CHAPTER FOUR

On a winter afternoon, Bianca was taking some time to herself. The pressures of work with both Miranda Center and Fusion had been too much lately. In addition, she was having a hard time adjusting to her girls being gone. This shared custody was really doing a number on her emotions. If Reese would just pick up the damn phone from time to time and let me know how they are! She thinks. She knows how worried I get!

She found herself walking through the park and stopped. With a pained look in her eye she recalled one of the numerous moments she shared with her precious girls in this very spot. "Pull it together" she muttered, as she wiped a tear from her eye.

No sooner did she dry her eyes, than a snowball came flying in from the right…striking her in the shoulder. Bits of water and ice splashed her face and stuck to her long brown hair and clothes. "What the…", she started to say and then regained her composure, considering that there may have been a child nearby. She surveyed the scene, trying to find the source of this wintery weapon of warfare and didn't see anyone.

Another snowball came in from the left at this point and Bianca tried to block it with her hand, causing it to explode and bits of ice got in her eye. She winced and moved to dry her eye with her scarf. Through one good eye and one misty, blurred eye she saw a mane of fiery red hair racing past as the attempt was made to conceal itself behind a tree.

"Oh, Counselor…" Bianca shouted, "You can run, but you can't hide!" Shrieks of laughter, with maybe a hint of fear, could be heard as Marissa ran from her hiding spot.

After what seemed like a never-ending onslaught at the hands of Bianca, Marissa collapsed onto the snowy white blanket beneath her feet. "Truce! Truce!", she begged, laughter in her voice. "I can't take anymore, Bianca. You win. I think I took one in the face!" She laughed out loud. "Who knew you had such an arm!"

"My dad taught me well and I have had many a battle with JR, Jamie…even my cousin Reggie." , Bianca said. "It was either learn to bring it, or go home." She plopped down next to her friend. "You brought this on yourself. May I ask why, you decided to pummel me with snowballs from out of nowhere?"

Marissa was grinning brightly. "Well, I saw you walking and you just seemed to be really caught up in something. You looked so sad. I couldn't let that continue. I had to think of something, and quick." She smiled a gleaming smile again and Bianca smiled too. "Did it work?", Marissa asked.

"Well, yes…yes it did!", Bianca replied. "I am so grateful for the friend I have found in you. Marissa! It is funny to think of it being born from something as depressing as a divorce, but I feel blessed to have you!" "Aww!", said Marissa. "You are so sweet! I feel the same way! I can't remember when I have had a friend like you. You get me…you really do and we have such fun…and our kids…well, they just LOVE each other!"

"They do!", Bianca agreed. "The girls miss A.J. like crazy when they are away; Which brings me to the problem at hand." Bianca's face turned solemn, again. "I miss my girls, Marissa! You weren't kidding about how hard this was going to be. And Reese does not make it easy."

"Oh," Marissa sighed, "what is she doing now?"

"Well, things haven't been easy, with her & I, since Ricky's attack.", Bianca replied

"How so?", said Marissa. 'I don't see how that affects her life at all?"

"Well, she has been holding onto the girls a little longer than our agreement permits." Bianca said, a guilty grimace spread across her face that Marissa answered with a disapproving look.

Before Marissa could object, Bianca continued. "I have kind of allowed it to happen. She worries about their safety, with all that has been going on. She worries about my sanity too sometimes. I guess maybe I have needed a little time to get over the shock, but I need them here too."

"Of course you do, but no one can blame you for trying to figure out what is best for those angels!" Marissa interjected. "You can't go too soft, though…Or Reese will take you for granted and walk all over you."

"I know." Bianca agreed. She starts to get up and turns to help Marissa. "Here, let me help you." She offered. They both reached their feet at near the same moment and while steadying themselves they sort of fell into each other.

"Whoa, sorry", Marissa said and then proceeded to brush the snow off her person.

Bianca did not respond with more than a grunt. Something just happened in that moment. She thought. I definitely felt something there…like a spark. Maybe? No, what are you doing, Bianca? Do NOT go there! She snapped out of it.

"Oh Marissa, you have snowflakes stuck to your hair! Here, let me get them for you!" As she brushed Marissa's hair away from her face, Marissa's gaze turned to Bianca briefly. There was a flash of light through the redhead's eyes that caught Bianca off guard. Then with a flash, and maybe a smile, it was gone. Marissa continued straightening herself and all Bianca could seem to do was stare.

"Come on!" Marissa said. "We are going to find a warm place to sit and we are going to call Reese until she answers and you are going to tell her to send those girls home!" Marissa reached her hand out to take Bianca's, and Bianca reacted slightly to the touch. It went unnoticed by Marissa. Bianca caught herself gazing at Marissa as she reached for her bag, off of the nearby bench, and walked away with Bianca in tow.

Bianca followed along and then snapped out of her stupor with a slight grin and with a sigh she muttered under her breath "Oh boy, here I go again!"