The morning of Thanksgiving Bianca woke early. She carefully snuck out of bed, so as not to wake Sarah. She had promised Kendall that she would arrive early to help arrange everything. The Kane's were going for a more traditional dinner this year, at Kendall's request and the eldest sister wanted it to be perfect. Bianca was more than happy to oblige. Since Sarah's arrival a few days ago, Bianca tried to fill as much of their time with errands, friends and family as she could. She was not ready for any deep conversations just yet.
Her heart was still hurting over Frankie and she felt like it was a losing battle. She did her best to hide the pain. Bianca knew the right thing to do was to be honest, but she was having trouble dealing with that. Sarah was being so attentive and sweet. She was eager to meet every impossible quest that Kendall sent them on and she was just amazing with Bianca's family. It was all so very difficult to be sweet and charming, yet hide all these thoughts. Constant motion had seemed to do the trick so far, and at night both girls were far too fatigued for any heart to heart talks.
Once she had slipped on her clothes, Bianca scribbled directions on a note for Sarah and placed it on the pillow. She crept quietly to the door and looked back, pausing momentarily. How could I just dump her like this? And on a holiday, no less? No. I won't lead her on, but I won't be cruel. She still means far too much for me to just drop her like that. We will enjoy today and then in the morning, I will have to confess everything. Wiping a tear away, Bianca exited her room and hurried out of the boarding house.
Moments later, she was pulling into her sister's driveway. Zack was at the door attempting to hang a large Fall-themed wreath. "That is very festive" Bianca said, "and very large."
"Yes, it is." Zack said with a grin. "I hope you are prepared for what you have signed up for." Bianca laughed at Zack's statement and then seeing the sincerity in his face, she bit her bottom lip and braced the door handle to enter. "I am going in." She said sarcastically, earning a small smirk from Zack. His face quickly changed to a grimace as he smashed his thumb after missing the mark with his hammer. A string of muffled swear words could be heard as Bianca quickly shut herself inside.
After stifling a small chuckle, Bianca gasped in shock as she took in the mess of boxes and decorations strewn about the usually pristine living area of her sister's house. "Oh my!" Bianca said with a sigh. Two young boys came running in through the living area. Bianca recognized her nephews, Spike and Ian, instantly. They were dressed in their pilgrim and Indian costumes from the school play the night before. She laughed as they chased and wrestled with each other, completely oblivious to her presence.
"Boys! Take those costumes off this instant and move the game of chase outside!" Kendall's voice carried loudly from the kitchen. As she entered the room she noticed Bianca in the entry way. "Oh thank goodness, Binks. I thought you would never get here." She moved to hug her younger sister and turned back to the boys. "Did you say Hi to Aunt Bianca, boys?"
"Hi, Aunt Bianca." The two boys recited in unison as they taunted and prodded each other on the way to their rooms. The two sisters just laughed at their antics. "Oh there is so much to do, baby sis. Where is Sarah?" Kendall questioned.
"Oh, she will be coming along soon. I just woke up early because I knew you would need me. I figured I would let her sleep." Bianca answered. Kendall took Bianca by the hand a led her to the nearby couch. She moved some boxes and gestured for Bianca to sit. "Good. I have been trying to speak to you alone."
Bianca gave Kendall a quizzical look. "Spill it. What is going on? I thought you have made a decision on going after Frankie?" Kendall asked. "You never told me what happened and then all of the sudden Sarah is back. What gives?"
Bianca sighed and reached in the nearby box to remove a stack of linen napkins. She took a deep breath and began to fold them. "Well, I went after her and she is gone. She moved from Syracuse and I have no idea where. She doesn't answer her phone and Leo is sworn to secrecy. It is over."
"So you are just going to give up?" Kendall asked. "That doesn't sound much like you. Are you just going to stay with Sarah? I mean, I know she is very special to you, but how can you? It is so obvious that your heart belongs with Frankie."
Bianca paused and looked down. She continued to fold and then looked up. The older girl could see the pain in her sister's eyes. "Sarah does mean the world to me. She has been a rock through so much. I really thought that what we shared was the real thing. Then I met Frankie and I have just been consumed by the feelings she brings out. I didn't know it was possible to feel so much."
"Pretty intense, huh?" Kendall asked, placing her hand on her sister's.
"Yeah." Bianca said and smiled. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and she wiped it away. "It's everything. Not even just the physical. I miss her when she is not here. I think about her all the time. I can't get enough of her…her presence…her voice…her stories. I just want to soak her up. Tell me Kendall, am I crazy?"
Kendall smiled and leaned to hug her sister. She pulled away and braced Bianca by the shoulders. "No. You sound like you really, really care about Frankie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you."
"I do, Kendall…I love her. I love her so much. It's not just lust, or some obsessive crush. When I am with her, I feel safe. I don't even mean just in her presence. That short time when we were sort of together, when I felt like I was her's, I have never felt so safe and secure. I felt like I could do anything. I felt so much more sure of myself than I ever have. When we are together, it is like anything is possible. I do things and think things that I never have before. She makes me feel so alive."
