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Trina has had enough of her mother’s attitude about Spencer. She needed Portia to accept that Spencer was going to be a part of her life and to treat him like she had treated Cam when he had been around. With kindness and respect. She didn’t have to like him. She just had to treat him like a person, not the town pariah. What better way to do this, than by having Spencer around so Portia could actually get to know him. How better to do that by forcing her to be polite by also inviting Spencer’s grandmother to be around as well. After all, Portia wouldn’t treat the mayor’s grandson like dirt in front of the mayor, right?
So Trina had called Spencer and asked for both him and Laura to come to Sunday dinner, where she had volunteered to cook a traditional soul food feast to celebrate Curtis's homecoming! Laura was wanting to visit with her friend Curtis as well, so why not?
"Trina, I love you and I'd do anything for you...but I don't think that's a good idea. Your mom can't stand me. She kicked me out the day I helped you move back! She won't like me being there," Spencer sighed, not really wanting to put himself through another berating by Portia. He had just gotten back into a healthy state of mind again. He didn't want to ruin the progress that he and the therapist he's been seeing has made. And that's what being in the same vicinity as Portia Robsinson would do. But he couldn't tell Trina that. She'd flip and turn her back on Portia for good. Despite all that the woman had done to him, Spencer just couldn't let that happen. Not for Portia's sake, but for Trina's. It was bad enough that he didn't have a mother. He didn't want Trina to experience that too. Not because of him.
“That’s why I’m inviting your grandmother too. My mother will mind her p’s and q’s around her. Come on, Spencer. I want her to accept you and this is the only way to make that happen. Avoiding her will not get her out of the ‘I hate Spencer’ club. She has to get to know Spencer the person, not Spencer the Cassadine,” Trina pleaded, not knowing just how unhealthy being around her mother was for Spencer.
He sighed, feeling himself give in. “Fine. We’ll be there. I’ll even bring the best wine if you want.”
“No, no need for that. Just bring yourself, and your grandmother. Leave Esme at home, please.”
“Of course,” Spencer chuckled, then turned serious. “This is for you, Trina. Everything I do...everything I have ever done is for you. I want you to be happy.”
“Baby, I am happy. Really. I don’t get why you keep thinking I’m not.”
He wanted to tell her that her mother keeps saying that she wasn’t, but he kept his mouth shut. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now I have to go. I have a lot of food to order.”
Spencer just laughed and hung up, just as Laura came into the living room followed by Esme who had Ace in her arms.,
"Who were you talking to, sweetheart?" Laura asked, curious.
“That was Trina, Grandmother. You and I are invited to her parent’s house for Sunday dinner,” Spencer informed her. “Just me and you. Esme has to stay home.”
“I’m surprised that you’re even invited, since according to you Trina’s mother hates you,” Esme rolled her eyes before carrying Ace into his nursery.
“What’s this about Trina’s mother hating you?” Laura frowned, feeling concerned. She liked Trina and Portia. She had been honored to wed Curtis and Portia at their wedding, but if there was a problem with her grandson…
"It's nothing, Grandmother. With all that's happened in the past two years, Mrs. Ashford is just cautious. It's no big deal. She just needs to get to know me, just like Trina said. I'll be fine."
Laura frowned, still not happy. “Spencer…maybe you should talk to your therapist about this…”
"What? Having dinner with my girlfriend's mother? Yay, or nay? That'd be a waste of money, don't you think? I'll be fine. Besides, don't you want to catch up with Mr. Ashford?"
“I do..but…”
“Well then, see. This dinner is a good thing. I better go get something to wear together. Something nice...and not black. Right? Don’t want to look too much like a Cassadine.”
Laura frowned at that last part. Too much like a Cassadine? Sighing she took out her phone and texted Kevin about having dinner plans on Sunday. She hoped that this dinner thing was a good idea.
…..
Sunday arrived without any problem. Trina was putting the finishing touches on dinner when her mother came into the room.
"Everything is so perfect. Aunt Stella, Curtis, and Marshall are here and ready to chow down. It's going to be just like the old days. A real family dinner," Portia gushed, her smile wide and happy. A feeling of comfortable satisfaction filled her, thinking that her perfect family was all together. It was indeed perfect. "Everyone is here."
