Erica climbed out of her car and dismissed the driver, he would be back to collect her in an hour's time. She wasn't quite sure what she was going to do tonight, but she was holding onto her determination, even though Kendall had tried to railroad her earlier. She was going to keep her daughter from a broken heart one way or another.

As she walked up the drive towards the house she heard the crunch of gravel as Krystal's car pulled up beside her.

"That was good timing." said Krystal conversationally, as she got out of the car.

"Yes." said Erica simply, slightly thrown by Krystal's familiarity. Since they worked together on the Inquirer issue she wasn't sure how to take her old rival, although preferable she'd like to take her as far away from her daughter and granddaughters as possible.

Despite her reluctance Erica waited for Krystal so they could walk to the front door together. She didn't want to appear rude right off the bat. She was here to assess the situation. Work out how far this new Marissa had insinuated her way into her daughter's life and work out what it would take to get her out of it again.

…

It was Bianca who opened the front door and she welcomed Erica with a warm smile and a one armed hug. Erica was less pleased that she shared an identical welcome with Krystal.

"Well I'm glad you made it in time." said Bianca, issuing them both into the hall and then following on her crutches. "The kids have been staying up in order to give you both a gift."

Gabby, Miranda and AJ wandered out of the parlour with Marissa not far behind. All the kids were dressed in their pyjamas and clutching a drawing in their hands. Erica gave Miranda and Gabby a wide smile.

"E-wica!" Gabby exclaimed running forward for a cuddle with her mother's mother. Erica happily stroked Gabby's hair and held her to her side.

It was AJ who spoke up, after looking briefly Miranda's way to check it was okay.

"Um… we wanted to say thank you for helping our moms." he said, smiling at Erica and Krystal in turn.

Miranda nodded in agreement.

"So," continued AJ. "We made you both a special card."

They nodded for the count of three and then held out their cards together. But then there was confusion as both children found they were presenting their cards to Krystal.

"I thought you said for each other's nana." said Miranda quickly.

"I thought our own nana's." exclaimed AJ in dismay.

There was a moment of tension but then AJ turned to give his card to Erica.

"You can have my card instead." he said diplomatically. "It sort of fits. Binks is our super-mom, it makes sense that you be our super-nana."

Erica took the picture politely from the boy, irritated at having been overlooked by the kids in place of Krystal and trying to hide her distaste at the being referred to as nana. On the card was a bright image of a woman in a super hero outfit and cape, between the words 'super-nan'. There was a large 'k' on her chest. There was no denying that this was supposed to Krystal. Erica was secretly delighted at the wild hair and the big red lips AJ had given his nana though… if she was in a catty mood she could say it looked just like her!

"Thank you, AJ." said Erica quite formally.

Krystal, on the other hand, was gushing over Miranda; which Erica felt was quite inappropriate given her history with the girl!

"This is beautiful, thank you." said Krystal, bending down to give the girl a hug after receiving a card covered in coloured squares, circles and diamonds.

"They are crystals… jewels… like you name."

"Very clever," said Krystal, rewarding the girl with a wide grin. "I'll treasure it."

"I drew mommy and mamma a fish!" exclaimed Gabby loudly, not wanting to be forgotten.

"And it was an amazing fish." said Marissa. "One of your best!"

Gabby grinned proudly.

"Right bedtime!" exclaimed Bianca.

The kids gave a collected groan.

"No arguments." said Bianca, "I promised you could stay up until mom and Nana Krystal came and they're here. It's after eight and it's school tomorrow!"

She gave Krystal and Erica an apologetic grin.

"I won't be long." she added.

"Oh I know how it is with kids. Jenny always seems to be able to persuade me to let her stay up ten minutes more." said Krystal in a conversational tone.

"Don't give them ideas." said Marissa, then she turned to the kids, "Right I need my kiss and squoosh before you go up to bed."

AJ looked from Bianca and Marissa. His mom wasn't coming to say goodnight?

"It's alright." said Bianca, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm coming up to tuck you in. Mom has to keep an eye on dinner. In fact I should probably get a head start before you all overtake me!"

As Bianca set off up the stairs, all the children jostled for a kiss and a cuddle from everyone else. Gabby was keen to get one from everyone in the room at least twice over, running from Marissa to Erica to Krystal and back again. Erica drew the line at hugging AJ, but she did shake his hand and wish him a goodnight. Marissa was engulfing each child in turn, lifting then off the ground and covering their cheeks with kisses. Their goodnights said, the kids started following Bianca up the stairs. Marissa lingered a little longer with Miranda's hug; she was the last to go up.

"Try and sleep well tonight." she said softly, giving Miranda another kiss, "And try and think of… flying with fairy-dust. If Tinkerbelle turned up tonight, where would you fly too and who would you take with you?"

Miranda gave Marissa a sweet smile and then hurried up the stairs after her sister.

