o.o.O.O.o.o
Bianca's POV
One…the loneliest number…is it?
One heart.
One first.
One soul.
One moment.
One chance to show the world who you are.
One life that we're certain of.
One step closer.
One you.
One love?
…Lonely…solitary. No, that's not me. One doesn't have to be a lonely number. One can be hopeful…yes, hopeful. When you're unsure of something, scared, sad all it takes is one person to pull you through everything. One person to be positive, pure, present a new view on things, a new opportunity to be something amazing, to be the person you want to be. All it takes is one person to show that they'd stare down the barrel of a gun to prove to you that they believe that your life is worth living. All you need is one person to reignite the fire that you thought all of the trauma and emotional and mental battles had burned out in you; one person to stand by you through everything. One. That's all it takes.
Suddenly…one doesn't seem like such a lonely number.
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
She sighed in content, feeling completely well rested, more so than she has felt in the last three years. She felt warm and comfortable. Her sense began to come to her. She could smell a very compelling scent of lavender that gave rise to an intense knot in her stomach as the sweet fragrance infiltrated her nose. She could hear the steady rate of a beating heart, which coincided with the regular puff of air that she could feel heating the top of her head. She moved her hand and felt the cool, goosepimply skin beneath her palm. At the small bit of pressure she exerted on skin beneath her fingertips, she shot her eyes open. Her face was buried in the creamy, smooth skin of a brunette's neck. Marissa widened her eyes and, gently, lifted her head. She steadied herself on her right hand as she peeked over Bianca's sleeping form to gaze at the digital clock on the nightstand on the other side of the bed. It was 9:15. Marissa had only gotten six hours of sleep, but she felt refreshed. Moving her gaze from the clock, Marissa returned her focus on her wife. Best friend…she thought. No, she's my wife. And she looks even more beautiful asleep than I remember. Bianca's hair had fallen over her eyes, which made a smile grace Marissa's face. It made her laugh lightly. Carefully, she raised her left hand and moved the hair away from Bianca's face. She knew she shouldn't, at the risk of waking Bianca up and having to explain why she was so close to her face, but Marissa had the irresistible urge to kiss Bianca's face…anywhere. The need to be close…er to her was compelling.
Marissa smiled. So beautiful…
"The hell with it," she whispered to herself as she leaned down and kissed her wife's temple.
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
"You ready to go back?" Miranda asked as Gabby plopped into a chair, seating herself by the counter.
"Not really. I just wanna stay here," Gabby admitted as Miranda handed her a cup of coffee.
"Boarding school ain't looking so good now, is it?" Miranda teased.
"Shut up… Hey…did Mom go to bed last night? I didn't hear her come up."
Miranda was about to respond when she and Gabby heard the sound of a door softly shutting coming from the lower level. The pair of them looked at each other and immediately stood and ran to the edge of the kitchen. Gabby, closer to the stairwell, peered her head through the entrance to the hallway, sneaking a peek at the stairs leading to the basement.
"It's Mom." She whispered.
"Yeah, cuz that narrows it down," Miranda quirked. "Is it number 1 or number 2?"
"What would constitute that designation?"
"Biology versus adoption." Miranda said.
"Number 2! Quick, look busy!"
The two of them scampered to move further into the kitchen. Gabby returned to her seat and Miranda leaned against the counter, pretending to talk to her sister.
"Please tell me we can have fun with this," Gabby whispered to Miranda as Marissa walked into the kitchen.
"Have fun with what?" Marissa asked. Gabby raised her eyebrows and looked to Miranda to help her out.
"Uh…fun on the uh ride to the station in about an hour. Baby sister's gotta get back to school."
Marissa's face fell. "So soon?"
"Yeah," Gabby said. "I'm gonna have so much work to catch up on."
"Good news is," Miranda said, "that my baby sister is hating her school right about now and I'm positive that she will be staying in Pine Valley next semester."
"Is that so?" Marissa said with a smile. Gabby nodded.
"Yup." She said.
"And speaking of news," Miranda said as she leaned onto counter, flashing an impish grin to Marissa and perching her chin in the palm of her hand. "Where did you sleep last night?"
Marissa grinned bashfully, a full-fledged blush shading her flesh.
