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.

My thoughts are with those along the Gulf Coast that are in Hurricane Harvey's path. Please be safe!

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

/

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

All eyes turned to Marissa. The redhead smiled and did her best to assure the others. "Your Mom had a pretty rough day at work, and as a result, she got a migraine. She's going to be okay though. When she got home, she took something for it and took a quick nap." Marissa said as she proceeded to fix Bianca something to eat and drink.

"But I heard her. It sounded like she was having a nightmare again." Miranda said, clearly not buying the pat explanation from her redheaded mother.

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

/

After Marissa left their bedroom, Bianca tried to go back to sleep but found she couldn't, and there were a couple of reasons why. First, Bianca knew the kids, particularly Miranda, would be worried about her, and that the best way to allay their fears would be for them to actually see her. Bianca knew without question that Marissa would do a good job assuring the kids, but she also knew that their children wouldn't really relax until they saw her for themselves. That's how they were with Marissa when she had been injured and was in the hospital. It didn't matter how much Bianca had told them that Marissa was okay. They needed to see for themselves then, and so, she knew it would be the same now. Besides, Bianca had to admit that seeing the kids would be good for her too.

Looming even larger was the second reason Bianca couldn't sleep. She was afraid. Bianca couldn't shake the feeling that the second she closed her eyes she would relive that horrific incident again, and that scared the hell out of her. She simply wasn't ready to face it again. She couldn't, at least not yet. 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.

/

Bianca paused outside the kitchen door when she heard Miranda questioning Marissa.

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

Marissa thought for a moment to determine the best way to approach answering Miranda. "She was. Your next question is going to be why, right?"

Miranda nodded. "Yeah."

"You know how sometimes when you don't feel really good you have a bad dream or nightmare?"

Again, Miranda nodded. It was true. Sometimes when she was sick, she would have a really bad or weird dream.

"Well, that's how it was today with your Mom. She was working on a really tough case, and she also skipped lunch. So then, she started not to feel well. Those things led to her getting a migraine, and you know she feels pretty lousy when she gets one of them. When you put all of that together, it caused her to have the nightmare. Do you understand?" While she may have hedged a little on it being a nightmare, Marissa really wasn't lying. Those were all contributing factors to triggering Bianca's flashback. If Marissa had said flashback instead of nightmare however, then the kids would have been able to figure out what had happened to Bianca, and no one was ready for that. So, the mothers had decided to use nightmare. In this situation, it was less threatening. Plus, the kids could relate to that more.

Miranda nodded. The explanation made sense. "Yeah, I think so."

"Is Mom going to be okay?" AJ asked. He knew all about nightmares. The boy had had several of them in the past. Some of which had been the result of his dad's actions. When he woke up from one, it stayed with him for a little while. AJ was worried the same would be true for his Mom.

Gabby had the same concerns. After the car accident with Greenlee, she had had nightmares. What helped her when she had one was her Moms. They were able to comfort her, and they just made everything better. She thought what helped her the most though was when her Ma sang the family's song to her. That always made her feel better, and she was positive that it would help her Mom too. "You should sing her our song. That'll make her feel better. It's always does us."

Miranda and AJ nodded in agreement. Gabby was right. It always did without fail.

Marissa smiled at her children. They were all so caring and loving, and she was really proud of them. "Yes, AJ, she's going to be okay. She just needs to take it easy. And Gabby, that is an excellent idea. I'm going to keep that in mind."

Bianca took that as her cue to join her family. "I couldn't agree more."

"Mom!" Relief flooded through the three oldest Tasker-Montgomery children the instant they saw their Mom, and they rushed over to greet her with hugs.

Miranda saw her Mom wince a little when they raised their voices. They didn't mean to cause her any pain. They had just been so excited and relieved to see her that they forgot about her migraine. "Sorry, Mom. We were a little loud, huh?"

"Maybe just a little, but that's okay. I'm happy to see you guys too, and all of you are already making me feel better." Her eyes found her youngest son. Jessica was holding him, but he was smiling and reaching out for her. Bianca walked over and took Danny. "It's good to see you too, Danny. Hi, Jessica."

"Hi, Bianca." Jessica studied the younger woman for a moment. She looked a little pale and tired, but her smile was genuine. It led Jessica to believe that Bianca would be okay, especially now that she was with her family. "Kids do have a way of making things better and putting everything into perspective, don't they?"

"Yes, they do. What is that wonderful smell?"

