A/N: I can't thank you enough for the reviews. You all are simply great. It's time for someone else's turn with whatshername. I hope you all enjoy it!
/
Marissa was reclined against Bianca on the sofa with her head resting on the brunette while Bianca's arms were wrapped around her. Their meeting with the builder had gone extremely well, and the two were enjoying the quiet and simply being with each other before Kendall and Greenlee brought the kids home from the visit with Reese.
They heard the front door open as Kendall used the key they had given her. The couple had just managed to sit upright before Gabby rushed towards them. "Mommy! Rissa!" The little girl quickly scrambled into the 'Gabby-sized' space in between them, smiling brightly and giving each of them a kiss.
AJ and Miranda soon joined them. The couple quickly noted the wary expressions on the faces of their older children. Bianca turned to her sister and Greenlee. "How did it go?"
Before Kendall could answer, Greenlee decided to try and buy her friend some time and asked, "How did it go with the builder?"
Marissa knew a stall tactic when she heard one, but decided not to press for an answer to Bianca's question right away. "It went great. With any luck, we'll be in the new place just after Thanksgiving."
"That's good news, but I'm guessing it also means Thanksgiving will be at my place this year."
"Sorry, Kendall, but it does. This place will be filled with boxes since we'll be in the middle of packing everything up. Don't worry, though." Bianca smiled and nodded towards Marissa. "This one here wants to host Christmas this year."
Greenlee chuckled. "What are you, a glutton for punishment?"
"What can I say? I've always wanted a big, noisy family Christmas."
"Be careful what you wish for, Red."
"Yeah, noisy is not a problem for this family. We'll have that covered easily. She didn't say civilized though, did she? That might be a problem if she did." Greenlee offered with a smirk.
Bianca just grinned. She knew how much having family around meant to Marissa, especially during the holidays. "I've warned her."
"Christmas is supposed to be about 'peace on earth, goodwill towards men', isn't it?"
"In normal families, yes, it is, Linus, but in this one, it's debatable. We make the Griswold's look downright boring." Kendall laughed.
"Fine. Fine. You've all seemed to have forgotten that I've survived the Chandler family Christmas, a couple of them in fact. If they can pull it together for the kids for one day, surely our's can. Right, Gabby?" Marissa looked down at the little girl in between her and Bianca and caught her in the middle of a big yawn.
In addition to being home with her two favorite grown-ups, the day's events were finally catching up with the youngest Montgomery, and she was starting to fight sleep. "Right, Rissa." She nodded as another big yawn followed.
Bianca and Marissa shared a knowing smile and thought. She won't last much longer.
"She has a very good point. We can't have the Chandlers outdo us."
"Of course, you'd agree with her, Binx. You have an even more positive outlook on things than her."
Bianca rolled her eyes at her sister. "Whatever you say. So, back to my original question, how did everything go this afternoon?"
"I can see someone's influence on you. There was a time when I could put you off for days. Now, I'm lucky if it's ten minutes."
Bianca grinned at Marissa who simply grinned back at her. "Enough stalling. Answer the question."
The question was met with silence from the group. The redhead looked around at everyone. "Don't everybody answer her at once."
Miranda finally spoke up. "I don't want to see her again. I don't like her."
AJ quickly added. "I don't like her either."
The couple looked at each other and then down at the little girl in between them. "What about you, Gabby?"
The little girl shook her head. "Don't like her."
Bianca looked at her sister. "Spill it, Kendall. What happened?"
"Don't be upset with Aunt Kendall, Bianca. Her and Greenlee were really good today. They did a good job protecting Miranda and Gabby."
Marissa looked at her son, cocking an eyebrow. "Aunt Kendall, huh?"
"I asked her if I could call her that, and she said it was okay. Is that alright, mom?"
The redhead looked at Kendall who smiled and nodded. "It looks like some bonding went on today. If Kendall is okay with it, then so am I. In fact, I think it's great. Bianca's not upset with her, buddy. She just wants to know what happened, and why you all don't like Reese."
"She scared Gabby."
