A/N: Thanks again as always for continuing to read, follow and review! You all are the best. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
Marissa turned to see who her friend was looking at and couldn't help but laugh. "That is Opal. We told you about her, remember? She's Erica's closest friend, or as Opal herself puts it, her best gal pal."
"That's Opal?!" Jessica couldn't hide her shock. She did not look like Jessica had imagined. What color is her hair exactly? "I know you and Bianca described her last night, but I just … I'm sorry. I have no right to judge."
Marissa laughed again. Jessica's reaction was a common one when people saw Opal for the first time. It was hard to imagine polar opposites like her and Erica being as close as they were, but it was true. "It's alright. Opal is … colorful, maybe a tad eccentric but means well and has a good heart."
"I won't argue with you about that because I don't know her. It's just hard to picture them together. It's just that Erica has this image …"
"I understand, trust me. You're not the first person to think that, and I'm sure you won't be the last. Oh, you better brace yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"Opal is headed straight this way." No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the woman in question was upon them.
"Marissa, it's been awhile since you've been in Krystal's. How are you feeling?"
"Hi, Opal. I'm doing good, and yes, it's only been a couple of days. The further along I get though, the less I've been going out. I'm trying to get as much wrapped up at the office as I can before I go on maternity leave. You're actually going to be seeing me less at the restaurant since I'm going to be working from home more until Sparky gets here."
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. It's just easier for me, and I'm more comfortable there. Hey, I want you to meet someone. Opal, this is Jessica. She is one of my friends from Devon that I reconnected with recently, and she was good friends with my Mom and Dad. Her daughter Jo, who is around here somewhere, was my best friend growing up so Jessica was pretty much like a second mom to me."
As Jessica listened to the two talk, she remembered what Bianca and Marissa had told her about Opal. Not only was she Erica's 'best gal pal' but she also worked with Krystal and was her former mother-in-law. Her son Tad had been married to Krystal and was the father of Marissa's half-sister Jenny. Tad had been adopted by Joe and Ruth Martin though somewhere along the line for some reason the couple didn't reveal. They had told her it wasn't their place to tell that story so she didn't push. Jessica knew Marissa had showed the same care when it came to her and Jo. Whatever happened with Tad and Opal had been resolved however, and the two were now close. Jessica found that Marissa wasn't kidding when she said things were complicated in Pine Valley and that you needed a scorecard to keep things straight. It was all enough to make someone's head spin.
Jessica held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Opal smiled and pulled the other woman into a hug. "I just feel like I know you what with the way Marissa's been going on about you. All good stuff of course. I thought you weren't going to be able to make it though."
Marissa had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Jessica's shocked expression at Opal's effusive greeting was priceless. She stood stock-still with her arms at her sides and eyes wide. The redhead decided to help her friend out by jumping into the conversation. "It was part of a surprise she put together with Bianca. Jessica showed up at our house last night with Jo and Cory. It was a really great surprise."
The brief break allowed Jessica to collect herself. "I'm just glad you liked it. Marissa and Bianca told us about you as well. All good stuff too of course."
Opal laughed. "Well, that's good to hear. I sure bet you're proud of this one."
"I am, very much so."
/
Kendall opened the door and smiled. "Mom, glad you could join us. I was starting to wonder if you were coming."
Erica hugged her daughter and scoffed at her teasing. "Oh please, Kendall, you knew I was coming. I wouldn't miss something this important." The diva scanned the room and saw Krystal. "I see the trollop is making the rounds campaigning for grandmother of the year already, like she would know the first thing about that or what family really means."
"Mom, behave yourself. You promised Bianca and Marissa."
"Of course I'll behave myself, as long as the trollop does."
Kendall sighed as she took her mother's coat and quickly stashed it in a nearby closet. "I thought the two of you were getting along better."
"Dear, I will never trust that woman as far as I can throw her, and neither should you. I merely tolerate her existence for the sake of my daughter and daughter-in-law. As long as she does nothing to hurt them further than she already has, I will continue to tolerate her."
