*Sorry to do this to you guys, but I am going to take a short break from writing over the Christmas Holidays. I plan to return 3rd January 2012. I hope you can all join me again then.

To make the wait more bearable I leave you with this early Christmas present. I hope you like it. :)*

…

Marissa stood nervously at the door to Kendall's house. She was way too early, but she was ready and she was too anxious to wait at home any longer.

Kendall opened the door, her hair still half in rollers.

Kendall did a double take from Marissa to her watch.

"You're early."

"I know I'm sorry." said Marissa giving her an apologetic grin; she knew it was only twenty to seven.

"Well come in. I'm miles behind as it is…"

Marissa nodded and stepped into the lounge.

Kendall was struggling to remove the last roller from her hair.

"Look, I've got at least an hour's more sprucing up to do and only twenty minutes to do it in; maybe you could pop in and see how Bianca's getting on."

"Sure." said Marissa, taking off her coat and draping it over the back of the couch.

"You look stunning by the way." said Kendall, as she disappeared up the steps.

"Thanks."

Marissa was wearing the dress Bianca had suggested; an emerald green gown, the neckline trimmed with a flaming pattern of gold beads. Marissa had admired herself in the mirror before she left. She was a little self-conscious about how snuggly the dress clung to her frame, but then again she had nothing to be ashamed of.

The only thing that had given her real pause was her hair. It was now long enough to hide the bullet scar but still too short to do anything with. She had experimented by slicking back her hair, adding a curl on her forehead. However AJ didn't like it. He had sat with her as she got ready, clearly determined that everything should go right tonight. He told her it reminded him too much of his dad's angry hair. In the end she just left it natural, in her usual short fluffy bob. She felt better like that; it did a better job of hiding the scar.

…

It took some trial and error to find Bianca's room. At the fourth door she peered round she saw Bianca still in her dressing gown, starring into her closet.

Marissa knocked on the door.

"Come in Kendall." said Bianca, not looking up. "Which do you think the black or the turquoise?"

She turned holding up two dresses.

The choice was between a simple black dress and a turquoise silk; the hem decorated with a pattern of iridescent peacock feathers.

"The turquoise." said Marissa.

Bianca looked up at the sound of her voice. She was so surprised to see Marissa standing there she stumbled.

Marissa hurried forward to catch her.

"I'm sorry." she said. "I didn't mean startle you."

"It's not just that." said Bianca, unable to tear her eye away from Marissa. "Frankie wouldn't let me use my brace yet. So I'm attempting to manage without. My knee keeps doing unexpected things."

Marissa looked down, noticing her left leg was still clearly bandaged but there was no sign of the black brace.

Bianca gave Marissa a friendly grin.

"It's great to see you."

"You too." said Marissa, her cheeks getting a little hotter as she realised how close they were standing and that her hands were still clasped around Bianca's slender waist.

"I should finish getting dressed." said Bianca.

Was it Marissa's imagination or were Bianca's cheeks turning rosy too.

Reluctantly Marissa stepped away, turning her back to give Bianca some privacy.

Marissa could hear the rustle of cloth as Bianca began dressing; she kept her eyes firmly forward fighting the urge to peep.

"You look beautiful this evening." said Bianca. "But then you always… damn it!"

Bianca's curse was accompanied by a crash.

Marissa spun round to see Bianca collapsed awkwardly against her dressing table the dress only half on.

"Stupid knee!" cried Bianca in frustration.

"Let me help." said Marissa, moving forward to support her.

Bianca's head and arms were tangled in the dress as she struggled to stay upright.

Marissa tried hard not to stare too long at soft skin and lace underwear as she helped Bianca into her dress… untangled fabric… guided arms into sleeves… smoothed silk against sides. Marissa then stepped behind her to fasten the dress.

Bianca was clearly embarrassed and dipped her head.

"This is the reason I haven't been wearing evening gowns a lot lately." she said jokingly.

Marissa sighed, pulling the zip closed.

"You look gorgeous."

Bianca wore a slightly mortified expression on her face. She was clearly self-conscious about having Marissa help her dress.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean you to... I don't want you to think I was trying to throw myself at you. If I made you feel uncomfortable I'm sorry."

"And there I was feeling bad for looking. Trust me you have nothing to be ashamed of." said Marissa then she clamped her mouth shut. Where had that come from?

Marissa turned Bianca to face her, giving her a somewhat flirty smile.

She wasn't sure where the confidence came from, but when she was with Bianca she felt oddly fearless.

Bianca's eyes went wide and her lips were touched with a flirty smile of their own, but then she grew serious again.

"Marissa I don't want you to feel like I'm putting any pressure on you. I don't want to rush you, or force this if you aren't ready for. I know you don't remember us…"

Marissa interrupted her, moving closer once more. She had something to say to Bianca and now was the moment. It felt as if a kind of perfect stillness was filling the air around them.

"Bianca. There is something I've wanted to say to you ever since the kiss in the park. I can't explain why I'm drawn to you. It's not a memory… I wish it was but I know it's isn't! I don't remember you but I know you… I look at your hands and I know how well they fit into mine…"

Marissa reached out and took Bianca's hands in her own.

"…I look at your skin and I know how soft and warm it will feel under my fingertips…"

Marissa ran her fingertips along Bianca's bare arm.

"…I look at your smile and I know the sweet taste of your mouth…"

Marissa closed the gap between them and planted a thoughtful kiss on Bianca's lips.

In that moment her mother's words came back to her.

"The heart knows what it wants." sighed Marissa as she gazed lovingly into Bianca's eyes

Marissa's next kiss was full of passion, sharing all the emotion that was burning in her heart.

Bianca was not expecting Marissa to press forward so hungrily. She stumbled and overbalanced, tumbling backward onto the bed, and taking Marissa with her.

It took a moment to untangle their limbs.

"Are you okay!" gasped Marissa, propping herself up on her elbows, very aware of Bianca's body pinned beneath her own. Worried she might have hurt her.

Bianca gazed back at her, her smile just beaming.

"I'm perfect." she sighed.

And suddenly the dreamlike stillness descended once more.

Marissa smiled back, lost in the love and joy shining from Bianca's eyes

Slowly Bianca's hand snaked behind Marissa's neck and pulled her gently down into a long tender kiss.

…

Bianca's bedroom door burst open and Kendall marched in.

"The car is here… Whoa!"

Although reluctant to end the kiss, both Marissa and Bianca turned towards the interruption. They were still in their prone position on the bed where they had fallen.

Kendall held up her hand to shield her eyes.

"I'll give you a minute." she said making a fast retreat.

Marissa turned back to Bianca and they shared a grin.

Through the gap in the closing door they had caught a glimpse of Kendall punching the air in celebration.

"YES!"

…

SPOILERS – 2012 – JR on trial, Erica returns home, and of course there will be a happy ending… eventually.

See you in the New Year!

PS: If you want a Christmassy Minx tale to hold you over until then check out my 'Bianca and Marissa's Dream'