Set fire to the Rain 10/?
New York, NY
Bianca sat at the back Juniors Famous Cheesecake Restaurant waiting for her stepbrother. She didn't want to leave Brooklyn in case Maggie got out of her surgery sooner rather than later. It was now going on a hour and half and she was anxious and nervous. The sound of cow bells rang in her ears as her attention was drawn the restaurants entrance, to find her brother looking haplessly around, dark shades sitting on the tip of his nose.
"Reggie!" Bianca smiled waving
She watched as his smile grew into a wide playful grin. Excusing himself as he made his way around tables, he arrived just as his favorite step sister stood up pulling him into a huge bear hug. "Oh my goodness you look great" She laughed pushing him in the center of his chest. "Look at you!" she smiled taking a seat. Her brother now stood at least 6'2 in height with a broad chest and mature face. No longer encumbered with the baby face look, he sported a light 5 o'clock shadow in a tailored Calvin Klein suit.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful Binks" he laughed as he took his seat. Reggie reached across the table and gave Bianca's hand a squeeze, she looked great as usual.
"What are you doing in New York Bianca, on shopping spree with Mimo?" he laughed
Bianca shook her head slightly, soft cascading dark locks drifting softly across her face lightly. "No Miranda's home with her sister at Kendall's"
"At Kendall's?" a arched thick eyebrow disappeared into his forehead.
"Yes Reg" Bianca smiled gently. "Things have gotten much better between Kendall and I since you were last home a few years ago, Thank God" she added.
He smiled reassuringly at his big sister. "Well good, I hated you two fighting, just didn't feel right" he said picking up his menu. "So what brings you in the city?" he mumbled
Bianca intertwined her fingers, absentmindedly worrying her bottom lip. Reggie was family and he put it all on the line to protect from Michael, she would never not tell him the whole truth. "I came to see Maggie"
The menu dropped as he held her stare, his eyes anxious and somewhat guilty. "Oh"
"And you're not surprised" she surmised. "You've seen her haven't you?"
The waitress appeared and they both glanced up with half smiles, "I'll have the cheesecake and the double cheeseburger platter, no lettuce and a Sprite" Reggie smiled giving the waitress his best Montgomery charm. His sister hid her smile with her hand as she scanned the menu.
"I'll have the strawberry pecan salad and the mini chocolate swirl cheesecake sampler with a coffee, a half and half creamer and two sugars please" the brunette said politely as the girl nodded warmly, taking their menu and turning to leave.
Reggie watched her go with a smirk, "Now that's an ass Binks, tell me you saw it!" he laughed at she shook her head at him.
"Of course I saw it and I managed to make sure the whole restaurant didn't realize I noticed, you should try it brother, its called tact" she chuckled as he pouted.
"And that's the differences between men and lesbians" he smirked as she kicked his shin. "OW, now that was mean Binks" he grinned
"And you're stalling, you saw Maggie?" she said pointedly.
She watched as he sighed and leaned back into the booth. His hands flexed uncomfortably as worried brown eyes met her chocolate orbs. "Now you're worrying me Reggie"
He reached out to clasp both her hands into his very large ones. "Bianca, I'm really confused about what's going on with her and with you" he said honestly. "I hope you won't be angry with me"
"Angry, why would I be. What happened when you saw Maggie. Hell, when did you see her in the first place" Bianca asked quickly, her mind trying to figure out how much Reggie could have known.
"I saw her a few days ago at a community center cook out. She looked great B." He grinned ruefully.
Bianca smiled inwardly, she could attest to that first hand.
He sighed deeply, looking unsettled. "But she's different, so different now. That chick is hard as stone and she hates you sis" he said finally, thinking she should know what she was walking into.
"I realize that Maggie and I didn't break up on the best of terms" Bianca whispered. "Hate is a strong word though"
Reggie shook his head slowly at her, keeping her pinned with his dark eyes. "I was in her home Bianca. She's angry as fuck with you and I swear she almost lost it when I brought your name up"
Bianca leaned back biting her bottom lip, for some reason as angry as she was with the little brunette she hated the idea that Maggie could hate her. Even after she found out about Cecelia she didn't hate the woman, no matter how hard she tried. "She cheated on me Reggie and she's angry?"
"Bianca I was going to call this week after Miranda's birthday ok" he began, looking anxiously into her face to gauge her reaction to the words he was about to speak.