Marissa leaned against a counter as she watched her wife and children interact. While she would have preferred it if Bianca had gotten some much needed rest, she understood why her wife didn't. Being around the kids was definitely the right thing for all of them at the moment. Plus, she had a feeling that Bianca was avoiding sleep right now, and she knew why. "Those would be Jessica's cookies. Why don't you have a seat, and I'll bring some over to you."

Bianca nodded. "Okay. I promise that I'll listen to you this time."

"I'll believe that when I see it." Marissa smirked, and the brunette chuckled softly in reply.

The kids quickly joined Bianca at the kitchen table and started munching on their cookies while they told their Mom about their day. Mindful of their Mom's migraine, their voices were a little lower this time.

Jessica whispered to Marissa as the redhead made some tea for her wife. "How is she really doing? Is she okay?"

"She's doing as well as can be expected, and I think she'll be okay. Bianca is strong and one helluva fighter. You can see the kids are already helping her."

"Yes, they are, and so are you. Is there anything I can do?"

"I think we're good for now. You were a big help earlier. Picking up the kids and watching them for us helped so much. The last thing Bianca would have wanted to do was drive the kids with that migraine. It was one less thing she didn't have to think or worry about. So, thank you."

Jessica kissed Marissa's temple. "You know I would do anything for you and your family."

"I know."

"Oh! I almost forgot." Jessica retrieved a small plastic container from her bag. "I was playing around in my kitchen when I remembered you told me how Danny didn't really like any of the teething biscuits you've tried with him."

Marissa nodded as she followed the older woman to the table. "Yeah, I've lost count on how many different kinds we've tried." Marissa placed the mug of tea and plate of cookies she had prepared for Bianca in front of her.

"Rissa's right. We're running out of options."

"Hopefully, I have a solution for you. Like I said, I was playing around in my kitchen and came up with these." Jessica opened the container and pulled out what looked like some sort of cookie and held it out for Danny who happily took it and immediately began chewing on it.

"You made teething biscuits?" Bianca was only mildly surprised. "He seems to like it, and it's really holding up. It's not getting really mushy."

"Of course you made teething biscuits for Danny." Marissa simply chuckled.

"Well, he needed something to help with the teething, and it needed to taste good too."

"Judging by his reaction, I'd say you definitely achieved both of those goals. After all these years, you never cease to amaze me, Jess."

"Same goes for you, Rissa." Jessica winked. "I'm glad they're a success. What I have here should tide you over until I make some more."

"Thank you, Nana Jess." Marissa grinned as she took the container.

Jessica beamed at the title the kids had bestowed upon her. They may not have shared any DNA, but they couldn't have loved each more than if they did. "You're welcome. Who knows? Maybe I've stumbled into a new career."

"I think you just might have." Bianca agreed.

"Alright. I should head home. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Jessica would stay if they asked, but she had a feeling it would be easier for Bianca if it was just her, Marissa, and the kids tonight.

"I can't think of anything. Can you, B?"

Bianca shook her head. "I can't either."

The kids hugged Jessica and thanked her for the cookies. Danny gave her a gummy smile followed by a messy kiss which had Jessica laugh.

Bianca stood and handed Danny to her wife before she hugged Jessica tightly. "Thank you so much for today. Knowing that you were watching the kids helped me more than you know."

"There is no need to thank me, Bianca. If you need anything, just ask. Take care of yourself."

"I will."

"I'll walk you out." Marissa said and helped Jessica gather her things.

/

Jessica followed Marissa to her car and waited as the redhead placed everything inside it for her. When she was done, Marissa faced her friend. Jessica studied the younger woman. Marissa looked less panicked than earlier, but there was still a worried look in her eyes.

"How are you doing?"

Marissa sighed. "I'm better now that I'm home, and can actually see Bianca and help her. I can't tell you how worried I was earlier. I was going nuts. I'm still worried about her though, and I'm going to do everything in my power to be there for her."

"I know you will. There's no doubt in my mind about that. If you need anything or just want to talk, I want you to call me. It doesn't matter what time. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I know you want to take care of Bianca, but you also have to take care of yourself. You can't be there for her if you don't."

Marissa nodded. She knew Jessica right. "I promise I will. Thank you again for today. There is something you can do for me?"

"Just name it."

"Tell Jo we're okay and that I'll call her tomorrow. When I talked to her earlier, I could tell she was worried about Bianca too. They worked on that case together so she kind of got a sense that it was affecting Bianca. I'd call her tonight, but I need to focus on Bianca and the kids. You heard Miranda questioning me."

