A/N: As always, thank you to everyone reading, following and reviewing! It is greatly appreciated! Let's get this sad bit of news out of the way. CBL tweeted that she has not been contacted by PP and still no word on whether SG has been either, and with filming scheduled to begin on February 25th, I'm afraid it's not looking good for a Minx return to the AMC reboot. Thank goodness I've got my Minx bubble. You're all more than welcome to join me inside. There's an open bar!
Time to think about happier things. This chapter picks up a few weeks after Christmas, and there are a few breadcrumbs in it that will give an indication of things to come. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Okay, I've got you a new lunch box, and have packed your favorite sandwich, some fresh vegetables and an apple along with a bottle of water for later. I want you to make sure you take some time and eat all of it because I don't want you to get sick. Now, if any of the other kids give you a hard time, I want you to promise me that you'll let me know, and I'll kick their butts." Marissa smiled as she zipped up the lunch box.
Bianca shook her head and grinned at her lover. "You do know that this isn't necessary, right? I'm perfectly capable of getting myself dinner later. I mean I can just grab something real quick or eat when I get home."
"It will be way too late by the time you get home. Now, you can take your time and relax and eat something after work and before school. You need to take care of yourself. Besides, what kind of example are you setting for our children if you don't, and you let yourself get run down?" Marissa smirked knowing that playing the kids'card would get Bianca to do it.
The brunette chuckled. "You don't fight fair. Okay, I give. Thank you for packing me dinner. I'll put this in the refrigerator when I get to work. This really will save me time. I hate to admit it, but I'm a little nervous about tonight."
Marissa wrapped her arms around her lover. Tonight was Bianca's first class at Pine Valley University, and the redhead knew her lover was anxious. "Look, it's perfectly normal for you to be a little nervous. It's been a while since you've been in school so nerves are to be expected. I'm here to tell you that you have nothing to worry about though because you're going to do great. I expect to hear all about it tonight when you get home."
"Even if the other kids don't play nice?" Bianca smirked.
"Especially then! I've taken on bullies of all shapes and sizes, and I'm more than ready, willing and able to come after anyone who gives you a hard time. Let them just try something."
Bianca laughed. She had no doubt that Marissa meant every single word she said. It was something she'd proven it time and time again. "They won't even know what hit them. Kids, time to go."
The kids grabbed their backpacks and lunch boxes and headed towards their Mom's car for her to drop them off at school and daycare before she headed to work.
Marissa said goodbye to the kids as she helped them get settled in Bianca's car. She gave her lover a quick kiss. "Good luck, and don't worry so much. You are going to do great."
Bianca grinned. "Thank you. Good luck in court today. I want to hear all about how you kicked butt. Love you."
"Love you too."
/
Three and a half weeks later
"If it isn't one half of my favorite couple! How are you doing, Bianca?" Krystal greeted her daughter's partner with a smile as the brunette walked into the restaurant.
"Hi, Krystal. I'm doing really good. Rissa should be here any minute."
"Did I hear my name?" Marissa grinned and gave Bianca a quick kiss. "Hey, Krystal. How's everything?"
The trio walked to Bianca and Marissa's table. "I can't complain. Oh, I have a little something for the both of you." The older woman removed a covering from the wall just behind the table.
The couple laughed when a small plaque reading 'This table is reserved for Bianca Montgomery and Marissa Tasker' was revealed.
"I hope you're okay with it."
"I, for one, love it. Thanks, Krystal." Marissa smiled and hugged her mother.
"That makes two of us. Thank you, Krystal, and thank you for not using the name Greenlee gave us." Bianca added gratefully.
"I have to admit that I was a little tempted to use Minx, but I thought better of it." Krystal laughed.
"Well, I'm very glad you did."
Marissa nudged her lover. "Come on, B. What's having a table with that name on it when we already have Gabby's stuffed monkey and our home named after us."
Bianca shook her head. "You've been hanging around the Dynamic Duo way too much."
Krystal laughed. "Speaking of them, are they joining you today?"
"Yes, they are, and they should be here in a few minutes."
"Well, while you're waiting, how about I get you something to drink?"
Marissa glanced at Bianca who nodded to the unasked question before turning back to Krystal. "We'll have two iced teas, please. Thanks."
Krystal nodded and went to retrieve their drinks.
Bianca turned to Marissa. "I'll be right back. I need to run to the ladies room."
Kendall walked into the restaurant just as Krystal was delivering the couple's drinks. After ordering an iced tea for herself, Kendall joined Marissa.
"Where's Binx?"
"She had to run to the ladies' room."
"That's new." Kendall spotted the nearby plaque. "Oh, that's perfect! Krystal finally permanently reserved this table for you guys. I love it. She really should've put Minx on it though."
Marissa laughed. "Yeah, she did. It means a lot that she did that. Your sister's relieved that she didn't put Minx on it though."
