Weak in the Knees
Chapter 21
Bianca returned to the dinner table muttering to herself, slipping easily back into her seat unnoticed in the din of holiday chatter. She took her seat next to Babe though she seemed a million miles away. Making no eye contact with either Babe or Zoë she stared at her plate for a moment, then took a sip of her now watered down drink, ice tinkling in the glass as her hands shook. Wincing at the acrid taste, she finally looked at her companions.
"What?" she asked.
"Are you ok?" Babe inquired. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened."
"Something must have. I don't know why you insisted on going in there to talk to them. Neither deserves the time of day from you." Zoe interjected. "So, tell me, did she beg forgiveness? Plead with you to take her cheating ass back?"
Bianca just stared off into space, wondering how her life had gotten so far off track.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Bianca knows." Kendall whispered to Zach. "Damn it, I knew this was going to happen. You should have let me go."
"She had to find out eventually."
"Yes, in a conversation, quietly, in private. Look at her," they both looked over at the brunette who seemed paler than usual. It was nothing overt just the way she was sitting, as if she was unsure of the very earth beneath her. "She's practically green, and her posse sure doesn't seem to be helping. She walked in on something. I swear I'm going to hurt Maggie!"
"For what, Kendall? Getting carried away by new love? For doing something even we have done?" He asked, referring to their interlude on the bridge at Ryan's wedding. Seeing that his wife understood the reference he continued. "Bianca's an adult and she made the choice to follow them."
"I know that and I even understand getting carried away. But she's my sister, Zach, and she's hurting. We both know damn well she isn't over Maggie."
"That may very well be true but it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. She has moved on to another relationship. A very public one at that. Maggie has every right to do the same."
"But did she have to bring it here? To Pine Valley? As far as I know she has yet to even explain to Bianca what really happened in Paris, doesn't this seem extraordinarily cruel? Isn't she rubbing Bianca's nose in it?" Kendall asked.
"To be fair, Bianca left Maggie in limbo when she sent her back to Paris and Maggie found out about her relationship with Zoë on television. We were both there when Greenlee explained what that did to Maggie." Zach reasoned. "Doesn't that seem extraordinarily cruel?"
Kendall sighed. "Yes, it does. They are both stubborn as mules. I was shocked when Bianca sent Maggie home and I told her so at the time. Greenlee also told me that Maggie had begged Bianca to have coffee with her so they could talk, ever since Binx and Zoë returned to Paris. But piling wrong on top of wrong will never equal a right. This is a mess." She said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"That it is. But it's their mess and you can't be the one to clean it up. You can only be there, for each of them, when and if they are ready to talk."
- - - - - - - - - -
"Well?" Zoë prodded. "Are you going to tell us what they said? Did you make it clear that trying to get you back won't work?"
"Can we just drop it, Zoë? Maggie isn't here to get me back." Bianca said, her words coming out more harshly than she intended. She really did not want to think about Maggie and Greenlee now, much less talk about them.
"How can you know that, Bianca? You can't possibly believe anything that bitch says."
"Zoë!" Babe chastised. "If Bianca says that she knows let's just leave it at that." She placed her hand on her friend's back, silently berating herself for not going with Bianca to the bathroom. She must have walked in on something, she thought. Given the look on her face it really shook her too. I really thought she was over Maggie, I guess I was wrong. She could kill her cousin for hurting Bianca again.
"Fine." Zoë huffed. "But you're obviously upset. I'll expect an explanation later." Though she didn't need one. It was clear that whatever had happened in the bathroom had shaken Bianca, brought up feelings Zoë had tried to help her girlfriend bury. This just will not do, she said to herself, maybe I'll have to have a chat with Maggie myself.
"Let's just try and enjoy dessert, ok?" Bianca implored.
"Of course, my love. Anything you wish." She reached across the table to take Bianca's hand. "I love you."
"I love you too." Bianca said automatically without even thinking; her mind still on the vision of Maggie's back arched in pleasure, Greenlee's hand buried between her legs.