"Mom, I'm glad you're here."
"Bianca, sweetheart, I'm sorry I'm late, but I do have a very good reason, if your sister would behave herself long enough to allow me to explain." Erica eyed her oldest daughter.
Kendall held up her hands. "Go ahead."
"I want the two of you to be the first to know that I will be a guest panelist on 'The View' next month when one of the regulars is on vacation. I was late because I was firming up the details with my agent."
"Congratulations! You'll be terrific!"
"That's great, Mom! Who will you be filling in for?"
"Thank you. I'll be filling in for Nicolle Wallace. It's only for a week and obviously in New York. So, I will be available in a moment's notice if either of you should need me. I made sure my agent put a stipulation in the contract that if my family needs me the show will need to find a replacement for me. My family comes first. I did this because I know Marissa will be very close to her due date around that time, and I want to make sure I'm here for when she has the baby. I also want to make sure I'm close by for you, Kendall. I need to keep an eye on you and make sure you're behaving yourself."
Kendall and Bianca glanced at each other and smiled. Their mother had certainly changed a great deal over the years, and the fact that she was demanding those conditions was proof positive of that.
Bianca was the first to speak. "You'll have to let us know exactly when you'll be on so we'll be sure to watch."
"Watch what?" Marissa asked as she and the visitors from Devon joined the trio.
"Mom is going to be a guest panelist on 'The View' next month." Kendall answered with a hint of pride.
Erica interjected. "Only if everything is fine here."
"That's fantastic! Congratulations. I know you'll do great. And I'm glad you're here today."
"Thank you, Marissa. I wouldn't miss it for anything. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good. Sparky is behaving for the most part."
Erica sighed. "Must you and Kendall insist on using that nickname?"
"Yep!" Kendall and Marissa answered at the same time with matching smirks.
Bianca and Erica both rolled their eyes. Neither was really surprised by the other two. It was amusing how alike they were but also just a tiny bit scary.
Jessica choked back a chuckle seeing just how much Bianca was like her mother.
Marissa caught it though and grinned. "Erica, I would like you to meet some very special people. This Cory Jacobs, Dr. Jo Shelton and Jessica Shelton. Ladies, my mother-in-law, the one and only, Erica Kane."
The diva smiled and graciously shook hands with the two younger women. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Cory was slightly awestruck meeting the Erica Kane. "It's … it's our pleasure. My mom is not going to believe this. She's going to freak out that I'm meeting you."
Jo was just as awestruck as her friend. "Ms. Kane, it's an honor."
Kendall, Bianca and Marissa did their bests to hide amused expressions. Marissa had seen similar reactions before and knew her experiences at seeing them was dwarfed by those of Bianca and Kendall.
"Please call me Erica." The diva offered before turning to the older woman. "Jessica, it's very nice to meet to you."
"It's very nice to meet you as well, Erica."
The women were curious about each other and had been looking forward to finally meeting.
"Was Marissa surprised?"
The redhead gaped. "You knew too?"
"Of course I did." Erica smirked.
Marissa sighed. "Why am I not really surprised? It was a wonderful surprise."
Erica nodded and picked up her small gift bag before turning to Jessica. "Would you mind showing me where the gifts are going? It will give us time to talk as well."
Jessica smiled. "I think that is an incredible idea."
As the two walked away, the diva could be heard beginning to ask questions. "What was my daughter-in-law like when she was younger?"
"Be afraid, Red, be very afraid." Kendall chuckled as she patted Marissa's arm.
"Trust me, I am."
/
Appetizers were brought out not long after Erica's arrival, and everyone sampled and raved over them. Jessica and Erica found themselves a quiet corner to not only eat but to continue their conversation and get to know each other better.
"What you've told me about Marissa's parents matches everything that she's said about them."
"If you look at Marissa, you can see her parents in her. They adored her and did such a good job with her. Roy and Lydia were the best friends you could ever ask for and were there for me and Jo when we needed them the most. Their daughter definitely followed in their footsteps."
"You weren't bothered by or surprised to find that she was married to a woman?" Erica asked.
