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!
/
"Before you do, I have to give you some background information which you will want to pass on to the Laverys before we go any further."
Marissa sat back and braced herself. "I understand. Go ahead."
As Jackie talked, Marissa listened and took notes. By the time the social worker finished, Marissa had five pages filled with notes and questions.
"Unfortunately, that's everything I know and can say at this time. I'm afraid I can't give you the full names of the biological parents or any further details. Confidentially applies here."
"Yes, I know." The redhead thought for a moment. She knew Jackie well enough to know that she wouldn't have given her the information she already had if there wasn't a loophole. "Could you give me a city? You also said you couldn't give me their full names. Could I have their first names?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Jackie knew Marissa would be smart enough to ask those two questions. "Llanview, and Alicia and Travis. I can't say anything more than that so please don't ask."
Marissa could work with that. She knew people in Llanview, ones that would be more than willing to help her find answers to the questions she had. "I won't. Could you send me photo of the baby?"
"That, I can definitely do."
"When do you need an answer?"
"Given how late it is, tomorrow afternoon. Since we are dealing with an infant, there is obviously a long list of potential parents."
"I understand. I'll talk to Greenlee and Ryan tonight, and we'll call you tomorrow. Thanks, Jackie."
"You're welcome. I'll wait for your call. My fingers are crossed."
"Mine too."
When the call was disconnected, Marissa scrolled through her contacts and found the one she needed. The redhead didn't want to disturb their Christmas but knew they would understand once Marissa explained the situation to them.
/
Bianca looked around for her wife but couldn't find her. It had been a little while since she had seen Marissa rush inside the house with her cellphone pressed up against her ear. That told the brunette the call had to have been important for her wife to leave the festivities. Bianca hoped everything was okay, and that whatever pulled Marissa away wasn't too serious.
"Truce! Truce!" Tad called out.
"Put your hands up, Martin!" Kendall yelled back.
"What? Don't you trust me?"
Almost everyone, adults as well as kids, shouted. "No!"
"Fair enough." Tad dropped the snowball he had made and stood up. With his arms up, he walked into a clearing.
Heads started popping up from various hiding spots, and soon, everyone gathered in the middle of the backyard.
"That was awesome!" AJ exclaimed.
No one could contradict him because they had all had fun. They all laughed as they dusted themselves off.
"How about we go inside and warm up?" Bianca suggested.
They all nodded and headed inside.
Kendall and Greenlee pulled Bianca aside.
"Where's Red?"
"She went inside a little while ago. It looked like she had a call."
"Do you know what it's about?" Greenlee asked.
"No clue. She was behind the grill, and I was behind a tree so I couldn't ask. Hopefully, it's nothing serious."
/
"Marissa, Merry Christmas!" Vikki Buchanan warmly greeted the redhead when she picked up the phone.
"Merry Christmas, Vikki! I hope you're having a wonderful day."
"I am, and you? How are Bianca and the children? Were they excited?"
"They are great and so am I. The kids were beyond excited and were up really early this morning. Thank you for the gifts you sent them. You didn't need to do that."
"I know that, but I wanted to. Did they like them?"
"They love them. Although I have to be honest, I think Danny liked the wrapping paper and bow more. The same can be said for all of his presents though so don't feel bad."
Vikki laughed. "Oh, I remember those days, and I more than understand. That will change however."
"I know. Thank you for your gift to the Miranda Center. It helped make the holidays a little brighter for quite a few people. How are Clint and the kids and grandkids?"
"You're welcome. Bianca does such tremendous work there, and I wanted to do something to help. The children and grandchildren are wonderful and excited, and I'm not just talking about Clint and Bo."
Marissa chuckled. "The two of them are big kids. How is Nora?"
"Yes, they most certainly are. Nora is very well. Bianca?"
"Good, now that she's home."
"Don't tell me she was travelling in this weather!"
"Unfortunately, she was. She had to go to the Center's New York branch for a last minute emergency. On the way home, she got as far as Philadelphia before they started cancelling flights. She was lucky enough to rent a car, and she drove home. Most of yesterday was spent on the road, and she got home about two o'clock this morning."
"Oh my, she must be exhausted."
"She seems to be doing okay. I think she got a second wind because she's currently in Pine Valley's largest snowball fight right now."
"Please tell me that Erica is taking part in that."
Marissa laughed. "No, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but she's not."
"That's a shame. I was getting ready to dispatch one of the Banner's photographers to cover that. Now, as much as I have enjoyed catching up with you, I know there must be another reason for this call."