"ok?" she said
"Yeah, so I was going to call you and tell you." He breathed out a shaky breath. "Binks I was at her home and I met her son, briefly." He watched as her eyes widened in what he took for shock. "She has a kid"
"You saw him" Bianca said shakily. Her heart clenched at the thought that someone from her family could have actually laid eyes on her child, while that's all she wanted to do at this point. See him, hold him, and listen to the sound of his voice. "What was he like?" she said timidly.
A wide smile appeared on her brother's face. "He was protective of his mother" he laughed at the memory of Chris staring him down. "He was very handsome." He said carefully. "Lots of dark brown hair, big dark hazel eyes and great smile, he was you Bianca, you and Maggie, the perfect mix" he said slowly letting his words sink in.
The brunette didn't realize when she had begin to cry, tears fell effortlessly down her cheeks, her chin quivering, her hand pressing against her heart. "So he's everything I hoped he be, dreamed he would be" she whispered as she shook off the tears falling against her cheek.
"You knew?" Reggie said incredulously. "You already knew about him"
JFK, Airport, NY
"Mother I know" Kendall shrugged as she watched her driver place her Louie Vutton luggage into the trunk of the Cambias Limo. "Yes of course I realize it's Miranda's birthday tomorrow. Yes I know what she's expecting"
The curly hair brunette entered the car peering out the window as they drove off and headed for the turnpike. "Now what happened? You're worried about Mimo? Well did she say … what do you mean? What far away look? Well don't get mad I'm just trying to understand. Mom you're gonna have to talk to Bianca about that, I mean I don't know what went on with them in Paris, I know what you know."
"Where to ma'am" the driver called back over his shoulder. The partition had not yet been closed.
"Mother hold on" Kendall said irritably. " The Hilton in Time Square, Charles. Mom, would you please stop ranting."
Kendall shook her head slightly, watching as the city came into view. "How the hell did you hear that Reese was in town?"
"You have your ways? Good grief. It was Opal wasn't. Every time you start a sentence off with I have my ways, it involves snooping by Opal" Kendall smirked.
"Oh mom, stop the drama. Ok I didn't mean anything by it. Look can you just focus your powers for good over there. Make Mimo's birthday the best yet."
The stretch limo weaved in and out of traffic causing the blond skid across leather seats, her hand shooting out to hold up herself up. "Hey! Take it easy Charles; this isn't a Ferrari, Shit!" Kendall swore placing the phone back to her ear.
"What mom? Yes, Sorry" she said rolling her eyes. "I know mom a real lady doesn't have the mouth of a sailor. Mom! Stay away from Reese and make sure she doesn't come anywhere near Gabby or Mimo. I have to" the brunette looked out the window and found herself nearing Time Square, tall buildings and throngs of people in the path of the limo. "Mom I have to go, I need to find out where Binks is and I didn't get a chance before we took off. Yes I love you. I'll tell her …bye mom" she said cutting the phone back and slumping back onto the leather seat.
She needed to find Bianca and fast.
Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn NY
Maggie worked as quickly as she could as she stood over the 12 year old girl. She was gunned downed accidently by one of the teenagers in the next OR. The girl had a bullet wound in her diaphragm. The blond had been working on her for that last hour, she had no longer finished one of the shooter's than another ambulance came blaring in with victims from the retaliation. It was days like these that she hated working in a big city.
"I need more suction" she said pensively. The nurse quickly began sucking out the excess blood.
A younger doctor stood at her side as her attending sat in a chair at the back of the room. Maggie had been doing solo surgeries for the last 6 months. It was part of her 5th year residency, any mistakes made now would be hers, whether or not her attending took the blame, she was making all the decisions and she intended to choose right!
"Her heart rate's dropping Dr. Stone" the younger Dr. said.
"I'm almost done" Maggie gritted, sweat dripping down her brow. Another nurse quickly dapped at it and then disappeared.
"She's going into shock" the nurse reported, "bp is dropping"
"You need a hand over there" Her attending asked her, a brow rose slightly. Maggie shook him off , her fingers reaching, feeling. She stole a quick look at the patient; the little girl looked as if she could have been sleeping, thick dark curly hair framing her face, smooth brown skin. She was so tiny, really, something in her stature reminding her of Frankie.
"I got this!" she muttered loudly. And she did. It took but a few seconds as she closed her eyes and let her hands feel for her in the child's chest cavity. Instinctively her small fingers found the bleeder, quickly she clamped off the artery and began to suture the wound.
"Heart rate still falling. 60, 50 40" the nurse said anxiously
"I got it! It's closed" Maggie breathed out. "Get the paddles!" she commanding, having full control over her OR. Placing the paddles on the right and left side of the girls chest she waited impatiently for the countdown.
