I have just realised last week I failed to add my Monday update – opps.

Well a big thank you for your patience through my flu and thank you for the reviews after the last few weeks and a hello to the new readers and a cheer to those of you still with me. (Can you believe I've almost written enough story for one chapter a day for a whole year!).

SPOILERS – this week – Marissa and Bianca see the city and their kids, an unexpected face appears and Krystal and Erica track down the editor of the Inquirer.

…

Just as Maggie had said, after two days Bianca really was feeling more herself. The great weight that had been following her ever since leaving hospital had lifted. Her leg was still a bother and she still found it hard to ask Marissa for help, but it no longer felt like the end of the world. It felt manageable and something, given time she could overcome. Although it was also true she hadn't had to test this renewed patience with anything more taxing than a trip down to a lounger by the hotel pool, while Marissa had a swiml. She was feeling maybe it was time she did, given the fact the kids would be here tomorrow.

The problem with wearing her brace while her toe healed had been solved too, by Marissa's background negotiation with Frankie back in Pine Valley. He sent over the knee and ankle support she had been wearing before her nervous system went haywire. With them he also sent a note, with the instructions to take it easy and the words 'use of these items is only temporary' thickly underlined.

…

Bianca was staring contemplatively out of the window as Marissa emerged from the bathroom rubbing a towel through her short hair.

"What you thinking about?" Marissa asked, as she bent down to choose a change of clothes from her suitcase.

"I was thinking that I really should show you the city. We can't stay cooped up here indefinitely."

"I thought we were going to do the tourist thing with the kids tomorrow," said Marissa as she began to dress. "The Eifel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre…"

"We can, but there is more to the city than that." said Bianca. She smiled at Marissa. "After we've called the kids and wished them good morning and Maggie has changed today's bandage, maybe we can do a little shopping."

Marissa beamed right back.

"You really are feeling more yourself."

Bianca laughed.

"And maybe I can show you my old haunts. After meeting Maggie… being here… it has made me nostalgic."

Marissa bowed dramatically.

"Then your wish is my command!" she said.

…

Bianca led Marissa from shop to shop in a little square of stylish boutiques finding gifts for her mother, Jackson, Kendal, Opal and Krystal. She was also keeping her eye out for something nice for the kids as well.

The chauffeur Bianca had hired for the day was diligently loading their bags into his Mercedes.

"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to living the high life." said Marissa as she handed her one modest purchase over to go in the trunk with everything else.

Bianca however wasn't listening; her eyes were caught on something in the distance.

"Bianca?" called Marissa, tugging her arm gently.

This brought Bianca back to earth and she turned to Marissa.

"I used to live just down that street with Reese and the girls." she said pointing to an imposing row of houses just across the road.

Marissa sensed that Bianca was feeling drawn towards her old home.

"I'd love to see it." Marissa said, "Maybe the driver could take us past on the way back to the hotel."

"It's not that far." said Bianca, walking a few steps in the direction of the street. She stopped again and looked back to Marissa. "Are you hungry?"

Not sure how this was tied to her old house, Marissa checked her watch.

"Well it is almost lunch time." she said.

"Excellent." said Bianca before turning to give their driver instructions in French and striding off on her crutches again in the direction of her old street.

Marissa looked from the departing chauffeur to Bianca before hurrying after her.

"Weren't doctor's orders to take it easy?" insisted Marissa, as she caught up.

"It really isn't far." said Bianca smiling confidently.

Marissa followed in step until Bianca stopped in front of a tall town house fronted with green metal railings.

"This was our home." said Bianca looking at the building thoughtfully.

"It's a beautiful house." said Marissa. "Just as Miranda described it."

Bianca nodded.

"We were very happy here for a while."

"Does Reese still..?"

"I think she's working on a hotel complex in Chamonix at the moment." said Bianca, anticipating the question. "I'm not sure if she sold the house."

Marissa put a comforting hand on her back.

"It's still a beautiful house." she said.

"It is." said Bianca. "But do you know what the best thing about living on Rue Fourier is? …It is just around the corner from Benoît's. Come on!"

Marissa followed Bianca down a little side alley to find their Mercedes parked outside a little French Bistro.

"I wonder if they remember me?" mused Bianca as she led Marissa to her favourite restaurant in the whole of Paris.

She needn't have worried.

