A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. I want to apologize for not updating sooner. I will do my best to get back to more frequent updates. I'm not sure where all of you are, but we've had major flooding here. Last Saturday night around midnight, I was clearing debris that had been swept down from pouring rains from some drains by my garage so I could get water out of it. I was lucky because I didn't have damage. It's just not something you want to be doing at midnight in the pouring rain. Enough about that! I'm going to enjoy the sun today.

Please read the Author's Notes at the end of this chapter. This chapter skips ahead just a little bit from the last one. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

Marissa listened to Claudia go over a case she had just picked up. This was standard practice in their staff meetings. Not only did Marissa want to know what her team was working on, but she also felt it was important for the other members to know as well, especially the junior associates and paralegals. She believed they could all learn from each other. A slight movement near the conference room door drew her attention. Brandon Casanas had arrived to the meeting late. This wasn't the first time that this had happened. In fact, it had happened several times lately. Marissa made a note to herself to find out the reason behind it. His work hadn't suffered, but judging by his physical appearance, there was no denying that something was going on. She studied Brandon discreetly. He looked exhausted, something that had become common recently. Today, however, she noticed something new, a sickly pallor to his skin. This concerned Marissa, and she knew she couldn't put off the conversation she had been pondering. She needed to get to the bottom of what was going on and began to work on a plan to do just that.

When the meeting was over, Marissa called out to Lisa. "Hey, Lisa."

"Hey, boss. What's up?"

"Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

Lisa pulled up her planner on her cellphone and checked her schedule. "Yes, I do. I'm free for another hour. I guess that means I'm all yours."

Marissa chuckled at Lisa's quip. "Come on. Let's go to my office."

/

Ellie handed Marissa a folder when her boss and Lisa arrived at the redhead's office. "Here is the Marcus deposition, and I'll have the Franklin deposition to you after lunch."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Could you please hold my calls for the next hour?"

"No problem." Unless it is an emergency was implied and understood. Ellie knew the only exceptions to that request would be any calls concerning Bianca or their kids.

"Thanks." Marissa said before she led Lisa into her office.

/

"Have a seat, Lisa."

"Is everything okay?" Lisa had to admit that she felt a little nervous over this impromptu meeting.

"Everything is fine. You don't have anything to worry about. I'm sorry if I've given you that impression." Marissa quickly did her best to reassure the other woman.

Lisa sighed in relief. "Not your fault. That's really good to hear. So, what's up?"

"I have two things I wanted to talk to you about. One of them was planned, and the other not so much. Do you have a preference as to which one you'd like to discuss first?"

"Let's go with unplanned."

"Unplanned it is then. Do you want anything to drink before we get started? I'm just going to grab a water."

"I'll have one too then."

Marissa handed Lisa a bottle of water before she sat down in the chair behind her desk. "I know you and Brandon are friends, and I don't want to put you in an awkward position. I have to ask though. Is something going with him? I mean, is he alright?"

Lisa sighed in relief, glad not to be the only one who had been getting that vibe from Brandon. "You noticed it too then. You know, that something seems off with him?"

"I have. Do you know what it is?"

"No, not exactly. I really wish I did though. I've asked him several times if everything was okay. He says it is, but I'm not buying it."

"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"

"I think, and this is just my gut telling me this, but I think it has something to do with his family. You know his history."

Marissa nodded. Brandon had come from an abusive home. His father had terrorized Brandon's mother and two sisters as well as Brandon himself until Brandon's mother was able to escape. The family struggled financially with his mother working two jobs so they had a place to live as well as food to eat. With her working so much, it forced Brandon and his sisters to grow a little faster than most children, but they were safe and knew their mother loved them. A teacher at Brandon's school recognized that the boy was gifted early on and became a mentor to him. When it was time to graduate from high school, the teacher helped Brandon not only apply to colleges but scholarships as well. This allowed Brandon to receive the education both he and his mother dreamed of. Brandon's sisters followed their brother's example, and with hard work equal to Brandon's, they graduated from college as well. Once they were out of school and gainfully employed, Brandon and his sisters then set about to give their mother the life she deserved. While they had wanted her to retire, she just couldn't do it, at least not at that point in time, but she did reduce her workload from having two jobs to one. A few years later, they finally convinced her to retire, of course it helped that there were now grandchildren around for her to dote on and babysit. They had been the final selling point, and the last several years had been happy ones. Knowing Brandon as she did, it made sense to Marissa that whatever was going on with Brandon most likely did have something to do with his family.

