As I may have mentioned yesterday - thank you so much for your kind words and messages.
As for this story - lying in bed for three days has given my muse a few more ideas - so as of this moment you can add at least another month to my last estimate - (and judging how this story seems to write itself maybe more.)
SPOILERS - this week - The house warming party gets underway, Minx enjoy the first night in their new home and Reggie is presented with a new opportunity.
...
Lunch was almost ready; the unpacking finally finished. People were beginning to drift out onto the patio helping themselves to the spread of food that was laid out. Krystal had kindly brought enough supplies from the bistro to fill their cavernous refrigerator twice over; plenty of food to feed their army of helpers.
Bianca was plating up the last of the sandwiches when Erica, Kendal and Uncle Jack walked in.
"Break out the Champagne." said Kendal grinning, as she slipped her arms over the shoulders of Uncle Jack and her mom.
"Champagne?"
"Mom and Jack have an announcement." said Kendal happily.
That is when Bianca noticed the very large diamond adorning her mother's finger.
"You're engaged!" she cried delightedly, almost falling over in her eagerness to give them both a hug.
Erica moved forward quickly to catch her.
"Carefully does it." she gasped, steadying her daughter.
"I'm okay." said Bianca, although she was grateful for her mom's support.
Bianca turned to give Jackson a smile.
"So you finally got the courage to pop the question."
"Actually." said Jackson, coming forward to put an arm lovingly around his new fiancé's waist. "It was your mother who asked me."
"Mom?" said Bianca looking questioningly towards her mother.
"I realised I couldn't wait any longer."
"So is this going to be a long engagement?" asked Kendal, remembering the disastrous wedding attempt and delayed engagement from last year.
"I hope not." said Erica and Jackson almost in unison.
"I'm very glad to hear it." said Bianca giving them both a kiss.
Opal chose that moment come in to collect the last tray of food for the party.
"What's all this?" she began to ask.
When Erica held out her hand to show off her ring, Opal gave a squeal of excitement and pulled her best gal-pal into a hug.
…
Leaving the rest of the family to celebrate, Bianca went off to find only person who hadn't joined the others for lunch. A straggler who just happened to answer to the name Marissa.
She found her in the mud room off of the hallway screwing coat hooks to the wall, each one baring the name of one of the children. Gabby had a red hook decorated with a teddy bear, Miranda's was yellow with a hot air balloon and AJ's was blue with a sailing ship.
"Doing a bit of DIY?" Bianca asked leaning her weight on the door frame.
"I thought we should add a few more personal touches." said Marissa, turning the last screw.
"Well you are missing the party. Our new home is not the only thing to be celebrated. Mom and Uncle Jack have just got engaged."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then we shouldn't be late." said Marissa downing her tools.
Bianca stayed where she was barring the door.
Marissa gave her an expectant look, but Bianca didn't budge.
"I'm afraid you have to pay the toll." She said a playful smile spreading on her lips
"Is it expensive?"
"That all depends how well you know the toll keeper. I hear she can be bribed with a few kisses."
"A bribe?" said Marissa, grinning as she stepped closer and slipped her arms around Bianca's waist. "I'm not sure I should get involved in such shady dealings."
Bianca hummed happily as Marissa embraced her.
"Well," she said, their noses almost touching, "No-ones looking… Who's gonna know…"
Marissa pulled back.
"Is this the kind of loose morals you intend to teach our children?" she asked, still teasing.
"What they don't know won't hurt then." said Bianca seductively leaning closer again.
Marissa sighed in surrender.
"That's very true…"
They shared a lingering kiss in the doorway, but they were disturbed by a discrete cough.
Tad, Dixie, Cara and Amanda had just arrived with the rest of the kids.
"Kendal called and said you were ready for us." said Tad, shepherding Emma, Kathy, Jenny, Trevor, Spike and Ian into the hallway. Dixie followed with Ayesha on her hip and Cara had baby Charlie in a stoller.
"And we are." said Bianca, turning to greet them. The colour in Tad's cheeks made her wonder how long they had been standing there."Everyone is out on the patio enjoying lunch. You can either go through the French doors in the lounge, through the dining room or if you keep going straight through you can come out from via the kitchen."
Cara nodded and began pushing the baby buggy in the direction of the lounge following Spike and Ian and the other kids, who seemed to know where they are going. Amanda following close behind.
Dixie was admiring the surroundings.
"You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you," said Bianca, "We like it. I could give you the quick tour?"
Ayesha however had othe ideas and began struggling in her arms.
"Tell you what," said Dixie, "I'll go find this little ones parents and we can do the tour a little later."
"Okay." said Bianca, but not before reaching out and tickling the stroppy toddler on the cheek. "Gabby might even show you her room if you're good."
Ayesha stopped struggling and looked excited at the mention of Gabby's name but Dixie took her out to join the others anyway.
"Oh and I almost forgot." said Tad. He held out a small black suitcase to Marissa. "This has been in the attic since the mansion shooting. I think it's the belongings you left at the yacht club."
"Thanks." said Marissa, taking the case from his hand and putting it just around the corner in the mud room. "But first we have a party to get to."
"Yes we do." said Bianca, swinging forward a few steps on her crutches. She looked back to give Marissa a huge smile. "A perfect celebration of family!"
…