"I mean, not that I want to bring him up, but JR could never get a reservation here. I'm just curious, how in the world did you manage to pull off getting us into Mystique on such short notice? This place is absolutely amazing. It's more than I ever imagined it would be."

They were seated at a candlelit table in the back corner of the most exclusive restaurant in Pine Valley. It was clear to Marissa as soon as they arrived why Bianca had chosen it and requested their particular table. From its position, there was a beautiful view of a garden that glowed under the moon and twinkle-lights out the window. Not to mention, it seemed to be the most private spot in the entire place.

Bianca smirked as she shrugged, "One of the perks of being Erica Kane's daughter, I suppose."

"No no no", Marissa shook her head as she finished the last bite of her foie gras-stuffed lobster then set her fork down on the now empty dinner plate. "Don't give me that. I saw the way the hostess and the owner were falling all over themselves trying to accommodate us when we got here. As a matter of fact, the hostess is still over there trying to be discrete in watching us. I'd assume she's nervous about you being pleased with the service. Now, are you really trying to tell me that that has to do with your mother?"

"Yup, I guess so."

The redhead laughed heartily, "Sure, okay. I'll let you be modest and keep your secrets about your superpowers. I know you don't like to brag."

"I don't want to keep any secrets from you", Bianca chuckled. "So honestly, I just made a quick phone call to my old friend the owner. Geoffrey and I met in Paris when I first moved there. We became fast friends and I fell in love with his restaurant there. When he started talking about expanding internationally I suggested he choose Philly, New York, or Pine Valley. He, being completely ambitious, chose all three and is now an even wealthier and more successful restauranteur than when we first met. Whenever I come in, he always goes over the top. I guess it's his way of continually thanking me for my push to come here and the use of my connections to get him this prime piece of real estate."

"If I had known he was such a close friend, I might have used my best friend status to get me in here a long ago", Marissa joked before she pointed over to the hostess staring at them again, "So, what's her deal? Seriously, is she that nervous because your her boss's friend?"

Bianca shook her head as she let out an exasperated sigh, "Just ignore her. Trust me, Lauren is not nervous that I'm here. She is failing at being discrete because she has been trying for months to get me out on a date. I am certain that she is more-so interested in watching you than me."

"Ah, because she's trying to figure out what I have that she doesn't that would make the most eligible bachelorette in Pine Valley want to go on a date with me instead of her?"

"Something like that", the brunette laughed, "And really, the most eligible bachelorette?"

Marissa shrugged, "What? You are! Don't act like you don't know it either. I've noticed the way women in this town drool over you, Ms. Montgomery. Some of which I know have never even been remotely attracted to another woman until they've seen or met you— myself included."

A well sculpted brow raised in amused intrigued at that last comment, "So Counselor, when have you drooled over me?"

The redhead couldn't help but blush as she momentarily looked away from Bianca's gaze. "That part was so supposed to stay in my head", Marissa chuckled nervously, "Is it too late to retract my last statement?"

"Oh no, there's no taking it back now. It's out, so tell me. I'm curious to know when my girlfriend first drooled over me."

"Girlfriend, huh? Oooo, I get a new title already! Yes!" The redhead giggled as she did a small fist pump. "I say we talk more about the change in our relationship status and less about my complete admiration for you that caused me to salivate more than usual. Soooo, I'm your girlfriend now?"

This time, it was Bianca blushing while trying desperately to hide it. "Too much, too soon?"

"Nope", Marissa responded while reaching to take the brunette's hands in her own, "Despite this being our official first date, I'd say we've been moving towards this upgrade for a while now. At least in my mind we have. And I love that you've already decided in your mind who you want me to be to you, because I feel the same way. Seriously, Bianca, I love you and I want to be yours— all yours."

"I love you too, so much." The younger woman smiled as she caught hazel eyes stare at her lips for a moment then lock back onto her own eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, having a deep conversation in silence, before both reluctantly looked away to see who had just came to their table clearing their throat.

"Ms. Montgomery, excuse my interruption", their server spoke guietly, "But I have been asked by another guest if you had a moment to speak? I believe she would just like to say hello to you and your date. She says she is a friend."

"Which guest is that?"

The server gestured towards a tall exotic looking woman standing by the bar, "That one, but if she is just a fan then I will tell her you are too busy."

Bianca smiled as she locked eyes with the woman across the room and nodded before looking at Marissa, "Do you mind if we just say 'hi' for a moment?"

"No, I don't mind. I'm aware of my girlfriend's celebrity", the redhead answered partly joking and partly serious. "Of course, it's fine."