Trina frowned, preparing herself for the news she had been keeping back since she had the idea for the dinner. “Well, not everyone. Not yet.”
Portia frowned getting a sinking feeling. Certainly, Trina didn't...she wouldn't...not to a dinner that was just for family...right? "What do you mean?"
"Well, Daddy's not here yet. He said he'd come. He promised."
“Oh, well I’m sure he will. Even though, I’m not sure why he’d want to with it just being us Ashfords here…,” Portia nervously laughed, gaining a side eye from her daughter.
"Of course, he'd want to if I invited him! I may be accepting Curtis as my father but Daddy is still daddy as well. He's my family and that's what this dinner is about. MY family. The people I care about the most."
"Oh, of course, sweetie. I didn't mean anything by that. Anyway, I'm sure he'll show up…"
“And he’s not the only one.”
“Oh?” Now any relief Portia was feeling was completely gone.
“I had invited Spencer and his grandmother as well.”
“You did what?!”
"I told you, this dinner is about the people I care about the most. Spencer is my boyfriend and his grandmother is his family and she's done a lot for me, like coming to Greenland to help get us. Plus, this gives her a chance to see Curtis after the shooting. He and Mayor Collins are really good friends, and that's what Curtis needs right now. Not just family, but he needs his friend's support as well."
“Trina, I see what you’re saying, but I was just hoping that tonight’s dinner was just...you know...for my…”
“Mom, it’s not just about you. It’s about me and Curtis and the support we need. Don’t think I haven’t noticed certain things. I need those things to change. Starting tonight.”
“Fine,” Portia took a deep breath, not wanting to argue with Trina about this. “Fine, we’ll do this your way. I’ll just go sit the plates.”
“Thank you,” Trina turned back to what she was doing, not wanting any of the food to burn.
…..
Spencer and Laura stood on the doorstep. Spencer had a bouquet of flowers in his hand while Laura held a bottle of wine.
"Grandmother, Trina said not to bring wine…," Spencer nervously shifted from one foot to the other. He had no idea how Trina's mother was going to react to seeing him there, especially in front of his grandmother.
"They don't have to drink it, Spencer. It's just polite not to come empty-handed," Laura waved away the concern before ringing the bell.
Spencer still wasn't sure about this. A part of him wanted to turn around and run far far away and make some excuse to Trina why he hadn't shown up, but his grandmother was there and he didn't want to do anything to embarrass her, so he'll stay and let things play out the way they would. He just knew that he was going to have to have an extra-long therapy session after tonight.
It was Marshall who answered the door, much to Spencer’s relief.
“Why Mrs. Collin’s and Mr. Cassadine! Hello! Trina said you were coming! Come in, come in!” The elder stepped aside to allow entry.
“Spencer and I were both pleased to be invited. I was so relieved and happy to hear that Curtis is home now. We brought some flowers and wine for the occasion,” Laura smiled, handing over the wine and signaling for Spencer to hand the flowers to Stella, who came over to greet the guests.
“It’s so good to see you, Laura. Hello, Spencer. Trina said you two were coming,” Stella happily greeted them.
“Laura?” Curtis rolled himself into the living room. His eyes lit up to see his friend there. It’s been a while since he and Laura got together and he had been worried by the news that she had gone to Russia to find Nikolas. “You’re back from Russia. How did it go? Did you find Nikolas?”
“Unfortunately no. There’s no sign of him. We even went to Cassadine Island, but still no Nikolas. I have no idea where else to look. I’m afraid that he didn’t leave on his own. That something else must have happened. Maybe something Victor had done before his demise. I just know that I’m worried.”
“You don’t think…,” Curtis frowned, but Laura shook her head.
"No. No, I'd feel it if he was. I didn't feel it last time...and I don't feel it now. I do feel that something's keeping him away from his family. I mean...I was sure he'd come home after what happened in Greenland...that he'd at least call...but he hasn't."
“I’m sorry, Laura. I know how much this must be hurting you.”
