A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review and follow! I appreciate it and all of you. Sorry for the late post. I was out earlier today with some friends. We went to see a play, "The Lion King". I've seen it before, and it is still a favorite. I needed that. Work was kicking my butt this week. Anyway, back to our favorite couple. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Excuse me."
Marissa glanced up and saw a tall, raven haired woman standing next to their table. She knew immediately and without a doubt who this woman was. As much as she hated to admit it, the woman was even more gorgeous in person then she was in magazine spreads or on television. Marissa was not going to be intimidated by her though. The redhead knew she could more than hold her own, especially with her children present. "Hello."
Rafaela flashed one her most charming smiles. "Hello. You are Bianca's family, sim?"
AJ looked at his mother with a confused look. "Who's sim?"
Marissa glanced down at her son and smiled. "Sim means yes in Portuguese which is what they speak in Brazil, Buddy." The redhead turned to the other woman. "Yes, we are, and you are Rafaela."
Miranda was instantly on alert hearing the other woman's name. It was one she had heard whispered around the house recently, and from the tone it was whispered in, it wasn't a good thing.
"I am." Rafaela nodded. "You know Portuguese?"
"Um pouco." Marissa glanced at her children who seemed fascinated by the fact that she knew another language. "That means a little."
Rafaela was definitely impressed that the redhead knew a little of her native language.
"These are Bianca's and my children. This is Miranda."
"That is a very pretty name. Hello."
Miranda merely nodded. "Hello."
"AJ."
"Hi." The blonde offered a small wave.
"Hello, AJ."
"Gabby."
"Hello, Gabby."
"Hi." Gabby gave a shy smile. She still took her cue from her older brother and sister, and right now, they were giving her conflicting signals. AJ seemed friendly, but Miranda was definitely holding back. Gabby could see that her sister was giving this woman the once over. It reminded her of Erica and Kendall.
"You have a baby as well?"
"Yes, we do. His name is Danny, and he is with Bianca right now." Marissa knew the model hadn't just arrived at the restaurant because she would have heard the front door. This had her being almost positive that Rafaela had been there at least long enough to have seen Bianca and Danny.
"Bianca has been kind enough to show me the Miranda Center. She does good work there."
"She does excellent work there and has helped countless people heal and rebuild their lives."
"Mom says you've helped a lot of people too, Ma." Miranda looked at her redheaded mother with a proud smile on her face.
"Ah yes, Bianca said you were a lawyer."
Miranda couldn't help but snicker. "Mom probably said she's a brilliant lawyer, and she's right."
"Thank you, Mimo." Marissa winked at her oldest daughter.
Rafaela observed the pair's interaction. "You are right. She did. Bianca is very smart as well and kind."
"You won't get any argument from me on that. I know exactly how special my wife is."
"You must be proud of her."
"I am."
"We're proud of both of our Moms."
AJ's head snapped up when he heard what Miranda said and the tone of her voice. He'd only heard that tone a couple of times, but he knew what it meant. It was then that he felt some tension that hadn't been there before the other woman showed up. "Miranda's right. We are proud of both of them, and we're really lucky to have them as our Moms."
"They're both special and the best Mommies." Gabby added. She wasn't exactly sure what brought on her sister's defense of their mothers and why AJ chimed in as well, but she knew what they were saying was right.
Marissa shook her head. She was proud of her kids and how fiercely protective they were. It was also amusing to see them take on this other woman. "I guess it's a good thing we are then since we have such amazing kids." Marissa turned back to the model. "So, what can I do for you, Rafaela?"
She couldn't help but smile. The redhead cut to the chase and people didn't normally do that with her. They liked to beat around the bush. This was definitely something new, and she found it refreshing. "Could we speak in privately?"
Marissa nodded. "We can." Looking at the kids, the redhead instructed them. "I will be just over there if you need anything."
"I know, and still keeping an eye on us. We'll be here if you need anything too." Miranda added in true Kane fashion.
Biting back a laugh, Marissa replied. "Oh, I know." She lovingly squeezed the girl's shoulder letting her know that she had this. Marissa motioned for Rafaela to lead the way back to her table.
/
Marissa took a seat that allowed her to keep the kids in her line of sight.
