A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it. For those readers in the States in the middle of the blizzard of 2016 (aka winter storm Jonas), I hope you're staying safe and warm. I lucked out with the storm hitting south of where I live so I barely saw any snow.
Okay, back to the story. This chapter picks up a little bit after where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
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It seemed fitting somehow that the day of Adam Chandler's funeral was grey and overcast with the clouds threatening to burst open at any minute. The weather matched the somber mood of many of the residents of Pine Valley. Word of Adam's death had spread like wildfire, and had made both local and national news. With the announcement of his death making the news, the decision had been made to add extra security at the funeral home for the day's services to allow family and friends to grieve in peace. It had been arranged for family members to attend a private viewing before it was opened to the public. With that in mind, Bianca and Marissa arrived at the funeral home early with AJ, Miranda, and Gabby. Jessica stayed behind at Minx Manor to watch Danny because he was way too young for the service.
Before they left home, Marissa and Bianca explained exactly what a funeral was to the kids and what would happen during the viewing and the service. The mothers wanted the kids to be prepared for the day and to be as comfortable as they could with everything. They also reminded the kids to let them know if anything bothered them or it became too much for them. AJ, Miranda, and Gabby each promised they would. With that done, the family headed out.
/
Marissa pulled around to the back parking lot of the funeral home which allowed them to avoid the press staked out in front. When he got out of the car, AJ immediately took Marissa's hand and pressed close to her side while Miranda and Gabby each took one of Bianca's hands. The family was greeted by a staff member and ushered inside. It was there that they saw Brooke who smiled warmly upon seeing them.
"Hello."
"Hi, Brooke." Bianca hugged the older woman. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm … okay. How are all of you?"
"We're doing okay."
Brooke glanced at AJ. She saw the boy had something clutched in his free hand. "Hi, AJ. Is that for your grandpa?"
AJ nodded. "Yeah." The boy held out a picture frame that contained a photo. "It's a picture of me and grandpa when we went fishing. I taught him how to take a selfie." AJ added proudly.
"You did a good job and had much better luck than I did with that." Brooke said as she looked at the picture. It was a photo of grandfather and grandson smiling brightly in their fishing garb. Adam had a copy of it on his desk at home, and it had been a memory he had told her he cherished.
"Are you sure it's okay to put it in the … casket?"
"I'm positive. Are you sure you want to give it up?"
"I still have mine in my room. This is a copy. Ma made it for me for today. I thought he would like it."
When Brooke had called Marissa with the details for the funeral, the redhead asked her if AJ could place a memento in Adam's casket. It was something the boy had been thinking about since finding out about his grandfather. He went to his mothers and asked them, and Marissa, in turn, asked Brooke who readily agreed. "He would love it, AJ. That was his favorite picture of the two of you. Your grandpa loved you very much. Never forget that."
"I won't. I loved him too." AJ said solemnly.
Marissa was standing behind AJ with her hands on his shoulders. "Are you ready to go up there?"
AJ took a shaky breath and then nodded. "Will you go with me?"
"Of course I will. You just tell me when you're done."
"Okay."
"If you'll excuse us." Marissa held out her hand, and her son grasped it.
Bianca nodded and stayed behind with the girls. AJ needed this time to himself.
/
The couple knew the hardest part for the kids would be seeing Adam in his casket, and they did their best to prepare them, especially AJ. Marissa could sense her son's apprehension as they approached.
AJ faltered in his step, and Marissa stopped.
"Are you okay, Buddy? If you don't want to do this, you don't have to."
"I want to. I have to give him this picture."
"I could put it in for you."
AJ shook his head. "No, I want to do it. I'll be okay."
Marissa was immensely proud of her and the courage he was showing. She felt him grip her hand tighter. "I'm right here."
They approached the casket, and AJ chewed on his bottom lip as he looked at his grandfather.
"He kinda looks the same. What should I do? Should I say something?"
"You can talk to him if you want, or you don't have to say anything at all."
"What did you do?"
The redhead was lost for a second but then realized what AJ was asking. "Oh, you mean what did I do when I attended my parents' funerals?"
"Yeah."
Marissa took a deep breath. She remembered vividly the day that was easily one of the hardest days of her life. Her parents' injuries from the car accident had been extensive, and the funeral director had advised closed caskets for their services. Marissa had given her consent, but she had arranged to view Roy and Lydia in private. She needed to see her parents one last time, no matter how difficult it might for her. "I talked to them a little bit. It felt right for me to do, and it made me feel a little better."
"What did you say to them?"
"I told them that I loved them and missed them. That I would do my best to make them proud. I also told them that I would never forget them."
