A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it, and they really mean a lot to me. I'm going to offer a warning with this chapter. If you know anything about the character of Bianca, then you are aware of the traumatic event that happened to her when she was younger and one of the main purposes for the Miranda Center. This and the next chapter will focus on those events. While Bianca has healed, it doesn't take much for those wounds to be re-opened. This warning is here to prevent any possible triggers for anyone reading this. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

Miranda was beyond relieved when she saw that her redheaded mother was home. If anyone could help her Mom, it was her Ma. Of this, Miranda had no doubt.

Marissa signaled for Miranda to follow her out of the kitchen. When they were in the family room and out of earshot of the others, she looked at her daughter. Miranda and Bianca had a bond like none Marissa had ever seen before. They were in tune with each other, and if Miranda thought something was wrong with her Mom, the odds were good that she was right. "Okay. Take a breath and then tell me what's going on."

The girl did as instructed, and it did make her feel a little better, a little calmer. "I went to see if Mom wanted any of the cookies Jessica had just made. When I went to knock on the bedroom door, I could hear her on the other side. It sounded like she was crying and like she was having one of those nightmares that she's had before. I heard her saying 'no' and 'stop'. I got scared for her and went to get help. Luckily, you're home."

Dammit. I was afraid something like this might happen. "Okay. Why don't you go back in the kitchen, and I'll go check on your Mom." Marissa wanted to rush back to their bedroom, take Bianca in her arms, and give her all the comfort she could, but she knew she couldn't do that just quite yet. She needed to take some time to comfort and assure Miranda.

"Will she be okay?" Miranda wanted to ask what exactly happened to her Mom to cause these nightmares, but she didn't. She had asked once before, a long time ago and before Marissa had come into their lives. The answer she received from her Mom however was vague and didn't offer any real insight. Her Mom had simply told her that someone had hurt her a long time ago, and every once in a while those memories would come to the surface in the form of nightmares. After Marissa came into their lives and became a part of their family, Miranda noticed that her Mom didn't have those nightmares nearly as often as she once did, and when she did, her Ma was able to help her Mom in a way that no one else could.

"Yes, she will be. Your Mom is stronger than she looks. Sometimes though, we all need a little help, and right now, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to take care of her, and make sure she is okay. I promise." Marissa hugged Miranda tightly.

"Okay." Miranda whispered. She had every faith that her redheaded mother would do exactly what she said. "I'm really glad you're home, Ma."

"Me too, Mimo." Marissa gave Miranda a reassuring smile as her daughter headed back to the kitchen. The redhead took a deep breath and released it before she padded down the hallway to the master bedroom.

/

As Marissa approached the couple's bedroom, she couldn't help but smile at what greeted her. Max was standing guard outside the room. With the door closed, he wasn't able to go inside, but that didn't stop him from doing his utmost to protect a member of his family. Having sensed Bianca's distress earlier, the loyal dog positioned himself outside the room once Bianca had gone inside and closed the door. When Miranda had stopped by earlier, he watched and waited to see what would happen. While the girl left, he decided to stay where he was. He could hear Bianca crying as well and had determined that he would stay behind and be at the ready should she need him. When he caught sight of Marissa, he stood and wagged his tail.

Marissa patted him and scratched behind his ear. "Hey, Max. You keeping an eye on my girl for me, boy? I appreciate that. You're doing a good job. Why don't you take a break and go get a snack? I got it from here. If I need you though, I'll call for you, okay?"

Max seemed to understand what Marissa was saying to him and barked in reply before he headed towards the kitchen. He knew Bianca was in good hands.

/

Marissa opened the door, and once inside the room, she quickly shut the door behind her. The last thing that either she or Bianca wanted would be for the kids to hear the conversation they would be having once Bianca was awake. Marissa saw her wife was clearly under duress. She was tossing and turning in bed and sobbing as she called for help. Marissa hurried over to their bed and then slowed her movements as she sat next to Bianca and gently touched her shoulder. "Bianca. Bianca. Sweetheart, wake up. I need you to wake up. It's Marissa. You're home, and you're safe. Please wake up for me."

Bianca startled herself awake and glanced around the room quickly. Panic shone in her eyes until they found hazel ones filled with love and concern gazing at her.

"Hey. It's okay. It's just me. You're safe."

"Ris … Rissa?"

"Yeah, it's me."

Bianca took a shuddering breath as she took in her surroundings.

"Is it okay if I hold?" Marissa wasn't going to do anything Bianca wasn't comfortable with, especially in her current condition, so she made sure to ask first.

"Rissa?"

"Yes, B. I'm right here. I love you. You're safe. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to let anyone hurt ever again. I promise."

Bianca nodded and fell into Marissa's arms. She clung to her wife as she wept openly. Bianca hadn't had a nightmare. A nightmare is a bad dream. No, she had experienced a flashback. It had been so vivid, like she was experiencing the horrific incident again, and it had shaken her to the core. Bianca felt weak, small, defenseless, like she had no control, and she hated feeling that way. Seeing Marissa however helped ground her in the present and let her know that she was safe and loved. Bianca's breathing and pulse began to slow down as did her tears. Through it all, Marissa held her tightly, and told her that she loved her and that she was safe. Bianca could feel the truth behind her wife's words, feel her love.

After some time, Bianca looked up at Marissa. "I'm sorry."

"What do you have to be sorry for?" Marissa asked as she reached for some tissues and began to wipe Bianca's tears.

"For breaking down. Not being able to handle today."

"Hey. Listen to me. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for or ashamed of. You are not to blame. Okay?"

