Night has fallen over Port Charles. News of Esme's murder had traveled far and wide and it was now the speculation of the town. Was it a new serial killer? Who would have done such a thing and why now? Was everyone in danger, or has the danger now passed? There were no answers to be had of yet. So all the citizens of Port Charles could do was lock their doors and be on alert.

That was what both Trina and Spencer did as soon as they reached their house. They collected the mail and went in, and locked the door tight, not leaving for the rest of the day. Wanting to keep busy, Trina disappeared into the kitchen to prepare Ace a bottle while Spencer put Ace in one of those bouncy swing contraptions babies liked. He knelt down and smiled at his brother.

"Well, little guy. Looks like we have you for good. I wish that I could say that I'm sorry about your mommy, but I'm not and to be honest, you are far better off without her. Now you can grow up a normal, happy child. No one is going to use you as a meal ticket or pawn. Not if I can help it. Trust me. Your big brother's got you. No matter what."

Trina came in on the last part and couldn't help but smile. This was the Spencer she had fallen in love with. The Spencer that she wished everyone got to see. A sensitive, loving young man who protects the people he loves.

"His big sister-in-law's got him too," Trina smiled, handing the bottle to Spencer.

"Don't give the kid any ideas, sweetie. He already has a crush on you," Spencer winked.

Trina just rolled her eyes. "Well, that's too bad. There's only one Cassadine prince that I have eyes for and he is taller and has a lot more hair and has a bigger vocabulary."

"Haha," Spencer chuckled.

"Then again, there's something about a chunky baby."

Trina knelt next to Spencer, finding that the more she played with the baby, the less she thought about what happened to Esme. "Does he have to be in this thing? Can we take him out?"

"I think he may be a little tired of being handled so much, sweetie. How about, you can put him to bed when he's done eating?"

Trina simply nodded, feeling a little disappointed. She stood up and went to the living room table, where the mail sat. She began ruffling through it when she reached a square envelope that was addressed to both herself and Spencer.

"What's this?" Trina frowned.

Ace was now happily sucking away at the bottle, so Spencer got up and walked up behind Trina to see what she was looking at. "It's a card of some kind for both of us. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Cassadine."

Spencer couldn't help the grin on his face as he read the name. He couldn't help but feel pleased. Someone recognized that he had a wife! He had a Mrs. Spencer Cassadine!

Trina tore open the envelope and pulled out a fancy-looking card that had party masks decorating the surface. Someone's fancy cursive writing took up most of the card though. More curious than ever, Trina read. "Dear Mr. Cassadine, you and your lovely wife are invited to a masquerade ball the Saturday after next. This is a formal wear event. Gilded Age or Regency style is preferred. Masks are a must. We do hope to see you there. The event will start at nine at the estate on 323 Mayflower Lane."

Trina turned to look at Spencer with wide eyes. "Wow, this is a really fancy event! I've never been invited to something like this before! Are we going? What am I going to wear? How am I going to get it? I don't know how to dance to music like that...oh my god…"

Spencer laughed and placed steadying hands on Trina's shoulders, calming her down. "Ok. First of all, deep breaths."

"Spencer!"

"Deep breaths, my Queen."

Trina closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Feeling a little more calm, she opened her eyes. "Ok, that's better."

"Ok. Now, do you want to go?" Spencer arched a brow. Normally, he would assume that the answer would be yes. After all, all girls loved balls. It was the Disney Princess in them that needed to be satisfied. But Trina...with her Disney Princess eyes, was not like other girls. He had no idea how she would feel attending an event like this.

"Do I want to go? Hell yes, I want to go! I've never been to something like this before! It'll be a great experience and I'll be on the arm of an actual prince! What girl can say that?"

Spencer smiled and wrapped his arms around her, loving her so much. Trina was so amazing. She was all these contradictions wrapped in one perfect girl and he loved her endlessly. "Well, then we'll go and don't you worry about a thing. Any dress you want. Money is no object."

"I wonder who's throwing it and why. It can't be Joss. It's too early."

"Yeah, she's not that fast. I don't know. I suppose we'll find out by the time the ball ends. Just don't turn into a pumpkin on me."

"There's no danger of that happening," Trina giggled, kissing his lips long and deep. "Mmm...I love you, Preppy."

…..

Nikolas paced the foyer, his body just full of nerves. His Uncle's invitations had gone out and now their unveiling was set. Soon, he'll be back in the lives of his family and some people will have some things to answer for. Such as his ex-wife. But that wasn't who he was thinking about, really. There was only one woman that he wanted to see and hopefully, she'll show up alongside his son and daughter-in-law, her niece. Gia.

After all these years, he had never forgotten about Sparky. Emily was the love of his life...but Gia...she was the one that had got away. Perhaps it was time to catch her again.

"What are you so uptight about now?" Stefan asked, leaning against the doorframe leading into the foyer.

