Cara felt a little like she was playing gooseberry for Kendall and Griffin. Her two companions kept falling deep into conversation and forget that she was there as well. She didn't mind at all. She always thought they were good together. It didn't matter that they spent most of their time ignoring her, the whole art exhibition was amazing and offered more than enough to keep her enthralled.

She had been flattered, and also a little embarrassed, that her silly unicorn drawing was one of the first things people saw as they arrived. But the whole exhibit and the inspiration the artist had drawn from all the pictures was astounding. Her favourite piece so far was a six foot wire sculpture that recreated exactly Chief Hubbard's biro sketch of a bird in a tree. Although she was also rather impressed by the Mermaid quilt, that had been done by Pine Valley's very own quilting circle which had been inspired by Kendall's artwork. The first chance she got she was going to have to offer Bianca her congratulation; she couldn't remember the last time she had such an enjoyable evening.

…

Cara and Kendall found a quiet place away from the crowds while Griffin had gone to find them all drinks. Cara sat on a nearby couch, taking a chance to rest her weary feet. She ran her hand over her belly. The baby had been quiet restless all day, but now it had settled down.

"You look so well." said Kendall with a warm smile.

"I feel like a blimp." said Cara with a grin.

She really was beginning to feel exhausted. She closed her eyes and leaned back on seat with a sigh.

"It's so nice to sit down for a moment." she groaned.

"I remember it well." said Kendall taking a sat beside her. "Backache, sore ankles, morning sickness, needing to pee every five seconds…"

Cara opened her eyes, a wry comment on her lips.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed, getting the fright of her life. When she opened her eyes, she was met with the unexpected sight of a great White Shark diving out of the ceiling towards her.

"Why would anyone do that!" she cried leaping to her feet, her heart pounding. Kendal was by her side in an instant.

"Are you alright?" Kendall gasped, "You're not going to go into labour or anything."

"I'm good." said Cara catching her breath. "It was just a bit of a shock that all."

Both women looked up once more, to take a better look at the artwork above their heads, a motor boat on the ceiling being attacked by a shark.

Kendall recognised the scene.

"Hey." she said, grabbing Cara's arm excitedly. "That was from Spike's picture!"

…

"I wonder where Griffin is with the drinks?" pondered Kendall.

Their quiet corner was now filled by a group of people admiring the shark and boat piece and Cara realise Kendall was worried about Griffin losing them in the crowd. She joined the search, peering into the throng but she spotted someone else instead.

"There they are!" she cried.

"What…who?"

"Bianca and Marissa. I really want to tell Bianca how amazing this exhibit is."

Cara had spied them talking beside the ingenious photo mural by the French artist, Jean-something.

Kendal caught her arm, before she could go over to speak to them.

"I think you should just give them a minute." she said.

"Oh." said Cara, noticing now how close the two women were standing together and what that could mean... "Does that mean the party worked?" she asked looking to her friend curiously.

"It sure did." said Kendall with a grin. "Don't they make the cutest couple?"

Cara turned back to see Bianca and Marissa share a kiss.

"They sure do!" she agreed

Even as they watched however the intimate moment was disturbed by a little old lady with a shock of grey hair.

"Oh great timing Muriel." groaned Kendall.

In that same moment someone rushed past, barrelling through the crowds and sending Cara flying backwards. She hit the person behind her and there was the sound of breaking glass.

…

As Cara sat up, half a dozen hands were offered to help her to her feet. One of the perks of being a pregnant woman she supposed. The hand she picked turned out to belong to someone she knew, Ryan Lavery.

"Are you alright?" he asked, shaking his head. "Some people have no consideration for others." He was glancing along the path the hurrying figure had forced through the crowd.

She turned round to see who she had landed on; it turned out to be her own brother.

"Er…Ryan was giving me a hand with the drinks." he said as he scrambled to his feet. Smashed glass littered the floor amongst the fizz of spilt champagne.

"Orange Juice?" said Ryan holding the glass out to Cara that was still clasped in his hands, half the contents of which was now splashed on his expensive looking jacket.

"Thanks." said Cara, a little embarrassed, but the crowd around them was now beginning to disperse. She emptied the glass with one gulp.

"You're hand." gasped Kendall suddenly grasping Griffin by the wrist. He had a tiny cut on his palm, but the way Kendall clung to him you would think he'd lost a finger.

"Mm," thought Cara, "That's another cute couple in the making."

"Is anyone hurt?" asked Bianca

She and Marissa had come over to make sure everything was alright.

"He'll live." said Cara.

"Only dented my pride." confirmed Griffin, although he was clearly enjoying the fuss Kendall was making of him.

"What happened exactly?" asked Marissa.

"Someone just barged through." said Cara, "He seemed kind of angry and in a hurry."

She scanned the crowd but whoever it was that shoved his way past was long gone now.

"For a moment I thought it was JR." said Ryan.

"But why would he come charging through." asked Griffin. Kendall was still padding the cut on his hand with a folded tissue although it had stopped bleeding a long time ago.

"It won't be him." said Bianca, although she glanced at Marissa nervously. "He isn't on the guest list."

"As I said," said Ryan, "I couldn't be sure."

"Um…Bianca," interrupted the old lady, Kendall had called Muriel. "It's almost time."

"I know." said Bianca, taking a deep breath.

Bianca turned back to address the group.

"Would you guys mind keeping Marissa company for a little while, I've got to go and prep for the speeches."

"That's fine." said Kendall, although she clearly distracted, still tending Griffins very minor wound.

"I won't be too long." said Bianca, turning back to Marissa. She planted a sweet kiss into her girlfriend's lips before following Muriel through the crowds, swinging steadily along on her crutches. Marissa watched her until she dissappeared from sight, a wide grin on her face.

"Someone seems happy." said Cara.

"I am." said Marissa, her smile growing wider still. "She's just so incredible."

Ryan, looked please with the developement as well.

"Congratulations." he said.

Cara looked back the way Bianca had gone and then remember she had wanted to talk to her.

"Damn it, I wanted to tell Bianca how amazing this exhibition is." she muttered, annoyed that she missed her chance.

"It is, isn't it!" agreed Ryan.

"Did you see that vase of flowers made out of plastic bags? Amazing!" asked Marissa.

"No, I don't think I have." said Cara.

She watched the crowd still milling around the exhibits.

"Should we maybe try and get closer to ther podium, so we don't miss the speeches?"

"That sounds like a plan." said Ryan and Marissa nodded.

All three of then turned back to Kendal and Griffin, but they seemed lost in a world of their own. Both women shared a look with Ryan. With a silent agreement the three friends headed off into the exhibition together, chatting eagerly about the amazing artwork all around them. Griffin and Kendall didn't even notice they had gone.

…