"Right that's it!" exclaimed Marissa straightening up and pushing closed the laptop. "We're going for a walk!"
"What!" said Bianca.
"Come on!" said Marissa holding out her hand for her to take. "We can get out into the fresh air and maybe everything won't feel so bad."
"But it's cold out." said Bianca, but she took the proffered hand just the same.
"Well we'll wrap up warm. We can cross the road and have a wander around the park. Maybe find our bench!"
Without further protest Bianca let herself be led out into the hallway.
…
There was a definite chill in the air as they made their way along the wooded footpath that lead to the fish pond. Even though it was late morning frost was still clinging to the grass in the shade.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Cold." said Bianca, her breath escaping her lips like smoke.
"Do you think it will snow?" Marissa asked looking up at the sky.
"Not yet. I know Pine Valley weather is notoriously unpredictable, but it's only October."
Marissa laughed, resisting the urge to reach out and take Bianca's arm. Her girlfriend needed both hands on her crutches but she was certainly more mobile now she was back to her proper brace.
"So what have you been doing this morning then?" asked Bianca in a conversational tone. Marissa was right, getting out of the house had been a good idea despite the weather.
"Well…"said Marissa with a smile. "After I dropped off the kids, I stopped by Krystal's for a coffee where I bumped into Scott and then Caleb."
"Oh, did Scott say anything about the new baby?"
"Holly is still in intensive care, but Madison will be out soon."
"That's good news." said Bianca.
Their pace slowed as they came to the bench under the trees where they had declared their love, twice over. The first time, when Marissa felt brave enough to finally say the words and the second time when Bianca needed to remind Marissa what they really mean't to each other.
As one they settled onto the bench in perfect silence.
Marissa let out a sigh.
"There is something I have to talk to you about."
"There is?" said Bianca.
"Caleb offered me my old job back."
"You could be a lawyer again." said Bianca, sitting back to give Marissa a happy grin. "Do you want that?"
"It's not just about what I want, it's about what we need for our family."
"Well as much as appreciate the gesture, if you want to go back to the law, I'm not going to stop you, and nothing should! I know how passionate you are about it! How hard you had to work to get there."
Marissa leaned into Bianca's side, tucking her head against Bianca's shoulder and taking her hand.
"I love you."
Bianca gave a short chuckle.
"So are you going to say yes to Caleb?"
Marissa smiled through gritted teeth, clearly still torn.
"I think I need to talk to mom too. I'd hate to leave her the lurch after she put so much trust in me, and gave me a job."
Bianca snuggled in closer to Marissa.
"Then you will be saying yes then." said Bianca, "Because I know Krystal isn't going to hold you back from your dream either!"
"You may be right…" said Marissa, pausing as she tried to find the words.
"… but you need to talk to her!" concluded Bianca.
Marissa laughed at how easily Bianca could finish her thoughts.
"Yep."
"Well I've been thinking." said Bianca squeezing Marissa's hand. "We should invite our moms to supper. To say thank you for their help with the newspapers. I do need to talk to mom more about the wedding."
"You want to invite our moms at the same time?"
"Well they worked well together." said Bianca. "They must have gotten over their rivalry by now. And honestly…"
"…You could use the distraction." finished Marissa.
This time Bianca laughed.
"That I could!"
They stayed snuggled together on the bench a moment longer.
"You know it really is cold out." said Bianca after a moment.
"It really is." agreed Marissa.
"Maybe we should we go home and warm up?" suggested Bianca.
"But you're feeling better now?" Marissa asked.
Bianca was silent for a moment, gazing at the scenery around her. The terrible worry, fear and pain that had been twisting her gut was indeed lifted.
"Yeah," she said, with a thoughtful nod. "I feel better."
"Well come on then!" said Marissa, getting up and offering Bianca her hand. "I'll make you a hot chocolate when we get home!"
"Deal" said Bianca taking her hand. "And thank you for suggesting this. I think it was just what I needed!"
…
Sorry to announce an indefinate pause in this story as my internet is broke (I'm writing this from work). I'm hoping once the snow is gone everything will go back to normal only the engineer was hinting at something worse :(
Please watch this space...