A/N: First, as always, thank you for the wonderful reviews! Keep 'em coming because I love reading them! You all are simply the best! Second, this chapter has a little of this and a little of that in it. I'm laying the groundwork for a couple of things. There's always a method to my madness! Things pick up where the last chapter left off. I hope you enjoy this latest update!
/
Marissa had just reached the bottom of the stairs when she heard the rumble of small feet bursting through the front door. "Whoa! Slow down!"
"Hey, mom! Bianca says we can go to the school fair as soon as we change!"
"Hey, buddy. Yes, as soon as everyone is ready, we'll head out."
"Hi, Rissa! Will you help Gabby get ready then while mom changes, please? That way we'll be able to leave quicker."
"Come on, mommy!" Gabby started to pull Marissa towards the stairs. "I can't wait to go! Mimo says there's gonna be a pony there to ride! Can I ride it?"
"Yes, Miranda, of course I'll help Gabby get ready." The redhead looked at their youngest who was literally bouncing up and down with excitement. "I heard about the pony too, monkey. We'll check it out, and if everything looks okay, we'll let you ride it. First things first though, you all know the rules." Marissa grinned.
Gabby nodded while AJ and Miranda smiled and rolled their eyes. All three said in unison. "No going anywhere until you two have had a chance to say hello to each other."
Bianca smiled as she set her purse down on the coffee table. "Precisely! Now, go on upstairs. We'll be up in a minute."
"They're gonna kiss. I don't get it." AJ said as he headed upstairs.
Miranda agreed. "I don't either, but they sure like doing it."
"Mom says we'll understand when we're older, but I don't think so."
"Whatever. Grownups say stuff like that all the time."
They really didn't mind their moms kissing because it made them really happy, and they wanted them to be happy more than anything else. The problem was that sometimes when they started kissing they didn't seem to want to stop at least not for a long time, and AJ and Miranda really wanted to get to the fair. It sounded like it was going to be really fun, and they didn't want to waste any time waiting around at home.
The women laughed listening to AJ and Miranda grumble slightly as they headed upstairs with Gabby following close behind.
Bianca turned to Marissa, pulling her close for a loving kiss. The brunette smiled brightly when they separated. "Hello!"
Marissa grinned. "Hello, yourself! I gotta say that the kids may not like that rule, but I sure as hell do!"
"I do too! It's my favorite one! I'm glad we came up with it!" Bianca said as she leaned in to taste Marissa's lips again.
"Mommy, can I bring Minx?" Gabby asked as she appeared at the top of the stairs.
The couple separated reluctantly and chuckled. They knew their oldest two had put Gabby up to getting their attention.
Bianca looked up at her youngest daughter and smiled. "It's may I bring Minx, and I'm thinking we might want to leave him at home. You don't want to risk losing him or getting him dirty do you?"
Gabby thought for a minute and shook her head. "No, I don't. Okay. Can we, may we go soon, please?"
Marissa shook her head as she smiled. "Yes, you can let those other two know we're coming."
"K!" Gabby smiled and headed back to her room.
Bianca slipped her arm around Marissa's waist as they headed upstairs. "Let's not keep them waiting any longer. Ooh, do you think that if they have funnel cakes we can get one?"
Marissa laughed. Sometimes, Bianca was a big kid. "Yes, of course we can get a funnel cake."
/
They arrived at the school and found a parking space right across the street. AJ and Miranda were so excited that they started to cross the street without their mothers, but stopped immediately when they heard the tone in Bianca's voice telling them to stop. It was unseasonably warm which allowed for more of the fair to be held outside in the parking lot. After paying their entrance fee, the family walked into the transformed lot.
"Wow, this is amazing, B."
"You're telling me. They had it blocked off earlier when I picked up the kids so I couldn't see anything. They've done a great job. We're going to have a hard act to follow in the spring."
Marissa looked down at their kids. "We know you're excited, but there's no running off. Bianca and I need to know where you're going and who you're with, okay?"
"Okay, mom."
"Okay, Rissa."