"She what?" Both Bianca and Marissa tensed up immediately and quickly looked down at the little girl. Gabby had crawled onto Marissa's lap and was snuggled up against her. The redhead hadn't realized the little girl had crawled on her lap. It was something so natural and second nature to both of them. Marissa smiled and continued to gently stroke Gabby's back.
Bianca smiled at the scene that had become commonplace between Marissa and Gabby. She was always amazed at how quickly her youngest seemed to bounce back no matter what the adversity. She was positive a large part of the reason this time was because Gabby trusted Marissa completely and felt nothing but love and safety in her arms. These were the exact feelings that Bianca felt herself when in her girlfriend's arms and nightmares from her past returned to haunt her. That sight calmed the brunette down and allowed her to continue. "What happened?"
Kendall knew both women would be upset and saw them struggling to not lose their composure around their children. In fact, it was the presence of their children that was the only thing keeping them from unleashing their anger. She began to recount everything that had happened earlier in the day while editing the parts not meant for little ears.
The couple wanted to speak to Kendall and Greenlee alone so Marissa took Gabby up to her bedroom and settled her down for a late afternoon nap. While she was doing this, Bianca set up a movie for Miranda and AJ. When Marissa returned downstairs, the four women stepped outside to the patio and sat down to continue the conversation. This time, they received the unabridged version, and they were both mad as hell.
When Kendall finished, she apologized to the couple. "I am so sorry. You have to believe me that the last thing I wanted was for Gabby to be scared and Miranda upset, and I can't believe she said what she did to AJ."
"I'm sorry too. We just weren't quick enough."
Bianca shook her head. "It's not your fault, Kendall. It's not your's either, Greenlee's. This is all on Reese." She turned to look at Marissa who had remained quiet during the entire recounting. She saw that her girlfriend's jaw was clenched, and she could see the fury in her eyes. Bianca gently caressed Marissa's cheek who turned to face her the as soon as she felt her touch. "Are you okay?"
The instant she felt the loving touch of her girlfriend, the redhead's expression immediately softened and her anger began to dissipate when she saw the concern for her in those warm brown eyes she loved so much. Marissa took a shaky breath and slowly nodded. "I'm as okay as I'm going to be given everything that we've just heard." She turned to Kendall and Greenlee. "Bianca's right. What happened today isn't your fault so please don't beat yourselves up over it, and thank you for everything that you said to her. It really means a great deal to me. It's obvious that you have a big fan in AJ."
"I have to say I was a little surprised when he asked to call me Aunt Kendall, and I can't begin to tell you how touched and honored I am that he sees me like that. He's a great kid, and he's so amazing. The way he stepped forward to protect the girls and defend you? I've never seen anything quite like that. That's all you, and you have done an incredible job with him. I also meant every word I said to him and whatshername about you."
"Thank you, that means a lot." The thought of AJ feeling the need to defend her and protect the girls had her anger on the rise again. "That bitch! I'm sorry, Bianca, but I'm taking the gloves off. The next time I see her? Her ass is mine. We've played it nice for far too long with her, and I can't do it anymore."
Kendall and Greenlee looked at each other and reached a silent agreement. "We should go. Ryan and Emma will be wondering what happened to me." Greenlee gave the couple a supportive squeeze on their shoulders as she headed to the door.
"Yeah, the same with Zach and the boys. We'll see ourselves out." Kendall hugged her sister and the redhead tightly. "Try not to let her get to you, and don't let her ruin this beautiful day. She's not worth it. Focus on your new home and your future."
"Kendall's right. She's not worth it. Remember who to call though if you need help with the body." Greenlee's last comment brought a small smile to the faces of both Bianca and Marissa.
The friends walked back inside the house, making sure the door was closed behind them so AJ and Miranda wouldn't overhear the conversation sure to continue between the couple. "Hey you two, we're heading out now. Next time we'll do something really fun and bring Spike, Ian and Emma along. Sound good?"
The children nodded, and Miranda asked, "Are mom and Marissa okay? They seem kinda mad."
"Well, they are a little mad but not at either one of you. They're mad at Reese. They'll be okay once they finish their discussion. I promise."
