A|N: So like, its been forever! Sorry folks... is anyone still reading this? We shall see. Here's a lonnnnggggg overdue update! I've just gotten back into the swing of this story so I can promise more updates on the way. If you want them of course. Let me know!

After Erica left, Marissa returned to their bedroom and was suprised to see Bianca still up. She stood in the doorway, watching in confusion, as the brunette huffed in frustration and started pulling clothes from their walk-in closet.

"Um, baby, what are you doing?"

"Packing", Bianca replied nonchalantly as she walked back into the closet after dropping another pile of clothes on the bed.

"Wait, what", Marissa asked in a panic and ran into the closet. "What do you mean packing? Where are you going?"

Hearing the fear in her voice, the younger woman stopped and turned to her. She spoke in a happier tone to ease the redhead's worries, "I believe the question you meant to ask is, where are we going? And that, my honey, is up to you! Wherever you want to go, I can have the jet fueled and ready in an hour then we can be on our way."

"Okkaayyy ... um, why the impromptu trip?"

"Because, the only way I can have you all to myself seems to be if I whisk you away. If you still like the private island idea, Cambias has a property in Maldives that's gorgeous. I've always wanted to go, the pictures look amazing."

Suddenly Marissa began to laugh, "Oh God, are you that frustrated?"

"Yes!" Bianca let out an exasperated sigh as she took the redhead in her arms, "You have no idea how badly I want you and it is getting harder to deny myself when you're right here. Seriously, I could have killed my mother— and my sisters, for their intrusions today. I want to take you away. Where we can be alone and enjoy each other."

"I love that idea, but what about the kids?"

"I'm sure Reggie would love to keep them for a few extra days."

"And work? Have you forgotten I'm in the middle of a major case? I have to be back in court on Monday."

The brunette bowed her head in defeat, "Right. I did kind of forget in my haste. Sorry."

"It's okay, I understand." Marissa moved her hand to tilt the younger woman's head back up. She kissed her slowly with a passionate intent. After a few moments she pulled away, "I love that you want me all to yourself with no distractions or interruptions. Trust me, I want you just as badly but maybe all the intrusions today were a sign for us to wait just a little longer. I don't want to go jet setting just for the sake of sex. The perfect moment will come. And when it's perfect, no one will stop it. Not even the infamous Erica Kane."

Bianca nodded then kissed her forehead, "You're right."

"Of course I am", Marissa smirked, "Now, can you go clear the pile of clothes you have on the bed off? I'd like to cuddle with my girlfriend and get some sleep. We've had enough excitement for one day."

"Sure", Bianca chuckled as she kissed her once more on the forehead then grabbed her hand to lead her back into the bedroom.

The next morning, Bianca woke before Marissa to the sound of the doorbell. Slowly she crawled out of bed as to not disturb the redhead's sleep then quietly grabbed her robe and headed downstairs. Without checking who was on the other side of the door she opened it, thinking it was one of the building's staff bringing her bags and packages as she had requested the evening before— she thought wrong.

"Good morning gorgeous!"

Quickly, she pushed the unwanted visitor back and stepped into the hallway, not fully closing the front door behind her as she spoke, "Reese, what the hell are you doing here?"

"It's saturday morning", the blonde shrugged, "You and the girls are always up early on Saturday's. I thought I'd stop by and see my three beautiful ladies."

Bianca rolled her eyes, "I meant, how do you know where I live?"

"Oh, well before they noticed I was there at the restaurant yesterday, I overheard Opal asking Krystal how your girlfriend was liking living with you in the 'Cambias Penthouse' so far. Luckily for me, I still had the address written in my book from when you and I discussed the possibility of coming here before my work got too crazy."

Great Binks, now you have to move your family again until the house is finished. The brunette sighed, "And how did you get pass security? This is a very private building. They should not have sent you up without clearing it with me."

Again Reese shrugged, "Security was a little preoccupied with the deranged ex-boyfriend of one of your neighbors. There are cops down in the lobby and everything."

"How convenient ", Bianca spoke sarcastically as she crossed her arms over her chest, "So what is it you want? Last I checked, we have nothing to discuss."

