One month later…

Spencer stood in the doorway of what was to be his brother's nursery. Diane had called him and said that there may be a decision on the baby's custody sometime today and to be ready. He felt as ready as he was ever going to be.

"There you are," Trina came to stand behind him. She smiled as she looked at the decorated nursery. She and Spencer had spent days preparing the room for Ace. The wallpaper was blue and dotted with lions and tigers. The baby bed had blue bedding and there was a changing table and a chest of drawers for Ace's clothes and other baby supplies. They also had the place stocked with baby bottles and formula, pacifiers, teething rings, and the best diapers that money could buy. Everything was ready for the baby's arrival. "Are you excited? I am."

"I'm thinking of getting a nanny after all…," Spencer chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully. "We may need one with both of us going to school."

"I don't know...you had a point about him being raised by people that love him, not people that are paid to do so. I think a regular daycare should be good enough."

"Perhaps you're right. I'm trying to do things differently from my father. Hiring a nanny would just be doing what he had done," Spencer turned around and wrapped his arms around his wife, feeling blessed. "I hope the judge sees things our way. I really want my brother with us."

"I know you do. I do too. I've studied so much about babies. To not get custody now, all that knowledge will go to waste."

A knock on the door disrupted the comfortable silence of the house.

"Who can that be? Hopefully not Uncle Victor. I don't know why he keeps bothering us," Spencer sighed, releasing Trina to go answer the door.

"Maybe he's lonely."

Spencer stopped to look at her. "He's a Cassadine. We don't do lonely. Or at least we don't let on."

Trina just rolled her eyes and followed him downstairs, where he opened the door to Alexis, Kristina, and Molly.

"Hey, Aunt Alexis! This is a surprise," Spencer gasped in shock.

"Diane called me and told me there may be a decision about custody of the baby today. We thought that we'd drop in and show our support," Alexis smiled, pulling her great-nephew into a hug. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm incredibly nervous, but Trina's helping me keep it together," Spencer chuckled. "Come in, come in. I can put on some tea if you're hungry…"

"Oh, we're fine. No need to go to any trouble," Alexis waved away the offer.

Molly spotted Trina at the bottom of the stairs and immediately went over to her.

"So, you two have been married for a month now. How is it? Is the honeymoon still on?" Molly's smile was coy and teasing.

Trina nearly blushed and nodded. "It most definitely is. Spencer is amazing."

"How long does it take for them to come to a decision?" Spencer began to pace, feeling restless. "What if my bid is rejected? Then what? I can't…"

Suddenly Spencer's cell went off. Everyone froze, knowing that it may be Diane with the verdict on the other side.

"What should I do?" Spencer looked at Trina, feeling scared.

"Answer it. That's the only way we're going to find out the verdict," Trina urged, her eyes wide and anxious.

Spencer nodded and turned on his phone. He swallowed down his anxiety and tried to sound as calm as possible. "Spencer here. Yes? Mmm..what? Wait, why? How is that...yeah...yeah, I know. I know. I am, it's just...it's not exactly what I wanted. Is there any way to appeal? Mmm….you're right...I understand. Thank you, Diane. We appreciate everything you've done for us. Good-bye," Spencer sighed as he hung up, disappointment was clear all over his face and in his posture.

"Oh no, we lost?" Trina frowned, feeling bad for Spencer. She knew how badly he wanted his brother with him and away from Esme.

"We're only getting partial custody. They don't want to take him completely away from his mother, yet

they want to keep his paternal relations intact. They feel that shared custody is best for him," Spencer sighed, feeling like he wanted to punch something. "Diane wants to meet up tomorrow at grandmother's so we can hammer out the details. Damn, this is not what I wanted at all! I wanted full custody and no visitation rights so we can be rid of Esme once and for all! Now we're stuck with her!"

"I know that partial custody is not what you wanted Spencer, but it is better than no custody at all. At least this way, you do have some influence on how Ace grows up."

"And now I won't even be able to change his name to Nikolai," Spencer grumbled.

