Her mother's house was quiet as Trina used her key to enter. She hadn't planned on stopping by, but remembering that Portia was at work and there was no danger of running into her, Trina decided to drop by and collect more of her belongings. Honestly, she did not know what she was doing, or where she was going. She supposed she could ask Ava if she could stay with her until Spencer found them a permanent home...that is if he decided to go ahead with her idea.

Trina sighed as she made her way to her room. She had no idea what had gotten into her, coming up with the idea to get married. That was something Spencer would come up with, not herself. Or rather the old her. The old her was more careful. More pragmatic. Less likely to do spur-of-the-moment things like running off to get married just to gain custody of a baby. That was the Trina that believed everything her mother had ever told her.

That Trina was gone now. She didn't know who she was now, but she was no longer that girl, no matter what Spencer had said before that mind-blowing kiss. The girl she was now...she was someone who thought that marrying to gain custody of a baby was a good idea. The old Trina would never have gone for such a thing...but this new Trina was all for it...as well as for other things as well. In a way, she was excited to find out who this new version of herself was.

It was funny how she had thought that Joss had changed after the breakup with Cam. She had thought that her friend was going through some identity crisis and felt a little sorry for her. Little did she know, Joss wasn't the only one. She seemed to be having an identity crisis of her own and it felt so good. She felt...free. Something had been holding her back, but now that something was long gone.

She opened her closet door to begin picking and choosing what to take with her when her eyes fell on a white lacy shift dress that she had worn only once, to church. It was pretty and simple and just the thing for a small impromptu wedding. Smiling, she took the dress off the hook and folded it, placing it at the bottom of her suitcase. Hopefully, Spencer would agree to her idea and she would make good use of that dress.

One hour later, she was packed and ready to go. She closed the closet door and looked the room over, just in case she had missed anything. She frowned as she saw a picture of herself and her mother. She was standing smiling into the camera, her hands folded in front of her and Portia stood behind her, her arms around her in a warm embrace. Both of their eyes sparkled with love and trust. A trust that was now gone.

"Why did you have to lie?" Trina spoke aloud, her eyes filling with tears as her heart ached with the pain of betrayal. Shaking her head, she turned around and turned off the light, and headed for the front door, just as her mother walked in.

"Trina! You're home," Portia stood at the bottom of the stairs, taking her daughter in with wide eyes full of hope.

"No. I just came to get some more of my things. I've gotten all that I wanted and I'll be leaving now," Trina's voice was cold and emotionless, making it known that she did not want to talk to Portia, that she had no intention of remaining in this house another minute.

"Trina, wait. Can't we just talk about this? We can't stay like this forever, can we?"

"I have nothing else to say to you. I've said all that I am going to say. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go."

"Where are you going? Back to the dorm? Can that small room hold all of your stuff?" Portia questioned as Trina came down the stairs and tried to move past her. "And we have to talk sooner or later! I'm your mother!"

"And I'm not a child anymore! I don't need to talk or anything else with you, especially not now, when I can barely look at you! Just leave me alone!" Trina made her way to the door and placed her hand on the cool knob.

"Trina...I know. I know that you're not a child, but...I am still your mother. I love you more than anything. I don't want to lose you. We can work this out, I know we can. Please…"

Trina didn't say anything to that. She couldn't. She just turned the doorknob and walked out the door, not giving Portia a second look. Her mother had betrayed her in the worse way possible and she just couldn't deal with it right now. Instead, she wanted to deal with her future. Where she was going to stay, the prospect of marrying Spencer, and helping with the custody battle for his brother. But she did not want to deal with her mother. Not at present anyway. Maybe once things have settled down with Spencer and she knew where she stood there. Only then could she deal with Portia and the question of her paternity.

…..

Alexis frowned at the hurried knock at her door. Who could it be at that time of night? Certainly not Gregory or one of her girls...but what if it was one of her girls? The thought of one of her daughters in need had her up and at the door. But instead of finding one of her girls at the door, she found Spencer, who looked beyond worried.

"Spencer? What are you doing here at this time of night? Come in," Alexis beckoned the young man inside.

"I need some advice, Aunt Alexis. I know you're not a lawyer anymore, but….I need to know if something is a good idea or not," Spencer explained. "Not only for me...but for the woman I…," Spencer took a deep breath, knowing this was the first time he was going to say the word aloud. "For the woman that I love."

