A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it and all of you more than you know. I'm sorry for the slight delay in posting. I got caught up in a few things yesterday and wasn't able to edit this in time to load.

As I was reading through this chapter, I was struck by the timing of what I had written and what has happened in real life. My heart aches for those killed or injured at Pulse in Orlando as well as their families and friends. I don't have any answers or solutions. I don't understand it, never have and don't believe I ever will. I just know this violence and hate has to stop. This won't happen until we stop fighting each other and start working together, something our leaders need to do. I really hope they start listening to the people they were elected to serve and not the special interest groups. Okay, I'm stepping off my soapbox for the moment. I just needed to get that off my chest.

This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

Miranda turned serious. With her mothers gone and her siblings not around at the moment, she figured this was her best chance to talk to the others, to ask them the burning question she had had since the previous evening. "I have a question for all of you. It's actually two questions. Who is Sarah, and what are we going to do about her?"

"We, huh? Yeah, you're definitely one of us." Greenlee grinned

Erica raised an eyebrow at her granddaughter's questions and use of the word 'we'. The diva's smile relayed both her approval and pride. "You most certainly are a Kane woman."

"Yes, she is." Kendall smiled proudly.

"I'm seeing some Marissa in her too. God help us." Jo noted with a grin.

"Where did you hear that name?" Kendall asked as she took a seat next to her niece. She had to have heard it somewhere because there was no way she could have pulled it out of thin air.

Jo had a pretty good idea though. "Marissa mentioned to me earlier that you overheard the conversation Mom and me were having with Bianca last night. Her name came up during it."

Miranda's sheepish smile confirmed what Jo had said.

"Just like your Aunt Kendall." Greenlee smirked.

"Thanks!" Miranda couldn't suppress her grin. Not only had she been compared to her Ma, but she'd also been compared to the long line of Kane women in her family. To her, both were things to be very proud of.

Kendall feigned offense. "Not just me, thank you very much. She's been around you long enough to up a few things." The remark received a knowing shrug from Greenlee.

"Her mothers are definitely going to have their hands full, and everyone else better watch out." Krystal added with a wry smile.

Greenlee nodded. "Ain't that the truth. So, Miranda, how much trouble are you in for eavesdropping?"

"I don't exactly know yet. Mom said we're going to talk later, and Ma told me not to worry too much. I know I'm going to get a lecture from both of them though." Miranda sighed dramatically.

"Oh that is so you, Mom." Kendall chuckled.

Erica shot a glare at her oldest daughter who simply held her hands up in mock surrender but kept on smiling.

"Yeah, lectures aren't any fun, and knowing those two, it will be a good one." Greenlee was definitely amused by the girl's scowl.

Clearing her throat, Erica was able to get everyone's attention. "Why do you want to know about Sarah?"

"Listening to Mom talking about her, I got the feeling she did something to make Mom mad and probably Ma too. I don't like that, not at all. So, I want to know what she did and why because nobody hurts my family and gets away with it."

Definitely a Kane woman. Erica thought proudly. The diva then considered how best to answer her granddaughter's question. She knew that Bianca had told Miranda about her earlier struggles with food and self-image. It had been done as a deterrent or a pre-emptive strike so Miranda didn't go down that same self-destructive path that her mother had when she was younger. "Do you remember your Mom talking to you about when she was younger and had to go away for treatment because she wasn't eating?"

Miranda nodded. "She said she had anorexia and was really sick. You had her go there so they could help her get better. It was the best place for her because they specialized in treating anorexia."

"Exactly. That is where she met Sarah."

"Was she sick like Mom?"

"Yes, she was. The two of them became friends and developed feelings for each other."

A piece of the puzzle fell into place for Miranda. She remembered her Mom telling her about a girl she had fallen in love with when she was just a little older than Miranda. Her Mom hadn't gone into a lot of detail about their relationship but had told her enough for Miranda to know that the girl had broken her Mom's heart. Miranda also knew that the other girl had come back into her Mom's life some time later, and their relationship had finally ended on a better note. "But they broke up later and were still kinda friends, right?"

"Right, but they've lost track of each other over the years."

"So, what's going on with her now?"

"Just like Marissa." Jo whispered to Kendall who nodded in agreement.

"Bianca too."

Both Bianca and Marissa could be like a dog with a bone when it came to questions regarding the well-being of their family, and neither would give up until they felt they had the answers they wanted or needed.

