A/N: As always, thank you for the reviews! You all know how to make my day! Okay, I seem to have a bit of dilemma from time to time when writing. I get on a roll and notice the chapters get kind of long. I start to wonder if I should post a really long chapter or break it up. This chapter is a case in point. I noticed how long it was getting and started thinking that I should break it up. What really made my final decision for me were two conversations that take place. As I reviewed what I had, I felt the need to do some tweaking on them to do them the way I really wanted to. That would make this even longer. It would also delay me posting an update, and I really wanted to get something up for you all. As a result, I have a very good start on the next chapter and should have it up later this week, and before you ask, I'm not done with whatshername. I'll be done with her next chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

/

Marissa slipped into the conference room seconds before the firm's weekly staff meeting started, relieved she made it just in the nick of time. She was normally among the first ones there since she hated being late. Today, however, she was running behind schedule, barely having enough time to literally drop off her stuff in her office before heading into the meeting. She was hoping that no one would notice her slipping in, but Jack saw her and caught her attention. She gave him a quick nod and smile. Crap. He's the one person I didn't want to notice me this morning, and he looks like he wants to talk too. Maybe, I can make a quick exit when the meeting's over. I know he's going to wonder why I'm late. I better start thinking of an excuse now and be ready in case I can't avoid him because there's no way in hell I'm going to be able to tell him the truth.

Jack noted Marissa's later than usual arrival when he saw her slip into the staff meeting just before it started. It was definitely unusual for her since she was normally early. He caught her attention and nodded. He continued to observe her during the meeting. She seemed preoccupied and perhaps a little flustered. Both were out of character for the redhead who he considered normally unflappable especially when it came to work. Jack knew that Bianca's ex-wife was in town and was concerned that she might be causing the couple problems. He couldn't help but wonder if that had anything to do with Marissa's current state. He was definitely going to talk with her after the meeting was over.

The longer the meeting went on, the more difficult Marissa was finding it to stay focused on what was being said as memories of Bianca and last night kept invading her thoughts. While it was a very pleasant distraction, it was one that was making it difficult to concentrate on work. When the meeting was finally over, she tried duck out quickly and escape to her office, but Jack stopped her before she could get away.

"Marissa, you're late, at least late for you. Is everything okay?"

Oh, Jack, you really don't want me to answer that honestly. I like you. I really do, and we have a great relationship. Telling you the real reason why I'm running late today though is just not an option. Let's face it. If I told you the truth, we would both be extremely uncomfortable. You see Bianca as more of a daughter than a niece, and you have a tendency to see her a certain way sometimes, maybe almost virtuous. That is definitely not the way I would describe Bianca last night and again this morning, not that I'm complaining. Dear God, you will never hear me complain about that! No, telling you the real reason is definitely not an option. Think, Tasker, think.

Marissa grabbed herself a cup of tea before answering. "Everything's fine. I just had some car trouble. I couldn't get it to turn over."

"I'm glad to hear it wasn't anything serious. I know that Reese is back in town. I was worried she might be causing the two of you problems. So, everything is okay with you and Bianca?"

"I appreciate the concern, Jack, but there's no need to worry. Things are great with us. In fact, they've never been better. Reese being back in town isn't anything we can't handle."

"I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that. You know that if you need any help, all you have to do is ask."

"I know and thank you."

"So, did Bianca jump you?"

Marissa had just taken a drink of tea and started choking when she heard the question.

"Are you okay?"

She managed to get out "I'm fine, just went down the wrong way" in between coughing fits. She was finally able to speak more clearly when the coughing subsided. "I'm sorry about that. What were you asking?"

"I'm assuming the problem with your car was your battery since you said it wouldn't turnover. Did Bianca give your car a jump or did you call a service?"

"Yeah, it was the battery. That's exactly what the problem was. Bianca and I took care of it ourselves." Smooth, real smooth, Tasker. Please, dear God, let this conversation end.

Jack's phone rang. "I need to take this. You should get that battery checked and make sure it can hold a charge."

Thank you God for letting this conversation be over. "Good idea. I'll take care of that during lunch." Marissa hurried off to the relative safety of her office. She sat down at her desk and proceeded to put her head down on it and let out a small groan. Thank God, that wasn't Greenlee. I'd never here the end of it if it was. After a minute, she sighed and raised her head off the desk. She pulled out some files and started reading. Her mind started drifting off again when she saw the photo of Bianca she kept on her desk. She was jolted back to reality when her cellphone rang. Marissa smiled immediately when she saw the caller id. "Hey, you."