"She's like you with the questions, and she's like Bianca with how sensitive she is to what others are going through and what they're feeling."

"Yes, she is. She's especially sensitive to Bianca. They've been through a lot together."

"I'll let Jo know. Do you think Bianca will be up for work tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure. It all depends on how tonight goes. I asked Jan and Ellie to look at our schedules and see what they could move around though just in case. If Bianca doesn't go in to work, then I'm not either. I also called Susan when I was leaving work, and she's going to take the kids to school for us tomorrow. That just leaves Danny if we don't go into work, and well, you saw the smile he put on Bianca's face."

"That I did. What about Erica and Kendall? Are you going to let them know what happened? Would you like me to call either of them for you?"

Marissa sighed. "I'm going to call them, but it's going to be a little later though. Bianca needs me more right now. She and the kids are my first priority. Kendall and Erica should hear it from me. Thank you for the offer though."

"You're welcome. As for Bianca and the kids, they should be your priority. Kendall and Erica will understand that. It appears you have things well in hand. Just remember that while you're taking care of everyone else, that you don't forget what I said and take care of yourself."

"I won't. I love you, Jess."

"I love you too." Jessica hugged Marissa and then got in her car.

Marissa watched Jessica drive away and then headed back inside.

/

"So, I was thinking about dinner." Marissa said as she rejoined her family in the kitchen. "What do you think about us ordering pizza tonight?" The redhead was tired and just didn't feel like cooking. She had a feeling that it was going to be a long night, and ordering in for dinner would be one less thing she would have to worry about.

The kids' eyes lit up at the suggestion. They loved pizza so there was no way they were going to turn it down.

As for Bianca, she really wasn't very hungry, but she knew the rest of her family probably was or would be very soon. Pizza would be quick and easy for everyone, especially Marissa since Bianca knew there was absolutely no chance her wife would let her anywhere near their oven. "I think it goes without saying that the kids are on board with that idea. It sounds good to me too. I'll clean up in here while you order."

Marissa shook her head. "Nope. Not going to happen. I'll order while the kids start to clean up, and then, I'll help them finish up. You will go into the family room along with Danny and rest. That's the only way you're going to get rid of that migraine. You know that as well as I do."

"Ma's right. We can help." Miranda said.

"Yeah, let us spoil you a little, Mom. You deserve it." AJ agreed.

Gabby nodded. "They're all right, and we have you outnumbered."

Marissa chuckled. "Gabby's got you there."

Bianca gave up. She knew they were right and that she needed to rest in order to get over her migraine. She just hated feeling useless, and she wanted to help. As Gabby pointed out however, she was outnumbered. "Okay. You win. I'll go, but can I make myself some more tea first?"

"Nope. We'll take care of that too and bring it out to you. Go." Marissa ordered and gave Bianca a quick kiss.

"I give. Let's go, Danny. At least you're not telling me what to do." Bianca smiled softly at her youngest who began to jabber away with a serious look on his face.

"I think he just did, Mom." Miranda smirked.

"I think you might be right, Mimo." Bianca shook her head, clearly amused by Danny, and the mother and son headed into the family room.

/

Marissa had just finished placing their dinner order when she received a text. She wasn't surprised by it. In fact, she had been expecting it. Marissa briefly thought about just texting back but decided against it because it would be quicker to actually talk to the person. Plus, it was something that needed to be done. "Hey, guys, I need to make a quick call. I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

"Okay."

She wanted a little privacy for this call so Marissa stepped into the garage. It was answered halfway through the first ring.

"Hi, Marissa. What's going on with Bianca?"

"Hi, Kendall. What did you hear exactly?" Marissa wasn't surprised that Kendall heard something because word travelled lightning fast in Pine Valley.

"Honestly? Not a lot. I saw Jessica picking up the kids from school, but I didn't get a chance say anything to her. I thought it was a little odd that she was picking them up instead of you or Bianca, but I really didn't think much about it. That was until Greenlee got a call from someone she knows that works at the hospital. She said that Bianca was there earlier on business for the Center. When Binx left, she didn't look well. So, what's up?"

/

A/N: Thanks for the kind words about my tooth. I got some stuff from my dentist to help with the pain, and I'm going to see a specialist tomorrow because it looks like it could be tricky. We'll see how it goes. See you soon!