A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. Sorry for not posting yesterday. The site was acting a little wonky, and I wanted it to be a little more stable before posting. I want to warn you upfront that this storyline could have some triggers because it does deal with a sensitive topic. Remember what work the Miranda Center does before proceeding. Please read the Author's Notes at the end of the chapter. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

"Mom? Ma?"

Bianca and Marissa turned to find their oldest daughter at the foot of the stairs. They could tell something was on her mind.

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

"Yeah. Could we talk?"

Marissa nodded. Sensing Miranda might want their combined comfort, she moved over on the sofa to make room in between Bianca and herself for their daughter. 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 more than 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 older sister Tessa." The 'Jessica' in question was Jessica Mendes, Miranda's best friend.

"She's a few years older than Jessica if I remember correctly, right?"

"Yeah, she is. She's a freshman at Llanview University. Tessa got a scholarship there for gymnastics, and she's really good."

"That's right. She almost made the Olympic team, didn't she?" Marissa asked.

Miranda nodded again. "Yeah. She injured her shoulder right before the trials. So, she didn't get to compete because of that. She was pretty bummed, but that disappointment has added to her determination for the next Olympics."

"That's good to hear and very admirable." Bianca waiting for her daughter to continue her story.

"Jessica said that rehab has been pretty hard for Tessa. At first, she was pretty pumped about it. Llanview University has a doctor on staff that works not only with the athletes there but also ones around the country."

Marissa was itching to take notes but knew it was more important for her focus to be on Miranda in that moment. There would be time for questions later, and they were already forming in her mind. She had a sinking suspicion of where this was headed and hoped with everything that she was wrong. A quick look at Bianca told her that her wife was of the same mindset. There was one question that Marissa needed the answer to however. It couldn't wait because it was crucial. "Do you know the doctor's name?"

"I … I do." Miranda took a deep breath before she answered. "His name is Dr. Jerry Landry. Everything had been going pretty well, but lately, according to Jessica, things have changed. She could tell something was up and noticed some differences in her sister. So, when Tessa was home recently, she asked her. It took some doing, but with help from their whole family, they got Tessa to open up. I don't really know exactly what she told them because Jessica didn't go into any detail. I just know that it was bad, really bad. Jessica asked if both of you could talk to her sister. She knows what you guys do. Their whole family does. She was hoping that talking with you might help Tessa. And before you ask, this is all Jessica's idea. Her parents don't know that she talked with me."

"We are definitely willing to help, and while Jessica is being very thoughtful in looking for help for her sister, Tessa has to be the one to ask for it." Bianca said. Several things had crossed her mind when Miranda told her about the idea of her mothers talking with Tessa. The first was that she was glad Miranda was so open about coming to them with something like this. She was also glad that her daughter was so willing to help a friend. At the same time, Bianca was relieved that Anna and Tony Mendes, Jessica and Tessa's parents, didn't approach Miranda with this idea. She would have had a problem if they had because that was an awful burden to put on any child particularly hers. That didn't mean, however, that Bianca and Marissa wouldn't have helped. It just would have strained their relationship with the other parents.

"I know, and I told Jessica that. She went back to Tessa, and the two of them talked. Tessa is nervous and scared, but she does want to talk to you. She knows that she needs help."

"Then, your Mom and I will talk with her. Am I safe in assuming that you gave her our phone numbers?" Marissa asked knowingly.

"Yeah, I did. I just need to let Jessica know that you agreed to talk with Tessa. She said that she wouldn't call either of you if you weren't okay with talking to her. I knew you would be though."

"Well, you were right." Bianca paused. She and Marissa knew just how smart their daughter was and had probably put somethings together based on the pieces of the information she had. It was important for them to see how she was doing. "How are you? This is a lot to take in."

Miranda nodded and leaned into her Mom to seek comfort, and Bianca instinctively wrapped an arm around her. "Yeah, it is. I'm okay though. I'm just really worried about Jessica and Tessa. I don't know exactly what happened, but I have a good idea because I know the work that the Center does. For them to ask about a lawyer as well, I know it's gotta be pretty bad. I think I'm really mad more than anything else. I don't understand how someone could someone else like that. How could they do that?"