"Thank you for speaking with me. Your children are very beautiful. I supposed I should say your son is very handsome though. He might not appreciate being called beautiful." Rafaela glanced over her shoulder and found three pairs of eyes focused on her like laser beams. Their expressions were disconcerting and had her squirming a little.
The redhead had to do a double-take when she glanced over there. Not only were Miranda and Gabby flashing their versions of the 'Kane death glare' but so was AJ. In the years spent with Bianca's family, it seemed the boy had picked up his own version of the glare. She knew of at least two women, Erica and Kendall, who would be extremely proud of him for that. Bianca would probably be proud as well but just not as much as her mother and sister who would be bragging. It was beyond difficult for Marissa not to burst out laughing at that moment when she saw the effect the Tasker-Montgomery children were having on the world famous supermodel.
"Yes, AJ would prefer handsome. I won't argue with you about my kids. They're also very smart, kind, generous and funny. Bianca and I are very proud of them. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Marissa was almost positive she knew but needed the woman to say it.
"You're direct. I like that. I would like to talk about Bianca."
"Go ahead."
/
Kendall, Zach and the boys arrived and found the Tasker-Montgomery children seated at the family's regular table.
"Hey, guys. Where are your Moms?"
Miranda glanced at her aunt. "Mom's changing Danny, and Ma is over there talking to that lady."
Kendall followed her niece's gaze and saw her sister-in-law talking to an easily recognizable raven haired woman.
"Wow." Zach hadn't realized he'd let something slip until he felt a smack on his arm. "Ow."
"I'm right here."
"Sorry. She's gorgeous but not half as gorgeous as you." Zach decided to quit while he was slightly ahead. "You know, I'm just going to see if I can get us something to drink."
"Uh huh. You better walk away. How long have they been talking, Miranda?"
"Not long. Do we need to be worried about her?"
"I think your Ma has it covered."
"Really?" The girl clearly wasn't accepting her aunt's pat answer.
"I'm being serious. She has her lawyer face on. You know, the one where she's not taking anyone's … stuff."
Miranda looked again and realized her aunt was right, and that made her feel a little better.
"Don't worry. If something happens, I'll be there to help her out. I don't think she's going to need it though."
/
"She is beautiful, exceptionally so in fact. I am sure many people have wanted her, myself included."
Marissa looked Rafaela dead in the eye. "You can't have her and neither can anyone else. Bianca is with me. She's the love of my life, my wife, the mother of my children and my best friend. I'm not letting her go without one helluva fight, and make no mistake, I know how to fight."
Rafaela held up her hands. "I have no doubt about that. I saw how she looked at you, and as much as it pains me to say, I know there is no chance for me when it comes to Bianca. I was interested in her. Was. Despite what the tabloids say, I am no home-wrecker, and if someone doesn't want me, I know better than to make a fool of myself pursuing them. I find it not good for my ego."
"Then why …"
"Ah. I wanted to apologize. My intentions were not so honorable when I first met Bianca and so I attempted to spend as much time with her as I could. I soon realized I had no real chance. When she was showing me around the Center today, she talked about you a great deal and has a number of pictures of you and your children in her office. It started to sink in that my hopes for something with her were a lost cause. She is, as you would say, head over heels in love with you. I promise you that my finding you here tonight was merely a coincidence. I just heard about this restaurant today and am meeting some people here shortly. Please don't think I'm stalking her because I'm not."
"It's alright. I believe you." And Marissa did believe the model. The couple themselves had only decided a few hours earlier to come here. Besides, anyone they had told about their plans wouldn't have relayed that information to someone else.
Rafaela breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. There are some that wouldn't. I have a reputation. Some of it, I deserve. Some, I don't."
"I've heard a few things. What other people say about you doesn't matter to me though because it's really not about you. It's about Bianca, and I trust her."
The model studied Marissa. "You have a great deal of faith in her."
Marissa shrugged. "She's given me no reason not to."
"I have a feeling she would say the same of you. I envy you, both of you."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do. I may be famous, have more money than I ever thought I would, have people cater to my every whim and have others throw themselves at me, but you …" Rafaela glanced over her shoulder. "You have a loving wife and beautiful children. You also have a career where you help people." The model noticed Marissa's surprise and smiled. "Oh yes, your Bianca told me about some of the people you have helped. You are very impressive. Not many people put their lives on the line for another."
