A/N: Thanks, as always, for reading and reviewing! It is truly appreciated! There are a few orders of business to get out of the way before we start this chapter.
I have the smartest and best readers! Our girls wedding date of September 23rd was picked because it was the date the show ended its run on network television. It's a combination of a shout out to the original show and my way of ignoring what the reboot did to Minx. So, in my Minx happy bubble, everyone is alive and happy. September 23rd will also be a Saturday just because weddings are usually on Saturdays in the States. Having that be Marissa's parents' anniversary was very creative and honestly didn't occur to me.
Next, I need to clear up the issue of the baby's sex. If you're reading Once Upon a Time, you'll notice that I only refer to the youngest member of the family as Sparky. That is just the nickname that Kendall gave to them because of their personality. I've been very careful not to use him or her when referring to them. Trust me when I say that it's been tricky doing that. It's very tempting to say 'he said' or 'she said', but I haven't because I didn't want to reveal it there. I want to reveal it here because this story is really my baby. Also, Once Upon a Time is more of a glimpse into the future, if you will.
One last thing, I'm making Gabby just a couple of months older. According to the show, she was born in October. For my purposes which you will soon read, let's say it's in the July/August timeframe. Basically, I need or want her to be 5 years old now.
I do believe that takes care of everything that I can address in this chapter without giving anything away. There's no fun if I give everything away in the author's notes, now is there? Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Do we have to go shopping?"
"Sorry, Buddy, but we do. You need a new suit for the wedding." Marissa smiled as she ruffled her son's hair. He was definitely going to need another haircut before school started. "And today, you're just going to get measured for it."
"Why can't I wear my old one?"
"Because it doesn't fit anymore. That last growth spurt of yours finished it off."
"Plus, your Ma and I want everyone to see how handsome you are at the wedding." Bianca added with a wink which caused AJ to blush.
"After we're done with everyone getting measured for their clothes for the wedding, we have to go shopping for school clothes and supplies. It's going to be starting up in a couple of weeks."
AJ and Miranda groaned just a little at the thought of summer break coming to an end.
Gabby, however, couldn't contain her excitement and squealed. She was going to be starting kindergarten and couldn't wait. "I'm going to school cause I'm a big girl!"
Bianca and Marissa shared a wistful glance at their youngest. She may be ready to start school, but they weren't. It meant she was growing up, and it felt a little too fast for them. They knew that first day was going to be tough on them.
"Yes, you are, Monkey. Do your Mommy and me a favor though and don't grow up too fast. The same goes for you two as well."
"We have to grow up sometime, Ma." Miranda, ever the logical one, stated simply.
"We know that, Mimo, but it's tough sometimes for us to see it." Bianca sighed.
"Your Mom is …" Marissa stopped mid-sentence. One hand clutched her stomach and the other covered her mouth before darting out of the room as she managed to get out a quick "I'll be back."
The kids looked to their brunette mother with concerned expressions.
"Is Mommy alright?"
Bianca did her best to reassure her children. She had a pretty good idea of what was going on. "I'm sure she is. You all finish your breakfast, and I'll go check on her."
/
"Rissa, honey, how are you feeling?" Bianca found Marissa on her knees beside the toilet in their bathroom.
"Well, I was feeling pretty good, and then all of a sudden, I knew I was going to get sick." Marissa groaned again and leaned over the bowl.
Bianca held her fiancée's hair back for her and rubbed her back. She felt helpless that she couldn't provide more comfort.
"This would be morning sickness, right?"
"I'm afraid so, honey."
Marissa closed her eyes for a moment as the nausea receded. "Help me up?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I am. It's stopped for now, and I really want to brush my teeth."
Bianca helped the redhead up. "Do you need me to do anything else?"
Marissa shook her head. "No, thank you though. You should probably check on the kids and let them know that I'm okay."
"Yeah, I should. They were a little worried with the way that you raced out of the kitchen. They're going to be okay though so don't worry about them. I told them to finish up breakfast."
Marissa groaned at the thought of food.
"I know how you feel, and I wish I could do more. We can put off the shopping today if you want or need to." Bianca offered. Marissa's health was more important than anything else.
"You're doing more than enough. I'll be okay. We need to go. The designer is expecting us. She needs to get started on the dresses for both us and the girls as well as AJ's suit. We have to pick up the kids' school supplies too, and they need new clothes. Most importantly, I need to learn to deal with this. It's part of what we signed up for."
"Okay, I'll bring some crackers for you. They always seemed to help me. I'll get you some Sprite too."
"Thank you."
Bianca kissed Marissa's cheek. "You're welcome."
