Hello you amazing people! It's been a little time between the last update and this one but I have a good reason! I've been finishing up my original story and posting it and writing a sequel too it...would any of you want to read it? Anywho, here goes a short chapter for all of you amazing people who have continued to stick with me even though this little fic is dragging on. Sorry about that! I hope everyone had a safe holiday!
Warning: This fic mentions Bianca's rape. It doesn't go into detail, but it is mentioned in this chapter. If this could be a trigger for you, please skip down to the second part starting with Marissa was happy.
Steven was furious. He couldn't believe the information he'd managed to dig up on Bianca and some of the things were just horrific. Some blogger had taken the time to write about Bianca's life, as if they had the right to invade her privacy. At the same time, he was grateful for them. He wasn't sure, but he didn't think Bianca would willingly tell him all the things he'd learned from a website. He shook his head, washing the soap from his hair with a sad sigh; that woman sure was a fighter. The blogger hadn't gone into detail, but he could only imagine the horror Bianca had gone through all those years ago, to be brutally raped and to keep the baby. It took a strong woman and he admitted had he been a woman, he probably wouldn't have been able too. Then to have the baby apparently kidnapped? He wanted to run to her and hug her and never let go. To chase away all the demons of her past so she could have a brighter future. He wanted her to lean on him, to support her; he wanted her in his life.
Marissa was happy. Last night had been a little brutal, having to say good-bye to AJ, but now, waking up in this position, it eased that ache of missing her son. She took the few moments of silence and the stillness of the house and treasured it. She studied Bianca's still sleeping face, the way the smile lines smoothed themselves out and made Bianca look much younger than she really was. Bianca had always been beautiful, from the pictures Marissa had seen, but now when she was sleeping peacefully Marissa couldn't imagine a sight more perfect. She leaned over, unable to stop herself, and dropped an innocent kiss on Bianca's forehead; what she would give to wake up that way every morning. After spending a few more moments, basking in the closeness of having fallen asleep with her best friend, Marissa pulled herself away from the bed and managed to get down the hall in time to see gabby sitting up and stretching.
"Hey, my Munchkin." She grinned, moving into the room and hugging the little girl. "Wanna help me make some breakfast for your mommy and your sister?" she asked. Gabby smiled, standing up and grabbing Marissa's hand. Marissa couldn't help herself as she reached down and lifted the little girl.
"Morning." Gabby whispered into her neck. She picked her head up from Marissa's shoulder and dropped a sweet kiss on her cheek and Marissa swore her throat closed up from the emotion that overcame her.
"Okay girls," Bianca leaned across a chair to kiss Miranda on the cheek and Marissa caught a full view of her skirt-clad backside. She raised an eyebrow in appreciation. "Have a good day at school." She said kissing gabby next. The girls ran, hugged Marissa quickly, and then darted out the door in time for the school bus. Bianca watched from the window, rolling her eyes in amusement when she watched gabby push Miranda aside so she could get on the bus soon.
"That kid's a hoot!" she heard and managed to lean her head out the window a little. She chuckled, nodding her head.
"That's my girl," she smiled to herself. "Morning Sam." She said brightly. The man waved, rushing out to his car.
"Mornin'! Bye!" he said; he seemed to be running late. Bianca chuckled again, feeling lighter than she had in months.
"So…." She turned and looked at Marissa's innocent looking face. "Did you know its national 'Take Your Marissa to Work' Day?" she asked, bouncing on her toes. Bianca chuckled, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. She tried to ignore the way Marissa shivered from the action.
"My Marissa, huh?" she asked playfully. Marissa grinned, nodding her head happily. "Well why don't you get changed and I'll clean up down here?" she offered. Marissa smiled, bouncing up the stairs; she couldn't wait to spend the day watching Bianca in her element.
Steven looked up as the train approached and frowned, Bianca still wasn't there. He'd wanted to catch her, to see how she was before he went to work but it didn't seem like he was going to get the chance. With a resigned sigh, he stood and waited for the loud train to come to a stop.
"Good morning!" he heard as he settled against the wall. He looked over, frowning as he searched for the source of the voice. Finally, he spotted Bianca, not even two seats away from where he was standing and smiled. His smile faltered however, when he noticed that little red-head with her. He waved, not wanting to seem rude but not wanting to be around the two. He smiled a little at Bianca's contagious grin, she certainly looked happier than he'd seen her. He watched as she leaned toward...what was her name again? Madison? Melissa? Whatever, Bianca leaned toward her and whispered something and the two of them fell into a fit of giggles like little school girls. When Megan, or whatever her name was, rested her hand on Bianca's knee, he saw red and decided to get off at the next stop, he didn't want to see her all over his love.
Marissa had seen the way Steven had looked at Bianca and it still made her uncomfortable. She had hoped she was wrong before but now, watching the way his jaw clinched and he glared at her, she knew she wasn't. That man had feelings for Bianca and there was no denying it. When he got off at the very next stop, she watched him turn and face the train; his face red with what she assumed was anger and unconsciously reached out to grab Bianca's hand as a sign of protection.
"You okay?" Bianca asked her curiously. Marissa tore her eyes away from the angry man and looked at Bianca with a smile.
"Yep!" she chirped. Bianca smiled back, going back to her phone and Marissa caught Steven's eye again before they pulled away. The look made her shiver.