"Okay, mommy."
"Good! Now, let's see what they've got here and go have some fun!"
Their first stop was the ticket booth for the carnival rides, needing to be prepared for when the kids found one they wanted to ride. It turned out that was pretty much all of them. As luck would have it, Gabby was just tall enough to ride all of the ones she wanted to which caused both women to breathe a sigh of relief.
She wasn't too sure about the little ferris wheel because it was a little too high for her. So, Gabby waited while AJ and Miranda took a turn on it. After the ride was over, they headed over to the pony rides for her turn. Bianca and Marissa made sure they took plenty of pictures of the kids on each of the rides.
When the first pass through of rides was completed, the family decided to take a break from the action and get something to eat. They ran into Kendall and Greenlee working a drink booth.
"Hey, Curly, Greenlee. How's business?"
"Red, Binx, business is good." Kendall looked at her nieces and nephew. "Are you guys having fun?"
"We sure are, Aunt Kendall! AJ and I rode the ferris wheel!"
"I rode a pony!"
"You did, Gabby? That sounds like fun! It all does!"
"It sure does! Do you think your Aunt Kendall and I could ride one?" Greenlee asked with a smile.
Gabby giggled. "No, you're too big!"
"That's the first time anyone's said Greenlee was too big for anything." Kendall smirked.
"Very funny." Greenlee replied dryly.
Bianca laughed. "Where are the kids?"
"They're with Ryan and Zach over in the game area, Binx."
"Ah, we'll be hitting that after we eat, and then, I have a feeling we'll be doing the rides again."
Marissa saw the kids getting a little antsy. "Speaking of eating, let's go find a place to sit down. Some people are getting a little restless."
"Probably a good idea, Red. We'll see you soon."
After they finished eating, they headed over to the game area where AJ cleaned up at the ring toss and Miranda did just well at the bean bag toss. The duck pond was more Gabby's speed, and she had just as much fun as the older two.
As they were making their way back over to the rides, they stopped back at Kendall and Greenlee's booth. They noticed the dunking booth, and more importantly, who was inside. The parent working the booth called over to the pair.
"Bianca, Marissa! Come on over!"
"Would you mind keeping an eye on the kids for a minute, Curly?" Marissa grinned.
Kendall and Greenlee shared a smile.
"Not at all, Red! Good luck!"
"Good evening, ladies!"
"Hi, John. How's it going?"
"It's going pretty good, Bianca. Care to give this a try? It's just $1 a ball or 6 for $5, a bargain if I ever heard of one."
"She'd just be wasting her money. There is no way she'll be able to knock me down. Actually, neither one could knock me down. They're all talk." Tammy smirked.
Things had been quiet since the PTA meeting. Amber was following the rules laid out for her. The school counselor reported that the girl had begun to grasp that what she had been saying was wrong. It didn't seem that her mother had gotten that message yet though. "You think so, huh?" Marissa grinned. She turned to Bianca. "What do you say, B? I've got $5 that says she's wrong."
Bianca grinned. Marissa was reading her mind, again. Her blood still boiled when she thought of Tammy going after her girlfriend. While it wasn't anywhere close to what she deserved, dunking Tammy a few times would be kinda fun. "You're on! Do you want to go first or should I?"
"I'll let you have that honor." Marissa knew firsthand the strength of her girlfriend's arm and how sure her aim was having been in a snowball fight with her and getting nailed in the face.
"Thank you!" Bianca smiled.
"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. We all know she couldn't hit the side of a barn. I'm sure she's never done anything as ordinary as throw a ball. She probably had someone throw them for her growing up." Tammy smirked. "You might as well get me something to eat, John, because I'm not going anywhere."
The man raised his eyebrows at the amount of smack talking Tammy was doing. They'd had a steady stream of customers since she had gotten into the booth, but no one had managed to dunk her yet. John was hoping against hope that Bianca and Marissa would both be able to hit the target because this woman was getting on his last nerve, and he really wanted the woman to shut the hell up. "Here you go, ladies. I'm guessing you'll be doing three tosses each."