/
"The kids are taken care of. AJ's is playing a video game. Miranda is reading, and Gabby is drawing. We're all yours, Lana. Thanks for seeing us." Marissa sat back down next to Bianca and across from the designer.
"You're welcome. I'm glad for this opportunity. Bianca was telling me there is something I need to know and that you need me to keep quiet?"
"Yes, there is, and before we tell you, we need your word that what we say to you will stay just between the three of us. You can't tell anyone, especially Erica."
"Is everything alright?"
"Don't worry. It's nothing bad. It's just something that we prefer to keep private for the time being." Bianca reassured.
"Okay, I won't say anything. Whatever you have to tell me will stay between us. You have my word."
Marissa glanced over her shoulder to make sure the kids were out of earshot. Assured that they would not overhear, she turned back to the designer. "I'm pregnant."
Lana started to laugh but quickly covered her mouth. "That's fantastic. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
The designer quickly shifted gears understanding why they were telling her. "How far along will you be by the time of the wedding?"
"I'll be three months."
"Just ending your first trimester."
"Yes, we really don't want to tell anyone until Rissa's through it."
"I understand. I've had friends of mine that have kids and didn't tell anyone until after the first trimester just in case. It won't be a problem for me not to say anything. I'll just finish Bianca's dress first. What we can do for you, Marissa, is keep the dress loose-fitting until our final fitting and schedule the last alteration the week before the ceremony. There shouldn't be many changes, if any at all, in that short time period so that will give me plenty of time to finish your dress. Does that sound like a plan to the both of you?"
Marissa sighed, clearly relieved at the designer's simple solution. "It does and thank you."
Lana waved her off. "No thanks are needed. I'm happy to do it. Now, let's talk dresses."
"The wedding will be outside at our home so we don't want something too formal."
The designer was taking notes as she listened to Bianca. "You want something simple and a little casual but on the elegant side at the same time. I think I have a couple of things for you to look at. I can show them to you both and let you decide. Do you want to see each other in them before the ceremony?"
Marissa shook her head. "No, as hard as it will be, I know it will be more than worth the wait."
"Yeah, it will be. Waiting is just going to add to the day. Plus, we need at least one surprise for each other."
/
"Well looky here! If it isn't one of my favorite families. I hear congratulations are in order. You set a wedding date. I couldn't be happier for both of you." Opal hugged Marissa and then Bianca. She had not seen either woman in over a week.
With the wedding planning in full swing, the couple had not been in the restaurant since the day the doctor had confirmed Marissa's pregnancy. Lunch hours had been spent picking a caterer and cake tastings. Luckily for them, those had happened before Marissa's morning sickness decided to kick in. They also had picked out their wedding invitations.
"Thanks, Opal." The redhead smiled and helped get Gabby settled into her seat.
"How are all of you this fine day?"
"We're doing great, Opal. How are you?" Bianca asked as she took her seat next to Marissa.
"I'm fine and dandy. What has you all out and about today?"
"We were picking out dresses for the wedding!" Miranda said excitedly.
"I have to get a suit." AJ grumbled mildly.
Marissa chuckled. "You just have to wear the tie for a little bit the day of the wedding, Buddy. We promise just for the ceremony and pictures."
AJ nodded.
"I just bet you're going to look mighty dapper and the girls are going to look like princesses. I think your mothers are going to be so beautiful."
"Thank you. I have no doubt about Bianca." Marissa grinned as her fiancée blushed. "Oh, that reminds me. You need to decide who your plus one is going to be. We just dropped the invitations off at the post office. Expect yours in a couple of days."
"I've definitely got some thinking to do then. Have you just been shopping for the wedding?"
"No, we did some school shopping too, for all three." Bianca sighed.
"I'm gonna go to school, and I got a backpack just like Mimo and AJ do!" Gabby beamed.
Opal laughed at the little girl's excitement. "Well, you sure are growing up. What can I get you all for lunch?"
"Chicken nuggets!"
"A cheeseburger!"
"Small cheese pizza!"
"I know you're shocked by those orders." Bianca smirked. The children were fairly predictable with their food orders at the restaurant. "I'll have the chicken Cesar salad please."
Marissa had been fighting nausea off and on all morning and didn't feel 100%. She knew she needed to eat something though. "I'll just have the chicken noodle soup."
"That's it? Don't tell me that you're watching your weight for your wedding because there is no need for you to do that."
"Ma wasn't feeling good this morning." Miranda informed Opal.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a little bug. I should probably take it easy for now though."
"Alright, I'll bring you some extra crackers."
