Erica and Kendal were sat side by side in the waiting room, holding hands. They're reasons for fighting long forgotten. They weren't thinking about their last angry words to each other or the reason for their months of bitter feuding. They were there for each other. They were a mother and daughter silently sharing their heartache while they waited for news of the ones they loved.
Frankie walked into the waiting room, searching them out.
"Is there any news of Jackson?" Erica asked quickly, tightening her grip on her daughter's hand.
"He's still in surgery." said Frankie, "But Miranda is ready for visitors. We think it's best for her to send the night under observation. She has had quite a traumatic time of it but for someone so young she seems to be coping exceptionally well."
Erica and Kendal, still holding hands, got up to follow Frankie to Miranda's room.
Frankie continued to chat with them in a conversational tone.
"We have managed to arrange for her to share a room with Marissa. Miss Tasker is under obs for suspected concussion and we'll need to keep her in for 24 hours, but Miranda will be fine to go home come morning. Marissa has been doing an amazing job at keeping Miranda calm through her medical exam."
"Well she's practically family." said Kendal.
Erica nodded.
"And Bianca… when can we see her?" she asked, concerned for her youngest daughter
"She is in ICU until she has stabilised from the sedative overdose." said Frankie. "I'll get Griffin and come and talk to you once he's been treated himself."
"For course." said Erica, giving Kendal's hand a supportive squeeze. Griffin is someone else Kendal had to worry about.
…
They found Miranda curled up on Marissa's bed. The red head was talking softly to her as the little girl was snuggled in her arms.
Marissa looked up when they arrived and gave them a warm smile. There was a dressing on her brow and bandages on her wrists.
"We have guests." Marissa whispered to her dozing companion.
Miranda sat up blinking, but she looked happy when she recognised her aunt and her mother's mother.
"Oh sweetheart." said Erica, coming close to kiss the little girl on the cheek; choosing the cheek that didn't have tape stitches over her small knife cut. "We've been so worried about you. Are you going to be alright?"
Miranda looked back at Marissa before answering.
"We are keeping each other company so we both don't be scared." she said.
Marissa smiled apologetically to Kendal and Erica.
"We thought together we could keep the nightmares away." said Marissa giving the little girl a small hug.
"That sounds very sensible." agreed Kendal, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her niece's ear and tenderly stroking her uninjured cheek. "Your mommy will be very proud of how you are taking care of Marissa."
Miranda looked sad briefly at the mention of Bianca, but then she looked shyly back at Marissa.
"Marissa is taking care of me really." she said modestly.
"Nonsense." said Marissa kissing her head. "You are doing a great job at keeping me company."
Miranda smiled and sleepily settled her head against Marissa's chest.
Marissa ran soothing fingers through Miranda's hair before turning to Erica and Kendal.
"Is AJ alright?" she asked, worry in her eyes.
"He has been amazing." reassured Kendal. "He's gone home with Krystal. He was exhausted, but so very brave. He was great talking to the police."
Marissa looked relieved.
"And is Bianca… is she okay?"
"She's in the ICU." said Erica; she looked briefly across to her eldest daughter. "Griffin is going to come and talk to us after he's been patched up."
Marissa nodded.
"She saved us." said Marissa, looking down at the sleeping child in her arms. "Bianca woke up for her little girl."
Erica squeezed her granddaughter's knee.
"It seems she will always wake up for her little miracle."
Miranda didn't open her eyes at her words, but she smiled in her sleep.
Kendal couldn't help but notice that Marissa was looking pretty worn out too, this never ending night had taken a lot out of all of them.
"We should let you both rest." she said. "Do you want me to put Miranda into her bed?"
Marissa shook her head.
"We'll be okay like this." she said. "That way I'll be here if she wakes up."
"Thank you." said Erica, touching Marissa's hand. "Thank you for being here for my granddaughter."
"I don't need thanks." said Marissa with a drowsy smile, "She's family."
...