"We will talk about that 'celebrity' thing later, but thank you. I promise it's just a hello", Bianca waved the woman over and told the server he could leave them again.

The lawyer looked amazed for a moment when she got a better look at the woman moving closer and realized exactly who it was coming in their direction, "Wait, you say you're not a celebrity but you're friends with the most saught out woman in Hollywood right now? From what the tabloids say, she only surrounds herself with the 'who's who' of the world." Marissa chuckled at the humble expression she found on Bianca's face. "Hmph, my girlfriend really is modest and, might I add, full of surprises tonight."

"Again, I am not a celebrity. And this was an unexpected and unplanned surprise, but trust that your girlfriend does have a few more surprises in store for you tonight", Bianca spoke in all seriousness then kissed Marissa's hand before smiling brightly. She turned her head back just in time to see her friend making the final few steps to get to their table. "Hey you, it's so good to see you", the brunette said as she stood to hug the woman.

"Bianca, it's always a pleasure to see you. I'm sorry for intruding, but I just had to say hi and let you know that I'm in Pine Valley for the week. I called your office earlier but your assistant said you were out for the day and I've called your cell a couple times this evening but it kept going to voicemail. Now I see why", she smiled as she looked between the two woman.

"Yes, I didn't want any distractions this evening", Bianca explained as she began making introductions, "Elliana Milagros this is Marissa Tasker, my girlfriend. Marissa this is Elliana, a dear friend and business associate."

Both women shook hands as Marissa spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm actually a big fan of your movies and the philanthropy work you do with UNICEF."

The actress gave a charming smile as she said with sincerity, "Well thank you! And it's definitely a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure you have to be someone very special if you snagged this one here. You're a lucky woman."

"While I agree with her being very special, your observation is not entirely accurate, Elli", Bianca cut in as she wrapped her arm around Marissa's waist, "I'm the lucky one." She pecked the shorter woman's lips then looked back at her friend, "So what brings you to Pine Valley? Am I right to assume it may have something to do with business since you mentioned calling my office?"

"You are absolutely right", Elliana confirmed, "I wanted to see if I could pull you in to help on a new project I am starting in Belize. It could prove to bring in a lot of money in donations to The Center if you're on board, can we talk in private for a few minutes?"

"We can, but not tonight. The only business I am concerning myself with this evening is with this gorgeous woman right here." Bianca pulled the redhead to her side a little tighter and kissed her temple, causing Marissa to blush again as she smiled. "I would love to hear about your project and provide any aide I can in assisting you though. How about we do brunch on Sunday and talk business then?"

Elliana nodded in understanding and took no offense in having to wait to make her business proposal, "Of course! Brunch on Sunday sounds great! I'll have my people call your people with the details on time and place." She shook Marissa's hand again before hugging Bianca, "You ladies enjoy the rest of your evening!" And with that, she walked back over to her entourage at the bar.

Marissa looked up at Bianca with great interest, "I can't believe you really just did that."

"Did what", Bianca asked in genuine confusion as she moved to pull the redhead's chair back out for them to sit back down.

Once they were seated again, Marissa explained, "I can't believe that Elliana Milagros was just eager to talk to you right now about a business proposition and you completely curbed her to stay here with me."

"Well of course I did. It's one thing to take a minute to say 'hey' and introduce her to you, it's another to take added time away from focusing on you to go talk business. Why would I do that when I'm out on a date with my girlfriend?"

"I dont know", she shrugged with uncertainty, "Maybe because it could bring you and The Center a lot of money. She seemed very interested in having you on board right away."

"Business can, and will, wait. This, us being out together and making our new level of relationship official, is more important to me than any amount of money being a part of her project could bring me. I'll hear her out on Sunday. Tonight is all about us."

Marissa couldn't hide the surprised look on her face that came from the younger woman's earnest heartfelt response. To be put first like that was something she wasn't used to. Being with JR had conditioned Marissa to automatically expect to be put on the back burner when it came to situations like the one she had just witnessed. She felt a little guilty that her mind had even went to that place and subsequently put Bianca in the same category as JR for a moment. I should know better than to think she is anything like him at all, especially in that regard. No, Elliana was right the first time, I really am lucky. The redhead let out a contented sigh, "You are absolutely incredible and I love you even more than I did a few minutes ago."

"Just as my love for you keeps growing too", Bianca reached across the table and cupped Marissa's cheek. She stroked it gently then ran her thumb across the lawyer's lips. When Marissa turned into her touch slightly and kissed her thumb sensually, Bianca's breath hitched.