"She's no fun sometimes. So, how does our girl like school? How's she doing?"
"She loves it. You should see the way her eyes light up when she talks about it, and she's just soaking it all up. She was really nervous her first day of class. She wasn't sure what some of the students would think if they realized who she was. If anyone recognized her, they didn't say anything. It couldn't have gone better for her. I'm so proud of her for doing this and following her dream."
Kendall noted the smile on Marissa's face. She knew this was a bit of a transition for the couple with Bianca being in class one night a week plus needing time to study, but the redhead didn't mention any of that. She only spoke about how much Bianca was relishing this opportunity and how proud she was of her. "That's really great to hear. I'm glad she's doing well, not that I doubted her for a minute. And you're doing okay? You don't need any help?"
"Things are under control right now. Susan picked up the kids and watched them when I had court and Bianca had class the other week. I haven't needed any additional help since."
"You know that I'm here if you need me, right?"
"I do, and I really appreciate it. It means a lot knowing that I've got you to help out if needed. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
They were interrupted by Marissa's cellphone. She had been expecting this call. "It's work. I need to take this real quick. Tell Bianca I'll be right back."
The redhead walked to a quieter spot in restaurant, one outside of the establishment's 'phone zone', for a little more privacy.
/
Marissa looked around to make sure no one was around. She couldn't take the chance that anyone would overhear this particular conversation.
"Hello, Erica. Thank you for returning my call. How is Los Angeles?"
"Hello, Marissa. It is not a problem. L.A. is simply wonderful. Thank you for asking. I do have to ask why you are calling though, dear. Is everyone fine at home?"
"Everyone is great. I'm sorry to make you worry." The redhead took a deep breath. "Are you still coming home later this week?"
"Yes, I am. Is there something I should know or could do for you?"
"I was just wondering if the two of us could have lunch when you get home and have had a chance to get your bearings again. I was hoping we could get a chance to catch up and talk."
"That would be lovely, dear."
"Great! I was also wondering if we could keep this between us. There's nothing bad, no reason to worry. I would just like to speak with you privately." Marissa bit her lip waiting for the woman's reply.
"Of course, dear. As long as everything is fine, I don't see a problem with that. Let me check my calendar. Is next Friday early enough for you?"
"Next Friday is perfect. I don't have court or any lunch meetings. I'll make a reservation and get back to you with the details. Thank you, Erica. I'll let you go. I know you're busy. Have a safe trip home."
"You're welcome. I'll talk to you next week." Erica disconnected the call. Well, that is extremely interesting. I wonder what she wants to discuss. Could it be … I'll wait. There is no point in speculating at this point.
Marissa breathed a sigh of relief. I'm glad that part's done. No turning back now, Tasker. Not that I'd want to.
/
While Marissa was taking her call, Bianca returned.
Kendall answered her sister's question before she had a chance to ask it. "Marissa got a call from work and will be right back." The older woman nodded to the plaque. "I like it."
Bianca grinned. "I do too. It was really sweet of Krystal."
"How's school going, Binx?"
"Well, I've only had three classes so far but I think it's going really well. I love it, and I'm learning so much. I can't tell you how glad I am that Rissa convinced me to follow through on it. She's been amazing. She packs me dinner when I have class and makes sure I have plenty of time to study and do homework. She's helped me study for a quiz, which I aced! Whatever I need, she makes sure I get it. She's been so supportive and has made this so easy for me to do."
"I have to say that I'm really happy to hear that, Binx. I'm glad that you're doing something for yourself for a change and that you've got Marissa's full support. If she needs any help, make sure she lets me know. I'm here for both of you."
"I will, and thanks, Kendall."
Marissa returned to the table and took her spot next to Bianca. The three women were soon joined by Greenlee.
"Krystal, I love the plaque! The only thing that would make it perfect is if you had 'Minx' on it." Greenlee added with a grin.
"It was tempting, but I'll leave the spreading of their ship name to you." The older woman chuckled.
Bianca rolled her eyes. "I think you've done enough spreading that around, Greenlee. One plaque at our home is more than enough. Marissa and kids won't let me take it down."
The redhead grinned. "What can I say? Minx Manor is catchy, and I like it."
"So not right." Bianca mumbled as she took a bite of her sandwich.
/
Later that night …
"You're sure about that, Sage? That's their angle?" Greenlee listened to someone on the other end of the line, not liking what she was hearing at all. "Yeah, I can tell you right now that she's not going to like it. Is there anything she can do?" She continued after a brief pause. "Well, thanks for the heads up. I'll talk to you later." Greenlee disconnected and placed another call.
"Hey, it's me. Something's come up, and I'm on my way over. I'll explain everything when I see you."
/
Marissa opened the door to find Kendall and Greenlee waiting on the other side. "Hey, guys, come on in. What's up?"
