The next day found Trina waking up way before Spencer did. She yawned as she got up and slipped out of bed and found her way to a steamy warm shower. She then got dressed in a white blouse and pink skirt topped with white sandals. She brushed her hair into its usual style and then made her way into the main part of the mansion, which seemed deserted, and into the kitchen, which was a big industrial affair with a middle-aged black lady that must be the cook, bustling around the stove, preparing the morning's meal.

"Oh, excuse me, I didn't mean to interrupt," Trina gasped, ready to flee. She was so not used to having a cook, or a butler. She didn't know if she'd ever be used to it.

The woman just gave a warm smile. "There's no need to flee, sugar. You did not interrupt anything. I'm just getting this morning's breakfast prepared for the occupants of this place. My name is Mrs. Ruby Humphrey. I'm the main cook of this place. Are you the new maid?"

Trina's mouth fell open, not knowing what to say. She forced herself not to take offense, because to be honest, she probably would have made the same assumption in this woman's place. "Oh, I don't work here. My name is Trina. Trina Robinson Cassadine. I'm Spencer's wife."

"Oh! Oh my god, I am so embarrassed," Ruby gasped in shock. "Normally, people that look like us are the help, not the spouse…"

"Well, the Cassadines aren't really all that normal when it comes to the rich and famous," Trina giggled, clearing her throat feeling guilty. "I meant that in a good way…"

"Oh, I know all about the Cassadines. The good and the bad. Rumor has it that your young man's father once had a girl of the same complexion."

Trina wanted to laugh. The staff here must have fun gossiping about their employers. They could probably write a book about the Cassadines if they wanted to. "Oh yes, that's my aunt Gia!"

"Really? They must like to keep it in the same family."

Trina chuckled. "That's just the way it all fell. My Aunt Gia left for whatever reason. I moved here and met Spencer a few years ago and...ended up falling in love with him. Even though, I kind of made him work for it."

"That's what you have to do with these boys. You can't just give in or they'll take you for granted," Ruby winked, taking out some eggs and bread. "Is there anything that you may like for breakfast, sweetie? I'd be happy to make it for you."

"No, not really. I was so used to getting up to do things for myself, I forgot there was a cook here. I guess all of this is going to take some time to get used to."

"I take it that you didn't grow up in luxury."

"No, I didn't. I mean...I wasn't poor by any means. I'm probably more well-off than a lot of people. My dad was a cop and my mom is a doctor. So I had a really good childhood...despite my parent's divorce...but I didn't grow up in a house that had its own staff. The only reason I'm here now is because Spencer needs to be close to his dad. They're working on making up and where Spencer goes, I follow."

"You seem to like your young man."

Trina leaned on the counter and smiled at just the thought of her husband. "Oh, he's more than alright."

Ruby just smiled. She always liked seeing young love and this young girl was definitely in love. It was written all over her. "You know, young wives usually like to do things for their young men to convey their feelings for them. Is there anything special that you'd like me to fix for yours?"

Trina frowned, then her eyes lit up. "Can you show me how to make gingersnap cookies? He loves them!"

"Sure, sugar. Just let me finish getting things on the stove cooking and we'll start on those cookies. We have everything here, so they won't take long to whip up at all."

…..

Spencer came into the dining room hoping to find his wife, but to his disappointment, she was nowhere to be seen. He had already searched all over their wing of the mansion and had checked the nursery in case she wanted to say hi to Ace, but she was nowhere.

Nikolas frowned when he saw the frown on his son's face. "Hey, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"

"Father, Uncle Stefan...have you seen Trina? I woke up and she wasn't in bed. She was nowhere in our wing. I checked the nursery, but she wasn't there either. It's not like her to just leave like that without waking me."

"We haven't seen her, son. But I'm sure that she's around here somewhere."

"Have you checked the gardens?" Stefan asked.

Spencer frowned. "No...but it'd make sense if she was there because we were wondering if this place had a gazebo to have a wedding ceremony at. Maybe she's there checking it out."

"You see! No need to panic! She'll most likely be coming through that door soon, famished from being out amongst the flowers and fresh air," Nikolas reassured his worried son.

"Oh, look, breakfast is being served now," Stefan announced as the servants began carrying out platters of food. The three men were startled when Trina came out, carrying a platter of her own.

"Trina, there you are, I was worried! What are you doing?!" Spencer got to his feet.