Erica continued to answer Miranda's questions. "It seems that Sarah saw your Mom while she was in New York and tracked her down."

"How did she … Oh, she googled her, huh?"

"Yes, she did, and your Mom invited her to dinner last night."

Miranda nodded. "Oh, Mom was just being Mom and being nice to her since they were friends and hadn't seen each other in a long time."

"Correct." This was where it got tricky for Erica. How much should she tell her? She didn't want to overstep and say something Bianca or Marissa wouldn't want Miranda to know. While she was smart and wise beyond her years, Miranda was still only 11 years old, and that had to be taken into account.

With an expectant look, Miranda pressed for her grandmother to continue. "Did something happen at dinner?"

Erica sighed. There was no dodging the question. "When your Mom got up to use the ladies room, she mistakenly left her cellphone at the table. While she was away, your Ma called, and Sarah answered. She didn't tell your Mom about the call until later."

Miranda thought for a moment before it hit her, and when it did, she was mad. "It was Ma, wasn't it? Ma called her from the courthouse when everything was going on. Mom didn't know because Sarah didn't tell her. Ma was hurt and would want to talk to Mom, and Mom would want to talk to her too. And … and Sarah didn't tell Mom! That's wrong, that's really, really wrong. Why would she do that? If Ma was hurt worse, then her and Mom may not have ever talked again. That would hurt Mom so much."

The diva took Miranda in her arms and did her best to calm her down. "It would, but your Ma is okay. From what I'm told, Sarah didn't know what was going at the courthouse. Trust me, I'm not excusing what she did because it was wrong, and I'm not happy about it at all. But, she didn't know. Sarah did eventually tell her about the call, and she did help your Mom get home last night."

The girl was quiet for a moment. "Does Ma know?"

"What do you think?" Erica smiled knowingly.

"She knows. Mom wouldn't keep something like that from her." Miranda said confidently. "Did they do anything about it yet?"

"Not yet. They really haven't had a chance. By the time they both got home, it was pretty late, and now, your Ma has to give her statement to the police about what happened at the courthouse."

Miranda nodded as she processed everything. "So, what's next?"

Erica thought for a moment. The diva knew that she would be having a conversation with Sarah no matter what happened, but she also knew she had to watch what she said to Miranda. Bianca and Marissa would be furious with her if she did anything to encourage or include any of the children in any revenge plans. "Well, that depends on your mothers. We really shouldn't do anything without their knowledge."

The girl was skeptical to say the least, and her facial expression gave no doubt of that fact. Miranda knew her grandmother, Aunt Kendall, and Aunt Greenlee very well. They weren't ones to just sit back and do nothing, and she had a strong feeling that Jessica and Jo were the same way. The same with Krystal.

Kendall chuckled seeing her niece's expression. "It may be hard to believe, Miranda, but Mom's right. There's a pretty complex history between your Mom and Sarah, and as much as I would really like to take care of Sarah myself, I need to respect your moms and what they might want to do when it comes to her. I need to follow their lead." Kendall glanced at the others. "We all do. Your Mom has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. It's probably her biggest strength. Now, there are some that might consider it a weakness and think they can take advantage of it, of her. Your Ma is not one of those people. She thinks it's her biggest strength as well and will do everything she can to protect your Mom and her heart. You know that, right?"

Miranda nodded. If there was anything the girl was sure of, it was that. It was something her Ma had proven before. "I do."

"Then you know she won't let this go without doing something. You also know that both of your mothers wouldn't want you to worry about this. Right?" Kendall eyed her niece.

"Right." Miranda said with a reluctant sigh. "I just want to help. I don't like it when someone hurts them. They're my Moms so I just feel like I should do something."

Greenlee nodded. "I understand. It's something you come by honestly."

"I know it's hard, but try not to worry. There is a roomful of people right here that have your Moms' backs, and we're not the only ones. There's a pretty long line of people behind us that feel the way that we do." Jo added.

"She's right. There are a whole lot of people that care about them, that love them. Your Moms are very special, but I'm pretty sure you know that already." Krystal smiled.

Miranda grinned. "Yeah, I do." She turned to Erica. "You'll let me know if I can do something?"

Erica nodded. "I will. You have my word, sweetheart."

"Okay. Thank you." Miranda appeared to be satisfied, at least for the moment.

"You're welcome. Would you mind going to see if Jessica needs any help? We'll finish cleaning up in here and be out in a minute."