"Oh Curtis, don't apologize. I'm fine! He at least left me with both of his sons and they make his absence bearable," Laura smiled at Spencer and gently patted his face. Her love for her grandson was clear on her face. "Now, how are you doing? I know this must be hard for you to accept, losing the ability to walk."
“It is. I tried pushing people away at first, but both Trina and Portia refused to let me. So now that rehab is done, I’m here just getting used to my new normal I suppose. It is good to see you. I’m so glad that you came. The both of you,” Curtis nodded at Spencer. He may not be Spencer Cassadine’s greatest fan, but Trina loved him and so did Laura and the kid’s birthday gift was the best gift he had ever received. He didn’t object to his presence at all. In fact, the fact that the kid obviously made Trina happy, made him happy.
"Ok, everyone! The table is all set and Trina is putting the food on the table," Portia appeared in the doorway, a bright smile on her face. The smile faded when she saw Spencer there, looking nervous. "Spencer, you're here."
“With his grandmother,” Laura gave a tight smile, noticing how the atmosphere just grew ten times heavier by Portia’s presence. She did not like the way the woman was looking at her grandson at all. “It was nice of Trina to invite us here. I am sure the food will be delicious.”
“Oh, hello Laura. Um, yes. She has been working hard all day on everything. Come, everything is set.”
Curtis too noticed the atmosphere change and frowned. He looked at Laura and gave an apologetic shrug. "Sorry?"
"No need to apologize. Yet," was all Laura said and took Spencer's hand as she followed everyone into the dining room, where Trina and Marshall were placing everything onto the table.
“TJ’s not joining us?” Stella asked.
"He has to work a double shift tonight and Molly's still couch ridden after her fall. He sends his apologies," Trina answered, taking a seat next to Spencer after she had set everything out. "Where's daddy? I thought he was going to come."
Portia cleared her throat. She had texted Taggert and informed him that the whole Ashford family would be there and not to bother, but she couldn't tell Trina that. "He couldn't make it. I'm sorry baby." She wished that she could have done something to prevent Spencer from attending as well, but it was too late now.
“Oh,” Trina bowed her head, really disappointed and hurt.
Seeing the hurt in his girlfriend’s eyes, Spencer took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze in a show of support. “I’m sure you can call him later, right?”
“No!” Portia quickly said. “I mean, he sounded really preoccupied. It’s probably best to leave him alone.”
Stella and Curtis frowned at this but said nothing.
“Well, I suppose we shall say grace. Marshall?” Stella looked at the older gentleman.
"Oh, yes. Of course. Bow your heads, everyone!" Marshall smiled, caught a little off guard by Stella's request.
“God is great, God is good. We thank you for this food. Aman,” Marshall finished, smiling, looking pleased with himself while Trina and Spencer both struggled not to laugh.
"Um, thank you, Marshall," Stella frowned but said nothing as the food began to be passed around.
For the next hour, everyone sat around the table and ate. Spencer tried to ignore the glares Portia threw his way when she thought no one was looking and Laura glared at Portia when she caught her glaring at Spencer. Trina was too worried about Taggert to notice. She was trying to text him and get him to reply, to no avail and Spencer was also trying his best to comfort her.
Finally, dinner was over. Stella, Curtis, and Marshall decided to clear away the dishes as Laura lead everyone else into the living room.
“Laura, may I see you for a moment?” Curtis asked from inside the kitchen.
“Oh, sure. I’ll be right back,” Laura excused herself, just as there was a knock at the door.
“I wonder who that can be?” Trina wondered, opening the door to a drunk Taggert. “Daddy?”
“Hey, baby girl. I’m sorry to disrupt your party. I know you didn’t want me here, but I thought…,” Taggert began.
"What? That's not true! Of course, I wanted you here, but dinner's over now. Maybe I can fix you a plate or something…"
“No no. I’m good. Just wanted to say hello. I’ll leave now,” Taggert muttered, turning around to go back outside, leaving Trina there stunned.
“I’ll be right back,” She turned to Spencer, whose eyes widened, knowing that this meant that he was going to be alone with Portia.