"I told you already", she stepped closer to the brunette as her voice dropped into a seductive whisper, "I want you."

Bianca shook her head and moved her hand to hold her ex away from her personal space. "That's too bad", she chuckled, "Because I don't want you. Seriously, you need to leave."

"Oh come on", she went to move again. This time effectively pinning Bianca to the door. "Why are you being like this? You know we are not over."

"Reese, you need to back up before we have a serious issue", the brunette spoke lowly as she tried to control her rising anger.

"The only issue I foresee is your little girlfriend getting an eyeful of our reunion— although, the thought of her catching us out here is even more of a turn on."

"You've completely lost your mind." Bianca pushed her backwards again and stepped away from the door, "There will be no reunion. I want absolutely nothing to do with you ..."

"Listen, I know I hurt you but I've change. Just give me a chance— give us a chance. If not for you then for our daugh ...", Reese paused when she heard the elevator ding, indicating that someone was coming to interrupt them. To her surprise, and delight, Miranda and Gabby exited the elevator with Reggie and AJ following closely behind. She smiled brightly at the two little girls, "Our daughters."

"Mama!" Gabby excitedly ran to her other mother and jumped into her arms. The littlest Montgomery giggled happily as she hugged her tightly and kissed her nose. "Missed you!"

Reese looked on in obvious anger as she watched the display before her. It had only been months that passed since the divorce and, already, her daughter was calling someone else 'mama'. Gabby had completely ignored her existence. Her jaw clenched as she tried hard to control herself from saying something that would probably upset both Miranda and Gabby.

Marissa, on the other hand, smiled brightly as she held Gabby tighter, "I missed you too my little bumble bee!"

Bianca looked between the two women and kept her features in check. She was surprised to see Marissa had opened the door to find them in the hall. The brunette never heard her come out, but she was glad she was there. She had no intention of letting the girls know that Reese was in town, but her brother coming early messed up that plan. "Um, Reggie, what are you all doing back so soon? I thought you weren't bringing the kids until this afternoon."

"Uh, we were, but then my nieces and new nephew reminded me that Saturday mornings are for chocolate chip pancakes", he looked at her apologetically, sensing that he may have screwed up. "We all decided that it would be fun to come back early and keep up the tradition. I know I've missed those pancakes like crazy."

Bianca nodded in understanding as she forced herself to smile, "Well then, looks like you all need to head inside and start prepping then! I'll be in in just a minute."

Feeling her need to finish addressing the other woman, Marissa lightly squeezed Bianca's shoulder then looked to Reggie and the kids, "Come on you guys! Let's go get everything ready." She ushered them inside but paused from closing the door back when she realized Miranda hadn't budged. During the entire exchange she had stood silently staring at Reese. Now, it seemed, she was stuck in the same spot. "Mimo", the redhead spoke gently, "Come on sweetie."

Miranda shook her head defiantly, "I wanna stay with mommy."

Marissa looked to Bianca who mouthed that it was fine. The shorter women nodded and gave an encouraging smile before she started closing the door.

As soon as the door was closed, Miranda immediately moved and stood next to Bianca. She fixed Reese with a glare that could rival her grandmother's then spoke her mind freely, "You hurt my mommy and you hurt my little sister, that made me really angry. Mommy says it's okay to be angry but I didn't wanna be so she taught me how to keep my mind on stuff that makes me happy. And I finally was happy, but now I'm angry again because you're here and I don't want you here. So you need to go now!"

On the other side of the door, Marissa finally put Gabby down and led her over to AJ. "Sweetheart, can you take your sister in the kitchen and help her take out the bowl and measuring cups to make the pancakes?"

"Sure!" AJ smiled as he grabbed Gabby's hand, "Come on Gabs! The grown ups wanna talk without us kids around."

Reggie chuckled while he watched them disappear to the kitchen then turned serious when he looked to Marissa, "So, that's Reese in the flesh huh?"

"You've never met her?"