"And you haven't."
"No, I haven't. They are still with me, right here." Marissa smiled softly and placed a hand over her heart. "I still talk to them sometimes too."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I do. I like to think that they are still around keeping an eye on me, you, your sisters and brother, and your Mom."
"Do you think Grandpa Adam will do that?"
"Oh yeah. He'll definitely be keeping an eye out for you."
AJ smiled liking that idea and stepped next to the casket. "Hi, Grandpa. I'm sorry you're gone. I love you and am gonna miss you an awful lot. I … I brought you this picture to keep with you. It's the selfie we took when we went fishing. I had a lot of fun that day. I promise to do what you asked me to. I'll listen to my moms and do what they say. You're right. They really are smart. I'll do my best to make them and you proud, and I'll also be the best brother I can."
Marissa wiped away the tears that had escaped from her eyes as she listened to her son. She had no idea that Adam had told AJ to listen to both her and Bianca. It meant a great deal that the man truly accepted, respected, and recognized both women and their roles in AJ's life.
AJ gently placed the frame in the casket. With tear-filled eyes, he whispered one more 'love you, grandpa'. The boy gazed up at his redheaded mother. "I'm done now, Ma."
Marissa kissed the top of his head and then led AJ away with an arm wrapped tightly around him to a corner where some chairs were.
/
Bianca kept a watchful eye on Marissa and AJ from a short distance away. The two were engaged in a quiet but earnest conversation, and AJ appeared to be holding up fairly well. She knew he was in the best of hands with Marissa. Bianca turned when she heard someone shout.
"Ms. Kane, could we please have a quote?"
Erica whipped around and glared at the male reporter who had somehow slipped past security. The diva stepped closer to the man and lowered her voice. "How did you get in here? This is a private viewing for family and friends. You are certainly not welcome."
The reporter scoffed. "He's your ex-husband."
"He is my grandson's grandfather, and I will not have you upsetting him. You will have some respect for my grandson and the rest of Adam's family, and you will leave this instant."
The man started to protest but was cut off by a security guard and quietly escorted out.
"Thank you, Erica."
"You're welcome, Brooke. I am truly sorry for your loss. How is Stuart?"
"He's better, but still struggling a little."
There was a brief awkward silence between the two longtime rivals.
"And you? How are you?" Erica asked.
Brooke was slightly taken aback. "I'm getting by. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Thank you for including me and making sure I knew before the public."
"You're welcome. You and Adam had a special relationship, and I didn't want you to find out from hearing about in on the news."
"Hi, Mom." Unable to stand the awkwardness any longer, Bianca, who had been standing close by, decided to step in.
"Bianca, sweetheart." Erica hugged Bianca and then Miranda and Gabby. "Where are AJ and Marissa?"
Bianca motioned to the casket. "AJ wanted to leave something with Adam."
"He's such a sweet boy. How is he doing?"
"It's been hard, but he's doing okay. Marissa has been amazing with him, and so have his sisters."
Their mother's comment had Miranda and Gabby smile. The girls had been doing their best to help their brother feel better the last few days.
"I have no doubt that they have." Erica said as she smiled proudly at her granddaughters.
"Where's Uncle Jack?"
"Trying to keep the rest of the press out."
Something or rather someone caught Bianca's eye. "Mom, could you stay with the girls for a few minutes?"
Erica followed her daughter's gaze. "Take as long as you need, and if you need any assistance …"
"I'll make sure I get it. Miranda, Gabby, stay here, okay? I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay, Mom."
Brooke sighed. "I had hoped he wouldn't cause a scene."
"It seems some habits are hard to break." Erica noted as her eyes followed Bianca.
/
"Well, Scott, feel proud of yourself?"
Scott turned in the direction of a voice he hadn't heard in months and sighed before managing a tight smile. "JR, I'm glad they were able to track you down to give you the news." While he looked to be pissed off and ready to blow at any second, JR at least appeared to be sober. Scott thought that was at least a minor improvement.
"Yeah, I just bet you are." JR spat.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you'll have to step aside, and stop pretending to be a real Chandler. I'm back and ready to reclaim what's mine, my rightful spot with Chandler Enterprises and with my son."
For a brief moment, Scott almost rose to take the bait, but he felt Madison's hand on his arm. It had him take a deep breath. "This isn't the time or the place to discuss any of that."
JR scoffed. "Yeah, you would say that, especially when you know damn well that I'm right." It was then that his eyes landed on AJ. JR started in that direction, but he quickly found his path blocked. "Move, Bianca. I want to see my son."
"No."
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"I mean 'no'. I'm not moving."
"Don't make me move you." JR's hands started to clench into fists.