"Yes, that makes sense. Dammit, I hate to think that's it though. They struggled for so long."

"I know. Look, I have an idea. Before you talk to him, let me try again, and see if I can get him to open up. If I can't, then …"

"I'll try. Okay. Let me know how it goes, and if I can do anything. Remind him that my door is always open."

Lisa nodded. "I will."

"Thank you." Marissa then pulled out a folder that had been stashed in her desk. "Now, for the planned."

"Okay. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious."

"It's nothing bad, I promise. In fact, I think it's something really good, and I'm hoping you'll feel the same way." Marissa smiled when Lisa cocked her head slightly to the side. The redhead knew she had her full attention then because that was the younger woman's 'tell', her giveaway. "I'm going to cut straight to the chase."

"I appreciate that."

"You have been doing a great job. I've talked with Brian as well as the other associates, and they all are impressed with your work. In fact, I hate to tell you this because I don't want it to go to your head, but they sing your praises. As for me, I think you're a rock star. You have worked on several difficult cases as lead counsel and did an excellent job with them. Your clients told me how much they appreciated everything you did for them. They feel you listen to them and really take their best interests to heart, and as a result, you're able to achieve favorable outcomes for them. When I hear clients tell me that, I have to tell you that I take note of that. It stands out. It also shows me how much you care about our clients which is very important, and to see that in you, that means a great deal."

Lisa smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. It's something I learned from you."

"Well, you're an excellent student, and you've grown a lot. I see that also with the work you do for the other associates as well as with the leadership you've taken other junior associates along with the paralegals. To a person, they can't say enough glowing things about you. I'm really proud of you."

"Thank you. I can't tell you how much that means to me." Lisa meant what she said. Marissa took her under her wing when she really didn't have to. In the time the women worked together, Lisa could honestly say that she learned more from Marissa than she did in the entirety of law school.

"You're welcome. This is something I've considered for some time so I spoke with the associates on our team and then with the other partners about this, and we are all in agreement." Marissa slid the folder across the desk.

Lisa looked at it and then back at Marissa. "What's this?"

"That is an offer to make you an associate."

"What?! Seriously?! Wait! I should be playing this cooler, shouldn't I?" Lisa was a little flustered and couldn't hide it.

Marissa laughed. Lisa's honesty was one of the things she really liked about the younger woman. "This is an offer to promote you from a junior associate to an associate. I'm very serious about this, and you can play this however you want."

"Wow. I … I don't even know what to say."

"That's a first." Marissa joked and then turned serious. "Personally, I want you to say 'yes', but I want you to take this with you, read it through, and think about it. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll have Ellie set up some time for us to get back together the day after tomorrow. We'll talk, and you can give me your decision then. How does that sound?"

Lisa sighed in relief. She did want the time to let this sink in. "That sounds good. I … I know how big of an opportunity this is, and I really appreciate you giving me it as well as the time to consider it. You're always looking out for me. Thank you."

"You're welcome. You earned this, Lisa. I mean it. You really have. Now, I have to reluctantly tell you this. As an associate, you will be in demand with the other departments. You are already on their radars. With that said, I want to throw my hat into the ring first. I'm going to be selfish and tell you I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay on my team, but I won't stand in your way if you do want to go to another department. The decision is all yours, and I will support you in whatever you decide. Like I said earlier, my door is always open whether you're on my team or not."

"Thank you, and I know." Lisa smiled brightly and picked up the folder. She fought against every instinct she had to run back to her office, lock the door, and read the offer. Lisa had no doubt that whatever she decided on the offer that she wanted to continue to work with Marissa. "I should get back to my office. I've got a meeting with a client in a few minutes."

"Get back to work and stop slacking." Marissa winked.

"Will do, boss. Oh, and I will let you know what I find out about Brandon."

"Thank you." Marissa said gratefully.

/

Bianca smiled when her wife entered the family room carrying two glasses of wine. She took an offered glass and sipped appreciatively.