"charging. 200, 250, 300, CLEAR!" the younger dr bellowed and everyone stepped back hands in the air as Maggie shocked the small body lying on the gurney.
The little frame rose from the blood soaked bed and crashed down, everyone holding their breaths. The single flat line continued.
"Again!" Maggie said quickly as she watched them recharge the paddles. She looked down helplessly but determined at the frail sight of the child. "Come on little one, hang in there, don't give up" she said softly.
"Ready Dr. Stone" the dr said quickly.
"Charging, 200, 250,300 and CLEAR!
Maggie closed her eyes as she placed the paddles down again and felt the charge surge through the lithe frame. Help me out here Frankie
Beep Beep Beep
"We got her back!" The nurses said with relief.
"Good work Dr. Stone" the attending smiled as he rose and clapped her on the back, the result shaking her small frame. "You have a true calling for pediatrics" he smiled
"Good work Stone" the younger resident smiled.
Maggie blushed furiously under the praise, her head ducked down momentarily. "It wasn't me, she did all the work" she smiled lightly squeezing the little girls' hand. "Close up will you Davis" she smiled at the man. The younger resident watched as the little brunette cast her eyes upward a wiry smile on her face, muttering a few words. He shook his head; she always did that after a particularly hard case. It was as if she were offering up thanks.
"No problem" he grinned as she backed out the room removing her protective gear.
"Page me if she has any setbacks, I'm off to tell the family she's out of danger for now" Maggie called back over her shoulder as she pushed her way out of the emergency room.
Needing only to speak to the family, Maggie knew she couldn't put off the confrontation she was undoubtedly about to be in with Bianca. Not knowing when the brunette would think to try and call her cell she knew the quickest way to reach her ex was through an old friend,
The brunette pulled her cell out quickly scrolling through her people widget, Reggie Montgomery, got it. She pushed the appropriate number and waited as she the phone rang.
Pine Valley, Pa(earlier in the day)
"Nana I'm not really hungry?" Miranda said stirring her straw in her milkshake absentmindedly. Her head ducked down, resting on her hand to chance a glance up at her grandmother. Erica eyed her carefully as she helped Gabby push her chair closer to the table at BJ's.
"Me either nana, I want mommy" Gabby complained. "And I'm tired of shopping too, my feet hurt, don't yours?" the six year asked looking impishly up at her nana.
Erica smiled warmly at her youngest grandchild, clucking her under her chin she winked at her. "I have years of practice dear" The older brunette peered back to her sullen granddaughter who sat across from the table using her straw to play in her strawberry milkshake. "Miranda, you're mother will back tomorrow for your party. You know she wouldn't miss it"
Gabby looked up with huge brown eyes between the two favorite women in her life besides her mother. "Where did mommy go anyways?" she asked as she finally showed some interest in the plate of fries that sat before her.
It was Miranda's turn to watch her nana carefully, trying to gage if she would mention Maggie and what her reaction would be. Erica smiled inwardly; her oldest granddaughter was very shrewd to be so young. Pursing her lips she spoke off handedly as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "You're mom went to find Miranda's" she paused watched wide chocolate eyes stare at her pointedly. "To find her mom" she said sitting back in the chair.
Gabby's head snapped up, her eyes glancing at her nana and then to her sister and back again to her nana. "I don't get it?" she said simply, her light brown hair moving gently against her face as she shook her head. "Did mommy lose herself?"
Miranda lips turned up at the corner in a small smile. "Gabrielle" she said carefully her dark eyes watching her grandmother briefly before turning their attention back to her little sister. "Maggie was mom's girlfriend I think. She was my mama I know for sure and we used to live together a long time ago before you born."
Gabrielle bit her bottom lip thinking. "The lady in your picture when you were little and mommy" she said blinking. "or the lady in the white dress with Mommy?"
Miranda's eyes turned dark and Erica huffed irritably. She had thought Bianca has tossed all of Reese's pictures. "The lady in the white dress was Reese" Miranda said finally. "Do you remember Reese?"
Erica gasped not expecting that woman's name to drop. "Miranda?" she said in a warning tone, her back sitting up a little stiffer.
"Just trust me Nana?" Miranda pleaded in a quiet voice, she turned in her seat towards her sister. "Do you?"
