A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. Sorry for the late post again. I'm really hoping work calms down soon because it is seriously kicking my butt. Quick note on this chapter. Bianca and Marissa briefly touch upon Bianca's past as well as the current case. 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!

/

"Would you want to talk later, after the kids are in bed?"

Bianca smiled and kissed her wife. She had sensed Marissa had been holding back a little since she had taken on Tessa's case, and she was relieved to hear that her wife was now ready to open up and share what she was going through. "I'll be ready whenever you are. Okay. I'm going to go change, and I'll be right back to join in on the fun." As Bianca padded down the hallway to the couple's bedroom, the music resumed. This time, she heard the strains of Aretha's version of 'I Say a Little Prayer for You'. The weekend was definitely getting off to a good start.

/

"Is everyone asleep?" Bianca asked her wife as Marissa finally joined her back in their bedroom. Marissa had tucked the kids in since she wasn't able to do it the night before. While she was doing that, Bianca had straightened up the family room from their movie marathon and then locked up the house.

"Yep, even Max is down for the count. He's in Gabby's room tonight." Marissa smiled. The dog loved each family member equally and didn't play favorites. He simply rotated whose room he would spend the night in. The only exception was if he sensed someone was sick or upset, and it was then that he would change up his routine and spend the night with whoever needed him the most.

Marissa knew it was time to talk so she joined Bianca in bed. "Hey."

Bianca chuckled. "Hey yourself. So, Jessica gave you some good advice and told you to get out of your head and stop overthinking."

"Yes, she did."

"What are you overthinking?"

Marissa paused for a moment before she continued. She knew she had to be honest with her wife. "You."

Bianca cocked her head. "Me? I'm going to need you to explain."

"Yeah, I figured as much. I'm overthinking how much I should tell you about how much this case is affecting me, about how much I should open up about that among other things."

"Ah. Let me guess. You're worrying about how much I can and can't handle, and you're also trying to protect me, at the expense of yourself."

"You pretty much nailed it." Marissa said wryly.

"Rissa …"

"I know. I know. I know we've talked about this. Like I said, I got in my head, and I needed Jessica to give me a good swift kick in the behind. I just can't help but worry about you, and it's not because I think you're weak because you are anything but that. It's because I love you and don't want to see you hurt."

Bianca sighed. "Thank you. I know, and I would be the same if our roles were reversed. I just need you to trust me and that I'll let you know if what you tell me gets to be too much for me. I know that there have been times in the past when I wasn't as open as I should have been, but I've gotten better, haven't I?"

"Yes, you have, and I'm very proud of you for it. I'm sorry. I know better."

"Rissa, I know you only want to protect me, and I love you for it. If we're being honest, I would be the same way with you. We have to trust each other on this though. This is a partnership." Bianca motioned between them. "We're a team. What's that old adage that coaches use all the time? There's no 'I' in team. So, we need to share our burdens just like we do our wins, our successes."

Marissa grinned. "You're right, Coach."

Bianca rolled her eyes but smiled. "Smartass."

"That would be me. Seriously though, you're right, and I promise I will do better."

"That's all I ask. So, do you want to talk about the case?"

Marissa nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Once the couple got comfortable, Marissa opened up about the case. She didn't go into some details because she couldn't due to confidentiality, but she did tell her about the ever-growing number of young women coming forward as well as the fact that many of them were asking for her help.

"Are you feeling a little overwhelmed?" Bianca asked even though she was sure of the answer.

"Yes, I am. There are a lot of people that will be depending on me, and I can't let them down. They've been through too much. I can't fail them on this."

"I don't think you will. You're very good at what you do. You also have a good team to help you along with Caleb, Uncle Jack and the other partners. Plus, there's Mike and Nora. You're not alone in this by any stretch of the imagination. You just have to remember that if you need help, ask for it. Now while I can't help with any of the legal proceedings, I'll be there for you every step of the way. You also have Jessica, Jo, Kendall, Greenlee, Mom. Shall I go on?"

Marissa smiled and shook her head. "No, I get the idea."

"Good. All of us will be there for you to cheer you on, to listen to you, and to have your back. We'll also offer whatever help we can to your clients, and I'm not just talking about the Center. Just remember, you're not alone, and neither are those young women. Got it?"

"I do." Marissa smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I am. I should have talked to you sooner about all of this, huh?"

"You think?" Bianca replied with a cheeky grin.

"Okay. Your turn. I can tell something is bothering you a little bit. What is it?" Marissa asked.

Bianca sighed. "I feel like a fraud. All of these women are coming forward and telling their stories, and I'm still sitting here not saying a word about what happened to me."

"You're not a fraud, Bianca. If you ask me, you're anything but that. There is a very good reason why you're not revealing what happened to you. Miranda. You know that if you reveal what happened to you and when it happened that Miranda will make the connection. She's way too smart not to. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't suspect what happened already because of your nightmares. Miranda has witnessed you having them. She just doesn't know the particulars."

"That she is a product of what he did."

Marissa nodded. "Yes. I don't believe she suspects that however. I think a part of her doesn't want to know everything though because it's like opening Pandora's box. What you're doing is protecting her because suspecting what happened and actually knowing what did happen are two entirely different things. But I also have to think about you and your well-being. If telling her will help you, I will have your back 1000%. This isn't just about Miranda. This is about you too. If you do tell her, we will get her help because we both know that she will need it." Marissa said earnestly.

