The next morning, Bianca was up and out of bed bright and early. She had tons of thoughts and documents to get in order before the meeting. She couldn't help but be distracted, occasionally, when she would hear Marissa's gentle snores come from the bed. She would find herself lost in a haze and staring whenever her lover would toss and turn, and she would see a flash of creamy white skin or an exposed thigh. She is so perfect. I truly don't know how I was blind to my feelings…or to her for so long? Bianca would think and then snap herself back into the reality of the work at hand.
When Marissa did finally stir, she had reached an arm out for Bianca, without opening her eyes. She found nothing but a cold empty pillow. A hoarse and low murmur of "Bianca?" was heard across the room at the desk, and Bianca turned to find Marissa sitting up, eyes squinted as they adjusted to the light. Marissa raised a hand to rub her eyes while she arched her back and let out a little yawn. Bianca was out of her chair in an instant and approached the bed. "You are so cute in the morning!" She proclaimed. "I just want to squeeze you!"
Marissa broke her yawn with a chuckle and curled herself into Bianca as she sat on the bed. Marissa nuzzled into Bianca's neck and let out a sigh. "Do you really have to leave? Maybe we could just call in…uhh…dead and never leave here?"
Bianca cracked a smile and said with a laugh "We all know that my mother would never let us be. She would have a search party formed after the first 'Erica Kane Extravaganza' that I missed." Her comment brought giggles to both women and Marissa pulled back to adjust herself against the headboard. She playfully gestured to Bianca "Come here, Baby…come sit by me before you leave." Bianca obliged, positioning herself cradled between Marissa's legs and arms. She laid her head back into Marissa's shoulder and Marissa softly stroked her hair and applied sweet kisses to her cheeks, neck and earlobes.
"You have a very convincing argument, Counselor. I am afraid I am still going to have to leave in a while." Bianca said. "But you get to have more spa time…don't forget!" Marissa appeared giddy. "Oh gosh, yay!" She cheered. "I had forgotten, obviously, I had so many 'other' things to think about last night. I am so excited though." Marissa turned her attention back to Bianca. "How do you feel about your meeting? Feeling confident?"
Bianca shrugged. "I think so. I mean, I always get a little nervous at these things. I just have to remember why I am doing what I do and well, it fills me with a strength that I sometimes forget I have." Marissa placed another kiss on Bianca's jaw, squeezed her tightly and said "Well, I want you to know that I am immensely proud of you! Every day that I have known you I have just been in awe at your strength and conviction. Now that I 'see' more of you, my respect for you has tripled. You are going to own this thing…I know it. Go get 'em, Baby!"
Bianca turned herself to look into Marissa's eyes, took her face in her hands and gently kissed her forehead, her nose, her lips and backed away slowly. "I love you, Marissa. Thank you for your support and faith and love. You have no idea what they mean to me." Bianca stood and straightened out her clothing, then fussed with her hair in the mirror for a moment. "Well, I am off." She said and Marissa blew a kiss her way. Bianca gathered up all of her materials and headed out the door.
Marissa thought about something and jumped off the bed, throwing on her robe, and grabbed her purse as she ran out the door after Bianca. Luckily, Bianca was only a short distance away. "Bianca!" Marissa called and Bianca turned with a smile. "What is it?" Bianca questioned as she made her way back to her lover. "Did something happen?"
"No…I am sorry." Marissa said. "I just forgot to tell you…well, I got you something too." Bianca smiled, confused and began to say "Wha?" "I bought this for you." Marissa said, while digging through her purse. She produced a small box and from it, she produced a silver bracelet. "I was going to give it to you yesterday, and then last night and again this morning… I just kept getting distracted. I wanted you to wear it for luck and so that when your nerves get the better of you, you can feel it against your skin and think of me." Bianca blushed as Marissa reached out for her hand and placed the bracelet on her wrist.
"It's perfect, don't you think?" Marissa said as she released Bianca's hand and looked at the result approvingly. Bianca looked down and then took Marissa's hands in her own, pulling her close into a kiss. "It is perfect….you are perfect, M. Thank you! I love it…I love you!" She leaned in for another kiss, oblivious to the man sitting in the pool area. The man, who seemed to be lounging with a magazine, but only had eyes for the young couple. The man who had taken pictures of everything he had been asked to…and with a swipe of his finger…he sent those pictures out into the world.