The storm was over by the time the ambulance had pulled in to Pine Valley hospital. As soon as it arrived the driver leaped out leaving Erica alone in the cab. Glancing through the passenger side wing-mirror she could see the bustle of activity at the back of the ambulance as they prepared to unload the mysterious patient. The mirror didn't give her much of a view so discretely she twisted in her seat and gently moved aside the curtain the driver had pulled across earlier to block her view.

As the gurney was lowered from the rear of the ambulance Erica caught another glimpse of blonde hair and pale skin. Who was she? Could it really be Babe after all this time?

David chose that moment to appear from the hospital entrance. He began directing the ambulance men on where to take the patient; she was going to have a private room on the sixth floor. As Erica craned her neck to try get a view if the young woman's face just to make certain there was a cough at her shoulder.

Erica spun in her seat to see the ambulance driver waiting with a wheelchair by the open passenger-side door.

"Seen enough?" he asked with a smirk.

…

David greeted Erica as she was wheel into the hospital in the wake of the unknown patient.

"You are looking much better." He said, reaching down to take her pulse.

"I'd feel better if I know what was going on!" Erica retorted.

"Erica, you are back home and you are well. Surely those are the only things that matter."

David turned to the ambulance driver.

"Its fine I've got it from here."

David took over the wheelchair and began to wheel Erica towards the elevator.

"I've got you a nice private room…" said David in a playful tone, "And I shall give your family a call as soon as the hearing is over. I imagine they are all rather busy right now."

"Hearing?"

…

Erica felt sick to her stomach when she heard about what had happened between Bianca and JR. She poor baby girl, and she hadn't been there to protect her.

"I have to get to the courthouse. I have to see my girls." cried Erica struggling to get out of the wheelchair.

David put restraining hand on her shoulder.

"You need to rest."

"But Bianca!" protested Erica trying to pull away from his grip.

Just then the elevator stopped with a slight jolt and the doors hissed open.

Standing in front of the lift doors was the very same Bianca. The surprise on the young woman's face transformed to a look of delight.

"Mom!"

…

Erica's eyes took in every detail of her daughter who was stood starring openly at the unexpected sight of her mother. Erica saw the crutches, the leg bracing and the half healed bruises on her daughter's cheek. Had it really been almost a year since she saw her last?

"Bianca." gasped Erica as her daughter surged forward and engulfed her in a hug.

"Oh mom." cried Bianca. "Oh mom I missed you so much!"

Erica wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter and didn't want to let go.

"Ladies." interrupted David, "Maybe it would be better to continue this somewhere other than the elevator?"

Bianca looked up, noticing David for the first time.

"David." She said with a smile, "I… I have wonderful news. You have a son."

…

As the nurse left after tucking Erica up into her hospital bed, Bianca came forward to hug her mother once more.

"I missed you so much mom." She said as she pulled back to sit at her Erica's bedside.

"I missed you too sweetheart." said Erica reaching out a hand to caress Bianca's damaged cheek. "My poor baby."

"I'm fine mom, really. It's not as bad as it looks."

Erica's eyes were drawn to the crutches that Bianca had propped by her beside.

"But your leg."

"I'm fine. I could have died. I could have been completely paralysed. If all I'm left with is an annoying limp I count myself very lucky. What I want to know is, how are you?"

Erica looked into her daughter's eyes and saw the familiar strength and compassion there.

"I am healing." said Erica. "There will be a few new scars but the pain is almost completely gone. I've just missed so much."

"It's not as if you had a choice." said Bianca taking her mother's hand. "And you are here now. You are home. I can't wait until Uncle Jack finds out."

"Jack?"

"He's been so worried about you. We all have."

Erica smiled at her daughter.

"Well from now on I'm staying put. From now on I swear I am putting you and Kendall first. Your safety and happiness is now my only priority."

"Mom…" began Bianca with a cautious smile, knowing her mother was making a promise she probably couldn't keep.

There was a knock at the door and Griffin peered in.

"Bianca, I've been looking all over for you. Your cab is here ready to take you to the hearing."

"Oh!" exclaimed Bianca, the excitement at seeing her mother temporarily banishing JR from her mind. "Sorry mom I have to go!"

"I'm coming with you!" said Erica making a move to get out of bed.

Bianca put out a restraining hand.

"No mom." she said, determination in her voice. "I've got this."

…