Bianca was watching her mother's behaviour with dismay. Kendall was right their mother was going after Marissa and she wasn't being subtle about it either.

She also noticed that Marissa was flinching every time Erica opened her mouth to speak, waiting for the barbed comment that was sure to follow. At least she wasn't rising to the provocation. Bianca really wanted to grab her mother by the arm and drag her into the next room and demand to know what the hell she thought she was doing. Unfortunately she was no longer physically capable of doing that, and even if she was, she would only be giving her mother the satisfaction of ruining an evening that should have been nice. This should have been a coming together of their two families. Instead they were sat in silence picking at their food, ignoring Erica's behaviour, like an embarrassed couple blanking a misbehaving child in a restaurant.

Bianca was busy racking her brain for a pleasant, safe topic of conversation that wouldn't spark another bitter comment from her mother. She had hoped to bring up the subject of her mother's wedding to Uncle Jack, but it seemed now the only subject Erica was interested in was causing trouble. She certainly wasn't going to bring up the subject of Miranda's nightmares now. She had only just been coming round to the idea that maybe mom could help her, but now she didn't want to hear another word escape her mother's lips because she knew it would a hurtful one.

"Has anyone seen Madison's baby yet?" Bianca asked eventually, that question shouldn't cause any backlash.

"I've seen pictures." said Krystal. "Scott had them on his phone. She's a little beauty!"

"He didn't show them to me." said Marissa, with a little pout. "I guess he's too busy worrying about work."

"He's running Chandler now isn't he?" asked Bianca.

Marissa nodded.

"At least until Adam is out of hospital. But it's not going well from what I hear. He is having to cut back on jobs and he's pulling his hair out trying to find investors. I think Brooke is helping out too. And didn't you invest something into Chandler Enterprises?" Marissa asked turning Erica.

She was trying to hold out an olive branch to Erica, to try and show there were no hard feelings, hoping for a way to get past whatever Erica's problem with her was. Of course Erica didn't see it that way.

"I paid in a small amount to help a friend in need." said Erica. "But then you know all about that."

"I'm sorry?" asked Marissa.

"Helping friends in need." said Erica. "I saw you with Scott in the restaurant. You two seemed very close."

"Well, he's an old friend." said Marissa, looking to Bianca in confusion. Was Erica really implying what she thought she was implying?

"Oh I know what kind of friends you two were. In fact the whole town knows." said Erica, watching Marissa for a reaction. "He must be feeling very vulnerable right now, his wife and kid in hospital, his business falling down around him. It must be nice to know where to go to find a little comfort… you two are good at comforting each other from what I hear..."

"Mother, I want you to leave!" snapped Bianca, staring at her mother in shock and disgust. She couldn't believe Erica would say such a thing out loud; that she would imply that Marissa would cheat on her. It was horrifying. And worst Bianca and no idea where this was coming from. It was so far removed from Kendall's warning that Erica was upset about being kept in the dark about Miranda's nightmares!

"Sweetheart, I was only…" began Erica, but Bianca was not longer in the mood to listen; no longer in the mood to put up with Erica's vile behaviour.

"Not another word." said Bianca, struggling to her feet. "I want to out of my house. How dare you say such a thing. How dare you! Get out!"

"Bianca…" said Erica, shocked by her daughter's outburst.

"No, you don't get to 'Bianca' me." she said angrily. "I am going through hell right now and I didn't need this. This was supposed to be a nice family get together. But you ruined it, mom. I want you to leave and you don't ever come back!"

"Baby, maybe you should try and stay calm." said Marissa, getting up from her seat to steady Bianca.

"No." said Bianca pulling out of Marissa grasp. "We have been sitting here all evening listening to her muttering rude comments at you one after another. I've had enough. My own mother is showing her usual selfish, thoughtless, arrogant, stupidity that has ruined my life over and over again. Well no more." Bianca stepped forward towards her mother. "Get up and get out of my house before I throw you out!"

"Bianca!" cried Marissa, just as her girlfriend missed her footing and collapsed awkwardly to the floor.

Krystal got up to help Marissa get Bianca back on her feet.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." protested Bianca, pushing them away.

Erica was still sat on her chair in silence. What had she done? Her daughter was in a heap on the floor glaring at her as if she were a stranger.

Krystal met Erica's gaze.

"I think you'd better listen to your daughter, don't you? You've done enough damage for one night!"

…

With Erica gone and the party in tatters, Marissa led Bianca up to their bedroom. Krystal had offered to stick around to clear up, but Marissa sent her home, they could deal with the mess in the morning.

Bianca was still radiating anger when they climbed the stairs together, but when they got into the bedroom and closed the door she dissolved into tears.

"Why would she say that?" Bianca sobbed, as she collapsed onto the bed.

Marissa sat beside her and rubbed her back.

"I don't know." she said. "Doesn't she know that I could never leave you?"

Bianca rolled onto her back, in order to look up at Marissa.

"Kendall warned me, but I just couldn't believe her! I couldn't believe my own mother would doubt the love we have together, and we do have love?" Her last question was a searching one.

"Oh, don't you dare." said Marissa fiercely. "I've never loved anyone the way I love you. You are my everything, there is nothing without you."

Bianca sobbed and smiled at the same time, sitting up in order to wrap her arms around Marissa neck.

"I don't doubt it…I didn't... I'm sorry if it sounded like I did, I'm just upset. I hate being angry, it makes me cry."

"That's because you're really a big softy at heart and you want the world to be a nice happy place and it makes you sad when it turns out it isn't. That is one of the many, many, things I love about you." said Marissa in reply.

"Do you know what I love about you?" asked Bianca quietly.

"No, what?" asked Marissa, happy to play along if it meant that Bianca stopped hurting.

"Everything. I love everything about you and I always will."

Bianca was wistfully looking at Marissa's lips now, leaning close so that they were nearly nose to nose.

"I really want to kiss you." she added softly.

Marissa smiled.

"Then you go right ahead!"

…