"Nope", he shook his head, "Just saw pictures of her over the years. Every time I got a chance to visit B and the girls, the ex-Mrs. was always working. What's her deal? Why is she here?"

Marissa sighed as she sat on the couch next to him, "She's here to try and win Bianca back."

"Well that ain't happenin'", he spoke adamantly, "I know I just finally met you in person the other day, but I'm a great judge of character. You are who my big sis wants— and needs. So don't trip, that Reese chick ain't gettin' her back."

"I know", the redhead smiled, "Thanks for saying that though. Part of me needed to hear it and be reminded. I just don't like the way I feel right now."

"And how do you feel right now?"

"Like I could seriously hurt her badly and have no remorse for doing so ..."

"But?"

She sighed again, "But I know it would destroy Bianca and the kids if I ever let myself give in to that desire. I'd be locked under the jail for the things I want to do to that woman for the pain she put Bianca and our girls through."

"And that", Reggie chuckled, "Is exactly why you deserve my big sis and that chick out there is gonna get no play. Believe me, what you've got with Bianca is already strong as hell. No one can ever come between the two of you."

"I know, I just don't like that she showed up unannounced. I woke up in bed alone and came downstairs to find you all in the hall ... God only knows how long she's been here and what kinds of things she's already said to Bianca. And now she's out there with Miranda too— I'm really uncomfortable and worried."

Reggie nodded then looked at her intently, "Listen, you have nothing to worry about. My sis and my niece are from the bloodline of Kane. I'm sure you've learned already that you can't sway a Kane woman easily— in most cases, you can't sway them at all. Mimo is still hurt behind the divorce and, just like the other Kane women, her mind is made up that Reese is no good. She won't bend on how she feels. We talked about it before when you and B first got together, and my niece is strong in her convictions. She wants nothing to do with Reese anymore. If for no other reason, than for the sake of you and B's happiness."

"I swear she's more mature and in touch with her emotions then most adults I know", Marissa laughed lightly.

"Yeah, she's a pretty incredible 8 year old. We always say that B is the best of us out of everyone in the family, well Mimo is a close 2nd. She's definitely taken on her mom's amazing character."

"She definitely has ... so, speaking of Bianca, where do you think she stands on the whole forgiving Reese thing", Marissa asked nervously. "I mean, she's the most forgiving person with the biggest heart I've ever met in my life."

"Well, very few people have received the grace of B's forgiving heart after breaking it. I can literally count them on one hand. Granted, Reese didn't cause as much pain as those others have, but she fucked up when she tried to do what those others did and take away her babies. It caused a whole different kind of pain entirely that my sis isn't going to forget any time soon. Trust me, B won't be forgiving Reese in the near future— if at all. So chill Red! It's all good!"

Marissa laughed at the nickname then smiled, "Thanks, I see why Bianca always talks about missing having you around. You really know how to put a smile on someone's face."

"Hey", he shrugged, "I never want to see my family looking down or upset. And you are now my family too! So, I'm always here whenever you need me. No doubt."

Back in the hallway, both Bianca and Reese were staring at Miranda with a shocked looked on their faces. Both women shocked for different reasons, but still shocked nonetheless. Underneath that shock was a sense of pride radiating off of Bianca. While she wasn't exactly supportive of the tone Miranda had just used with Reese, she was very supportive of the fact that the young girl had finally been able to express her feelings to the one woman who had shattered her little heart. So she stood a little straighter and put her arm around Miranda to pull her closer to her side as her sign of support.

It was that display that made Reese finally find her voice again and speak in a harsh tone, "Young lady, I am still your mother and will not speak to me that way!"

"No, you do not get to speak to my daughter that way", Bianca intervened quickly, "Remember, you gave up your rights to any titles concerning me or the girls. This is the result of you making that decision. As you can see, neither one of them want you in their lives. We have all completely moved on. I suggest you do the same."

"So is this what you've been teaching them in my absence? To just go around disrespecting me and to forget about me entirely?"

"You disrespected and forgot about them long before they did you. Call this karma now, Reese. You abandoned us for work. You made your choice and your desire perfectly clear. We didn't fit into your world ..."

"But you could fit now ..."