"The invitations...you've sent them to everyone in Port Charles?" Nikolas came to a standstill to face his Uncle.

"Everyone in Port Charles that is of importance to us."

"Gia?"

"Ms. Campbell? Of course. You were quite insistent that she get an invitation."

"Spencer and Trina?"

"Of course. I do hope that your son knows all about balls and our history with them."

"I am sure he'll know enough, Uncle. Don't worry. He's going to want to give Trina the whole experience I bet. I was that way with Emily," Nikolas sighed, getting lost in a memory.

"You and that boy...love makes you both weak and easy to manipulate."

"No. When it's with the right person, love makes you strong. I had the right person a few times...lost them both in the end. Now I have a chance to get one of them back. And do not refer to my son as weak, Uncle. Spencer is strong. He has a spine of steel...but he knows that he can't always be like that. He has to be soft too. Especially when it comes to his woman. I at least have taught him that much."

"Well, at least we have gotten rid of the worst of the bad influences in the boy's life."

"Victor was a problem and so was Esme. But they've both been dealt with. Now I just need to expose my ex-wife and take my life back. Perhaps I'll even get an old love back along the way," Nikolas smiled, his thoughts full of Gia Campbell.

…..

It was after another love-making session and Trina was sated but exhausted. She had her head pillowed on Spencer's chest, about to drift off to sleep when her cell buzzed. Frowning, she picked it up and answered it.

"Hello?" She spoke, rubbing her eyes as she tried to wake back up.

"Hey, Trina," Reasia greeted, her voice near a whisper. "Can you talk?"

"I suppose. What's up?"

"Did you happen to get an invitation to a masquerade ball in the mail?" Reasia asked a sign of hesitation in her voice.

"Oh yes. It was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Cassadine...I'm a Mrs. Cassadine now, can you believe it?" Trina felt her face heat with embarrassment at the glee in her voice. She looked to make sure that Spencer was still asleep. "Sorry about that. Still, a newlywed...silly excitement over a last name is expected."

Reasia just laughed. "I actually think it's cute. Anyway, I received one...and so did every adult in the Quartermaine household."

"Oh wow! You've really become part of the family huh?"

"Brooklyn and Willow want to take me shopping for a dress...but I'm not used to that kind of thing at all."

"Girl, neither am I. I have no idea where to shop or what to buy. Spencer said he'll help...but he's a guy. All he needs to do is buy a tux and bam, he's pretty. But it'll take far more for me. Dress, hair, make-up...and I have no idea where to get any of it. Not for a ball."

"It sounds like we're in the same boat," Reasia giggled. "How about you come with us? Brooklyn and Willow probably know all about these things? We can get through this together."

"Oh, that would be a great idea!" Trina's face lit up with happiness. "It's been a long time since I've gone out shopping with a friend."

"We'll be like two normal girls learning to shop like princesses," Reasia laughed.

"Exactly. Warning, when the employees find out that you're related to the Quartermaines, you'll get a whole different experience than you normally would," Trina warned, remembering how people how treated her with a whole new level of respect when they found out she was a Cassadine.

"Thanks for the warning. By the way...what's going on with that Joss and Cam? I mean, I like Cam, but I had the feeling that I was stepping on some toes earlier…?"

Trina sighed, yet again feeling annoyed with Joss. "Girl, forget Joss. She dumped Cam for her new boyfriend a while back. Cam is free and clear to see whoever he wants. If you like him, go for it. I do think that he likes you too. Joss was just being territorial. Just ignore her."

"Ok. I'm sorry for calling you so late at night. It's just been an adjustment since they had me move into the mansion. I'm just now feeling settled."

"I know how you feel. I'm still getting used to all of this. Call me sometime tomorrow and let me know when you guys want to go shopping."

"Alright. Good night Trina."

Trina hung up the phone and returned to her Spencer pillow. She smiled when she felt his hand stroke her hair.

"Was that Reasia?" His sleep-filled voice asked.

"Yes. She had gotten an invitation too. We're going shopping soon."

"Mmm, that's good."

Trina sighed as she looked at him and felt the now familiar desire build up inside her again. What was it about this man that made her feel so lustful? She just wanted to be as close to Spencer as she could possibly get, yet it never seemed to be enough.

Feeling her eyes on him, Spencer opened his eyes and smiled. "Enjoying the view, baby?"

"Too much," Trina smiled. "Is this normal? Always wanting to be close to you like this?"

Spencer wrapped his arms around her and pulled her on top of his body and pulled the blanket over both of them. "Perfectly normal. You don't even have to ask."

"What a day this has been," She sighed, snuggling against him, relishing the warmth of his body as he held her against himself. She felt so safe and cherished when he held her like this.

"I know. I'm glad it's over though and that Esme is out of our lives for good, now."

"Yeah. It's finally over. Now you and I can live in peace."

Little did Spencer and Trina know that peace was a long way away. Soon, life as they grew to know was going to be turned on its head.