A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. 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.

Sorry for the late post. Work is kicking my butt, and I also had a minor bout with writer's block. I think it's better now. It hasn't happened often, but it really sucks when it does. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

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"Hey."

"Hey yourself." Marissa smiled as her wife appeared on screen.

The couple had talked earlier that evening but weren't alone when they did. Miranda, AJ, Gabby, and Danny had all been anxious to see their redheaded mother and had claimed much of the earlier conversation as a result. While the three older children told her about their days, Danny had mostly babbled, but he did say 'mama' as soon as he saw Marissa on screen. The conversations didn't last too long however because homework needed to be done, Bianca needed to start on dinner, and Marissa needed to take care of a few things before she and Lisa met up with the Buchanans for dinner. The couple decided that they would talk more after the kids had gone to bed.

Bianca studied her wife and could tell she was exhausted. "How are you doing, Rissa? You look tired."

"That's because I am tired. It's been a long day. Other than that, I'm okay. How are you?"

"The same. Maybe being so tired will let us both sleep tonight."

"I hope so. Sheer exhaustion will make it easier to sleep without you next to me."

"Dammit, you stole my line." Bianca scowled playfully.

Marissa laughed. "Sorry. So, I talked to Tessa earlier, and she told me that she watched her interview with Vikki at the Center with you, her parents and Jo."

"Yes, she did. Tessa called this morning and asked if they could come over. It gave her that extra support she needed."

"How is she really doing? She told me she was hanging in there, but it was over the phone. It's hard to tell if you can't see the person." Marissa trusted her wife's opinion and knew she would be honest with her.

"True. Honestly? I believe that she is doing as well as can be expected. They all are. Ana and Tony were really there for her today."

"I'm glad to hear that. What did you think of the interview? Were you okay watching it? Are you okay now?" From what Marissa could tell, Bianca didn't seem to have been triggered by it.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I promise. It helped that you told me about certain parts of it in advance. I was able to prepare myself. So, thank you for that. As to the interview itself, I have such a mix of emotions. I absolutely hate everything that Tessa went through. It shouldn't have happened. He abused his position, and the fact that the school and those in a position of power and authority haven't done anything to help Tessa and the other girls makes me sick to my stomach. I think Vikki did a masterful job. She asked the right questions and didn't push. She listened and was understanding. She was simply Vikki. As for Tessa, she was so strong and inspiring even while we were watching it. I could tell Ana and Tony were struggling to keep their emotions in check, and Tessa was doing her best to comfort them. I have to tell you that I was glad that Jo was there though. She made sure that Tessa didn't discount her own feelings in favor of her parents' feelings. At the end of the interview, even though it was tough, I believe Tessa was glad she did it, that she came forward. There seemed to be this sense of relief for her and a feeling of empowerment. I know she's told you this before, but she repeated it. She hopes her coming forward will help others, give them the strength to come forward and get help."

"Well, I have to tell you that she has definitely done that. While Bo was escorting Landry out of the building and into his cruiser, another gymnast came forward and talked to Nora who told her I was a lawyer from Pine Valley. She had enough information to put two and two together as to who my client was. We were then approached by yet another gymnast. Nora helped Lisa and I find a place where we could talk to them privately after Landry was arraigned. They brought three other gymnasts with them, and they all had the same story as Tessa. After we were done talking, we decided to watch the interview together. Even though one of them thought it was going to be with Tessa, they were all surprised when it was confirmed."

"Thinking and knowing are entirely different things."

"Very true. After listening to Tessa, they knew what they wanted to do, or in their words, they knew what they had to do. They're going to file charges. We talked about getting help for them. As a result, I now represent eight clients when you include Tessa and the two others Nora had talked with earlier. The Miranda Center can expect to be contacted by them in the next few days."

"We'll be ready."

"I have a feeling there could be a lot more."

"Is that your gut still telling you that?"

"Sort of, but it's not just that. When I had dinner tonight with the Buchanans, all of whom send you their love."

"Please give them mine back."

"I already did. Over dinner, Vikki, Nora, and Bo all told me that they had been contacted by other victims, and that was before both the interview and Landry's arrest went viral."

"Oh." Bianca immediately understood what that meant.

"Yeah, oh is right. We may not know the full extent of this for a little while, but it could be bigger than any of us thought. When I checked with Tessa earlier, she didn't say anything about any blowback as a result of the interview yet, but she also told me that she's staying off social media for the time being."

"She told me the same thing, and I think it's a really good idea. You know as well as I do how people can be on it when they don't have to truly face someone, when they have the cover of anonymity. Some can be downright cruel, and Tessa has been through too much to have to deal with those trolls on top of everything else." Bianca knew first-hand what she was talking about. She grew up in the spotlight because her mother was famous, and when she came out, some people had been brutal in sharing their opinions and beliefs. The only saving grace back then had been that social media wasn't around. Bianca saw what others went through now and shuddered to think of what it would be like for her if social media was involved.

"A couple of the girls would like to talk with Tessa, so I'll check with her to see if she would be interested in meeting with them. If she is, then I'll pass on their contact information to her."

"I was finally able to watch the video that Lisa recorded. Turner sure is a piece of work. I love how you stood up to him when he tried to intimidate you. You could tell he wasn't expecting that. My wife is pretty badass."