Marissa knew she had to be honest with Miranda. She had a question herself though. How do you explain something to your child when you don't understand the reason yourself? "Honestly? I don't know. I wish with all of my heart that I could answer that question for you, but I can't. Some people are just … evil. That's the only word I can think of to describe them. Whatever happened isn't on Tessa. She's not to blame for any of this. She's a victim here." Even though Marissa was still looking at Miranda, the next part was directed towards her wife, and Bianca who knew that it was. The couple each had one arm draped on top of the sofa, and Marissa took Bianca's hand in hers as she spoke. "The fact that she's asking for help tells me that she's on her way to being a survivor. It takes courage and strength to do that, and that is something to be proud of. Some may see her as weak, but nothing could be further from the truth. She's very brave. She may not see it that way at the moment, but trust me when I tell you that she is. Your Mom and I will do everything we can to help her. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I need you to listen to this next part closely. Will you do that for me?"

Miranda nodded. "I will."

Marissa needed to say this next part. She needed to assure her daughter of something. It was important because Miranda had Bianca's heart. The mother and daughter shared a compassionate and caring soul, and Marissa didn't want that to change. "If someone ever tries to do something that you're not comfortable with, you do everything you can to get away from them safely and tell us right away. It doesn't matter where you are or what time it is. You call us. All we care about is your safety. We can sort everything else out later. Promise us you'll do that."

"I promise." Miranda pledged solemnly.

"Thank you. Now, while your Mom and I don't know why or how someone could do something like this, we need you to know one thing. Not everyone is like that. There are good people out there, and they far and away outnumber the bad ones."

Miranda nodded again. She really needed to hear that. While Miranda didn't exactly know what happened, she knew it had to be pretty bad, and she had to admit that that bit of knowledge shook her faith in people a little. "Thanks, Ma. I believe you. If I can, I want to help, but I just don't know exactly what to do."

Bianca squeezed her daughter a little tighter. "I am so proud of you. Both of us are. As for helping, you already are. You came to us on Tessa's behalf. I have no doubt that she appreciates that. Now to help Jessica more, just listen. Don't pressure her to talk, but let her know that if she wants to, you'll be there for her. Only do that if you're comfortable though. We know you want to help, but the first concern of your Ma and I is that you're okay. While it's admirable that you want to be a good friend, we have to look out for your safety. You, your sister, and your brothers are our first concern. If you need to talk about any of this, let us know. We will always make time for you."

"I know. I don't doubt that for one bit. I know that you and Ma will always be there for me, will always have my back. That's why I knew I could ask you to help them, and it's also why I want to be there for Jessica. It gives me the strength I might need to help her."

"When did you get so grown up? How did you get so wise?" Bianca asked with pride and awe in her voice.

Miranda shrugged. "I have two great examples with you and Ma."

Bianca laughed. "You're smooth just like your Ma."

"I only speak the truth." Miranda grinned as she recalled the words her Ma used when she talked about her Mom, and she meant them just as much as her redheaded mother did.

"Definitely a chip off the block." Bianca smiled.

Marissa nodded proudly in agreement. "Nothing wrong with that, especially when she gets her heart from you."

Miranda couldn't help but smile. She liked hearing that she carried traits from both of her Moms. "Is it okay if I call Jessica now?"

Bianca nodded. "Yeah. Go ahead."

Before she left to call her friend, Miranda hugged both of her Moms. "Thank you. I love you."

"We love you too. Remember …"

"You're both here if I need you. I will."

/

Once they were alone again, Marissa easily pulled Bianca closer and wrapped both arms around her. The couple sat like that for several minutes with no words exchanged. They both needed to simply feel the other after their conversation with Miranda. While they didn't know exactly what happened and what lie ahead, they had a damn good idea.

Bianca finally broke the silence. She knew the question on her wife's mind. "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Marissa couldn't help but be concerned about her wife.

"Yeah, I am." Bianca paused for a beat and then continued. "I hate that Miranda knows about this."

"So do I, but I have to say that I'm extremely proud of her."

"That makes two of us."

"I'm not surprised that she wants to help her friend. The reason for that is you. I meant what I said earlier. Miranda has your heart. We have to do whatever we can to protect it as best as we can with what's ahead."

"I agree. We do, for as long as we can. Kind of like how you protect mine. You know that you do, right? You give me the strength and love that I need to make it through the bad days. I'm not sure what I would do without you."

