Thank you readers and reviewers for your six months of support.

Welcome to the week-long New York special.

SPOILERS – this week – The 'Erica' Film Premier, the Red carpet, the after-party and much more. - featuring (thanks to the unlimited budget of my imagination) a whole host of special guest stars… (I hope they don't mind).

…

Everyone set off in fairly high spirits, even Kendal who despite her initial reluctance was busy with a guide book checking out the sightseeing possibilities. Sadly this initial excitement was instantly dampened by a three hour delay and despite the first class seating the plane seemed to find every patch of turbulence going between Pine Valley and LaGuardia Airport. By the time they were greeted by Kit's assistant, Heidi, at the airport everyone's mood was slightly frayed.

Heidi looked pretty frazzled as well.

"Oh thank goodness you made it." she gushed as she led the group to a waiting limousine, "We only have Harrison Ford for another two hours. I'm going to have to take you straight to the studio for the shoot but I'll arrange for your bags to be taken to your hotel suites."

"Shoot?" asked Kendal, who had been under the impression that they would have six hours free to explore the city before they were needed at the theatre for the Premier.

"I'm sure I mentioned it." said Erica smiling. "They are doing a whole Vogue spread for the film; comparing the actresses with their real life counterparts. It sounds exciting doesn't it?"

"No you didn't mention it." said Kendal coolly, "The last addition to the schedule I heard about was the fact that I would be joining you on 'Good Morning America' instead of Bianca because she is jetting off to LA to do another interview. Something I only reluctantly agreed to."

Kendal looked to Bianca.

"Did you know?" she asked.

Bianca shook her head.

"Mom, you mentioned a possible publicity shoot on the plane but you did not mention it would be today."

"But you are still alright to go ahead?" asked Heidi looking suddenly worried. "It was hard work getting everyone's schedule to match. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we only have Harrison Ford for a few hours more."

Erica sniffed,

"Well it isn't up to me." she said, looking hard at her daughters.

Both Bianca and Kendal gave a long suffering sigh.

"So how long will this take?" asked Kendal.

"Two hours tops." said Heidi hopefully.

Bianca squeezed Marissa's hand and gave her apologetic look.

"I'm sorry." she said. "We will have a little time later to see the sights, just not as much as I'd hoped."

"Ditto." said Kendal given Griffin a smile. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay." said Griffin. "I know the publicity is important

Kendal looked between her mother and Heidi.

"Well as long it is only two hours; we'll do it." she said reluctantly. "Are there any other surprises we should know about?"

"Just this, I promise." said Heidi, the relief evident on her face, "Everything else is the same as the schedule I sent you last week."

"Thank you." said Erica giving her daughters a grateful smile.

…

They had rushed Erica into make up as soon as they arrived so that she could do a few poses with Harrison Ford, who was playing Uncle Jack, before he left for a prior engagement.

Three hours later Bianca was still sat in the studio waiting for her turn in front of the camera. Currently there were two Erica Kanes on the bare white stage set, posing either side of an ornate frame as mirror images of each other, Meryl Streep and the real thing. Scarlet Johansson identically dressed was waiting the wings for her turn, her nose in a book. A lot of effort was being put in to make everyone look like their Hollywood counterpart. There was also a video camera going around making a film of the shoot for the web site just to add to the pressure. Mom was loving every minute of it.

Kendal was still sat in the hairdressing section chatting with her past and present doubles, Dakota Fanning and Charlize Theron, while the hairdressers were struggling to find a way of making their vastly different hairstyles look similar. They seemed to have settled into fixing Kendal's unruly curls into a tight bun.

Bianca was sat by herself at the make-up table waiting to be called to costume. Bianca could see Marissa's reflection in the mirror, her girlfriend look bored. She turned to look over her shoulder to smile at her, but Marissa was too busy watching the photographer as he directed 'the Erica's' next pose. Marissa had been led to the back of the room with Griffin; left to watching the action whilst keeping out of everyone's way. Bianca felt awful that, after that terrible flight, this was how they got to spend their time in the Big Apple.

