The creak of the door as Reese entered the cabin of the cruise boat sounded deafening to her. She expected to be confronted by a crowd of angry stares but instead Reggie and Camilla had AJ and Gabby and her little friend distractedly sipping mugs of hot chocolate from the boat's small Galley. They didn't even look up as she entered.

The only eyes on her belonged to Marissa.

Bianca was still sat where she had left her, but she was looking down stroking the hair of her eldest daughter Miranda, who was cuddled against her side.

Marissa had her arm protectively around them both and the look she gave Reese wasn't friendly… but then who could blame her.

Reese felt a hand pushing into her back. It was Maggie forcing her onwards. Reluctantly Reese walked towards the back of the boat to the scene of her crime.

When she got closer Bianca slowly looked up. Reese found the words stuck in her throat at the sight her.

Bianca bent down and kissed Miranda's brow.

"Angel, why don't you go and join the others and grab a hot chocolate, I'm sure Maggie will take you."

"I don't want to." said Miranda, clinging tighter to her mom, as she eyed Reese nervously.

Marissa reached across and squeezed the little girl's knee.

"Mommy will be fine, because I'm not going anywhere." The last part of Marissa's statement was addressed directly to Reese.

Miranda looked reluctant, but she let Maggie take her hand.

Reese nervously watched her one ally walk away but Maggie gave her a supportive smile before she led the little girl toward the waiting hot chocolate.

…

"I'm sorry." said Reese.

"And that's it?" asked Marissa harshly.

Reese opened her mouth and closed it again. This was a hard thing to do with Marissa glaring at her.

It was Bianca who came to her rescue; she squeezed her girlfriend's hand and kissed her cheek before returning her attention to Reese. At Bianca's show of affection Marissa visibly relaxed.

Reese took a deep breath in an attempt to start again, but she didn't really know what to say. All she could see was the way Marissa and Bianca's fingers seemed to be so perfectly entwined and the way Bianca was staring at her with her beautiful dark eyes, patiently waiting for her apology.

How could she possibly say sorry?

"You're an idiot." said Bianca unexpectedly. There was humour behind her words which startled Reese.

She opened her mouth and closed it again, still not sure what to say. She could only stare at Bianca and wish she could take it all back and start again…

"I… I am so sorry." Reese said again. She just couldn't find the right words.

"I'm not mad." said Bianca calmly.

It was Marissa turn to look surprised.

Bianca squeezed her girlfriend's hand again before she continued.

"I mean, I am not happy that you thought you had the right to kiss me like that… because you don't. And Miranda thought you were trying to hurt me. But I can't be mad at you simply because I don't want to be angry today; I've been angry too much lately. Maybe it was just too soon for us? I know after the divorce we left things so complicated…"

"…That's my fault, I should never had tried to take the girls. I just couldn't let you go…"

Bianca took a deep breath.

"Reese I've moved on and you really need to do the same."

"I know, I know." said Reese. "I thought I had until I saw you again…" She got lost staring into Bianca's dark eyes again.

Marissa coughed, reminding Reese of her presence.

Reese faltered.

"I know." she stammered, "I lost my chance. And I know that you have found someone who makes you happy. I can see that… It's just hard to let go."

"You have to."

"And I have." said Reese, her eyes drifted the Bianca and Marissa's clasped hands again. "Or I thought I had… I'm so sorry I kissed you like that. I really don't know what came over me." She closed her eyes briefly. "I mean I do know…" She looked at Bianca's worried face again. "I only ever seem to find new ways to hurt you when all I've ever wanted to do is love you… It won't happen again. We aren't meant to be, and I would say sorry a million times over if it helps."

"Once is enough if you mean it." said Bianca.

"I do." said Reese. "No more stupid mistakes. From now on I want to give you my assurances that I will keep my distance if that is what you want. But even though I know I don't deserve it…"

Reese's eyes drifted to the corner where the kids were all enjoying their hot chocolate.

"… Today with Gabby and Miranda… I don't want to lose touch with my girls for good. I've already missed so much."

Bianca licked her lips.

"I never hated you more than the moment your lawyer showed up to take away my girls. I never understood how you could be so cruel. And it's clear that things between us are still too… complicated. I'm not saying that you can never be part of the girl's life. But after today do you really think we are in a place where we can be amicable about this?"

Reese looked down at her shoes in defeat.

"No." she said. "Probably not."

"But you can at least have the rest of today." said Bianca softly. "Because it is clear Gabby has missed you…"

Reese looked up again.

"Thank you."

"…But maybe it would be best if we kept our distance." Bianca finished.

Reese nodded guiltily.

It was a lot more kindness than she had expected.

…