A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Marissa!"
The redhead turned around to see who was calling her name as she left the restaurant with her family. She smiled and waved when she saw Cory making her way over to them. "Hey, Cory! It's so good to see you again."
Cory hugged her friend. "It's good to see you too. Hi, Bianca. AJ, Miranda, and Gabby, I've missed you guys. Gabby, I'm going to need your help with some new material for my students. Can I count on you?"
"Yep! You sure can!" Gabby said happily as she high-fived the teacher. The girl really liked sharing her jokes with others and thought it was pretty cool that Cory told them to her students.
"Excellent. Oh my gosh! Danny, you are getting so big!"
"Hi, Chris. It's good to see you again. And you must be Matt. Your Mom has told me a lot about you."
"Hi. It's nice to see you again too. Hi, Bianca." Chris looked down at his son who had ducked behind his legs to partially hide. "You are correct, Marissa. This shy guy is Matt. Can you say 'hi' to Mommy and Daddy's friends, bud?"
The five year old boy had blonde, curly hair and clear blue eyes, just like his father. He peaked out from behind Chris's legs and gave a small wave. "Hi."
"I'm sorry I missed you earlier. Mom had me on a run to the grocery store. We're doing chili at tomorrow night's bonfire."
"I love your Mom's chili." Marissa could see the other members of her family were slightly confused. "On Saturday night, those hosting bonfires serve food as part of the contest."
"Oh, so we won't have to worry about where we're going for dinner tomorrow night. I like that."
Cory grinned. "I know something that's going to have you like it even more, Bianca. Mom's changing it up a little this year. In addition to the chili, she's going to have chili cheese fries, and they will be fresh, homemade fries."
Bianca's eyes lit up. "I really like your Mom!"
Marissa chuckled at her wife's reaction. "Well, I guess that's settled then, huh?"
"So, what are you all doing now?" Chris asked.
"We're going to check out some of the different shops and booths before the tree lighting."
"Mind if we tag along?" Cory asked her friend.
Marissa shook her head. "Not at all. The more, the merrier. Jessica, Caleb, Jo, and Greg are around here somewhere."
"And Kendall, Greenlee, and their crews should be here soon." Bianca added.
"What about your Mom, Bianca? Krystal's still coming too, right, Marissa?"
"Mom and Uncle Jack will be here tomorrow morning, and Krystal will be here early tomorrow afternoon."
"Cory, will your Mom and Dad be at the tree lighting? They don't have to work through it, do they?" Miranda asked.
"Don't worry about them. They will definitely be here. Everyone takes a break for that. Chris's folks will be here too."
"I can't remember the last time I saw your parents, Chris. How are they?" Marissa asked.
"They're doing pretty good. They really like spoiling this guy." Chris tickled his son, and the boy laughed.
"Up, Daddy!"
Chris bent down and lifted Matt onto his shoulders.
"Bianca, Mom told me she told you about Ginny Williams. I am so sorry. You have to know that if we knew someone, especially her, was eavesdropping that we would have stopped talking immediately."
"Cory, I'll tell you what I told your mom. It's okay. I understand and don't blame either of you. I called my Mom and told her what happened. She doesn't blame you either. These things happen. Mom wanted me to tell both of you not to worry about it. She also wanted to thank both of you for telling her what happened so she can prepare herself. It's all good. Trust me."
The teacher breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you. If Erica needs our help with anything, just let us know. Okay?"
"I will. Now, I owe you a big thank you for helping set all of this up."
"Was Marissa surprised?"
"Definitely! You should have seen her when I told her. She just lit up."
"Really? I'm glad to hear that. From what you told me about what happened at the courthouse, it sounds like she could use something fun. I think you all could."
"I couldn't agree more." Bianca turned when she heard Miranda call out to her. "I better go see what she wants."
"No problem. I understand, trust me."
No sooner had Bianca walked away than Cory heard her own name being called.
"Cory! Finally! I've been here for hours, and I'm just now seeing you. I didn't think that was possible here in Devon." Jo smirked as she hugged her friend.
"Hey, Jo! I know what you mean. Mom's had me running errands all day for her though. You … Wait a minute! Is that what I think it is?! Greg popped the question?!"
Jo nodded happily. "He did! We're engaged!"
