Marissa came back out from the pool house with a plate of sandwiches in one hand and Bianca's pill bottle in the other.

"Here you go, to help you feel better." said Marissa taking a seat on the edge of Bianca's sun lounger.

"Thanks." said Bianca; it was clear how frustrating she was finding her condition.

Bianca placed the plate of sandwiches of her lap while Marissa unscrewed the medicine bottle and shook out a single pill into Bianca's palm. Bianca swallowed the tablet with a swig of her fruit juice cocktail. Marissa also noticed the state of Bianca's bathing suit and wordlessly refastened it around her neck.

"Teamwork." said Bianca with a smile, before taking a bite out of her first sandwich.

"Always." said Marissa grinning.

Bianca smiled back, but then she sighed.

"I'm sorry about all this."

"This is not your fault." said Marissa firmly. "This is just a temporary glitch. David's new treatment will have you back on your… mmpft."

Marissa was cut off by Bianca's hand clamped over her mouth.

"Don't jinx it." hushed Bianca. "Every time we think it's all going perfectly something goes horribly wrong."

"No it doesn't." said Marissa. "Not always."

Bianca counted down on the fingers of her right hand.

"JR…Crazy lady with a gun... JR… A huge storm… Now my damned nervous system giving up on me; we were a week away from being a family in this beautiful house and now…"

"Now we are still family, and we are still here."

"For one day only."

Marissa hated to see Bianca so downhearted. She reached out a stroked Bianca's cheek.

"Then we have to make the most of it!"

A smirk appeared at the corner of Bianca's mouth and she looked longingly into Marissa's eyes.

"Sadly that goes against medical orders."

Marissa shook her head and sniggered.

"One track mind." she said laughing.

Bianca laughed too.

"Well I missed you."

"I missed you too."

They gazed at each other, eyes full of passion, loving smiles painting their lips. The kiss began quite softly, a slow taste accompanied by Marissa's fingers lightly brushing Bianca's cheek and caressing down her neck to her shoulders. She was now very aware of the need to be gentle, but it was the gentleness in her actions that made the kiss even more amazing. Bianca opened her mouth slightly and nipped Marissa's bottom lip. Marissa returned the onslaught with her tongue, savouring the smoothness of Bianca's mouth. Bianca's own hand settled on Marissa's hip.

The kiss became almost unstoppable as they fell into perfect balance of passion and love. Tender tastes and soft caress, enough for the moment. Bianca's lips trailed lovingly over Marissa's cheek, the tip of her nose, her eyes, her brow; while Marissa's fingertips danced along the warm skin on Bianca's shoulders and collar bone. Bianca's own hand moved from Marissa's hip to delicately trace along the inside of her thigh. Marissa moaned. Her own fingers paused over the bow fastening Bianca's bathing suit, as Bianca's mouth found hers again for another powerful kiss…

"How many times do I have to tell you guys to get a room?" hollered a familiar voice.

They broke apart to see Kendal emerging round the side of the house.

The moment interrupted, Bianca suddenly burst out laughing.

"Can I add my sister to the list?" she asked, holding up her left hand to add a sixth finger to her tally of bad things that interrupted their happiness.

Marissa grinned and sweetly kissed the tip of Bianca's nose.

"She does have infuriating timing."

Just then there was a series of whoops as an army of children raced in Kendal's wake; Miranda, AJ, Spike and Ian.

"Mommy..!" cried Miranda, so delighted to see her out of hospital.

"Binks..! Mom!" cried AJ, happy that his new wonderful family were able to spend time together in their home.

"Aunt B'anca..!" yelled Spike, not wanting to be left out as he raced behind his hero AJ.

"A Slide!" cried Ian his focus somewhere else entirely

…