It was the night of the masquerade ball. Trina stood before her floor-length mirror and looked at her reflection. Her dress, fashioned in the style of Anastasia's ball gown from the cartoon was all pink and gold. A crown was set on top of the pile of ebony curls that Trina's hair was styled in. A sparkly mask of glitter and pearls hung from her hands that were encased in pink gloves that went up to her elbows. She was a lovely sight and looked the very picture of a Disney princess, at least in Spencer's opinion.

Spencer considered his costume fashioned after the last Russian Czar, but Trina referred to it as the suit that the prince from Cinderella wore, which made Spencer good-naturedly roll his eyes. The suit did match Trina's in color and he too had a mask made of glitter and pearls.

Looking at Spencer, Trina couldn't help but admire him. He was truly one of the most handsome men in Port Charles if not the whole world and he was hers! Something that she sometimes had a hard time believing. How did she get so lucky to catch his attention?

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Spencer laughed, catching her gaze once again.

"Because you really are what you look like right now. An incredibly handsome prince and I have to wonder why you had picked me when you could have had anyone that you wanted. Even a gorgeous supermodel who looks like police commissioner Jordan."

"Our police commissioner is incredibly hot. If I was older…"

"Spencer!" Trina laughed, knowing that he wasn't serious.

"Well, she is...but not as hot as you are, my beautiful queen. I picked you because you're you, Trina. Remember what I said to you when we had our first kiss? In Ava's gallery after the truth about your paternity came out? That's why."

Trina just shrugged and went to pick up her purse.

"Really, I wish that you could see yourself through my eyes. I really do."

"So do I," Trina sadly smiled. "But just as long as your love is an undeniable fact, I'm good."

"Good, because it is. It's something that you never need to doubt. No matter what," Spencer kissed her hands and smiled. "Now, your pumpkin awaits. Shall we go?"

"Let me check on Ace one last time and we're off to the ball at last," Trina giggled, really feeling like she was indeed Cinderella, except there was no glass slipper and her ride won't turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

…..

Gia was the first to arrive at the address that was on the invitation. She was dressed in a silver gown with a mask that had feathers framing the edges. Her braided hair was pulled up into an intricate bun. She handed the invitation to the doorman and entered the brightly lit mansion and made her way into the ballroom. Her eyes widened with delight at the sight of bubbles that floated through the air and the beautiful chandeliers on the ceiling. Spotting the refreshment table, she made her way over and eyed what was offered, feeling her own stomach grumble with hunger.

"I take it that you like the pigs in the blankets," a slightly familiar voice spoke up from behind.

Frowning, Gia turned around to see a man just an inch taller than her standing behind her. He was wearing a mask that reminded her of the mask from Phantom of the Opera. He was also dressed in a black tuxedo with a cape flowing from the shoulders. The only thing she saw of his face was his mouth, which looked familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"Oh, I love them. They're especially good with barbecue sauce...but I doubt there's any of that here," Gia smiled, now forgetting the food. Who needs food when there's a could be a handsome man wanting her attention?

"Hmmm, it seems that we did not think of everything, I fear," the man chuckled.

"Oh, you're one of the owners of this place? You're throwing this party?"

"Kind of. My Uncle is the one in charge of all this. I'm not one to throw forays such as this one. So...how long have you been in town?"

"A while. Came to see my niece, who just married into a family I rather she hadn't. But she's in love, so who am I to get in the way?"

"What family did she marry into that has you so...concerned?"

"The Cassadines. Have you heard of them? Most of them are insane, but...I dated the boy's father Nikolas...he wasn't so bad...until he got controlling but still...he was so noble and...ugh, I try not to think of that man anymore. Especially now that my niece is married to his son. Besides, I heard he's not the same person that he used to be. The man I knew would never have left his son, not for this long. The poor kid. He tries not to show it, but he misses his dad. At least according to Trina...and I'm shutting up now. None of that is my business. Not any longer. Whatever is in Nikolas's Cassadine's bonnet is no longer my concern."

"But you still care?"

"Well...we were engaged...and a part of me will always love him, so yeah. I still care. A little."

The stranger just chuckled and took her hand in his and raised it to his lips for a soft kiss. "You are as compassionate as you are beautiful. I hope that you enjoy the ball, Sparky."