Brown eyes locked on hazel ones that were full of an unspoken but knowing desire. The brunette bit her lip to suppress a moan threatening to escape her. She wanted nothing more than to pounce on the redhead and ravish her in that moment, but she knew she needed to keep herself in check— if for no other reason than for the fact that they were in public. Taking a deep breath to settle her urges, Bianca refocused and decided it was time for them to move on to the next part of their evening.

"Are you ready to get out of here?"

JR paced the parlor of the Chandler mansion still trying to wrap his head around the fact that his once childhood best friend had beaten him out in the game to win his ex-wife's heart. Bianca used me! She knew what she was doing when she gave me that stupid music box. It was all a move to make me look stupid in front of Marissa. Well, payback is going to be a bitch! He stopped his pacing when he heard the front door open then began again when he realized it was just his sister entering the house.

"It's never a good sign when you look like that", Colby observed as she watched him take a sip from the glass he had in his hand and mumble to himself about getting even. She looked around the room and noticed something very out of place. "JR, is that liquor in your glass?" Her inquiry was ignored as the older Chandler kept talking to himself. After a few minutes, Colby had had enough of being ignored and grabbed his arm to get his attention as she yelled, "JR!"

He stopped abruptly in his tracks and glared at her, "Whatever you want, Colby, now is not the time! Unless, of course, you want to help me?"

"Help you what?"

"Destroy Bianca so Marissa can come back to me and stop this nonsense about being on team lesbian all of a sudden."

JR's nonchalant tone threw the younger Chandler off for a moment. "What the hell are you ...", she paused when an earlier conversation with AJ popped in her head, "I take it you're not happy that Marissa and Bianca went out on a date?"

"You know already?"

Colby nodded, "Yeah, AJ told me."

"How the hell does AJ know? He was upstairs when Marissa and Bianca made their grand announcement about being together."

"Apparently, Marissa told him she and Bianca had fallen in love. I asked how he felt about them dating and he said he thought it was great because then he and Miranda could be 'real' twins", Colby chuckled, "It was actually pretty cute the way he was bouncing up and down when he told me. He's super excited about it."

JR scoffed, "No he's not. That's impossible! AJ is a Chandler."

"What's that supposed to mean", she asked incredulously. Truthfully, Colby knew where her brother would be taking this conversation, but she was hoping he wouldn't go there.

"It means he would never betray me— his father! He knows I want to get back together with his mom and he wants us back together. Marissa is just confused right now. I can fix her though!"

"You can 'fix' her?" Colby grabbed the glass from his hand before he could take another sip and smelled its contents, "That explains your misguided and disgusting thoughts right now." She dumped the cognac on the white carpet without a care and ignored JR's yelling as she placed the glass down on the table.

"Hey! That's good booze and I was enjoying it! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"No, the question is: what the fuck is wrong with you, JR?! Are you seriously that upset that Marissa is finally moving on that you had to break your sobriety?! That's pretty weak and pathetic!"

"Watch it, Colby", he threatened menacingly as he stood over her.

She didn't back down. In fact, she stepped closer, getting directly in his face as she spoke through gritted teeth, "Or else what, huh? What are you gonna do, JR? What? You gonna 'destroy' me like you wanna destroy Bianca?! How could you even think about hurting her?!"

"Because she played me and used me to get Marissa! That bitch deserves what's coming to her! Marissa is mine and no one steals from me! Little Binky is going to pay for taking what belongs to me!"

"I cannot believe you just said that! Marissa is yours? Really, JR? She's not some object that you can claim possession of. She's not your property! Marissa's a human being who can make her own choices and she's chosen to be with someone else."

"She's my wife!"

"Ex-wife!" Colby sighed as she tried to control her own temper. She was going about this the wrong way— the Chandler way. Yelling wasn't going to get JR to realize her point and see reason, so she forced herself to speak more calmly, "Look, I know it's kind of crappy to see her moving on, but Marissa obviously knows who she wants. And that person obviously isn't you, so why keep trying to fight a losing battle? It's not like she's moved on to some douchebag. It's Bianca, she's like the sweetest person in the world."

"You're supposed to be on my side! What's next, you going to tell me you're a lesbo too now?"

"No", Colby scoffed, "But if I were Marissa and had to choose between you or Bianca, I'd choose Bianca too. Hands down, no contest. Face it, you've screwed up like a million times. Did you really expect your chances to not run out?"

"I can't believe this! My own flesh and blood on Team Binky now too! You know, she's not the saint that everyone paints her to be. She manipulated Marissa and played on her vulnerability to get her to go out on that date."