"Good morning." A voice rang throughout the kitchen. The three women turned to see Bianca behind Marissa.
"Hey," Marissa said softly.
"Good morning!" Gabby exclaimed.
"Ya hungry?" Miranda asked. "I was gonna some make French toast."
"You were?" Gabby asked. Miranda shot Gabby a look to hush her up.
"That sounds amazing," Bianca said. "Thank you."
Miranda made her way to the refrigerator to remove the items she'd need for her breakfast creation. Getting out of her seat, Gabby offered both of her mothers some coffee, which they both, gratefully, accepted.
"So," Gabby said to Bianca, "Did you sleep well?"
She eyed Marissa with a knowing gleam in her eyes and a playful smirk on her lips. Marissa shook her head in disbelief. Noticing, Miranda had to suppress a chuckle as she shook some cinnamon in the batter.
"Yes, I did," Bianca replied. There was an anxious spirit evident in her voice as she recalled what Marissa had mumbled in her sleep when she woke up from her nightmare.
"Good. I'm glad," Gabby said. Trying not to show the obvious rascal-like smile that was coming to her face, she turned her back and decided to help her sister out with making breakfast.
Bianca turned to Marissa and smiled at her.
"How 'bout you? You sleep well?" Bianca asked.
Marissa nodded. "Yup. The best sleep I've had in a while, actually."
Gabby and Miranda looked at each other with light-hearted grins, enjoying the shy, yet good-natured exchange between Bianca and Marissa.
"So," Gabby said as she turned her head. "Are you gonna go to the Gala on Saturday?" She asked Bianca.
"Gala?" She questioned before it dawned on her that Gabby was speaking of the Miranda Centre. "Oh! Uh…I dunno. I haven't thought about it."
Marissa placed a kind hand in Bianca's lap. She was about to respond when the back door opened and Tammy walked in greeting everyone with a 'Good Morning.' Tammy had noticed Bianca and how Marissa's hand sat comfortably in her lap.
Looking at each other, Gabby and Miranda, subtly, rolled their eyes. Miranda had always believed that she had perfect timing and it was moments like these when she found herself to be correct. Looking from the pan where the French toast was cooking, Miranda noticed the scene unfold before her. She recognized the melancholy look that Tammy had changed into the moment her eyes had fallen on her mother's lap. Her face was wrought with an emotion more powerful than love: jealousy. Even though it wasn't clear-cut to Marissa who hadn't even spent two seconds greeting Tammy, Miranda knew very well what pursed lips on the blonde's face meant.
"You must be Bianca! It's so nice to finally meet you," Tammy said in a sweet voice that had evoked a series of hand gestures between the two sisters by the stove – pointing to their molars to signify a toothache, sticking their fingers in their mouths in a vomiting act, and a hand gesture that Miranda had engaged in to signify Tammy's fake words. The blonde woman extended her hand.
"Yeah," Bianca said, taking Tammy's hand and shaking it. "You are?"
"Oh! I'm Tammy."
"She's a friend of mine. She's staying in the pool house for a bit." Marissa explained.
"A bit?" Miranda mouthed to Gabby, who rolled her eyes again.
"Oh, well, nice to meet you Tammy." Bianca said sincerely.
"Good morning you two," Tammy addressed Miranda and Gabby.
"Hiii," the pair of them dragged.
"What are you ladies talking about?" Tammy inquired.
"Bianca coming to the Gala on Saturday," Marissa expressed. "And I was gonna say, don't worry. You don't have to come, but you're invited."
"Yeah," Miranda said as she placed a plate of French toast and fruit in front of Bianca. "I'll put a place for you at my table and if you decide to come, you'll have somewhere to sit and eat and enjoy yourself."
Bianca smiled at Miranda and then her face fell into a contemplative state. She looked to her lap where she noticed that Marissa's hand was still there. Don't focus on it she berated herself. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at Miranda.