Realising she needed to do something to fix this; she got up and made her way over to them.

"How are you doing?" she asked.

"Good." said Griffin, his mouth currently stuffed with a donut he had lifted from the catering table.

"You know it's actually quite interesting." said Marissa brightly, but Bianca wasn't fooled, she could see the boredom in her eyes.

"Look." she said, taking Marissa's hand. "Thank you for this… but there is no reason for you to suffer it all. Why don't you guys get out of here? Find some lunch and see the sights."

"But I don't want to go without you." said Marissa gazing determinedly back at her girlfriend.

"I know." said Bianca sadly. "If there was a way I could just walk out of here I would, but the Miranda Centre…"

Marissa squeezed her hand.

"You don't have to explain. I do understand." said Marissa sincerely.

"Griffin will look after you I'm sure." said Bianca cheerfully.

Griffin nodded.

"It would be my pleasure." he said.

"Please." begged Bianca. "I just feel so bad that you have wasted all this time already, go and have some fun. We should be wrapped up by four. What do you say we meet up at the top of the Empire State Building and then you can tell me all your adventures?"

Marissa still looked reluctant to leave.

"Its alright." said Bianca, giving her girlfriend a brief kiss, "We still have tonight to be together."

Was it her imagination or did Marissa's cheeks just colour at the thought?

"Tonight…" said Marissa, a bright glint in her eyes. "Together..."

Bianca felt a blush of her own creep to her cheeks. It wasn't what she had meant when she said it, but she would be lying if she said she hadn't wondered where this trip might end. She was rather thrilled to discover Marissa was having the same thoughts.

"Tonight." said Bianca, kissing Marissa once more. "Now go and get out of here the both of you and have some fun for the rest of us."

"Yes ma'am." said Griffin giving Bianca a jokey salute.

Bianca gave them one last wave as the left through a side door, envious of their escape.

"Bianca Montgomery" called a woman with a worrying amount of piercings; it was time to head for wardrobe.

…

An hour later and Bianca was still waiting.

She had caused 'problems', or more accurately her disability had.

First she had to spend ten minutes explained to the wardrobe mistress why she couldn't wear the ten inch heels they had selected to go with her outfit and then the photography director seemed surprised to see Bianca arriving on crutches. He was insistent that he wanted her to pose without her knee and ankle bracing. When Bianca then informed him that she wouldn't be able to stand for any length of time without them, the man threw a fit at the idea of having to change his vision. That was when mom stepped in..!

Now everything was settled. The director had the sense to quickly come up with a new vision rather than face the further wrath of Erica Kane. They were now waiting for a van load of white chairs to arrive. Apparently the plan was now to fill the set with chairs so that Bianca could sit for the pose.

Bianca was back waiting back in her makeup seat, having just finished getting her hair done. Her own movie double and long-time movie star crush was sat beside her, Natalie Portman. She was a little star-struck.

"I'm so sorry about this." said Bianca, finally finding her voice.

"It's hardly your fault." said Natalie. "These things always take ten times longer than they say."

Bianca nodded recalling the painful time she spent being the face of Teen Enchantment.

"I remember." she said.

"I'm actually kind of glad we get this opportunity to talk." said Natalie giving Bianca a nervous smile. "I just wanted to say that you are inspiration and it is a real honour to play you. I was actually at your gallery opening last month, but I never got a chance to speak to you… you are an inspiration and you do incredible things."

Bianca gave her a modest grin.

"Thank you… I'm a fan too." she said nervously and then she laughed. "I actually made a joke about you playing me. I just can't believe it's happened."

Natalie smiled.

"So you like my work?" Natalie asked.

"Well you were certainly the best thing in the Star Wars prequels" said Bianca, with a grin. "But no seriously, you are incredible in V for Vendetta and you rightly deserved that Oscar for Black Swan – very intense. Oh and thanks to you my youngest daughter Gabby went through a lengthy invisible piano stage after watching Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

"You have two daughters, don't you?" asked Natalie, "Did you bring them with you for the Premier?"