"Who is Reese?" Gabby said popping a fry in her mouth. She was only six but she knew a few things already. One, that men and women could have girlfriends. Her mommy had a very nice girlfriend already. She knew that everyone had a daddy but that didn't mean daddies lived with you or even were around, but that was normal. She knew that a kid could have two daddies or two mommies or one of each. She scrunched her nose up as she contemplated, she really couldn't remember anyone named Reese. "No, I don't remember her"
Miranda and Erica seemed to sigh in relief. Miranda leaned forward her fingers playing with each other. "She and Mom used to be married"
"Miranda what is the point of this conversation" Erica interjected seeing the determination in the young girls face. "That woman is never going to be in either of your lives again"
"Mom was married" Gabby said eyes wide, looking to her nana for confirmation. Erica gave her a tight nod of the head. "wow, I don't remember it?"
"That's not the point Gabs, the point is that mom was married but she married the wrong person" Miranda said slumping back in her chair.
" Miranda Mona Montgomery" Erica said having enough of this conversation.
Miranda shrugged turning her body towards her little sister. "Gabs our mom was supposed to marry my mother, that's where she went a couple of days ago. She went to find my mother and bring her to me for my birthday" sighed, hoping she making herself clear.
Gabby leaned forward on her elbows, her face resting in the palms of her hands.
"Elbows off, thats not lady like" Erica admonished.
"But Nana I'm thinking" Gabby protested as she pushed a lock of light brown hair behind her ear. "But Mommy is your mom, how did you get two mommies? How come I don't have two mommies too" she pouted.
Erica took this time to interject. "Gabrielle it's not about having two or one mommies. I only had one mommy and she was more than enough" Erica smiled at the memory of her own mother. Seeing the confusion in her youngest granddaughter she pressed on.
"Sweetie, you know that I'm married to Grandpa Jack right?" she said caressing the younger girls' cheek.
"Yea and Uncle Zack is married to Aunt Kendall, and Jr Marissa are vorced" Gabby said biting another fry. "That's why AJ is so mad"
"I guess" Miranda said twirling a lock of her dark mane around her finger absentmindedly.
Gabby dark eyes were clouded. "AJ used to be nice but I don't think he likes us no more" she said in a small voice.
Erica looked down at her quietly. She knew Marissa was having a hard time with AJ lately, HELL, the whole town knew. Jr seemed to be more and more incensed over the red head choosing Bianca over him, something that had given her many sleepless nights. If there was one thing she had learned about the Chandlers, it was, they were dangerous when they lost control. "I really wish you two wouldn't spend so much time with that boy" she grumbled glancing between both girls.
"So do I" Miranda quipped stealing a fry from Gabby's plate.
"But if we did that it would make mommy sad nana, she wants us to get along and share and be nice. Maybe AJ wouldn't be so mad if we're around more" Gabby offered innocently.
"That wouldn't make AJ feel better Gabs" Miranda said slowly. "I think he wants his parents to be together and not fight. The same way I want my parents to be together. I was mad because my Maggie, my mama wasn't around anymore but I asked Mom to find her and that's what's she's doing now" Miranda sighed, hopefully. "Marissa doesn't want to be with Jr anymore that's the difference" she explained.
Gabby thought on it.
"If your mama comes back do you think she will want to be my mama too" The little girl said hopefully. "Could we share her?"
"I don't see why not" Miranda smiled, "You're the best little sister around. I'm sure mom would share you, and then we could be a real family like Uncle Zach and Kendall"
"Miranda" Erica interrupted with a disapprovingly look.
"Its true Nana, you know it is. Mom and Maggie should have been married" Miranda said firmly, her eyes holding her nana's stare defiantly. "We were supposed to be a family, if Mom hadn't married the wrong person"
"Ok? How did she marry the wrong person, did they have a mask on?" Gabby asked genuinely concerned.
Erica could only shake her head ignoring that last comment. "Miranda I don't know what you expect to happen when your mom finds Maggie but I wouldn't expect your parents to just fall into each other's arms. She focused her attention on the older girl. The last thing she wanted was for Miranda to get hurt. "This isn't a book or TV show hunny, life doesn't work that way, and remember your mother has a girlfriend" Erica added softly.
Miranda looked down at her hands muttering lowly, "Maybe but they looked so happy in their pictures and Mom hasn't look that happy since" she said chin out stubbornly. "Even with her girlfriend!"
Erica hid her smile as she breathed out a exasperated breath. "You are so stubborn, Miranda but you need to realize something" the older woman said softly her voice turning serious. The girls watched her intensely. Erica weighed her words carefully. "Your mother and Maggie broke up for a reason. And those kind of problems don't just go away because you want them too, you understand?" she said taking their hands into hers. "Maggie could be different, have a different life, have other kids" she added carefully.
Miranda bit her bottom lip, her chin beginning to quiver. Her mind flashed back to something just out of her reach, a hazy memory or wisp of a dream, fading away even now.