"Hey, yourself. How's your morning going? Were you late for your meeting?"

"No, I made it in time, just barely. Jack saw me sneak in though and cornered me to see if everything was okay. He wondered why I got there later than I normally do."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that it was all your fault, and you were a bad influence who kept me up most of the night having your way with me and then decided that you weren't done with me when you woke up this morning and started all over again." Marissa smirked.

Bianca was laughing so hard she snorted. "I know you didn't tell my uncle that! I don't seem to recall hearing any complaints while I was having my way with you. In fact, it sounded like it was quite the opposite, and as I seem to remember, I wasn't the only one having her way with someone."

Marissa was unable to stop herself from laughing when she heard the tone in the brunette's voice. "Uh no, I wasn't complaining at all. That's something that will never happen. I was enjoying myself a great deal, not unlike someone else I know, and I just can't seem to help myself around you."

"I can't lie to you, counselor. I was enjoying myself too. I wanted you to know just how much I love you, and that everything you said to whatshername goes double for me where you're concerned. I know how lucky I am to have you in my life and wanted you to know it. I also wanted you to stop thinking that you don't deserve me. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, and I wanted you to know it. I don't have the way with words like you do so I thought I could prove my point better by showing you."

"Oh, believe me, you do have a way with words. You also more than proved your point. You proved it so well in fact that I haven't been able to think about anything else this morning and get any work done. I've been reading the same paragraph for the last half hour, and I still have no idea what I've read."

"I'm sorry."

Marissa could hear the amusement in Bianca's voice. "You are such a liar. You are not the least bit sorry."

The brunette laughed. "You're right. I'm not. I've had the same exact problem. I haven't been able to concentrate on work at all. I keep having staff members ask me if something's wrong."

"I'll see your staff members and raise you a concerned uncle. He thought trouble with whatshername was the reason I was running behind schedule."

"I know what you didn't tell him. So, what did you actually tell him?"

"I told him I had car trouble."

"That's seems like a plausible explanation."

"I thought so, and I was doing okay with the conversation until he asked if you jumped me."

"What? Seriously? He did not ask that!"

"Uh yeah, he did. I was drinking something at the time and nearly choked to death when he asked that. He repeated the question but clarified it by asking if it was the battery and if you gave the car a jump. So, if it comes up, that's what happened."

Bianca was laughing so hard she was in tears. "I would've loved to have seen that."

"I'm glad you find my nearly choking to death so hilarious."

"You know, that's not what I meant. I just would've loved to have seen the expression on your face. I wouldn't have been able to handle that myself. I think I would've died from embarrassment. Is there any way I can make it up to you, Rissa?"

"I think I might be able think of something you could do to make it up to me." Marissa grinned.

Bianca could picture the redhead's mischievous grin, and she sighed happily. She checked the time. "Damn, I have a meeting I have to get to. Will you tell me how I can make it up to you at lunch?"

"You're on! Same place and time?"

"It's a date! I love you."

"I love you too."

/

After her conversation with Bianca, Marissa now had a goal, finish reviewing as many briefs as she could so she could get out of the office and meet the brunette for lunch. Having that goal provided her with the necessary motivation she needed to concentrate and actually get some work done. The redhead had plowed through a couple of briefs and was halfway through yet another one when she heard someone call her name. It was a voice she knew all too well by now. After all this time, it could still stop her in her tracks, and she was definitely not expecting to hear it today. Dammit if she doesn't love these surprise visits. Marissa glanced up and was surprised to see two women in the doorway to her office. "Erica, Kendall, this is a surprise. Please come in and have a seat."

"Marissa, dear, thank you. I do hope we're not interrupting."

"No, not at all." The redhead looked at Kendall as Erica settled herself in a chair across from Marissa. What the hell is this about?

As Kendall took her seat, she mouthed Sorry. "I told mom that we really should've called first, that you might be in the middle of something, but you know how she loves to surprise people."

"Marissa has already said we weren't interrupting her so there's really no need to apologize. Now, Marissa dear, I would like to know what you intend to do."

"I'm sorry, Erica. What I intend to do about what?"

"I would like to know what you intend to do about that woman and this whole situation."

"Mom just got back in town and heard about whatshername being here. She insisted that we come over right away to see you."

