Erica was loving the attention.

She had spent four hours in a photo-shoot, modelling for the magazine spread for her Origana range. Erica was in her element surrounded by bright young things, laughing at flattering jokes and basking in the admiration, this is what had been missing in New York, the respect.

As she walked into the Fusion offices with the design team to look at the head shots Erica noticed Jackson was waiting for her.

"Where have you been, have you seen the time." he asked, looking pointedly at his watch.

Erica glanced at the clock it was almost seven o'clock, it wasn't that late to go out to supper.

"You've forgotten haven't you." said Jackson, recognising her look. "Bianca! Marissa arranged a pool party for her day release from hospital."

"Is that today." asked Erica, surprised that she had forgotten. But Bianca would understand surely if they were a little late. There were just a couple of important things to arrange before she could leave the office.

"Just give me two more minutes." said Erica touching Jackson's arm and smiling warmly up at him. Erica then joined the design huddle at the centre desk as they when through the final layouts.

Jackson sighed and took a seat on the couch in the lobby by the elevator.

…

Jackson was putting his foot down as they drove across town. Erica's two minutes had been closer to half an hour.

"You're mad at me." said Erica, recognising his mood.

"Well this is important, we were on a mission to cheer up Bianca." said Jackson. "I thought you had decided to put your family first for once."

"I am. I am trying to help save Kendal's business. Bianca will understand us being a little late." said Erica. Of course Bianca would understand; she was such a wonderful thoughtful daughter. Kendal was the child who was the most work. She still wasn't sure how rescuing her eldest daughter's ailing beauty business had turned into an all-out war?

"We are more than a little late." said Jackson sharply, as he turned abruptly onto Crescent Drive.

…

There were four cars parked on the driveway when they got to Bianca and Marissa's house. They could hear conversation and laughter coming from around the back.

Erica, put on her confident smile, this wasn't going to be a problem; they were just fashionably late.

They found Ryan, Kendal, Camilla and Reggie sat under the pool house porch chatting and sipping beers.

"Better late than never." called Reggie, getting up to embrace his dad. "Don't worry we saved you some wieners."

Erica however was met by an accusing stare from her eldest daughter.

"Where have you been?"

"I was held up at work."

"Work." scoffed Kendal, "How much money have you been spending now?"

"Kendal!" warned Erica. "Now is not the time."

"No it never is. I mean you didn't even think to call and let us know you were delayed."

"I'm sorry." said Erica and she meant it. Kendal was right, she should have at least called, she just got so caught up. "Where is Bianca?"

"Marissa is helping her get dressed. She was supposed to be back at the hospital by seven, but she wanted to wait for you."

"So we almost missed her." said Jackson, giving Erica a pointed look.

"And you missed quite a party." said Ryan, keen to break the sour mood that had descended on the moment. "The kids are all zonked out on the couch we wore then out so much."

"I still say you cheated in the piggy back race." said Reggie, giving Ryan a grin.

"Talk to your girlfriend there if you want to talk about cheating; crossing lanes in a swimming race?"

"I don't know what you mean." said Camilla, "Anyway the umpire ruled it an accident."

"Yeah, that was because your foul let her girlfriend win!" said Ryan with a laugh.

Marissa chose that moment to wheel Bianca from the pool house.

"People, people, no arguments this is supposed to be a party!" she said.

"Mom! Uncle Jack! You made it!" cried Bianca delighted to see them both.

Erica frowned at the sight of her daughter in a wheelchair. Despite the wide smile on Bianca's face she looked very small, and she sat very stiffly.

"I'm so sorry we are so late." said Erica wrapping her arms around her daughter. Bianca hugged her back only using one hand.

"You're here now." said Bianca.

"Sorry." said Jackson bending down, when Erica was done, to kiss his niece's cheek.

"We are going to have to love you and leave you though." said Marissa, "Bianca needs to get back to hospital or David will kill me."

"Thanks for a great party guys." said Bianca grinning at everyone.

"Well before you go a toast." said Ryan raising his beer bottle, "To Bianca, the bravest of us all!"

"To Bianca…"Here,here…" Toasted everyone.

"And the best umpire out there!" added Reggie, making them all laugh.

Erica smiled politely wondering what she had missed.

"Do you really have to leave right now?" Erica asked, not quite believing that she had come so close to miss seeing her daughter.

"She really does." said Marissa from behind Bianca, her voice was light, but the expression on her face, that Bianca couldn't see, was very serious.

Erica looked down at her daughter once more, she looked pale. Just how ill was she? And how had she not noticed until now?

"I'll come by and see you tomorrow." said Erica taking her daughter's hand.

"I'd like that." said Bianca.

"And thanks guys for coming." said Marissa. "You're okay to watch AJ until I get back?"

"The kids are asleep." said Kendal, "It's fine."

"Thanks for a great party!" said Reggie.

Ryan toasted Marissa with his beer bottle.

"Here, here."

"Take care Binks." said Kendal kissing her sister's cheek. "And I'll be by tomorrow too."

"Thanks, 'night guys!"

"Good night." The gang of friends chorused.

Erica watched her daughter go. She turned to Kendal.

"Is she really alright?" Erica asked.

Kendal's expression was very hard as she stared back at her mother.

"If you really cared you would have been here to find out."

The mood was suddenly very uncomfortable.

"Hey," said Jackson, deciding the tension between mother and daughter needed breaking once more. "Did someone say something about wieners?"

…