A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it. Whew! I made it just in time for Saturday! This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
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Bianca and Marissa were up early Thanksgiving morning to get the turkey started. Given the number of people coming over later, it was a pretty large bird and would need plenty of time to cook. With that done, they started on breakfast. They figured Jo and Greg would be over early to share their happiness with Jessica and the Tasker-Montgomery clan. They wanted things done so they could spend some time with the newly engaged couple before the others started to arrive. Bianca had spoken briefly with both Kendall and Greenlee the night before and knew they would be getting to Minx Manor shortly after breakfast so they could help with everything.
"Good Morning. It looks like we had the same idea about starting the turkey early, but the two of you beat me to the punch." Jessica said as she joined Bianca and Marissa in the kitchen.
"Good morning, Jessica. What can I say? Great minds think alike." Marissa grinned as she handed the older woman a mug of coffee.
"Morning, Jessica. Rissa and I wanted to get things started so we could have some time with Jo and Greg before the invasion begins." Bianca added with a smile.
"I still can't believe you didn't say anything, Marissa."
"Hey, I wanted to, but Greg asked me not to. He thought Jo would want to be the one to tell you. Greg didn't want to take that moment away from her, and neither did I."
Jessica sighed. "I know that you did the right thing. I'm glad you were able to help him. From what she said, it was perfect."
"I was more than happy to help. I wanted it to be special for Jo. She definitely deserves it."
"Yes, she does. That brings me to you, Bianca."
"Me?" Bianca's eyes grew wide as she choked on her coffee.
"Yes, you. Why do I have the feeling that you were in on this too?"
"That's because she was." Jo answered as she and Greg joined the group in the kitchen. The doctor hurried over to hug her mother. "Good morning, Mom!"
"Good morning, Sweetheart. Come here, Greg."
The professor smiled and hugged his future mother-in-law. "Good morning, Jessica."
"You take good care of my baby, got it?"
"Yes, ma'am. I will. You have my word on that." Greg promised solemnly.
"Good. I won't say welcome to the family because you already are family."
"Thank you. I feel the same way."
Jessica nodded. "Now, let me see that ring, Jo."
Jo happily obliged and held out her left hand.
"Oh my! He has excellent taste. Of course that is no surprise since he's marrying you."
"I can't take all of the credit for the ring. Bianca helped me. Without her, I wouldn't have found it."
"Oh, she did, did she?" Jessica raised an eyebrow and looked at the brunette in question.
Bianca rolled her eyes. "Yes, I did."
Marissa stepped in to defend her wife. "And it's because of me. But first, congratulations!" The redhead hugged Jo and then Greg. "I'm so happy for you, both of you. Like I told you before, Greg, take care of her, or you'll have me to deal with."
Jo grinned at her fiancée. "Trust me, honey. You don't want that. Thank you, Marissa, for everything."
"You're welcome. I love seeing so happy."
"I want to offer my congratulations too." Bianca said and hugged the happy couple.
"Thank you, and thank you for helping Greg. I love my ring. It's perfect."
"You're welcome. I was more than happy to help."
"Bianca does have excellent taste." Marissa smiled. When she heard Jessica clear her throat, the redhead chuckled. "Okay. Greg told me a little while ago that he wanted to propose but was having the hardest time finding the perfect ring for Jo. Bianca happened to be going to New York in a few days so I volunteered her services. As you can clearly see, their shopping adventure was a success."
"When did all of this happen?" Jo asked.
Bianca chuckled. "The other week."
"No! When everything was going on?"
"Yeah. We had finished shopping right before all hell broke loose. Actually, Greg and I were having lunch right after we found your ring when Sarah saw me."
"Whoa. I didn't know that." Greg said.
"Aunt Jo!" Miranda exclaimed as she entered the kitchen. She ran over to Jo and hugged her tight. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Miranda!"
The girl turned to Greg and hugged him as well. "Congratulations to you too, Greg!"
"Thanks, Miranda."
AJ and Gabby soon joined everyone and offered their congratulations as well.
While the table was being set, Marissa could hear the youngest family member waking up over the baby monitor. "Looks like Danny's awake and wants to join the party. I'll go get him." When she saw Bianca look at her, the redhead sighed. "Please don't. I'll be fine."
"Would you mind if I went with you? I know you can handle everything." Jo hurried to cut off any protest Marissa might have. "There's something I want to talk to you about, in private."
Marissa noted that Jo seemed a little nervous. "Okay. Let's go." The redhead turned off the baby monitor before she and Jo left. The last thing she wanted to do was to leave it on and have their private conversation overheard.
/
"There's my big boy!" Marissa smiled as she entered Danny's room. The boy was standing up in baby bed waiting for someone to come rescue him. When he saw he redheaded mother, he smiled brightly and started jabbering away.
Marissa laughed, picked him up and kissed him. "Good morning, Sparky."
Jo smiled as she watched her friend. Marissa had always been a natural with kids. Seeing her with her own however, it was easy to see that she absolutely adored them, and the feeling was mutual. "What can I do to help?"