"Yeah, we will. I'm not letting Bianca have all the fun." Marissa smirked.
John smiled as he noticed a small crowd starting to gather. His wife had mentioned something about an incident between the women after the last PTA meeting, but he had only been half listening at the time. Now, he wished he had listened closer.
Kendall, Greenlee and the kids watched from across the way. The kids started to cheer on their moms, and the friends cheered as well crossing their fingers that the aim of the couple would be true and knock the other woman down a few pegs.
"Have at it, Bianca, whenever you're ready."
"It sounds like someone needs to be cooled off. Go for it, B! Show her what you got!"
Bianca took a deep breath. She really wanted to shut the woman up. She heard their kids cheering for her along with her sister and cousin. A few of the other parents started to cheer her on as well, making her a little nervous. Bianca looked at Marissa, seeing the confidence her girlfriend had in her as she winked.
Marissa leaned in. "Think of it as kind of like a snowball fight! We know you have good aim at those!"
Bianca grinned remembering that day in the snow. Marissa knew it was just what she needed that day to help her deal with the stress of her divorce and custody battle. Bianca cocked her arm back and brought it forward letting the ball fly.
Tammy was still talking smack. "I can't believe we can't find anyone better to do …"
The ball hit the target dead center, and the woman was plunged into the cold water. A cheer went up from the crowd.
Marissa burst out laughing and hugged Bianca. They high-fived each other when they separated. "I knew you could do it!"
"That's one of us! Although, that piece of advice you gave me sure helped!" Bianca laughed and tossed a ball to Marissa. "Your turn!"
"The pressure's on now! I can't have you outdo me!"
Across the way, Kendall shouted. "Way to go, Binx! Come on, Red!"
Tammy slowly made her way back onto the booth's perch, glaring at the women. "That was just a lucky throw. There's no way that will happen ag …"
The ball flew from Marissa's hand, nailing the target right in the middle and sending the other woman back into the water.
The couple shared another high-five and burst out laughing.
"Woohoo, Red!"
The seat was reset, and Bianca hit the target again. Marissa matched her yet again with more cheering from the crowd.
Tammy mumbled something about it being rigged since John was obviously their friend.
"How can I rig it, Tammy, when I'm standing over here?" Inside, he wanted high-five the women himself and thank them over and over again. They had made his night.
"What do you think, Rissa? Should we give her a break?"
"Don't do me any favors! There's no way you could do it again!"
Marissa shrugged. "I was going to say 'yes', but you heard the woman. Go get her!"
Bianca nodded and threw one more time. Again, the woman went into the water. Once she was settled back in her seat, Marissa sent her right back into the water.
The crowd went wild and high-five the women as they made their way back to Kendall and Greenlee's booth.
"Way to go, mom and Bianca! That was so cool!" AJ gushed.
"It really was! I didn't know you could throw like that, mom! You either, Rissa!" Miranda grinned.
"You guys did really good!" Gabby giggled.
"Thanks!" The couple said at the same time.
"Ah, Binx and Red, you both made me so proud!"
"I'm with Kendall! I think that's going to be the highlight of the night!" Greenlee smirked.
"I have to admit it was pretty darn fun!" Bianca laughed.
Marissa laughed along with her girlfriend. "It really was! I think my favorite part was the expression on her face when you hit the target the first time. I wish we had a picture of that."
"Gotcha covered there, Red!" Kendall smiled and waved the couple's camera while Greenlee showed them her phone. Both women had taken multiple shots of the event. As they reviewed the pictures, the group was laughing so hard they were in tears.
"You both got some great shots!" Bianca laughed.
"Mom, could we ride a few more rides, please?" Miranda asked.
"Sure. How about we do a couple of more rides and then maybe get a funnel cake?"
"Yeah!"
"How much longer do you guys have to work?" Marissa asked.
Greenlee checked the time. "We should be done in half an hour. I'm thinking Ryan, Zach and the kids might be ready for a funnel cake about that time. I know I will be."