Kendall and Greenlee waited until they were in the car before speaking again. "I don't know that I've ever seen Marissa that mad before."
"I don't think I have either and that's including that day at Krystal's last year. She has every right to be though."
"Yes, she does. Do you think she'll be okay?"
"Yeah, as long as she doesn't see Reese right away, she'll be fine. My sister will pull her back from the ledge. I also think Binx knows that Red has to confront Reese about everything now. Bianca knows that she has every right to, and she won't ask Marissa to keep quiet any longer."
"Do you think we can somehow manage to see that when it happens?"
/
"I meant what I said, Bianca. I just can't stand by anymore regarding her. You know that line we've talked about her crossing? Well, she's pole-vaulted over it. What she's done is unforgiveable. Gabby is the sweetest and most loving child there is, and what does that bitch do? She scares her. Oh, she may not have meant to do it, but she did all the same. She should've known better and then she has the gall to say Gabby overreacted! How the hell else was Gabby supposed to react when she doesn't know who that woman is? As for Miranda, this is way too much for her to deal with, and she shouldn't have to. That woman has put her on an emotional roller-coaster, and it's time for that to end! And what she said to AJ? There's no way in hell that was called for! If she has a problem with me, then take it up with me! Don't go after my children, take it out on them and expect me to do nothing in response! I'm not going to stand for any more of her games! I'm not going to stand for any more of her! Please don't ask me to. You can ask me anything else but just not that."
Bianca hated seeing Marissa like this. The struggle to contain her anger was causing the redhead to shake. Bianca knew she had asked a lot from her, and Marissa had agreed simply because she had asked her to and she loved her. The brunette had no idea exactly how much she was asking though or how hard it was on Marissa until that very moment. No one else had ever done anything like that for her before, and if possible, Bianca loved Marissa even more. She took her girlfriend's hands. "You're right. You're right about all of it. What she did is unforgiveable. I don't know what the hell she was thinking, and there are absolutely no excuses for any of it. I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for? This isn't your fault." Marissa gave her a puzzled look.
"Yeah, it is a little. I was pushing for the girls to try and have some sort of relationship with her. I didn't want them to think it was possible for her to just forget them and walk away from them. I thought if she could still be in their life just a little that it would be good for them. I was wrong for pushing them and for thinking that, and I was wrong to ask you to keep quiet for this long. I shouldn't have done that. It wasn't fair to you. I just didn't realize how much I was asking."
When she heard Bianca attempting to blame herself for this situation, Marissa took a deep breath, and her anger began to fade. She couldn't allow her girlfriend blame herself for something she wasn't remotely responsible for. "Bianca, listen to me. None of this is your fault. You were doing what you thought was best for Miranda and Gabby. You know that I understand that more than anyone else. As for me, contrary to what some people think, I am capable of telling you 'no' and could have done it when you asked me to keep quiet, but I didn't. That's on me, not you. I thought I could handle it better than I have. I just can't do it any longer though. Do you understand?"
As she looked into the beautiful hazel eyes of her girlfriend, Bianca could see the anger that had been there earlier had faded considerably and that her Marissa was returning. While she was grateful for that, the brunette now started to feel her own anger and struggled to control it. "I do understand, and you've handled it far better than you think, far better than anyone else could have. Some things are going to change. If the girls don't want to see her again, then they won't. I won't make them. I'm not going to put them through any more of her bullshit. It stops now, and I don't give a damn what she wants or thinks. You have every right to go after her, and I'm not going to try and stop you or ask you not to. What she's done to the girls, what she said to AJ and what she said about you and what she's put you through, that can't go unanswered. I'm not going to let it. I'm tired of being nice and not saying or doing anything about all of this. I'm not going to do it anymore. You don't do that to my family, and she should damn well know that by now. In fact, I may need you to stop me. I'd like nothing better than to rip her head off and shove it up her ass." Bianca saw Marissa's lips twitch. "What? You don't think I'd do that?"