Jessica shook her head. "I was surprised only because she had dated only boys growing up, and there was no indication she was interested in girls. It didn't bother me though. I just wanted her to be happy, and talking to her, it was easy to tell she was. Then, I found out who was behind that happiness, and it made perfect sense to me. Bianca is a remarkable woman. You'd have to be living under a rock not to know about her and all of the tremendous work she's done. I'm sure you're very proud of her."
Erica's pride was evident in her smile. "I am. She is an amazing woman. She's been through a great deal in her young life and survived it all. Bianca is far stronger, braver and more forgiving than I am. There was a time I doubted that she would find the happiness that eluded her for so long, that she would find someone who deserved her." Erica glanced across the room to see Bianca and Marissa laughing and finally sitting down to eat. It seemed that Bianca had finally convinced Marissa to concede that her feet were starting to bother her, and the redhead was now resting them. "Then, she met Marissa. I will admit that I was hesitant about her at first …"
"Because of her biological family. She and Bianca told me something happened with them but didn't go into detail, at least where Bianca is concerned."
"Yes, they were behind a good deal of Bianca's pain. I soon found out that Marissa was different. She was nothing like them. She loves Bianca and wants nothing more than for her to be happy, and her actions have proven that time and again. You said they didn't go into detail about what they did to Bianca. Am I safe in assuming that they told you what they did to Marissa?"
Jessica nodded stiffly. "Yes, they did. I will never be able to understand what she did, and I could see the hurt in Marissa's eyes when she told me. That was very hard for me, but I'm going to try and be like her. Roy and Lydia are Marissa's parents, and they loved her, gave her a good home, help make her who she is today by teaching her right from wrong. When I see her and Bianca together, they just fit. Love is love, and that's what they have. Her parents would feel the same way. As I said before, I'm so thankful she's found someone who loves her the way she deserves. From what I've heard, her ex-husband left a lot to be desired. I've been there, done that myself once or twice."
"Who hasn't?" Erica replied wryly.
"It appears to me she has it right this time. So her being with a woman doesn't matter one bit to me. The only thing I regret is something I'm guilty of. I regret losing contact with her after Roy and Lydia passed. I wondered for years what happened to her and if she was okay, but I had no way to find her. I worried so much about her being alone. Seeing her for myself this weekend has eased my mind more than you can imagine. Not only does she have an extraordinary wife and beautiful children, she has an extended family with Kendall, Greenlee and you. There are many others in her life now as well who appreciate her, but I see a strong bond between you."
"Well, Marissa is special. I wouldn't trust my daughter and her children to just anyone. Marissa is an integral part of our family, and I honestly can't imagine it without her. I can assure you that I will make sure she is protected and that anyone who even dares an attempt at hurting her will pay dearly. Marissa is family, and there is nothing more important to me than that."
"Thank you, and I promise you the same with Bianca and also with Kendall. She and Marissa seem to be very close."
"Thank you as well, and yes, they are. It can be good and bad. They can be quite the handful sometimes as I'm sure you can imagine having seen them together in action."
Jessica saw the amused look in Erica's eyes and chuckled. "From what I've seen, yes, they can be. I think Bianca is more than up to the challenge of keeping them in line though."
"Very true, her more than anyone else."
/
"Kendall, you are officially my favorite sister-in-law." Marissa groaned after finishing another stuffed jalapeño. Kendall had made sure they were included as appetizers for the redhead.
"Well, thank you, and right back at you."
"Do I need to point out that you are each other's only sister-in-laws?" Greenlee smirked.
"Eh, it would still hold true. While we're at it, Greenlee, you are my favorite cousin-in-law/one day step-sister-in-law."
Bianca snorted. "You make that sound almost normal."
"There is nothing normal about this family." Greenlee chuckled. "What the heck? The same goes for you too, Rocky."
"I have to be honest with you, Red. While I would love to take all of the credit for the stuffed jalapeños, I can't. My sister was the one who clued me in about your latest craving. I just had to track them down. I have to admit that they are pretty darn tasty."
