OUR NEW HOME

A follow-on to Getting to Know You

CHAPTER ONE

The entire gang had returned to Wildwind after having lunch out and completing their back to school shopping. Miranda and AJ would soon be starting second grade. Gabby would be attending half-day, Pre K, five days a week this year. She was very proud announcing that she had "gwaduwated" from three to five days a week.

"Ok, Team. Marissa and I have some things to go over regarding the new house. You guys can go ahead and play video games for half an hour and then it's outside to play. Okay?"

"Okay," said the girls in unison. "Deal," replied AJ. Off they ran.

Bianca and Marissa headed back to the home office. They sat side by side at Bianca's desk in front of her Mac and hard copies of the house paperwork. "Okay. So, let's see…the P&S is executed; the inspection/engineering report is completed; we as the buyers and the sellers have completed negotiations; this is a predominantly cash deal; both of our names will be on the deed; the walk through and closing are in just a little under two weeks now..."

"Holy shit, Bianca. We are really doing this!"

"Yes, Marissa. We really are."

"We have so much to do!"

"Well thank God we agreed to hire the Designer, the Nanny and the Housekeeper."

"Ya, that is best for the kids and us. Marissa glanced up at the calendar on the computer screen. "Oh, right. We're meeting at the house and then back at the Design Center with Courtney tomorrow. That'll be fun!"

"Okay, after we yank the kids away from video games, let's have a family meeting to hear what the kids come up with for ideas for their rooms."

Oh, that'll be really fun!" exclaimed Marissa.

/ / / /

"AJ! Mimo! Gab! Please report to the office for a family meeting in two minutes!" Bianca beckoned. They all sat 'round the circular table. They laid out the house floor plan and the rendering of the property.

"Okay, Goobers. It's time to brainstorm about how you all might like to decorate your rooms.

"Can I get a trundle bed for sleepovers, Mom?" asked Miranda.

"Ya, I want one of those too! May I have one, Mom? asked AJ

"What's a twundew?"

"It's two beds in one, Gab," explained Marissa using her hands to illustrate. "One slides out from under the other. When not in use it stays stored underneath."

"Ooooh. Can I get one too? For my fwens?"

"Okay, guys, that's unanimous. Three trundle beds it is." Bianca winked at Marissa. "Now the two other things we would like you to think about is wall color and if you want a theme."

"Puwple!" Gabby exclaimed with excitement.

"Here are a color wheel and fan of colors to choose from," explained Marissa setting them in the middle of the table. "See what you think."

By the time all was said and done they were all pleased with their choices. Gabby had chosen "enchanted" a mix of a periwinkle and lavender wall color with, what else, a princess theme. Miranda chose a medium pink "early sunrise" with a dancer theme, and AJ chose "blue wave" with a nautical theme. He also wanted to paint white puffy clouds as a sky.

/ / / /

The three kids were off at separate play dates. Marissa, smiling as she used the key Bianca had given her, poked her head in the front door at Wildwind beckoning Bianca. When she got no answer she headed back to the 'west wing'. Although Marissa was aware that Bianca was a "survivor" in oh so many ways, she also now realized that she couldn't help but be hypervigilant. So many times Marissa's heart ached with visceral sympathy for the pain Bianca had endured. She had wished internally that she could eradicate that anguish. Intellectually she knew this was not possible. Bianca is the woman she is today due to the sum of all her experiences. She resisted her temptation to simply wrap her arms around her from behind when she found her in the office. She instead announced herself gently. Bianca turned with a radiant smile, sighed and extended her arms for Marissa to float into them. The two women embraced in a tight hold, inhaled one another's scents and simultaneously exhaled sounding "mmm." They giggled and rocked one another.

Still holding one another, Marissa whispered, "I missed you last night."

"I know. I missed you, too. A body pillow doesn't quite cut it."

"I can't wait to move into our beautiful new home, with my beautiful new girlfriend."

After a few gentle, loving kisses the temperature was rising. Bianca reluctantly peeled herself away. "Okay, irresistible one. I must resist your wiles before we both get too worked up."

"Aw. Where's the fun in that?" she said, flashing her toothy grin.

"C'mon you. We've got work to do to get into that new home you can't wait for." Bianca, ever the planner, turned to grab paper and pen for their meeting with the designer. Marissa found it humorous that Bianca was so particular about the pens she used. She was a bit queer about mechanical pencils and a good eraser as well. Marissa theorized it was connected to her control issues. Marissa could see that Bianca, queen of organization, was getting slightly irritated trying to locate what she sought. Oh, ya. I'm glad I brought the bag in from the car after all.

"Um, B?" Trying to get her attention. "Bianca! I have something for you," handing her a handled gift bag with a pretty Florentine print and white ribbon.

"What?" Bianca looked confused her mind still obsessing.

"Just open it, hon."

Bianca pulled out what lay beneath the tissue paper. A black leather folio with the letters BCM monogrammed in the lower left corner. Inside was a windowed holder to display her own business card, a holder for business cards she might collect from meetings, a strap inside the binding to hold a writing utensil, and an 8 1/2 x 11 lined canary writing pad. She then opened the small box containing a Mont Blanc fountain pen and mechanical pencil both engraved with "BCM" in gold script lettering. She ran her fingers over her initials.

She jumped at Marissa squeezing her tight. The pools that had gathered in those gorgeous eyes had not escaped Marissa. "Thank you for loving me…quirks and all."

"I'm glad you know that I do, with every fiber of my being. I must also confess to a bit of cunning." Bianca raised an eyebrow. "I know how you always have to play with your pen. You can't help it. When we aren't together…when you're at work…now you'll kinda be playing… with me."

"Nice one Tasker," said Bianca grinning. "Great. As if I don't think about you 24/7 already."

"Oh, please. Your business acumen kicks in the minute you put your mind to it."

"Well that's not exactly what I'm focused on at the moment." She said staring at enticing lips.

Uh, oh, thought Marissa, there's that hungry look again. Damn, we don't have the time. She held up her hand and turned her head.

"How rude!" came the response in mock indignation.

"C'mon, Ms. Thang. We don't want to be late."