“Wait, I…” but Trina was gone outside after Taggert.
It took five minutes of Spencer standing there in an oppressive silence and Portia just standing there glaring at him for things to finally break apart. Spencer just couldn’t take it anymore.
“Look, Trina invited me, ok? I didn’t want to come here, but she asked and I’m not going to make her unhappy by saying no. I care about her happiness,” Spencer simply stated, his eyes pleading for Portia to just leave him alone. He wasn’t even trying to get her to like him anymore. He was just tired of this mental gymnastics and torture that he was putting himself through for Trina’s sake.
“But what about her safety? Huh? You Cassadines are dangerous and selfish, not to even talk about the Corinthos side of your family! I don’t want Trina involved in any of that!” Portia began her rant.
“She won’t be.”
“Right. Like she wasn’t when you got yourself kidnapped. Like she wasn’t when Curtis was shot.”
"She wasn't nowhere near that!"
"But your family was! You're not good for my daughter! You're dangerous to all who are close to you! I stood around and watched your family and psycho girlfriend affect my daughter twice! I saw them land Curtis in the hospital and now he's paralyzed, I'm not going to let you or your connections hurt my family anymore!"
The slamming of the door cut Portia off, but that wasn’t all.
"That is enough!" Curtis yelled, now in the doorway leading into the dining room with an even angrier Laura standing behind him.
Then Portia risked to look behind Spencer to see Trina who was openly glaring at her mother. If steam could be coming out of someone's ears, they'd be coming out of Trina's. Before Portia could say anything else, Trina walked up and slapped her mother so hard, it could probably be heard from the next house over.
“Trina!” Portia gasped, horrified. She rubbed her stinging cheek, staring at her daughter in disbelief.
"That was for Taggert and you lying to him! Telling him that I didn't want him to come! And this…" this time she slapped Portia's other cheek. "Is for Spencer! How dare you say all that shit to him! I should have known! I really should have known! I am so stupid and naive!"
“Trina, stop...it’s alright,” Spencer moved to try to stop Trina, but his petite girlfriend turned her glare on him.
"No, Spencer! No, it is certainly not alright that this woman that I thought I could trust is here emotionally abusing the man I happen to love and not only that, telling the man that I grew up thinking was my father, who is my father in all ways but blood that he wasn't welcomed to a family dinner that I had invited him to! So you can stop trying to protect her now because she doesn't deserve it!"
Spencer held his hands up, not wanting to argue, so he just stood back and let Trina take control. She was angry and she had the right to that anger. His therapist said to stand back and let loved ones choose how to handle toxic situations, as long as they weren't physically hurt. So that's what he was going to do. Besides. Trina was right. Portia did not deserve to be protected from Trina's wrath. That was something he had yet to learn, but now he had finally mastered the lesson.
“Trina, I was just trying to…”
"I don't care what you were trying to do! You are a liar and a bully and I see you for what you are now! You are a narcissist! You want to control everyone in your life! Well, guess what Mom! You can't! You can't control me and I'm not going to let you try to control Spencer or Taggert! Not anymore and if Curtis is smart, which I think he is, he'll get as far away from you as he possibly can before you can run his life like you tried to ruin mine!"
"Trina I wasn't trying to ruin your life! I was trying to make things here peaceful and safe and they're not when Taggert and yes...Spencer is around! Taggert's job is dangerous and it's already gotten you kidnapped twice! And Spencer...his family is dangerous on all sides! The Cassadines and the Corinthos….they're both trouble and will continue to lead you into trouble as well! I don't want to see you get kidnapped again just because you're his girlfriend!"
"None of that is his fault! Spencer can't help who is related to and as for Curtis getting shot, we don't even know if they were aiming for Mr. Corinthos, and even if they were, that has nothing to do with Spencer! He doesn't even see his Uncle Sonny all that often! As for the Cassadines! The last dangerous Cassadine is dead! We all saw him get blown up in Greenland! By the way, I FOLLOWED SPENCER ONTO THE HAUNTED STAR! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO POINT THAT OUT?!"