"Sounds like love to me." Kendall said. "Love can be strange. It's intense and makes you feel things. You feel awakened in places that you didn't know existed. Love can make you brave and bold and daring. You have heard of crimes of passion? Well, my theory on those is because anyone who has experienced love. Real love. Down into the bottom of your toes love…well, they know how wonderfully crazy it can be and the depths it can lead you to.
Bianca wiped her tears and set the stacks of folded napkins on the side table. "Well, there is nothing I can do if I can't find her. I don't suppose I will be able to let this go, unless she tells me that she doesn't want me. Even then, who knows? I just don't know how to tell Sarah. I have been avoiding any deep conversations, but I know that I have to be honest. I just don't like hurting anyone. It seems to be inevitable right now, though."
"Oh, I wish you had come to me before." Kendall stood and pulled Bianca into a hug. "I hate that you have been struggling with all of this. You will make the right choice and it will work out. Look at my life. Years ago, my life revolved around Ryan. Greenlee and Leo had their issues and she ran off with Jake. Even when I had Spike, I thought that I would be with Ryan forever. Then Zack came to town. He was in love with another woman and I found him to be so obnoxious." The girls shared a laugh. "Now, Zack and I are more in love than ever and we have the boys. Ryan is so happy with Annie and they have Emma. Gratefully, Leo and Greenlee could not be more perfect now that Vanessa is gone. Love is a crazy beautiful mess indeed. Frankie came into your life for a reason and I don't think your story is over yet."
"I hope you are right." Bianca said.
The front door opened again as little Emma came running in. She looked around and then appeared shell shocked as she came face to face with the Kane women. In a shy whisper she mumbled. "Where are Spike and Ian?"
Kendall smiled warmly and gestured toward the back of the house. "They should be back in their rooms. You are welcome to join them." In a flash of pink cotton and blonde pig tails, she was off. The doors opened again. Bianca and Kendall turned toward the commotion and found Annie coming in. Reggie and Dani followed close behind.
"We are ready to work." Reggie said. "Hey Bianca, I just saw Sarah parking outside."
Kendall got up directing Annie and Dani over to the boxes of decorations. Bianca collected the napkins and headed off to the dining room. "Thanks Reggie. When she comes in, can you send her into the dining room with this box of decorations?"
"I am on it, B." Reggie replied.
Within the next hour and a half, the house looked splendid. All the decorations were hung and the front yard was very festive. The kids were playing football with Reggie and Dani in the yard. Jackson had arrived and was now watching the game in the living room with Ryan and Zack. All the women were putting finishes touches on the food as they waited for Erica's grand entrance.
Kendall was surveying the kitchen and seemed to be going over a mental checklist. "Oh crap." Kendall exclaimed. "Binks, could you and Sarah run over to the Valley Inn and pick up my pies? I placed the order last week and totally forgot to get them this morning."
"Sure." Bianca replied as she looked to Sarah.
"Oh, Greenlee and Leo are there celebrating with David and Anna. Pop in and find out what time we can be expecting them." Kendall added.
"Will do." Bianca said.
The young girls got into the car and started the drive in silence. Look at her. She is so beautiful. Just as beautiful as the first day I saw her. She is being sweet, loving and attentive. How can I begin to tell her how I fell in love with someone else…right under her nose? Bianca bit at her lip.
"We haven't had much time to talk." Sarah said, breaking the silence. "Are you okay? You have seemed a little distant."
"Oh." Bianca startled. "I'm fine. I just get really stressed during the holidays. Something always happens, usually with my mother. That's why we no longer have our celebrations at the Inn. My family has the market cornered on dramatics. I am just trying to keep it together. This is the first holiday that you and I have ever really spent together. I want it to be memorable." Wow, did I really just say that? I have a feeling that this is going to come back and bite me later.
"It will be fine." Sarah said, taking one hand from the wheel and patting Bianca reassuringly. "I am just so happy to be here with you. I have been doing a lot of thinking. I am almost done with school and have been talking with my advisors. I was going to wait till tomorrow, but I want to surprise you now. I am transferring to a school in Philly." Bianca just stared at Sarah in surprise. "I plan on moving right outside of Pine Valley. Isn't that great? We will be so much closer to each other. What do you think?"
Bianca's mind was reeling. Oh my god. "That is great! Oh Sarah…are you sure? It is not going to mess up your graduation date is it? Oh wow."
Sarah smiled and brushed her hand against Bianca's cheek. "I have taken everything in consideration, most importantly your feelings. I want to do this for you…for us."
Bianca smiled, sighed and then took in her surroundings. "Oh, Sarah…you needed to turn back there."
They turned around and within minutes, the girls pulled into the Valley Inn parking.