A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I really appreciate it. I apologize for the delay in updating. Work has been nuts, and then, I went on vacation. I drove to St. Louis with a friend for a few days and then just chilled when I got home. It took me a couple of days to get back in the groove. Thanks for staying with me! This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Cory! Oh, I have missed you!" Marissa opened the door to welcome her friend and hugged her.
"Marissa! I've missed you too!" The teacher smiled brightly as she returned the hug. The friends had talked regularly, but it just wasn't the same as actually seeing each other in person. "Is Jo here yet?"
"Not yet, but she should be here soon. Come on. Let's get you set up in the guest room and catch up."
Bianca, in her infinite wisdom, had suggested that Cory come in the day prior to the trip to Shamokin so the friends could spend some time together before everyone else gathered at Minx Manor and hit the road. Naturally, she and Marissa insisted that Cory stay at Minx Manor instead of a hotel. When Jo heard Bianca's idea about the three friends spending the day before the trip together along with Marissa's idea of Cory and Jo staying over, she was completely onboard with both. The three friends had been looking forward to it and felt like kids again when they would have sleepovers at each other's homes.
"Where are Bianca and the kids?"
"They ran out to pick up dinner not too long ago."
"Remind me to thank to Bianca for her brilliant idea!"
"I will. I may be biased, but I think my wife is pretty incredible."
"You won't get any argument from me. You're not so bad yourself. I love the sleepover idea, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. How's Jo?" Cory had been concerned about her friend when Marissa had called her about the things going wrong with the wedding.
"Much better, especially now that she has her wedding dress in her possession. Well, it's not at her place. It's actually here because she was afraid Greg would stumble upon it, and she doesn't want him to see it before the wedding."
"The dress is here?! I have to see it."
"You're going to have to wait until Jo gets here."
"I will. She should be the one to show me. I'm just so glad that's been taken care of. I still can't get over Erica stepping in like that. She really saved the day. The same with you and Bianca having the ceremony and reception here."
"I'm just glad we could help Jo and Greg."
"Where do you want to put this?" Cory asked carefully holding a garment bag.
"Is that your dress?"
"Yes, it is."
"Let's put it in this closet. It will be safe in here and won't get wrinkled."
Cory had brought her dress for Jo's wedding with her on this trip to Pine Valley. It would be one less thing for her to worry about when it came to packing for the return trip for the wedding. That would be extremely helpful since that trip would include bringing Matt. With the wedding at Minx Manor, it made perfect sense for the dress to be stored there.
"Perfect. Thank you."
"No problem. You'll have your hands full with Matt and Chris!"
Cory laughed. "Isn't that the truth?!"
Their conversation was interrupted when they heard Gabby calling out for Marissa.
"Come on. Let's go. I know the kids are dying to see their Aunt Cory."
"And I can't way to see them."
/
While Bianca and the kids set the table, Jo, who had arrived not long after Bianca returned home with takeout from the family's favorite pizza place, dropped her bag off in a guestroom before showing Cory her wedding dress. Marissa, with a freshly changed Danny, met back up with the friends in the dining room where everyone settled around the table to eat. After dinner, everyone pitched in to clean up, and it was done in no time. When everyone was in the family room, Bianca pulled out a gift bag and handed it to Marissa.
"Before you ask, this isn't from me. It's from Kendall for all three of you." Bianca said as she indicated Marissa, Jo, and Cory.
"I'm almost afraid to open this. I'm assuming it's safe to in front of the kids?" Marissa smirked.
"She told me it was, so I'm taking her at her word."
"Okay." Marissa looked inside the bag and pulled out three smaller packages wrapped in tissue paper. Each package had their names on them. Marissa handed one to Jo and one to Cory before taking hers out. The friends looked at each other and nodded.
"Let's do this." Jo said before they unwrapped the packages.
The trio started laughing immediately when they saw the t-shirts that Kendall had gotten them.
"What is it, Ma?" AJ asked, dying to know what they got.
Marissa turned hers around first to reveal her t-shirt followed by Jo and finally Cory. The t-shirts were navy blue with writing in the style of Dr. Seuss which read 'Goon 1', 'Goon 2', and 'Goon 3'.
Gabby cocked her head, clearly confused. "What are those for?"
"It's an inside joke from the last time we went to Shamokin." Marissa said amused.
"When you came back with black eyes." Miranda caught part of the joke.
Bianca rolled her eyes and her sister's sense of humor. "Well, you might as well put them on now. You know Kendall is expecting a picture."
"True. Why don't we all change and meet back up here?" Marissa suggested.
"That sounds good. I have yearbooks from high school for us to look at!" Cory said excitedly.
Jo nodded, immediately onboard. "Oh, and I have some photo albums that Mom found."
"I see your yearbooks and photo albums, and I'll raise you some home movies!" Marissa grinned.
"Well, if we're going to do that, then we should probably have the brownies that Jessica sent over with Jo." Bianca added.