"I've got to tell Bianca and Kendall about the photographer. They'll love that. You're right. There is another reason to for this call, and I wouldn't be calling you if it wasn't important. I'm representing some clients who are hoping to adopt. I was just informed that a baby is available. I was also told there were some circumstances surrounding the baby's conception that were troubling for another couple who was in line to adopt. I have an idea of what that might be, but the social worker obviously couldn't give me any more details. I have a little information, and that is leading me to call you. The baby, the biological parents, and the former prospective adoptive parents were all from Llanview."
"I see. Do you have any names?"
"I have first names for the biological parents. The mother is Alicia, and the father is Travis. I feel I need to get some more details for my clients before they make the commitment to adopt. I owe them that. I'm calling you with the hope that you can help fill in the blanks. I'm just doing my due diligence."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you. What else can you tell me?"
Marissa repeated everything that Jackie had told her while Vikki listened without interruption.
"That's everything I know right now."
Vikki paused. She definitely had an idea of who the parties involved were. "These clients, are they available to talk tonight?"
"They are. I haven't told them about the baby yet. I wanted to talk with you first. I can get them anytime though."
"I know them, don't I?"
"Yes, you do."
"It's Greenlee and Ryan?"
"Yes, it is."
"Very well. I need to gather some facts, and I would very much like Nora to take part in this discussion. Would you all be available to talk in say two hours?"
"I can arrange that."
"Good. I will call you back then. Oh, Marissa, it would be a good idea if Bianca was present."
Vikki's suggestion gave Marissa pause. "As long as it's okay with Greenlee and Ryan, which I'm sure it will be, and Bianca is okay with it as well, I'll make sure she's there. Thank you, Vikki."
"You're welcome, Marissa. I'll talk to you shortly."
/
Her timing was perfect. Marissa entered the family room at the same time as everyone else. They were all laughing and slightly out of breath.
"That was so much fun." Rafaela said with a bright smile.
Maura chuckled at her girlfriend's excitement. You would never know she was a supermodel with how she was bundled up. "It really was."
Rafaela checked the time. "Unfortunately, we need to go. You have a call with your family shortly."
"Oh, you're right. Bianca, Marissa, thank you so much for inviting us. I wish we could stay a little longer, but Rafaela is right. We're doing a Skype session with my family in a little bit."
"We understand, and we're glad you could come and that you had a good time." Bianca said as she hugged the couple before Marissa did as well.
"Don't forget your things." Marissa and Bianca had gotten each of their guests a small gift to show them how much they meant to them.
"We should go too. That snowball fight really took in out of Jamie." Brian chuckled softly as he saw his son's eyes start to close as Stef rocked him back and forth.
Others began to realize the time and started to pack up their things to leave. Before Greenlee or Kendall could move however, Marissa asked them to stay. She also did the same with Jack as well as Jo. The redhead had a feeling their support might be needed.
/
"What's up, Marissa? Where did you disappear to earlier?" Kendall asked after the other guests had left and the kids were down in the playroom watching one of the new movies Gabby had received as a gift.
"I'll answer that in a few minutes, but first, Greenlee, Ryan, could I talk to the two of you for a minute?"
The husband and wife looked at each other and nodded before Greenlee answered. "Sure."
"Let's go back to the office."
The trio left the room with the others wondering what was going on.
/
Once they were seated, Marissa got right to the point. There was no way that she would drag this news out. "While we were outside, I had a call from a social worker."
Ryan's eyes grew wide. "You mean …"
Marissa nodded. "There is a child available for adoption."
"Oh my god! Marissa, that's amazing! A boy or girl?" Greenlee found it hard to continue.
"A girl." Marissa smiled softly before she turned serious again. "Now before we go any further, we need to talk about a few things. Please don't get me wrong on this, this is wonderful news, but there are some questions that need to be answered. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't do my due diligence."
Greenlee took a breath and gripped Ryan's hand tighter. "Go on."
"Jackie, the social worker, couldn't go into certain details because of confidentially. We know each other though, and so, she told me enough to let know me that I should do some digging. Because of the circumstances surrounding the conception which are unknown to me, the mother had contemplated having an abortion. She was unable to go through with it. She had hoped to keep the baby and raise it with her family's help, but it was too difficult for her and them. As for the father, he denies paternity and has had no contact with the child, and his family wants nothing to do with her as well."
"Why?" Ryan asked.
"Good question. In part, it could be answered by the fact that her mother is black, and her father is white."
"Mixed race?" Greenlee's first thought had been about the possibility of having another daughter. Race never entered her mind. She looked at Ryan. "We hadn't really discussed that. It doesn't matter to me. Does it to you?"
Ryan shook his head and smiled. Another little girl sounded just perfect to him. "No, it doesn't. I wouldn't care if she was purple."
Greenlee laughed. "Me either. What else is there? I have a feeling there's more. Where is she from?"
"Llanview. I think there's more too. So, I called Vikki Buchanan to see if she may know anything."
"Did she?"
