Erica was up early the next day. All last night she had been thinking about Bianca and her predicament and by morning she had come up with a way to help. She phoned her publicist first thing and talked through her plan and the ever reliable Frederick assured her that her ideas would help alleviate some of the pressure on the family.

Erica's next stop was her daughter's house at Crescent and Park.

…

The number of news vans outside her Bianca and Marissa's home had greatly reduced overnight and the police waved Erica through the cordon, amid the popping of flashing bulbs, without comment.

Erica rang the doorbell, and straightened her silk skirt as she waited for the door to be answered. It was so early the family were probably at breakfast.

It was Bianca who opened the door. She looked very surprised by her mother's presence.

"Mom?" she said bending forward and adjusting her hands on her crutches to give her mother a one handed hug.

"You look…" began Erica. She had wanted to say her daughter looked well, but there were clear shadows under her eyes.

"You look like you could use some rest."

"We had a troubled night." said Bianca with a sad smile, "AJ and Miranda had nightmares. We are having breakfast at the moment, why don't you come through."

Erica followed Bianca through to the kitchen, trying to fight the stab of lingering guilt as she watched her daughter make her way on her crutches. The shadow of that night at the Chandler mansion still hung over her family. Her own injury was a thing of the past, expect for the odd twinge of pain and the ugly scar it left behind, but Bianca was still suffering even if she no longer chose to see it that way.

The sound of the family breakfast wafted through from the kitchen; the chatter of young voices and the clatter of cutlery. Then Erica heard a hearty laugh she hadn't expected.

Erica took a deep breath and found smile she hoped didn't look too much like a grimace.

"Krystal, this is a surprise!" she exclaimed through gritted teeth

"Erica," said Krystal, her own smile dropping a little.

Krystal was sitting at the breakfast table with Gabby on her knee, while Marissa was flipping pancakes at the stove.

"Take a seat mom." said Bianca, gesturing to a chair at the head of the table while she slid onto the bench-seat beside AJ.

…

Marissa came across from the stove.

"Last pancake." said Marissa putting a plate in front of Gabby.

The little girl looked down and her eyes lit up.

"It's a bunny w-abbit!" she exclaimed

"Just for you." said Marissa kissing the top of the little girls head, "Now eat it all up."

She took her own seat beside Krystal, a cup of coffee in her hand.

Marissa greeted Erica before turning back to her mother.

"…I'm not sure that will work." she said.

Erica had clearly come in halfway through a conversation.

"What won't work?" Erica asked.

"I suggested they hold a press conference and try and quash these ridiculous rumours." said Krystal. "I have made a few connections with the press over the years, once they have the full story I'm sure they will be going after JR rather than them." She took her daughter's hand. "It's the only way, honey."

"I was about to suggest the same thing." said Erica, a little uncomfortable about being on the same wavelength as Krystal. "I spoke to Frederick my publicist; he agreed a media blitz is the best way forward. I'm sure if you spoke to Adam you could hold the press conference at the Mansion, they won't be able to brush over JRs behaviour if they are forced to stand in the room where his worst crime happened."

Bianca and Marissa both cast their eyes over the kids who were clearly listening.

"I'd rather wait for this to all blow over." said Bianca.

"Yeah," agreed Marissa. "Bianca had a few ideas to draw positive publicity. But we don't what this getting ugly, for the kid's sake."

"Things are already ugly." said Erica, "And if you don't set the record straight they will only get worse."

"Have you seen today's papers?" asked Krystal, pulling a bundle of articles from her purse and putting them in the middle of the breakfast table.

Marissa reached out and quickly bundled the papers into her lap away from the children's curious eyes. They had been trying to keep them away from the worst of this.

"Can we maybe have this conversation once the kids are at school?" asked Marissa.

"Fine." said Erica. "But we do need to talk about this."

Marissa nodded her head but Bianca's eyes were drawn to a subdued AJ by her side.

"Hey, buddy…" she asked noticing the little boy was staring at his half eaten chocolate-chip pancake with a long face. "Are you okay?"

"My tummy hurts." AJ said forlornly.

Bianca put an arm around the little boy's shoulder. He'd had a bad night, and he was clearly full of guilt and fear about the trial and the stories in the papers.

"It's just a 'worry-tummy'." she said giving him a small hug. "You have to think of happy thoughts and then you will feel better."

AJ looked up at Bianca, his eyes sad and hopeless, which stung her heart.

"Like what?" he asked

"Like… um…" began Bianca, wracking her brain.

Suddenly Marissa started singing 'The Ugly Bug Ball' which earned her a smirk from Bianca and an excited clap from Gabby.

AJ gave his mom a look of embarrassment, but then Krystal joined in with the song and Bianca… and then suddenly Erica was singing as well. He hadn't expected that and couldn't help but find a small smile.

He took a deep breath looking a little less lost and a lot less tense.

Miranda started singing along as well and Gabby was giggling excitedly. With a grin AJ joined in at the chorus.

When the song was finished AJ picked up his knife and fork and slowly got back to his finishing his breakfast.

Bianca mouthed a silent thanks to her mom and Krystal.

She knew that they did need a proper plan to deal with the press onslaught but that could come later.

Breakfast comes first.

…