This is a short story based on characters that I do not own and references to established works.

"A Meeting in the Park"

As soon as Kristina left, Joss took out her phone and texted Trina: 911-Need you at the park by the swings-ASAP

"That ought to give them some time together. Dr. Robinson should be at the hospital and Esme will just have to get lost," Joss thought to herself, with a smile.

"Thanks for listening, Dex. It helped to have a neutral sounding board," Trina said, as she got in her car.

"No problem. I'm just glad that I was able to be a type of stand-in for Joss," Dex replied, as he walked to his car.

As Trina got ready to start her car, she checked an incoming text. It was 911 from Joss.

"I hope nothing's wrong," Trina thought, as she pulled out, headed towards the exit.

Spencer couldn't catch up with Esme and Ace, so he decided to head to the park on his own.

"When I get to the park, I'll text Esme and see if she wants to bring Ace to the park," Spencer thought to himself.

Trina walked quickly to the spot in the park where Joss was supposed to be. However, when she got there, Joss was nowhere to be found. Instead, Trina saw Spencer sitting on a nearby bench. Pleasantly surprised by seeing him, she walked over to him slowly.

"Hi," she said, as she walked up to the back of his bench.

Startled, Spencer turned around to see the face that always managed to bring a smile to his face.

"Hi," he said, as he sprang up quickly to his feet.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was about just about to text Esme to see if she wanted to bring Ace to the park for a bit," Spencer replied, while putting his phone away.

"So, are you not going to text her?" Trina asked hopefully.

Spencer, recognizing the optimistic tone in her voice, smiled and said, "No, I think you and I being here at the same time is fate's way of giving us time together away from your mother."

"I like the way you think!" Trina said, as she reached up to pull Spencer into a kiss.

"I've missed you," Spencer said, as they released each other from their embrace and sat down together on the bench. "By the way, what are you doing here?" he asked, as he took hold of Trina's hands.

"I think that I was set up," Trina replied.

"Set up? By who? Why? Spencer asked.

"Well, I got a 911 text from Joss and...since I don't see her and I do see you..." Trina started.

"And, I was at Kelly's and Joss knew that I was heading to the park," Spencer finished, with a broad smile. Trina returned the smile. Then, they both laughed.

For a brief moment, Trina seemed to forget about Curtis and his refusing to see her. It didn't last long and a somber look came across her face. It didn't go unnoticed by Spencer.

"Hey," Spencer said, rubbing Trina's fingers softly, "What's wrong? Something happened."

"It's just...it's just that Curtis is, understandably, really struggling with the possibility of never walking again and..." Trina began, then stopped.

"And what?" Spencer asked. "I want you to be able to talk things out with me. I want to be here for you as your own personal sounding board, if you will," as he managed to get a slight smile out of Trina.

"I do appreciate the offer, but I just finished talking this out a little while ago, and I think that I'd just like to enjoy being here with you, without bringing up the drama going on in my life. Our time together is so limited now that I don't want to waste one moment of this time that Joss secured for us," Trina said, as she snuggled up in Spencer's arms.

Spencer softly rubbed Trina's arms, while he kissed the top of her head. "This is nice. Being together like this," Spencer said.

"It doesn't get much better than this," Trina agreed as she made herself even more comfortable in her boyfriend's arms.

After a few moments of silence, Spencer spoke. "So, who took my place as a sounding board for you?"

Trina, realizing that the truth would no doubt bring a halt to their special stolen time together, chose to keep Dex's identity to herself.

"Just a friend I saw visiting someone at the hospital," she replied.

"Did it help talking to them?" Spencer asked, as Trina put a finger to his lips before leaning in for another kiss.

Realizing that the time was going quickly, Spencer and Trina decided to get an ice cream cone and take a walk around the park. Talking about nothing in particular was so relaxing for them. Holding hands and laughing made their stolen time perfect.

As Spencer looked at his watch, a frown came across his face. Trina noticed the change.

"Do you have to go now?" she asked hesitantly, realizing that she already knew the unfortunate answer.

"Yes, Ace will be getting home soon, and keeping him on schedule is really important," Spencer said, sounding somewhat guilty.

"Spencer, it's ok. We were lucky enough to get this time today. It was completely unplanned and completely amazing! So, I'm ok. You go and help with Ace and we'll talk soon," Trina said reassuringly.

"How did I get so lucky to get you in my life?" Spencer asked, as they made their way back to the bench.

"We're both lucky, and it won't always be this way, Spencer. Once Curtis comes home and settles into his new normal, my mom will be in a better position to accept our relationship," Trina replied.

Appreciating her optimism, but staying grounded in reality, Spencer responded.

"What happens if she doesn't?" he asked.

"After all of the sacrifices that we've made and will have made by then, that won't matter, Spencer. We're going to be together and it's going to be amazing," Trina responded.

"I like the way you think," Spencer replied and kissed Trina.

"What a great afternoon," they both thought, as they walked away.

Until the next time...