Marissa sighed happily as she joined Bianca on the sofa in the family room and took a sip of wine as well. It had been a long day for both women. Each of their work schedules had been packed with back to back meetings, and when they got home, they went into family mode as they helped the kids with homework before their attention was turned towards getting dinner ready and then cleaning up after they had eaten. Currently, Danny was playing on floor in front of them, and his older siblings were either finishing their homework or downstairs in what was now a game room. This allowed the couple to finally have a few minutes to themselves.

"I've been thinking."

"Ah, that explains that smoke I was smelling earlier." Bianca smirked.

"And people say I'm the funny one." Marissa deadpanned.

Bianca grinned. "Sorry. Couldn't help it. You kind of left yourself open there."

"You would think I would learn by now, especially after spending as much time as I do with Kendall and Greenlee."

"True. You have only yourself to blame." Bianca grinned even more.

"Your empathy is astounding." Marissa chuckled.

Bianca shrugged. "I know. I am astounding."

"That's what you got out of that? Your empathy is astounding. I'm thinking your hearing? Not so much. You're lucky you're cute." Marissa smirked.

"Touché. Back at you on being cute." Bianca laughed. "So, what were you thinking about?"

"I've been thinking about Danny's birthday."

"Ooh, okay. I know we've talked about it a little, and we really need to nail down the details before Mom hires a party planner for it."

Marissa shook her head clearly amused by the truthfulness in her wife's statement. She had heard Erica muttering exactly that when they saw each other a few days ago. "Yeah, we're not going to let that happen."

Bianca nodded. "I completely agree. So, what about the party?"

"I've been thinking that a big birthday party with lots of people, a bouncy house, and a clown, which by the way a clown can be scary as hell."

"You're not scared of clowns though."

"No, I'm not, at least not the normal ones. Clowns like the one from 'It' however can be scary as hell. Oh, and don't forget the serial killer who dressed as a clown for charity events sometimes and then other times killed people."

"Yeah, I really can't argue with you on that one. I'm really glad we didn't see that movie. The mini-series with Tim Curry as Pennywise was more than enough for me." It had been years since Bianca had seen the mini-series, but it had stayed with her. "And yeah, I remember the serial killer too. Okay, clowns are definitely out."

"You got that right. Anyway, a big party like that? It just doesn't feel right to me. Hear me out on this. Danny won't really get anything out it. He's a year old. He's not going to know what's going on or even remember it. Well, he might if we get one of the scary ass clowns."

"Which we're not going to get. This is a clown free zone. Again, I can't find any fault with your thinking. That being said, what exactly do you have in mind? I know you have something in mind, Counselor."

Marissa smiled. "I think we should have a small party with family and close friends. We can also have some simple decorations. Again, he's not going to get anything out of something fancy or ornate. Anything like that is more for the adults or the older kids at this point. This is Danny's day, and we should focus on what he would enjoy."

Bianca nodded. "Agreed. Balloons then? You know how our son feels about balloons."

"Yes, I do. He absolutely loves them and is completely fascinated by them. I'm afraid one is going to pop every time he gets one and tries to use it like a teething ring. So, yes to the balloons along with some streamers. Oh, and a chocolate cake."

"Well, the chocolate cake goes without saying. That is his favorite after all."

"Along with everyone else's in this family." Marissa grinned knowingly. Every member of the Tasker-Montgomery family loved chocolate cake, and it was the cake always requested for birthdays. "We'll make one for him so he can do the cake smashing. We'll also make one for everyone else. And of course one for us for when after everyone is gone."

"Of course. I do like how you think. You're absolutely brilliant."

"Thank you! I try. Then, when Danny's four or five, you know when he's old enough to appreciate it and enjoy it, we'll go all out and throw him a birthday bash with a theme, friends of his own, and maybe a pony for the kids to ride."

Bianca smiled. "I love it. I really like the idea of pony rides."

"If you're good, maybe I'll have a full grown horse there for you." Marissa saw the excitement in her wife's eyes when she mentioned a horse and made a note of it. "So, what do you think?"

"It sounds perfect. I'll talk to Mom and have her call off the party planner." It was said in jest, but both knew there was an underlying truth to the statement. Erica really had brought up the idea of hiring a party planner to make the day special for her youngest grandson. The entire family had noticed her embracing a slightly more traditional role of grandmother with Danny's birth. It was only slightly however because she was Erica Kane after all, and she would never be completely traditional. When they thought about it though, the family honestly wouldn't have her any other way. "So, how is it going with Brandon?" Bianca knew how concerned her wife was about the other lawyer.