"I'll think about it."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Anger, frustration, rage...all-consuming rage was what they felt. The blood within their veins pumped quickly, their breaths became ragged and the knuckles on their hands turned white with the fury that burned within them. Looking around the now empty house, their blue eyes wandered over to a man named Dustin. His bruised face complemented the long laceration that started at his forehead and ran down his left side, ending at a place they didn't know because it disappeared into his black t-shirt. As he sat in a lonely chair in the middle of the basement, his boss circled his form. There was a look of fear in his eye as he stared at someone he didn't know. Whoever they were, they were shorter than he was and when they spoke, he couldn't comprehend whom he spoke to. A voice alter was being used and knowing that he failed scared him more than anything.
"Can you tell me...HOW IS IT...that a team of OVER 10 STRONG, POWERFUL, FEARFUL MEN could NOT MANAGE TO KEEP A SINGLE, SCRAWNY, WOMAN CAPTIVE?"
"It-it-it w-wasn't our fault...they came in undetected, guns b-blazing..."
"So..." Their voice had calmed significantly. "...What you're telling me is that you morons didn't have enough firearms? WHAT THE HELL AM I PAYING YOU FOR?"
"We-"
"NO! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU IDIOTIC PIECE OF SHIT! ...I did NOT plan EVERYTHING out to the last insignificant DETAIL for you to screw it all up now! YOU will get her back here and we will PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF!"
With all the strength they could muster, the masked figure kicked Dustin's chair sending him backwards. When his head hit the ground, he saw a distinct shadow walk over his frame and leaned over him as they pressed the bottom of their footwear to his trachea, cutting off his air supply.
"Now, listen to me Mr. Dustin, you do what I say and I pay you. That's our deal. You fail, I kill you; it's as simple as that. Miss Montgomery is expected to show her pretty little face at a Banquet set up for the Miranda Centre this coming Saturday my sources tell me. You make the pick-up there, understood? DO NOT mess this up AGAIN... You're puny little life depends on it."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Saturday had come faster than Marissa had expected. Given the fact that it was Bianca's first week back at the strange house, Marissa felt that things would feel protracted. She thought things would be extremely difficult not only for Bianca, but for herself as well. But things had gone incredibly smooth. That's not to say, however, that the week didn't have its difficulties. Marissa had to keep dealing with the fact that Bianca couldn't remember who she truly was and it was eating away at her from the inside out. Every time Bianca smiled at her or spoke to her, even about the simplest things, Marissa found herself trying to keep her distance in a way that wasn't rude, but couldn't be misconstrued in a manner that would make Bianca feel uncomfortable. She had developed these little ticks, such as scratching her forehead, cracking her knuckles, or rubbing her hands together in a nervous fashion, all so she could keep her hands occupied – to keep her from blurting out everything.
Taking a deep breath, Marissa checked over her hair and make-up as she zipped up the zipper that clasped on the side of her red evening gown. Grabbing her purse off of her bed, she opened her door and headed down the stairs. She walked through the halls and into the kitchen where Tammy was just walking in.
"You look great," Tammy said with wonderment evident in her voice.
"Thank you," Marissa said with a smile. "You got plans tonight?"
"Just gonna do some work in the pool house."
"That's good," Marissa said.
Tammy looked at Marissa carefully. She admired the way Marissa's red dress enhanced her copper hair and made her eyes seem greener in the light. She commended the way the gown clung to every curve of Marissa's body. From head to toe, Marissa looked fantastic and the outfit was complete with the white and toothy smile that Marissa flashed. However, Tammy could not deny or simply overlook the strain behind Marissa's hazel eyes.
"You look happier," Tammy stated.
"I am."
"Yeah…but happier doesn't mean completely happy. What's wrong? …This about what you told me what Dr. Castillo said about Bianca's ex? Oh, what's her name? Maggie?"
Marissa nodded.
"I thought that if she were here, surrounded by us, all the love we have to offer her, she'd be happy and comfortable. But, even though she's smiling and laughing and so amazing with our kids, I can sense this emptiness in her. Like, she feels she's missing something. Y'know?"
"So, you're considering the doctor's suggestion?"
"I dunno…"
"Well, it's only been a week… Maybe you ought to wait a month or so. See if she regains anymore of her memory. I mean, she's remembered a few things this week, right?"
Marissa smiled and nodded. They weren't extravagant memories, but they did fill in a few blanks for Bianca. After remembering her time she spent with the kids at the resort by the lake, Bianca had also remembered finding out that Kendall was pregnant with Ian.