Marissa could see the anger in Bianca's eyes and knew that she meant every word that she was saying. Just like her girlfriend felt the need to pull her back from that dark and angry place, the redhead knew she needed to do the same thing for her. She would not allow anyone to take Bianca down a path that Marissa knew the brunette would later regret. "No, I know you're perfectly capable of doing that especially where we're concerned. I was getting a visual of it. I've gotta say that I really liked it. I just have one question. Do I have to stop you right away? I mean, can I let you get a few shots in at least before I stop you?"
As Marissa's words began to sink in, Bianca felt her anger subside. She shook her in head as a small smile slowly made its way across her face. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you, for letting me say what I needed to and then knowing what to say to bring me back."
"I didn't do anything that you just didn't do me for. I kinda lost it there for a little bit, didn't I?"
"Maybe just a little, but no more than me. Besides, you had every right to." Bianca sighed.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am now. What about you?"
Marissa leaned forward giving Bianca a loving kiss. "Thanks to you, I am."
"Okay, you know that I'm going to have to see her. I think this is something that I need to do face to face. Are you okay with me doing that?"
"I'll be honest. I don't like it because I just don't trust her, and have I mentioned how much I really don't like her?"
"I seem to recall you mentioning that once or twice. I really don't like her either if that helps."
Marissa smiled. "Thanks, it really does. Okay, do what you need to do. I'm with you all the way. When are you going to call her?"
"Thank you. Monday, I'll call her on Monday and set something up for Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm not going to ruin our weekend by giving her anymore of our time. What about you?"
"Well, I won't hunt her down like she deserves to be. It's tempting, very tempting, but I won't do that. I know I'll be seeing her again soon, and the next time I do, I'll be ready for her. You're right about this weekend. I'm declaring this a whatshername free zone." Marissa grinned.
Bianca laughed. "I do love how you think, counselor."
/
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're not on the authorized list to pick them up. I can't let them go with you. I'll have to call their mother, and report this incident to her."
"I've already told you that my name is Reese Williams, and I am their mother."
"Again, I'm sorry, but I only have Bianca Montgomery listed as their mother. She has provided us with a list of individuals who are authorized to pick up Miranda and Gabby, and you are not on the list."
"Who's on the list?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. I can only tell you that you are not on the list. You will have to leave the property, or I will be forced to call the police."
"This is ridiculous. I demand to see …"
"Hi, Susan, is something wrong?"
The camp assistant let out an audible sigh of relief. "Ms. Tasker, it's really good to see you. This woman is trying to see Miranda and Gabby, but she's not on the list that Ms. Montgomery gave us."
"It's okay, Susan. I'll take care of this. Will you keep an eye on the kids for a little while longer while I handle this?"
"Thank you and I'll be happy to keep an eye on them for as long as you need."
"Reese, let's go outside."
"I'm not leaving …"
The steely look in Marissa's eyes stopped the blonde from finishing her protest. "That's not a request."
As the pair slowly headed outside, they passed Kendall and Greenlee who were there to pick up their kids from the summer day camp. Reese stared straight ahead while Marissa greeted both women giving them each a smile that was warm but had something else behind it. "Kendall, Greenlee, it's always good to see you."
"Marissa, it's good to see you too." The friends exchanged looks and then quickly headed into the administration office. Immediately after finding out what happened from the assistant and asking her to keep an eye on their kids a little while longer for them, the women raced outside to find the pair. Kendall pulled out her cellphone and dialed her sister as they chased after them. "Binx, it's me. I want you to just listen. Reese was here at day camp to try and see the girls. Don't worry. They're fine. Susan kept her away from them. Marissa arrived during all of this, and it looks like the gloves are getting ready to come off. Greenlee and I are trying to get close enough to hear what they're going to say. I'll put you on speakerphone so you can hopefully hear too. Put your line on mute though."
Greenlee located them right away and found a hiding place behind a huge oak tree close to where they had just stopped.
Reese turned to face Marissa. "Look, I just wanted to talk to the girls, and try and explain the other day. Bianca really should have put me on the list so I can see my daughters."
Marissa gave the blonde a look that did not betray anything she was feeling at that moment for this other woman. "Since she has full custody, Bianca doesn't have to do anything for you where her daughters are concerned. I think it's been clearly established repeatedly that she doesn't trust you to be alone with them."