The man then dropped her hand and turned to hurry away, leaving Gia blinking in shock, because only one person had called her that in all her life. "What the hell?"

…..

Trina's eyes grew round as they pulled up in front of the huge estate. They grew even bigger when they entered and saw all the decorations and the mask-wearing people in ball gowns and the fancy music. It was everything that her Cinderella-loving heart as a little girl had ever dreamed it would be. She held tight to Spencer's arm as he escorted her deeper into the room.

"Wow, this is fabulous! Look at all the gowns and the music! It's like I'm in a fairy tale or something!"

Spencer smiled, enjoying Trina's reaction. She was like a little girl getting her first glimpse of Disneyland. She was so adorable. He just wanted to take her in his arms and keep her close.

"You won't run away from me when the clock hits midnight, will you?" Spencer chuckled.

"Never! Just as long as my dress doesn't turn into rags! Too bad Whitney Houston doesn't appear for us to sing Impossible together."

"Dance with me, Trina," Spencer took her into his arms as a waltz began to play.

"Um...warning...I don't know how to waltz like they do in the movies."

Spencer just laughed. "Well, as one movie hero once said, just go with it. Don't think."

Trina giggled and rolled her eyes as she did her best to keep up with Spencer as he swept her around the dance floor, making sure that he didn't bump into anyone else. Trina had to admit, she loved it. She felt as if she was flying on air, in the arms of the man she loved.

Finally, the music ended and they spotted Reasia and Cameron by the refreshment table.

"Hey, there's Reasia and Cam!" Trina waved at their friends.

"Do you want to go say hi or continue dancing?" Spencer asked as another waltz began.

"I need to catch my breath, let's go say hi," Trina giggled pulling him down into a quick kiss before pulling him over to their friends.

"So what do you guys think so far?" was the first thing Spencer asked as they approached the couple.

"You two looked great out there. It was like you were born for events like these," Reasia giggled.

"I was, but Trina is a quick learner," Spencer grinned, keeping an arm wrapped around his wife's waist, just loving having her close.

"Why don't we do a round on the dance floor?" Reasia looked at Cameron speculatively.

Cameron blushed in reply and began to stammer. "I'm not that good of a dancer."

"Neither am I," Trina happily smiled, leaning against her husband, wanting to be close as appropriately as possible. "But as Spencer said, just go with it. Don't think and everything will be fine."

"Yeah, but you have an experienced dancer as a partner," Cameron frowned.

"Are you saying that I'm not? Excuse you, Mr. Webber," Reasia huffed, pretending to be offended.

"What? You've danced to music like this before?"

"Yes, I have. You're looking at a graduate of Miss. Diane's school of ballroom dancing and ballet," Reasia gave a proud smile. "Now, may I have this dance?"

"How can I say no?" Cameron stared at his date as he took her hand and lead her out onto the dance floor.

"They look great," Trina sighed, watching her friends begin to dance.

"Yes they do," Spencer kissed her cheek as she spotted her Aunt Gia not too far away from the ice sculpture. Her mask was in her hand and she looked really troubled.

"There's Aunt Gia. We should go say hi," Trina frowned, concerned about her aunt's expression. "She doesn't look like she's having much fun."

"She's here by herself. No wonder," Spencer followed his wife over to where Gia was standing.

"Aunt Gia! You look beautiful!" Trina exclaimed, throwing her arms around her aunt in a tight hug. "Where's your date?"

"Oh, I came by myself," Trina shrugged. "With my career, I've fallen out of the habit of dating and gaining a man's attention."

"Well, that's no fun. You should have someone to dance with. Here, dance with Spencer. My feet are tired and I want you to have as much fun as I am," Trina offered and was pleased to see Spencer even hold his hand out, offering to dance with her aunt.

Gia gave a sad smile and shook her head. "That's ok. I'm fine. One Cassadine is enough for me for tonight."

"Huh? Is Valentin here? I heard that he and Anna Devane were to come out of hiding soon...at least according to grandmother," Spencer frowned, confused.

"Speaking of your grandmother, there she is with Dr. Collins," Trina waved as Laura and Kevin entered. "Wow, your grandmother is so beautiful, Spencer."

"You should have seen her in the '90s. Nikolas didn't get his looks only from his father obviously," Gia sighed.