"Yeah…yeah, I'll wait and see how she is. It's still early." Marissa smiled and pulled Tammy in for a hug. "Thank you."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
The lights were dim and people were piling into the banquet hall of the Yacht Club to support the opening of the Miranda Centre Safe House. Security was tight, as it was an invitation only event. Erica and Miranda had sent them out months in advance to their donors and a few clients who had really benefitted from the centre. As well, there were some prospective donors who would need some convincing as to why this Safe House was a worthy investment.
Miranda and Erica stood by the entrance to the hall, shaking hands and greeting their guests. AJ was helping Zach and Ryan usher and direct people to their respective tables, which had been communicated through Kendall and Greenlee. Spike walked around with his DSLR camera, looking like quite the professional, taking snapshots for the Centre's history. As the invited arrived, each of them bombarded Miranda with questions about her mother's health. Concern with how she was adjusting to her new life was a primary interest among the donors and whether or not she would be making an appearance at the night's spectacular. Soon, Miranda and Erica had moved into the hall and began to mingle with the guests.
Not too long a while later, Miranda found herself by the bar, parched. Kendall made her way over to her niece to relieve her mind from the course it was running. Seeing the near weary look on Miranda's face had her stepping up. Before she could say a word, Miranda was, once again, being bombed with questions about Bianca.
"Miss Montgomery. This truly is a spectacle."
"Thank you," Miranda said, shaking a man's hand.
"Your mother would be so proud. Tell me, how is she dealing with her injury?"
Injury? Miranda pondered.
Just go with it Junior, Kendall thought.
"She's managing to cope quite splendidly," Miranda expressed. "I'm hoping tonight's festivities will not let you down Mr. Burns. Your money is being spent wisely and carefully."
"I don't doubt you, young lady. You're exactly like your mother. I do hope I get the chance to see her tonight."
"Unfortunately, she did not feel ready for something so grand. She is still recovering, after all."
Kendall did all she could to keep from laughing. However, she was very impressed with the way Miranda was dealing with this investor. The man said a few more words then excused himself, leaving Miranda and Kendall alone.
"Damn, news in Pine Valley travels fast," Miranda observed.
"Yuup and people will take it in any way they see fit… So, you nervous about your speech?" She asked.
Miranda shook her head. "Nah. I've given like a hundred of them."
"Well, here's your time to shine kiddo," Kendall said as she noticed Erica taking her place on the stage at the podium.
"Excuse me, may I have your attention?" The voices in the room dialed down so that not even a pin drop could go unheard. "Thank you. I'm Erica Kane, mother of the founder of the Miranda Centre, Bianca Montgomery. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for making the Miranda Centre a priority. Without donors like you, this would not be possible." A round of applause broke out. "Thank you. I'd now like to call another individual to speak without whom none of us would even be here tonight. She is the reason my daughter established this wonderful organization and the reason it's been kept alive for so long. I am proud to be able to stand here and call her my granddaughter. Ladies and gentlemen, Miranda Mona Montgomery."
More acclamations chimed and echoed throughout the hall as Miranda walked from one end of the room to the other. She made her way across the empty dance floor and could feel the gaze of the thousands of individuals who were there. Lifting her dress a bit so she wouldn't trip, Miranda walked up the steps to the podium and greeted Erica with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Erica stepped back and continued clapping with the rest of the room as the spotlight turned to Miranda.
"Thank you Ms. Kane. If I called her 'Grandma' she might scold me." Laughter could be heard throughout the room. "Like Ms. Kane stated, this great institution was discovered by a woman who, clearly, needs no introduction. A strong, intelligent and compassionate human being that make the rest of us seem like children of evil. A woman who was wronged in one of the worst possible ways and the result was me. Many tried to persuade her to get an abortion, with the fear that seeing me everyday would only serve cause as a reminder of something brutal. She refused to listen, not knowing why no one could see the love she felt for a child who did not ask to be brought into this world and who didn't have a choice, or so she believed. She chose to love me…she said she couldn't help it."
Miranda paused momentarily and her eyes caught Marissa's who had begun to tear.