Marissa smiled and kissed the top of her wife's head. "Well, it's a good thing you're never going to have to find out because you will always have me."

"Same with me. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not letting you go."

"That is very good to hear." Marissa sighed. The elephant in the room had to be addressed. "What the hell, B? I know we don't know exactly what happened, but we both have a pretty good idea. I can't begin to imagine what all of them are going through right now."

"I can't either. We have to help them. It's as simple as that."

"I agree. We need to check our schedules and see what times we might have available to meet with Tessa."

Bianca nodded, and both women pulled out their cellphones to check their schedules for the next day. They knew the sooner they could meet with Tessa and begin to help her, the better. "Where do you think we should meet?"

Marissa paused and thought for a moment. "Between my office and yours, I would say yours. The firm could be intimidating, and I think yours could be a little more … welcoming for this type of discussion. But she may want to meet somewhere else."

"Yes, she might. The most important thing is for her to be as comfortable as possible, so we'll let her decide that as well as whether or not she wants her parents there. There's a possibility that she may not want them there, at least initially. It's not unusual. Many of our clients find it hard to tell their families what happened to them. It's easier to tell a stranger, someone they don't have a strong connection with. In other cases though, it's the opposite. Having their family with them is what will help with the healing process. Whatever she chooses, it's her decision because she is legally an adult." Bianca looked at schedule. "My morning is pretty packed. The afternoon is open though. What about you?"

"I have a partners' meeting first thing which works out pretty well. I'll discuss what I know with them, but I'll leave out names."

"You don't think they would have a problem your involvement, do you?"

"No, I don't think so. Partners have a lot of leeway with the cases we bring in to the firm. It's just a professional courtesy for us to run them by each other. It will be nice to get some input from them as well." While Marissa always made up her own mind, she wasn't averse to hearing the opinions or perspectives of others. There was always the chance that they might find something she may have missed, and if it helped her client, Marissa was all for it. She wasn't above asking for help. "I have a few things in the afternoon, but nothing that I can't move around or have someone else cover."

"Hopefully, that will work for her." Bianca paused. She could tell her wife had something on her mind. "What is it?"

"Well, I was thinking that maybe after we talk with Tessa that we might want to make a couple of calls to our friends in Llanview."

"You're thinking Vikki and Nora might be able to help."

"Yeah, I am. I mean, this did happen on their turf. Maybe they've heard something. It's worth a shot."

Bianca nodded. "I agree. It's a good idea. Not that I'm surprised. You do tend to come up with good ideas."

"It's all about the inspiration, babe, and you definitely inspire me." Marissa grinned and kissed her wife.

"Right back at you, Counselor."

/

Miranda returned in time to catch just the tail end of her parents' conversation. It was moments like this one that made her happy they had found each other. They were a formidable pair, and together, there wasn't a lot that she didn't think they couldn't do. Miranda hated to interrupt them, but she knew she had to give them an update.

"Moms?"

"Hey, Mimo. Did you talk to her?" Bianca asked as she motioned for Miranda to rejoin the couple on the sofa.

"Yeah, I did. She said she would call later tonight. Tessa wanted me to thank you for her. Jessica said thank you as well."

Bianca nodded. "Okay. I have an idea. What do you say we get your brother and sister to join us for a movie of your choice?"

Miranda smiled. She could definitely use some family time tonight. "I like that."

"Good. And if we play our cards right, we can probably get your Ma to make some popcorn."

"And hot chocolate too?" Miranda asked hopefully.

Marissa chuckled and kissed the top of her daughter's head. "I think I can handle both of those requests. Why don't you get AJ and Gabby and let them know about the movie? The three of you change into her pajamas and meet us back here. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Moms." She was beyond grateful that her Moms knew exactly what she needed right now.

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

"While your Ma is taking care of our snacks, I'm going to change your little brother and let Max out. See you back here."

The three knew that this was a brief respite for what was to come, and they were going to enjoy it while they could.

A/N: I'm sure you have a pretty good idea of where this storyline is headed now. I do plan on bringing back Vikki and Nora to help. I feel they will add to the story. Plus, I like their characters. I was originally thinking this storyline would take two to three chapters, but I think it will take more than that. I don't know how many though because I want to do this justice. 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. See you soon!