I'm back. Thanks for waiting. After the bliss of last week's chapters I found it a bit tricky to get back into the story. Oh well, here goes.

SPOILERS – this week – Erica and Jackson have a surprise for their family, AJ makes a new friend and Marissa has to get to grips with her new job.

…

Kendal glanced at the clock. Bianca was running late. Mom hadn't said anything yet, but there was a slight narrowing of her eyes as she smiled at Jackson.

They hadn't told Kendal what the occasion was, she was still in the dark, but Mom and Jack seemed to be very happy. She was expecting another announced engagement.

Kendal wondered if would be wise to give Bianca another call. She felt a bit mean breaking up her time with Marissa, but Erica was clearly on edge, the tension was slowly growing. Even the kids, sensing Erica's mood, had quietened down and vanished to the play room.

Suddenly the doorbell rang.

Kendal opened the door ready to berate her sister for her tardiness. Instead she stopped. It was Reggie standing there.

"Sorry, we're late." He said loudly before confiding to Kendal, "Camilla didn't know what to wear."

Camilla came tottering up the path behind him in a pretty summer dress and high wedge sandals, little Ayesha in her arms.

"Reggie," cried Jackson engulfing his son in a bear hug. "Great to see you!"

"Sorry." He said again.

"That's fine, fine." said Jackson, a wide smile still on his face. "We are still waiting for a few more honoured guests."

Kendal checked on her mother but she was warmly greeting Camilla, those two seemed to have become fast friends.

Kendal noticed Ayesha looking around the room expectantly – she knew who she was seeking.

"Gabby's in the playroom if you want to see her."

Ayesha nodded enthusiastically.

"I'll take her." said Camilla, heading up the stairs. "Shall we go and find you bestest friend?"

As she disappeared around the corner Reggie turned to his dad.

"So, what's this announcement?"

"We have to wait until everyone is here." said Erica, her tone a little sharp.

Kendal gave the clock another glance, it was ten past twelve.

"I'll give Bianca another call." said Kendal. "She may be stuck in traffic."

"Please do that." said Erica. The tension now clear in her shoulders.

Kendal grabbed the phone from the side and dialled her sister's number.

As soon as the phone was answered Kendal hissed angrily down the phone.

"Binks, where the hell are you?"

She heard Bianca laugh before she replied.

"Um… I'm just outside the door."

Frowning Kendal walked to the front door, the phone still in her hand. She opened it to see her grinning sister standing in the doorstep, posed to ring the bell.

"Sorry we're late!" said Bianca, closing up her phone.

"So you should be." said Kendal giving Bianca a welcoming hug. Bianca leaned all her weight into it but didn't let go of her crutches.

"Are you okay?" Kendal asked.

"I'm fine." said Bianca, her smile still beaming, "In fact I'm better than fine… I'm fantastic."

"Mmm hmm." said Kendal, glancing down at her sister's leg. "You're sure."

Bianca followed her sister's gaze.

"I'll be fine." said Bianca firmly.

Bianca turned to her mother with an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry, mom, Uncle Jack." she said, "We got a bit caught up."

All the bristling annoyance that had been going on under the surface melted at the sight of Bianca's smile.

"Well you made it." said Erica, "That is what matters."

Erica held Bianca at arm's length to get a good look at her,

"And how are you after everything that happened in New York? How was LA? I was beginning to wonder if you were avoiding me!"

"Don't be silly mom, why would I do that." exclaimed Bianca. "I don't blame you for the film and what you got Kit to do by way of apology for the Miranda centre may have saved so many lives…"

Erica nodded graciously, relief in her face.

"It was the least I could do." said Erica in all seriousness. "And you're really fine?"

"I'm wonderful." said Bianca, her smile just beaming.

She looked behind Bianca, passed the open door

"Is Marissa coming?" Erica asked, "She is invited."

"She was just behind me. AJ's still not one hundred per cent but he really wanted to come. That's why we were late, we had pick him up from the Chandler's Mansion"

"And now we're here!" came a voice from the door. Marissa was standing there her arm around AJs shoulder. AJ looked a little pale, but Kendal noted Marissa was practically glowing. The smile she shared with Bianca was… well, it was plain to see; love was definitely in the air.

"What do you say we sit down, hey buddy." said Bianca addressing the subdued AJ.

AJ nodded and followed Bianca to the couch. Kendal couldn't help but notice the stiffness in Bianca's movements. She was clearly having a problem with her leg.

"So," asked Bianca turning back towards her sister, "Have my girls been angels or monsters?"

"A pair of little angels, until your phone call this morning. Then it took them over half an hour to calm down.

"Sorry about that." said Bianca with a grin.

Their voices must have travelled as there was a thunder of children's feet and the two little girls in question came tearing down the hall.

"Mommy!"

"Mommy, we missed you."

Bianca fell back into the couch after being engulfed by her daughters.

"Magic kisses!" cried Gabby, pulling her mommy down so she could kiss her nose.

Miranda was positively bouncing.

"Is it true? Is it true?" cried Miranda her eyes positively glowing with delight as she looked from Bianca to Marissa.

Bianca pulled her eldest daughter into a cuddle and kissed her forehead, in an attempt to calm her down.

"How about we talk about this another time, okay? Today is for Erica and Uncle Jack."

Miranda nodded and did her best to calm down… but then she spotted AJ. She gave him a massive hug, before whispering in his ear.

"It's going to happen. It's really going to happen."

The whisper was quite loud and everyone heard it.

"Gently." said Bianca pulling them apart. "AJ is still a little poorly."

"Sorry." said Miranda.

AJ sat up again, only now his cheeks were bright red.

"What's going to happen?" he asked.

"Yes, we are all intrigued now?" asked Jackson with a grin.

Bianca and Marissa shared a look.

"Um… well I wanted to talk about this properly with everyone involved," said Bianca a nervous but happy smile on her face. "But I guess as we are all here…"

Bianca reached out to draw Marissa to her side; her arm around Marissa's hip as she pulled her close.

"Marissa and I are moving in together!"

"To the house?" asked AJ his eyes wide.

"To the house." confirmed Marissa, smiling at her son's delight.

Miranda and AJ gave each other a high five and Miranda started screaming and even AJ managed a few whoops of excitement.

"About time too!" said Kendal giving both women a hug.

"I couldn't be happier." said Erica embracing them each in turn.

"You take care of my precious girl." said Erica in all seriousness as she addressed Marissa.

"I will." said Marissa, her smile wide.

"We'll take care of each other." said Bianca with a nod.

"Well I for one think you have always made the perfect couple." said Jackson, kissing Bianca's forehead.

"Welcome to the family." agreed Reggie shaking Marissa by the hand.

When the congratulations were over Bianca looked guiltily at Erica.

"Sorry mom." she said. "I didn't mean to steal any of your thunder.

"Nonsense." said Erica. "This is wonderful news and only makes this day all the more special."

"So are you going to tell us you announcement now?" Kendal asked.

"Well." said Jackson. "It's less of an announcement and more a surprise. I'm afraid I need you all to gather up your kids, get back into your cars and follow us. We are going to take you out for a magical mystery tour."

Bianca, Reggie and Kendal looked at each other confused. Where could they be going?

…