Cory hugged her friend again, and the two did a happy dance. "Yes! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! He's a smart and lucky man. When did this happen? You know I'm going to need details."
"Thanks! It happened on Thanksgiving. I was going to call you the next day and tell you, but then, we started talking about coming here. I realized that I wanted to tell you in person."
"Hmmm, I want to be mad for not knowing right away, but I can't. Finding it out in person is better." Cory conceded.
"Good! Now, this is something I definitely needed to do in person. I have a question for you. I don't have hardly any wedding plans set yet. No date, place, anything like that. The only thing I do have is my matron of honor."
Cory nodded. "Marissa."
"Yeah, she helped Greg with his proposal. Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it later. So, I don't know much of what I want to do for the wedding yet, but there is one other thing that I know I do want though without a doubt. Would you be my bridesmaid? Next to Marissa, there's no one else I can think of that I want in my wedding besides you."
"Are you kidding?! Of course I will! I would be honored to be a part of your special day. You just tell me when, where, and what you need, and I'll be there. You know that Marissa and I will have you covered."
"Thank you, and I do know that. Greg and I are going to start planning after the holidays."
"I think that's a great idea. There's no reason to stress yourselves out right now. Enjoy the holidays. There's no hurry."
Jo chuckled. "That's what Mom, Marissa, and Bianca said."
"Those are three very smart women." Cory smiled. "Is Bianca going to help?"
"Yes, she is. I asked Marissa if she thought Bianca would want to, and she just laughed and said of course she would. Bianca has such good taste."
"Of course she does! She married me after all!" Marissa gave her friends a cheeky grin as she joined them.
"Oh please." Jo playfully shoved the redhead away.
Cory rolled her eyes. "Give me a break."
Marissa laughed. "I'm just telling you what she would say."
"Yeah, you're right. Bianca would say that. I don't even have to guess that you would say the same thing about her." Jo smirked.
"Very true. Hey, let's take a picture of the three of us. We need a new one." Marissa pulled out her cellphone.
"Definitely!"
With Cory on one side of Marissa and Jo on the other, the three women smiled brightly and snapped the selfie. They reviewed it, and all agreed they liked it. Marissa quickly sent it to the other two before they caught up with their families.
/
The group wandered around the town square and checked out the various vendors and shops along the way. They ducked inside from time to time to make sure the kids, especially Danny, were warm.
Bianca finally saw her sister. She had received a text once their group had checked into Miller's so she had been keeping an eye out for them. "There they are. Kendall! Greenlee!"
"Hey, Binx! Red! Wow, this place is something else. They really go all out here for Christmas."
Marissa laughed. "Yeah, they really do, but it's not just Christmas. They celebrate Hanukkah as well as Kwanzaa."
"Don't forget Festivus." Cory added with a grin. "We make sure we have something for the rest of us!"
The redhead rolled her eyes. "You were just waiting for that, weren't you?"
"Why yes, yes, I was!" Cory answered proudly.
Greenlee laughed. "It's official, Marissa. I really love your hometown."
"Yeah, we pretty much have something for everyone here, or try to at least."
"Mayor Henry just loves 'the airing of grievances'." Cory grinned.
"As for myself, I'm looking forward to 'the feats of strength'." Chris added as he attempted to flex his muscles while wearing his winter coat and having his son on his shoulders.
Cory shook her head and patted him on the arm. "Don't hurt yourself, honey."
"I'm sure that's exactly the word Mayor Fitz would use." Marissa smirked.
"Wait. I'm confused. Is it Mayor Henry or Mayor Fitz?" Greenlee asked.
"It's both, but technically, it's Mayor Fitzwilliam Henry." Jo clarified.
"Fitzwilliam?" Kendall raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, his mom's a big 'Pride and Prejudice' fan. Cory explained.
Kendall nodded in understanding. "Ah, Fitzwilliam Darcy."
"Yes. I felt a little sorry for him growing up. That's a big name for a kid. Everyone just called him Fitz. He's a couple of years older than us and was elected mayor just over a year ago. In fact, he was sworn in right before the reunion."
Bianca remembered him and was able to place him now. "He was there at the reunion, right?"
The redhead nodded. "Yes, he was."
"That's when he was dubbed 'Mayor Fitz', courtesy of your lovely wife." Jo chuckled.
