Chapter Two

After AJ and Miranda disappeared into the kitchen, Bianca reached for her phone. Her fingers were actually trembling. She wasn't sure how Reese would react to her call. After all, their break-up had been so ugly; just like all the ones before.

She waited impatiently for Reese to answer. It seemed like forever until the woman she loved finally picked up the phone.

"Reese," she said. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I need you here. The girls and I need you."

Bianca rushed on, having so much to say and barely breathing to get it all out. "Miranda and I had this huge fight earlier and it made me realize - it made me realize a lot of things. I have been a fool. I have these issues... and I always have. Let me prove to you that things will be different," Bianca spoke. "Let me prove to you that I can trust you."

Bianca wiped at her tears, hoping Reese would hop on the next plane. She had so much she needed to make up for...

Xxxxx

Miranda and AJ had gone into the kitchen in search of a snack. "How about chips, salsa, and a couple of sodas?" Miranda suggested to her new best friend.

"My stomach would be so pleased," AJ responded with a grin.

"Great. We can take it up to my room. I have never had a guy in my bedroom before."

AJ practically smirked. "Wow, I am happy I get to be the first."

Miranda was laughing at his reply as she located a big bag of chips, a jar of salsa, and two cold Colas from the fridge. "What kind of music do you like?" Miranda asked as they headed up the stairs.

"A little bit of everything," AJ answered as he followed Miranda up to her room.

They sat down on the comfy bed together as Miranda opened the salsa. She turned on some music as AJ began to munch on their snack. "I have this idea," said AJ. "Would you like to go to the beach with me tomorrow?"

"What about school?"

"We could could skip. Just this once," said AJ. "I am already making all A's. I have a brilliant mind."

"I'd love to skip school and go to the beach with you," Miranda said excitedly. "It sounds like so much fun. Besides I have this new bikini..."

AJ wiggled his eyebrows with interest. He couldn't wait to see Miranda in that bikini, but he didn't dare say it. "And I have a nice pair of trunks."

"I hope everything's going okay downstairs with my mom. I don't hear any screaming... yet."

"Don't worry. Everything's going to be just fine with your moms," AJ assured her after having taken a sip of his chilled soda. "And tomorrow you and I are going to have so much fun."

"I can't wait," Miranda said gleefully.

Xxxxxxx

In the rush of words that Bianca had spilled out, Reese made out that the other woman was still in love with her. She was asking for another chance with her. Reese was finding it hard to resist the urge to scream out yes to that chance with Bianca.

"Okay, take a breath first," Reese said. "I've missed you and the girls so much since you left."

"We've missed you oh-so-much, too," Bianca said.

"I'll book a plane ticket to Pine Valley right now," Reese promised.

"Really?" Bianca asked, relieved and so excited.

"Yes. Kiss the girls for me and tell them I'll be arriving soon."

"Ohhhh, I will!"

Bianca's heart was soaring with so much gratitude. She just knew that Miranda and Gabrielle would be thrilled to hear the happy news.

Xxxxxx

It was getting late. AJ told Miranda thanks for the snacks, but he better be getting home. His dad would be expecting him for dinner. "I had a great time... and I can't wait to hang out with you tomorrow when we go to the beach," AJ said, giving Miranda a hug.

"Okay, Ace. I can't wait for tomorrow either. When we skip school and go to the beach," Miranda said with excitement.

"Ace?" he said with a little grin.

"Yep, that's gonna be my nickname for you. Ace. I think it fits."

"Awesome. Now I have to think of a nickname for you." He looked Miranda up and down, but no nickname came to him as of yet. He just gave her a brilliant smile before they left her bedroom.

Once they walked into the living room, he and Miranda discovered that their matchmaking skills had actually worked. Bianca told them happily that Reese was coming to Pine Valley the next morning by plane. AJ and Miranda were both thrilled when they heard the news.

"That's great," AJ said before he shook Bianca's hand. "I have to be going now. I will pick up Miranda after breakfast in the morning."

"That's so sweet of you," Bianca said. "Thank you for offering to drive Miranda to school."

"You're welcome," said AJ.

As Miranda hugged AJ and said goodbye to him at the door, she hoped that her mother would never find out that she was planning on skipping school.

"See you tomorrow morning," she said as she watched her new best friend walk out the door.