ALRIGHT…so I have gotten tons of sweet comments from folks. I appreciate it all. It is humbling to have people complimenting me on something that I started on a whim. I am a huge Minx over as well and writing about them has definitely helped with the withdrawals. Life, however, has started to interfere. With my son's surgeries approaching (He has special needs—very simple procedures—No Worries) AND of course, the holidays on the horizon. I am finding my time stretched thin.
I regretfully say that this will be the last chapter of this story. I know there may be questions about things that I hinted at or people that were not addressed. I assure you that I am considering possible sequels in the future. I hope you enjoyed it and feel free to give me as much feedback as you wish. I love it! Thanks for reading!
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JR stood by the fireplace, and raised his hand up to touch a picture frame. He outline the face of his son, beaming back at him and his gaze moved to the image of Marissa. "Damn it, Marissa!" He cursed under his breath. Why is this happening? Why am I feeing so much? She is right…we haven't been good, not for a long time. We were good together, once though. I was trying, and obviously failing at getting there again, but now…now if what she is saying is true….if she is in love with Bianca? If she is a lesbian…how can I fix anything? How can I compete with that? He sat the picture back down and checked his pocket for his keys. He could feel the urge to drink rising in him. It burned his throat and parched his mouth and he had to find control. He knew he had promised his son and he was not about to break it. He resolved that he couldn't fix anything until he had control again. He checked his watch, removed his keys and headed out the door to go to a support meeting. He would find a way to win Marissa's heart once he had better control.
/
Marissa laid across the bed in what was now her and Bianca's bedroom. They had watched 'Cars 2', at the request of AJ and now that the credits were scrolling across the screen, she was surveying the scene around her. Bianca was lazily splayed across the head of the bed and AJ had curled up, resting his head on her leg. Marissa sat up, easing her head from near Bianca's, not wanting to wake her. She was looking at the two most important people in her world. Marissa's heart felt full, so full that it could bust.
She raised her hand to stroke Bianca's face and brush a strand of hair from covering her eyes and nose. The gentle touch tickled the brunette's cheek and she her eyes opened. When she gathered her bearings, and saw Marissa sheepishly grinning back at her, her lips curled into a smile. "Hey." Bianca said through a throaty whisper. Marissa smiled, in kind and replied, "Hey, Beautiful! I am sorry that I woke you. I was trying to be gentle." Bianca reached out and touched Marissa's hand and said, "You were…I am just a light sleeper, I guess?" She glanced at AJ resting against her legs, and said "I am going to carry him to a room and get him set up. Why don't you get yourself comfortable here? You can finish unpacking and get ready for bed."
Marissa nodded, asking "Are you sure? You don't have to do that…I mean, I appreciate it, but…"
Bianca had gently eased off the bed and made her way around to the sleeping child. She raised her hand to interrupt Marissa's questions and insisted, "But nothing. I want to do this. We are going to be in this together now. We are a family and that started when we walked through the door. I want to help now, and besides...I know the house and the layout better and I know where everything is. Now is your chance to start getting settled in so that you can be comfortable and at home here too!" Bianca got up and hoisted AJ in her arms.
Marissa blushed at Bianca's statement of love and family and home, and she kissed Bianca softly before she turned to leave. This did feel like home. She felt absolutely safe and warm and all the things that she never thought she would have again. She felt the feelings that she had once began to feel with David and Krystal and JR when she first arrived here. The feeling of a second chance at something, something she thought she had lost forever with the death of her parents. She remembered her world spinning, when she lost faith in David, and her marriage to JR began to crumble. Now…now she felt peace and true joy. Everything with Bianca was clicking into place so easily. She was old enough to realize that it was not going to always be easy. She knew there would be conflicts ahead, but in the moment as she watched her lover and best friend, carry her sleeping child…she knew that she could face anything. They would make it through, they were stronger and better together and they had come this far. They had found their way home.
THE END