"Great idea, Greenlee. We could meet up with you all." Kendall added.
"Sounds like a plan. Come on troops. Let's go do some more rides!"
/
A short while later, everyone met up for dessert. It was soon determined that more napkins were needed so Bianca headed off in search of some. As she made her way back, she ran into Jesse.
"Bianca, how's it going?"
"Hi, Jesse. It's going pretty good. How are things with you?"
"Pretty good. I was hoping to run into you tonight. I wanted to let you know that we've made an arrest in the break-in."
"You have? That's great! Who's responsible?"
"Well, it's just one person, for now. We believe there are others involved though. The person we have in custody is a female minor. I really can't give you any more information other than that right now. We've questioned her some, but so far, she's not giving up any other names. We're hoping a night or two in a holding cell will convince her to talk." Jesse saw the concern in the brunette's eyes. Of course she would be worried about the kid in spite of what she'd done. "Don't worry. We're keeping her separate from the other prisoners. We would've sent her to juvenile detention, but they are full this weekend."
"Okay. What about her family?"
"We're still trying to track them down. Look, don't worry about her. We're keeping an eye out on her. I just wanted to let you know that we have someone in custody and are still working the case, that we haven't forgotten."
"It's good to hear that progress is being made, and I didn't think you forgot about it. Marissa will be relieved to know about someone being in custody. I think she's been more anxious about the break-in than I have."
"That doesn't surprise me. I'll let you go so you can get back to everyone. I just wanted to give you an update."
"Thanks, Jesse. I appreciate it. Tell Angie and the rest of the family that I said 'hi'."
"The same to your family." Jesse stopped and called back to the brunette. "Hey, Bianca! I heard about the two of you and the dunking booth. The Phillies might be interested in some starting pitchers next season if the two of you are interested in changing careers."
Bianca laughed. "We'll keep that in mind!" The two parted and made their ways back to their respective families.
/
"Hey, can anyone join this party?"
"Hey, Brian. I think we can make room for the three of you. Hi, Stef." Marissa bent over to her godson asleep in the stroller and whispered. "Hey, Jamie."
"Hi, Marissa, everybody. Thanks." Stef took an empty seat next to the redhead. "It's good to see everyone. Where's Bianca?"
"She went to grab some more napkins. We seem to be in desperate need of them." Kendall laughed as she came around to take a look at the baby. "He is adorable." She looked at his proud father and joked. "Thank goodness he takes after his mom!"
Brian laughed. "Tell me about it. We wouldn't want the kid to look like me."
The baby started to fuss, and Brian began to dig in the diaper bag for a bottle for his son. Stef shook her head. "It's not time yet. Marissa, would you like to hold him?"
Marissa grinned. "Oh, I think I could be convinced to hold him." She carefully held her godson, placing a kiss on the top of his head and started to rock him gently. She saw Gabby watching her closely. "Hey, monkey. Would you like to see Jamie?"
The little girl nodded shyly and sat in Bianca's empty seat. The redhead started to hum, and the baby calmed down immediately. Gabby didn't recognize the song.
Marissa looked at her, giving her a knowing wink and whispered. "Don't worry. It's not our song. That's just for our family."
Gabby smiled and started to talk to the baby, raising her voice an octave. "Hi, Jamie."
Bianca stopped when she saw Marissa holding her friend's son. She looked so beautiful holding the baby. Bianca sighed happily as she recalled a conversation they had over a year ago.
/
The house looked exactly as it had been described. The two story home was exactly what Marissa was looking for. As they toured the home, Mrs. Walker chatted and conducted an interview with the redhead.
At the end of the tour, Marissa and Bianca stepped out onto the patio to talk. Bianca looked at her friend and could see the excitement in her eyes. "Let me guess. You love it."
"Am I that obvious?"
"No, I just know you pretty well. Do you think you'd love it enough to buy it someday?"
Marissa shook her head. "No, I don't see myself growing old here. I still want more kids, and I'm holding out hope for finding someone for me to share my life with. All of that would mean a bigger place. For now though, it's perfect for AJ and me. Think the girls might like to visit us here?"