“Trina, calm down,” Spencer frowned, not liking how Trina’s face seemed to redden and how her whole body looked to be stiff as a board.
“You should get her out of here. I think we’ve got it from here,” Curtis suggested.
"Yes, Spencer. Take Trina outside, away from this. This isn't good for her," Marshall agreed.
"I have to get Daddy home anyway. He's drunk. Thanks to my witch of a mother," Trina glared at Portia. "Good going Portia. You drove my dad to drink. Are you happy? God, I hope Curtis leaves you before you drive him to the same."
"Come on, Trina. Let's go," Spencer gently pulled her away from Portia and took her out to where Taggert was waiting, leaving Portia along with everyone else.
Portia turned to the guests and gasped when she came face to face with Laura, who normally had a warm smile, but now..the woman’s blue eyes were like ice as they glared daggers into her.
"So, now I know why my grandson is having extra therapy sessions. To deal with the abuse you have been heaping on him," Laura growled, her hands balling up into fists to keep herself from strangling the curly-haired doctor.
“Laura, listen, I didn’t…”
"NO! No, you stand there and listen to me you monster! You talk about Spencer being a Cassadine as if you know all about the Cassadines and what they're like! You talk as if you experienced the Cassadines and all their wrongs firsthand by laying them at my grandson's feet! Well, let me tell you! You know nothing about the Cassadines! Not one damned thing!"
"Laura…," Curtis tried to interrupt, but she threw a glare at Curtis that shut him up.
“Stay out of this son. The woman knows her business,” Marshall placed a hand on Curtis’s shoulder. He had been in Port Charles during the weather machine business. He had heard all about the battle between Luke Spencer and the Cassadines and how dangerous the original Cassadines were. It was best to let the woman who knew them best handle this.
"You think my grandson is an example of how bad the Cassadines are! You think that he's the prime example of danger and megalomania that haunted the family! Let me tell you something, Portia Robinson Ashford! You are wrong! Spencer is nothing like the Cassadines that are taunted to be so dangerous! He is no Mikkos, he is no Victor, he is no Stavros...the most dangerous of them all! He's not even Stefan! He's Spencer...and yes, he may have a few shady tendencies, but they are NOTHING like the men I had just listed!"
“Laura…,” Portia tried to interrupt, but Laura continued.
"I saw those men kill, rape, and murder to take over the world or in Victor's case, destroy the world! I saw Stefan gaslight both Luke and me, pretending not to be like his brother when he was at times worse! I experienced all of Stavro's depravity! All of Helena's insanity! So don't you DARE stand there and try to put all of that on my grandson when he's done nothing but try to help you keep your relationship with your daughter! Even when it was emotionally unhealthy for himself, you miserable miserable woman!
"My family has suffered at the hands of the Cassadines for forty years! My son was kidnapped and brainwashed! My daughter was kidnapped and her embryos stolen all because she looked like me! My grandsons were kidnapped and nearly killed in Greenland! My firstborn son was ripped and kept away from me for all of his childhood! I didn't get him back until he was a teenager! So don't you dare stand there and act like you know the Cassadines, that your family has suffered at the hands of the Cassadines when mine has suffered most of all, especially that young man out there who you hate so much!
"You stay away from my grandson, Portia. If I even see you breathe the same air as him, I will do all I can as the power of mayor to make you pay! You hear me?! Who knows how much damage you've done to him with your poisonous words! I should sue you! I just might! It’s sad. Trina is such a lovely girl. I guess Taggert is the one to get all the credit for how well she turned out. It certainly doesn’t go to you. Curtis, I’m sorry for this outburst, but I’m afraid that it needed to be said. I will check up on you later. Good night.”
Having said all that needed to be said, Laura turned around and stormed out of the house.
Shaking, Portia turned around to see Curtis glaring at her. He simply shook his head.
“You were wrong for that Portia. So wrong. I think...this marriage can’t go anywhere from here. Aunty, can I stay with you? I know that your place is more handicap accessible.”
“Sure sweety,” Stella nodded.
"Oh, and Marshall...can you pack up Trina's things. I don't think she's going to want to come back here. So can you pack them up and drop them off at Taggerts?"