"Don't make me call security over here. I don' know whether or not you saw him, but Brot is working traffic outside. I know he'll be more than happy to stop you and take you back to your old cell."
JR glared at the brunette. "I want to see my son. I have every right …"
"No, you don't. You gave up those rights when you kept putting your own wants and needs above AJ's time and time again. It was always what was in your best interest and never AJ's." Bianca held up a hand when JR started to protest. "You're going to be quiet and listen for once. I'm not interested in your relationship with Adam. I only care that Adam was good to AJ and that he loved him. AJ lost his grandfather and is hurting. I will not have you do anything that will hurt him further. You will not cause a scene here. It's the very least you owe AJ and Stuart, two people you claim to love. You are not to approach AJ. If he wants to talk to you, we'll let him, but you can be damn sure that either Marissa or I will be right there with him. For once in your life, you're going to think about AJ first. If you hurt or upset him in any way, you will pay dearly."
The steeliness in Bianca's voice gave JR pause, but he never knew when to stop. "And just what are you going to do?"
"You forget my mother is Erica Kane, and I've learned quite a few things from her over the years. You don't scare me anymore, JR, but you should be scared of me. I hope I've made myself clear." Receiving a slight nod from JR, Bianca turned to Scott and Madison. "I'm sorry for your loss. I know you were close with Adam and really cared about him. I know he felt the same way about you."
"Thank you." Scott said. He was grateful not only for her words to him but also for what she had said to JR. He needed to be put in his place, and that's exactly what Bianca had done. Scott had spoken to Marissa the day before. He wanted to see how AJ was doing. The one thing Scott knew without a doubt was that Marissa and Bianca would be there for their son and help him through this time. He was in the best of hands. It was during the course of that conversation that the subject of JR had come up. No one was really looking forward to seeing him because they just didn't know what JR would do.
"Do you know where Stuart is? I'd like to pay my respects." Bianca asked.
"There's a small room off to the side. He needed a break so he went in there with Marian. I know he wouldn't mind seeing you."
Bianca nodded. "Thank you. We'll talk more later." The brunette could feel JR's eyes boring into her as she walked away, and she didn't care. Bianca had made her point and had drawn her line in the sand. If JR knew what was best for him, he wouldn't cross it because she had meant every word she had said.
/
Marissa smiled softly as Bianca, Miranda, Gabby, and Erica approached. She had seen Bianca talking to JR across the room, and while the redhead didn't know exactly what her wife had said, she had a very good idea based on the way her ex-husband paled. "Erica."
"Marissa. Hello, AJ. How are you, sweetheart?"
The boy looked up at Erica with a small smile. His eyes were red from crying, but the tears had stopped for the moment. "Hi. Okay, I guess. I miss him."
Erica hugged AJ tightly. "I know you do. He loved you very much, and no one made him smile more than you."
"We were going to talk to Stuart." Bianca informed her wife and son. "Do you think you'd be up to see him, Buddy?"
"Yeah, I'd really like to."
"Okay, let's go."
/
As the other members of their immediate family talked with Stuart and Marian, Bianca quietly related what had happened with JR to her wife.
"Dammit. He just can't help himself." Marissa whispered.
"I know. I can't help but think that he's going to cause problems at the reading of the will."
"You and me both. Fortunately, AJ doesn't have to be there." Marissa had asked about that when Brooke had informed her that AJ had been mentioned in Adam's will along with Bianca and Marissa. With AJ being a minor, the boy had been granted an exemption and didn't need to be present when Adam's will was read. His mothers' presence, however, was required. Marissa knew JR wouldn't like it, but he would just have to deal with it.
/
Jessica opened the door to Minx Manor to greet a man and girl. The girl looked to be around AJ's and Miranda's age and seemed familiar. "Hello. May I help you?"
"Hi. I hope so. I'm Doug Baldwin, and this is my daughter Amber."
It finally clicked for the older woman. "Oh, you're friends with Miranda and AJ."
Amber nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Please come in. I'm Jessica Shelton, an old friend of Marissa's." The two followed her inside and sat down.
"Is AJ home?" Amber asked.
"I'm afraid not. He's at his grandfather's funeral. I'm not sure when he'll be home."
"Oh." Amber couldn't hide her disappointment at not seeing her friend.
"How are they all doing?" Doug asked.
"They're doing okay. AJ is sad, but his mothers are doing their best to help him through this time."
"I don't know them very well, but what I do know of them is that they are very kind and very protective of their family."
That last comment had things falling into place for Jessica. She knew exactly who the father and daughter were and their connection to the Tasker-Montgomery family. "That they are. It holds true for their friends as well."
