While Bianca waited for Marissa to retrieve her crutches from the trunk the children raced to the house to see who would be first to the front door. Gabby was trailing behind Miranda and AJ but determined to keep up.

"So you are sure you're okay with this?" Marissa asked as she helped Bianca carefully from the car, her arms around her waist for support.

Bianca took the opportunity to wrap her own arms around Marissa's neck and kiss her warmly.

"It's perfect." she said, smiling happily. "I'm just not sure how you organised it all so quickly."

"Well you mother pulled some strings." said Marissa as the set off slowly towards the house. "And my mom talked to some men she knew with a van and then word sort of spread to the rest of Pine Valley… They are all coming to help. Our friends, our family. Today is kind of a house warming and a Welcome home party all in one."

Bianca laughed, she now recognised, Frankie, Ryan and Camilla as they hurried into the house with boxes from the moving van, and there was Kendal in the doorway, clipboard in hand, directing everyone around her.

"This is incredible." said Bianca happily, turning to plant another quick kiss on Marissa cheek. "You are incredible."

Marissa smiled back, but there was still concern in her eyes.

"But if it all gets too much for you, do tell me. I'm pretty sure moving house and organising a party are in the top ten in the most stressful jobs you can do and we are doing both."

"I promise not to overdo it." said Bianca. She was taking measured even strides towards the porch, her new brace, specially designed by Frankie, helping take the weight on her numb leg - even though all she really wanted to rush forward like the kids had and race to their home. As she got to the porch, however, her pace did increase a little as she hurried forward to greet her delighted sister. Then she turned apprehensively towards the front door..

"Are you okay?" Marissa asked after recieving a hug of her own from Kendal.

"Yeah, I just…" began Bianca and then she stopped.

"'You just', what?" asked Marissa.

Bianca gave her a contented grin.

"We're home!."

Marissa reached out to put her arm around Bianca's waist.

"We're home!"

There was a bright flash of white light and they turned to see Kendal with a camera in her hand.

"What?" cried Kendal at their confused looks. "You looked cute, and we need to document your first day home."

…

The entrance hall was a hive of activity with various boxes and cases piled by the bottom of the stairs.

"You made it." cried Jackson, hurrying forward to give his niece a one armed hugged.

Bianca kissed his cheek and then found herself in her mom's embrace. After a moment, Erica pulled back and held Bianca at arm's length, looking her over as if to check she was really okay.

"I'm all better mom, I swear." said Bianca.

"I know, honey." said Erica, pulling her close for another hug. "I just wish I could have been there to collect you from the hospital... but there was so much to do here to get it ready."

"I know," said Bianca, giving her mom an extra squeeze, "And thank you…" she looked to everyone in the room. "Thank you all!"

Bianca found herself surrounded by happy faces as everyone there stopped work to give her a hug or shake her hand. All of them; Frankie; Ryan; Madison; Natalia; Camilla; Krystal; Brot; Scott; Stuart; Marion; Opal and Randi taking it in turns to welcome her home.

"Come on guys, stop slacking there are still six boxes in the van." called a voice from the staircase, it was Reggie. But then he stopped when he saw her.

"Bianca!" he cried rushing forward. He was so excited to see her he picked her up and swing her around.

"Hey, gently does it." called Marissa. "She's only just got out of hospital!"

"I'm okay." reassured Bianca when Reggie carefully set her back on her feet.

Kendal had followed them in, her clipboard still in her hand.

"Well as you are both here." she said. "You can make the decision."

"Decision?" asked Bianca.

"It's about our bedroom." said Marissa with a coy smile. "I wasn't sure if you would cope with the stairs right away. So there is the option of converting the nanny flat back into the master bedroom."

"Nope." said Bianca, flatly. "No… no way. Nothing in the world, not a staircase or a mountain is going to keep me from that bathroom or that bed."

"Nothing?" Marissa asked her eyebrow raised.

"Not a thing." said Bianca with a grin as she gazed into Marissa's eyes.

"Well you heard the lady!" cried Ryan, grabbing a box from the pile in the middle of the hall, "Upstairs it is."

Marissa quickly stole a kiss from Bianca's lips before grabbing a case from the stack and heading up the stairs with the others.

"What can I do?" Bianca asked as everyone around got stuck in with the heavy lifting.

"Why don't you give us a hand setting up of the kitchen." suggested Krystal "All the boxes are in there now."

Opal nodded, putting her hand on Bianca's shoulder.

"You can direct us, after all it's gonna be your Kitchen so it makes sense for you to know where everything is. Then we can put our heads together and work out what to serve these hard working folks for lunch."

That suggestion got a rousing cheer from the guys lugging boxes up the stairs.

"And mom?" Bianca asked, hoping her mom would also join them in the kitchen. After all her mom and Krystal were going to have to find a way to make their peace eventually.

"No I'm fine sweetheart." said Erica stubbornly, tottering in her heels to a pile of boxes. "I'm happy to get my hands dirty. I'll help with the boxes." And with that she picked up a tiny make-up case from the pile and gracefully headed up the stairs with it.

Bianca shook her head and turned to Jackson.

"And you're alright Uncle Jack?" she asked, worried how he was coping with his arm in a sling.

"I'm good." He said. "I have the all-important job of label reader. You have no idea the chaos you would be living in, colanders in the lounge, pillows in the kitchen, toothpaste in bed! 'chaos I tell you', if I wasn't here to give directions."

Bianca grinned at his little joke and kissed his cheek once more.

"Well keep up the good work." she said before following Krystal and Opal to the kitchen. As she negotiated the steps down into the parlour, she couldn't help but smile at the thought that she and Marissa and their kids were finally a family in their beautiful home.

And then another thought struck her…

…Where did the kids disappear to?

…