Marissa was busy at the yacht club serving the late morning breakfasts. She was surprised to see a familiar face - Kendal at a table on the high decking overlooking the Marina with Ian and Gabby for company. Her friend looked awful.

"Are you alright?" Marissa asked as she came over to take her order.

"Not exactly." said Kendal, fighting a yawn. "I have had the worse night ever! Have you ever tried sharing a bed with two wriggly children? First they were too excited to go to sleep and then I was woken up way too early this morning by Spike rolling over and whacking me in the face… and this little guy…" she said playfully prodding her youngest son to make him squirm. "Although he's tiny he still managed to take up over half the bed."

"You spent the night here?"

"Yes, Bianca and I were forced to stay in town last night. I think Bianca at least had a good night sleep after yesterday. Do you know at one point I thought that day would never end! Gabby was a good girl and actually stayed in her cot and Bianca sensibly made a bed up for Miranda on the couch. She didn't have to battle two cheeky monkeys in order to get some sleep."

Kendal teased Ian some more on her last comment making him giggle before scooping him up onto her lap.

"They hadn't cleared the tree?" Marissa asked.

"No, and there is still no power at the house as the lines are down." said Kendal, before adding determinedly, "But I am definitely getting back home this evening. I've been on the phone all morning trying to get it sorted. I've been laying it on thick, two women, one of whom is disabled and their four young children stranded far from their home. It seems to have done the trick."

Marissa frowned at Kendal's antics.

"You are very determined."

"Yes I am." said Kendal. "Now mom is back in Pine Valley I've a feeling I need to rest all I can before she gets home. You know Erica Kane."

"I don't actually." said Marissa. "Well I don't remember her."

"I forgot, sorry." said Kendal.

"It's fine. I'm fine."

Kendal noticed Marissa was staring at her outfit.

"Do you like?" she asked jokingly, "We were forced to borrow clothes from the Martins."

"I didn't want to ask." said Marissa with a grin. Kendal was currently wearing a vivid blue and green polka-dot dress with an acid green cardigan.

"This was the tamest thing I could find in Opal's wardrobe. Bianca was a bit better off, borrowing from your mom."

"And kids clothes came from Katie and Jenny." asked Marissa nodding towards Ian. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a hot pink jeep on the front with the message 'Beach Babe' blazing across it in gold lettering.

"He's happy - it's got a car on it." said Kendal, smiling at her son, "Poor Spike however, he's terrified someone at school will notice he's wearing girls undies."

Marissa shared a laugh.

"Do you like my top, Ma-wissa?" Gabby asked, pulling out her butterfly shirt. "And St-wawbe-wy bear's too!"

Somewhere she had found t-shirt for her favourite toy as well.

"I think you both look very pretty." said Marissa, taking the opportunity to give the little girl a hug.

Gabby grinned back delighted.

"Is your mommy coming down for breakfast?" Marissa asked hopefully.

Gabby looked to her Aunt Kendal, confusion on her face at the question.

"No, you've missed her." said Kendal. "Mommy's dropping Miranda and Spike off at school, isn't she, Gabby?"

Gabby nodded enthusiastically, now she remembered.

"And then she has a busy day at the Miranda centre." continued Kendal her tone much more serious. "It seems JR is still playing games. He has transferred all Chandler Enterprises charity funding from the Miranda Centre to a Support group for families coping with terminal illness. The Centre now needs to find a way to fill the deficit in order to complete the family health project in Africa before the deadline."

Marissa sighed.

"Well if anyone one can sort it I'm sure Bianca can."

"Damn straight." said Kendal.

Marissa paused for a moment a small smile on her lips.

"And if you find that you can't get back home tonight, do remind your sister that she owns a great big empty house right next door to mine."

"I appreciate the thought," said Kendal, "But I will be back in my own bed and back in my own clothes by the end of today even if I have to hire a helicopter to get me there."

Marissa laughed.

"Well, sadly I can't stand here chatting all day." she said conscious of the looks her manager was giving her from the bar. "Do you know what you want to order?"

"Black coffee for me, please," said Kendal. "Big black coffee, lots and lots of it. Ian will have a glass of milk and Blueberry pancakes, and what would you like with your milk, sweetie?" She added, asking Gabby.

"Do you want pancakes too?" Marissa asked.

Gabby nodded.

"Blueberry or Strawberry."

Gabby's eyes grew wide with excitement and wonder.

"St-wawbe-wy, please." she said, grinning delighted at Marissa. "Then teddy can have some too! It's his favourite."

"Yes he can." said Marissa, making a mental note to bring an extra side plate for Gabby's toy. "I'll be back as quick as I can."

Kendal watched Marissa go a smile on her face. It was nice to see how well she connected to Gabby. The encounter with her sister's girlfriend certainly did the trick to improve her mood. Those two were defiantely made for each other.

…