Bianca surveyed the busy parking lot of the Inn and turned to Sarah. "Hey, you know, it gets ridiculous in there during this time of year. All of the guests and patrons at the restaurant are bad enough, but with all the private parties it's a real madhouse."
"Okay." Sarah said, with a quizzical look.
"Well, I just figure it will be easier if I just run in and get the pies. If you keep the car running then we don't have to fight for space, etc. I figure the sooner we get the pies back to the house, the calmer Kendall will be." Bianca said.
"Oh…well, sure." Sarah said with a smile. "I will just pull around here and wait for you to come back out. You sure you can carry them all?"
"It's not that many. I will be alright." Bianca said while exiting the car. "Be right out." She walked toward the entrance and into the Inn. Breathe out, Bianca. A few more hours, and this day will be over. A hostess approached Bianca. "Ms. Montgomery, how may I help you today?"
"I am here to pick up a pie order for my sister, Kendall Hart-Slater." Bianca said with a smile. The hostess nodded and left to retrieve the order. Bianca stood patiently. She took in her surroundings, careful to stay out of the way of the streams of people rushing about. Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to talk to Greenlee. They are probably in that private room over there. A familiar sight caught her eye. "Frankie?" Bianca whispered. She felt light-headed. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She yelled out "Frankie!" towards the blond girl, but received no response. The older girl went into the very room that Bianca suspected the Hayward Family would be celebrating in. Bianca started to walk that way. Her mind was racing. Surely she heard me? Why would she ignore me? She looked so different. The same, but different.
"Ms. Montgomery…here is your order." The hostess said as she approached. "If you could just sign right here to verify pick up."
"Oh, yes. Sure." Bianca said, coming out of her daze. She walked over to a nearby table and set down her bag, took the document and signed it. When she handed it back, she looked at the hostess. "Could you possibly hold these for a few moments? I need to go locate my cousin, Mrs. Dupres."
"Absolutely" she responded. "I will hold them at my station over…just over there." Bianca nodded, lost in her head again and began to walk toward the door. "Ms. Montgomery, your purse." The hostess called out. Bianca turned and walked back to retrieve her bag. Embarrassment shaded her features. She thanked the young woman and then started back toward the room. She unfortunately missed the sudden departure of Maggie Stone, followed soon after by Leo.
When Bianca arrived at the doorway, she was sad to see no traces of Frankie. David and Anna were lost in conversation. Aidan sat talking to his date, Anita and Greenlee sat alone. Greenlee looked up and saw Bianca's presence in the doorway. She seemed alarmed and rushed over to the brunette. "Hey, Bianca? What a surprise." Greenlee said while taking Bianca by the arm and leading her away from the room. She led her to a sitting area and gestured for her to sit. "What brings you here? I thought Kendall was having a big soiree. Don't tell me…she burned the turkey?"
Bianca laughed. "No. I have just come to pick up our pies. She wanted me to ask when you and Leo will be arriving?" Confusion returned to Bianca's face. "Where is Leo? And was that Trey? When did he get released? I must tell Kendall."
Greenlee raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Yes it was. He was just released last week. He lives in Philly right now. Kendall doesn't know yet. Trey just asked for a little time. He is adjusting…Leo stepped out. More drama today than at a Kane shindig…but that isn't important. Tell Kendall that we will be there by 4pm. Okay?" Greenlee stood and after glancing around for a moment, she started to walk towards the lobby. "You should probably get going. Wouldn't want Kendall freaking out about the missing desserts, now would we?" Bianca nodded and followed Greenlee. They parted ways and Greenlee headed back in the direction of the room. Bianca spotted the hostess station. She took a mental check, trying to pull herself together. She was awfully jumpy. I never got to ask about Frankie. I would swear that was her…wasn't it? It is so weird that Leo wasn't there. Drama? Maybe Leo and Frankie went somewhere? Maybe Greenlee was so nervous because Frankie doesn't want to see me? Oh stop this Bianca. Oh my gosh…my purse, again! Bianca turned back toward the sitting area to see if she dropped her bag as she sat briefly with Greenlee. I swear I would lose my head if it wasn't…
Bianca stopped dead in her tracks. Looking out the window of the sitting area she had a clear view of the terrace. Her heart stopped beating and her breath hitched. She saw Frankie. It wasn't the sight of her lover that made her heart stop this time though. The young brunette's heart was shattering as she saw her love with another woman. This woman was holding her Frankie. She kissed the blond on the head and had her arms around her waist. Bianca felt nauseous as she saw those beautiful hazel eyes look up at the other woman. Frankie slipped her arm around the girl as they both walked away. Frankie? Who? "Oh Frankie…" was all that Bianca could mumble as she fell to the floor.
The hostess happened to glance over, looking for Bianca's return, when she saw the young woman standing by the window. She witnessed Bianca fainting and enlisted a male co-worker to aid her in attending to the young Montgomery girl.
Sarah was waiting in the parking lot, as directed. She was singing along to the radio and beginning to grow worried. "Surely it doesn't take this long to pick up a few pies?" She mumbled aloud. Just as she spoke the words, she noticed two uniformed individuals assisting Bianca out of the Inn. Sarah saw Bianca point in her direction and quickly put the car in gear to advance on the scene. She parked the vehicle in the entry way and quickly exited. She made her way around to Bianca. "Honey! Are you okay?" She took Bianca's arm, after opening the car door, and eased her into the seat.
"I am fine." Bianca said. "I am probably just stressed from all the running and I haven't eaten yet. I feel foolish and embarrassed." Bianca said. She fought hard to fight back the tears. If I can just make it back to Kendall's, I… What Bianca? What are you going to do? It is over. Frankie is with someone else. She doesn't miss you. She has a whole new life, a new city, a new home, a new everything. It is time you just let go of this silly fairy tale. Things like this don't happen…they don't exist.
Sarah had loaded the pies into the back and was back behind the wheel. "Oh, sweetie! Why haven't you eaten? You know that it isn't good for you, especially with all of the stress of the holidays." She patted Bianca's leg and looked at her lovingly. "This is exactly why I am so glad I am going to be so close. I can take care of you. I should have been here all along, but I was being selfish. I am sorry, Bianca."
Bianca just looked at Sarah. She listened to the words and saw the concern in her features. This is it. This is life. Sarah has been working so hard to do right by me and what do I do? I run off and hook-up with a stranger. Sure, I fell into all that nonsense about love at first sight and soul mates living happily ever after. Clearly, none of that was what Frankie was feeling. Leo tried to warn me that she was a con. He had his reservations. I should have listened. Face it, Bianca…Sarah is your past and she should be your future. This is the path you should have stayed on.
Bianca pulled out of her own head and took a deep breath. She released it with one last thought. Goodbye, Frankie. "Sarah, I didn't get to say earlier, I think you coming here is wonderful. Except I don't want you in Philly, I want you here with me. Come to Pine Valley and let's move in together. What do you say?" Bianca smiled hopefully and watched Sarah's delighted response. Sarah took Bianca's hand in her own and brought it to her lips. She kissed the back of it and smiled a brilliant smile. "I would LOVE too." She exclaimed. "Oh Bianca, I love you!"