"what's wrong with mommy?
"She's not feeling well today Munchie, she's gonna stay in bed.
"Again? Mommy always in bed
"I told you Munch, she's not well
"Mommy sad mama, she always cries, she got a booboo
"On the inside hunny,
" Fix her mama
"I'm trying baby, I am so hard.
"Miranda, honey why are you crying?" Erica said alarmed at the quickness in which the little girl's demeanor had changed.
Looking for all the world just like her mother, the dark haired little girl, swept her tears away quickly, shaking her head. "You think she won't remember me or want to be my mama?"
Oh hunny I didn't say that, of course she will remember you" Erica said quickly, her eyes misty.
"She might have other kids she loves more?" Miranda asked sadly. "I don't count because I'm not hers hers?" She sniffed.
"Miranda! Of course you count. Please honey, I just meant your moms had problems before" Erica sighed feeling overwhelmed.
"I hope they can fix their problems nana" she said hoarsely. "You don't think they can?"
Gabby scooted over to her big sister wrapping her arm around her thin waist. "Don't be sad Mimo, Mommy can fix anything" she reminded her.
Erica's heart was touched at the innocence of the child; her mind went to her other grandchild. The one she had never met. How would he react to all these new changes, face's and places. It worried her, the future. Everything was unsettled and the children were the most vulnerable in the whole mess.
Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn NY
Maggie waited near the Emergency Room Pit. It was the last place Bianca had seen her and she didn't want the brunette to get lost in this maze looking for her. She'd called Reggie asking for Bianca's number. She'd been somewhat surprised that he had given it so readily without an explanation. Now that she had spoken with her patients relatives and promised them another update on the child in a hour she was free to handle some personal business.
Bianca walked briskly in 3 inch black stilettos', they clip clopped loudly as everyone she passed stopped and watched her frame. Reggie smirked knowing exactly what they were thinking, because if she weren't family he would be thinking the same thing too. The brunette pulled up just before they turned the corner. "This is as far as you go Reg" she said pushing her hand gently on his chest.
"You sure?" he said quietly thinking back on their conversation at Junior's.
"I can't believe you actually …Bianca how could you!" He roared as if he weren't in a very public place.
The brunette blushed embarrassedly her eyes snapping with anger and her voice low. "What the hell is wrong with you and lower your voice!" she hissed.
Seeing her anger he settled himself down but his eyes were set with disappointment and anger. "How could you?" he whispered shouted at her from across the table.
"How could I what! What is it that you think I've done?" She asked emphatically leaning so she was now in the middle of the table meeting his own hunched over form. They looked like they were plotting something from the outside looking in instead of having a fight.
"Turn your back on your own son" Reggie said just as emphatically.
"I did not!" Bianca gasped, now hurt that he would think she was capable of something like that. "I didn't Reggie!"
"That's not what Maggie says" he said curtly leaning back in his chair.
"I don't care what Maggie says! I couldn't have turned my back on him because I just found out I have son two weeks ago!" she hissed again, before taking a calming breath.
Reggie stared at her pointedly, watching her every reaction. He was confused as hell.
"Please Reggie, don't like at me like that. You know me, you know I would never, could never do that" she said as her chin began to quiver.
Shit…."Ok Binks, don't cry please don't" he said reaching over and holding her hand.
After a moment Bianca sniffed wiping her eyes with a napkin, "Why would she say that Reggie. I know we've been apart for some years now but why would she say something like that?" she asked in a whisper. "Maybe she really does hate me"
He looked at his cousin/step sister. She seemed so broken by the idea that Maggie hated her enough to lie to their child about her. But then he remembered Maggie at her home that day and the completely destroyed expression on her face when she told him Bianca didn't want Christien.
"Binks, I don't think Maggie thinks she's lying" he said softly. Her startled expression pushed him on. "When I confronted her she was almost hysterical with grief, sadness and anger. Bianca she said that you sent Reese with signed custody papers giving up all of your parental rights" he said slowly as he watched the most heartbreakingly devastated look appear on her face. It was almost as bad as the look she had after she learned Miranda was gone. Almost.
"I'm sure Reggie, whatever is going on I have to get to the bottom of it. I have to find out how the hell Reese is involved. I just need the puzzle pieces to fit" she said shaking her head. "Stay here ok?" she smiled as she turned the corner and walked right into her ex.
"Hey" Maggie said quietly.
"Hey yourself" Bianca said with a sigh. "Maggie we need to talk, please lets not put this off" she said clasping the smaller woman's hands with hers.
Tbc…..
.