"Bianca exaggerates my abilities sometimes. She is the one who is truly impressive and risked her life as well." Marissa smiled softly thinking about her wife.
Rafaela chuckled.
"What?"
"Bianca had the same expression on her face when she was talking about you. I want that. I want someone to have that look on their face when they talk about me. I want what you have found with Bianca, a home and family." Rafaela sighed. "Between the two of us, you are the one who is truly lucky."
Marissa wiped away a tear. "You're right. I am. I'm blessed, and I know it. It's not too late for you, you know? You could find someone, someone else, someone other than Bianca." Marissa added with a wry grin.
Rafaela laughed. "Point taken." The model turned serious. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."
/
Bianca was making faces at Danny as they entered the dining area. The boy was giggling. "I bet you are happy now. You have a full belly and a clean diaper." Bianca glanced up and saw Marissa talking to Rafaela and wiping away a tear. She wasn't sure what was going on, but if Rafaela did anything to hurt Marissa, she was going to pay, big time.
/
Marissa caught sight of her wife coming towards the table and knew that look in her eyes. She needed to diffuse the situation quickly before it escalated.
/
Oh crap. This isn't good. Kendall saw her sister heading straight towards Marissa and Rafaela, and she looked like she was about to open a can of Kane whup-ass on the model.
/
"Rissa …"
"Babe, you know Rafaela, right?"
Bianca stood dumbfounded. Her wife was acting like nothing was wrong, like she and the model were friends. The brunette tried to wrap her head around this but was having a hard time considering Marissa's earlier admission of being jealous. "Y … yes, of course I do. Are you alright?"
Marissa smiled brightly as she lifted Danny from her wife's arms. "Yeah, I am. And this handsome little guy is our youngest son Danny."
The tiny redhead flashed a toothless smile and waved his arms around.
"Oh my, he is adorable. Those dimples. He looks just like you, Marissa." Rafaela started cooing over the baby.
"Thanks! We couldn't agree with you more on how adorable he is. I think he's a natural born flirt too."
"There's nothing wrong with that as long as he uses it for good." Rafaela grinned.
Marissa chuckled. "Agreed."
Bianca couldn't hide her confusion. "Rissa, what's going on? Are you sure you're alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I saw you crying."
"Ah, that was just because we were talking about how lucky I am. I have you, the kids, and my career. Plus, it turns out I'm pretty darn awesome."
Rafaela laughed. "You forgot modest, but Marissa is right. She is awesome."
Marissa turned to her wife and grinned. "See. Told ya."
"I can't argue with that. You are pretty darn awesome." Bianca gave her wife the goofy grin that always caused her heart to skip a beat.
The couple shared a quick kiss, and Marissa nudged their noses together. "So are you. That's why I'm so lucky."
/
Kendall raised an eyebrow as she watched her sister and sister-in-law. It was clear that Rafaela was no longer remotely any kind of threat. She was able to breathe much easier knowing the couple was clearly back on track, and they had done it all on their own. Kendall glanced down to see her nieces and nephew smiling. They could tell their mothers were back to their normal selves too and not afraid to show their affection for each other.
Miranda glanced up at her aunt, and the two nodded to each other.
"What is going on over there, and do I need to be worried? Do I need to do something?"
Kendall turned as her mother and Jack joined them. "I don't know exactly what's going on, but I don't think you need to be worried or do anything. I think Bianca and Marissa have it all under control."
Erica greeted the others and took a seat with her focus on the table across the room. It seemed everyone at their table had the same idea.
/
"Would it be … could I … could I please hold him?"
The couple glanced at each other, holding a silent conversation.
Marissa turned to the model and nodded. "Yes." She gently turned her son over to the other woman. "Make sure you support his head. His neck muscles still need some support."
Rafaela nodded in understanding and carefully did as instructed. Danny smiled at her again as his hand grasped one of her fingers, and the model melted.
Bianca chuckled. "I think Danny has conquered yet again. Don't worry, you're in good company."
"He is, oh my, I don't even have the words. This is what I was talking about, Marissa."
Seeing her wife's raised eyebrow at that statement, Marissa decided to clear things up for her. "Rafaela and I were talking, and she …"
"I want this, what the two of you have built together."