"Is Bianca here?" Greenlee asked as she handed her coat to the redhead.
"She's in the kitchen."
"Not anymore." Bianca smiled as she entered the room. "What's up?"
All four women took a seat before Greenlee began. "I have some interesting news. You know how 'Pine Valley Now' has their annual edition featuring 'Pine Valley's Most Fascinating People'?"
The others nodded.
"I have a friend that is an assistant editor over there and word has it that someone we all know is going to be named one on that list. Any guesses?"
Several names were tossed around by the women, most notably Erica who had appeared on the list multiple times.
"Nope, I don't think you're ever going to guess."
"I give up. Who is it?" Bianca asked.
"You."
"Excuse me?"
"The rumor is, it is one Bianca Montgomery, and you're actually going to be number one on the list. You are Pine Valley's Most Fascinating Person."
Bianca snorted. "Seriously? I think they need to look up the definition because I am hardly fascinating."
Marissa grinned. "Well, it seems to me that they've finally gotten it right. You're the most fascinating person I know."
"I think you're a little biased, honey." Bianca grinned back at her partner.
"I'm completely biased, and I'm good with that." A quick kiss was exchanged between the couple.
Bianca sighed. "Honestly, I'd rather not be on this list."
"I know you're not comfortable being in the spotlight. That's your Mom's thing, but maybe this could be a good thing for the Miranda Center. You could use this article to talk about it and maybe get new donors." Marissa suggested.
Her lover considered this. "I suppose I could do that."
Kendall looked at Greenlee. She could tell her friend had more to tell them. By itself, Bianca being listed on a 'most fascinating list' wasn't a big deal. Greenlee's demeanor starting back to her initial call to the drive over here suggested something more. "These are puff pieces so they are usually harmless by their nature. There's something else though, isn't there?"
Greenlee nodded. "I'm afraid so. According to my friend, you were picked because you're intelligent, beautiful, accomplished, wealthy, a working single mother, do a lot of charitable activities …"
Bianca's head snapped up immediately at the phase working single mother. "Yeah, there's one huge problem with all of that. I'm not a single mother." Bianca stated firmly.
"Technically, according to their criteria, you are since you're not married. The whole angle of this year's list is to feature fascinating singles."
"That doesn't matter one damn bit to me. I'm involved in a committed relationship. I'm not looking for anyone else nor do I want anyone else. I found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, who I'm meant to spend the rest of my life with. Marissa and I are raising our children together, and we've built our dream home. I don't need some damn piece of paper to define our relationship or tell me whether or not I'm eligible or available. Just because the state legislature can't get their heads out of their asses and get a bill allowing same sex marriage out of committee doesn't lessen my commitment or relationship."
Greenlee held her hands up defensively. "I know. I know. Don't kill the messenger. I told her that you were involved and definitely off the market. I also told her that you wouldn't like being on the list, but they didn't seem to care."
"Binx, calm down."
"Why should I calm down, Kendall? What if you and Zach weren't married but living together and committed to each other and they picked him for the article? How would you feel?"
Kendall nodded. "You made your point. I'd be beyond pissed off if I were in your shoes."
"I would be too." Greenlee agreed.
"This is ridiculous and makes me really mad. They think they can just add me on to some list when they know I'm involved, publish an out and out lie. How's that supposed to make me feel? How's that supposed to make Marissa feel?"
The three women looked at the redhead. Marissa had been quiet ever since Greenlee told them about the article's angle. Now, all wondered what was going on in her mind, especially Bianca.
Marissa had been listening quietly the entire time. Her mind was trying to take everything in and sort it out. The rational and emotional sides were warring with each other. It did feel like her relationship with Bianca was being diminished by this article, and as much as she wanted to scream and shout about this right now, she knew that now was precisely the time that she couldn't do that, not with Bianca being so obviously upset. It wasn't just about their relationship being discounted by this list either, although that was the main reason. To a lesser extent, it was because her lover loathed the spotlight. She'd grown up in its glare and avoided it whenever possible. She wasn't Erica and didn't crave the attention from the public.
Marissa took her lover's hand in her own to calm Bianca down, to assure her. "It'll be okay, Bianca."
Bianca took a deep breath and lowered her voice. "It's not right, Rissa. They publish something like that and it makes people think we're not together any longer. If the kids hear something like that, how's that going to make them feel? How does that make you feel?"
"Let's table that question for later." Marissa squeezed Bianca's hand before turning to the shorter brunette. "Greenlee, your friend said they were adding Bianca to the list despite her being in a committed relationship, right?"
"Yes, she did. I told her all about the two of you and your family, but she said the reporter assigned for the feature didn't care and had the backing of the editor."
"Who's the reporter?" Bianca asked.
"Her name is Carmen Diaz."
