Trina woke up with a big yawn. She stretched and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she sat up in bed to find Spencer sitting up with his laptop on his lap, staring intently at the screen. She wondered what he was looking at so intently to not even notice that she had woken up.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her voice still strained with sleep.

"Planning our next adventure," Spencer replied, distracted as he scrolled through the website he was looking at.

"What next adventure? Shouldn't we be exploring more of Arcadia Park?"

"We could...but don't you want to see some moose? We're going to have to head to the Moose Lake region. I'm looking into a private safari...how do you feel about camping in a yurt?"

Trina frowned, not knowing how to feel about this. Her sleepy mind was still waking up to even consider what a yurt was. "Um...you keep planning and I'll go take a shower to wake up, alright?"

Spencer chuckled. "Sure thing, babe. Just don't take too long. I want your opinion on this too."

Trina kissed his cheek before slipping out of bed and into the bedroom, where she continued to shower and get ready for the coming day, whatever that may entail. It looked like they would mostly be planning.

When she came back out, Spencer was still busy on the laptop. She sat next to him on the edge of the bed and observed the website along with him. "So, what's the plan?"

"I'm trying to get us a spot to stay in a Yurt at Moose Lake. Then schedule a private tour for us so we can search for and learn about the animal. Do you want to take photographs? They have a special tour for that as well…"

"I rather sketch," Trina rested her head against his shoulder. "How long are we going to stay in Maine?"

"I don't know...there's a lot to see here. More than I realized. I kind of want to do everything there is to do...but something tells me that's unrealistic."

Trina giggled. "It really is and I want to see the other states too. I mean, we are doing New England, right? Not just Maine?"

"Right," Spencer smiled, leaning into a deep kiss until Trina's phone went off. He pulled away with a moan. "Ignore that."

"It might be important. I'm still a Chuck employee, you know. Maybe there's news about reopening," Trina reached for her phone and answered it. "Hello?"

"Trina, did you hear? Esme's out," Joss began ranting as soon as Trina spoke.

"Yes, Spencer told me. We were both not happy about it."

"I am so sorry. I know you have to be devastated. I can't believe she did this after all Esme had put you through!"

Trina frowned. "Wait, slow down Joss. What are you talking about?"

"Didn't Spencer tell you? Your mother was the one who posted Esme's bail!"

Trina nearly dropped the phone. "She did what?!"

"Oh god, I'm so sorry. I can't believe Spencer didn't tell you. He must have known. We all knew. Portia posted Esme's bail! She's the reason that Esme's out walking the streets now. Probably in search of you and Spencer to torture."

"Oh, my god. I..but why? She knows what Esme did to me! How she drugged me and she...oh my god."

"Trina, I'm sorry. God, I shouldn't have even called you. You're having a nice trip and here I go ruining it. Look, forget I had even called and said anything. Get back to your trip, to your man, and have fun. Forget about Esme, alright?"

"How can you ask me to do that when my own mother is bailing the girl that drugged me and nearly had me sent to prison out of jail?! And my boyfriend doesn't even tell me," Trina threw a glare at Spencer, who looked guilty, having an idea of what the subject was about.

"He probably didn't want to upset you. I mean, this trip is supposed to be about getting you both away from the stresses of Port Charles. Esme is a major stress."

"I can't believe this...my own mother. She wants me to trust her and forgive her, but she does things like this."

"I'm sorry Trina."

"It's not your fault Joss. I'll talk to you later. See ya," Trina hung up and then turned her attention to Spencer, who was busy avoiding her eyes. "So, when were you going to tell me that my mother bailed Esme out?"

Spencer sighed and shrugged. "I kind of wasn't."

"Why? Don't you think that I have a right to know?"

"You do, but...I didn't want to upset you. I didn't want you to waste your time dwelling on it. I want you to be relaxed and happy, looking forward to the next thing we're about to see. Not brooding over your mom bailing Esme out of jail."

"That wasn't up to you, Spencer. I have a right to know when my mom does mess like this!"

Spencer sighed and closed the laptop and set it aside. "You're right. You do have the right to know. I just wanted to protect your peace of mind. Goodness knows it's bad enough that I spent all of yesterday brooding over Esme, despite the beautiful scenery. I just didn't want you to do the same thing with your mom."

"I get it. But next time, when something like this happens with my family and you know about it before me...don't let me hear it from Joss first, please. Tell me yourself."