Everyone's eyes lit up with that suggestion, and they took off to their respective rooms to change. While Bianca and Marissa were changing, they decided to add to the brownies and make sundaes with them. Marissa finished changing first and headed to the kitchen to begin making the sundaes while Bianca changed Danny. Soon, Jo and Cory joined Marissa in the kitchen and began to help her. Once everyone was changed, they met back up in the family room. It was decided to watch home movies first. That way everyone could enjoy their brownie sundaes while they watched.
/
"I loved your Dad. He was such a goofball." Cory laughed.
"Yeah, you can tell your Mom thinks so too. She's trying not to laugh, but it was next to impossible." Jo added.
Marissa chuckled. "That was pretty much standard in our house."
"I can't get over Jessica. She's absolutely beautiful. Not to say that she isn't now, but she honestly could've been a model." Bianca said.
"Nana J!" Danny grinned when he recognized Jessica on screen.
"That's right, Sparky. She's pretty, isn't she?" Marissa said as she fed her youngest son a small bite of her sundae.
"Where are the two of you?" Miranda asked Jo and Cory. She hadn't seen them yet as they watched the pool party that had been filmed.
No sooner had Miranda spoken then the two women, teenagers in the home movie, appeared. While they had their swimsuits on, neither had been in the water yet. In fact, it was obvious that they were making an effort to avoid getting wet. They had been doing well in accomplishing that goal up to that point, but they made two fatal mistakes. The first was that they had stopped by the edge of the pool to talk to someone. The second was that they had lost sight of Marissa. The redhead shot into view out of nowhere and took both into the pool with her.
"Woah, Ma! Nice takedown!" AJ gave his redheaded mother a high-five.
"Thank you! I was rather proud of myself!"
"I still can't believe you did that." Jo shook her head.
"I owed you both, and I was simply repaying the favor."
"I have to admit that it was impressive how you took us both out at one time." Cory chuckled.
Miranda grinned. "That was really good, Ma."
Gabby agreed with her sister. "Mimo's right!"
Bianca just chuckled at the proud expression on Marissa's face. It was a little out of place with the 'Goon 1' t-shirt she was wearing. It was that thought that reminded her of something. "We have to take that picture of the three of you for Kendall."
"Oh, you're right. I almost forgot about that. Come on, my fellow goons. Let's do this."
Jo and Cory sat on either side of Marissa while Bianca pulled out her cellphone.
"Give me your best goon-like faces." Bianca instructed. She started laughing at the expressions and poses the trio struck. After snapping several pictures, Bianca deemed she had taken enough. "Perfect! I have no doubt that Kendall will love these. And before any of you ask, I'll send you copies."
"Mom will be so proud." Jo smirked.
"These will do wonders for my street cred!" Cory stated.
Miranda raised an eyebrow in pure Kane fashion. "I really don't think so, Aunt Cory."
"Oh my God, you look just like your Mom, Aunt Kendall and Grandma when you do that."
"Thank you!" Miranda grinned brightly at the compliment.
"The Kane woman is strong in Miranda and Gabby." Marissa smiled when she saw Gabby's matching grin.
Bianca beamed with pride as well as she looked at her wife. "And don't you forget it."
Marissa laughed. "Never."
/
After watching a few more home movies, the kids reluctantly headed off to bed. Danny had nodded off a while ago and had already been put in his bed. Once the kids were gone, Marissa made a quick trip to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of wine and glasses for the four women. They continued to share stories from their childhoods as they looked through the high school yearbooks and photo albums before they eventually moved on to discuss Jo's wedding.
"Your dress is absolutely beautiful, Jo. Greg isn't going to know what hit him when he sees you."
"I don't know about that."
"No, no, no. Cory's right. You are a beautiful bride, and Greg is a lucky man. He's also very smart because he knows he's lucky." Marissa added.
The women continued to talk and drink before Bianca yawned. "Okay. I'm going to bed." Bianca gave Marissa a quick kiss. "Have fun."
"I probably won't be too much longer. I don't want to be too tired tomorrow. I need to be able to keep up with Kendall and Greenlee or they'll never let me hear the end of it." Marissa smirked.
"Very true. That could be a fate worse than death." Bianca laughed. "I have faith that you can handle it though. Goodnight, Jo, Cory. If I'm asleep when you come back, Rissa, wake me up."
"Goodnight, Bianca."
"Night, Bianca."
Marissa grinned. "I will. Love you."
"Love you too."
/
Cory refilled their glasses while Marissa studied Jo. She could tell something was on her mind.
"You okay, Jo?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I am."
Marissa wasn't buying her friend's answer for one second. "Really? You want to try answering that question again. This time tell the truth."
Jo chuckled. "I could never really lie to you, could I?"
"Nope. What's up?"
"It's Greg's aunt. She's constantly asking when we're going to have kids. It's really starting to get to us. She just won't let it go."
"Does she know?" Cory asked.
"About Greg?"
"Yes."
"No, at least I don't think so. I'd like to believe that if she did that she wouldn't keep bringing it up. It's a touchy subject for her nephew."