"Do you honestly think that you are going to be able to stop me from seeing them? I have rights. I can make a call to my lawyer and have the agreement reversed. There's nothing you can do about it. You have no standing here. You have no standing with them at all. You're nothing to them. Maybe if you had those bitches Kendall and Greenlee help you, you might be able to stop me."
Oh, this is so on. You better bring it because I'm ready for whatever you've got. "You're free to call your lawyer, but that's not a good idea. There's a little matter of attempting kidnapping and custodial interference from last year. The statute of limitations hasn't expired on either of those counts, and any lawyer will tell you that. There are plenty of witnesses still around to testify. Plus, we did get affidavits on what happened at the time. That coupled with no valid grounds, I don't see that agreement getting reversed in any court. And what could you possibly hope to accomplish by doing any of that? It's not going to make Bianca trust you anymore. It will just hurt the girls and confuse them more than they already are. They don't know what to make of this whole situation. They only know that they don't really know you, and they're scared of you and don't want to see you. Bianca agrees with their decision. There won't be any winners with a custody battle, and shouldn't you be thinking of Miranda and Gabby for a change? As for what I am to the girls and how they feel about me, I'm not worried. I know how they feel about me because they know me and I know them. More importantly, they know how much they mean to me. They know I how much I love them. And I don't think anything, I know I can stop you. As long as it's what Miranda and Gabby want and what Bianca wants, I'll do whatever I need to do. I'll do anything for them, and they know that. It's nice to hear what you think about members of Bianca's family considering how much family means to her. Knowing Kendall and Greenlee like I do though, I think they'd actually take your opinion of them as a compliment. I don't need them for backup, although they would jump at the chance to help me. I can handle you all on my own."
Reese smirked. "I'm having my doubts about that since I heard you thought you were straight not so long ago. Sounds like you're kind of confused about lots of things."
Marissa gave Reese a cold smile, wanting nothing more than to wipe that smirk off of her face, but she was ready for anything the blonde could throw at her and would not be baited into losing her temper. "I'm not confused about a damn thing. When I realized that I was in love with Bianca and she was in love with me, that was it for me. She is it for me, and I've never been more positive of anything in my life. There's no going back, no looking back, and Bianca knows that and trusts that. If you want to talk about someone being confused, we can talk about what you did before your ceremony …"
Reese glared at Marissa. "Fine. What about your family? When you think about everything they've done, it's not surprising the way your son acted …"
"Holy shit!" Greenlee clamped a hand over her mouth.
Kendall whispered to her sister over the phone. "Oh, Bianca, if looks could kill, Reese would be dead and buried. I think that look would even stop mom in her tracks. I can't believe she brought up AJ."
The look Marissa gave the blonde actually gave the woman cold chills. The redhead's words were just as icy as the look she was giving Reese. "Let's get a couple of things straight. AJ did nothing wrong the other day where you're concerned. He was defending me and protecting the girls, period and end of story. You are never to say anything about my son ever again. I don't want you looking at him, talking to him or even whispering his name. If I hear of you doing any of those things, you will never be able to run fast enough or far enough from me. Got it?"
Reese, still stunned by the redhead's glare, could only manage a nod in reply.
"Good. Don't ever forget it. Now, you were talking about my family. They haven't done anything to Bianca. In fact, they've never met her."
"They've never met her? Your sister took Bianca's …"
"Oh, you're talking about them. You said my family. You didn't say you were talking about Krystal, David and Babe."
"Yeah, them, you know, your family."
"See, when you mentioned my family, I automatically thought you were talking about the Taskers. They're my family. They're the ones that raised me and made me who I am. I never met Babe. I only know what other people have told me about her, and I only met David and Krystal a few years ago. I don't have much to do with him at all. As for Krystal, while Bianca's been able to forgive her, I have a little harder time doing that, but she wants me to. So, whatever relationship I have with her is all because of Bianca. If Bianca doesn't have a problem with my connection to Krystal, then your opinion on it is doesn't matter one damn bit to me. You got anything else for me?"
