"So what did we miss?" Bianca asked, settling into the chair proffered by the Pine Valley Chief of Police.

Jesse settled back against the desk.

"In fact the town has been very quiet in your absence and thanks to the hard work of you mothers the hordes of press were beginning to withdraw."

"It didn't look like that at the airport." said Marissa, pulling AJ against her side into a hug. She knew he always worried that this press nonsense was his fault and she was doing her damnedest to make sure he wouldn't get upset by it.

"Well that was a very new development." said Jesse seriously. "We have arrested the key trouble makers. A number of the protestors were from legitimate origins, most of the anti-gay protestors were from a couple of right wing Christian groups and the pro AJ protestors were from a local LGBT charity or connected by a website started shortly after the press outcry. They could all be accused of creating a public nuisance but they weren't looking for violent confrontation. The problem was there were ringers in both contingencies."

"Ringers?" asked Erica. This was the first time she and Krystal had heard the full story.

"Ringers," said Jesse, "People who had no reason to be there except to start a fight. And more worryingly it is looking like someone paid for this to get messy."

"But who?" asked Bianca in horror, looking to Marissa in concern.

"JR." said Krystal cynically. "The worse press Marissa gets the better his chances in court."

"Mommy." gasped AJ, clinging tighter to his mom's side. "I don't want daddy to win."

"He won't." said Marissa, kissing her son's brow. "And I don't think JR would be behind this." she added to the group. "He hasn't got the money for the start and he wouldn't endanger AJ like that, would he?"

"If not JR then his lawyer then." amended Krystal.

"Or Rudolf Henderson…" suggested Erica.

"The press tycoon?" asked Bianca in surprise.

"We had words with the Inquirer editor while you were away." her mother explained. "For some reason the man is managing a personal vendetta against Marissa."

"Why?" asked Marissa.

Krystal and Erica shrugged in unison.

"We're trying to find out." said Krystal. "We are currently employing Tad to track down the connection between Henderson and that Carol woman who is representing JR."

"And we in the police department are prioritising the safety of your family on the run up to the trial."

"You think we are in danger." asked Bianca quietly, nervously looking across to her two daughters who were quietly listening to the adult conversation intently.

"I think that this nasty business will have stirred up more bad feeling." said Jesse.

"We have to go home." said Bianca firmly. "They are not going to force us into hiding. We did that and things are worse now than when we left."

"If that is what you want, then that is your right." said Jesse, "We can supply you with a police guard and escort you home first thing in the morning, but I do think it is safer to stay here tonight."

Bianca nodded.

"Going home in the morning is fine. Besides Hello magazine are coming for a photo shoot at the house Wednesday, if they haven't cancelled. We will need at least one day to prepare."

"I forgot about that." said Marissa with a groan. "Maybe we should postpone it."

Erica laughed.

"Are you kidding after this uproar, the first exclusive interview after your return from Paris will be gold dust. Front cover news all over the country."

Bianca turned to Jesse.

"Thank you for your help and protection." she said sincerely. "And thank you mom and Krystal for all your support, but Mom's right, it's time for us to have our say."

Bianca looked to her girlfriend with a smile.

"I say we fight back by showing the world what a loving family looks like, who's with me?"

Marissa gave her girlfriend a wide grin as the kids all cheered in unison.

…