"Yes, I did. Something has to be done about that woman. What she did to Bianca and the girls, the way she hurt them, cannot go unpunished. Kendall tells me that you confronted her yesterday, and you did quite a nice job doing so. What else do you intend on doing?"

"Nothing. I don't intend on doing anything else."

"What do you mean you don't intend on doing anything else? You can't be serious about that. I'm told that Bianca plans on seeing her tomorrow. You're going to allow her to be alone with that woman?"

"Erica, I trust Bianca, and no one allows her to do anything. She is your daughter after all so she's going to do what she wants."

"Well, that is true, but you can't believe that sitting back while that woman is alone with her is the best course of action. Now, I am more than happy to give you some advice on what I think you should do. If it were me, I think it would be advisable …"

Marissa listened to Erica rant about whatshername and how she would handle the situation if it was her. She managed to listen for several minutes until her eyes rested on the photo of Bianca and her mind wandered off to last night.

/

Bianca hurried home after getting out of her last meeting for the day at work. She had wanted to leave immediately after getting off the phone with Kendall and hearing everything that Marissa had said, but a potential donor had been onsite for a tour of the Miranda Center and had asked to speak to the brunette afterwards and had prevented an immediate departure. She was, however, able to cut short a budget meeting after promising to continue it tomorrow. Bianca's focus was now completely on Marissa, and she needed to make sure that her girlfriend really was okay after everything that had gone down between her and whatshername. Kendall had assured her that Marissa was fine when she left, but Bianca needed to see that for herself. Her ex would be dealt with soon, very soon but not today. All she could think about at that moment was getting to Marissa, making sure she was in fact okay and telling her, showing her, how much she meant to her. It was beyond her how Marissa could even begin to think she didn't deserve to be in Bianca's life. The brunette planned to prove otherwise to her as soon as she possibly could. When she entered their home, she heard Gabby and Marissa talking. The youngest Montgomery was excited about something.

"I did it, Rissa! I did it!" Gabby beamed with pride at her accomplishment. She hugged the redhead tightly after giving her a big kiss.

Marissa's smiled brightly, and she delighted in seeing how proud and excited Gabby was over what she had just accomplished. "Great job, monkey! I never had any doubt that you couldn't do it! I'm very proud of you!"

Bianca walked in and saw her youngest bouncing up and down on the sofa next to Marissa. "What's all the excitement about?"

"Mommy! I did it! I can tie my shoes all by myself! Rissa showed me how to do it a couple times, and now, I can do it all by myself!" Gabby practically jumped into her mother's arms when she reached down to greet her.

"You can? That's great, baby! I knew you could do it! Do you want to show me?"

"Uh huh! Sit down over there, and I'll show you! Please."

Bianca paused to give Marissa a lingering kiss. The presence of her daughter and her excitement over what she had just learned were the only things pulling her from those intoxicating lips. The brunette sat in the chair Gabby had indicated and smiled as her little girl bit her lip and furrowed her brow in concentration while attempting to repeat the task. She had been trying to learn how to tie her shoes for the past few days by carefully watching both AJ and Miranda and trying to copy their movements while not drawing attention to herself. Seeing the older kids tie their shoes made this something Gabby felt she needed to know how to do. Both Bianca and Marissa had noticed what she was doing and decided not to say anything. She would ask for help when she was ready.

"See, mommy! I did it again!"

"Yes, you did! I am so proud of you! Great job!"

Gabby beamed proudly after receiving her mother's praise. She continued practicing while Bianca spoke with Marissa. "She finally decided to ask for help?"

"She did. She waited until AJ and Miranda weren't around and then asked me. I only had to show her twice and then she had it. She couldn't wait for you to get home to show you. I know I'm completely biased, but I'd have to say that she's an absolutely brilliant child!" Marissa smiled brightly.

Bianca wasn't sure who was prouder at that moment, Gabby or Marissa. She smiled as she made a mental note. That's one. "You won't get any argument out of me on that. Where are AJ and Miranda?"

Marissa noticed the smile on Bianca's face. She thought she knew every one of her smiles, but this was one she hadn't seen before. There was something more to this one, and the redhead couldn't put her finger on it. "They're in the dining room working on the latest craft project from camp. Is something up?"

"No, everything's great. Why?"

"No reason, just … Nevermind. How was your day? You're home a little earlier than I thought you'd be."