"I'm pretty sure they would. What about their mom?"
"Well she has an open invitation! Any time, day or night!"
"Thank you! I'll keep that in mind!"
/
Bianca chuckled to herself. Who knew that the girls and I would be part of that family? A more recent conversation from that summer flashed in her mind.
/
"So, we're really going to do this? We're going to build our own house?"
"We really are! Are you okay with this?" Bianca grinned.
"Definitely! I'm just so excited! We get to decide what we want our home to be like!"
Seeing the excitement in Marissa's eyes, Bianca knew that she had to make this perfect for her girlfriend. "So, where do you want to start?"
Marissa grabbed a legal pad and pen. "We should make a list of the things we want and how we think it should be laid out."
"Sounds like a good plan. What are thinking? How many floors should we have?"
"I was thinking two floors plus a finished basement. The basement could serve as a playroom for the kids. I know the girls loved the one they had at Wildwind."
"They did, and I think that's a pretty good idea. The kids will love it. We could have a guest bedroom and bathroom down there too."
Marissa nodded as she wrote. "I like it. On the first floor, I was thinking family room, dining room, kitchen …"
"Could it be an eat in kitchen? I think we should have a formal dining room, but for every day, I like the idea of eating in the kitchen. It's more us."
"I agree. I was also thinking a home office that we could share. We could have everything you need for your work with the Miranda Center."
"And your law books, we gotta have room for those to keep that legal eagle mind of yours sharp."
Marissa laughed and added that to the list. She glanced up at Bianca with a mischievous grin. "I was thinking our bedroom could be on that floor in the back of the house facing the woods."
"Ah yes, our bedroom! So, you have it away from the kids with some thicker walls there, right?"
"Of course, I do! Any suggestions for the master bath?"
"Hmmm, I'm thinking a shower and maybe a jacuzzi tub too."
"Ooh, I'm really liking that! That's definitely going on the list!"
Bianca laughed. "I thought you might! What about the kids? Bedrooms on the second floor?"
"Yeah and they should all be the same size. You know, the girls have been so great about moving here and sharing a smaller room than what they had at Wildwind. I know that was a big adjustment for them."
"I told you before. Wildwind was nice, but it always felt temporary to us. There was always something missing. It was you and AJ. Us all being together here has made this place our home. The girls know that as much as I do. So while they had to adjust to sharing a room and one that was smaller, it was more than worth it to them. I still think they'll be thrilled to have their own rooms again though. Well, Miranda maybe more than Gabby. I think we're going to have to talk to Gabby."
"I think you're right. We will."
"How many rooms are you thinking of for the second floor?" Bianca knew what she wanted, but she needed to know if Marissa was on the same page as her, if she was okay with what the brunette had in mind.
Marissa grew nervous and bit her lip. "I wanted to talk to you about that. I, I was thinking four bedrooms on the second floor."
"Four bedrooms, huh? But we only have three kids." Bianca added, knowing what her girlfriend was implying with that simple question and was relieved by her answer.
"Yeah, about that, I'd like to have another child with you. And I'm not talking about having one right now. I'm thinking maybe in a year we could add to our family. I mean, we're still getting used to living together and being a family. We have to get the house built and get settled in it. I don't want to spring too many changes on the kids all at one time." Marissa paused to take a breath and saw a grin tugging on Bianca's lips. "I'm talking too much, huh? What do you think?"
Bianca tried but just couldn't stop herself from grinning. The sight of Marissa being nervous in a good way was too adorable to her, and she couldn't hide it. "Yeah, just a little. I think having another child with you would be just about the most perfect thing in world."
Marissa finally released the breath she'd been holding for what seemed like forever. "You do?"
"Yeah, I do. You want to be the one to have our baby?"
Marissa beamed. "I, I do. I can't think of anything I want more than to have our baby. I love the girls and AJ with all of my heart. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them, and I consider them mine. I'd like to …"
"Experience what it's like to have a baby?"