Trina wore a nervous smile as she sat the platter before him. "Well...I remembered you telling me how you liked gingersnap cookies...and I kind of wandered into the kitchen early this morning and began talking to the cook Ruby and I asked her if she could show me how to make them for you. And here they are! Homemade Gingersnap cookies made by your loving wife! With the helpful instructions from Ruby the cook."

Spencer's mouth fell open in pure shock and delight as he took the cover off the platter to reveal homemade gingersnap cookies. He picked one up and bit into it and nearly moaned in delight at how delicious they were.

"Oh my god, these are the best gingersnap cookies I've ever tasted! Father! Try some! Uncle Stefan?" Spencer offered.

Nikolas hated ginger snap cookies, but he took one anyway. He bit into it and nodded. "You know, I don't usually like gingersnap, but these are delicious!"

Stefan refused them. "I don't eat sweets this early in the day. Maybe later if there's any left over."

"They're so good because they were made with love," Spencer smiled, kissing Trina's hand, his eyes shining with pride.

"I'm happy that you like them," Trina blushed, taking her seat next to her husband.

"I love them. Thank you, baby."

"Really, it's thank you for loving me through all my silly insecurities. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You'll never have to find that out," Spencer smiled, reaching over to touch her cheek.

"Master Stefan. Mayor Collins is here to see Master Nikolas," Jeffery the butler entered, his hands behind his back as Laura stood behind him, her eyes grim and her mouth unsmiling. It was obvious that she did not come with good news.

"Lasha. Come in," Stefan stood from his seat and waved the butler away.

"Yes, mother! Join us! Spencer and Trina are here. I'm sure that they'll be glad to have you join us," Nikolas motioned for the empty seat across from his Uncle.

"I can't stay. I just came to give you the news that I received last night. I am sure that Spencer and Trina would be interested in hearing this as well," Laura cleared her throat, not sure how to drop this news that had come across her desk.

"What news can that be, may I ask?" Stefan questioned. He couldn't think of what this news could be that would concern his great nephew and his bride and why it had Laura looking so grim.

"Cyrus Renault is to be released from prison this afternoon."

"What?" Trina gasped in shock. She'll never forget how the old drug kingpin had taken her and her mother hostage and it had been Laura who had saved them by offering herself up to take their place. "You can't be serious! After what he did to you? To me and my mother?"

"After what he had done to Lulu?" Nikolas was also outraged. He had never been able to get the image of Lulu's unconscious body out of his head. She was still barely clinging on to life to this day! She was missing out on seeing her children grow up, a life with the man she loved...on everything and it was Renault's fault!

"I know, I know. But they say that it's because the prisons are overcrowded and he's been on good behavior with his religious act," Laura shook her head, clearly unhappy by this news.

"This is outrageous," Trina frowned. "Does my mother know? Oh god, he tried to kill my dad! Does he know?"

"I'm making the rounds now. I just thought I should stop here first and let you know."

"Not to worry Trina. You're safe here. I have guards everywhere on the grounds," Nikolas reassured his daughter-in-law. "Mother, I must insist that you and Kevin move in here as well. I know that you're the mayor, but...I'd just feel better if you were where I can keep you safe as well."

"I think that's a good idea," Trina nodded in agreement.

"Excuse me," Spencer got up out of his seat. "I think I'm going to go check that garden out."

"Spencer, we're just starting breakfast," Nikolas frowned.

"I'll be back," was all Spencer said, getting up and disappearing out the door.

"What was that about?" Nikolas frowned.

Laura sighed, thinking that she understood. "Cyrus kept people away from Spencer when he was in Pentonville. He may be having mixed feelings. I'll go talk to him."

"Really, Nikolas. You should have tried harder to keep your son out of that place," Stefan admonished.

Nikolas winced, knowing that Stefan was right and that he had done all that he could to keep Spencer out of prison. Ava certainly wasn't worth all the pain and strife that his son may be going through thanks to his decisions back then.

"Maybe I should go with you," Trina frowned, also concerned about Spencer's reaction. She knew that her former captor was Spencer's great uncle and had probably kept Spencer safe as a way to win favor from Laura. Her husband must feel some sort of way about the man, perhaps the same way he had felt about his Uncle Victor. She had to admit, she felt incredibly sorry for Spencer. It was like he never had a chance to have a positive male role model in his life.

"No, I think this is for me to sort out. After all, it was because of me that Cyrus took him under his wing."

"Really, Lasha," Stefan grumbled.

"Really, Stefan? You with the father who wanted to freeze Port Charles and a crazy brother that wanted to steal my daughter's embryos just because she looked like me? You're really going to give me a hard time about Cyrus?!"