“Curtis? Don’t you think that you should let Trina make that decision?”
“You mean like you allowed her to make the decision about who she wants in her life? Who she wanted to invite to this family dinner? Hmm? Is that what you mean?”
Portia winced and took a step back. “Curtis please don’t do this to our family…”
"We have no family Portia. Oh, there is a family. Don't get me wrong, but I'm afraid that you can't be part of it. Marshall, please go pack Trina's things. I'd like to drop them off at Taggerts myself."
“Sure thing, son,” Marshall nodded and made his way upstairs.
“Curtis, please! We’re all under one roof! We can all be happy!”
“Happy as long as we all do what you want, do what you say? Right? Fuck that,” Curtis pulled off his wedding ring and sit it on the living room table. “It’s over Portia. You’ll hear from my lawyer soon.”
…..
Trina looked at her cell phone as Spencer pulled into the parking lot in front of her father's building. Taggert was knocked out in the back seat, sleeping off the drunken stupor he had fallen into.
“Curtis just broke up with my...with Portia. He’s going to have Marshall pack up my things and drop them off here. Which is good. I’m glad. Now I don’t have to even worry about having to see or talk to her,” Trina sighed, putting her phone away.
“I never saw you that angry before,” Spencer commented, looking at her with sad eyes. He hadn’t meant for this to happen. He had hoped to keep all of this from Trina until things were better between himself and her mother. He hadn’t wanted to come between them.
“Can you blame me?”
Spencer simply shook his head. “No, I can’t. I don’t.”
"This wasn't the first time that she said something like that, was it?"
Spencer bowed his head. "No, it wasn't. But I had it handled. I go see a therapist so things like that don't stay on my mind and haunt me. I don't dwell on her words and I don't listen to her. She wanted me to leave you, but I didn't...I couldn't...not unless you said that you wanted me to go, but you never did. I couldn't hurt you like that…"
“I still wish that you had told me the moment that she started. I hate that she went in on you like that and you just took the abuse and said nothing. It breaks my heart to know that.”
“Trina...I just wanted you to have your mother…”
"I know. But I rather have you. Someone who loves me and respects my boundaries. Something she doesn't do.
From now on, you have to talk to me. Share these things with me so I can help you deal with them as a couple, alright? United we stand, divided we fall. With Esme still slinking around...we can't afford to be on separate pages."
“I get it, I do,” Spencer leaned in and kissed her and squeezed her hand. “In that case...I should tell you something that happened the other day…”
“What?”
“When Esme and I took those pictures of Ace...I was reading to him and...she touched my hair. It was so uncomfortable and I didn’t know what to say or do…”
“What did you do?”
“Finished off the book to Ace, put him to bed, then went up to my room and locked the door.”
“Should I go off on her too? I will if you want.”
Spencer laughed. "No. I just wanted you to know so there are no secrets between us."
Trina sighed and nodded. She hated that Esme had a chance to touch him like that, but she was glad that Spencer had voluntarily told her about it. “Do you think that her mask is finally slipping?”
"I don't know. With the way, your mother was treating me...I'm afraid that it made me empathize a little with Esme...but I still don't trust her like that."
“Hmm...continue being nice to her. Make her believe that you’re her only friend. If she believes that you’re softening towards her, she’ll begin to relax and her mask will slip. We may be able to catch her yet.”
Spencer frowned. “Trina...I don’t know…I guess you may have a point…”
“It’s better than using that fake evidence that your Uncle had left.”
Spencer sighed and nodded. “You have a point there. Alright. I’ll continue to be nice to Esme. Get her to drop her guard. Sooner or later, if she’s faking, she’ll slip. If she doesn’t...well at least we know that Ace is safe.”
“Right,” Trina smiled and leaned in to kiss him once more. “Now I need one more favor from you baby.”
"Anything?"
“Help me get my dad inside and into bed. He’s far too heavy for me to handle alone.”
Spencer just chuckled and moved to get out of the car. “It’s a good thing I love you so much.”
"Yes, and I am the boss."
“Of course you are.”