The redhead nodded. "Yes."
Bianca pulled Marissa to her. "I understand. It's definitely a miracle, a blessing, and I would like nothing better than having another little redhead join our family. I'm in and ready whenever you are!"
There was a hitch in Marissa's breath as she gazed at Bianca and that grin of her's that always did wonderful things to the redhead. She captured her girlfriend's lips for a fervent kiss.
"Shouldn't we keep working on our list for the house?" Bianca grinned.
"Later. The kids aren't home at the moment, and won't be for a couple more hours. I say we take advantage of that fact." Marissa took the legal pad at threw it on the floor and smiled wickedly.
"I do love how you think."
/
"She's a natural."
Bianca jerked back to the present and found her sister standing next to her with an amused look on her face. "Hi, Kendall. What are you talking about?"
Kendall had walked over to her sister when she saw her heading back to the table. "Red, she's a natural with kids."
"Yeah, yeah she is."
"Have you two thought about having more kids?" Kendall noticed a look of apprehension mixing with a slight blush on her sister's face. "Don't worry. I won't say anything to anyone else."
Marissa glanced up at that moment, and Bianca's eyes locked on her girlfriend's. The redhead gave her a brilliant smile which she returned. "We, we, we've talked. We're thinking of trying soon."
"Really, Binx? I think that's fantastic! I couldn't be happier for the two of you!"
"Thanks, Kendall! We haven't said anything to anyone else yet."
"Like I said before, I won't tell anyone. Marissa will be the one to carry the baby?"
"Yeah, she really wants to be the one to do it."
"It makes sense to me since she's never done that. Are you okay with that?"
Bianca nodded. "Yeah, I am. I want her to be able to experience that. She deserves to. I've had my two little miracles. It's her turn, and it will make her happy. I want that more than anything. So, what do you think?"
"I think I'd really love another niece or nephew. I think any child that has the two of you as mothers is the luckiest kid around. I think no child will be loved more not only by their mothers but by their big brother and sisters and their Aunt Kendall."
"Sounds like a pretty lucky kid." Bianca smiled.
"Definitely! Whatever you and Marissa need, you just let me know, and I'll be there."
"Thanks! You know, I'm pretty lucky to have you for a sister."
"Yes, you are! And so am I, Binx." Kendall gave her little sister a squeeze. "Now, go be with your girlfriend and see Brian and Stef's little boy."
Bianca smiled and headed back to the table. She gave Marissa a quick kiss and said hello to her friends. Gabby moved so Bianca could sit down. "Stef, is it alright with you if I hold Jamie?"
"Of course, it is. That is if you can get Marissa to give him up." The woman joked.
Marissa made a face. "Fine, I guess I have been hogging him a little." The redhead handed Bianca the baby and couldn't help but smile as she watched her girlfriend interact with the little boy.
Gabby scrambled onto Marissa's now empty lap while keeping a close eye on Bianca. She giggled when Marissa tickled her some noticing her daughter's wariness. Bianca glanced over and gave Gabby a wink reassuring the youngest member of their family.
/
They arrived home a couple of hours later. The kids were exhausted. AJ and Miranda slowly made their way into the house and headed upstairs to put on their pajama and brush their teeth. Bianca carried a passed out Gabby inside and up to her room, changing her into her pajamas while Marissa locked up and checked in on AJ. He was sprawled across his bed by the time Marissa got to his room. She helped get him situated in bed and covered him up, giving him a kiss goodnight.
She then joined Bianca in the girls' room and got Miranda settled in. The young girl was almost asleep when she suddenly opened her eyes. "We didn't our story, Rissa."
Marissa smiled. "Well, AJ and Gabby are down for the count, and you look like you're about to join them. How about we do two stories tomorrow night? Does that sound good to you?"
Miranda yawned before nodding. "Okay. You promise?"
"I promise. Now, go to sleep. Love you, Mimo."
"Night. Love you too."
Marissa turned to check on Gabby while Bianca did the same with AJ. They met back up in their bedroom and got ready for bed.