- - - - - - - - - -
Erica had seen Bianca return to the table and instantly knew her daughter had seen more than she bargained for. She obviously needed to have a talk with Greenlee and Maggie about the meaning of discretion. While she was normally all for a little spice in the form of clandestine trysts, in this instance it was unwise to say the least. Bianca looked positively shell-shocked. This was not the way for her to have found out and Maggie should have known better than to get carried away. As angry as she was at the sequence of events however she was also partially relieved. Maybe now that this was out in the open, and her daughter no longer had to feign worry that her ex was here to win her back, it would clear the way for Bianca and Maggie to have a real conversation about what happened and why. Erica knew that if they didn't repair their friendship Bianca would regret it; soon and for the rest of her life. At least the worst seemed to be over with barely a whimper, the earlier outburst between Greenlee and Ryan notwithstanding.
Looking up to see Greenlee and Maggie re-entering the dining room, hand in hand, she suddenly realized how very wrong she was.
- - - - - - - - - -
Greenlee and Maggie approached the table slowly, feeling a sense of elation and dread in equal measure. Greenlee's hand was shaking in Maggie's own and the closer they got to the table the more pronounced it became. And Silvain thinks she's the strong one, Maggie mused. They had not actually talked about who would say what before they left the bathroom and now Maggie wondered how this was going to play out. I guess we'll just do what we always do, she thought, what feels right.
Once again a hush fell over those at the table as the girls approached, each of them noting in turn the joined hands and showing variations on the same confused look.
Maggie cleared her throat and all eyes turned towards her as she turned to Greenlee.
"We have some news we'd like to share with you all and now seemed like as good a time as any." Greenlee said, her hand trembling uncontrollably in Maggie's as Ryan glared at his ex-wife. Suddenly the older woman was at a loss for words.
"Let's have it." All eyes snapped back to Ryan. "This should be good." He said sarcastically. He was about to say more but a withering look for Annie silenced him.
Greenlee looked helplessly to her lover. Understanding immediately, Maggie ran her thumb over her lover's hand in comfort and continued for her.
"There is more to us coming back to Pine Valley than just visiting family and friends." Maggie said.
"I knew it! You're here to get Bianca back!" Zoë angrily exclaimed, quickly quieted by Babe.
"Not exactly." Maggie continued, looking directly at the young brunette, frustrated when Bianca would not meet her eyes. "Though I would like to repair my friendship with Bianca, that is not what I'm referring to."
"What then, Maggie, we haven't got all night." Ryan said.
"Greenlee and I have gotten very close since she moved to Paris after leaving Pine Valley a couple of years ago. We helped each other through some very rough times. It was a connection I cherished and I know she did as well." She squeezed her lover's hand gently. "After I returned to Paris earlier this year that friendship blossomed into something more." she explained stopping to let everyone catch up, she then levelled her gaze on Ryan.
"We're together now. I know this may come as a shock to some of you, the idea of us as a couple, but we're trying to make a go of it and we hope you'll in turn try and be happy for us." she finished.
"Tramp!" Zoë said, earning an identical glare from both Greenlee and Bianca. "Is there no end to the pain you are willing to inflict on Bianca? You have to date her cousin now?"
"Think what you want, Zoe. We just wanted to be as honest with everyone as we possibly could. We don't want to hide our relationship anymore."
"Since when are you honest?" Zoë asked.
Before Maggie could respond Jonathan jumped up from the table, throwing his napkin to the floor in anger.
"You can't be together!" he bellowed.
"Why not?" Greenlee asked.
"Because neither of you is gay!" he yelled, face turning beet red in anger.
Maggie chuckled. "I can assure you Jonathan, I am gay." she said looking him directly in the eye in a way he had never seen before. He hated it. "As for Greenlee, she can speak for herself."
"I don't know if I'm gay or not." Greenlee looked from the shocked, silent face of her ex husband to the serene, loving face of her girlfriend and felt a calm come over her like a gentle caress. Still looking into chocolate brown depths she added. "I only know that I love Maggie. I have for a long time."
"How long?" Ryan asked, voice lowering at the implication of Greenlee's words.
Greenlee cleared her throat of the emotion that had lodged there at finally being able to state her love so openly; it was overwhelming.
"How long what?" She asked.
"How long have you loved her?" He could barely get the words out as he stood looking directly at Greenlee. He continued in an accusatory tone. "Did you have feelings for her when we were still together?"
Greenlee knew the question would come she had just not expected it to be so public. Still, there was no going back now and no sense in lying anymore. Not to herself and not to Ryan.
"If I'm honest with myself, yes, I had feelings for her even then. Though at the time I didn't recognize it for what it was."