"We try and give her happy thoughts to think of before bedtime." she explained

Bianca was still slowly climbing the stairs as her girls overtook her. She was holding the hand rail with one hand and her crutch with the other. AJ had gone on ahead with her second crutch. It was clearly an effort with her lame leg. Erica's distaste for Marissa rose up a notch. How could she let her daughter struggle like that? Marissa should have been the one going up and down the stairs all day, not the other way around!

Marissa noticed Erica watching Bianca's progress.

"She's getting a lot better at that." she said, in answer to Erica's unspoken thoughts. "You know Bianca; never one to take it easy. But she loves putting the kids down and besides she needs to be the one to tuck Miranda in. She is the only one who can keep the nightmares away!"

Erica didn't respond to Marissa's words, her thoughts had jumped to a new track.

'The nightmares.' Erica thought with a scowl. She was angry that she hadn't been involved in that situation right from the start. She certainly hadn't wanted to hear all the details third hand from Krystal! Bianca has barely spoken one word about it thanks to Marissa. Maybe tonight she would get the chance to help her baby through this; just as long as Marissa and Krystal didn't get in the way!

A lot of resentment had built up in the last few moments but before Erica could speak her mind there was the distant ping of a buzzer coming from the kitchen.

"Oh that's my cue to get the bread out of the oven." Marissa said apologetically.

"I'll come and give you a hand." offered Krystal.

Marissa nodded and led her mother through to the kitchen.

Erica stood alone in the hall for a moment, watching Marissa walk away. She frowned and looked down at the AJs drawing in her hand again and was disgusted to discover blue pen had come off onto her fingers. She quickly put the card down on the central table and took a good look around her daughter's home. She could hear the distinctive giggle of Gabby coming from upstairs, and despite her feelings for Marissa, the food she was cooking did smell delicious. Bianca had made herself a good home, her girls seemed happy and that just made Erica all the more sad, to think what her little girl would lose when it all inevitable came crashing down.

Erica sighed. She resolved to keep this all inside until she had the right moment to confront Marissa on exactly what her intentions were towards her daughter. She needed to do it in Bianca presence as well. Erica realised if she did it tonight she could kill three birds with one stone, she could let Krystal know that their temporary truce was over, let Marissa know she was being watched if she intended to go back to her old ways and alert Bianca to the dangers of which she was currently blind. Bianca and Marissa seemed happy now, sure, but Erica was certain it was only a matter of time before Marissa would go back to keeping male company, because Bianca's girlfriends always did!

…

"Can I get you both a drink?" Marissa offered. Erica and Krystal were now gathered in the dining room, as they waited for Bianca to reappear from putting the kids to bed.

"I don't drink." said Erica bluntly, unable to hide her temper.

"I don't just mean alcohol," said Marissa, with an awkward grin. "We have lemonade, fruit juices, cider, sparkling water…

Krystal was giving Erica a look. She had clearly caught the edge on Erica's words. But Erica wasn't worried, why should she be concerned what that woman thought of her!

"I'll have a water." said Erica with a sniff.

If Marissa could sense Erica's mood, she chose to ignore it

"And mom what would you like?" Marissa asked, turning to Krystal, "We have a red, a white and a rosé."

"A glass of red I think, sweetheart, thank you." said Krystal, her politeness a complete contrast to Erica's manner. "The table looks nice." she added.

There were two floral arrangements, one much more successful than the other and a couple of the knives and forks were round the wrong way, a sure sign the kids had had a hand in it.

"AJ folded the napkins and the girls did the flowers." explained Marissa. "They wanted to help make this evening special."

"Miranda certainly has a talent." said Krystal, admiring the neat floral arrangement that was in front of her. The more haphazard one was in front of Erica's place.

"That is actually Gabby's one, you have never seen so much intense concentration in your life. Miranda… well she's a little distracted at the moment… but that is more something for Bianca to talk about… I'll be back in a moment with you drinks!"

With that Marissa retreated to the kitchen.

Now they were alone Krystal stared across the table at Erica.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"What do you mean?"

"You are being rude to my daughter."

"I haven't said a bad word!" Erica protested.

"You haven't said a nice one either. What game are you playing? Our girls have done all this in our honour and you're acting like a sour-faced baby."

Erica stared coldly back at Krystal.

"I can assure you this isn't a game!"

The two women starred at each other across the table; the tension suddenly unbearable.

"Don't you dare ruin this for them!" Krystal hissed.

"Oh, I'm looking out for my daughter, like I always do." said Erica coolly. "You on the other hand are still getting used to being a parent to Marissa, I'm sure. You started a bit too late I guess!"

"Why you little…" gasped Krystal, not expecting such a low blow. "If I hadn't promised your daughter..!"

"What did you promise my daughter, hmmm, that this time you wouldn't try and steal her kids?"

Krystal suddenly stiffened in her seat, ready to leap to her feet and confront Erica.

It was Bianca's unexpected arrival that broke the fight before it began.