Reese just stared at the redhead and saw the glint in her eye. She had underestimated Marissa and had thought she would easily fold when confronted about her family connections. "I'm not doing this. Tell Bianca I'll talk to her tomorrow." The blonde turned to leave but was stopped by Marissa's words.
"Where are you going? We're just getting started and nowhere close to being done."
Greenlee whispered to her friend. "Okay, this is getting really good, and Marissa is now officially someone I want on my side in a fight."
Kendall nodded. "You can say that again. Red's not backing down for one minute, and it looks like she's just getting warmed up. Did you see the look in her eyes? Damn, Bianca, your girl is doing you proud!"
"What are you talking about? I don't have anything else to say to you."
Was that really your best? I'm just getting started. Marissa gave her a wicked grin. "You may not have anything else to say to me, but I've got plenty to say to you. I've stood here and taken your best shots. Now, it's my turn."
"I'm not staying."
"Yeah, you are. You see, you started this, and I'm going to finish it. Why are you here?"
"I told you that I'm here to see my daughters."
"No, I'm not buying that. You haven't seen them in over two years, and your last phone call was months ago. There's something else, another reason, and don't say it's work because the meetings with Chandler are ones you could've done virtually. There's no need for you to be here for them. So, tell me. Why are you really here?"
"Fine, I'm here for Bianca. I want her back."
"I thought so. What about what she wants?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you stopped to think about what Bianca wants?"
"Once she remembers what we had, she'll come back with me and be more than happy to leave this place."
"What about her family, her mother, her sister?"
"The farther away they are, the better it is for her. She doesn't need them in her life."
Greenlee had to restrain Kendall. "Calm down. Marissa's got this. Don't worry."
"You mean the better it is for you. I know for a fact that's not how Bianca feels or something she would ever agree to or want. If you knew Bianca, you'd know that. You wouldn't even think of asking her to do something like that. They're her family, and she loves them. They're a package deal. You get her, you get them. What about what the girls want? You know that matters more than anything else to her."
"They'll come around with the proper guidance."
"Wow and what is the proper guidance?"
"It would be to get them away from you and your influence and everyone else in this town. I'm sure you've been filling their head with all kinds of horrific tales about me and putting words in their mouths. I'm also sure you've been doing the same thing to Bianca, trying to confuse her."
"Do you even know Bianca? Because if you did, you would know that no one tells her what to think. She makes up her own mind, and she would never allow someone to have that kind of influence on Miranda and Gabby. It doesn't sound like you know Miranda that well either. Even though she's young, Miranda is most certainly her mother's daughter and is perfectly capable of making up her own mind. She would never stand by and let someone like that around her little sister. If you ask me, it sounds like you're the one who's confused."
"I don't give a damn what you think."
"I'm sure you don't, and the feeling's mutual. So, I guess I know how you feel about me now. Not that it matters to you, but I haven't done any of the things you've said. I wouldn't do that to Bianca or the girls. I love them too much to do anything like that. All I've done for Bianca is to just listen to her, help her in any way that I possibly can and love her, and she's done the same for me. Our relationship is based on friendship, honesty and trust. Falling in love with her was the easiest and most natural thing that I've ever done. When Bianca told me that she was in love with me, it was the most amazing gift I've ever received. Hurting her and the girls? That's the furthest thing from my mind. I guess that's why I don't understand you."
"What the hell are talking about?"
"I don't understand how you could put them through everything that you have. I don't understand how you could put work, or anything else for that matter, ahead of them."
"What I do is important."
"More important than your family? I don't think so. You had to know what you were doing to them. There's no way that you couldn't, and you didn't try and stop. I don't understand how you could do that. Then after shutting them out and ignoring them, you try and take Bianca's daughters away from her, not once but twice. Those girls are her life, and if you knew anything about her, you'd know that. To take them away from her is the worst thing you could possibly ever do to her. It's also the worst possible thing you could to do Miranda and Gabby. They adore her and can't even begin to imagine not having her in their lives. The bond between the three of them is the most amazing thing I've ever seen, and it doesn't matter to you one damn bit. The hell you put them through, the pain you caused them is unforgiveable. I won't stand by and let you do anything like that to them again. It'll be over my dead body before you hurt them like that ever again."