"Thanks, Opal." Marissa smiled gratefully as the older woman nodded and headed back to the kitchen.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Bianca was a little worried about her fiancée. She had tried to persuade her several times earlier to call it a day and end the shopping spree, but Marissa refused. Morning sickness was a normal occurrence during pregnancy, and the redhead was determined to not let it get too much in the way of their time with the kids.
"Yeah, I am or I will be. Don't worry so much."
"I can't help it. We'll go home after lunch, and you can rest. Actually, I think we can all use a break. I'm sure AJ's all shopped out."
AJ's head popped up, and he nodded. "Could we go swimming?"
"Sure. I don't see why not."
"Hi, guys!"
Bianca glanced up and was met with the smiling faces of Carol Walker and Sam Robinson. "Hey, how are you two doing?"
"We're doing very well. And how are all of you?" Carol asked.
"We went shopping for the wedding, Mrs. Walker!" Miranda answered excitedly.
"And then we shopped for school supplies! I'm gonna go to school!" Gabby couldn't stop herself from telling pretty much everyone.
"That's really cool, Gabby. Grandma and me were doing some shopping too."
"What for? Are you shopping for school too?" AJ asked.
"No, dear, we're shopping for Sam's birthday."
Marissa grinned. "That's right. It's coming up. It's a big one too. You're going to be 16, right?"
Sam nodded. "Yep, I am! I'll be able to apply for my driver's license soon! I've been taking classes, and Gail, Alex and Grandma have been letting me drive them around. I drove us today."
"She's a very good driver. Since we saw all of you, we can tell you now. We're having a party for her in two weeks, and you are all invited. Gail's going to be sending evites tomorrow so that will have all of the details."
Bianca thought briefly. "I'm pretty sure we're free so you can count us in. Oh speaking of invitations, we just dropped our wedding invitations off at the post office. Keep September 23rd open."
"We definitely will. All of us are looking forward to it."
"Yeah, we really are. I'm really happy for you guys."
"Thanks, Sam." Marissa smiled.
"I'm going to get us a table, Grandma."
"I'll be right there, dear." Carol waited until Sam was out of earshot. "Marissa, could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sure. I'll be right back."
The two women stepped away from the table.
/
"What's up, Carol?"
"Since I ran into you, I thought I would take this opportunity to put a bug in your ear. Gail and Alex would like to discuss something with you. They planned on calling you later tonight to set up a time to meet, professionally."
Marissa cocked her head, clearly intrigued. "I'm pretty sure I have some free time next Wednesday. I'll be happy to help them with whatever it is they need. Have them give me a call and we'll set something up. I don't suppose you want to tell me what this is about?"
"No, that is for them to tell you. I'll have them to call you. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Carol paused and looked at Marissa. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, never better. Why do you ask?"
"No reason in particular. I just thought I would ask."
"Okay, I better get back. Have them call me."
"I will. Thank you again." Carol watched as Marissa rejoined her family. The older woman was very perceptive. There was definitely something different about the redhead. Carol shook her head. She would find out eventually.
/
"Is everything okay?" Bianca asked as Marissa sat back down.
"Yeah, I think so. Gail and Alex want to talk to me about a legal matter."
"That's interesting."
"It is. I don't know anything else other than that though."
"And if you did, you couldn't tell me because of privilege."
Marissa laughed. "Exactly! I really don't know anything right now though."
The issue was dropped when their order was delivered. After the family finished lunch, they headed home. Marissa had thankfully managed to keep her lunch down making not only her but Bianca feel better. When they got home, everyone changed and went swimming which gave them all a much needed break from wedding planning and thoughts of school starting.
/
One week later
Marissa was in her office going over what happened that morning. Things had started out fine, a typical day in the Tasker-Montgomery household, but quickly took a turn south.
Bianca had received an early morning call from her mother about the wedding. Erica wanted to add a few more details. They weren't sure how much more they could take because the couple was already on wedding overload.
Marissa had been slightly distracted with a new case that was starting to look like a tough one emotionally. Her client and her husband had been happily married, or so she had thought, for five years. An old girlfriend of his had recently sent him a friend request on Facebook which he accepted. They started talking again, and before her client knew it, the husband and the old girlfriend were having an affair. She discovered it by accidentally walking in on them which made it impossible for him to deny. Now, they were dealing with the aftermath. To add to everything, Marissa's client discovered she was pregnant. It seemed the husband wasn't being exactly faithful to either of the women in his life. The case was striking a bit of a chord with the redhead, not because she thought Bianca would cheat if she was in a similar situation. It was because both she and her client were pregnant causing her to identify with the other woman to a degree. Marissa found her hormones weren't helping with this particular case either.
