that it worked and I know that we're all the better for it, but I don't want to give it any of our energy-not on this day," Spencer said.
"I understand," Trina said. "So, let's move on to the present." Trina pulled out a beautiful cottn robe with her initials, TRC, stitched on the back. "It's beautiful and it feels amazing!" Trina responded and sealed it with a kiss.
"You're not done yet, Mrs. Cassadine. "Look in the right hand pocket," Spencer instructed.
Trina pulled out a tiny jewelry box and opened it. Inside were a pair of earrings in the shape of doves-yes, the matching doves that they shared.
"Spencer, they're beautiful-but, where's the cotton?" Trina asked.
"No, this gift represents our two years married," Spencer answered.
"Ah, clever. Well, I love them and they're absolutely gorgeous," Trina declared.
"How'd I do with your gifts?" Spencer asked.
"You did good. You did very good," Trina said.
"Great, now I'll wait to be blown away by my beautiful wife's gift," Spencer said as Trina left the room. Trina returned with a bag that was not quite as big as Spencer's had been, but it was big. Spencer reached in, as Trina snuggled up closer to him. She seemed almost as excited as Spencer was for his own gift.
Spencer reached in and looked confused, as he slowly pulled out a pair of cotton socks-more specifically, a pair of cotton baby socks-baby booties! Trina kept her eyes on Spencer's face. She wanted to see his honest reaction. They had talked about being parents one day, and they weren't doing anything to prevent it from happening and they certainly were doing everything that needed to be done for it to happen-on a very frequent basis. So, how would he react? She wasn't quite sure-hopeful, but unsure.
That uncertainty didn't last long. Spencer turned to Trina and gave her the biggest smile and a most gentle hug.
"Trina, are you...?
"We, Spencer, are very much pregnant. Next year on our anniversary, we'll have company. So, how do you like your anniversary gift?" Trina asked sweetly.
"What do I think? Trina, I think it's epic and I can't wait!"
"Epic, indeed," Trina repeated, and they sealed the news and the day with a kiss.