"Yes, he is definitely something, and I can't help but think that he is up to his eyeballs in this whole thing. There's something else. I got this feeling that his secretary wanted to talk but couldn't with him there. I managed to slip her my card in case she wants to."

"Hopefully, she will. What was going on when Turner was talking with Bo and Nora?"

"He was telling Landry that they would get him out on bail. Nora walked up right at that moment and informed him that she was going to request that bail be denied. Turner asked who she was. Bo was more than happy to make that introduction, and you could tell that Turner couldn't believe Nora was the D.A. She shook it off because she is unfortunately used to that."

"That explains Bo's shit-eating grin. He told me once that he loves setting people straight about Nora. It also makes him mad when people look down their noses at her and treat her badly. He knows that Nora is more than able to defend herself, but he can't help but want to step in."

"Yeah, Nora and I talked about that. It's just one of the things she loves about him. I have to say that I love watching them together. They are a great couple, so are Vikki and Clint."

"They really are. I have to say that I did like seeing Landry in handcuffs, and I really liked it when Bo put him in the cruiser."

"That was a favorite of mine too."

"You know what's scary though? Landry looks so normal. That's the thing about monsters. They disguise themselves so well."

"Yes, they do. His disguise hides someone truly ugly. The computer techs have only just started scratching the surface of what's on his laptops. I'm glad the judge didn't grant bail."

"So am I. What's on the agenda for tomorrow?"

"We're going to meet with Nora tomorrow morning and then hit the road. I'll be home for dinner."

Bianca smiled. "Good. It's definitely not the same without you here."

"I can't wait to get home. We have a birthday party to plan."

"Yes, we do! I can't believe Danny is going to be one!" Bianca sighed.

"I know." Marissa sighed as well.

"You will be happy to know that I talked to Mom, and she has agreed to back off on the party planning, at least until Danny is a little bigger and can appreciate his party more. I think Kendall and Greenlee will be happy to hear that as well."

Marissa laughed. "I knew you could do it! And I am happy to hear that. You're right about Kendall and Greenlee. I know they were a little worried too about Lexie's and Bri's first birthdays. I was doing a little thinking. How would you feel about Jessica making Danny's cake as well as the one for everyone else?"

"I like it, and I think she'll be over the moon. I also know that it will be 100 times better than anything we could make which means that everyone else will be happy too." Bianca laughed. She and Marissa could both cook, but baking was definitely not their forte.

"You're right on all of that, especially the part about our guests being happy. Actually, I think they might be more relieved. I'll ask Jessica when I get back."

The couple continued to chat for awhile longer. It was nice to talk about other things, lighter things. Eventually, their days caught up with them, and reluctantly, they ended their Skype session, comforted by the knowledge that they would be back together in a few hours.

/

Marissa smiled as Minx Manor came into view. She and Lisa had left Llanview after meeting with Nora and Bo over breakfast. The meeting had been productive and allowed them to get an early start on their return to Pine Valley. During their trip back home, they called Ellie to go over a few things and set up a meeting with their team after the weekend was over. Marissa also told Ellie that she and Lisa would not be in the office that day. The trip had been emotionally draining, and Marissa knew they could use the weekend to recharge. Something that would be needed for what lie ahead for them. Marissa then had Ellie transfer her to Caleb so the redhead could catch him up to speed on the case. It was then that he informed her that he had seen video of Landry's arrest which had gone viral since the day before. Caleb also asked Lisa to send him her recording of the confrontation from Turner's office. He always got a kick out of Marissa's verbal smackdowns. Lisa laughed and promised to send it to him while Marissa simply rolled her eyes. It was mid-day by the time Marissa had dropped Lisa off at her place and then headed home. She pulled into the garage, grabbed her belongings, and headed inside.

"Marissa, welcome home. We weren't expecting you until later." Jessica said as she greeted the redhead. She was watching Danny for the couple, and when she heard a car approaching the house, she glanced out one of the front windows and immediately recognized the vehicle. Jessica picked up Danny, who had been playing in the family room, and headed to the kitchen to greet her friend.

"Hi, Jessica. I got an early start and took advantage of it." Marissa dropped her things and made a beeline for her youngest son. "Hi, Danny! Did you miss me?"

"Mama!" Danny grinned and reached out for his redheaded mother.

Marissa sighed happily as she eagerly took him into her arms. She kissed him several times, making the boy giggle. When Danny rested his head on her shoulder, Marissa started to sway back and forth.

"I'd say he did miss you, as did everyone else. When I saw Bianca this morning, she said that you wouldn't be home until around dinnertime."

"Yeah, that's what I told when we talked last night. I thought I'd surprise her and the kids."

"Well, it's a surprise they will love. I know I do."

"Thanks. I was wondering since we have some time for just us if we could talk? It's been a little bit since we've talked."

Jessica smiled. "Yes, it has. Of course we can talk. I'll take Danny while you go change."

"Good. I'll meet you back here." Marissa handed Danny over with another quick kiss and then padded down the hall to her bedroom.

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A/N: I'm going to lighten the storyline up more in the next chapter. Who knows? I might update "Kegs & Eggs" in place of updating this story. I think I need to do that for my own sanity. See you soon!