"Not too long after my birth, she thought I was dead. She sought a place where she would be protected from everything – the pain, the fear, the loss. She wanted to help those like her, offer them a place where they would feel safe from the world outside, even if it was only for a moment and so began the construction of the Miranda Centre, which she named after me. For many years, victims of violence have searched for a place of refuge and safety and we have been that place. We have helped many deal with trauma and have even expanded on an international scale. But now, we are expanding even further. My mother was abducted three years ago and is now recovering. When she disappeared, I stepped up to continue her legacy. About two years ago a woman came to us in desperate need of help. She shall remain anonymous, however her story is well known among the people within the Centre. We took her in, but our mistake was treating her like every other client. Her case was different. She was stalked and her situation was the most extreme that the Miranda Centre has had to manage. Unfortunately, we were unable to help her the way we thought we could. We did not have the resources to keep her under surveillance 24/7 like she needed. As a result, she was assaulted and murdered. It was after this event that I began my own plans for growth. Ms. Kane and I began to plan the Safe House – a secluded, safe, highly secured home for cases such as the one I just described to you, with an underground bunker that serves as a medical wing and offers the support, safety and security required."
Praise from everyone vibrated off the walls, gracing Miranda's face with a giant smile.
"I thank you for your generous donations. I hope you enjoy your meal and have some fun dancing the night away. Please bid on the silent auction and thank you again. Have a pleasant evening. Thank you."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Bianca sat on the couch in the family room as she heard the echoes of children's laughter coming from the kitchen. She held a cardstock slip in her hand – the invitation that Miranda had given her earlier that week. She fumbled it through her fingers, staring at it. She had told Miranda that she would be unable to attend and, while she saw how the young woman's face fell, Miranda said she understood and didn't want to pressure her into doing anything that she felt uncomfortable with. Now, however, it seemed like Bianca was having second thoughts.
"You okay sweetie?"
Bianca looked up at the sound of the familiar, southern voice that infiltrated her ears. Krystal was leaning against the doorframe of the family room. She had agreed to watch Sofia and Nathan for the night, in case Bianca had decided to change her mind.
"Yeah," Bianca smiled. Krystal walked into the room and sat beside her. "I just…I feel like I should be there, supporting Miranda, y'know? To hell with my comfort."
That's a mama's instinct taking over Krystal thought.
"Well, it's not too late to still go. If you leave now, you can still make the main course of the five-course meal your mother was sure to have the Club be responsible for. But if you get ready, you'll get dessert and dance 'til you drop."
Bianca thought it over. Her desire was stronger than even, then it faltered.
"I don't even have anything to wear." She said sadly.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that." Krystal simply stated. "I'm betting that you have a number of beautiful gowns in that closet o'yours downstairs."
"Really?" Bianca asked with a hopeful smile.
"Really, really… Sofia! Nathan!"
The scampering of little feet came rushing into the room and the pure giggles of the innocent children made Bianca smile even more.
"Yeah Nana?" Nathan said.
"What do you guys think? Should Bianca over here go to the place where your mommy, AJ and Miranda are tonight?"
"YEAH!" Sofia yelled excitedly and Nathan joined in on the enthusiastic statement.
Krystal turned to look at Bianca who, she could tell, would fall prey to the suggestion of those children.
"Okay," Bianca said.
"C'mon Cinderella," Krystal uttered. "Let's get you ready for the Ball."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Marissa and AJ were tearing up the dance floor, swaying goofily without a care in the world. Marissa found herself laughing and letting all of her stress go. AJ took a hold of his mother's hand and began to twirl her around as the beat of the music filled the room with a new flavour. Despite the fact that Marissa could feel the adrenaline pump through her veins and her endorphins kicking in, her mind couldn't help but wander over to Bianca. She thought about how she was doing with the kinds and Krystal and whether or not she was okay in the general sense. Then she, stupidly, allowed herself to flash back to the conversation she had earlier that evening with Tammy about the possibility of bringing Maggie back t Pine Valley. No matter how much she tried to deny it, Marissa felt that Bianca was struggling with something and, for the life of her she couldn't figure it out. She thought that Maggie could be it, but she was scared…terrified to contact her. What it might mean. Was it possible that Bianca would never remember her and what they had? Could she ever live, period, if she knew that Bianca would never look at her the way she used to? Was it feasible to believe that Marissa would never again know how it felt to have her wife's lips pressed ardently and achingly to her own? What if, when Bianca found out about the two of them, she wanted a divorce? Could she handle that? How did they get here?
