Hooray - the internet is back and the snow is melting! Sorry for the absence...

I also realised I was so caught up with Minx that I missed the chapter with the celebration dinner... I hope the flashbacks make sense.

...

After breakfast Griffin walked up to Kendall's hotel room and knocked smartly on the door.

She looked surprised to see him.

"I thought as we had a few hours before our flight we could see the sights, just like we did in New York." He said thrusting out a guide book he acquired from the hotel gift shop. "After last night I figured you could use some cheering up. After all you can't come all the way to Philadelphia and not see the Liberty Bell!"

Kendall grinned at his hopeful expression.

"You know what," said Kendall turning to grab her coat and purse before taking his arm. "That sounds like a perfect idea!"

…

Despite her words Kendal was not really focused on the views of the old city from the bus. She couldn't concentrate; she was worrying about her mom. Erica had been in such an odd mood over dinner last night and Kendal just couldn't work out why.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Griffin inquired, nudging Kendall, to get her attention.

"I think you can guess." said Kendal with a sigh.

"Erica?"

"Yeah… you noticed it last night, right?"

"How she made a big deal about apologising for Bianca and Marissa's absence. Her turn of phrase, 'but we shall battle on without the guests of honour' certainly had a frosty edge to it."

Kendal nodded.

"And that was her on her best behaviour, I'm not sure how she would have behaved if Nathan and that Rachel woman hadn't been here. But I don't know why she was so mad. I mean you were there when Marissa came down to the bar and explained her plan to get Bianca home quickly for Miranda's sake. That was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture. Surely mom should be happy that Bianca had found someone who cared so much about her and her kids."

Griffin put his hand on Kendall's knee.

"Do you think that is what upset her? She seemed fine with it at the time… or at least she said she was."

…

Kendall frowned, thinking back to the afternoon in the bar. Kendall, Griffin, Jesse, Jackson, Erica and Krystal had been talking strategy for their media statements when Marissa walked up wearing a contrite smile. She made an apology for the fact that she and Bianca would be missing the dinner but she wanted to get Bianca home for the kids. It made perfect sense to Kendall, she knew about the distress and the sleepless nights cause by Miranda's bad dreams. She also knew Bianca was worrying about the meeting she was due to have with Dr Stanhope. They'd talked about it over lunch. Kendall had told her sister she was more than happy to share her perspective with Miranda about the trauma of being a child of rape. Whatever her sister needed she would do!

No, it made perfect sense for Marissa to want to rush Bianca home to be with Miranda.

…

"Krystal asking Marissa to 'give her love to Miranda' might not have helped." said Kendal, still trying hard to find a trigger for her mother's bad mood.

"You think that feud is on again?" asked Griffin. "They worked so well together taking down that news-rag… well, you all did."

"Tad's little joke over dinner about them sharing grandkids probably didn't help! My mom's face!"

"That did not go down well!" agreed Griffin.

…

That was an understatement. After Tad's quip Erica suddenly looked like she'd been slapped with a wet fish.

"My family is not something that I share." she'd said flatly. "I take care of my children, unlike some I could name. When I'm given the chance there is nothing I wouldn't do for them. When they need me I'll be there for them… even when they don't want me there I'll be there. They're family… and family always comes first!"

"That's what I'm saying you'll both be family." said Tad, still trying to keep the mood light. Everyone else had the sense to drop the subject.

…

"Yeah, but mom's bristling response was way more than simply how much she hates to be reminded that she's a grandmother." said Kendall. "I mean I do know where she's coming from. I also have reservations about Krystal thinking of Miranda as her granddaughter; after what she and Babe did to Bianca! But I know I have to get over it for Bianca and Marissa's sake."

"Do you think that was what was upsetting Erica?"

"I don't know. When Marissa told us she was taking Bianca home mom seemed perfectly happy. Her mood changed afterwards and I can't work out why."

"Maybe it upset her, when we were talking about Miranda… I mean I didn't know what was going on with the kid until you and Krystal explained it. Maybe she blames herself for what Miranda saw in that film."

"But that wasn't guilt last night." said Kendall, a snarl of frustration on her lips. "She was mad… she was mad at Marissa and I don't know why!"

Kendall tried to think for a moment.

Mom had certainly made big plans for that dinner, maybe she had been expecting a grand show of gratitude from Marissa and Bianca for the work she and Krystal did behind the scenes? But surely if she knew about Miranda's nightmares she would have understood their urgency, Kendall had been surprised Erica hadn't insisted they take first flight out as soon as the trial was done…

Kendall froze. Erica did know about Miranda's nightmares didn't she?

"Oh dear." said Kendall quietly.

"What's wrong?" asked Griffin looking suddenly concerned.

"She didn't know about Miranda." said Kendall slowly. "They hadn't told her. Krystal knew and she didn't!"

"And that's bad?"

"Very bad! You have to understand mom is always very protective of her family. She doesn't like feeling usurped?"

"And she feels like Krystal has usurped her?"

"No, Marissa." Kendall shook her head in despair. "Mom's blaming Marissa! She's jealous! Bianca didn't come to her with her problems… Marissa was there for her instead and Marissa clearly went to Krystal... Mom didn't know! This could be very bad. I'm going to have to warn Bianca as soon as we get home."

"All because they hadn't told her about Miranda? With everything else that's been going on it's not surprising."

"No! All because mom feels slighted; cut out of Bianca's life! I don't know if you've noticed but my mom can be a little possessive at times…"

"But what can Erica do? She's not going to try and break them up… is she?"

Kendal gave Griffin an incredulous stare.

"Oh trust me, when mom decides that a man... or a woman… isn't good enough for her little girls she will go out of her way to prove she's right! Even if she isn't! Damn it! If mom is gunning for Marissa we are going to have to do some serious damage control."

…