"I know, right?!"
/
When everyone was finished eating, Greenlee got everyone's attention. "Since this is a baby shower, we are obligated to play a couple games."
"Don't worry, Red. We're not going to have everyone guess how big your belly is. I expect you to remember the favor for me."
"Thanks, and you got it, Curly."
Greenlee rolled her eyes. "You two are just no fun. Anyway, my lovely assistant Kendall is handing out several items to you. On the notecards, please write down your best advice or words of wisdom for Marissa and Bianca. I know they are already Moms and have three pretty terrific kids, but it's been awhile since they've had a newborn around. Besides, good advice is always welcomed. We will be putting the notecards in a scrapbook for them. There is also a 'baby wish list' for you to fill out. You'll see there are things like 'I hope you blank', 'I hope you laugh blank' and 'I hope you never forget blank'. You fill in the blanks. On one of the blank pieces of paper, write down some ideas for names for Sparky. I know we don't know what they are having so give them suggestions for both a boy and a girl."
"Do you have any ideas for names yet?" Stef asked the couple.
Bianca shrugged being non-committal. "We haven't decided on any one name for either a boy or a girl yet. Sparky and Minx are not options though."
"Damn, there go my ideas." Kendall smirked as her sister rolled her eyes. "We'll collect those things at the end. Now, if you will direct your attention to my lovely assistant Greenlee, you will see the board we have set up. It contains the baby pictures that all of you have brought. Thank you for that by the way. Number your paper and guess which picture belongs to which guest here. Feel free to come closer to study it."
/
"Should it bother me that I completely sucked at that game?" Claudia sighed as she folded her paper.
Marissa shook her head, clearly amused. "Nah, your skills as a lawyer make up for it."
"Gee thanks."
"I want to know how the heck you only missed two, Ellie." Stef asked.
Ellie shrugged. "Pure luck."
Lisa nudged her friend. "I don't think so. You were a receptionist for a while and now the boss's secretary. You get to observe people all the time and are really good at it."
"She's right. You're really are." Marissa added.
"Whatever the reason, Ellie is our winner. Here is your prize." Greenlee handed a gift bag to Ellie. "Now for our next game, you're going to match the animal on this list with the correct number of days in their gestation period."
/
"Okay, I think Stef had an unfair advantage being a teacher." Aya said as she put her paper in the pile along with the others.
Stef rolled her eyes. "How is that possible? I teach math not science. With that logic, Cory would have an edge too."
"Yeah, we're not really teaching that yet in second grade."
"All I know is I'm glad we don't have the gestation period of an elephant. I can't even wrap my head around being pregnant for 640 days. I mean, seriously?" Sofia shivered.
Natalia nodded. "I'd much rather go for the opossum. Twelve days sounds good to me, especially compared to 640 days."
"Here you, Stef." Kendall handed the woman a gift bag. "Two more games. Now, you get to guess the name for an animal baby. Good luck."
/
Madison shook her head. "Seriously, a baby turkey is called a pout? I'm glad nobody else knew that. I don't feel so bad."
"Congratulations, Jo. You deserved to win that one. I almost beat you though. If I had only known a baby bat was called a pup." Angie sighed.
"Thanks. I remembered reading that somewhere, but I couldn't tell you where. Thank you, Greenlee." Jo accepted her prize from the petite brunette.
"You're welcome. Time for our final game. We're going to pair up for this one. You're going to diaper babies, well baby dolls in this case. We'll be using cloth diapers. The fastest to remove the 'dirty' diaper and replace it with a clean one wins. We'll draw names to pair people up. Oh, one more thing. You're going to do this blindfolded. Because they will be doing this together very soon, Bianca and Marissa will be one team. Let's get to picking names."
/
There were only four names left: Cory, Jessica, Erica and Krystal. The vast majority of those in attendance were holding their collective breaths that Erica and Krystal would not be paired together. They knew it could be ugly if they were. Sharp objects in the form of diaper pins were involved, and that was just too tempting.