Miranda, Kendall and Greenlee stood idly by watching them whiz all over the dance floor, just having a good time. Sipping from her champagne flute, Greenlee turned her head to the door where someone was being overwhelmed by a swarm of people. She brought it to Miranda and Kendal's attention and the three of them saw the face of one Bianca Montgomery. Miranda's jaw dropped at the gorgeous and glamourous sight of her mother and immediately and quickly, walked over to the crowd of individuals.
"Miss Montogmery, you must be so proud of Miranda!" They said.
Bianca was confused and began to feel frightened. She didn't know how to overcome the situation she found herself in, but quickly calmed when she noticed Miranda trying to get through the throng surrounding her.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, but Miss Montgomery cannot and will not be answering any questions at this time. She is merely here as a guest and I pray that you will allow her to enjoy herself."
It was as if Miranda's word were law. The multitude of people dissipated and soon it was only Bianca and Miranda.
"You came," she said, smiling completely.
"Yeah…I dunno why. But I had to be here…for you."
"Well, for whatever reason, I'm really glad you're here." Miranda pulled Bianca in for a warm and tight embrace and she gave her a whisper of thanks.
"Hi Bianca," Greenlee said. Bianca returned the greeting and through her arms around her cousin. Miranda looked around for Kendall and saw her by the DJ's booth as she said something into his ear. She brushed it off and returned her attention back to her mother.
From the dance floor, Marissa and AJ's eyes wandered to the area where the three women had previously stood, which now was bare. Confused, Marissa trailed her eyes across the bar right to an area by the door where she saw Miranda and Greenlee conversing with the most incredible and bewitching woman she had ever known. Like a moth to a flame, Marissa found herself leaving the safe haven of the dance floor heading towards the brunette who was adorned in a long, passion purple, mermaid style dress. Her wavy, milk chocolate waves fell to one side, tumbling over her shoulder as the smoky tone of her eye make-up made her dark eyes brighten. It took Marissa's breath away. All AJ could do was follow.
Bianca spoke to Greenlee, while Miranda listened to the two of them. Out of her periphery, Bianca noticed a flash of red blind her so it was all she could see. That's Marissa, she realized. Bianca hadn't seen the redhead when she left the house, for she was napping. The deep, plunging neckline of the tight, cherry coloured dress had Bianca mesmerized and speechless. Marissa's up do framed her face perfectly and Bianca couldn't help the increase in her heart rate, nor did she want to. She wanted to forget for a moment and not fight everything within her to contain her sentiments, as wrong as they were.
"Wow," Marissa said, incapable of uttering any other words.
Bianca smiled bashfully as she was unable to inhibit or hide the way she leered at Marissa.
"You look…beautiful," Bianca said, barely able to produce that last word in anything louder than an entrancing whisper.
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, we are going to slow things down."
The soft piano of a familiar tune rang out amongst the banquet hall. Miranda recognized the song immediately. And much more quickly than Miranda, Marissa recalled the song. The velvety sound of the piano soon turned to words as Marissa flashed to the past to a particularly important dance. This was their wedding song and it brought Marissa to a state of vulnerability and she was unable to do anything but listen to the words being sung by Christina Perri's unique voice.
"Uh, Bianca," AJ asked, noticing his mother's antics. "Would you like to dance?"
Bianca nodded. AJ took her by the hand and looked at Marissa with eyebrows raised as he led Bianca onto the dance floor. Once in the center, he threw her into a small twirl and took her by the waist.
"Ya know," she said with a charming grin. "You and my mom are the most beautiful women here tonight."
Bianca giggled and thanked him and she let him lead her in a circle as she listened to the words. 'But watching you stand alone, All of my doubt, Suddenly goes away somehow, One step closer.'
As the chorus echoed throughout the room, Marissa watched her son dance with his other mother and the woman she loved. As silly as it sounded, she wanted to be AJ at that moment.