"Well, we have a new donor so I'd say that meeting went pretty well. I decided to cut short the budget meeting. I just couldn't focus. It's one of the advantages of being the boss. How was your day?" That's two, Bianca thought.

"Congratulations! That's fantastic! I told you that you didn't have to worry. I knew you'd sign them. I don't know anyone with half a brain who could resist the Montgomery charm. My day was interesting, very interesting. I ran into whatshername earlier."

That's three. Bianca laughed. "I'm not sure how irresistible the Montgomery charm is, but yes, you did tell me that and thank you. So, did you run into her literally or figuratively?"

Marissa laughed. "I guess that would depend on who you ask. I'd say more figuratively since she's still walking."

"Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm great, not a scratch on me."

"I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that. Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"You know that I am, like you even have to ask, but I'm thinking it's probably better if we discuss it later in private. There's no reason for little ones to hear the sordid details and get upset. Is that okay with you?" Marissa noticed that smile again. This time it made her stomach do a little flip. Bianca's smiles could always do that to her, but there was definitely something different with this one.

"As long as I know that you're okay, I can wait as long as you need me to. It sounds like a private discussion is probably best." That's four.

Marissa was trying to figure out what was going on with that wonderful new smile and had gotten temporarily lost in Bianca's eyes, a common occurrence for her. "Uh yeah, I'm great so don't worry. It's such a nice day outside that I thought we could just grill something for dinner and eat outside. How does that sound to you?"

"Sounds perfect! Let me go change, and I'll be right back to help."

"Take your time. I know how much you love budget meetings." Marissa smirked. "I'll get the kids to help. You just relax."

That's five. "I can help with dinner. My day wasn't that bad. There was actually this one call that I have to say made my day."

Marissa studied her for a minute, making sure that Bianca was really okay, before relenting. "Alright, you can help, but I still want you to take your time. It sounds like a great call. You'll have to tell me about it."

"You have no idea how great it was. I'll tell you all about it later. Let me go change."

Damn, there was that smile again, and there was something in Bianca's voice that caused Marissa to sigh happily. She watched the brunette head upstairs and disappear, shaking her head as she enjoyed the view. She looked down at Gabby. "Are your shoes all tied?"

"Yep!"

"Good job! Will you please get AJ and Miranda for me, and we'll get dinner started?"

Gabby nodded and darted off to fetch the older two kids as requested while the redhead headed outside to fire up the grill.

Throughout the entire evening, Marissa could feel Bianca's eyes on her. The redhead would glance over to her girlfriend and see that smile each time. There was something going on behind those warm, chocolate pools that she just couldn't figure out, but whatever it was didn't have her worried the least little bit. If something was wrong, she knew Bianca would tell her. Besides, nothing could be wrong with the way that smile was making her feel.

The evening flew by, and it was soon time to put the kids to bed. It was Marissa's turn to read the nightly bedtime story, and it was Miranda's turn to choose so she picked her favorite, "Beauty and the Beast". Bianca found herself as captivated by the redhead's storytelling as the kids. Marissa didn't simply just read the story. Like everything else did, the redhead threw her whole self into it, doing voices and making the story come alive. When it was over, Bianca took care of getting AJ settled in for the night while the redhead took care of the girls. As she passed back by the girls' bedroom, Bianca heard Gabby talking to Marissa.

"Thanks for me teachin' me how to tie my shoes, Rissa."

"You are more than welcome. You know you just have to ask, and I'll always be there to help to you."

Gabby smiled. "Uh huh, I know. Who taught you?"

"Oh, my mom taught me. I was having a little trouble figuring it out so she showed me a special trick that she had learned from her mom."

"And you showed me!"

"I sure did, monkey!" Gabby began to giggle as Marissa tickled her.

Bianca sighed happily, simply amazed by Marissa, as she headed to their bedroom. She couldn't even remember how many that made. She had lost count hours ago. For some reason, she had been keeping a mental count of the differences between Marissa and whatshername tonight, most likely the result of the confrontation if she had to guess. From the very beginning, Bianca always knew there were differences between them and could easily tell anyone who asked what they were. Tonight, however, those differences were even more pronounced and practically shouting at her from the moment she had gotten home. It started with the one on one time she had witnessed with Gabby and taking the time to show her how to tie her shoes. Her ex would never have made the time for something like that. And the pride in Gabby's accomplishment was evident on Marissa's face and in her words of praise for the little girl. Gabby simply beamed.