"I have an idea. Cory and I know each other really well so it probably wouldn't be fair if we were a team."
Bless you, Jessica. "You probably have a point. I tell you what. Since it's your idea, I'll let you make the choice. Who would you like to team up with?" Kendall asked as relief flooded through her at the older woman's offer.
"Why don't I team up with Erica, if that's alright with her?"
Erica nodded with a small smile on her face. "I would love to."
Cory sighed in relief. "It works for me. I think I might be too nervous to team up with you, Erica, no offense. I'm afraid I might get you with a diaper pin or something else, and my mom would never let me hear the end of that. Neither would Marissa or Jo for that matter." She wasn't exactly lying, but she also wasn't telling the whole truth. Yes, she would be nervous teaming up with Erica, but Cory was pretty sure she would be able to get over those nerves. The reason she stepped in was actually the result of a private conversation she and Jessica had as names were getting drawn and the choices for partners dwindling. They had agreed that if things played out like they just had that they would step in to prevent any possible bloodshed.
Jo and Marissa looked at each other and shrugged. "She's right."
"No offense taken, Cory."
"Thank you, Erica. Now, Krystal, let's kick some butt."
Krystal smiled. "You're on."
No one was more relieved than Marissa and Bianca, although Kendall and Greenlee were probably a close second. The couple was just about to step in and volunteer to switch partners when Jessica made her proposal. Marissa and Bianca caught the eyes of Cory and Jessica and mouthed 'thank you'. The couple was pretty sure they knew what was really going on and was extremely grateful for their friends' intervention. They received slight nods in acknowledgement.
"Alright, let's get started!" Greenlee smiled, relieved they had dodged a bullet. Kendall and I really didn't think that through. Thank god for Marissa's friends. We're going to have to do something for them.
/
"Our runner-ups are Jessica and Mom, and our winners are our Moms-to-be, Marissa and Bianca! Be honest, you've been practicing haven't you?" Kendall grinned at her sister-in-law.
Marissa smiled sheepishly. While the redhead hadn't had to change any diapers when it came to AJ, she had babysat a lot in the past and had to then. "A little. It's been a while since I've had to change any diapers."
"Me too." Bianca admitted. "While she has been practicing, Rissa has not been doing it blindfolded."
"That's good to hear. I think I'd be worried if you were." Greenlee smirked. "Okay, we'll take a small break and then it's time for gifts."
/
"This is adorable, Jan, Aya. How did you come up with this?" Bianca closely examined the diaper tricycle that Marissa had just unwrapped.
"Aya found it on the internet. It was pretty fun to put together."
"You can use everything that makes it up. The blankets and bibs are green since we don't know if you're having a boy or a girl."
"We blinged it out a little more than what was on the website, but Sparky's worth it." Aya added with a wink.
Marissa beamed. "Most definitely and thanks. I'll admit I'm already completely biased though. I almost don't want to use any of this because it would mean taking it apart. It really is too cute."
Bianca nodded. "Rissa's right. It's going to be hard taking this apart." The brunette gazed at her wife. "You're not the only one completely biased when it comes to our little one. The same holds true for our other kids as well as you."
"I couldn't agree more, on all accounts." Marissa replied and gave her wife a quick kiss.
/
Gifts continued to be unwrapped with Bianca and Marissa taking turns. Bianca hadn't wanted to because she wanted this to be about her wife. She was the one who was pregnant after all. Marissa was adamant however that this was just as much about Bianca as it was her. They were in this together. Bianca knew she would be fighting a losing battled and relented. They received a stroller and two matching car seats that they had been eyeing from Kendall, Erica and Greenlee. Having two car seats would save them from having to constantly switch them out from the other's car. Erica also slipped them the small gift bag she had brought and requested they open it later in private. Inside, they would find a sealed envelope that contained details pertaining to a trust she would be setting up for the baby once they were born. It matched ones she had arranged previously for Miranda, Gabby and, after the couple was together, AJ. Kendall, Erica and Greenlee also had gift bags for the three older Tasker-Montgomery children, not wanting them to feel left out especially after JR's last stunt. Krystal and a couple of other had gifts for the older kids in addition to their gifts for Sparky as well. Soon, the couple had numerous onesies, blankets, bottles, bibs, pacifiers and sleepers among other items for their little one.