"Oh come on JR! You have to let it go! Marissa made the choice to go on her own. She's too smart to be manipulated."

"Not that smart! I've manipulated her plenty of times!"

"And you're proud of that?" Colby shook her head as she looked at her brother with disgust. "You just proved my point as to why she doesn't need to be with you. Just move on. If not for anyone else, then for AJ."

"What does this have to do with my son?"

"AJ told me before that he knows you and Marissa fight all the time and he doesn't want that anymore. So for his sake, JR, let it go. Let Marissa be happy. Even your 8 year old son can see that you no longer make his mother happy. You need to start seeing it too. I mean, you keep saying that that's what you want for her, so just let her go and don't interfere in their relationship. If anyone can make Marissa truly happy, it's Bianca Montgomery and you know it. Just look at how much Marissa has changed in just being friends with her. She laughs more. She smiles more. She's more active. She's way more confident."

"So what?!"

"So, all of that happened because of Bianca and no one else. If you were honest with yourself, and sober, you'd completely agree with me. Seriously, anyone could see that those two being together was bound to happen eventually. All you had to do was really look at them. That friendly admiration has been growing into a deeper love for a while now ... even your own son saw it, JR. Marissa and Bianca being together was inevitable— call it fate. There's no way to stop it, so just accept it."

Having said all she wanted, and not wanting to be in JR's presence anymore, Colby left the parlor to go to her room. She hoped she had done enough to get through to her brother. Probably not, but I do know who to call just in case he refuses to get his shit together.

"Mmm ... baby?"

"Hmm?"

"Your ... your uh ... emergency ring ... cell ... mmm."

They had been so wrapped up in each other, after sharing dessert and more wine on the Montgomery yacht, that Bianca couldn't help but to chuckle into the redhead's neck as she tried to comprehend what the other woman was trying to say. "What?"

Marissa let out a defeated sigh as she reluctantly pulled herself out of her girlfriend's embrace to reach for the brunette's cell phone, "Your emergency ringer ... it was just going off."

"Oh", Bianca glanced at the number for the missed call then checked the immediate text message that followed. Her brow furrowed as she reread the message a second time. "That's not good", she said absently.

"What's going on?" Marissa's voice was laced with concern. Although she would have rather gone back to their makeout session under the stars, there were certain faces that the younger woman made that always told Marissa that some aspect of Bianca's life had just taken a rough hit. Given the fact that she wasn't frantically trying to runaway it clearly had nothing to do with Miranda and Gabby, or any other key member of her immediate family, so the lawyer deduced that it had to be something with The Miranda Center. "Is there something wrong at the office?"

"Huh", Bianca shook her head from the distraction and turned her attention back to Marissa. "Um, yes and no."

The redhead looked at her confused, "Meaning?"

"I'm not really sure, exactly. It's technically not the office but it is business related."

"So then there's a problem with a client?"

"No no, it has nothing to do with The Center. It's about Cambias, for some reason our stocks in Europe have gone down by fifty percent. That's a huge loss."

"Cambias? Did I miss something, because I've only heard you mention that name in regards to ... well in regards to that man."

Bianca sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair, "Right, I guess I don't talk about it too much since I have other people who take care of it for me but I own Cambias Industries by proxy. It was left for the eldest grandchild of Alexander Cambias, that man's father."

"Meaning Miranda is the heir to the Cambias fortune when she comes of age", Marissa nodded as she quickly put two and two together. "And you delegate others to deal with the day to day business because ..."

"Because I'd rather focus on my girls and The Center. At this point, I typically only meet with the board four times a year and Ryan Lavery handles everything else for me, unless ..."

"Things like losing fifty percent of your stock income happens?"

"Yeah", Bianca checked the time on her phone, "It's late."

Marissa sighed knowing that their moment and their night was now completely over. "I guess it is", her tone expressed her disappointment in ending their date on such an off note. Technically, it's Bianca's business though, so she has to go home and try to work this out. I probably would too if I was in charge of my child's future source of income.

"Hey", Bianca spoke softly, bringing Marissa from her thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"No sad faces, okay?" Bianca smiled as she ran her fingers up Marissa's arm and let her hand rest on the other woman's shoulder. "You and I aren't going anywhere unless you want to. I only mentioned the time because I need to call Ryan and let him know what's going on. Since that message was from one of the European board members and not Ryan, I'm pretty sure he doesn't know or else he would have called me. Just give me three minutes and I promise my focus will be right back on you."

"Wait, you mean you don't want to leave to go handle the problem right now?"