"I don't think he'd mind if you cut in," Kendall said to Marissa with a mischievous beam on her face. "Go for it Red," she whispered.
Gathering all of her courage, Marissa listened to Kendall and moved towards Bianca and AJ.
"Wipe that smirk off your face Aunt Kendall, I saw you with the DJ." Miranda said.
"Whatever do you mean Junior?"
Marissa tapped AJ's shoulder, nervously.
"Do you mind?" She asked. AJ smiled and immediately let go of Bianca.
Marissa held her hand out to Bianca as the second verse of the song began. As soon as the word brave was sung, Bianca was just that and grabbed Marissa's hand, trying to ignore the jolt of electricity that she felt run up the course of her arm the moment their palms touched. Marissa pulled Bianca close to her form as she wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck. Bianca rested herself against Marissa's elegant form, wrapping her arms around her waist. The two swayed, completely in sync and completely unaware of anything else around them. Marissa felt as if she had been waiting for this moment for eternity, holding her wife in her arms again, entirely invested in her and her alone. The world ceased to exist as the chorus was heard, reflecting Marissa's inner thoughts I have died everyday waiting for you. Bianca rested her cheek against Marissa's temple. Her pulse raced swiftly throughout her body. She could feel a connection between her and the woman she held. She couldn't explain it and she didn't know why she was so drawn to the redhead, but for the moment, she didn't want to know, only feel.
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
11:00 had neared and Bianca had been there for over three hours. She soon found herself in need of the bathroom. She exited the hall and headed to the ladies room. On the way, once she was within the confined passageway to the restroom, someone had placed a hand on her arm, stopping her, a police officer.
"Bianca Montgomery?" He asked.
"Yes?"
"I have a warrant for your arrest."
Meanwhile, Marissa and Kendall were talking by the bar and realized that Bianca was nowhere to be seen. She had been on the dance floor moments prior, but now, she wasn't anywhere. Marissa began to panic and she and Kendall left the confines of the hall to search for Bianca.
"Maybe she went to the bathroom." Kendall reasoned.
"Yeah, let's look there." Please be there. She and Kendall took off towards the restrooms and could see and hear Bianca speaking to someone who seemed to be a law official.
"Excuse me? For what?"
"What's going on here?" Marissa asked, standing beside Bianca. She noticed the alarm that had befallen the officer's face and scrunched her eyebrows. Something felt wrong about this. Before she said anything else, she took another couple of steps so she stood directly between Bianca and the man she didn't recognize. "Kendall," she said calmly. "Go get your mother, Miranda, Jacob and Brot, please."
Kendall obliged without question or hesitation. Tearing her gaze away from the agent, she faced Bianca and took her hands. "Are you alright?"
"A little confused," she said.
"You're not the only one." Marissa stated and turned back to the officer. "What's this all about?"
"I have a warrant for Ms. Montgomery's arrest."
"Under what charges?" Marissa asked forcefully and extended her hand. "May I see the warrant?" The policeman handed Marissa the slip of paper he held and she read the charges. "'Tax evasion and fraud'?" Marissa asked. She gazed over the paper and noticed a number of differences in the design than what she was familiar with. "This is bullshit…literally. This isn't even a real warrant. The seal isn't even that of the Pine Valley Police Department," she stated.
"I could arrest you for obstruction of justice ma'am."
"Listen, moron," Marissa said strongly. "I'm a lawyer. I'm well aware of what a warrant looks like and what it entails. I also know that five years ago the PVDP changed their seal. This," Marissa pointed out, "is the old crest. Which means this is a hoax. So, you better tell me what the hell is going on!"
The man whisked out a 9 mm caliber and pointed it at Marissa, no less than two feet between the two of them.
"Listen lady, I'm here to do one thing and one thing only. One way or another, I am walking out of here with Bianca Montgomery."
Marissa reached around behind her, keeping Bianca directly shielded by her body. She held Bianca in place by her hips, forcing her stay there.
"If you want her, you're going to have to pull that trigger and kill me because there is NO way you are getting NEAR her! The only way is over my dead body and you better believe that I will fight to make sure she is safe with my. Last. Breath… I'd sacrifice my beating heart before I lose her again!"