"After this one, you have one last gift, that mysterious package that Alex brought in earlier." Greenlee noted as she handed a beautifully wrapped package over to Marissa.
The redhead smiled knowing instantly who it was from. Jessica had a specific style to how she wrapped presents, and Marissa recognized it from when she was younger. "I thought you were my gift."
Jessica laughed. "Hardly. You know I had to get you something for that baby. Sparky is the closest I will come to a grandchild until Jo decides to settle down."
Jo rolled her eyes. "No pressure though, right, Mom?"
"None whatsoever. This is more for you and Bianca."
Marissa chuckled and knew that Jessica would see Sparky as a grandchild and would spoil them as such. The redhead's breath hitched as the gift was revealed to her.
"What is it, Rissa?" Bianca had the same reaction as her wife when she saw what it was. "How did you?"
"Jessica, this is absolutely amazing."
"I'm glad the two of you like it."
"We love it."
"What is it, Marissa?" Carol asked.
Marissa removed the gift fully from its packaging and turned it around for the others to see. It was a crystal tri-frame that contained pictures in two of the frames. The one in the middle was empty.
"Is that you?" Sam asked.
"Yes, that's me when I was a baby and my Mom."
Krystal's eyes teared up slightly seeing her daughter as a newborn in her old friend's arms. She had given up any rights to be jealous but still couldn't help but feel a small pang.
"Your Mom was beautiful, and you're pretty darn cute yourself." Stef added with a smile.
"Yeah, she was. I love this picture and the one of Erica and Bianca. You look so much alike."
Erica and Bianca exchanged a smile. "Thank you. I see so much of Miranda and Gabby looking at that picture of you, sweetheart. That has always been one of my favorite photographs."
"You haven't changed much at all, Erica, still beautiful." Angie smiled and received a grateful nod from the diva in reply.
"How did you get these pictures?" Bianca asked as her fingers traced them lovingly.
"I was looking through some old photo albums and found that one of Lydia and Marissa that I had taken. I have some other photos I've made copies of for you as well. As for the one of Erica and Bianca, I had some help from Kendall and subsequently Erica. When I got this idea, I called Kendall and asked if she could help. The rest is history."
Kendall smiled. "I was more than happy to help. I love both pictures. You did a fantastic job, Jessica."
"Thank you. I was just starting out with my photography, and Lydia graciously agreed to help me out by sitting for me. Given my subjects, it was hard not to get a good shot. I have one of her with Jo as well."
"I can't wait to see that one."
"I made you a copy. Thank you again, Kendall and Erica for sharing that picture with me."
"You're welcome."
"Now, the middle frame is for you to add a photo of both of you with Sparky."
"I love that. Would you mind taking that photo for us and include all of our kids in it?" Bianca asked hopefully.
Marissa smiled. "Yes, that's a perfect idea, B. Would you, Jessica?"
"I would be honored."
"Thank you!"
"Time for the final gift. I think it's best if you come over here and open it." Greenlee suggested. "We have strict instructions that you are not to lift it, Rocky."
The couple nodded and headed over to where Greenlee was standing.
Bianca opened the card and read. "This is from Carol, Gail, Sam and Alex." There was something else in the envelope which she pulled out. It was a photo of a wooden highchair.
"That's part of your gift. Alex made it. We didn't bring it today because it was a little heavy to haul over here and for the two of you to take home. We'll bring it over sometime next week if that's okay." Gail offered.
"Of course it's okay. This is amazing."
Marissa switched her attention from the photo and began to admire the blanket covering the large object. "This isn't from a store. This is handmade. I can tell by looking at the stitching and overall excellent quality."
Carol smiled proudly. "Gail, Sam and I made that. It should match Sparky's room and the one you're making with Miranda."
"It does, and it's perfect. I love it."
