With David gone, Jackson settled back at his desk in order to go through some depositions for an upcoming court case. Then his phone rang. He had been expecting a call from Judge Marshall about the JR case.

"Hello, Jackson Montgomery" he said down the receiver.

"Uncle Jack, I sorry to disturb you at work." said a familiar voice.

"Bianca."

"Yeah," said Bianca, "I know this may be an odd question but did I leave a crutch in your car. I ended yesterday with only one and I'm trying work out where I left the other."

"No." said Jackson. "I think you only had one with you at Krystal's. Did you leave it at the courthouse?"

"No I know I had it there… Oh I'm an idiot!" she cried with a laugh. "Sorry Uncle Jack I left it in Marissa's car, I remember now."

"That alright." said Jackson jokingly, "Glad I could help. So how is my favourite niece doing today?"

Bianca gave out a long breath.

"Oh, JR has managed to drop us in it but other than that I'm good."

"What do you mean?"

"He transferred Chandler's charity funding from the Miranda Centre to another charity. I mean we can't exactly contest it. That charity is no less deserving of the money than the Miranda Centre. It's just come as a nasty blow and the timing stinks. Adam Chandler has donated a generous sum from his own pocket but there is still a major hole in our African Family Health programme. We were running to a deadline to get some matched funding on a grant and now… we may have to cut back the scheme considerably."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No, no. I've got the best fund raising minds at the centre thinking up schemes. We aren't giving up just yet!"

"Well if I can help in any way…"

"Thanks Uncle Jack." said Bianca, "I'm sorry, I didn't call to unburden my woes on you."

"I'm here for that too, you know."

"I know."

Bianca left a long pause.

"Is there something else you wanted?" asked Jackson.

"Um… I was just… How are you, Uncle Jack."

"I'm fine."

"Only after I left you with mom things felt really tense."

Jackson gave a light laugh.

"You're still worried about your mom and me."

"I just want everything to work out."

"So do I sweetheart. But as long as your mom continues to make things so 'Erica' I don't know what I can do."

"But that's the thing - She is Erica Kane, she's an icon. The glamour and celebrity is a much a part of my mom as her generous heart, her quick tongue or her stunning smile. Even if you took my mom to live in a cabin in the woods a million miles from everyone, the press will be at your door within a month wanted the scoop behind her disappearance. Be honest, if Erica began acting any other way it just wouldn't be her."

"True."

"I know at times mom doesn't make life easy for us but I've never doubted that she loves me and I've never doubted that she would be there for me. She feels the same about you Uncle Jack, I know it. At the moment mom is at the brink of her biggest dream coming true, can we really deny her something she has wanted all her life. When it is over she'll settle down again, whether it is a modelling career, a beauty campaign or maybe she'll even get a television show from this… She'll find a new focus and then she'll be more than ready to settle down."

"I know you're right. I just seem to spend my life waiting for your mom."

"Your wait is almost over. Please don't give up on her now, please."

Jackson gave a sigh.

"I'm going to see your mother later this morning."

"What are you going to say to her." asked Bianca, apprehension in her voice.

"I'm going to tell her that her daughter is very wise. You are right, of course you are. Your mother deserves her dream… and then I guess we wait and see what happens."

"Thanks, Uncle Jack, you won't regret it."

"Mmm, we shall see." said Jackson, but there was humour in his voice and a smile on his face. "Take care of yourself, Bianca."

"You too. And give mom my love."

…