"No", Bianca shook her head as she sighed, "It's too late. We tried— I tried to be patient and work through our issues but you didn't want to. So what, now that it's convenient you want to try again? That is not going to happen. I refuse to let you hurt us anymore. My daughters are off limits and so am I. Oh, and before you go there, Marissa and AJ are off limits too. Whatever plan you have with a certain someone, give it up now." Reese looked at her like a deer caught in headlights, causing Bianca to chuckle as she nodded, "Yeah, Marissa figured it out last night when we spoke about the lie you tried to spin to her. You and him are going to have to come harder than that to break up this happy home, however I wouldn't try it. She told me what she said to you and I have never known Marrisa to break a promise. Today, you got lucky because the kids are here but I can't promise she'll be so kind next time."

"You know, this new little girlfriend of yours has your mind warped and now she's trying to brainwash my children to go against me too!"

"Mama didn't do anything wrong", Miranda defended in a huff. "All she does is make us smile and laugh and she plays with us and she tucks us in at night and she makes us chocolate cake and she takes us on adventures and she never yells and she never makes mommy cry and she never makes me or Gabby go to bed alone if we have bad dreams and she helps us when we can't figure stuff out and she teaches us stuff and she doesn't say mean stuff about Lola Erica or Auntie Kendall and she doesn't tell lies and she ... she ... she loves us— for real ...". Suddenly the little brunette couldn't take all the emotions that had bubbled to the surface so she stopped yelling and started crying.

Bianca immediately knelt down a pulled her in close. "Shhh, it's okay sweetheart", she spoke softly as she held the sobbing 8 year old in her arms and stroked her hair gently. Before she could bring herself to address Reese again, the door swung open. She could tell by the look on Marissa's face as she re-emerged in the hall that the older woman had heard their daughter crying and was pissed. They exchanged a knowing look and Bianca stood then ushered Miranda inside, leaving Marissa to handle Reese in her own way.

"Ms. Williams, I warned you not to try anything when it concerns my family and you blatantly disregarded that warning", she shook her head and looked at Reese with disdain. "Now we have a serious problem because my daughter is upset to the point of tears and I really hate seeing her cry."

"She's my dau ..."

"Uhn uhn", Marissa cut the blonde of quickly, "You lost all rights to Miranda and Gabrielle when you signed the adoption dissolution paperwork. Which, might I add, was your request in the first place. You cannot come around now and decide you have a change of heart. It doesn't work like that. You have put those girls through enough with your bullshit and it ends now. This is my second warning, go back to Paris and end this little game you and my ex-husband are playing. I assure you, I will not act with reason next time."

"You know, I can have you disbarred for all these threats you keep making."

The redhead shrugged, "Unlike you, my job does not come before my family so you can try if you want. However, I wouldn't recommend it as it would be your word against mine. As it stands, I can counter with trespassing on private property seeing as how I can bet money that you snuck past security to get up here. Add to that the fact that there is an order of protection against you ..."

"What order of protection", Reese asked incredulously.

"The one I filed upon you requesting, and then signing, the dissolution papers. After your little stunt to try and have your lawyer take the girls to Paris and steal them from their mother, I knew something like this was possible. Out of concern for Bianca and the girls' well being, I had Bianca agree to allowing me to file it."

"I know nothing about that!"

"Not my problem you have an incompetent lawyer. I'm sure if you call him, he'll let you know all about it. The papers were sent directly to him about a week after the divorce was finalized. I know he received them. He should have delivered them to you."

Reese sighed in defeat, "I fired him the morning after everything was finalized."

"Again", she shrugged, "Not my problem." Marissa moved in close as her voice dipped almost menacingly, "Now, I'm tired of talking. Leave and never let me see you near my family again. If I do, rest assured that there will be no words exchanged. I will protect them by any means necessary— that includes bringing you severe bodily harm. Last warning: do not test me."

Without uttering another word, fearful that she'd provoke the lawyer into actually following through on her threats, Reese turned to the elevator and pushed the down the button. She was thankful that the doors opened immediately as she rushed on and pressed the button for the Lobby.