Bianca let out an audible gasp, flashing back to a conversation she'd had with Greenlee when Maggie had still been with Jonathan. Greenlee's breathless concern that Jonathan might be forcing himself on Maggie had seemed innocent at the time but now took on a much greater meaning. Had Greenlee only come to Paris to be near Maggie? Did she realize she was in love with Maggie at the time? Maggie had certainly been there for her cousin in her time of need, even trying to integrate her into their family. Oh my god, she thought, did Maggie have feelings for Greenlee then? Suddenly Cecelia's face shimmered into her mind and she though she may be sick right there at the table. Meeting Zoë's concerned eyes did nothing to help. This was all just…too much.
- - - - - - - - - -
Bianca was startled from her thoughts by another angry outburst from Jonathan.
"I won't accept this!" he said, stepping around the table toward Maggie; Greenlee quickly putting herself between them. "You loved me, Maggie. We were going to get married." he whined. "You…you loved me. .
"We were a lie, Jonathan. We've been over this. You wanted to control me and I was running. From Bianca," she said looking to her ex. "And myself. What we had was never love."
"Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare!" he took another step forward. "You liked it with me, Maggie." He continued, jabbing a finger into his own chest, his meaning clear. "How can you be with her?"
"She doesn't have to explain anything to you, Jonathan, back off! Now!" Greenlee said, forcefully.
Ryan laughed out loud, coming to stand next to his brother, ignoring the warning look from his wife.
"You really are a piece of work, Greenlee." He spat. "It wasn't enough to ruin the lives of the men in Pine Valley; now you're going to start on the women?!"
Maggie had had reached her limit with Ryan's disrespect and contempt for Greenlee. Maybe telling them all this way was a bad idea.
"Greenlee isn't ruining anyone's life and I will not put up with you talking to or about her like that, Ryan! Ever again!"
"Or what, Maggie? Huh? You'll run away with your tail between your legs? Just like last time?"
"Why. Don't. You. Try. Me!?" Maggie challenged, earning every syllable of her previously hated nickname.
"Oh look," Babe piped up. "The little bull dog has someone new to protect. How sweet."
Zoë giggled flamboyantly while Bianca shifted uncomfortably in her chair, frighteningly silent.
"Shut up, Babe!" Maggie, Kendall and Greenlee said in unison.
"This is really cute girls but it isn't going to work." Ryan turned back to Maggie. "I know Greenlee and there is no way she can be happy with the likes of you."
"She has been so far." Maggie answered, eyebrow raised suggestively. Di spit champagne out her nose, choking as the insinuation hit her.
"That may be true in Paris. But she brought you back here." Ryan explained. "Where I am, where Bianca is. Do you really expect us to believe there is no ulterior motive? If you do you're making a grave mistake."
"Exactly." Zoë added; causing Bianca to wish she could fall through the floor. This was turning into a free for all and all she really wanted to do was talk to Maggie. But that might be impossible if her girlfriend did not shut up.
"The only mistake we have made was thinking our friends and family might be happy for us." Greenlee said, disappointed that their happy moment had been tarnished.
"This…this is ridiculous." Jonathan stammered, pushing Greenlee aside. She stumbled into Ryan's arms as Jonathan moved past her to grab Maggie's arm. "We need to talk. NOW!"
"I told you last night I have nothing to say to you." Maggie said with a confidence and fearlessness she did not actually feel. She knew she could show no weakness to him or the consequences would be terrible.
Bianca felt fear for Maggie rise in her throat like bile. This was like history repeating itself with a different person playing her role.
"Then you can just listen!" Jonathan said as her jerked his ex's arm in an attempt to drag her from the room.
"Get your hands off of her!!" Greenlee shouted, frantic.
"I believe the lady said she didn't want to talk to you." Tad said, coming to Maggie's side as previously unnoticed security emerged from every corner of the room.
Jonathan froze, his eyes shifting to the burly men closing in. Greenlee took the opportunity to fling his arm from her girlfriend and gather her into the safety of her embrace.
Just as pandemonium was about to break loose a voice as hard as steel cut through the air like a butcher's cleaver.
"That's quite enough!" Erica Kane said forcefully, standing. "I will not have this dinner ruined by childish antics."
Holding a hand up to halt security, Zach knew that Erica could handle it. She turned to address Ryan.