Marissa sighed. "He was late to our staff meeting again, and he looked absolutely exhausted and like he was coming down with something. I'm getting worried. I asked Lisa if she knew anything."

Bianca knew the two lawyers were friends outside of work. "Did she?"

"No, unfortunately. She's worried too and relieved she wasn't the only one to notice something. She also told me that she's asked him if he was okay. Brandon just keeps telling her that he's fine."

"Lisa's not buying it though."

"No, she's not. We talked, and she wants to give it one more try. If nothing changes with his story …"

"Then you'll step in." Bianca knew what her wife was going to say and finished Marissa's thought.

Marissa smiled at just how well her wife knew her. "Yes, then I'll step in. I'll probably end up talking with him anyway because not only do I have to think about him, but I also have to think our clients. His performance hasn't been affected by whatever he's going through yet, and I have to make sure it isn't. I want to at least give Lisa a chance."

Bianca nodded. "I think that makes sense. So, am I safe in assuming that you brought up the promotion to Lisa?"

"Yes, you are."

"And?"

"She was even more shocked and excited than when I offered her the junior associate position. It was funny when she stopped and said that she should probably be playing it cooler than she was."

Bianca chuckled. "I can totally see her saying that."

"Yeah, it was pretty much par for the course for her. I told her I wanted her to think about the offer. We'll get back together, and she can give me her answer then."

"Do you think she'll take it? I know you want her to."

"Yeah, I really do want her to accept it. She's good and a valuable member of the team. I'm really proud of her, and I told her as much. I also told her that other departments would most likely be approaching her with offers. If she wanted to accept one of them, I would understand, but I wanted her to stay on my team."

"I know that meant a lot to her. If you ask me, I think she's going to take it, and stay with you."

"I think you might be right, but I don't want to jinx myself. Enough about me. How was your day?"

Bianca took a sip of wine as she remembered a conversation she had earlier that day. "I'm not quite sure. There's a rumor floating around that is pretty disturbing. There isn't a lot of detail around it, but it involves a scandal brewing at one of the universities in Pennsylvania involving a female athlete. That's really all I know right now. We're trying to get more details. I want us to be ready to offer our services if they are needed."

"I don't like the sound of that. Someone possibly abusing their authority? No. How are you with this rumor?" Marissa asked, her voice laced with concern for her wife.

"I'm okay. I haven't been triggered. I promise."

Marissa sighed in relief. "I'm glad to hear that. I know not knowing is frustrating for you because I know how much you want to help."

"I do. The waiting is hard."

"Mom? Ma?"

The couple turned and saw their oldest daughter at the foot of the stairs. They could see something was on her mind.

"Hey, Mimo. Homework all done?" Bianca asked.

"Yeah. Could we talk?"

Marissa nodded. She moved over on the sofa to make room for Miranda in between her mothers, sensing she might want their combined comfort. Marissa patted the space as an indication for their daughter to sit down. "Sure. What's up, Mimo?"

Miranda took the indicated seat. "I need some advice on how to help someone with a problem. Don't worry. It's not me with the problem. It's a friend, and before you ask who, I don't want to say just yet. Is that okay?"

Bianca glanced at Marissa who nodded her agreement. "It's okay."

"I … I need this advice not just from my Moms, but I also need it from the founder of the Miranda Center and a really good lawyer."

The last part took the women by surprise, and they exchanged a quick, worried look.

"Okay. You've got all of us." Marissa could see a nervous and conflicted look in their daughter's eyes.

Bianca saw it too. "Take your time, sweetheart. We're not going anywhere."

Miranda nodded gratefully and then took several deep breaths to collect herself before she began. "It … it has to do with Jessica's sister."

/

A/N: I left this chapter here for a reason. Some of you probably have an idea of where this is heading based on current events. With that said, I realize this upcoming storyline could trigger some of you, and that is something I don't want to do. So, you might want to skip over the next two chapters. That's my guess on how many chapters this storyline might take. I will do my best to put a warning in my Author's Notes at the beginning of each chapter. If you have questions, feel free to message me on here. I also have left some breadcrumbs for another storyline surrounding Brandon which is also on the personal side for me. I'll delve into that in future chapters. See you soon!