"I saw you talking to Jesse earlier. What'd he want?"
"They made an arrest in the break-in."
"They did? That's good to hear. Who?"
"He didn't give me many details. He just said they have a female minor in custody, and that they think there are others involved. She's not talking though. They're still trying to locate her family."
Marissa saw the look in her girlfriend's eyes. She hadn't even met the girl, didn't know anything about her, and yet, she was feeling sorry for her. "Bianca …"
"What? I just feel bad …"
"Bianca, what she did was wrong, and she needs to pay for it. Let Jesse handle this. Don't get involved in this any more than you already are."
"You're right. I'll try and back off. I just can't help it."
Marissa caught the try part of that statement and decided to let it pass, for now. Bianca would literally give the shirt off her back to help someone she felt needed it, no matter the expense to herself. Marissa saw it as her job to not only support Bianca but to protect her, keep her safe, and she was determined to do it, even if it meant protecting her girlfriend from herself. She really hoped this wouldn't be one of those times but had a feeling it would be. "I know, and that's one of the many reasons why I love you. So again, let Jesse handle this."
"Okay. I can't get over how big Jamie's gotten. He's a cutie."
Marissa recognized the changing of the subject and silently agreed to let it drop for the present. "Yeah, he is. Did you notice Gabby's reaction to him?"
Bianca smiled. "I did. She was a little jealous of him."
"Do you think she'll okay when we have a baby? I mean, she's been the baby of the family for a long time, and I don't want her to think that she's being replaced or that I love her any less …"
"Rissa, she won't. We'll talk to her, explain everything to her. It will be an adjustment for her, but she'll be okay. In fact, I think she'll love being a big sister, and I think she'll be a really good one."
"I think she will too. She does have two of the best examples of how to be a good older sibling in AJ and Miranda."
"Yes, she definitely does, and I think they will love have a new brother or sister, especially AJ if it's a brother!"
Marissa laughed. "I think you're right on that one. He is a little outnumbered here."
"Yeah, just a little!" Bianca paused. "I, um, was talking to Kendall earlier. She asked if we were thinking of having a baby when she saw you with Jamie. She thinks you're a natural, by the way."
"And what did you tell her?" Marissa already knew the answer and was okay with it.
"I told her we were thinking of trying soon. Are you okay that I told her?"
"Yeah, I am. She's your sister, and the two of you are close. But …"
"Don't worry. She promised not to tell anyone else, and she won't."
Marissa sighed in relief. "Good. I just don't want to jinx anything. So, what did she think?"
Bianca smiled brightly. "She thinks it's fantastic and couldn't be happier for us. Anything we need, she's there. She also said she can't wait to be an aunt again."
"Yeah? It's good to have her on our side, knowing that she's there if and when we need her. Plus, she is a great aunt. The way she's accepted AJ means so much to me."
"How could she not love him? He's a great kid. You're doing a wonderful job raising him."
"We're doing a wonderful job with him. I'm not the only one responsible."
"Gotcha. We're doing a pretty darn good job with the girls too so I think everyone's going to be just great with a new addition. So, there's nothing to worry about, okay?"
"Okay. You're right. I'll try not to worry so much."
"Good." Bianca grinned mischievously. "So, you love me, huh?"
Marissa chuckled and rolled her eyes. "You know that I do. I love you desperately and hopelessly."
"I know! I just love hearing you say it. It's something I'll never get tired of hearing. And for the record, counselor, I love you desperately and hopelessly too."
"Yeah, I know that, and you're right. It's something I'll never get tired of hearing either." Marissa wagged her eyebrows. "Would you like to show me how much?"
The brunette laughed. "Oh yeah, I would, more than anything." Bianca pulled Marissa to her for a searing kiss and pushed her back on the bed.
/
A/N: While I would've liked to have had both Bianca and Marissa deck Tammy, I just didn't see it working in the story because to them, it wouldn't have sent the right message to the kids. That being said, I couldn't resist letting them extract some sort of physical revenge, if you will, on her. Hope you liked it!