"I expected more from you, Ryan, after all you've been through the last two years. You're happy and you have a beautiful family. You should leave well enough alone. And Jonathan," she said turning a force ten glare to the angry young man still huffing and puffing, "if you cannot get yourself under control I will have you escorted out."
"You can't do that!" he protested defiantly despite Ryan trying to move him back to his chair with an arm around his shoulder. He knew his brother must be out of his mind if he was going to take on Erica. Jonathan shrugged off his brother's touch.
"Shut up, Hockett." Ryan said, "Don't make this any worse than it already is."
"You seem to have forgotten who you're talking to, young man." Erica said disdainfully. "I can and I will."
Finally understanding, Jonathan calculated that he would have to wait to confront Maggie. He glared at his ex but said nothing more.
After a brief silence to let emotions calm down to a more normal level, whatever that meant in Pine Valley, Erica continued.
"I do believe it was a mistake for the girls to make their announcement here and now. What's done is done, however, and we need to all act like the adults we are. If Greenlee and Maggie have found some measure of happiness together we should do as the holiday suggests and be thankful." she said adding, "Love is a gift in any form."
Not for the first time Kendall was amazed at the force of nature that was Erica Kane.
"Now if you'll all lift your glasses and join me in a toast." Erica said. "To love."
"To love" they all repeated, clinking glasses and sharing kisses and affection all around while Jonathan stormed from the room, Ava hurrying to catch up. The crisis for the moment had been averted.
Bianca downed her drink in one gulp, signaling the waiter for another scotch, having long since given up on champagne for something harder. She was still numb from the turn of events, unsure and confused as emotions ripped through her unchecked. She had not seen Maggie this protective of anyone, since--well--since her rape. She just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Maggie had moved on. And with Greenlee no less, who seemed equally invested in Maggie.
She sought out Maggie gaze; her ex's expression full of apprehension and surprisingly, love. Suddenly a wave of suffocating regret and disbelief pierced her soul. She had always thought Maggie would be there, waiting, if--her thoughts splintered off in a million different directions, a million paths not taken; she emptied her fresh drink and looked away.
Zoë watched the emotions play across both Maggie and Bianca's faces as they looked at each other and could almost feel her tenuous connection to Bianca slipping away. Maggie continued to gaze at Bianca long after the latter had looked away, obviously wanting to reconnect; Zoë couldn't allow that. At that moment she knew it was now or never.
"Since we are toasting love," she said standing. "I have something I'd like to add." She came around the table to stand in front of Bianca.
What the hell is she doing, Babe thought. And why is she doing it now?
"As most of you know I came to Pine Valley a year ago, lost. Torn between whom I was and the woman I knew myself to be." she said, breathy and emotional. Several people rolled their eyes. "I was looking for inspiration, courage. Little did I know I would find both, and somuch more, in the beautiful woman sitting before me."
Zoë took the still sitting Bianca's hand into her own very large one.
"Bianca, you and Miranda have become my whole world. You've shown me what it is to have true courage and how beautiful the world can be when you love with your whole heart. I am a better person, a better woman, for loving you and I can't imagine my life without you by my side. Hopefully after today, I won't have to." Her voice was trembling.
Bianca was shaking uncontrollably. This can't be happening, she thought. Not now, not with Maggie standing right there, watching me! Not with so much still left unsaid between us!
"Oh my God, Greenlee." Maggie whispered, her thoughts echoed in every mind at the table. "What the hell is she doing?" Greenlee sensing her girlfriend's distress and not knowing how this would affect her, kissed the brunette's temple and put a comforting arm around her.
"It'll be ok, honey." she said, as to their mutual horror, Zoë dropped to one knee.
"How?" Maggie lamented, the sob catching in her throat as Zoë presented a small, velvet box. Maggie struggled to remain still, fearing that the hope of reconciliation with Bianca, of any kind, would implode with Zoë's next utterance.
Opening the box to reveal a stunning and huge diamond ring that blinded them momentarily when the light struck it, Zoë gently tilted Bianca's face to hers, fingers under the young brunette's chin; wrongly thinking that Bianca's trembling was out of happiness.
Eyes shining with unshed tears Zoë took a deep breath. She looked around the room at the faces of Bianca's friends, family and ex. Then in a tremulous voice she asked,
"Bianca Montgomery, will you marry me?"