Marissa's eyes stayed glued to the back of the blonde's head until the elevator doors closed then she took a few deep breaths to calm her boiling anger. When she felt herself return to a more relaxed state, she entered the penthouse again to find Miranda curled up on Bianca's lap in one of the arm chairs in the living room.

As soon as Miranda noticed she was back inside, the little Montgomery ran over to her and wrapped her arms around Marissa's waist in a fierce hug "Is she gone", she asked in a low tone, her voice a little raspy from crying so hard.

"She's gone, Mimo", Marissa confirmed confidently as she knelt down to envelop her in her arms completely. "I promise, you never have to see her or deal with her again."

Later that afternoon, with Marissa downstairs watching a movie with the kids, Reggie sat on the bench in the couple's closet while Bianca hung the clothes back up that she had pulled out the night before. "So, how you feelin'", Reggie asked as he watched his sister.

"I'm good. Tired, but good. It's been an eventful day."

"Mmhmm, I know, which is why I'm askin'. This whole Reese sitch is..."

"Over and done. I'm sure she's on a flight back to Paris as we speak", Bianca spoke confidently. "Now all I need to do is settle this issue of JR trying come between us."

Reggie shook his head, "I got a few choice things I'd like to do to that sorry son of a bitch. You just say the word, B. I can make him disappear for good."

"No", the older Montgomery chuckled as she turned to face him. "I won't have you messing up your military career over a slime-ball like JR. Marissa and I will deal with him on our own. No need to get your hands dirty."

"Hmph, well just know the offer is always on the table", he look around the closet for a second then back at his sister while changing the subject, "How exactly did this place end up looking like this anyway? You're never this disorganized."

Bianca laughed as she nodded and picked up another dress, "Yeah, it was moment of frustration last night. Mom kind of walked in on Marissa and I while we were about to— well, you know. Anyway, after she left, I figured the only way to not be interrupted was to make use of owning a private jet and take her for a getaway."

"A bootycall getaway? Nice!"

"Ew, shut up!"

"What? Red is hot. I'd do the same thing with Ava too if I had time and a private jet. We'd be jet-setting to some tropical island and doin' it all ni..."

"Nope", Bianca shook her head, "That's enough talk from you. I'm soooo not having this conversation with my little brother, no matter how grown up he is now. And, really, Red?"

"I think it's a fitting nickname and she is hot", he shrugged, "So what happened with the trip? You seem to be unpacking."

"Marissa spoke reason in my frustration. She was right, it isn't the right time. Not with everything going on with her work schedule and my mine, for that matter. We'll have our moment when things settle down."

"Speaking of settling down— you're having a mansion built for this woman, when you gonna ask her to marry you?"

The question caused Bianca to forget all about the pile of clothes on the floor before her. She turned and sat on the bench next to Reggie, "Is it crazy that I really am considering it? I mean, we've only been together for two months. It's insane to think she'll say yes."

"B, the girl is reseting her life to be with you and take care the girls. Obviously she loves you something fierce. I mean, I don't see why she wouldn't say yes to you."

"Yeah, but is it too soon?"

"When it's true love, 'it's never too soon'. You told me that when I was tryna figure out whether it was the right time to propose to Ava. Clearly you were right since she said yes. And look at us now, married for a year already. Making baby plans for after I finish this next 3 month assignment. A few months was all I really needed to know she is my forever. Honestly, y'all have been fake dating for longer than two months. It's basically been almost a year if you count the months you two spent pretending you didn't have a thing for each other."

"Hey! How do you know we were pretending? You haven't even been here."

"Like Kendall and Greenlee never spilled the beans about the redhead our sister was falling for but fighting so hard not to", he chuckled, "I've know since the beginning where this was headed. I say go for it. The way that woman looks at you should be enough to reassure you. Plus, look at how she took on your ex and defended my nieces. I'd bet my life that she says yes."

No other words needed to be spoken. The older Montgomery simply laid her head on her brother's shoulder and sat in the comfortable silence. Her mind on one thing alone— I'm going to ask Marissa to marry me.