"Could you grab me a diaper and the wipes? Somebody needs a change."
"Got it."
As Marissa changed Danny, she glanced at her friend. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Oh right. I know I just got engaged last night, and Greg and I haven't had a chance to discuss any wedding plans yet. There is one thing I'm positive I want and need though to make my wedding day complete. Would you be my matron of honor? I can't imagine you not being there with me now that we're back in each other's lives."
The friends had always planned on being in each other's weddings while they were growing up. That hadn't worked out when Marissa had gotten married because they had lost contact over the years. That was something they wouldn't let that happen again though.
Marissa grinned. "Yes, I will be your matron of honor! I'd love nothing more, and I'm honored to be part of your wedding."
"Thank you! At least I can say I have one thing, one of the most important things, done. I don't even know where to start with the wedding plans, and I know how people are."
"What do you mean?" Marissa asked.
"When people find out, they're going to start asking for details, and I don't have anything to tell them. I can feel myself starting to get a little stressed out. Do you have any advice?"
"Are you sure?"
Jo nodded. "Yes, please."
"Okay. Don't worry about other people and what they think. You should also know that you're not going to be able to stop them from giving you unsolicited advice or them sharing their wedding ideas with you. That's just not realistic. They won't be able to help themselves because, for the most part, they just want to help. They'll be happy for you and will just want to help make your day as special as possible. The first thing you need to do though is just enjoy being engaged. Like you said, it only happened last night so you've got plenty of time to plan. When it's time to start planning though, you'll know. Don't do anything until you and Greg are ready, and remember, this is all about the two of you and no one else. This time, right now, is for and about you and Greg. It doesn't matter what anyone else wants or expects. If someone starts giving you a hard time, just send them my way. I'll take care of them."
Jo laughed. "Well, I obviously picked the right woman to be my matron of honor. Thank you. I think you've given me some really good advice. I hope you don't mind me picking your brain for what's ahead, when I'm ready."
"Pick away. Whatever you need, I'm your woman. I only have one condition though."
"What's that?"
"If you turn into a bridezilla, I reserve the right to call you out on it and deal with you appropriately." Marissa grinned mischievously.
Jo faked shivered. "Oh, I know that look, so deal. Just thinking of what you could come up with is more than enough to keep me in line."
"I thought you might see it that way." Marissa laughed. "Okay. We better get moving. There are kids to get dressed and lots of work to be done before people start getting here."
"You're right." Jo helped Marissa pick Danny up before the two friends started to leave the boy's room. "Oh, I do have another question. Do you think Bianca would want to help with the planning? She obviously has great taste because she's married you."
"Obviously." Marissa flipped her hair back.
"Wow. That was a straight up Erica Kane move." Jo snorted.
Marissa laughed. "I'm just copying the original. It tends to rub off on you sometimes."
"Back to your lovely wife. Bianca helped Greg pick out the perfect ring. I mean, it's really beautiful, and I absolutely love it. So what do you think? Will she help?"
"Bianca will be more than happy to help you with whatever you need, and when you ask her to help, I think you'll make her day." Marissa grinned.
/
"Are serious?! Of course I'll help! I would love to."
Jo hugged Bianca. "Thank you! I really appreciate you doing this for me."
"You're welcome, and trust me, it's my pleasure. I have to tell you I'm really looking forward to it. Whenever you're ready, just let me know." Bianca smiled brightly.
"Told ya." Marissa smirked as she walked past the pair.
"You're right, you did."
Bianca was confused by the exchange. "What did I miss?"
"After I asked Marissa to be my matron of honor, I asked if she thought you would be willing to help me. She told me that you would be happy to and that she thought my asking would make your day."
The brunette chuckled. "She's right. Let's just hope she doesn't get too cocky about it."
"Yeah, we don't want her to get a big head." Jo laughed before she turned slightly serious. "Um, I'm not quite sure when I'll want to start."
"Don't worry. I'll be ready whenever you are. Just enjoy this time."
Jo smiled. It really was no surprise that Bianca and Marissa were on the same page, and this just affirmed her decision to ask the brunette for help.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Binx! Happy Thanksgiving, Jo!"
"Happy Thanksgiving, Kendall!"
"Whoa!" Kendall paused when she saw the ring on Jo's finger. "That is one heck of a rock. That is what I think it is, isn't it?"
Jo nodded happily. "Yes, it is. Greg and I are engaged!"
"That's great! Congratulations!" Kendall hugged Jo. "When did this happen?"
"Greg proposed last night, and your sister and sister-in-law knew what he planned."
Kendall eyed her sister. "You knew and didn't say anything? I'm impressed, Binx. Of course she's always been pretty good at keeping secrets, Jo. And with Red being a lawyer, she could pretty much teach a class on that. Hey, Greenlee, come over here. Jo has some news."
Greenlee, Ryan, and Emma had just arrived and were greeted at the front door by Marissa. The two women exchanged a brief word before Marissa nodded. Greenlee then headed over to the other three women.
