Bianca, although fed up with her hosptial bed, was cheered up immensely by a visit from her kids with news of their adventures on the high seas; Miranda talking all about Jackson's sail boat, and AJ showing her the pictures from his camera. Even Gabby was full of beans despite her sea sickness, because she had been all made better by Momma 'Rissa.

Marissa had given Bianca a questioning look when the name 'Momma 'Rissa' sprang from Gabby's lips, but Bianca could only smile. They were a family and growing ever closer, to their new home and to their new life together. The name was perfect as far as Bianca could see.

"Well I'm glad you had fun." said Bianca to the kids and then she looked up at Marissa, "And thank you for taking such great care of Gabby!"

"Nonsense, you don't have to thank me for that!" said Marissa with a grin.

"Yes, I do." said Bianca firmly, a twinkle in her eyes "And when they finally let me leave this hospital I shall have to find a way to thank you properly."

Marissa's smile got wider.

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

"Mom!" moaned Miranda, "Are you going to start kissing?"

Bianca laughed.

"You know what, I think I will." said Bianca, darting forward to grab her eldest daughter and kissing her cheek. "I feel the kissy monster coming on." Miranda laughed as Bianca rained down more kisses and wriggled out of her mom's grasp.

"Me next mommy!" cried Gabby, holding open her arms.

Bianca grabbed her and planted a series of nibbling kisses on her neck making her giggle manically.

AJ who was standing there grinning at the whole display found he was next. Bianca hugged him and kissed his cheek and his forehead before he squirmed away.

All the kids were screaming with laughter as Bianca playfully reached for them from her bed for more kisses and cuddles. After a moment Bianca surveyed the group.

"Okay who's left." she said with a light-hearted snarl.

"Mom"…"'Rissa!"…"Momma 'Rissa!" chorused the kids.

Marissa gave Bianca an indulgent smile when her girlfriend grabbed her and pulled her close. Bianca peppered kisses down her neck and along her cheek before finding her mouth and kissing her hard.

"We'll save you!" cried Gabby leaping forward onto her mom and Marissa, AJ and Miranda joined the pile.

"Careful!" exclaimed Marissa.

As Bianca fell back onto the pillows the heart monitor gave off a loud squeal when one of the sensors came away from her chest.

David and two nurses came charging in to find the family all bundled together on the bed.

"Sorry we were playing a silly game." said Bianca, holding up the loose sensor in her hand.

David shook his head disapprovingly, but he winked at the kids who suddenly looked so guilty. He dismissed the nurses and moved to hook Bianca back up to the monitor.

"Do I really have to still be attached to that thing?" asked Bianca.

"Yes," said David simply. "And as I'm here I can give you your next injection."

Bianca groaned in dismay.

Marissa glanced at the clock.

"Oh god, look at the time." she gasped, "I promised to pick Spike and Ian up from Opal's at six. I'm sorry Bianca we've got to go."

"Okay." said Bianca, as Marissa leant in for a tender kiss goodbye. "But you'll be back tomorrow?"

"Try and stop us." said Marissa grinning.

The kids all lined up to plant their obligatory magic kiss on the end of Bianca's nose, before waving her a sad goodbye.

"I miss you already!" Bianca called after them.

David came back with a syringe and vial.

"Ready?"

"Ready!" said Bianca, turning her head away as David swabbed her neck and injected Bianca's second dose of the new stronger formula Orpheus serum.

"I also need to take you bloods." said David.

"I know." said Bianca, now well versed in the routine.

David took her right arm and Bianca turned away again so she couldn't see the needle going in.

She looked down at her left arm. It had been feeling achy all day, but now the tingling was getting worse.

"Ow." she gasped.

"I haven't started yet." said David, but then he noticed Bianca flexing her left hand. "Is something wrong."

"Cramp, I think." said Bianca shaking her left arm to try and get rid of the feeling.

"Let me see." said David, putting down the needle and reaching to examine her left arm.

As his fingers massaged the muscles on her forearm, Bianca closed her eyes and sighed with relief,

"That's better."

She opened one eye again to look at David, he was being very quiet.

"It is isn't it?"

"We will need to do a scan and I'll take those bloods now." said David, looking up to meet her questioning gaze. "But this is a good indication of your nerves beginning to repair themselves."

"The serum is working?" said Bianca with a grin.

"Did you doubt that it would?"

…