"You don't know …"
"You're right, I don't know. I don't know how you could hurt the girls and then just walk away from them like it was nothing." Marissa smiled as she thought of them. "Gabby is the sweetest and most loving little girl. She's so bright, funny and imaginative. Miranda is, well Miranda is so smart and perceptive that it's a little scary sometimes. She misses nothing. She is also so caring and so willing to put others first. She is so much like her mother. They both are but especially Miranda. And Bianca …"
"Is not perfect."
"I never said she was perfect. She's human with her own flaws just like everyone else. What she is though is the most amazing person I've ever known. Bianca has been through so much, suffered through so much and been to hell and back. Instead of turning bitter, spiteful or taking it out on the world and those that caused that pain, she's chosen to dedicate her life to helping others, to give them a safe place to go to so they can heal and rebuild their lives. She has chosen to forgive those who have hurt her, like Krystal, and even encouraged me and others to forgive them as well. I don't know anyone else who would be able to do that or who would even want to try to do that. She's smart, caring, kind, compassionate and funny. Bianca is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside. The thing that's the most amazing about her is that she doesn't know or see those things about herself. She doesn't know how truly special or amazing she is. I don't see how anyone could think of causing her pain, of hurting her so deeply, of putting any job ahead of her and then just walk away from her, tossing her aside and the gift of her love aside. That's what her love is. That's what she is, a gift. Unlike you and the others in her past, I know exactly how lucky I am to have her in my life, how lucky I am to share my life with her. There's no job, no amount of fame or recognition that is worth losing her. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just a damn fool."
"I don't give a damn about your feelings or what you think. It doesn't change the fact that they are my daughters and not yours. Once I have a chance to explain things to Bianca, she'll realize that she doesn't want you and that you don't deserve to be a part of her life. She'll leave you and this god-forsaken town in the dust. We can get back to Paris and undo all of the damage that you and this town have done to our daughters. I'm thinking we might need to send them away somewhere for that."
"First, I never said they weren't your daughters. Legally, they are." Marissa couldn't wrap her head around Reese's last comments. She had done a good job of holding herself in check until now, but those comments were the last straw. Marissa couldn't hold back any longer. Screw this! "Yes legally, they are your daughters, but you sure as hell haven't acted like much of a mother to them. Up until this little visit, which has gone so well, you can count on one hand the number of times you've tried to contact them in the last two years. You don't know the first things about them or who they really are. They don't know you and are scared to be alone with you. The only person to blame for all of that is you. Now, you come waltzing back into town and their lives when it's convenient for you, when you can fit them into your busy schedule, and you want to rip them away from their family, their friends and their home which means more pain for them. Now, you think they need to be 'fixed'? I can't believe you think there's anything wrong with them. Exactly what do you mean by 'send them away somewhere for that'? You can't possibly be talking about sending them away from Bianca."
Marissa saw the look in the blonde's eyes and knew her guess was right. "Oh my God! You can't be serious! You want to ship them off somewhere away from Bianca, the one constant in their lives, and cause them unheard of pain! Yeah, that's something a good mother would do, purposefully cause her children pain by ripping apart their lives for her own selfish needs. Do you seriously think Bianca would even consider for one second sending her daughters away? There's not a chance in hell of that happening! No, they're not my daughters, as you're so quick to point out. I know I'm not their mother, but I couldn't love them any more than I love my son. There's not one thing I wouldn't do for them, not one battle I wouldn't fight for them. I would give my life for them.