…

The man who could only be the patron cried with delight when Bianca walked in to the Bistro. He dropped what he was doing and hurried towards them. He kissed both of Bianca's cheeks and then gave her such a huge hug that he lifted her up from the floor and she almost dropped her crutches. All the while the man was exclaiming to everyone around him in fast French his excitement and waving his hand in exuberant gestures. Another young man came forward and shook Bianca's hand and kissed her cheek and an older woman came out from the kitchen to hug and kiss Bianca as well. Marissa could only watch the warm welcome with a wide smile even though she was a little lost by the French.

Finally the exuberant patron noticed Marissa as well and Bianca made the introductions.

"Marissa this is Ronald, his father started this Bistro over seventy years ago and it is one of the best in the city."

"The best!" said Ronald raising his finger in protest.

"Pardon." said Bianca, "The best."

Marissa held out her hand in greeting but found herself in a hug and her cheeks being kissed instead.

Marissa was then introduced to Ronald's wife and son, Emilia and Gregory and Marissa found herself greeted with more kisses.

Ronald then hurriedly showed then to a table by the window; personally holding out a chair for them both in turn.

When they were settled Ronald clapped his hands excitedly.

"I will make you a special." He said in heavily accented English. "We will celebrate you return!"

"I'm not back to stay." said Bianca. "This is just a visit."

Ronald cupped Bianca's cheek with his hand.

"A visit is enough. It was so sad when you went away. So sad. You and your beautiful girls! It broke my heart!"

"It is great to be back." said Bianca smiling at the display of affection.

"Your wife was a fool to let you go and I tell her so!" said Ronald. He turned to Marissa conspiratorially gesturing towards Bianca with an open hand. "That smile… look at the smile… Belle… Belle! Sadly she would not go straight for me and stay!"

"I think you wife would have had something to say about that!" said Bianca with laugh.

"Psk." said Ronald with a dismissive hand. "She loves you as much as I do!"

"Well then my girlfriend might have some words of complaint." said Bianca.

Ronald looked from Bianca to Marissa.

"Of course, of course." he cried. "Forgive a foolish old man."

"That's okay." said Marissa giving him a warm grin, she was a little overwhelmed by his liveliness.

Ronald turned to Bianca and said something to her in French that made her cheeks turn pink.

"What?" Marissa asked.

"He said I had good taste." said Bianca, although clearly he had said more than that.

"You'll not break her heart?" said Ronald.

"I won't." said Marissa.

"And what do you do?" Ronald asked. "Do you do buildings… or someone as beautiful as you… a model? Are you a model?"

"I'm a restaurant manager."

"Restaurant?"

"My mother's Bistro…"

Ronald clapped his hand.

"A family bistro! This is good!" he turned back to Bianca. "You have definitely very good taste!"

Bianca and Marissa shared a look and a laugh.

"Without a doubt." said Bianca, reaching across the table to take Marissa's hand.

Ronald went to the bar and came back displaying a bottle of wine.

"We will toast your return!" he exclaimed. "Only the finest!"

Bianca quickly covered her glass with her hand.

"I can't drink." she said quickly.

"Non?" asked Ronald, suddenly crestfallen.

"I'm still on medication." said Bianca. But Ronald seemed to have trouble understanding the English so Bianca went into a fuller explanation in French. Marissa couldn't understand what was being said, but Ronald looked sadder and sadder as Bianca explained her condition.

"Tu es pour moi la plus belle!" he cried, engulfing her in another hug.

Bianca patiently patted his back.

Ronald called his wife over and told her the whole tale again. She clearly didn't speak English but she could see that her husband was starting to impose and after offering her condolences to Bianca she scolded him slightly and pulled him away. But before he was pulled away completely, Ronald called back.

"You will wait, I will bring you something special to eat!"

"Merci!" Bianca called after him.

"I think he missed you." said Marissa, with an amused laugh.

"I think so too." said Bianca. "He's not normally that bad, but he's half Italian. He very passionate about things… especially food! And the food here is amazing!"

"Did you come here often?" Marissa asked.

"Every week with Reese and the girls… and then just with the girls."

"It sounds like Reese maybe still does."

"Yeah." said Bianca. "I guess she didn't sell the house."

…

Ronald appeared moments later with a tray of bread, olives, cheeses and cold meats.

"To begin." he said. "The best! Only the best for you!"

"Thank you." said Marissa and Bianca together. The bread smelt amazing.

Ronald then went on to explain the menu with obvious relish.

"This will be followed by scallops in a parsley-butter sauce and then Ratatouille with vegetables from…"

Then Ronald stopped.

Marissa and Bianca look up at the unexpected silence.

Ronald's eyes were locked on the door. Both Bianca and Marissa turned to see what had stopped him in his tracks.

A smartly dressed woman had walked in…

Bianca's heart dropped, it was Reese.

…