"Baby, I think you should just let the name issue go," Trina walked up behind him and began to massage his shoulders, noticing how tense he was.

"I'm sorry Spencer. I know that this is a long way from what you wanted, but it's not a total loss. Ace will still get to live with you, part of the time. That's something," Alexis tried to comfort her nephew, knowing that her words probably didn't help.

"She'll still get a chance to manipulate him and use him as a pawn in her games. That's what really makes me angry," Spencer huffed, folding his arms over his chest.

"Maybe not," Trina walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her cheek against his back. "We have him part-time. We'll be able to tell if she tries something and we can correct it. The important thing is that we...keep our heads and keep the peace. We have to be the...sane ones in Ace's life. Which means, peacefully co-existing with Esme. Peacefully co-parenting with her, yet keeping an eye out for any sign that her memory has returned. For Ace's sake."

Spencer sighed, admitting that Trina was right. He hated it, but she was right. There was no choice but to make peace with Esme if they were going to give Ace the childhood that he deserved. He returned his wife's embrace and looked into her eyes, feeling sad. "I'm sorry about this…"

"What?"

"That Esme is still going to be a part of our lives. That you'll still have to deal with seeing her, after all she's done to you. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to divorce me and walk away right now. I'm certainly not worth any of this."

Trina frowned, feeling tears in her eyes. She placed a hand against his cheek. "Hey, there's no need for you to be sorry. Let's not forget, it was I that wanted to marry you. This was all my decision and I don't regret it at all. I've never felt so loved and secure as I do when I'm with you. And for your information, you are worth everything. Don't you know that? I'd walk through the bowels of hell for you…"

"Don't say that," Spencer felt tears in his eyes as he saw the truth in her eyes. She meant every word she was saying and it was taking his breath away.

"It's the truth. I am so in love with you, Spencer. You are worth all the smoke and more. I'd face off with a thousand Esme's if it meant being with you."

Alexis watched the scene and smiled, wrapping her arms around Kristina. "Find someone that looks at you the way she looks at your cousin."

"I certainly will," Kristina smiled.

"I've already found mine," Molly sighed, thinking of TJ.

Spencer turned to Alexis, needing more advice. "So...what now? We just meet with our lawyers and decide what days we get him?"

"That's about it," Alexis nodded with a sad smile. "I'm so sorry that you didn't get exactly what you wanted."

"That's ok, Aunt Alexis. It's not your fault. At least my brother isn't totally at Esme's mercy. We'll just have to figure out a way to protect him," Spencer sighed.

"It's also a plus that Esme is stuck staying with Laura. She'll be able to keep an eye on things on that end, at least for the time being," Alexis nodded.

"Hopefully, when she goes on trial, they'll send her to Pentonville," Trina nodded. "We'll most likely get Ace full-time then."

"Poor Nikolai," Spencer sighed, releasing Trina to walk over to the window to look outside. "I promised him a home."

"And he'll get one. Every time he's with us, he'll have a normal, stable home."

"We better go, I guess. We just wanted to be here for the news," Alexis placed a supportive arm on Spencer's shoulder. "Don't despair too much, Spencer. Things aren't so bad. You have a beautiful wife now and a nice house to live in. And your brother will be with you. Look at the positives."

Spencer managed a smile. "Thank you, Aunt Alexis, for everything."

"Call me or the girls if you should need anything," Alexis smiled before leading Kristina and Molly back to her car, leaving Trina and Spencer alone to process the news.

"That was nice that they came over," Trina smiled, wrapping her arms around her husband once again. "Look, I know that you're disappointed, but this is also a win. Let's celebrate by going to Kelly's. I am in the mood for their giant hot fudge brownie sundaes. We can share."

"That would be nice," Spencer smiled, deciding to indeed not despair at the setback, but rejoice that he did get his brother, even if it was only part-time. "Alright. Let's go. A giant sundae is just the thing to lift my spirits."

"That's my Preppy," Trina giggled, kissing his cheek before going to search for her car keys.