"Is everything all right?" she asked innocently.

Erica turned and her face transformed as she gave her daughter a bright, wide smile.

"Everything is just fine." she said sweetly.

…

Marissa passed around the bread to go with the soup she had made for their starter.

"What soup is this?" Erica asked after tasting her first spoonful.

"Curried Parsnip." said Marissa, "I figured we could use something warming in all this cold weather."

"Curry." said Erica, putting down her spoon and pushing the plate away. "Then I can't eat it."

"Mom?" said Bianca questioningly.

"I have to be careful with my stomach." said Erica. "I was shot in the gut remember, which means I have to watch what I eat."

"It's only very mild." said Marissa, "Just a teaspoon to taste."

"Still, I don't want to risk it!" she said, being a martyr because it suited her. She was happy she had something else to blame Marissa for. How unthinking was it of her to forget about her medical condition! It was a little petty but Erica was also secretly delighted at the chance to make Marissa look bad in front of Bianca.

In truth, she would probably be perfectly fine eating the soup, but she didn't want them to know that!

"I'm sorry I didn't realise. Do you want me to get you something else?" Marissa asked sliding back in her chair, preparing to rise. "I think there is some pate in the fridge."

"I'll be fine." said Erica dismissing her offer. "Just carry on eating!"

Erica turned her attention to her daughter. Bianca hadn't started dinner yet. Erica was watching the number of pills that Bianca had to take with her meal.

"I know." said Bianca seeing her looking. "Its surprising I don't rattle."

"But you are all right?" Erica asked.

"Marissa makes sure I'm staying fit." said Bianca, looking across the table to give her girlfriend a grin.

Marissa grinned back.

"She never wants to do her exercises properly," Marissa explained, "But luckily we have a secret weapon..."

Bianca picked up the conversation.

"…Gabby likes to do the counting for me… and AJ is there too, telling me off if he thinks I'm slacking."

"Only because we love you!" said Marissa wrinkling her nose adorably at Bianca.

"I'm in good hands." Bianca concluded, turning back to her mom.

Erica gave a cough to hide her disappointment.

"I'm glad." she said, but she didn't mean it.

The way they were finishing each other's sentences there was a little too cosy. They were certainly very in sync, but then again Bianca had been just the same with Maggie and look how that turned out. It meant nothing!

"Well, this is very good soup." said Krystal, tearing off a piece of bread to go with her next spoonful. "You are missing out, Erica!" Her tone was dripping with distain, still angry at Erica's earlier comments, but she was determined not to be the one to ruin tonight. In Bianca's presence Erica's behaviour had certainly improved, but she was still getting little digs in at Marissa's expense whenever she could. Krystal just wasn't sure why. Didn't she want their girls to be happy?

The meal continued into silence for a moment. But it was an uncomfortable silence, with Erica sitting there not eating. Eventually Marissa spoke up.

"I suppose I need to bring up one of the reasons we invited you both here." she said. She was staring to her soup bowl, not quite able to look her mother in the eye. "Of course we wanted to say thank you for everything you did for us, dealing with the press together, supporting Bianca and myself through a very difficult time."

"Here, here." said Bianca toasting both their mother's with her glass of orange juice.

"But mom I also have other news that I wanted to talk to you about." continued Marissa.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Krystal asked, sensing the tension.

Marissa was finally able to meet her gaze.

"You know that my memory is back. I'm whole again, for want of a better word. The life I made for myself before, when I didn't know who or what I was, with your and Bianca's help, is amazing! But now I know who I am, it's not enough. It's not who I am anymore…"

Marissa took a deep breath and gave her mother a nervous grin.

"Caleb has offered me my old job back, a chance to get back into law. I want to take it but I don't want to leave you in the lurch without a manager."

Krystal reached across to touch her daughter's hand.

"Honey, take the job. I always knew that having you at the restaurant was only a temporary thing. You're a lawyer, and you worked so hard to get there… I'm not going to stand in your way! Of course I'm not. I've said it once, and I'll say it a hundred times over. I just want you to be happy."

Marissa's smiled with relief.

"Thanks, I'm sure I'll be easy to replace. I was hardly there after all! Camilla has pretty much been the doing the job for me anyway and she's much more qualified. I think as my last role as Manager, I want to recommend her as my replacement."

"Camilla," said Krystal thoughtfully, "You might be right."

Erica watched the exchange with interest. She wasn't too bothered about Marissa going back to law, her mind was still replaying her words from before.

"The life I made for myself before, when I didn't know who or what I was, with your and Bianca's help, is amazing! But now I know who I am, it's not enough. It's not who I am anymore…"

Twist those words a little and she could be referring to Bianca. Erica felt a slight frisson of victory. Marissa had admitted that with her memory returned she had changed, who's to say she wouldn't change her mind about Bianca as well!

…

This chapter is so long already I shall have to continue the rest of the meal tomorrow. Hope to see you all then!