"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! So, what's up? Wow! I'm guessing that ring is the news Kendall was talking about?"
"It is. Greg and I are engaged!"
"Congratulations! Greg is a smart and lucky man."
"Thanks!"
"So, details?"
"You can talk while you work. We've got lots to do." Jessica said and started to usher the group into the kitchen. "And, Greenlee, I couldn't agree with you more. He is lucky and smart."
Jo blushed and hugged Jessica. "Thanks, Mom."
/
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Erica said as she made her grand entrance in true diva style.
Bianca and Kendall looked at each other and chuckled. No matter how old their mother got, they knew that some things would never change.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Mom!" The two younger Kane women greeted their mother.
"What have I missed?" Erica's knowing eyes immediately found Jo.
Jessica greeted her friend. "Greg asked Jo to marry him last night."
"He did? I knew he was smart. Judging by that stunning ring and the smile on your face, I'm guessing you said yes, Jo. Congratulations!"
"I did, and thank you." As Jo hugged Erica, she whispered to her. "Marissa told me she dropped your name to help with things last night. Thank you."
"You're welcome. It seems Greg has very good taste, not just in proposing to you but also in jewelry."
"He had some expert help in picking it out. Bianca helped him when she was in New York."
Erica glanced proudly over at her youngest daughter. "Well, she does have excellent taste."
"I learned from the best, Mom." Bianca grinned and received a nod from Erica in acknowledgement of the compliment.
"Look who I found." Marissa said as she joined the others in the kitchen. The redhead was followed by Maura and Rafaela who were both carrying large containers filled with unknown items.
"Happy Thanksgiving!"
"It looks like you all have been busy. That turkey smells wonderful." Maura observed.
"Thank you. What do you have there? Rissa and I told you that you didn't need to bring anything."
"Since you were kind enough to invite us, we didn't feel right not bringing something. Now, I wasn't sure what to bring since this is my first real Thanksgiving." Rafaela said.
"Really? You've been in the States for a few years." Greenlee noted.
"I have, but I always went out for Thanksgiving dinner since it is more of an American holiday. I have never spent it with those I consider family and close friends. When Bianca and Marissa invited us, I was truly touched and honored."
"I appreciate the invitation as well. With my family living out of town and me usually being on call, I really haven't had the chance to celebrate myself either."
"Bianca and I are very happy to have both of you here."
"Thank you. Now, I wasn't sure what to bring. Maura suggested I make something from Brazil."
"Unlike my girlfriend, I'm a horrible cook. So, you'll be happy to know that I only supervised and taste tested. Someone had to do a quality check."
"Way to take one for the team, Doc." Kendall cracked.
"So, what did you bring?"
"I have two things that I hope everyone will like. When I suggested them to Maura, she thought they would fit in with the menu." Rafaela held out the container she was holding. "This is Pão de queijo or Brazilian Cheese Bread. Maura said that rolls are a pretty common menu item for Thanksgiving so I thought this would work."
"They smell great. I can't wait to have one. Do we just need to keep them warm?" Jo asked as she took the container from Rafaela.
"Yes. Now, Maura has my personal favorite."
"It's mine too. That's why I had her make extra."
Rafaela chuckled. "Which I happily agreed to do for her. We've got a smaller container of these at home. This is Brigadeiros. It's like a chocolate bonbon and is very popular."
Bianca's eyes grew wide as she saw the chocolatey delicacy. "Could I try one now?"
"I made quite a few of them as you can see so I don't see why not."
"Go on, B. It's our house so you're allowed." Marissa grinned knowing her wife was dying to taste them.
Bianca took a bit and moaned. "Oh my god. This is incredible. Rissa, you have to try this." The brunette held the treat out for her wife to sample.
Marissa took a bite. "Wow. This is great."
"Okay, you have to share." Kendall said. Everyone sampled the treats and raved over them.
Maura laughed when she saw the relieved expression on her girlfriend's face. "I told you they'd like them."
Rafaela sighed happily. "Yes, you did."
"We better put these up before we eat them all." Jessica said.
Kendall nodded. "Yeah, and we don't want the kids to know about this either. We'll never hear the end of it from them."
Maura glanced out the window and saw the kids, Zach, Ryan, Greg, and Jack in the backyard playing tag football. "Good thing I have my medical bag."
Jo laughed. "Yeah, I think the kids will be fine, but it may come in handy for the guys."
Bianca took the container and put it in a safe place for later. "I have a feeling Carol is going to want that recipe."
"I will be more than happy to share it with her or anyone else that wants it. So, what can we do to help?"
With the others distracted, Marissa caught Greenlee's attention and nodded towards the kitchen door before she exited the room. Greenlee nodded and pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Ryan. She could see him pull out his phone and read her text. He glanced towards the house and said something to Zach who nodded. Ryan then jogged around the side of the house as Greenlee followed Marissa down the hall to couple's office.
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A/N: Yeah, I felt the need for a cliffhanger. See you soon!