Then, Marissa asked Bianca how her day was. It was a simple question, and one that was always the first thing she asked when she saw Bianca after work. It was one that she wasn't used to being asked with someone else. It was always about their day. The brunette's had always been an afterthought, something to be asked about in passing with no thought given to her response. Marissa always listened and knew which meetings Bianca dreaded and which ones she looked forward to, and she was just as excited as the brunette when a new donor was signed. If she had the slightest inkling of Bianca having a rough day, Marissa would do everything she could to make sure her girlfriend's evening made up for the earlier part of her day. These were things that Bianca had always done for others and that she still did for Marissa. She couldn't help doing them. There was one big difference now. Bianca finally had someone else doing these little things for her. Marissa willingly did them without being asked or even thinking about it. It was just who she was.

When Bianca asked how her day went, she immediately told her about running into whatshername. The thought of not telling the brunette never occurred to her, and Bianca knew that. Marissa valued honesty as much as she did having been burned by lies too many times to count in the past. Instead of jumping into that discussion though, the redhead asked if it could wait until they were alone so the kids wouldn't overhear something that might upset them. This was yet another difference. Marissa's first thought was about the kids and what was in their best interest, not her own.

A simple bedtime story was even special, and Bianca wasn't sure who enjoyed it more. The conversation she had just overheard with Gabby was yet another indication to Bianca just how lucky she was. Marissa had a way of making everyone feel special, no matter what the reason, by just listening or finding just the right word to say or making the smallest gesture that showed she cared and that they were important. Even the way Marissa looked at Bianca made her feel special. The most amazing thing about tonight was that this was just another ordinary night for them, no birthday, no anniversary, no special occasion. Marissa was just simply being her own incredible self. Her girlfriend was definitely mistaken when she said that she didn't deserve to be in Bianca's life. If anything, the brunette thought the reverse was true, and she thanked God or whatever force in the universe saw fit to bring them together.

"Hey, you okay?"

Bianca looked up and saw Marissa standing in the doorway. "Yeah, I'm more than okay. I was just thinking."

Marissa closed the door behind her and leaned against it. "Okay, as long as you're sure. I guess there's no time like the present to tell you about my run in with whatshername. When I went to pick up the kids from day camp, she was there trying to see Miranda and Gabby. She didn't get anywhere close to them because she wasn't counting on having to get by Susan. I told Susan I would take care of it, and escorted whatshername outside. Whatshername didn't like that, but I actually didn't give her a choice. It wasn't something that was up for discussion. Once we got clear of the area, I took the gloves off and let her know exactly how I felt about everything. Are you ready for all the sordid details?"

"There's no need. I already know them."

"What do you mean? How could know them? Oh wait, I forgot the dynamic duo was there. They told you about it, huh? Did they give you the highlights?"

"Not exactly. Kendall called me when she saw you and whatshername headed out and put me on speakerphone. I heard everything. I heard everything she said, and more importantly, I heard everything you said."

Marissa couldn't move. Bianca's gaze had her frozen in place as the brunette slowly made her way across the room to her. "You heard everything that I said?"

"I did, and I have a few things I have to say. First, I love you. It seems that I fall more and more in love with you every day, and I see no end to that happening in sight. Second, thank you for everything that you said today. I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me. I know I don't have to tell you that, but I need to tell you that. I need for you to hear it. Now, I don't ever want to hear you say that you don't deserve to be in my life. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me, and your love is one of the most amazing gifts that I've ever received. You don't know how absolutely amazing you are, how special you, how beautiful you are inside and out. You make me feel so loved and so damn lucky to have you in my life. I can't even begin to image my life without you, and I want you to know that I don't take you for granted for one second. I know exactly what I have, and I'm not letting you go without one hell of a fight." Bianca pinned her against the door leaning in and capturing Marissa's lips. The redhead moaned feeling the intensity of the love behind the kiss and wound her arms around Bianca's waist pulling her closer. As the kiss deepened, Marissa felt her knees starting to give a little, but Bianca was there to steady her. They slowly separated. Each saw the love and desire in the other's eyes and clothes were quickly discarded as they made their way onto their bed. Bianca's lips slowly trailed down...

/

"Kendall, would you please watch what you're doing."

Marissa was jolted back to the present hearing the rise in Erica's voice. She saw that Kendall had knocked over a stack of files. Crap. What'd I miss? The last thing I need is for Erica to see me not paying attention to her.