The Sunny Chronicles: Resurrections: Chapter Seven

Bianca paces the floor of her living room, bouncing a fussy Miranda in her arms as Sunny watches on helplessly. They have already been home for almost ten minutes, and Bianca has yet to speak a word or even sit still for a second.

"Bianca," Sunny finally says. "Let me put Miranda down for a nap … You could really use one yourself. You've had a really long day already and …"

"No, Sunny," she replies sternly. "No thank you … I know Miranda and I are both tired, but … I really need to be with her right now."

"Okay," Sunny agrees with a sigh. "But, at least sit down. If you don't rest now, you'll only feel worse later."

"Why do you even care?" asks Bianca, her chin jutting out defensively. "Why are you even here, Sunny? I didn't think we parted on the best of terms last night."

"I realize that, believe me," says Sunny. "And I know you're probably still upset with me, but …"

"Actually, I could really care less," Bianca interrupts. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but … all I can even think about is Babe right now."

"I know," replies Sunny, taking a cautious step forward. "And, I know about you and Maggie, so don't think I'm here in some weak attempt to try to win you back … at least, not in that way. I know whatever chance I had with you is over."

"Did you talk to Maggie?" questions Bianca, finally standing in one spot long enough to face her. "Is that how you knew about Babe and I? Did she tell you?"

Sunny takes a deep breath. "Yes. But, please don't blame Maggie. She was kind of forced into telling me."

"Forced? I don't understand."

"Look, the thing is, Greenlee called me right after she found Babe, after she called the police, that is. You knew Greenlee was the one who found Babe at the falls, didn't you?"

Bianca nods in affirmation.

"Well, as soon as Greenlee told me what had happened, I rushed right over here to see you, to make sure you were all right. I didn't know if you had been told or not, and …"

"Still," Bianca interrupts. "I don't see why Maggie would ever tell you a secret like that. No offense, Sunny. But, you know you're not exactly her favorite person."

"I know, but … after she heard about Babe … well, she was concerned that what had happened between you and Babe last night might have had something to do with her death."

"You mean, Maggie thought that Babe might have jumped?" asks Bianca, tears welling in her eyes. "Because of me?"

"Bianca, none of this is your fault. None of it."

"But, Babe was falling in love with me, and I couldn't even see it. She put her heart on her sleeve last night, and I … God, what have I done?"

Bianca finally collapses onto the couch, baby in arms, and begins to cry in earnest. Sunny looks up at the ceiling wearily and sighs. She goes to stand in front of Bianca, stopping short of sitting next to her. She's never been very good at consoling people, and feels she would fail miserably under these circumstances. The guilt from lying to Bianca about the way Babe really died is eating away at her conscience enough as it is.

"If Babe jumped, and that's a big if, then she is the only one truly responsible for ending her life. You weren't even there."

"But, I could have been," Bianca weeps. "If I had thought for one second that she might do something so … I would have stopped her, Sunny. I wouldn't have left her side until I knew she was okay again."

"Bianca, Babe wasn't honest with you," Sunny tries to point out. "You couldn't see that she was falling in love with you because she didn't tell you. She obviously didn't even want you to know until the time was right for her. If she could keep that kind of secret from you, then what makes you think you would have been able to tell if she were suicidal?"

"I was her best friend," Bianca tells her. "Her only friend. She counted on me."

"You mean, the way she counted on getting you drunk last night?" Sunny asks, folding her arms.

"I got drunk all on my own, Sunny," Bianca replies, wiping her eyes. "Don't blame that on Babe, please. Especially now."

"Fine. But, if we can't blame Babe for your behavior, then we can't blame you for Babe's. That's all I'm trying to say."

Bianca bounces Miranda gently in her lap and fights back more tears. "It's just … Babe went through so much with J.R. She really loved him, with all her heart, and he just threw her away like trash. If she had fallen in love with me that deeply, only to be rejected again …"

This time, when her tears begin to flow, Sunny sits beside her and puts an arm around her back.

"Bianca, you are not J.R." she soothes. "I've heard the stories, and believe me, you are not even capable of the disgusting crap that he pulled. I'm sure Babe knew that. I'm also sure that she valued your friendship enough to not blame you for her heartbreak."

"But, I am to blame," Bianca says, looking her in the eye. "She was ready to offer everything to me … and what did I do? I slept with her, and then ran home to Maggie the next morning."

"Because it's Maggie you love," Sunny tells her. "Right? The heart wants what the heart wants … you can't control that, and neither could Babe."

"Where is Maggie, anyway?" Bianca suddenly asks. "You said you talked to her earlier. Did she drive you to the Chandler's?"

"She did," Sunny confirms. "And, she wanted to be with you, trust me. But, she also wanted to check out the area around the falls … see if she sees anything that the police might have missed."

"What? Why?" Bianca questions. "I thought she was going with … the suicide theory."

"Not exactly," answers Sunny. "Bianca, none of us can be sure what happened at Miller's Falls this morning, because none of us were there. I told you, Babe jumping is a big if. You shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maggie wouldn't want you to, that's why she's there. If she finds anything at all, she'll call us, okay? Please don't start beating yourself up. We're not even absolutely sure what happened."

Bianca relaxes a little and looks back at Sunny with tired eyes. "If you're chances with me are over, which they are, then, what are you doing here? Why are you helping Maggie, and why are you taking care of me?"

"Did you think I would ditch you and slink away with my tail between my legs just because I can't be romantic with you?"

Bianca shrugs.

"Bianca, you're one of the best people I've ever met, I mean that. And me ... well, I may not be the greatest prize in the world, but … I do know how to be a good buddy," Sunny explains. "I do envy Maggie … I won't lie about that. She's a very lucky chick. But, more than anything, I just want to be your friend. If I could be that for you, then I'd consider myself pretty damn lucky too."

Bianca smiles, just for a moment, and takes Sunny's hand. "Thank you. I'm glad you're here, really. And I'm sorry I questioned your motives. I'm just … on edge."

"I totally understand," Sunny replies, giving her hand a squeeze. "Listen, why don't you and Miranda both lie down? I'll make you some hot tea, okay?"

Bianca nods and says, "Will you wake me when Maggie comes home? I … really need her right now."

"Of course," says Sunny. "Don't worry, Binks. She'll be home soon."

Sunny stands to cross the room, then pauses at the kitchen door, watching as Bianca stretches out on the couch. She cradles Miranda between herself and the back of the sofa and closes her eyes.

Under her breath, Sunny says to herself, "I hope to God Maggie comes home soon … Where the hell could she be?"