"No, they are back in Pine Valley enjoying the last weekend with their nanny before she returns to France. It's sad because I know we are all going to miss her, but I think she has plans to spoil them both rotten this weekend to make up for it."

Bianca stopped and looked across at Natalie Portman, surprised that they were having such a normal conversation. Although she was worried she might start boring her now that they had moved on to one of her favourite subjects, her kids.

"I have pictures if you want to see them." offered Bianca reaching for her purse.

"I'd like that." said Natalie moving her chair closer.

"Oh, who are these guys?" asked a friendly voice from behind them. Bianca looked up to see Scarlet Johansson peering over her shoulder at her pictures; her other movie star crush. She temporarily lost the ability to speak once more.

"It's her kids." said Natalie passing back one of the photographs.

"Aww their cute." said Scarlet with a grin, "I bet their grandma is so proud of them."

Bianca gave a cautious smile.

"Oh she's proud, just don't call her grandma!"

…

Twenty minute later.

Kendal had had enough. She had done the reflection shots with first Charlize and then Dakota; now the camera man was setting up the shot with all three of them in. Kendal was grateful that her only task was to stand behind the gold frame that represented the mirror while Charlize and Dakota on either side were being made to pull more and more bizarre poses. Only now Dakota had the giggles and nothing was getting done.

Kendal was pleased to note Charlize shared her annoyance.
"Look surely you've got the shot!" she exclaimed.

The photographer scowled.

"I'm sorry." gasped Dakota unable to stop the giggling, it was probably exhaustion. They had been chatting at hair and makeup and Kendal couldn't believe the press gamut they had been put through over the last few weeks promoting the film. It had left Kendal feeling bad about complaining over these two days.

"I have an idea." said Kendal, finally seeing a compromise "If we want to speed this up, why not just do the shot with us all laughing. Would that work?"

"Genius." said Charlize with a grin and looked enquiringly to the photographer.

"Might work." he said. "Could you mimic her?"

But Charlize was already doing it, rocking back and clutching her side just as Dakota did. She let out a very fake sounding laugh, so fake sounding in fact that it made Dakota worse. The giggling became contagious and while the camera shutter whirled away all three woman fell about in genuine laughter.

…

Ten minutes later a shout came out that the van had arrived and an army of men began bringing in stack after stack of white dining chairs.

Bianca watched the procession with relief; it meant the ordeal was almost over. She was now having a very rewarding conversation with Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson. The discussion had moved on to her work at the Miranda Centre and both women had expressed an interest in helping her in some way.

Erica chose that moment to come over with Meryl Streep at her side.

"Here she is." said Erica proudly introducing her daughter.

Meryl Streep eagerly grasped Bianca's hand with both of hers and shook it enthusiastically.

"It's such a pleasure." she said. "I just wanted to tell say that you are such an incredible woman, What you have been through this last year alone – it beggars belief! But you just keep going. It's incredible! You are a real-life angel."

Bianca smiled graciously.

"Thank you."

"And if there is anything I can do for your charity; anything at all! You just have to ask!"

"Thank you." Bianca stammered again. "Thank you very much."

…

An hour and twenty minutes and a change of clothes later, they were setting up for the final shot. Actresses and the Kane women they had played all dotted around on the sea of white chairs that now filled the studio set. The photographic director was busy trying to get them all into their own 'character' poses. 'The Kendals' were standing facing left with an arrogant scowl on their faces, 'The Erica's' were facing towards camera wearing what the director described as a triumphant smile and 'the two Bianca's' were turned to the right and told to look sad.

Bianca didn't need to act looking sad. She couldn't see a clock but she was fairly certain it was after 4 o'clock.

All she could think about was Marissa waiting for her at the top of the Empire State Building and she wasn't able to get there.

…