"Alright. I promise," He took her hand. "So what are you going to do now?"

"First thing is first. I'm calling my mom and laying down some boundaries. Then I am going to put that away and not think of it again. This trip is about getting away from our problems in Port Charles. Not brood over them while we're trying to get away."

"Trina...don't let her get to you, ok? We're safe and happy here in Maine. The world is at our fingertips and Esme is just a bad memory at this point. Whatever your mom is up to, it can't affect us here."

"It can affect Ace, an innocent baby, though. If that baby is harmed…"

"He won't be. Uncle Sonny promised me that he has it covered. Ace will be safe."

Trina simply nodded and leaned in for one last kiss before turning her attention back to her phone, ready to have it out with her mother once and for all.

…..

Portia was just heading to Kelly's to pick up some breakfast when her phone vibrated. She felt a wave of relief hit her as she saw her daughter's number on the screen. Finally, Trina was ready to talk and maybe she was even home by now. Surely Spencer would want to head back to Port Charles to make sure that Esme did not get her hands back on his brother! He'll come home, bringing her daughter with him and then she could finally talk some sense into Trina's head about this dalliance with Spencer Cassadine and make her see what a big mistake she was making!

Without thinking, she answered the call. "Trina! Thank god, I didn't know if I'd hear from you or not?"

Trina's voice was tight with unbridled anger that made Portia's heart sink into her stomach. "Oh really? What? You thought that you could just bail my drugger out of jail and not hear from me about it? What in the hell are you thinking, Mom?! After all, Esme has done to me, she's finally behind bars and you let her out! My own mother! I have never felt so betrayed!"

"What? How…?"

"Joss told me! Spencer tried not to, knowing how devastated I'd be that my own mother has so little consideration for me and my feelings!"

"Trina, that's not why I posted her bail! I did it for Ace and for you! Ace needs his family and you should be here at home with yours."

"You didn't do it for either of us! You did it because you are a selfish narcissistic mess! You can't control Curtis! You can't control me! So you try to control my boyfriend's situation as a means of controlling me by bailing out my drugger! To gain control of my life, you betrayed me!"

"Trina, that's not…"

"I will never forgive you for this! I hope to god that poor little Ace doesn't pay for your shenanigans!"

Portia squeezed her eyes closed and took a deep breath, refusing to admit defeat. "Trina...I did what I did because Ace needs his family. I was trying to help. Look, when can I expect you back? We can talk then."

"I'm not coming back, Mother. Spencer and I are on vacation. A road trip. Spencer talked to his Uncle Sonny and he has things with Ace under control, so there is no reason for us to return. So your little plan failed. I'm blocking your number now. Do not try to call me. Goodbye."

"Trina, wait!"

But Trina had hung up, leaving only the sound of the dial tone.

…..

Trina clung to Spencer as he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. He kissed the top of her head and gave a sad sigh.

"I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"I can't believe that she betrayed me like that. Did she think that I wouldn't find out? That I'd be ok with her bailing out the girl that had nearly sent me to prison? That had drugged me?"

"I can't say what your mother was thinking. Most likely it was all about getting you away from me."

"Well, fat chance of that happening. I'm not going anywhere. I don't care what she does," Trina pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes. "Promise me something."

"Anything."

"We won't end up like our parents. We'll always keep communication open. We won't lie. We won't cheat. We won't leave, not unless there's no way to work things out, but we'll always try. That when it comes to our kids if we have them…"

"We will. All thirty of them."

Trina giggled and continued on. "When we have them, we will never lie to them. We'll always tell them the truth. We'll respect their boundaries and allow them to grow up and be their own people. No trying to control them."

"Hmmm, that's a promise I can keep...or try to because….let's face it. I'm a Cassadine. Any bad traits out there, I have them. I can't promise to always do the right thing, or not have shady ideas….but I can promise to try to be a better person. To run all ideas, shady or not, through you. To not let my demons rule me like they had Cassadines past."

"Mmm, that's a good enough promise for me," Trina promised meeting his lips again in an even longer kiss. "Mmm, so...what's on the agenda today? I doubt we're ready to head for the Moose Lake region…"

"Right. That's tomorrow."

"Well, what's today?"

"Since this is our last day in Arcadia National Park, I'm thinking we take the car and drive Park Loop Road. See all that we can and then tonight, we top it off with a dinner of Oysters."