Bianca smiled at her wife and took a deep breath. "It's ironic that the worst thing that happened to me is also what brought me one of my greatest joys. I wouldn't trade Miranda for anything. You're right when you say that we both know that Miranda is extremely smart, and she could easily put 2 and 2 together. I think she's still too young to know. Her childhood would be over in the blink of an eye, and neither of us want that. So, we'll hold off on telling her."

"What about you? Are you okay with not coming forward right now?"

"I am. I may not be announcing it to the world, but I'm not keeping it bottled up inside me. I have a lot of people I can talk with about this. I have Dr. Blankenship who has helped me so much. Then, there is Mom, Kendall, Greenlee, Jessica, and Jo, and most importantly, I have you."

Marissa squeezed Bianca's hand. "Always."

"I know, and the same with me. We make one helluva team, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery."

"That we do, Mrs. Tasker-Montgomery, that we do. We just have to remember to communicate with each other."

"And not go overboard when it comes to protecting one another." Bianca added.

"I think that one will be hard for both of us. I'll do my best though."

"So will I. Are you good?"

"Yeah, I am. What about you?"

"I'm good too. Well, I am pretty tired. I really didn't sleep well without you here."

"Same. How about we sleep now, and maybe get a morning workout in after a good night's sleep?" Marissa waggled her eyebrows.

Bianca grinned. "I do love how you think, Counselor."

The couple's goodnight kiss held the promise of what their morning activities would bring.

/

The next morning found Bianca and Marissa in the kitchen with bright smiles on their faces as they made breakfast. The couple had woken up early and definitely enjoyed their alone time that morning. As much as they were tempted to spend more time in bed, they knew the kids would be waking up soon and wanting breakfast. They reluctantly got out of bed and took turns showering before they headed to the kitchen to start breakfast after letting Max, who was waiting patiently by the back door, out. Bianca had just let Max back in when the kids appeared. AJ was carrying his little brother who was babbling happily.

"Morning. We heard Danny up in his room, so Miranda and I changed his diaper before coming down."

"Good morning. Thank you, AJ and Miranda. We appreciate your help." Bianca smiled and kissed the tops of all of their children's heads before taking Danny and putting him in his highchair.

"Good morning, minions! You are just in time. Breakfast is served!" Marissa greeted the kids with a kiss on top of the head followed by a plate with pancakes and bacon.

The family chatted about their plans for the day as they enjoyed their breakfast. When Marissa's cellphone rang, she reached behind her to pick it up from the counter. She glanced at the caller id and was surprised by the name on the screen.

"I'm going to take this in the other room. I'll be right back."

"Is everything okay?" Bianca asked.

"I'm not quite sure. It's Brandon." Marissa said as she headed into the family.

/

"Good morning, Brandon."

"Morning, Marissa. I'm sorry for calling so early, and I hope I'm not interrupting."

"It's okay. What's up?"

"I … I was hoping I could stop by in a little bit and talk. There's been some things going on in my personal life, and I need to talk with you about them, explain some things. I know it's long overdue."

"Of course you can stop by. When do you think you'll be here?"

"About 30 minutes, if that's okay? I don't want to interrupt though if you have plans."

"We do have plans, but they're this afternoon. Half an hour will be fine. I'll see you then."

Brandon sighed in relief. "Thanks, Marissa. I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome. Drive safe." Marissa could hear the exhaustion in the man's voice.

"I will. I'll see you soon."

Marissa disconnected the call and headed back to the kitchen.

/

"What did Brandon want?" Bianca asked when her wife sat back down.

"He wants to talk. He's stopping by in half an hour."

"Do you think he's ready to talk about what's been going on with him?"

Marissa nodded. "Yes. He said he wanted to explain some things, so hopefully I'll find out and be able to help him." She glanced at the kids who had been listening to their parents' conversation. "Don't worry. I told him we had plans, and he understood. We're still going to the children's museum this afternoon. I do need to talk to him though."

Miranda nodded. "It's okay. We know you've been worried about him."

"Yes, I have. I'm glad he finally wants to talk, and I just hope I can help him."

"You got this, Ma. You'll be able to help him. You're a good listener." Gabby assured.

"Thank you, Monkey."

/

Bianca opened the front door and smiled. "Hi, Brandon. Come in."

"Hi, Bianca. I'm sorry to interrupt your day."

"Don't even think about it. It's fine. Marissa's in the kitchen. I'll go get her. Would you like something to drink? Maybe some coffee or tea?"

"Some tea would be nice, if it's not too much trouble?"

"It's no trouble at all. Please have a seat." Bianca said as she headed to the kitchen.

Marissa appeared a moment later. "Hi, Brandon."

"Hi, Marissa. Thanks for seeing me." Brandon said as he stood to greet his boss.

"You're welcome, and please sit and make yourself comfortable."

"Thanks." Brandon rubbed his hands on his legs. "I'm not sure the best way to start."

"Take your time."

"Sorry to interrupt. Here's your tea, Brandon." After Bianca handed the man his drink, she turned to her wife. "I'm going to go check on the kids. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will. Thank you."

"Thanks, Bianca." Brandon said.

"You're welcome."

Brandon took a drink and started. "I know you've been worried about me for a little while, and I'm sorry for that. I also know that I should have talked to you before now. Lisa has been trying to get me to open up. I just couldn't tell anyone though, not even Lisa. Yesterday, something happened to change things, and I know I can't keep this to myself anymore. I need to tell you." Brandon took a deep breath before he continued. "You know about my family and our history."

Marissa nodded. "I do."

/

A/N: Yeah, I know it's a little evil to leave it there. I'll try and have another chapter up this weekend to make up for it. See you soon!