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“Trina wait…” Spencer gently stops Trina from going any closer to the door by pulling her towards him, his hands firmly gripping her shoulders. “I know that you’re smart and capable but I’m so afraid that this is the last time I’m going to see you—“ Spencer’s voice breaks at that and Trina’s resolve melts away when she spots the tears in his eyes. “I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved anybody else in my life…I’m so in love with you and I—“ The words were tumbling out of him so fast that he didn’t even realize what he just said. “I know you may not be ready to say it back—“
Trina cuts Spencer off by tugging on his black tie to drag him down to her height, sealing her lips onto his. A soft gasp escapes him, leaving room for Trina’s tongue to meet his. Soon enough, Spencer’s hands are making their way from the center of her back, up to her neck, and then to her cheeks to pull her even closer to him. Eventually, Trina finds the strength to pull away, both of them already out of breath. "I’m crazy in love with you too, Spencer!” Trina lets out a small giggle as she glances around the room. “I jumped onto a boat to follow you because I had a gut feeling you were in trouble. And I don’t even know how to swim. The best I can do is stay on the shallow side of the Metro Court Pool.”
Spencer's eyes dart wildly back and forth across her face, committing everything about her to memory. Spencer lets out a laugh, amazed by Trina's ability to find a way to bring a smile to his face. Though, truth be told, she didn't have to do much. He hadn't stopped smiling from the second she bolted through that door in her beautiful pink gown. But, he also couldn't stop his hands from shaking as it dawned on him just how much danger she was in. Again, he was conflicted because she followed him here. Because she loves him. Those words he had longed to hear from Trina's lips from the moment he laid eyes on her.
Minutes before Trina came to this room, he was sitting on that creaky bed, making peace with the idea that this was his bad karma for all his sins since returning home. He was thinking about how this day had started. He had wanted to pick Trina up with a limo so they could arrive at the Nurse's ball together. He had talked himself out of asking Trina because of the ugly reminder of Esme's voice, kneading it into his head that a girl like Trina would never look in his direction or any possibility that Trina could just love him for him. He had let that voice win so when Trina asked him why he didn't ask her to be his date, he couldn't bring himself to admit his fears and insecurities that someone he thought loved him had preyed upon.
Even though he was scared, Spencer talked to his father above his love for Trina which led to his father giving him the rings he and Emily Quartermaine wore on their wedding day. His father had told him to give it to Trina if his words failed him. A promise ring--an engagement ring, whichever word wouldn't freak Trina out. And after making their relationship official, he was going to broach the subject with Trina and give her the rings. But, of course, Joss--with her impeccable timing--had interrupted them.
So, he had been staring at the box with the two rings before Trina arrived. He was grieving at the thought of never seeing Trina again or hearing her beautiful laugh, or seeing her beautiful afro. He was surprised the box hadn’t fallen off somewhere. He had promised himself that if he ever saw her again, he'd give these to her and fate had intervened to bring her to him. “This doesn’t have to mean anything because I know we literally only made it official 24 hours ago and—I wanted to give this to you..." His hands are shaking so badly as he digs out the box from his back pocket. It may be silly, but having her wear these would make him feel better. These rings would be like a seal of protection. She was his family. And his Uncle may not know reason, but his number one principle was not to harm family.
His hands were shaking so much that the box fell out of his grasp, and one ring tumbled out at Trina's feet. Trina bends down to pick it up. The ring is rose gold, with an engraving that reads ‘love you always.’ “Aww…Spencer, this is beautiful. I love it.” Trina tries awkwardly to fit the ring onto each of her fingers until she finally puts it on her thumb where it seemed to fit the best. “See…fits perfectly.”
Spencer gently takes her hand and removes the ring. “Uh huh…It’s too large for you because that ring is...mine.” Spencer retrieves the box from the floor, taking out the other ring.
Trina's eyes widen as the realization dawns on her. So...that's why he was so nervous. “Yours? These are…couple rings?”
Spencer looks sheepish once again and his face turns red. “Yeah.” Spencer takes one of Trina’s hands. “That was the ring my father gave to someone he loved.”
Spencer gently grabs Trina’s hand and slides the ring on so reverently onto her fourth finger that it brings tears to her eyes. He then presses his lips to her ring finger, his eyes closed as though he’s whispering a prayer to keep her safe. Spencer had never been a religious man. The Cassadines aren’t known for their piousness. But holding Trina’s hand in his made him pray to a God he wanted to believe in…because how could he not believe when he had this amazing woman in front of him who loved him with all his flaws and never asked for a thing in return from him. Her love for him just is…all he asks is for God and any other powerful force that can defy a Cassadine on a mission to keep her safe from harm.
It’s only Trina’s soft voice that pulls him out of his thoughts. “Spencer?!”
“Hmmm…”
“Your turn,” she says as she takes Spencer’s paired ring from his hand to slide it onto his ring finger. Mirroring his actions, she presses her lips to his finger. As she opens her eyes, she catches Spencer staring at her with a sad smile and she squeezes his hand, offering him comfort. “This is not the end for us.”
Spencer presses his forehead against hers before wrapping his arms around her for an embrace. “It’s not," he whispers, his nose buried into her curls as he kisses her forehead.
She tightens her grip around his waist. Her cheek is buried against his chest, closing her eyes. Ugh--they wasted so much time denying the truth. “Why the hell did we wait so long to make it official?”
“I was scared that if you had a moment to think about it...you'd think we were a mistake.”
“You are not a mistake, Spencer. We are not a mistake.”
“Even coming onto this phantom of the Haunted Star?”
“Even this," she giggles. "I always made my choice when it comes to you. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Trina pulls away from the embrace to peer up at him. "I will come back to you," she whispers.
Knowing that she is just as scared as he is, Spencer lovingly caresses the ring on her finger as Trina mirrors his gesture. "You will," he confirms. “Once we get back to Port Charles, I’m going to make you my wife. Unless you turn tail and run from my crazy family by the end of this adventure."
“I’m taking this ring, knowing how crazy your family is. I love you regardless.”
“You do?" Spencer asks with a small smile on his face.
“I do."
Somehow, Spencer found the strength to let go of Trina. Spencer holds onto Trina's words as he sinks to the floor after Trina looks back at him once more before closing the door. He buries his face into his hands, with the only thing he can see through his fingers being the ring. And the only thing giving him comfort is that Trina has the other half. He shakes his head and lets out a deep breath. He was a Cassadine and a Corinthos. He'd be damned if he let anything or anyone get in between his and Trina's future together. After all, he had an official proposal he had to plan for.
On the other side of the door, Trina gives herself one moment of reprieve, her eyes finding their way back down to the ring on her finger. She lets herself break into a soft grin and giggle. The man of her dreams just said they'd get married. This ring was not coming off her finger. She had been in love with Spencer for so long, with much of that time spent on her denying her feelings for him. So, of course, the universe just had to intervene once things were looking up for them. Well, that was just as good as any motivation to get back home despite the chaos that was awaiting her on shore.
Hold on, Spencer! She thought before taking a deep breath and taking a step down the hall.