Trina made a face. "Oh right...you wanted to eat oysters from the shell. You do know that they're raw, right? I heard they may even still be alive…"

"Hey, we eat sushi all the time. What's the difference?"

"The sushi is not alive!" Trina laughed. "But hey, you want fresh, raw oysters, suit yourself. I'm happy with whatever else the restaurant offers."

"You'll still love me, won't you? Even if I eat raw oysters?"

"It'd take a lot more than that to get me to stop loving that handsome face," Trina smiled, nearly getting lost in his beautiful dark eyes.

"Well, let's get on the road. It's a long drive and there's going to be a lot to see," Spencer took her hand and grabbed his car keys."

"Can I drive some?"

"We'll see," was all Spencer would commit to, because he was rather particular when it came to his car. He loved Trina, but he didn't really know if he'd put the life of his car into her beautiful hands.

…

Spencer and Trina had spent the day driving Arcadia Park Loop Road, a 4k scenic drive. They stopped and looked at different tourist spots, and ate lunch where they both dined on lobster rolls and blueberry pie. Finally, after much driving, sketching, and picture-taking, the evening had fallen and it was time for dinner.

"So where to now?" Trina asked, putting away her sketchbook for the day. She had drawn so much, she felt like her fingers were going to fall off at this point.

"Somewhere where we can sample some oysters," Spencer smirked as Trina took out her phone.

"Galyns. Not only do they have oysters, they have other things that those of us who want normal food can try. It's not too far from here."

"Perfect. You are a perfect traveling companion, Ms. Robinson."

"Mmm, you're not so bad yourself, Mr. Cassadine," Trina giggles, lacing her fingers through the hand that wasn't on the steering wheel. Surprisingly, it had been a very very good day. She had not thought of her mother once.

It didn't take them long to get to the restaurant and be seated. Trina picked up her menu and began to scan the offerings. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled as she read what was offered.

"Everything looks so delicious…"

"I just want the Oysters," Spencer folded his hands and placed them on the table, looking rather determined.

"Really? Because from what I'm getting, they're like the starter or appetizer. Don't you want anything else? I think I'm going to get the Maine Combination."

Spencer frowned, then pursed his lips. "Alright...let's see…," He picked up his menu and scanned it. "You're right, everything looks so good...but I think I'll go with the Whole Maine Lobster."

"Good choice. Even though by the time we're done with Maine, we're going to have turned into a couple of Lobsters," Trina giggled. "But oh my god, I never thought Lobster could be so good. This trip is teaching me something."

"I'm being taught something."

"What?" Trina asked, curious.

"Your smile...it gets more and more beautiful. Your eyes just light up in so many different ways...I still haven't decided which is my favorite. The crinkly noise smile. The shy smile. The you're so silly smile….the embarrassed hungry smile…"

"Spencer…"

"The sex kitten smile…"

"Stop it right there, Spencer. Seriously."

"The cute, trying not to laugh smile…"

Spencer reached over and took her hand in his, his eyes serious and loving. "Just keep smiling, Trina. Never stop."

"If it's for you, I'll always smile."

Ten minutes later, Spencer looked down at the oysters he had ordered and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Ok, this looks so good. Are you sure that you don't want to try one?"

Trina made a face. "I don't know…"

"Come on...I'll go first," Spencer picked up one of the shells and dipped out some shrimp cocktail onto the oyster and then poured it into his mouth and chewed and swallowed. He gave a little nod. "Not bad. You try."

"Spencer...I don't know…"

"If you like sushi, you'll like this…," Spencer dipped out some shrimp cocktail into an oyster and handed it to Trina. "Just try it."

"It's a good thing you're so cute."

Spencer just chuckled as Trina tipped her head back and poured the oyster into her mouth and chewed a little before swallowing.

"Chewy...fishy...it's alright. Not something that I would want to eat all the time though," She grabbed her drink and took a long sip.

"Ok, I can agree with you there," Spencer laughed. "So...any idea on what you're going to want for dessert?"

Trina made the mistake of looking at Spencer's lips just as his tongue darted out to lick off any remains of the shrimp cocktail. She swallowed as she felt her panties dampen a little. "Oh...I have a very good idea…"

Spencer looked into her eyes and saw the desire that resided in those beautiful brown depths. "I hope I don't disappoint…"

"You don't have to worry about that...you never do."