"Why is that name familiar?"
Greenlee turned to answer her friend. "She's been developing a bit of a reputation of being aggressive and has been known to …"
Kendall scowled. "I remember her now. She's been writing more intimate articles and has been linked to several of her subjects, romantically. Her puff pieces have been turned into more in-depth exposés, so in-depth where some are wondering if she has something on them, leverage of some kind. It doesn't matter if the subject is a man or a woman, single or attached. The kicker is that none of her subjects are talking. Those are just rumors mind you."
"Bianca shouldn't have to worry about that though. She's got nothing to hide." Marissa stated simply.
Greenlee nodded. "True, her life is pretty much an open book. This issue is their biggest seller. As much as I know you hate to hear this, Bianca, you're a big name, and they think you being on the list will increase the sales even more. They think anyone appearing on the list should be flattered. My friend is saying that you're going to be featured in the issue no matter what."
"Well, I'm not anyone, and I don't want to be on their list." She turned to her lover. "Is there anything we can do about this?"
Kendall and Greenlee exchanged a look.
"We're going to go and let you two talk. Let us know if we can help, Red, and Binx, it will be okay."
"I'm sorry about all of this."
Marissa walked the friends to the door. "It's not your fault, Greenlee. Thanks for letting us know. Trust me, if we need anything, you'll be the first ones to know." After closing the door, she rejoined Bianca on the sofa.
"Maybe I'm making too much of this. I know it's probably just a puff piece, but I have to be honest. There are things that really bother me about this whole article."
Marissa smiled and said nothing. Her silence encouraged Bianca to continue.
Bianca sighed. "I don't like being in spotlight."
"I know."
"But that's nothing compared to what really bothers me. What really bothers me about this whole article is that it's basically a lie. I may not be married to you, but I don't consider myself single. My commitment to you is just as strong as if I was. By not acknowledging our relationship, it's as if they're implying that I'm embarrassed by it, and I'm most definitely not, not by a long shot. Please, you have to know that will never be the case. I will never be embarrassed about my feelings for you."
A soft smile graced Marissa's face. "I know. I have no doubts about our relationship and about how much you love me. It's almost as much as I love you."
Bianca chuckled. Leave it to her lover to say the one thing that would ease the tension she was feeling. "I'm going to have to agree to disagree with you on that, Counselor. Okay, so what are we going to do about this?"
"First, we do this." Marissa kissed Bianca tenderly. "Much better. I have to be honest with you. I don't know this reporter, never met her or heard of her, but I can tell you that, based on what Kendall and Greenlee told us, I'm pretty sure I don't like her and don't want her around you. The fact that there are rumors of her having a track record of becoming involved with her subjects bothers the hell out of me. You're mine, and I don't like the idea of anyone else thinking otherwise."
"Really now?" Bianca was amused by her partner's statement.
Marissa scowled slightly. "Yes, really now and you know it. It's not that I don't trust you because I do, with all of my heart. I don't trust her. The rumors could be just that, rumors, but I don't like even the hint that someone could have ulterior motives where you're concerned and that those motives could hurt you or our family in some way."
"You're right. I do know who I belong to and with, and you're mine too. I gotta say that I really like possessive Marissa, and everything you said goes double for me. So, is there anything we can do about this article?"
"It's time to put on my lawyer cap. Well, I know you don't want to hear it, but you are a public figure. As such, they have the right to write the article. You have the right to not cooperate however. There is a risk with that. We won't know what she's writing until the article is published, but that's something we may not know even if you do cooperate. Usually, people being profiled are contacted for some sort of comment."
"If that happens, I'll make sure she's clear on me not being single. I don't care what definition they are using. I'm not." Bianca stated as a matter of fact.
Marissa smiled. "Me either."
"And if they insist on stating otherwise?"
"I don't know that it's something we can take them to court over, but we can sure as hell make a big fuss. If the article is in any way libelous and defames you or your character, we'll fight it with everything at our disposal."
Bianca felt she could finally breathe easily about this whole article. The determined expression on Marissa's face assured her in a way that nothing or no one ever else could. "Everything's going to be okay, right?"
"Everything is going to be more than okay. There's nothing to worry about."
A sly grin began to spread across Bianca's face.
"What?" Marissa was confused.
"I really like it when you go into lawyer mode on me."
"And you say I'm not right."
"Well, it's your fault. You are a bad influence on me."
"I try my best." Marissa grinned wickedly.
Bianca pulled her lover closer to taste those intoxicating lips.
"Mommy!"
The couple sighed and settled for a quick kiss.
"Duty calls. I'll go see what Gabby needs." Marissa headed towards the stairs but paused when Bianca called out to her.
"I fully expect you to try and exert your bad influence on me later tonight, Rissa." Bianca winked.
Marissa laughed and gave her partner a half bow. "As you wish."