Alexis blinked, rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes. "Is this about Trina?"

Spencer simply nodded.

"Okay. Come over here and sit down and tell me all about it," Alexis motioned towards her couch, wondering what this could be about.

Spencer did as Alexis directed, rubbing both of his hands together, not knowing where to start. Alexis was the picture of patience as she sat beside him.

"Ok, what's going on? I take it that this has something to do with the custody of your brother. And Trina is involved?"

Spencer nodded. "You know how the courts rule in favor of the mother most of the time, right? With Esme going back to prison...chances are my brother will be going with her. Alexis...even Spring Ridge...it's no place for a baby. You've been there too…"

"I can't say that I disagree. Prison is the last place that a baby should be," Alexis agreed.

"Well...I'm desperate to keep my brother out of that place. He's done nothing wrong. It's not his fault that his mother and grandparents are psychos. He shouldn't be there. He should be in a normal house with people that care about him. He should be with me...but according to Diane, my chances are low at best...even though Micheal Corinthos had gotten custody of Avery at one point…"

"Oh, yes. I remember that," Alexis nodded. "In fact, your financial situation is just about the same as Micheal's. You should have a good chance of gaining custody, Spencer."

"But there's a chance that I might not get it. For some reason, the judge thinks Esme is best for the baby, jail or not. I need something that will tip the scales in my favor. Something that Esme doesn't have and can't get."

"I understand...but what does this have to do with Trina?"

"Well...Trina has the idea that if we get married that may tip the scales. Esme would be a single mother in prison. But if Trina and I get married...that would be a two-parent household. That would give us an edge. And it's not like Trina and I are strangers. In fact…," Spencer felt himself blush as he remembered the kiss in the gallery. "We're more than friends. Trina...she's the only girl I've ever felt this way about. It's been two years and my feelings keep growing stronger and stronger. Even if she wanted nothing to do with me...I'll still want nothing but happiness for her."

Alexis's smile was warm and happy. "You're truly in love with her."

Spencer just nodded. "I never thought I'd be capable of truly loving anyone the way I love her. When they talk about unconditional romantic love, I thought such a thing was found only in fairy tales...that was until I met Trina. She's smart, funny, interesting, sweet…"

"Beautiful."

"Gorgeous!"

Alexis laughed and nodded. "I must say, it's good to see you like this Spencer. Us Cassadines...when it comes to love like that...it's a slippery slope. You can go all tragic like your father...or insane like your grandfather Stavros. But in you...I see a healthy version and that gives me hope for our family."

"My question is...is Trina's idea a good one? I don't want to do anything that would bring trouble to her. I've caused her enough pain to last a lifetime and I'll be damned if I cause her anymore. Even if my intentions are good."

"Well...it is a good idea. It has a lot of benefits...and looking at you, I can tell that you truly love her so it won't be a loveless marriage on your part. But does she feel the same for you, Spencer?"

"I...I think so. We kissed...and it was the best thing that's ever happened and we both agreed that we've been wanting to do that for so long. And she gets me like no one else, even when I'm at my worse. She knows how to get past my walls and reach past the spoiled rich kid and get down to the truth without me even knowing it until she's there. I can't lie to her...not really. I really believe she's the one and she feels it too."

"Well...if you two are on the same page...and there is love there...even though you both are much too young, but I've seen couples who were younger get married...I say go ahead. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Plus, you'll save an innocent baby from going to that horrible place. Ugh. Spencer...are you sure that you have to be the one to do this? How about Laura and Kevin? Kevin is the baby's grand Uncle and Laura is his grandmother. They're adults and they have a stable home…"

"Grandmother already has her hands full with Charlotte and being the mayor. Besides…it's my fault that my father isn't here. I owe it to him, don't you think?"

Alexis wanted to point out that Spencer was little more than a child himself, but she knew of parents that were even younger than him. This was such a big responsibility for the young man to take and she was proud of him in a way, but she was also worried.

"Just remember that you have a family that can help you. Not Uncle Victor, but me, the girls. Laura and Kevin. We're all here to help Spencer. Don't be afraid to turn to us."

Spencer smiled, thankful for the talk and the advice. "I won't forget. Thank you, Aunt Alexis. I really appreciate it."

"Let me know how everything goes," Alexis smiled as she got to her feet.

"I will," Spencer hugged his aunt before heading for the door, feeling better about the situation as a whole.