Doug could tell the woman knew who he was and who he was married to. "They … do give some good advice. Would you mind giving them a card from us?"
"Not at all."
"Amber, would you give Ms. Shelton the card?"
The girl nodded and handed the card over.
"I wasn't sure about flowers." Doug stated.
"Mr. Chandler's family has suggested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Miranda Center."
"Oh, thank you."
They could hear Danny start to fuss over the baby monitor. The boy was waking up from his nap.
"We should go and let you take care of him. Could you give Marissa a message for me?"
"Of course."
"Let her know that I followed up on her advice and have an appointment to meet with Sofia. She'll know who she is."
"I'll be sure to do that, Mr. Baldwin. Thank you and Amber for stopping by. I know it will mean a lot to them, especially AJ."
Jessica saw the Baldwins out before she made her way to Danny's room.
/
Danny and Jessica were playing together on the floor of the family when the rest of the Tasker-Montgomery family arrived back home. AJ, Miranda, and Gabby hurried up to their rooms to change while Bianca slipped off her heels and Marissa happily picked up Danny who reached for her the moment he saw her.
Jessica chuckled. "Well, I see where I stand."
"Oh, he loves you and you know it." Marissa joined her friend on the floor.
Bianca smiled before joining them as well. Danny grinned when he saw her and started to crawl to her.
"I guess he likes her best of all." Marissa pulled out her cellphone to capture the moment before she removed her heels as well.
"How did it go?" Jessica asked.
"It went okay. I think most of Pine Valley was there. Adam was no saint. He hurt a lot of people. No one was there gloating though. I think that's because of Stuart, AJ, Brooke, and Scott. I was a little worried that Tad might say something since Adam had really done his best to destroy Tad's life at one time, but he didn't make any derogatory or snide comments when he saw how much the others were hurting." Marissa answered.
"Was JR there?"
"Yes, he was. I think Bianca scared him."
"I simply told him that he needed to watch himself, and if he hurt AJ, he would be sorry."
"She channeled her inner Kane woman."
Bianca rolled her eyes. "It worked, didn't it?"
"Yes, it did. JR behaved himself for the most part. He made a few digs at Scott but left AJ alone. I caught him looking at AJ a few times during the service, but JR gave him his space."
"I'm so relieved to hear that. Did they talk at all?"
"A little, at the cemetery. AJ told JR that he was sorry for him and that he hoped felt better soon. JR took that as an invitation to try and hug him. AJ didn't want that though and nearly burrowed into Marissa's side. Of course JR misunderstood and started to say something. Tad pulled him away before anything happened."
"I can't tell you how relieved we were."
"I can only imagine."
"People were going over to the Chandler Mansion after the cemetery, but AJ's not up for it. He wanted to come home. So, we're just going to order a pizza and watch movies." Marissa added.
"Sometimes, the simple things are what you need the most. Jo called, and she'll be in tomorrow."
"She's okay talking with AJ?" Bianca asked.
"Yes. I told her how the two of you have been handling things, and she agrees with your approach."
Marissa nodded. "Good. He seems to be okay, but we both will feel better with him talking to Jo. It's completely informal and just to check on him."
Jessica patted the redhead's leg. "She's more than happy to help in whatever way you need. Oh, you had two visitors while you were gone. Doug and Amber Baldwin. They left a card."
"Really? That was nice of them." Bianca said.
"Amber seems like a sweet girl. I think she likes AJ."
"Rissa and I think he likes her too."
"Oh, Doug wanted me to give you a message, Marissa. He said to tell you that he followed up on your advice and has an appointment with Sofia."
"Hmmm, interesting. He means Sofia Jackson. She's on my team and very experienced in family law. Doug talked to me a while ago. I could tell he was thinking about divorce. There's no way I would ever represent him. It would just be too much of a conflict of interest because of Tammy, his wife."
"She's been pretty nasty to the two of you." Jessica considered Tammy lucky that the two of them had never crossed paths.
"Yeah, Tammy's something else all right. I'm glad Doug's made a decision, and I know Sofia will look out for Amber's best interest."
AJ, Miranda, and Gabby soon returned and joined the others on the floor. After a few minutes, Bianca and Marissa went to change their clothes, and the family spent the evening together, healing.
/
A/N: So, I have a question for all of you. cariss50 asked if I considered starting a sequel. To be honest, I've thought about it, but the problem I've always run into is that I don't know where to cut this off to start a sequel. I'm also concerned about you, the readers. I know a lot of you have this story set to receive notifications on updates. I haven't made a decision on this yet, but I would appreciate your feedback. Please let me know what you think. See you soon!