"And it stuck." Cory added with a grin.
"It just fit." Marissa shrugged. "You made quite the impression on him because of the pie incident, B."
"Oh, that." Bianca grinned.
"Yeah, that." Marissa chuckled.
"I think you had the lasting impression though because he was definitely checking you out."
"Fitz always did have a crush on you, Marissa, even though he was older." Jo added.
"That was when we were younger. I'm sure that's no longer the case." Marissa protested.
Cory shook her head. "I think I'm going to go with Bianca on this one. He was definitely checking you out."
"See. I told you. I honestly thought I was going to have to have a talk with him to straighten him out."
Marissa couldn't help but smile at the tone in her wife's voice. There was definitely a hint of jealousy to it, and she had to admit she liked it. "I always saw Fitz as kind of an older brother, and was never interested in him romantically. Besides, you know that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You know damn well that you are the only one that I see. Everyone else pales in comparison." Marissa gave her wife a quick kiss. When they separated, Bianca gave her wife the goofy grin the redhead adored.
Jo chuckled as she watched the couple. "Greg and I aren't like them, are we?"
"Uh, I hate to break it to you, but yeah, you are." Kendall laughed.
The doctor sighed. "Oh well. I think Fitz finally realized he didn't have a chance when he saw the two of you together at the reunion."
"Speak of the devil. Fitz is headed this way." Cory nodded in the direction of a tall, blonde man walking towards their group.
/
"How much do you want to bet that he's going to bring up Erica?" Marissa asked the group.
"Oh, there's not a chance I'm taking that bet. Look, I like Fitz and all, but he's still a politician. Having someone as famous as Erica here is too much of a temptation, too big of an opportunity for him to pass up on." Cory said.
The others nodded in agreement. If word got out that someone as big as Erica Kane was attending the town's celebration, it would be a public relations dream come true, and it would boost attendance which would bring in more money for Devon which would help with the mayor's popularity. It made sense from both a political and business standpoint, but to them, neither of those positions outweighed the personal aspect.
"Marissa! Hello! It's good to see you again. How are you doing?" Fitz went straight to the redhead with his hand outstretched because she was the connection to both the town and the celebrity.
"Fitz, it's good to see you too. I'm doing pretty good. And you?" Marissa shook the man's hand.
"That's good to hear. I'm doing great! As you can tell, Devon is hopping."
"Yes, it definitely is. You remember my wife Bianca."
"I do. I mean, how could I possibly forget her?" Fitz extended his hand to the brunette. "Bianca, I hope you're doing well."
Bianca shook the man's hand. "Hello, Fitz. I'm doing very well, thank you."
"Hi, Jo. Mrs. Shelton. It's good to see both of you again. It's been a while."
"Hello, Fitz. Yes, it has. How is your mother?" Jessica asked.
"She's doing well and will be here for the tree lighting."
Introductions were then made between the mayor and the rest of the group. Most noticed that the mayor's ears perked up when Kendall was introduced and the connection to Bianca and subsequently to Erica was established. When those were complete, Fitz spoke to Marissa.
"Could we talk for a minute, in private?"
Marissa sighed internally. She had a pretty good idea of what the conversation would be about and really wasn't looking forward to it. The sooner it took place however, the sooner it was over and the group could get on with their evening. She quickly glanced at Bianca who nodded in understanding.
"Sure. Where?"
"Let's just go over here."
Marissa turned back to her wife. "I won't be long. We can check out some of the ice sculptures when I get back. I know the kids are anxious to look at them." The last part was said to give notice to Fitz that whatever he wanted or needed to say needed to be said quickly.
Fitz got the point and directed the redhead to an empty spot a few feet away.
/
While Bianca kept an eye on her wife's conversation, Greenlee noticed that someone else was eyeing their group, particularly Bianca.
"Jo."
"What's up, Greenlee?"
"Who's that woman over there who looks like she wants to hurt Bianca, and why is she looking like that?"
The doctor directed her gaze to where Greenlee indicated and groaned. She quickly nudged Cory.
"What?"
Jo nodded to where she had been looking. "Guess who's here and is looking like they want to start some trouble."
"Dammit. I was really hoping we could avoid her."
"Again, I ask who is she? Also, what kind of trouble are we talking about exactly?"
"That is Shelly Griffin."