"Alright alright, you two. Mother, please go see about Spencer. Uncle Stefan, no comments about Cyrus Renault. Mother is right. We have no room to judge."

Laura simply kissed the top of Trina's head and reassured her that she'll take care of Spencer then left the room.

"I'm sorry about that Trina. Our family is a bit dysfunctional," Nikolas felt the need to apologize.

Trina simply smiled and shrugged. "I've seen worse."

…..

Laura indeed found Spencer sitting on the steps of a gazebo that was in bad need of repair. She quietly sat next to him for a few minutes, allowing him to gather his thoughts. After five minutes of silence, she spoke.

"Is there anything that you want to talk about, sweetie?" Laura wrapped an arm around her grandson's shoulders.

"Trina will be happy to know that there is a gazebo here. The bad news is that we're going to have to repair it," Spencer sighed.

Laura chuckled. "I suppose so. Is there a reason why you were concerned about a gazebo?"

"Father wants us to have a real wedding ceremony. I made Trina open up about the ceremony she had dreamed about and she wanted a garden wedding with a gazebo. How much do you think it'll cost to get this one repaired? Or should we look elsewhere?"

"Hmm...this garden has the potential to be lovely, but if you want the ceremony sooner than later, it's probably best to rent a venue elsewhere," Laura chuckled. "Now...you were awfully quiet about the news of Cyrus getting released. What are you feeling about it?"

Spencer shrugged. "I don't know how to feel. I know what he had done to you and Trina and Aunt Lulu. It's horrible and I am so angry about that and don't want him near any of you."

"But?"

"But...he did look after me when he didn't have to. He made sure that people left me alone and that the bullying stopped. No one messed with me because of him. Plus he warned me not to trust Uncle Victor...and he gave me a gift for Trina...that I had ended up tossing because I thought she had moved on with Rory. I can't help but be thankful to him for looking out for me. For attempting to help me win the girl I love. How can I hate and like someone at the same time? It makes no sense!"

"Spencer...I wish that I could tell you how to feel about Cyrus...but I can't. Your feelings are your own. No one can tell you what to do with them. I get it. You're grateful to him for taking care of you in a hostile environment. Believe it or not, I'm thankful to him for that as well. Trina is probably thankful also. But just don't forget about who he is and what he had done. Like your Uncle Victor, you can't trust him. No matter how much you want to. Keep feeding him out of a long-handled spoon. That's just my advice."

"It seems like I can't trust anybody in my family and it's driving me insane! Who lives like this?!"

"Oh, sweetie! You can trust me. You can trust Trina, most of all. You can also trust your Uncle Sonny. You're not totally surrounded by jackals. Even though it must feel like you are."

"I'm so messed up, grandmother. I'm surrounded by darkness...and Trina's my light...but I'm afraid that the darkness will take her and I can't bare for that to happen…"

"It won't. Trina loves you so much. You hang on to that love. It'll see you through that darkness. You hear me?"

Spencer simply nodded. "Is it ok that I'm not mad about Cyrus getting out?"

"Of course it's ok. He did help you while you were in prison. So of course you're not going to hate him…"

"But I don't like him either. I haven't forgotten what he had done to you and Trina. I can't forget or forgive that."

"I know sweetie."

"Don't tell Trina. She's going to want me to hate his guts...but I just can't. I don't think she'll understand."

"I think she'd understand more than you think she would. That girl loves you so much. She'd do anything for you. Even move into this snake pit if it meant being with you."

Spencer chuckled. "I want to do something for her. I want to give her the wedding of her dreams. Do you think that you can help me with that? I know that Uncle Stefan wants to arrange it but...he doesn't know Trina like I do. She'd like it to be...elegant...but simple...and Uncle Stefan doesn't seem to understand simple too much. I barely understand simple."

Laura just laughed and ruffled her grandson's hair affectionately. "Of course, I'll help. In fact, I have good news for you. Kevin and I talked it over...and we're moving in. We think it'd be good for you to have more down-to-earth relatives around."

Spencer's smile lit up his whole face as if he was a little boy on Christmas morning. "Grandmother! That's wonderful news! Now I'll get to see you all the time again!"

Laura laughed as Spencer sprang into her arms like he had once done when he was a little boy, but since he wasn't so little anymore, she nearly fell over.

"Are you ready to go back in and join everyone for breakfast?"

Spencer simply smiled. "Of course. Grandmother, you have to try one of Trina's cookies. They are delicious!"