"We're taking my car, by the way, Queen. It's a nice day. A sundae, then a ride with the hood down."

"Now that is a plan," Trina took his arm and allowed him to escort her out the door.

…..

As Trina and Spencer went about their day, Spencer frowned as he felt the eyes on him once again. It had been going on for a few weeks now, but never when Trina was with him. But now she was and the thought of him being followed and something happening while she was with him, made his blood run cold.

Trina frowned, noticing her husband's tension. "What's wrong? You've been tense since we left Kelly's."

At that moment, they had been taking a walk through one of Port Charles's most scenic parks. They were on one of the more secluded trails. Spencer, who had been holding Trina's hand now wrapped a protective arm around her and pulled her closer. He looked around for any sign of their stalker, but as always, he didn't see anyone.

"Remember when I told you that I felt like someone's been following me? For the past few weeks now?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I think they're at it again...but I don't see anyone," Spencer explained.

Trina looked around too, looking for any clue. She was about to give up when she thought she spied a shadow behind a tree further back along the trail. She pulled away from Spencer, wanting to take a closer look. "I think I see someone…"

"Where?"

Trina didn't answer. She just made her way over to the tree, but when she got there, whoever had made the shadow seemed to be gone. "Damn it, they're gone…"

"Trina!" Spencer ran up to her and roughly grabbed her, stopping himself from shaking her. "Don't do that! We don't know who that is! It could have been some kidnapper or someone dangerous! Don't go investigating, especially without me!"

"Spencer…"

"I lost Britt, I lost my father, I will not lose you! Do you hear me I won't…," He just pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "I won't lose you!"

Trina wrapped her arms around him, hearing the fear in his voice. "Hey, relax. It's fine. I'm fine. Whoever it was is gone."

"Don't scare me like that," Spencer didn't let her go. He couldn't. Just the thought of something happening to her destroyed him.

"I'm sorry...I...I didn't think it was dangerous. I still don't. It could be anyone. It could be Esme…"

"Esme is on house arrest, which is why we have to go to grandmother's tomorrow for the custody arrangements. Ugh, I still can't believe she had gotten partial custody," Spencer sighed, finally releasing her from his tight embrace.

"I know, I know. Look, let's go home. Whoever it was following is most likely gone and we need to continue to process that you have to share custody with Esme. Worrying about a stalker is not going to help."

"You're right there. It's too bad that our day out seems to be spoiled. It was nice for a small hike."

Trina's smile was a little sad. "It was. But that's ok. At least we're still together."

"That we are," Spencer smiled, leaning down to kiss his wife one more time before leading her out of the park.

Further back, once they were gone, a man stepped out from behind an oak tree and frowned, not happy with the news that he had just heard.

…..

The older man jumped as his companion returned to the cottage, slamming the door behind him. He turned to glare at the angry younger man derisively.

"What is the meaning of this recent show of anger? I've allowed you to return to tailing the boy. You should be happy. What is this about?"

"That bitch has partial custody of my son! What was that judge thinking?! Now she can use my son as a pawn against my family! This cannot be allowed! It's time to show ourselves! It's time I take back my place as the Cassadine heir!"

"Nikolas, are you insane? That stunt you had pulled with the girl means that your revealing yourself can lead to trouble! I did not rescue you from the likes of Olivia Jerome, just for you to barge back into the trouble that your mistakes have caused! Now, I allowed you to follow Spencer, knowing that you had this need to be close to your oldest, and I do plan for us to reveal ourselves...when the time is right. The time is not right, right now. We need to neutralize Victor!"

"Well, Uncle Stefan, you better hurry up and neutralize him, because I can't take this much longer! Spencer may hate me, but he needs me and so does my baby! If I can't have my family here in Port Charles...well, Cassadine Island is still habitable."

"There you go. Now you're thinking like a Cassadine," Stefan Cassadine smiled. It may have taken decades for him to return to the land of the living and return to his nephew, but it was well worth the wait. With Luke Spencer gone, and soon Victor will be out of the way, he can return to his family alongside Nikolas and make the Cassadine name great again.