"What about my father?" Spencer asked, confused.

Trina gave Spencer's arm a nudge. "She used to be engaged to your father. Remember?"

Spencer just blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Oh, yes. Of course. It's too bad he messed up. You are definitely preferable to Ava."

"Spencer! Stop picking on Ava!" Trina frowned, annoyed.

Spencer just shrugged and continued to watch as more guests arrived.

…..

Trina and Spencer spent hours dancing and hanging out with their friends and just enjoying the fancy night out. Trina and Spencer had just taken a flute of champagne off an offered tray when the lights suddenly dimmed and brightened again and the music stopped. They turned to the platform where the orchestra was and were surprised to see two masked men standing in front of the musicians. They must be the hosts of this awesome party.

It was the older man that stepped forward and took a microphone in hand.

"I would like to welcome all of our esteemed guests to our masquerade ball! You may wonder who we are, how we came to own this beautiful mansion, and why we have invited you all here," The older man addressed the room, sounding rather stiff and formal as his younger companion stood behind him with his hands folded behind his back.

"Trina," Gia stepped up behind her niece, deciding that her mind had not been deceiving her after all and that her niece needed to be warned.

"Shh, Aunt Gia. Later," Trina waved her aunt off.

"But I have to tell you who…"

"Shhh?" Someone else hushed Gia, who decided to give up since everything will be revealed in a few minutes anyway.

"We have invited you all here to reveal our presence back into your lives all at once and in the most regal, yet enjoyable way possible. After all, regal balls are what us Cassadines are known for."

Trina felt Spencer stiffen at the last name and she couldn't help but be alarmed as well. Cassadines? But who could they be? It wasn't Valentin, that was for sure.

"It is time for us to reveal ourselves once and for all and take our place among you once more," The older man took his mask off first and Trina looked at Laura who gave a startled gasp.

Spencer looked at his grandmother curiously. "You know him?"

"It's your great Uncle Stefan...he...he raised your father…," Laura stammered, horrified that her one-time lover was alive after all. Where had he been all of this time?

"Your lovely mayor knows who I am if no one else here does. I am Stefan Cassadine. I know this town well and I must say, it feels good to be home."

"At least it's not psycho granny back from the dead," Gia mumbled.

"And you all know my nephew…," Stefan motioned to the younger masked man who removed his mask to reveal…

"Nikolas!" Laura gasped in clear outrage.

Trina felt Spencer's arms leave her waist and felt his absence as he pushed past the crowd, fleeing the room.

"Oh my god, Spencer!" Trina ran after him, not looking back to see if they were being followed.

Free from the crowd, Spencer ran out of the mansion and onto the street until he found the car they came in and collided into it, clinging to the hood with shaking arms as hot tears streamed from his eyes. The shock was too much. He wanted to scream, yell, and cry, but he couldn't! Everything was just too much!

"Spencer!" Trina came up behind him, her curls falling out of the pile she had them fixed in, clear worry was in her eyes and in her voice as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

He turned around in her arms and clung to her as if she was a life raft and began to sob, raw emotion was just taking him over and he had no other way to react but cry.

"Trina!" Gia called, chasing after her niece, who looked at her outraged.

"Did you know?!"

"Yes...no...I mean, before tonight, no. I didn't. But then when I got here, he was wearing a mask, and called me Sparky...that's when I knew because no one had ever called me that but him!" Gia tried to explain.

"And you didn't think to warn us?"

"I wasn't for sure...until Stefan said that they were Cassadines...I'm sorry. I should have said something before now…"

Trina sighed and shook her head. She couldn't be upset at her aunt, this wasn't her fault. She just knew that she had to take care of Spencer somehow. "Did anyone follow you, because I don't think Spencer can handle talking to his father right now…"

Suddenly, Spencer pulled away from her. She frowned when she saw the grim determination in his eyes. "No. No, I'm not running away like he did. I'm not a coward. I deserve an explanation and I'm going to get one."

"Spencer...maybe you should wait until you're calmer and…"

"No Trina. I need to do this now. Not only for myself...but for Ace too."

"Are you sure? We can go home and…"

"I'm sure. Just..just stay with me, alright?" Spencer looked at her with sad eyes that touched her heart once again.

Trina simply took his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "Where you go, I go."