"And I told her that it wasn't too late for her."
"You should listen to Marissa. My wife is very smart. I had my doubts that I would find someone to share my life with. Trust me when I tell you that I have been far from lucky in love."
"Same here. My ex-husband was definitely lacking, in more ways than one." Marissa smirked.
"So were my exes. That all changed when I met Rissa. It's cliché, I know, but we started out as friends and then became best friends, and before I knew it, things changed. She was more than just my best friend, and I fell in love with her. Now, I can't remember when I wasn't in love with her." Bianca smiled at her wife who returned it freely.
"She's right. I was in love with her before I realized what was happening. Best thing that ever happened to me. Because of her, so many of my dreams have come true. We have four of the best kids ever. I have the family and home I've been dreaming of all my life. This all happened when I least expected it. What we're telling you is not to give up."
Rafaela watched the couple and felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. Hope. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't too late for her.
/
"Hey. Have I missed anything?" Greenlee asked before following the gaze of the others at the table. "What the … I talked to her people earlier."
As Greenlee started across the room, she ran into Liz and Ashley who had just arrived.
"What is she doing here? You said you would keep her away from Bianca. That sure as hell doesn't look like she's keeping away from her."
"We haven't had a chance to talk to her yet. We were going to tell over dinner, here, now. Please believe us." Liz pleaded.
"Liz is telling you the truth." Ashley glanced over at the three women. "Are they laughing?"
Greenlee looked over and saw what Ashley was talking about. "What the hell is going on?"
"I have no idea."
The trio looked at each other and started moving towards the table.
/
"You two are something else, you know that? I don't know that I've ever met anyone like either of you. The love between the two of you when you look at each other is definitely something to see. It's like everyone else just fades away."
"There are some, like my sister and Greenlee, who love to give us a hard time and tease us mercilessly because of that."
"Well, if you ask me, I think it's because they are jealous. I know I am." Rafaela chuckled.
"You don't think it's too much or over the top?" Marissa asked.
"No, I don't. It's what I want."
"What do you want?"
"Ah, Liz, Ashley. You know Bianca. This is her wife Marissa, and this is their youngest son Danny. Hello, Greenlee."
"Hi." Greenlee wasn't really sure of what was going on. Things must have been okay though because Marissa and Bianca were letting Rafaela hold Danny, and there was no way in hell they would do that if something was wrong.
"It's nice to meet you, Marissa, and your son is very cute."
"I couldn't agree more. He's very cute. It's nice to meet you, Marissa. I'm Liz."
"It's nice to meet both of you. Hey, Greenlee. You okay?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah. I'm just surprised …"
"To see the three of us getting along? It's all good." Bianca stated with certainty.
"Really?"
Bianca nodded. "Really. We should probably get back over to our table though. I'm sure the kids are starving by now."
Marissa glanced over at their table and laughed when everyone quickly looked away. "Wow, not like they're obvious or anything. I'll take him off your hands."
Rafaela kissed Danny's head and handed him back to his redheaded mother. "Goodbye, little one."
As Bianca was picking up the diaper bag, Liz began talking with Rafaela about a snag they had run into with their negotiations with Fusion. It was one they had run into before unfortunately.
"So, you're saying that because of a contract I signed when I was young, that I will not be able to work with Fusion? I don't believe this. They are still causing me grief all these years later. What did our lawyers say? Were they able to help at all this time?"
"We're waiting to hear back from them."
Bianca glanced at her wife and could tell she was half listening to the other conversation even though she was clearly focused on their son. The brunette whispered something in Marissa's ear.
"Are you sure, B?"
"I am. I'm guessing it shouldn't take you too long, and it will help knock off some of that rust you were worried about having when you go back to work."
"It might. Are you really sure though?"
"I'm really sure."
"Okay then." Marissa gave her wife a quick kiss before addressing the others. "Do you happen to have the contract in question on hand?"
Ashley nodded. "We do."
"If you'd like, I'd be happy to take a look at it for you. I'm not going to make any promises, but I might be able to find something for you."
"You're a lawyer?"
"Yes, she is and a brilliant one at that."
Greenlee chuckled. "As much as I would love to say that Bianca is exaggerating, I can't. I have to admit that she's being completely honest. Rocky is one helluva lawyer, and I'm speaking from experience."