"Babe, we've already been over this once tonight", Bianca chuckled as she gave the lawyer a sweet, lingering kiss. "Business can, and will, wait. This business, however, is kind of major so I just need to make sure Ryan has a heads up. All the other details and strategizing can be dealt with tomorrow when I'm not on a date with the most gorgeous woman on the planet."

Marissa smiled sweetly as she kissed the taller woman's cheek, "Have I told you how incredible you are and how much I love you?"

"Umm", the brunette tapped her chin playfully as she pretended to think, "Not in the last five minutes. I think I'm due for a reminder."

"Well then ..." She kissed Bianca with a vigorous passion then moved her lips to blaze a trail of kisses up her neck and stopping at her ear. She nibble on the lobe gently before whispering, "I love you, Ms. Montgomery."

Bianca let out a groan at the sultriness of the redhead's voice. "God, I love you", she whispered back. Her voice low and filled with want as she tangled her fingers in copper tresses and pull Marissa's lips back to her own. They got lost in each other again for a while until oxygen became an increasing need.

"You should make your call now", Marissa spoke with hooded eyes, "Because I want no more distractions for the rest of our time together tonight."

"What are you still doing up? It's almost 3AM."

"8 hours— That's an entire work day!" JR started to slur his words as he downed another drink then set his glass down. "Who the hell goes out on a date for 8 goddamn hours?"

Colby sighed as she rolled her eyes and sat on the couch, "Two people who are in love and want to spend as much time together as possible, that's who."

"Marissa and I used to be in love and we never stayed out this late", JR spoke defeatedly.

Neither of them heard Marissa enter the house and both jumped slightly when she spoke behind them. "That's because you always had to cut our time short to go do other things."

"And that's my cue to go back upstairs", Colby said as she hopped up and left the ex-spouses alone.

Marissa looked at JR with sad eyes, "Have you been waiting up for me this whole time?"

"Where's your little Binky?"

The jealousy was radiating off of him, as was the smell of alcohol on his breath as she stepped closer, "JR, please don't make this difficult."

"Fine", he threw his hands up in surrender, "I'm going to bed then."

"JR?"

"What?!"

Marissa shook her head, "Never mind."

He let out an exasperated sigh as he turned back to her, "Be honest, do you really love her?"

"Yes." It was said without hesitation. Clear, direct, and with total conviction. "With every in me."

"So there's no way that I'll ever get you back?"

"No, there is no way. I'm happy now and completely content. Bianca is everything in a partner I have ever wanted."

"But how do you know that she ..."

"Because I know", she cut him off quickly. "I am completely and utterly sure that Bianca is the one for me. Even though we just got together, I have no doubt in my mind of who she is and the future we can have."

"But we had a future! I can still make you happy, Marissa", he whined. "I can be what you want."

"No, JR, you can't ... What you and I had was toxic. I know it hurts to hear it, but we both know it's true. Honestly, did you really think we had a chance to have a healthy relationship after everything you put us through?"

"No, but ..."

"Stop. Just stop. No more excuses, JR. Seriously, they make you delusional."

He scoffed, "Delusional? I'm not delusional!"

"Yes you are! You just said that we couldn't have a healthy relationship and now you're trying to come up with some reason as to how you could make it healthy. That's your problem! You always think that you know it all and can change things. That you can manipulate a situation enough so that you come out on top."

"Yeah well, I guess Binky was on top tonight", he yelled bitterly. "I bet she fucked you real good too, but I know it wasn't better than me!"

Marissa looked at him like he had three heads as she tried to keep her cool but couldn't. "First of all, stop calling her 'Binky'. You may have called her that in the past as a cute nickname, but now you do it just to be malicious and get a rise out of her. It's getting really annoying! Second, not that it's any of your business but, we didn't go beyond kissing. We both want to wait. And third, when we cross that line, I am absolutely positive that Bianca will give way more than the mediocre performances you have! You know, since she actually cares about fully satisfying my wants and needs! Something you have never done! So get over yourself, JR!"

JR stared stunned as he watched her begin to leave but quickly changed his expression when she turned back around.

"And by the way, you reek of alcohol. For the sake of our son, you better get yourself together. I don't want AJ to see his father looking and smelling trashed when he wakes up later."

It should have registered to him that he had already lost, but his pride and the alcohol was getting the best of him. No, JR wasn't going to give up. He needed to have the picture perfect family to keep up with his dream image as a corporate success and family man. Whether Marissa and AJ liked it or not, they were going to be a family. They don't have a choice! All I have to do is get Binky out of the way.