Miranda and AJ had then started talking about Sam's birthday the next week and what they should get her. By this time, Bianca was off the phone with Erica. The couple realized they had completely forgotten about the party. It had been one more thing added to their already full plates. It was then that Bianca said she wasn't sure if she could make the party. Her college course had started, and she already had a big paper she had to work on for it. Wedding planning had put her a little behind on the schedule she had created for herself, and she was starting to stress out a little bit. Marissa was then hit by what had now become her regular wave of morning nausea and had to leave the room quickly. When Bianca went back to check on her, the couple ended up snapping at each other. Even though they shared a quick kiss goodbye, tension was still high.
It was how things had ended that weighed heavily on Marissa's mind. She hated when they fought. Luckily, they didn't do it very often. It still really bothered her when they did though. The redhead quickly came to the realization that the couple had done nothing lately but focus on the kids, work, school, the wedding and the baby. They were in desperate need of some alone time. They needed to spend some time on just the two of them even if it was just for one night. There would be no talking about the wedding, decorating the baby's room, work, homework or the kids' activities. It would just be them. A knock on her office door interrupted her thoughts.
Marissa smiled as she greeted her friend. "Hey, Brian. What's up?"
"I was passing by the receptionist, and she asked me to deliver this for her." Brian pulled out a crystal vase holding a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and placed it on her desk. It was beautiful and contained several of Marissa's favorite flowers, stargazer lilies. The redhead couldn't hold back her smile and immediately knew who was behind the thoughtful gesture. She plucked the card out and began to read it to herself.
Rissa,
I'm so sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to snap. I hope you can forgive me. Meet me at Krystal's for lunch? I'll do my best to make it up to you.
All my love,
B
Marissa smiled brightly knowing how lucky she was to have Bianca in her life. She pulled out her cellphone and sent a quick text to her fiancée to let her know it was a date.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you two normally do the thing with a red rose? What's up with the other flowers? Am I going to have to compete with this now too?" Brian teased.
Marissa glared playfully at her friend before sticking her tongue out. "Can I help it if my soon-to-be wife is so thoughtful? You're going to have to step up your game before Stef hears about this."
"Great. I can tell neither of you care how bad you're making me look." Brian smirked. "I gotta go make a call to the florist. Enjoy the flowers."
After Brian left, Marissa realized she needed to take some of her own advice. She needed to step up her own game. She checked the time and saw she had a few minutes before she had to leave for lunch. Marissa grinned as she began to make plans for a date night for her and Bianca.
/
Bianca had felt awful about how things were left between her and Marissa this morning. Both were on edge with everything they had going on and they took it out on the closest target, each other. The brunette knew they needed to talk and not let things fester. Knowing what needed to be done, Bianca picked up the phone and ordered flowers for her fiancée as soon as she got to the office, making sure the bouquet included a few of Marissa's favorite flower. The florist was a little surprised receiving a different flower order. She was used to the couple's weekly order of a single red rose for each other. She simply shrugged and took the order.
Concentrating on work had proven to be a difficult task for Bianca after placing the order. The brunette kept checking her cellphone hoping to hear from Marissa. Finally, a text came through and a smile graced her face for the first time all day.
B,
I'm sorry about this morning too. I shouldn't have snapped like I did. It was wrong, and I'm sorry. I can't think of anything I want to do more than meet you for lunch. Actually, I can, but we might get arrested doing that in public! See you soon.
All my love,
M
The flowers are beautiful but they don't even come close to you.
Bianca had a goofy grin on her face as she typed a quick reply.
Charmer. Keep saying things like that and getting arrested for your first thought will be a distinct possibility, Counselor.
/
"Welcome to the Miranda Center. I'm Jan. How can I help you?"
"Hello. I was hoping to see Bianca Montgomery."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't."
"I'm sorry then but her schedule is full today. In fact, she's due to leave now for a lunch meeting. I could schedule something for tomorrow if you'll tell me what the meeting is about. Given the circumstances that bring our clients here, we have to ask. It's for Ms. Montgomery's safety as well as that of the staff." Jan was extremely protective of Bianca's privacy and wasn't about to tell a stranger that her boss's meeting was actually lunch with her fiancée. She also pointed out the security guards that were strategically yet discreetly placed throughout the Center.
At that moment, Bianca opened her door. Her head was down as she was retrieving her keys from her purse. "Jan, I'm going to head out. Don't worry. I'll be back in time for my next meeting."
The smile that Bianca had been wearing since receiving Marissa's text quickly vanished when her eyes met those of the visitor.
"Maggie?!"