Some time ago, Jo had shared with Marissa and Cory that Greg had fertility issues. It was something the couple had accepted over time. Now, they were weighing their options. There were fertility treatments which could be expensive. There was also adoption. Finally, they were considering not having children. Both liked where they were in their lives. They had the freedom of coming and going as they pleased that family and friends didn't. Plus, they got to be the cool Aunt and Uncle to their nieces and nephews. As time went by, that last option became more and more appealing to them. This was something that Jo had shared with her friends. There was no judgement. They simply supported her. Jessica did as well. While she would have liked grandchildren, what she wanted most was for her daughter to be happy. Besides, Jessica had Marissa's kids to spoil and fuss over. She adored them, and the feeling was definitely mutual. Jessica assured Jo that she loved her and would support her daughter no matter what. She made sure Greg knew that as well.
"Have you told either Jessica or Greg's parents about his aunt?"
"No. You know how my Mom would be."
Marissa chuckled. "Yeah, we do. She would open a big old can of whoop ass, and rightfully so, if you ask me. I'm willing to help her open that can up. The decision belongs to you and Greg and no one else. I'm going to have to stay away from her at the wedding, aren't I?"
"Guess I know what one of my bridesmaid's duties is." Cory smirked.
Marissa scoffed. "Oh, like you don't want a piece of that woman."
"True. I do, but we all know who's the lover and who's the fighter."
"I'm actually both. You can ask Bianca." Marissa grinned.
Jo laughed. The banter between her friends served its purpose and lightened her mood considerably. She was so thankful to have them in her life. "Now I know how Kendall feels."
Marissa raised her glass in response to her friend's crack and winked, glad that she and Cory had gotten Jo to laugh and put a smile back on her face. "You should talk to your Mom though. Oh, be sure to tell Kendall all about this conversation tomorrow. She'll love it."
"I'm sure she will." Jo looked at her friends. "Thanks. You're right about Mom. I'll talk to her when we get back, and I'll have Greg talk to his parents. Hopefully, they can talk to his aunt and get her to shut the hell up."
"If not, we know people who could help set her straight."
Jo and Marissa looked at each other and then at Cory before cracking up. Their friend was probably the nicest person that either of them knew, and it was really hard for her to pull off the tough talk.
"Are you going to bus your class down here to take care of her." Jo asked, clearly amused.
Cory rolled her eyes. "No, I don't think the principal would let me. The school board would probably be against it too. I'm talking about Kendall and Greenlee. They would have way too much fun doing that. And let's be honest, they're way more devious than my students."
"True, even though some of your students may be more mature than the two of them sometimes." Marissa laughed.
Jo laughed along with her friends. "You're not wrong on that. I have to admit that I admire that about them sometimes."
"I will tell you that you can't have two better people in your corner than those two. I will also tell you, both of you, that Kendall and Greenlee will have your back, in case you didn't know."
"Yeah, we both know, and same with them."
"Cory's right. You know, our family has grown a lot since our class reunion."
Marissa smiled. They may not all be related by blood, but they were still family. "Yes, it has. I think my Mom and Dad would be really happy about that. Speaking of parents, are you sure your folks don't want to stay here, Cory?"
"I'm positive. They really appreciate the offer, but they don't want to put you out. And before you say that they wouldn't, I'll have to tell you that there is an ulterior motive. Mom and Dad like checking out other places, seeing what they can pick up from them, and trying to incorporate the good things they see into their place. They want the bed & breakfast to be the best it can possibly be, and they've never been too proud to change something if they find something that works better."
"That makes sense."
"They're really looking forward to coming here. This is their first visit to Pine Valley."
"Well, they will have an abundance of tour guides at their disposal should they so desire."
"Thanks. I'll let them know. Thanks for inviting them to the rehearsal dinner, Jo. You didn't need to." When Jo and Greg heard that Cory's parents would be coming into town the day before the wedding, they had insisted that they come to the rehearsal dinner as well.
Jo rolled her eyes. "I think that we just established that we're all family. So, why wouldn't I include them? You're welcome though. I appreciate them helping with the set up. I'm really lucky to have so many people pitching in like they are." That is when it finally hit her. "Guys, I'm getting married! This is really happening! I've got my dress, and it is so beautiful! I've got the minister and the venue! That all worked out, and trust me, I didn't think it was going to! I'm getting married!"
Marissa and Cory glanced at each other and smiled.
"Yes, you are. And you are going to be a beautiful bride."
"I agree with Marissa. You are going to be absolutely beautiful. You want to know something else?"
"What?"
"You are going to have a great bachelorette party in Shamokin!"
Jo laughed. "Yes, I am! Marissa, you did tell Kendall and Greenlee that they're not allowed to record anything, right?"
"Yes, I told them. Of course, they just rolled their eyes and smiled. Actually, I wouldn't call it a smile. It was more of an evil grin. So, odds are good that it went in one ear and out the other which means that it will most likely be recorded. The good news is that we do have the pact where what happens in Shamokin stays in Shamokin. They'll just share any recordings with us." Marissa smirked.
"You know what? I don't care then. I'm going to have fun! I deserve it!"
"That's our girl!" Marissa and Cory clinked their glasses with Jo's.