"I think so. Vikki said she wanted to gather a few facts and also talk to Nora."
"Her sister-in-law? The district attorney?" Greenlee asked.
"Yes. Vikki is going to call back shortly, and let us know what she knows. She also suggested that Bianca be present when she talks to us. Are you okay with that?" Without actually saying it, Vikki's suggestion pretty much confirmed Marissa's suspicions. Because Vikki and Bianca were close, the older woman was aware of what had happened in Bianca's past as well as the circumstances as to how Miranda was conceived.
The suggestion also alerted Greenlee and Ryan, and they knew all too well what it might mean. They glanced at each other and shared a nod.
"We're okay with it, as long as Bianca is. Could you ask …"
Marissa knew where Greenlee was going before she ever finished the thought. "Ask Kendall to come back as well?"
Greenlee nodded. She was grateful that Marissa seemed to be covering all of the bases for them. Greenlee knew she could use her best friend's support. "Yes, please."
"I'll send Bianca a text and ask them both to come back. It will avoid a few questions from the others for the time being." Marissa typed out a quick text to her wife and then set her phone down. "What questions do you have for me? I'm sure you have a few."
Greenlee realized she hadn't asked some of the most important questions she had. "You said a girl. Is she healthy? How old is she? Does she have a name? Do you have a picture?"
"She is a healthy six month old. She doesn't have a permanent name yet. They've been calling her Janie for now."
"As in Jane Doe?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, and I do have a picture." Marissa found the text that Jackie sent her that had a picture of the baby, and then, she handed her phone over to Greenlee.
"She's beautiful, absolutely beautiful." Greenlee was well on her way to loving the infant, and Ryan was not far behind her.
/
Bianca felt her cellphone vibrate and saw she had a text. After she read what her wife had sent, she stood and looked at her sister. "Kendall, could I talk to you a minute?"
Kendall knew what her sister was really asking. "Sure. Let's go into the other room." She turned to Zach. "We'll be back."
Zach nodded. "I think I might go check on the kids. They're pretty quiet down there."
"That is probably a good idea. I do start to wonder when they get too quiet." Kendall smirked.
Before the others could question Bianca about her mysterious text, the sisters were headed down the hallway.
"What do you think is going on, Jack?" Erica asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, Marissa is on it. I trust her."
/
Bianca knocked on the office door and waited until she heard Marissa tell them to come in before she opened the door. "Hey. What's going on?"
Marissa motioned for Bianca to have a seat next to her which she did while Kendall took the seat next to Greenlee.
Kendall could tell her friend was a bundle of emotions at that moment. "Are you okay?"
Greenlee nodded. "I think so. They have a baby, a little girl, who's available for adoption."
"Really?! That's amazing! Congratulations! Wait. There's something going on, isn't there?"
Marissa nodded. "Yes. While we're waiting for Vikki Buchanan to call back, I'll catch you up."
Bianca raised an eyebrow. "Vikki?"
The redhead nodded again. "There's a Llanview connection." She then brought Bianca and Kendall up to speed before she continued from where she left off with Greenlee and Ryan. "Her mother tried her best to keep her, but she just didn't feel that connection and neither did her family. She did, however, make sure that she was well cared for. When she made the decision to give her up while she was still in the hospital, she contacted social services immediately. Jackie then began to see where could place the baby. Obviously, she checked with the father's family first. She was told in no uncertain terms that they didn't want the baby. From what Jackie told me, they don't believe there is any way that their son is the father. They made several comments about her parentage. Specifically, the fact that the mother was African-American and a lower-class than them. According to them, their son would never be with someone who was both of those."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Kendall was furious.
Greenlee was simmering with rage while Ryan sat in disbelief.
Bianca, while upset, wasn't surprised. Through her work with the Miranda Center, she had, unfortunately, seen and heard things like this before. Marissa had as well, and it had always infuriated her.
"I'm afraid I'm not."
"So, why did you call Vikki?" Bianca asked.
"There's obviously a lot that we don't know, and I believe Greenlee and Ryan need to know whatever it is so they can make a fully informed decision."
"And we're here for moral support." Kendall said.
"Yes, and Vikki suggested that Bianca be here when she called back."
Bianca glanced at her wife. "She did?"
"Are you okay with that?"
"Ryan and I understand if you're not."
After a beat, Bianca nodded. She would be there for Greenlee and Ryan. "I am."
Before anyone could say anything else, the phone rang. Marissa recognized the number and answered it. "Hi, Vikki. I'm going to put you on speaker. We've got Greenlee, Ryan, Kendall, Bianca, and myself here."
/
A/N: Any suggestions for a baby girl's name? I'm aware of where I'm leading you, and that I've left some pretty big hints. There's more than meets the eye however. See you soon!