"Rocky?"
"It's a long story that we're not going to talk about right now, isn't that right, Shorty?" Marissa eyed her friend.
"Right. We don't have nearly enough time for it." Greenlee smirked.
"I couldn't ask you for this. I've caused enough problems for you already by taking up too much of Bianca's time. I don't want to repeat my mistake."
"You're not asking. I'm offering. It was Bianca's idea, and I'm completely on board with it. I won't even charge you because you'll actually be helping me a little. My maternity leave is almost over, and this will help get me back into fighting shape, if you will."
"I'd take her up on it. Besides, we're talking good free legal advice. You're not going to run across that very often." Greenlee offered.
"I don't want to disrupt your dinner. Your family is waiting for you."
"Why don't the three of you join us? You could meet my sister Kendall who is the other half of Fusion, and my Mom is over there as well."
Ashley glanced over at the other table. "Oh my god, it is Erica Kane."
Liz turned to her client. "This other contract has been hanging over your head for years. I think it's worth a shot to see if she could help us."
"Are you sure?" Rafaela asked the couple.
"We're positive."
"Alright then. Let's do it. Obrigado, Marissa."
"Você é bem-vindo." The redhead responded.
Bianca whipped her head around and stared at her wife. "What was that?"
"It was Portuguese for thank you and you're welcome." Marissa answered as she walked by her wife.
"You speak Portuguese? How did I not know this?"
"I had a friend in college that was from Brazil. I helped her with English, and she helped me learn some Portuguese. It actually came in handy with a client a couple years ago."
"That is really hot." Bianca whispered as she quickly caught up with her wife. Now, she understood why Marissa reacted the way she did when Bianca spoke French.
Seeing her wife's darkened eyes, Marissa winked and flashed a wicked grin. "If you're good, maybe I'll share a few phrases with you later."
"Damn." Bianca took a deep breath and tried to push images of the things she wanted to do with her wife after the kids were in bed. It was going to be a long night.
/
Introductions were made, and Zach and Ryan grabbed three more chairs. Their server returned and took everyone's orders. Assured that the younger woman was no longer a threat to her daughter's marriage, Erica and Rafaela hit it off famously and traded war stories from the catwalk. Greenlee caught Kendall up on everything, and the two talked with Liz and Ashley.
Marissa went into lawyer mode as soon as Ashley handed her the contract and had tuned the others out with one exception, Miranda. Her oldest daughter was seated next to her redheaded mother, and her curiosity was most definitely piqued. She read along with her mother and asked a few as she did. Marissa made notes as she read and answered her daughter's questions. She couldn't help but smile proudly at Miranda and the questions she asked.
Bianca observed the scene between Marissa and Miranda and smiled brightly as she softly bounced Danny and helped Gabby with her activity sheet. She couldn't even describe how much it meant to her to see the closeness between her wife and oldest daughter. They had a special bond.
Having waved Jack over for his opinion, Marissa explained what she believed to be a solution to Rafaela's problem.
"I think that just might work. No, it will work. You never cease to amaze me. Making you a partner was definitely one of our smartest decisions."
"Thanks. I think so too." Marissa gave him a cheeky grin before turning serious and excusing herself from the table along with the model and her representatives.
Kendall got her sister's attention. "Is everything really alright, Binx?"
"It really is, Kendall. Rissa and I talked a couple of times today and cleared the air between us a great deal. She and Rafaela are getting along really well. That's not an act. They came to some sort of understanding."
"Probably that Red would kick her ass if she tried anything." Kendall smirked.
"I have to admit that I'm surprised by all of this, especially Marissa helping her out." Greenlee confessed. "That doesn't bother you?"
"Nope. Did you see that spark Rissa had in eyes when she was reading that contract and came up with an idea? She needed that. Don't get me wrong. Rissa has loved being home with Danny, but she's a lawyer. She loves what she does, and I know she's missed it. I'm definitely alright with it."
/
A/N: So, I have this problem sometimes where I just start writing, and it kind of gets away from me. This was one of those times. Hope that's okay. To my readers from Brazil, I hope I'm doing the translations correctly. I googled some phrases for this chapter as well as the next one. So, if anything is wrong, I apologize and totally blame Google. See you soon!