Thank you for your patience last week - I happy to announce the return to my regular service.

Thanks to all of you who voted over Erica's wedding - with 3 votes for option A and 9 votes for option B I think it's clearly going to be a Tropical wedding!

SPOILERS - This week - JR's trial concludes, Rupert Henderson appears and someone gets to plant a very satisfing right hook...

...

Bianca came back to her hotel room to find Marissa already there, settled on their large double bed reading a book.

"How did it go with the doctors?" Bianca asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and unfastening her brace; how she missed the days of just being able to kick off her shoes!

"Fine, fine." said Marissa dismissively. She put down her book and slid in behind Bianca, wrapping her arms around her waist and kissing her shoulder.

Bianca sighed at the contact.

Marissa planted another kiss behind Bianca's ear.

"I've been poked and prodded all day…"

"Now you know how I feel every morning." said Bianca with humour although she was trying to concentrate on removing her brace. It was difficult with the distraction of Marissa's closeness.

"But the good news is I have medical proof that my brain has changed and my memory is restored, therefore Carol cannot call me a liar…" Marissa said her tone still playful. "I particularly remember you being fond of this move."

Saying that, she tightened her grip on Bianca's waist and planted long kisses just below Bianca's bullet scar and along her girlfriend's neck.

This time Bianca moaned happily.

"Someone's in a good mood." she laughed, turning in her girlfriend's grasp.

"Well I'm relieved." said Marissa. "It's finally over… my memory is back… this backlash over the Inquirer is inescapable and our tormentors will finally pay their dues… and tomorrow's trial is simply a formality, JR is not going to be released any time soon, mad or not… so he can't come back and ruin our lives. It's just you and me and our happy ending! We need to celebrate!"

She punctuated every statement with a happy kiss, but even though Bianca was smiling back Marissa could see a trace of sadness in her lover's eyes.

"Bianca, what?" she asked pulling back.

"Almost a happy ending." said Bianca quietly. "Just one nightmare left to conquer."

"Oh god!" cried Marissa, as her face dropped. How could she forget about Miranda?

…

Later that night Marissa settled her head against Bianca's chest and listened to her heartbeat. Bianca was still wide awake, thinking about Miranda. Bianca's eldest daughter had been trying so hard to be brave on the phone; promising not to have a repeat of the night before but they could tell by the catch in her voice that she was heart-broken that her mommy would be away for another night. This left Bianca just as heart-broken knowing that she couldn't be there for her girl.

Marissa just wished there was more she could do to help. She looked up and noticed Bianca looking down at her with a smile.

"Comfy?" her girlfriend asked.

"Yep... but I wish there was something I could do for you and Miranda." said Marissa speaking her thoughts, returning a half smile.

"You just being here is plenty, believe me!" said Bianca reaching out to trace a fingertip over Marissa's lips. "I'm crazy about you, you know."

"I had noticed," said Marissa her smile widening, "...Even when I'm being a thoughtless girlfriend!" she added, thinking of their eariler conversation. "But I am being serious!"

"I know." Bianca said shifting so she could look down at Marissa without getting a crick in her neck. "And you weren't being thoughtless, you were being happy and you should always be happy because you have the most beautiful smile..!"

"You're avoiding!" warned Marissa, leaning away from the finger still tracing the outline of her lips. "I know how much you are worrying about Miranda. Don't try and deny it!"

Bianca's mask slipped when she could see Marissa wasn't buying her bravado

"I'm scared that there isn't anything that I can do for her." said Bianca reluctantly. "I've dreaded this moment almost from the minute she was born… the questions… so many questions… and I know I don't have the right answers! I thought I'd have more time… I thought she'd be older…"

Marissa sat up to protest, not liking to see Bianca suddenly looking so lost.

"But you're not doing this alone. I'm here and didn't Dr Stanhope have a session planned?"

Bianca sighed.

"Yeah, but we can't make Miranda un-see what she's seen."

"Maybe not, but no girl has a mother who loves her more. We'll find a way. I have every faith!"

Bianca smiled and nodded her head.

"I'll find a way!" she echoed.

Marissa bent down to share an encouraging kiss.

"We'll find a way!" she insisted. "Now sleep!"

Bianca reached up and stroked Marissa's cheek.

"You know I'm really not that tired."

Her finger continued to trace seductively down her girlfriend's neck, along her collar bone and hooked into the front of her nightgown, pulling her closer.

Marissa gave her a mischievous grin in return and raised her eyebrows playfully.

"So I see."

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Bianca asked in all seriousness, her eyes not leaving Marissa's.

"Once or twice." said Marissa, settling into her girlfriend's arms once more. "But I wouldn't be opposed to hearing it again!"

Bianca rolled Marissa onto her back and leaned over her, planting a soft kiss on her waiting lips.

"I love you!"

"I love you too!" Marissa sighed in return; the sigh deepening as Bianca's kiss grew more passionate and fingers pulled aside the shoulder straps of her nightdress…

…