As for Bianca, I know I don't deserve her. I don't know anyone who truly does. Somehow, I'm lucky enough to have her think that I do. I spend every day making sure she knows how much she is loved and healing the scars that you and others have left on her heart, trying to undo the damage that you've done. People have lied to her, cheated on her, stolen from her, raked her over the coals physically and emotionally and not thought twice about it. It is beyond me how anyone could do anything like that to another human being let alone to someone as special as Bianca. You think I don't deserve her to be in her life, huh? What right on God's green earth do you have to be in her's, to even share the same air as her? Wow, you are unbelievable! This is all about you and what you want and nothing to do with what she wants. You don't really give a damn about that, do you? If you did, you wouldn't expect her to give up her family, her friends, her home and everything she's built here with the Miranda Center, the things that mean the most to her, while you aren't willing to give up one damn thing. Do you even begin to understand what you're wanting of her? How much that would hurt her, cost her? I know your answer to that so don't even bother. You don't like her mother and sister, too damn bad! Bianca loves them, and they are two of the most important people in her life. There's no way in hell she'll give them up nor should she be expected to. You don't like her friends, too damn bad! Along with Kendall and Erica, they helped her pick up the pieces of her life after people like you shattered it repeatedly. You don't like Pine Valley, too damn bad. This is her home, and she loves this place and the people here. You don't think the work she does is more important than what you do? The number of lives that she has saved and changed is countless. We're talking about lives and not buildings, and yet, she somehow always manages to find time for her daughters and those that she loves.
No, you don't give a damn about her. If you did, you wouldn't even think of suggesting any of that. You may think she'll blindly agree to everything you want, but you're dead wrong. She knows exactly who you are. Her eyes are wide open, and Bianca doesn't need me, Kendall or Erica to tell her anything. She knows what you put her through, her daughters through, and there is not a snowball's chance in hell of Bianca allowing you to do that again. She's stronger than you or anyone else gives her credit for. No, the only one confused around here is you especially if you think that I'm just going to just sit back and let you take everything away that Bianca and I have built without one hell of a fight. You should get the hell out of here now because I really can't decide exactly what I want to do to you right now. Part of me wants to thank you for not realizing what you had. You had the most remarkable woman walking the face of this earth in your life, sharing your life, and you didn't have the sense that God gave a rock to know it and appreciate it. If you did though, I wouldn't have her in my life, and not having her in my life is something I can't even begin to fathom. I won't take that for granted. I won't take her for granted. I know what I have, and I'm not letting go. A bigger part of me though wants to slap the shit out of you for everything that you've done to her, and trust me, it's something that perfectly willing to do. I've got to be honest, that's the part of me that I'm really leaning towards."
Reese couldn't come up with a response for Marissa. The look in the redhead's eyes dared her to, but nothing came to mind so she left hoping that if she could just get Bianca alone she could somehow spin this to her advantage.
Marissa watched the blonde drive away. She took a deep breath to steady herself before getting the children. She knew Bianca was scheduled to be in meetings all day and pretty much unavailable. She'd talk with her tonight about what happened after the kids were in bed. Marissa was now calmed down enough and turned towards the administration office. She caught a glimpse of Greenlee crouched behind the huge oak tree and knew Kendall would be there as well. Marissa had forgotten all about seeing the pair earlier. She just shook her head and smiled. "You can come out now. The show's over. You know the two of you might want to look into some camouflage. It'll make the spying easier for you, help you blend into your surroundings better."
"That could maybe be a new line for Fusion! I like it, Red, almost as much as I liked what you just did to whatshername." Kendall smirked.
"Hey, Marissa, next time I'm in a fight, I'm going to want you on my side!" Greenlee laughed and gave the redhead a high-five.
"Thank you. Let's hope Bianca feels the same way when I tell her what happened later. Do you mind if I talk to the two of you later? Right now, I just want to get the kids and get the hell out of here." Marissa waved and headed off.
Kendall pulled her cellphone up from her side. "You still there, Binx?"
Bianca took her phone off mute as she smiled and wiped away tears. "I am. Is Marissa really okay?"
"Yeah, I think she's just fine. She handled that like a pro, like one of us. You know how I feel about Red and how good I think she is for you. I have to you that she just went up a few more notches in my book. You have one hell of a girlfriend, Binx, but I think you already knew that."
Bianca sighed happily and smiled even brighter. "Thanks for calling me, Kendall. You're right, I do. Marissa's amazing, and I know exactly how lucky I am to have her in my life."