After giving Erica a quick hug, Miranda headed off to the family room.

"Wow, my niece is pretty badass." Kendall's pride was evident in her tone.

"Yeah, she is. I wouldn't expect anything less of her. I mean, this family is full of them." Greenlee grinned.

"Oh, look at the time. I need to get back to the restaurant. If you need anything, let me know. I'm on board with whatever."

"Will do, Krystal. Thanks." Kendall said as the other woman left the room. She then turned to the other women that remained. "So, we're going to wait to hear what Marissa and Bianca have to say about what happened with Jesse regarding Tammy, and then see what they say about Sarah. Agreed?" Kendall glanced at each woman who nodded in return with the exception of Erica.

"Mom?"

"What?"

"Do you agree?"

"To a point. As Bianca's mother, I reserve the right to act as I see fit. To that end, I'm going to see if I can find out exactly where Sarah is staying. If you'll excuse me." Erica pulled out her cellphone and placed a call. "Good morning, Tad. I need you to find someone for me. Her name is Sarah Livingston, and she is staying somewhere here in Pine Valley. I don't know exactly where, but she arrived late last night on a private plane from New York City. I need here whereabouts as soon as possible. Thank you."

"Yeah, definitely some badass people in this family. It's easy to see she comes by it naturally." Jo shook her head, clearly impressed.

"You got that right, Doc." Kendall laughed as she headed into the family room.

/

Opal rushed over to Marissa as the redhead and Bianca entered Krystal's. "Oh, there you are! How are you doing?"

"Hi, Opal. I'm okay."

The older woman hugged the redhead first and then Bianca. "You must be very proud of this one. From what I heard on the news and from Krystal, she is quite the hero."

"Well, you heard right. She most definitely is, and I am most definitely proud of her. I always am."

"So what are you doing here? I thought you'd be home getting some well-deserved rest."

"I had to give my statement about what happened yesterday to Jesse. We also had to pick up my car. It was still at the courthouse."

"Rissa and I noticed how late it was getting and decided that lunch was in order. So, we called home to see if anyone else might be interested in joining us. We're going to need another table and some more chairs."

"Does that include Sparky?"

Marissa chuckled. Their youngest son had charmed Opal from the get-go. "Yes, it does. So, we'll need a highchair too."

"Make that two highchairs. Zach will be bringing Lexie over."

Opal nodded. "I can arrange that. Just give me a minute to get that all sorted out." The older woman flagged another server down to help set everything up. While that was happening, Krystal appeared from kitchen.

"Good afternoon, you two. How did it go with Jesse?"

"Hi, Krystal. It went pretty well. Nothing that I wasn't expecting."

"Are there going to be any charges pressed against Tammy?"

"Not by me. I can't speak for any other charges, but I'm not pressing assault charges. I talked with Jesse about everything that happened, and we agreed that the case would be too difficult to prove."

"That's what Miranda said."

The couple glance at each other before turning back to Krystal. "What?"

"After you left, we were talking in the kitchen when Miranda joined us. She said that you told her you wouldn't be pressing charges and then gave us legal arguments as to why. That girl is something else." Krystal smiled.

Bianca laughed. "Yes, she is. She's like a sponge around Rissa. She soaks up all this knowledge. I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them practiced together one day." Bianca knew that both her wife and oldest daughter would like nothing better.

"If that is something Miranda truly wanted to do, I would be more than happy with that." Marissa grinned. "Was that the only thing you all talked about?"

"As a matter of fact …" Before Krystal could finish, the rest of the Tasker-Montgomery family and the others that had been at their home earlier arrived at the restaurant. They were all quickly settled at their tables. Zach and Ryan soon joined them with Spike, Ian, Lexie, and Emma, and a third table was added to make room for everyone.

The large group chatted away happily. Zach, Ryan, Jack, and Caleb were soon caught up on the latest events surrounding the courthouse incident. Jack and Caleb had decided to join the others at the last minute and were more than welcome additions.

Their server had made her way around the tables to take their orders and had gotten to Bianca. The brunette was midway through her order when she suddenly stopped. Marissa followed her wife's gaze and knew in an instant who the person was who had garnered Bianca's attention.

"Sarah."

/

A/N: Yeah, let's just admit that at this point me apologizing for another cliffhanger is really kind of pointless. My evil side enjoys it way too much. See you soon!