Bianca took a breath and finally nodded. She knew Marissa was right, and that she just needed to hear it from someone. "Okay."

"Are you ready to tell me about today and what happened?"

"Not yet. Later?"

"Okay. I'll be here whenever you're ready to tell me." Marissa studied Bianca's face. "You have a migraine, don't you?"

Bianca grimaced. "Yeah, I do. I started to get it at the hospital. Before you ask, I took something when I got home, and it feels a little better. Not great, but a little better." Bianca's eyes grew wide when she realized something. "The kids!"

"Don't worry. They're okay. Jessica got them started on their homework, and they are now enjoying some of her cookies. Which reminds me. When was the last time you had something to eat?" Marissa had the sneaking suspicion that it had been quite some time.

"Uh, breakfast." Bianca admitted reluctantly. "I didn't do it on purpose. There just wasn't any time for me to grab anything, and then with the migraine, I just wasn't hungry."

Marissa shook her head. "I understand, but you know it's not good for you to not eat. Plus, it makes your migraine worse."

"I know. You're right."

"How about I get you something more to drink and snag a couple of cookies for you? Will you be okay if I do that?"

"Sounds good, and I'll be okay."

Marissa gave her a quick kiss and stood.

Bianca called out to her wife. "Rissa?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you know to come check on me?"

"Other than the fact that I just had a bad feeling?"

Bianca smiled softly. After several years together, the couple could sense when one was in trouble. "Yeah, other than that."

"Miranda. She saw your purse in the kitchen and then the checked the garage for your car. When she saw it, she figured that you were home, but it felt off to her when she didn't see you right away. Jessica distracted her a little bit, but it was only for a little bit. When the cookies were done, Miranda came back to see if you wanted some."

"She heard me, didn't she?"

"Yes, she did."

"What did she hear exactly?" Bianca closed her eyes to brace herself. She was ashamed her daughter had been impacted yet again by the ghosts of Bianca's past.

Marissa could lie or sugarcoat things, but that wasn't really an option because that wasn't who they were, especially when it came to the kids. "Miranda heard you say 'no' and 'stop'. She thought you were having a nightmare like you've had before. I was home by that time, and she told me. Look, I know you hate her or the other kids seeing you like this, but even through a closed door, Miranda just knows when something is wrong. It's who she is. She's sensitive like that, especially when it comes to you, and you're the same way with her. Miranda is your mini-you."

"True. I should go with you."

"No, you shouldn't. You should stay here and rest for a little while longer. Don't push yourself. Let the medication do its job. Okay?"

"Okay." Bianca knew Marissa was right. She wasn't sure how much help she would be when she felt like she did. There was something else on her mind, something that had been on her mind since the day she decided to keep Miranda. "That day is getting closer."

Marissa knew exactly what Bianca talking about, and she was right. They both knew the day was coming when Miranda would find out about the circumstances surrounding her conception and subsequent birth. When that day came, the couple knew everything would change, and they dreaded it. How do you tell a child that they were a product of rape? There was no easy way to do it. They knew it would be painful, and they were worried. Not for themselves, but for Miranda. How would she take it? Could she handle it? Would it change her and how she saw herself and Bianca? The couple had sought professional help recently with the hope that the doctor would be able to help them. It was something they were hoping to put off as long as possible however. Both Bianca and Marissa wanted Miranda to enjoy her childhood and what innocence she had left for as long as she could because they knew it would be over the minute she learned the truth. Miranda wasn't the only one they were worried about. A whole can of worms would be opened when Miranda found out about the circumstances of her birth, and that meant that AJ would find out what happened when he was born. When he found that out, it would change how he saw his biological mother as well as his grandparents. The boy already had a strained relationship with David and hadn't seen or wanted anything to do with him in quite some time. It was different with Krystal. He loved her and saw her often, but that could very well change when he found out her role in the whole sordid mess.

"I know but not today. We still have some time. So for today, let's focus on you and getting rid of that migraine. Okay?"

Bianca nodded. "Okay."

"I'll be right back. I love you." Marissa kissed Bianca again.

"I love you too, and I'm really glad you're home, Rissa."

"That makes two of us, B."

/

Miranda glanced up from the table as soon as she heard the kitchen door open. "How's Mom?"

Soon all eyes were on Marissa, and she smiled. "She had a pretty rough day at work, and it caused her to get a migraine. She's going to be okay though. She took something for it and was catching a quick nap." Marissa said as proceeded to fix Bianca something to eat and drink.

"But I heard her. It sounded like she was having a nightmare again." Miranda said.

Marissa couldn't help but feel a little proud of her oldest daughter even if she also felt like she was being put on the spot by her. I'm starting to feel like I'm being cross-examined. Damn if Miranda isn't going to make a great lawyer one day.

/

Bianca started to close her eyes, but a thought had her open them immediately. She knew the kids, particularly Miranda, would be worried about her, and the best way to allay their fears would be for them to actually see her. Marissa would do a good job assuring them, but Bianca knew their children. They had been like that when Marissa had been hurt and in the hospital, and Bianca had told them she would be okay. They didn't really relax until they saw their Ma for themselves. Bianca had another thought. Seeing them would be good for her. With that admission, she got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. On the way, Bianca did her best to brace herself for whatever questions she might face.

/

A/N: I'm sorry for the delay in updating this week. I've been dealing with a toothache all weekend, and I'm afraid there will be a root canal in my future (not looking forward to that at all). I also apologize for the fact that this is a shorter chapter. The toothache hasn't put me in the mood to write a lot. There is more I want to add to this storyline, but I also want to get something up for all of you. So, you get a cliffhanger! See you soon!