"A little collateral damage ain't worth all that much to me!"
"Marissa, don't," Bianca begged.
"He won't do it. He's trying to keep quiet. That'll just make too much noise."
"Sir, put the gun down!"
The 'cop' realized that there was no way out. Grinding his teeth, he listened to the commanding officer's demand. Jail was better than death, he decided.
Once Brot had the man in handcuffs, Marissa removed her hands from Bianca's waist before turning around and taking her face in her hands.
"You okay?" she asked. Bianca nodded. "Okay. I'm gonna take you home. We're gonna go home." Bianca nodded again as she watched Marissa turn to Miranda, Kendall and her mother.
"Good. I'll meet you guys there," Miranda said. "I have to stay to take care of this."
Jacob held onto the perpetrator while Brot took Bianca and Marissa's statements, after which he allowed them to leave.
"I hope this means that you will be reopening my daughter's case?"
"Absolutely Ms. Kane."
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Marissa bid Krystal good night after she explained to her why they came home earlier than anticipated. Throughout the entire exchange, Bianca had made her way to her bedroom to change out of her evening wear and into her pajamas. She couldn't help replaying everything in her mind. How Marissa had come to her aid and the power behind her voice. Was it any wonder that Bianca found herself completely drawn to Marissa? Closing the lights, she moved back up the stairs and once she reached the landing, she noticed that Marissa had been making her way down the stairs. No words were exchanged for the moment. They simply stood there in the faint light of the hallway.
"Are you okay?" Marissa asked, reaching out to place a gentle hand on Bianca's arm. Bianca took Marissa's hand and removed it from its spot. Marissa scrunched her eyebrows in confusion and a bit of fear. "What is it?" she asked, moving closer. It made Bianca take a step back.
"I don't know if I should be upset or-or…or grateful."
"What do you mean?"
"You stood in front of a gun aimed and meant for me…" Bianca said as she pointed a light and delicate finger at Marissa.
"Yeah, and I'd do it again."
"Why?" Bianca asked. "It was a stupid thing for you to do, Marissa!"
"We're you not listening? How many times do I have to tell you that I will never let anyone hurt you ever again?"
"My life isn't worth yours."
"Don't say that."
"It's true! You have kids! They need you. You can't go around standing in front of guns because trouble seems to love finding me!"
Bianca walked away and headed to the family room. She needed to sit down. The argument and the overwhelming feelings and emotions were making her light-headed. Marissa followed and sat directly beside her.
"Bianca…none of this is your fault," Marissa said taking her hand. When Bianca tried to yank it away, Marissa tightened her grip, forcing Bianca to accept the gesture and look at her. "I'm begging you, please don't ever say that your life isn't worth it. It's worth everything to me. …There would be a huge hole in my life if you're not in it. I hated these last three years without you here. A world where you don't exist isn't real to me… Where am I gonna find another you? It's not possible." Bianca tore her gaze from Marissa as the tears began to fall freely down her face. Marissa brought a gentle hand to Bianca's chin and forced her face to look at her. "It isn't…"
Bianca lunged forward and hugged Marissa tightly. She wrapped her arms around the redhead's neck and pulled her close, palming her head and sighing deeply. She caught the rousing scent of vanilla that she became familiar with and, bravely, kissed Marissa's temple.
-x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x-
Miranda came in the house. It was nearly 2:00 AM and she yanked her heels off her feet and groaned softly as her nylon embedded and hot feet hit the cool tiles. She walked from the laundry room through the hall and noticed the light on in the family room. She went to turn it off but smiled at what she saw.
Both of her mothers were fast asleep. Marissa was leaning against the arm of one of the large couches, both feet rested comfortably on either side of Bianca's frame, which was parked comfortably and perfectly in Marissa's lap. Her arms enveloped Bianca's shoulders as they met at the front. The brunette's hands were rested leisurely on Marissa's arms. Her head lay in the crook of the redhead's neck as it tilted upward slightly, breathing in any scent that radiated from the nape. Marissa had her leaned forward as her cheek was positioned on the side of Bianca's head.
And then, Miranda turned out the lights.
o.o.O.O.o.o
Hope you enjoyed! Pleeeease review.
Song: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri