Disclaimer - Do not remove this tag under penalty of law

Rating for this chapter: PG-13 for mild sexual situations

You're so good
When we make love it's understood
It's more than a touch or a word we say
Only in dreams could it be this way
When you love someone
Yeah, really love someone

Now, I know it's right
From the moment I wake up till deep in the night
There's no where on earth that I'd rather be
Than holding you, tenderly
Foreigner – Waiting For a Girl Like You

Chapter 12 – Somebody's Two-Years-Old… And It Ain't Greenlee

Or... Paris, The Happiest Place on Earth

Paris, France

Late March/Early April, 2006

Soft giggling filled the air as Miranda watched Leo sitting on the railing of her crib. He looked down at his master, intently watching her delighted eyes, and began to purr. He reached out a paw, but quickly pulled it back when he began to lose his balance. Giggling again, Miranda got to her feet and grabbed the railing beside Leo.

"Leo kitty," she whispered, reaching out a finger to touch the cat's tail. The purring intensified.

"Meow," Leo trilled, watching as his master squirmed and climbed her way out of the crib. He was poised anxiously, ready to leap to her aid should she fall. Once she was safely on the floor, he jumped to her side.

"Unca Zap," Miranda said softly, toddling over to the rocking chair. She climbed up the leg of the man sleeping there, settling on his lap before reaching out and gently patting his cheek. "Hi, Unca Zap."

Zach's eyes fluttered open at the baby-soft touch to his cheek. Rubbing his whiskered jaw, he smiled at the child in his arms. "Hello, Your Highness," he grumbled to his niece. "How are you today?"

"Otay," Miranda replied. "Unca Zap? Why you sweep here?"

"Well, Sweet Princess, I was watching over you."

"Why?"

"Well, because I wanted to see if you were okay."

"Why?"

Zach tried to hide his smile. "Because I love you."

Miranda grinned. "Otay," she replied, knowing it was just that simple. "Unca Zap?"

"Yes?"

"Stowy?"

Pulling the child closer into his body, Zach settled in the rocker, enjoying the sweet baby smell of his niece. She was the best thing Michael ever did and his brother would never have the chance to destroy her gentle childish wonder. "What would you like to hear, my Queen?"

Miranda thought about it. "Muver doose."

"Oh, no, Mother Goose again?"

"Yeah."

Zach groaned. "I don't know if I can do Mother Goose again," he teased. Miranda started giggling. "Are you sure you don't want to hear some Tolstoy? What about a little Joyce. James Joyce?"

"No, Unca Zap!" she giggled. "Muver doose! Muver doose!"

"Okay, okay." He sighed. "You're a tough negotiator, Little Montgomery. It will serve you well some day."

"Wead, Unca Zap."

Chuckling, Zach picked up the familiar book from the small side table. "Yes, Highness," he replied.

"Here," Miranda said suddenly, poking her finger at a particular page. "Wead this."

Zach gave the authoritative little girl a look, one eyebrow quirked at her countenance. Then, clearing his throat, he began to recite the nursery rhyme with his deep Irish brogue.

I saw a ship a-sailing,
A-sailing on the sea.

And, oh, but it was laden
With pretty things for thee.

There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk
And the masts were all of gold.

The four-and-twenty sailors
That stood between the decks,
Were four-and-twenty white mice
With chains about their necks.

The captain was a duck
With a packet on his back,
And when the ship began to move
The captain said, "Quack! Quack!"

"Quack, quack!" Miranda chortled, leaning into Zach. "Again, Unca Zap! Again!"

Hearing voices coming from the nursery, Kendall edged up to the door and peeked inside. Her heart thudded in her chest as she watched Zach and Miranda tease and laugh, smiling as she watched the little girl attempt to tickle the large man under the chin. Tears welling in her eyes at catching a glimpse of the gentle soul beneath the big Irishman's gruff exterior, Kendall quietly backed away from the door, silently slipping back downstairs before being discovered.

Unaware of her sister's presence, Bianca backed away from the door to the nursery inside the master suite. Quietly closing the door, she had the foresight to lock it before turning back to the bed.

"What's going on?" Maggie asked softly, watching Bianca slide back into bed beside her.

Bianca grinned as she snuggled into Maggie's arms and found a comfortable position. "Uncle Softy is reading to Miranda," she replied, nuzzling her head under Maggie's chin. "Mother Goose."

Maggie laughed. "Again?"

"Again."

"Do you think they're occupied?"

Bianca pulled back to look up into Maggie's eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, we're both finally over that stupid cold and we haven't made love in a week." Maggie pouted. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too, Tiger," Bianca replied with a little half-smile. "Maggie?"

Maggie looked up into Bianca's eyes, chocolate brown pools that Maggie had no trouble falling into and drowning. "Yeah?"

"Kiss me."

Maggie shook her finger at Bianca. "No way, the last time you said that we had this whole, big 'my comprehension skills suck' thing. I'm not getting into that again."

"You're doing it again."

"What?"

"Talking."

"Bianca!"

"Just shut up and kiss me."

Maggie grinned. "Okay, maybe my comprehension skills do suck."

"Wow, you don't know when to shut up, do you-?"

Before Bianca could finish her sentence, Maggie pounced on her, forcing her back into the pillows, devouring the brunette's lips with her own. Almost instantly, Maggie had divested Bianca of her clothing and was working on her own sleep pants and tank top.

"Maggie…" Bianca mumbled around Maggie's lips. "Hey…"

"Bianca," Maggie replied, tossing her tank top halfway across the room. "You're the one-," kiss "who keeps-," kiss, kiss "telling me-," kiss, kiss, nuzzle, kiss "to shut up."

"Yeah?"

"So-," kiss "shut-," kiss, kiss "up."

With a grin, Bianca caught Maggie's face in her hands, brushing locks of hair back off her forehead. "I wondered where the horny Maggie I know and love had gone."

"She's right here, baby," Maggie replied with a grin. "And she wants to show you how horny she's been lately." Quickly glancing away, Maggie's brow furrowed. "You did lock the door, didn't you?"

Bianca laughed. "Yes, Tiger, I locked the door. Both of them."

"Mmm, good…" Rising up on her elbows, Maggie gazed down into Bianca's eyes. Again she found herself mesmerized by the brunette, unable to look away. And again she drank in those timeless features, the curve of Bianca's cheek, the tilt of her chin, the flawless skin. Maggie committed them all to memory, burning the face of her love into her mind for all eternity. "I love you," she whispered, brushing her fingertips over Bianca's porcelain skin. "More than anything, I love you." Maggie gave a slight shake of her head. "I don't know why it took me so long to admit it."

"You weren't ready for it, I understand that, Maggie."

Maggie sighed. "It had nothing to do with you being a woman, Bianca."

Bianca gave her a little smile. "Oh, you think so?"

"Yeah, I do. When I was spending all that time trying to figure out where I stood, what I was, it wasn't really a gay or straight thing. It was always a love thing. I ran to Henry and Jamie and Jonathan because they were the safe answer. I didn't love them. I was so scared to love you, not because you were a woman, but because I didn't know how to love. I was so afraid to love you back then because I didn't know how."

Bianca slid her hands slowly up Maggie's bare back, reveling in the silken feel of skin beneath her palm. "You do a pretty good job of loving me, Tiger."

"Well, that's because I finally know how. You taught me how."

"That's funny, because if you want to know the truth, you taught me how, too."

Maggie's brow knitted. "Yeah?"

Bianca gave Maggie a sweet smile. "Yeah. You loved me when I didn't think it was possible for anyone to love me. You held my hand and you kissed away my tears and showed me how to love without thinking about it. You just loved me, with no limits or questions or cares. And because of that, I know how to love you back the same way." Reaching out a gentle hand, Bianca touched Maggie's lips with her fingers. "You loved me unconditionally, Maggie. I never loved that way until you."

"I love you, Boom-Boom."

That made Bianca chuckle. "I love you, too, Tiger."

With a smile, Maggie dipped her head and caught Bianca's lips with her own. "Of course," she whispered, "had I known then what I know now… it certainly wouldn't have taken me so long to finally get my head out of my ass."

"Are you talking about the sex or the amount of it?"

Maggie grinned. "Yes." Suddenly, Maggie sobered, her eyes taking in Bianca's face. "It's not just sex, you know."

Bianca returned Maggie's smile with a gentle one of her own. "I know that, Maggie. I've always known that."

"I love you, Bianca."

"I love you, too, Maggie."

Maggie again captured Bianca's lips with her own. The kiss deepened, a passionate expression of the love shared between them. Bianca pulled Maggie closer, reveling in the warmth of Maggie's touch.

Pushing herself up onto her hands, Maggie leaned over Bianca, gently lowering herself down to kiss her ardently, taking control and delving deeper. She felt Bianca's hands on her back, slowly gliding upward, fingertips dancing up her spine, before sliding back down to the small of her back. Arms wrapped around her and she settled into Bianca's embrace.

Bianca slipped a hand into Maggie's hair, burying her fingers in the silken locks to hold her close and deepen the kiss even further. Maggie slipped an arm around Bianca's waist, rolling backward to pull Bianca over her. She echoed Bianca's movement and slid a hand into Bianca's dark tresses, letting the soft hair sift through her fingers.

A childlike giggle and the deep rumble of a male voice floated into the room. To Maggie, it was like a bucket of ice water poured over her head.

She pulled back. "I can't," she said suddenly, dropping her arms onto the mattress at her sides.

Bianca pulled back. "Excuse me?"

"I can't. Not with that."

"With what?"

Maggie cocked her head. Silence.

"Okay, come here," she said, pulling Bianca back into her arms. Smothering Bianca's lips in a kiss, she quickly reversed their position. Almost on cue, there was giggling and laughter again from the nursery. Maggie let Bianca go abruptly and sat back. "No, I can't." she said, hands up in surrender. "I can't."

"What?!" Bianca replied, brushing her hair back off her forehead. She watched her girlfriend climb out of bed and pull on her sleep pants and tank top, then begin pacing. "Why the hell not?"

Maggie stopped in her tracks. "Zach's in there!" she snapped, pointing at the closed nursery door. "I mean… Zach's in there!"

"Yeah, you said that already."

"Bianca…" Maggie climbed onto the bed and sat beside the brunette. "On the other side of that door is the man who is married to your sister. Your brother-in-law. Family."

"So?" Bianca shook her head. "You're just not trying hard enough…"

"So?" Maggie sighed. "Um, how would you feel if you walked by their bedroom and suddenly heard noises? Noises that you could easily figure out what they were? One flimsy, wooden door between you and… what is obviously going on on the other side."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "You're weird."

"I just gave up sex with you, so, yeah, probably."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Hey!" Greenlee called in to them, rattling the locked doorknob. "You guys awake? Why'd you lock the door? Open up!" She shook the door harder. "Open uuuup!"

Maggie pointed at the door. "And that, right there, is another reason."

Bianca just flopped back on the bed.

That night, after everyone had retired for the evening, Maggie locked the bedroom door and took Bianca to bed, making love to her all night to make up for the time they were apart during their respective illnesses. The next morning, Maggie woke up and immediately feared their intense and frequent nocturnal activities had rendered her blind.

Then she dug her way out from under the covers, her head buried at the foot of the bed.

xxxxxxxxxx

Later that week, Maggie got home from lab to find Bianca sitting on the edge of the bed. The forlorn look on the brunette's face scared Maggie for a moment, until she remembered that Kendall and Greenlee were still living with them, so Maggie deduced that at least it wasn't bad news from Erica.

"Hey, sweetie," she said, moving to Bianca's side. "What's wrong?"

Bianca sighed. "I just talked to Anita."

"Oh? How's she doing?"

"Um, well, not so good actually."

Maggie could sense this was not going to end well. "What's wrong?" she asked cautiously.

"Well, I think she wanted to talk to a friend. About relationships. Failed ones..."

"What happened? What did Aidan do?"

Bianca gave her a look. "Why do you assume Aidan did something?"

Maggie snorted. "Because he's a man."

"Sound logic..."

Taking Bianca's hands in hers, Maggie held her close. "Okay, Boom-Boom, talk to me."

"Well, they decided to break up. She was gone so long helping Maria get settled that they kind of grew apart."

"I guess that's kind of understandable. It sucks, but it's understandable." Maggie pressed a kiss to Bianca's forehead. "Does she want to come over for a visit?"

Bianca snorted. "Yeah, we'll get right on that. She can sleep in the linen closet."

Maggie looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, I guess we are a bit full up at the moment."

"Well, we do have one spare bedroom left, but I think Greenlee's attitude is going to move in there." Maggie chuckled then saw the serious look on Bianca's face. "There's more," Bianca said softly.

Maggie sighed. "Yeah, I kinda figured."

"I guess Aidan met someone while Anita was helping Maria. A new woman moved to Pine Valley… I guess she has family there."

Maggie's heart skipped a beat. The other shoe was about to drop and she knew it. "And?" she asked, dragging the word out in resigned expectation.

Bianca swallowed. "Her name is Erin." She paused, watching the words soak into Maggie's head. "Erin-."

"Lavery?!" Maggie exclaimed. "It's Erin Lavery?!"

"Yeah, Sweetie."

"He's dating Erin Lavery?!"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "I think we've already established that fact, Tiger."

"A Lavery! He's dating a Lavery!"

"Yes, Maggie," Bianca repeated, watching Maggie leap to her feet.

"After all he did to save my ass!" Maggie exclaimed. "Now he's dating a Lavery?! Are you kidding me?!" She paced the bedroom floor, fists clenched at her sides. "That idiot! Doesn't he remember trying to save my ass? I dated that Lavery psycho, doesn't he remember that?"

"Well, technically, Jonathan was a socio, but that's beside the point."

Maggie gave Bianca a look. "Whatever!" She let out an exasperated huff. "I can't believe he'd be that stupid! He had a good thing with Anita! She was good for him!"

"Well, she certainly wasn't Kendall."

Maggie snorted. "Huh, no one but Kendall is Kendall."

"She's moving to California."

"Kendall?"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Anita, you doof." She paused, her throat closing up momentarily. "She's going to help Maria with the kids."

Maggie saw the tears in Bianca's eyes and moved to sit again by her side. She took the brunette's hands in hers. "What's wrong, Sweetie?"

All Bianca could do was sigh, her breath catching on a sob. "Everyone is moving away from Pine Valley. It doesn't seem like home anymore. The only people there that I care about anymore are Mom, Jack, Reggie and Lily."

"What about Kendall and Greenlee? And Zach?"

"Are you kidding? I think they live with us now. I swear I saw Kendall filling out change of address forms..." She laughed with Maggie, her tears momentarily at bay. "Sorry."

"Oh, honey, its okay. I understand." Maggie crawled onto the bed, pulling Bianca into her arms. "The place isn't the same anymore, but you know, that had a lot to do with what happened last year."

"How?"

"The people you grew up with are still there, the relationships have changed. That's a normal life progression."

Bianca sniffled. "Are you taking Advanced Sociology this semester?" she cracked.

"Does it seem so? I'm doing really well in that class." Maggie shook her head sadly. "Jeez, I can't believe Aidan. And you wonder why I swore off men. It's because they're so stupid."

Finally, Bianca grinned. "You swore off men because you started getting lucky with a girl."

"Nah, I swore off men because you started getting lucky with a girl."

Laughing at Maggie's joke, Bianca leaned into her girlfriend, resting her head on Maggie's shoulder. "Thanks," she said softly.

"For what?" Maggie replied, her arm around Bianca's shoulders to hold her close.

"Making me laugh when I needed it."

Maggie grinned. "That's what I'm here for." She pressed her lips to Bianca's brow. "You know what else would make you laugh?"

"Shipping Kendall and Greenlee home in a crate?"

"Okay, well, besides that."

Bianca appeared to think about it. "Nope, can't think of anything that would make me laugh quite like that would."

Maggie gave Bianca a look. "Okay, you've got a serious mean streak people don't know about." Bianca just smiled and nodded. "No, I meant taking Miranda to Disneyland Paris for her birthday this weekend."

"Oh!" Bianca exclaimed. "We can ride 'It's a Sma-."

"No!" Maggie shouted, holding up a hand.

"But-."

"No!"

"Maggie-."

"NO!"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on."

"You mention it one more time, Binks, and you stop getting lucky with this girl."

"Yeah, sure, like you want to make that bet again."

Maggie smirked. "Hey, I'm not the one who lost," she reminded the brunette.

Bianca huffed. "Fine, I'm sure Kendall will enjoy the ride with me while you wait outside for us."

Suddenly, Greenlee stuck her head in the door. "Did I hear something?"

"No, you didn't," Maggie snapped.

"No, I did, I know I did. I could have sworn I heard the words Disneyland Paris. Oh! Are we going to Disneyland?!"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Kendall's right, she does act just like a two-year old."

Maggie shook her head. "You'd think it was her birthday..."

Greenlee pouted. "I heard that, you know."

"Hey, who said you were invited?"

Too late, Greenlee was already running down the stairs towards the den and squealing. "We're going to Disneyland! Kendall! We're going to Disneyland-! Oh, man, could you two stop sucking face for one minute?!"

Bianca sighed. "You think maybe we should tell her we're not going today?"

Maggie grinned. "No, I say let her run around the apartment for awhile, then tell her."

"Why, Maggie Stone!" Bianca chuckled. "You seem to have a bit of a mean streak, too!"

Waggling her eyebrows, Maggie leaned in and kissed Bianca, forcing her back onto the bed. "Yeah, I do," she replied. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Is that a challenge?" Maggie just waggled her eyebrows again, grinned and nodded her head. "Show me what you got, Tiger."

When Maggie hesitated for just a moment, Bianca grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her down, their lips colliding feverishly. Burying her fingers in Maggie's silky hair, Bianca deepened the kiss so their tongues could renew acquaintances.

Maggie tugged Bianca's blouse from her jeans, a hand settling on her waist, the skin hot and smooth beneath her fingertips. Maggie felt her heart skip a beat at the feel of Bianca beneath her, the touch and taste of her. She leaned over Bianca again, kissing her deeply, allowing her hair to fall in a curtain around them. She felt Bianca's hands under her own shirt, sliding up her back and pulling her close.

Suddenly, Maggie jumped up and ran to the door, throwing the lock before returning to the bed. "As long as we have Greenlee being a pain in Zach and Kendall's butt, let's take advantage. Okay?"

Bianca grinned. "If you insist."

"You know I do." Moving back to the bed, Maggie crawled onto the mattress and over Bianca, leaning down to kiss her again. "Mmm, you taste good. Why do you always taste good?"

Bianca reached up, kissing Maggie again before she could move too far away. "It's toothpaste."

"No," Maggie replied, nibbling at Bianca's kiss-swollen lips. "I'm not talking minty fresh like Scope. I mean, like chocolate and strawberries and… and…" She kissed Bianca once more. "Okay, maybe there is a little minty goodness in there… but, seriously, you taste good. You know that dessert we get down at the café around the corner? With the berries and the chocolate and the whipped cream? You taste like that."

"So, I taste like the chocolate-berry explosion at Café Michele?"

Maggie nodded. "Just like the real thing."

Bianca laughed. "You are so weird." Maggie waggled her eyebrows and grinned. "Okay, Stone, what are you thinking now?"

"How do you know I'm thinking anything?" Bianca just gave her a look. "Okay, okay… I was thinking maybe we could… take a shower or something."

"Hmm, a shower, huh?"

"Yeah."

Bianca grinned and put a hand to Maggie's cheek, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear with gentle fingers. "You know, you love bathing as much as Miranda hates it."

"Yeah, well, she'll change her mind someday."

"Maggie!"

Maggie smiled and pressed her lips to Bianca's. "Come on, Boom-Boom," she whispered huskily, sliding off the bed and pulling Bianca up beside her. "Let's get clean."

Following Maggie toward the master bath, Bianca had to smirk. "Never before have two people been so dirty getting clean."

"Hey, Binks?" Maggie replied, tugging Bianca along.

"Yeah?"

"Stop staring at my ass."

xxxxxxxxxx

Just Outside Paris, France

Friday, March 24, 2006

The morning dawned clear and crisp, the sun peaking in through the bedroom window to drape across the bed like a warm golden blanket. Maggie held Bianca in her arms, their legs intertwined beneath the sheets. Bianca's head nestled on Maggie's shoulder, her face buried deep in Maggie's neck. Her dainty little snore tickled Maggie's skin.

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open. "Get up!" Greenlee shrieked, running into the room. "Get up, you lazy butts! We're going to Disneyland today!"

Bianca started in surprise then burrowed deeper into Maggie's neck. "Kill her, Maggie…"

"Come on!" Greenlee pleaded. "Get up! I'll go get Miranda ready, okay? Okay!"

And she was gone, the door shutting behind her.

Maggie stretched. "Morning…" she mumbled, rolling onto her side and pulling Bianca closer.

"Excellent timing once again," Bianca muttered. Then she grinned in memory. "Although last night's timing was really pretty amazing…"

"No more," Maggie complained sleepily. "I can't feel my legs…"

"Maggie."

"Uncle!" Maggie exclaimed suddenly, causing Bianca to jump. "I give, Bianca!" Then the blonde started giggling. "Uncle, uncle, uncle…. Okay, okay, Boom-Boom is the best lover in the world… there, I said it… you win…"

Bianca shook her head. It was amazing how much Maggie talked in her sleep, since Bianca never remembered her doing so when they lived together in that small studio apartment. Of course, a lot of things had changed since then, up to and including the fact that they now slept in the same bed, not just the same room. And, apparently, Bianca gave Maggie an awful lot to talk about when she was asleep.

"Uncle!" Maggie suddenly shrieked, giggling uncontrollably in her sleep.

"Momma?" Miranda said from beside the bed, nearly giving Bianca a heart attack. "Why 'Aggie yewing at Unca Zap?"

Giggling a little more, Maggie suddenly purred. "Biaaancaa…"

"Momma-?"

Bianca leapt out of bed. "Okay, Munchie, let's go get dressed," she said quickly, sweeping the child up in her arms and heading back toward the nursery, hoping to forestall any more questions she was totally unable, and unprepared, to answer. "I thought Aunt Greenlee was going to get you ready?"

Miranda's brow furrowed. "Aunt Gweenwee wowd. She waughing funny… I make her go 'way."

"Well, sweetie, she's just happy we're going to celebrate your birthday today."

"I two!" Miranda exclaimed, holding up three fingers.

With a smile, Bianca gently tucked Miranda's ring finger down into her hand. "That's two, baby girl."

"Otay, Momma." Miranda looked down at her hand, focusing intently on what two looked like.

Maggie appeared in the doorway suddenly, her hair a rat's nest on her head. She rubbed her face tiredly. "Good morning," she mumbled.

"'Aggie!" Miranda squealed. She held up her hand. "I two!"

"Yes, you are, Munchie," the blonde replied, more alert after seeing the two loves of her life before her. She moved over to Bianca's side, reaching out a hand to brush Miranda's cheek. "You ready to go to Disneyland?"

Miranda shrieked. "Dineywand!!"

Laughing, Maggie kissed the little girl on the top of her head. "Why don't we have breakfast real quick, your Momma and I will get cleaned up and we'll go. Okay?"

"Otay. Unca Zap and Aunt Kenah coming, too?"

"Yep. Even Aunt Gweenwee- I mean, Greenlee."

"Yay!!"

xxxxxxxxxx

After a breakfast of Maggie's pancakes, expressly demanded by the birthday girl, the extended Montgomery-Stone family piled into a Cambius-issued Volvo XC90 and headed to Disneyland Paris on the outskirts of the city. Greenlee was absolutely beside herself, bouncing anxiously in her seat the entire ride. Maggie threatened twice to stop the car and leave her on the side of the road. Even though Zach was driving.

Once they arrived at the park, Greenlee grabbed Miranda up in her arms and raced towards the entrance, the two of them giggling excitedly and babbling about all they planned to do. The adults followed leisurely in their wake, shaking their collective heads in amazement.

Inside the gates, they headed first for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, then to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Maggie insisted on Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain, which Bianca gracefully bowed out of, before they decided to grab a bite to eat.

After lunch, they stepped back out onto the sun-dappled walkway, sending the flow of traffic around them like a pebble in a stream. A variety of languages floated on the cool Parisian air to them, French, English, German and Swedish among others.

It got intensely quiet for a moment, then Maggie's eyes widened. "No!" she exclaimed. "Oh, no!" Waving a finger at Bianca, she began to back away. "No way!"

Bianca sighed. "You don't have to ride it if you don't want to, Maggie."

Just about to take Bianca up on her offer, Maggie glanced down and saw Miranda watching her, an eager look on her face. I can't say no to that face, she thought to herself. How cruel would that be? Then she did a double-take, her brow furrowing slightly. Oh, my God! That's the Stone pout! I'm screwed! She's using it against me!

"Okay, come on," Maggie finally said, sighing in resignation. "Let's go ride 'It's a Small World'."

"Yay!" Miranda exclaimed, throwing herself against Maggie's legs and hugging like crazy. "Fank you, 'Aggie!"

"Yeah, yeah… You and me are going to have a little talk later about 'the look'," Maggie said to the little girl, sweeping her up in her arms and leading the crew towards Fantasyland. "I taught it to you to use on your mother. You're breaking the rules using it on me."

There was a momentary pause. "I wuv you, 'Aggie," Miranda finally responded, her arms squeezing gently around Maggie's neck.

Maggie just groaned. "Your mother taught you that, didn't she?"

Bianca caught up to Maggie's side and put her hand gently on Miranda's head, slowly brushing down until her palm casually pressed against the small of Maggie's back. "I needed something of my own to get my way," she explained to the flustered blonde. "You got the pout, I got… the phrase."

"Oh, man, this is the rest of our lives, isn't it? Miranda using the pout and the phrase and she gets whatever she wants."

Bianca chuckled. "Yep. Welcome to parenthood."

"Great…"

Eventually, they made their way through the line at the Fanstasyland ride, Kendall and Zach getting into a boat just ahead of them, Greenlee alone with a large stuffed Goofy behind them. At the last minute, Stitch, who had been working the ride with a frighteningly Nordic-looking Lilo, jumped into Greenlee's boat and wrapped a blue claw around the widow duPres' shoulder, joining her on the ride. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Greenlee snuggled close to the big blue alien.

Just as their boat passed the North American continent and its large collection of creepy singing dolls, Maggie felt Bianca's lips on her neck. Assured that Miranda was entranced with the sensory overload she was currently enjoying, Maggie turned her head and Bianca's next kiss landed on her lips.

"Mmm," she whispered as they parted. "I think I'm beginning to like this ride."

Bianca smiled against Maggie's mouth. "It's a small world, after all…" she murmured before kissing her again.

"Hey, you two!" Greenlee's voice shouted from the boat behind them. "I can see you, ya know!"

Maggie sighed. "Sometimes it's too small."

"Quit playing tonsil hockey in the House of the Mouse! Show some Mickey respect!"

Maggie groaned. "You should see the boat in front of us," she muttered.

"Huh?" Bianca asked, glancing forward. "Ew, ick!"

"Hey, look!" Maggie whispered urgently as they met up at the exit of the ride. "Kendall's crying, too! I knew it!"

Kendall sighed into Zach's arms. "I love this ride," she whimpered.

"Aw, crap."

Bianca hid her smile as she settled Miranda into her stroller, the little girl showing signs of tiredness. She had completely skipped her mid-morning nap for this outing and Bianca was sure she would be asleep before a decision was made on what they should ride next.

So, while Miranda napped, Maggie rode as many of the more thrilling rides as she could. Zach joined her for Space Mountain a second time, Big Thunder Mountain and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril before finally wrapping it up with the Rock n' Roller Coaster at the adjacent Walt Disney Studios park. Before they had stepped foot off the ride, though, Miranda was awake and raring to go with her second wind.

They were making for the Flying Carpets Over Agrabah Ride, at her Majesty's request, strolling happily in the warm March sun.

"You know, I'm beginning to feel bad for Greenlee," Maggie whispered, walking hand-in-hand with Bianca.

"Why?" Bianca looked at Maggie, eyebrow raised.

Maggie watched as Greenlee skipped ahead of them, hearing the faint hum of 'Zippity doo dah'. "Because I can tell she was deprived as a child. Very, very deprived."

Bianca grinned. "Now, what makes you say that?"

"Just look at her. Pink Minnie Mouse ears, loads of Disney treats and she liked that-," Maggie shuddered. "That-."

"It's okay, Tiger, you can say it. Lightening isn't going to strike if you do."

"No." Maggie shook her head vehemently. "Nope, not gonna do it…"

Suddenly, Kendall and Zach walked past them with Miranda in their arms, both singing the words to 'It's a Small World After All' while Miranda giggled.

Maggie groaned. "Oh man, I'm outnumbered."

Bianca watched the couple thoughtfully. "You know, Zach doesn't exactly strike me as the amusement park type."

"Yeah, well, you should have seen him in the arcade," Maggie replied. She shook her head. "The man's got a serious gun thing going on. I watched him play 'Ghost Squad' and I think he killed the President on purpose."

Bianca chuckled as they slipped into the queue for the ride. Greenlee took Miranda from Kendall's arms and the two began chattering happily. They rode together on one of the 'Magic Carpets', giggling with each other at a joke no one else was allowed in on.

Afterwards, Kendall and Zach started back towards Main Street USA, encouraging everyone that dinnertime was fast approaching. Greenlee, though, would have none of it.

"There are still rides I want to go on," she told Kendall petulantly. "You go sit somewhere and take a breather. I'm going back to Fantasyland."

"You already live in Fantasyland," Kendall smarted back.

"Bite me, Kendall." She looked down at Miranda. "You want to come with me, Sweet Pea?"

"No way!" Kendall exclaimed, turning Miranda's stroller away from Greenlee's grasp. "I'm not letting you run off with my niece."

"What do you think I'm going to do, you bean pole? Sell her off to the Seven Dwarfs as slave labor?" She threw her arms out wide. "We're at the 'happiest place on earth', European edition, you doof!" She looked at Miranda. "Come on, Mimo, let's see the sights."

"Oh, no, you don't!" Kendall retorted, still tugging the stroller away.

"What are you, her scheduler? Why don't you ask her what she wants to do?"

"Oh, go eat a poisoned apple."

"Wanna go wif Gweenwee," Miranda said suddenly.

"Ha!" Greenlee exclaimed, pulling the stroller free of Kendall's hands. "We'll see you after we finish riding Dumbo." She started to move away. "And Peter Pan… and Critter Corral. And the carousel! And the train!"

Bianca watched them go and leaned over to Maggie. "Why do I get the distinct impression we just saw the last of our daughter for a while."

"Probably because I fully suspect Greenlee to lose her somewhere," Maggie sighed.

There was a momentary pause then Bianca spoke. "Maybe you better-…"

"Yeah, I'll go with them…"

Giving Bianca a quick peck on the lips, Maggie chased after Greenlee and Miranda. Bianca watched her go then turned toward her sister and brother-in-law.

"You know," Zach said suddenly, eyeing the look on Bianca's face. "You look like you could use a nice, cold lemonade. How does that sound? Good, I'll be right back." He kissed Kendall on the temple. "Stand fast, my love."

Kendall watched her husband rush off then turned to her sister. "What?"

Bianca quirked a single eyebrow at her sister. Kendall, for her part, had the decency to blush.

Shaking her head, Bianca accepted the glass of lemonade Zach thrust into her hands.

xxxxxxxxxx

Bianca sat quietly on the bench, enjoying the relative calm, watching as people rushed by on their way to the next ride or the next show or whatever. Zach and Kendall had gone off to ride the cars, leaving Bianca alone with her thoughts, and able to finally catch her breath after the non-stop day they'd had so far. Thinking back on all the things they'd managed to do, Bianca tipped her head back to the sun and smiled gently.

"Hey, Binks!" Kendall shouted, dragging Zach along by the hand.

At the exact same moment they arrived at her side, Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar on Me rolled forth from Bianca's cell phone. She blushed a violent shade of red.

Quickly flipping open the Razr to end the blaring ring-tone, she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Hey, Tiger… Okay, we're up near the entrance… Yeah, we'll wait here…" She quickly looked around. "Yeah, we're by the square… Okay… See you in a few… Love you, too…" Bianca cleared her throat self-consciously. "Maggie," she mumbled in explanation after closing the phone.

"Yeah, I kinda figured," Kendall replied. She grinned at her clearly uncomfortable sister. "Interesting ring-tone."

"Well, I let Maggie set it herself."

"Mm-hmm," Kendall said knowingly. "Yeah, well, you never explained why Greenlee's ring-tone is Jimi Hendrix. You know, 'Foxy Lady'?"

Bianca crossed her arms and legs defensively as she sat on the bench. "Greenlee stole my phone one day. When I got it back, that was her ring-tone." She rolled her eyes. "She locked it, somehow," she muttered, "and I can't change it."

Kendall snorted. "Typical Greenlee. My ring-tone on her phone is Cheeseburger in Paradise…" Bianca laughed. "You think that's funny? She set hers on my phone, too."

"And?"

Kendall gritted her teeth. "You Light Up My Life."

After a split second, both women burst out laughing. About the time they managed to contain themselves, Greenlee rushed up to them with Maggie on her heels and Miranda snug in her stroller.

"Hey, guys!" Greenlee chirped, throwing herself on the bench beside them. Almost instantly, the sisters broke out laughing again. Greenlee's forehead furrowed. "What's so funny?" Trying to contain herself, Bianca snorted, which sent Kendall into another giggling fit as she pointed at her baby sister. "Are you laughing at me?" Greenlee grumped, watching as everyone started towards the entrance of the park. She jumped off the bench and followed. "You're laughing at me, aren't you? Why? Do I have food on my face? That's it, isn't it? I have food on my face. I'll bet I've had food on my face all day and no one told me. Thanks a lot, guys." She wiped at her cheek. "Did I get it? Hey! Someone! Anyone! Come on, tell me!"

The others ignored her all the way to the restaurant.

xxxxxxx

Maggie had made arrangements for dinner at Walt's, a restaurant featuring the life and story of Walt Disney. Soon after they were seated, several guests arrived to join them, a special present to Miranda, courtesy of Maggie. Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Chip N' Dale entered the restaurant and came straight to the table, causing Miranda's eyes to widen in awe as her favorite characters pointed to her where she sat and came to bow at her side.

"Mickey!" the little girl squealed. "Minnie! Momma! Wook! Mickey an' Minnie!"

Bianca grinned at Maggie before turning back to Miranda. "I see, Sweetie, I see."

"Chip an' Day!"

Across the table, Greenlee squealed in Kendall's ear. "Lookit, Kendall! It's Mickey! And Minnie! It's Mickey and Minnie Mouse!" Suddenly, Greenlee paused, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Oh, that poor mouse, who picked out her wardrobe?"

Opening her mouth wide to try to clear her hearing, Kendall covered her ear with her hand. "What?"

"She needs some serious fashion sense."

"I can't- what?" Kendall watched Greenlee jump out of her chair, shoving Chip – or was it Dale? – aside on her path to Minnie. "Wait, Greenlee!"

"Oh, no," Maggie moaned, watching a determined Greenlee close in on Mrs. Mouse. "International Disney incident about to happen…"

Bianca looked up. "Kendall!"

"Okay," Kendall muttered. "Okay…"

By the time she had reached Greenlee's side, the hardsell was in full stride.

"You know, honey, those polka dots are so out right now. I think a nice Marc Jacob or BCBG original would really highlight your… um… cheekbones." Greenlee sighed and took Minnie's hand. "And those heels, yellow pumps are such a fashion 'don't'. Have you considered Jimmy Choo?" She glanced down at Minnie's mouse-feet. "Okay, you probably need something a little wider, but you get what I'm saying." She paused to consider for a moment. "Maybe Manolo makes a wide enough heel for you."

Minnie actually rolled her head, tossing Mickey a pleading glance. The tuxedoed mouse shrugged his shoulders, puffy white-gloved palms upward in a 'what're ya gonna do?' response, then turned back to Miranda. Minnie slapped a hand over her eyes.

Greenlee pulled out a pen from her purse. "Honey, here's my number," she said while quickly scribbling on a Buzz Lightyear notepad. "Come to Pine Valley and I'll give you the best makeover Fusion has to offer. On the house."

Kendall quickly took Greenlee by the shoulders, attempting to lead her away. "Greenlee, sweetie, come on, leave Minnie Mouse alone." She gave the giant mouse a sincere smile. "I'm so sorry, we left her meds back at the house."

Minnie just nodded and waved as they walked away. Greenlee turned and put her hand to her head, imitating a telephone. 'Call me', she mouthed, tossing Minnie a wink. Minnie just kept waving then used both hands to wave Greenlee off. Putting her hands to her large mouse head, she walked away, muttering Minnie Mousily to herself…

Bianca shook her head. "Wow, who's the 2-year old here? Miranda or Greenlee?"

"Apparently," Maggie whispered back, "from the looks of things, today it's Greenlee."

Miranda giggled with glee as Chip and Dale fussed over her, Mickey and Minnie sang 'Happy Birthday' to her and the entire restaurant enjoyed a piece of chocolate birthday cake. Bianca smiled at the way Maggie fussed over the little girl, making sure Miranda was aware of everything, that dozens of pictures were taken and that Miranda felt like the most privileged princess.

Which she was…

xxxxxxxxxx

After dinner, Miranda crashed out before they reached the car for the drive back to Paris, the adrenaline rush of her most spectacular day finally wearing off. Once she was settled into her car seat, they piled into the Volvo and started the trip home.

Maggie glanced at Greenlee after hearing her whimper a little under her breath. "Um, Greenlee?" she said. "You're starting to look like your name."

"Uuunnnhhh," Greenlee moaned, clutching at her stomach. "I don't feel so good."

"Don't throw up in the car!" Maggie, Kendall and Bianca all shouted simultaneously.

xxxxxxxxxx

Later that evening, Maggie found Zach in the den, a heavy crystal glass in his hand filled with about two fingers of a rich amber liquid. Kendall and Bianca were talking quietly in Miranda's room, Greenlee was moaning in pain in her room.

"Okay, Unca Zap," Maggie cracked. "I want to have a word with you."

Zach gave Maggie a look then saluted her with his glass. "Unless that word is 'cheers', I'm not interested," he replied before taking a healthy swallow, enjoying the warmth that burst through his belly.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Maggie railed, ignoring Zach completely.

"Excuse me?"

"You! You and that- that- that… RIDE!" Maggie's arms started flapping like a bird taking flight. "What were you thinking?"

Zach's forehead knotted. "Um, that I was in a small boat with my wife and no one else was around?"

"No! No! No!" She started pointing her finger at him. "I don't need you pretending that ride is fun! I don't need you acting all soft-hearted! And I certainly don't need you sitting in some tiny little plastic boat, all googly-eyed and sappy, nibbling on your wife's scrawny neck!" Using both hands to brush her hair back off her forehead in frustration, Maggie glared at Zach. "You're supposed to be on my side here, Zach, you know? We're supposed to be in this together."

Zach gave Maggie his inscrutable gaze. "We are in this together," he assured her. Then he shook his head. "What, exactly, are we in?"

"It's you and me! Against the Kane women genes! We understand what the other is up against! We commiserate! We gloat! And, on occasion, we get drunk and regale each other with stories of how they love us and can't live without us." Then she shuddered. "And, honestly, I never want to think about you nibbling on your wife's scrawny neck."

Zach looked at Maggie for a long moment, his face an inscrutable mask. "Would you like to get drunk now and regale each other with stories?"

Maggie sighed. "Please."

Zach handed her a glass of Irish Whiskey. "So, how's your sex life?"

"Very good. How's yours?"

Zach choked on his mouthful of liquor, coughing up the fireball in his gut. "Okay, enough of the sex talk…"

"Hey, you asked."

"It was a rhetorical question."

"If you didn't want to know, you shouldn't have asked," Maggie mumbled into her glass.

"I'll try to remember that," Zach replied, his brow furrowed again.

Maggie cleared her throat. "So. You and Kendall, huh?"

"So, you and the young mother."

"Yep." Awkward silence descended on them. "So…"

"Yeah…"

Maggie sighed. "Zach?"

"Yes, Maggie?"

"How do we do it? How do we keep those two happy?"

Now Zach sighed. "I imagine we just keep doing what we're doing."

"Yeah?"

"And if that doesn't work, give them a credit card and get out of their way."

"Or in your case, give them a casino?"

Zach took another sip of his drink. "Do you know how hard it was keeping Kendall away from the craps tables?"

Maggie laughed. "Really?"

"Hoo, yes. And the woman has horrible luck, you know."

"Well, that may work in your case, but Bianca… she's different."

Zach's eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"Well, she's not as into materialistic things… That's one thing she didn't inherit from the great Erica Kane."

"Well, that makes you lucky." Relaxing, Zach propped his feet up on the coffee table, his glass settled on his flat stomach. "Damn lucky."

"Tell me about it." Maggie peered up at the big Irishman. "Do you ever feel unworthy of her?"

Zach sighed into his glass. "Every damn day."

Mimicking Zach's pose, Maggie sighed as she crossed her ankles. "Yep…"

"And it's worth every single minute."

"Hey, Zach?"

"Yeah?"

"You ever get that… funny feeling in the pit of your stomach when she smiles at you?"

"Yeah." He paused. "And it gets worse when she touches me."

"Yeah."

"And I- I forget to breathe sometimes… Like when she walks into a room and her eyes find me… it's like… my lungs… my lungs forget how to work."

"And my heart," Maggie murmured, picking up on Zach's thoughts. "It feels like it could burst out of my chest."

"And I'd stop staring if I could just remember how to blink…"

"And you suddenly understand Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic and that whole I'm the King of the World!-thing…" Slowly, Zach turned his head and eyed Maggie. She did a double take then sighed. "What? Too much?"

"Yes, just a bit."

Maggie sighed. "Yeah, a bit…"

Kendall and Bianca stood at the door, watching their significant others bonding, laughing over the tales they were telling, sipping whiskey and slowly getting a little drunk.

"You'd think they were watching Monday Night Football or something," Kendall commented. "The way they're bonding…"

Bianca looked at the two in the den then glanced at Kendall. "The minute they both stick a hand in their pants, I'm going in there."

Later that night, Maggie and Zach finally stumbled to their respective beds. Zach was snoring before his head actually hit the pillow, causing Kendall to groan and smack him in frustration.

Maggie was in slightly better shape. She climbed into bed next to Bianca and spooned up behind her, arms and legs wrapped around the brunette to hold her close. Every time she spoke, though, Bianca flinched from the liquor-breath washing over her. Just to shut her up, Bianca rolled over and planted her lips on Maggie's, tasting the dark smoky whiskey she'd imbibed. Before the kiss was over, Maggie was snoring…

Down the hall, Greenlee moaned in misery.

TBC-

Next: A Holiday in Venice