"To be honest, grandma did most of the work, then Gail and then me. They're trying to teach me."
"Don't listen to her. Sam did more work than she's telling you and is picking it up pretty quickly." Gail added proudly.
"Thank you. Rissa's right on the quality, and the detail is amazing."
The couple removed the blanket and gasped when they revealed a hand-carved rocking horse. It had a padded leather seat, a mane and tail made out of yarn and a sweetly painted face.
"Wow. This … Wow … This is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." Marissa marveled.
"She's right. This looks like something out of a showroom. Alex really outdid himself. This is too much. You shouldn't have."
Carol walked over to the couple. "Oh hush. This isn't enough given everything you've done for us. I agree with you about Alex though. He did excellent work. He always does."
"He had to have put so much work into this."
Gail joined them. "He did, and Marissa, I tell you that he loved every minute of it. Sam helped him with this too."
The teen nodded. "She's right. He did love doing this. Alex would head out to his workshop as soon as he got off work, crank up the music and start working on this and the highchair. He wanted it to be just right for you guys."
"Well, he definitely succeeded. We're going to have to call him later to thank him, and Sam, you did an awesome job too."
/
Cake was served after all of the gifts were opened, and the couple shared some of the names that had been suggested by the others. Some were seriously, some not so much.
"Thor? Really, Lisa?" Marissa raised an amused eyebrow.
Lisa grinned. "I think it has a nice ring to it. Thor Tasker-Montgomery."
Aya snorted. "It really kinda does."
Bianca shook her head. "No, just no. If I don't want to use Sparky as a nickname, there's not a chance I'm going to use Thor as a first name."
"How about Xena?" Greenlee smirked at the glare she was getting from the brunette.
"No. It's too cliché." Bianca quipped.
Marissa laughed. "I think she has you there, Greenlee. Thank you all for coming today and being so generous. We're really lucky to have all of you in our lives and Sparky is too."
"Rissa's right, except for Sparky. We're not calling our little one that."
"Whatever you say, babe, whatever you say." Marissa grinned. She knew it was too late. Everyone with the exception of Bianca and Erica was calling the baby Sparky, and Bianca herself had slipped a couple of times.
Bianca sighed at the smug looks on her wife's and sister's faces. She knew it was pretty much a lost cause, but she wasn't giving up quite yet, not when the debates she and Marissa had over the name were so pleasurable.
/
Guests began to filter out, and some helped the couple load their gifts into their car. Soon, it was just Kendall, Greenlee, Bianca, Marissa, Jessica, Jo and Cory.
"Thank you both so much for today. You really outdid yourselves. It was perfect." Bianca hugged Kendall and Greenlee.
Marissa nodded. "It really was, and best of all, there was bloodshed or need to call the police."
Kendall laughed. "I'd say that makes it rousing success. You're welcome. Jessica and Cory, thank you for stepping in earlier."
"Definitely. That could have been a disaster. At least with Angie, we had a doctor present." Greenlee smirked.
"You're welcome. Glad we could help out."
Bianca looked at her cellphone when she heard it beep informing her that she had a text. "It's Scott. They're leaving the fun zone. He says everyone's in one piece."
"That's good to hear." Marissa tried to hold back a yawn.
"We should get home, and let you get some rest. The same for you, Kendall."
"You won't get any argument from me, Binx. Everything is pretty much cleaned up so I can just relax and wait for Zach and the boys to get home. Drive safe."
"Ladies, it was great meeting you. We're all still on for brunch tomorrow, right?" Greenlee asked.
Marissa nodded. "Yes, we'll see you at the house tomorrow. Thanks again."
/
A/N: A couple of quick notes on the gifts and games. The gestation periods for the animals listed are accurate. I shuddered reading that an elephant was pregnant for almost two years. I also was surprised that a baby turkey is called a pout. While doing some searches related to this arch, I saw the diaper tricycle, and it is really cute. My sister had a hand-carved rocking horse for my nephew that I used as inspiration for the one Alex made Sparky. See you soon!