Why do bad people have to ruin the good things in life? My love to everyone in Boson. :o(

Also sorry for the lateness of the post…

…

Bianca and Miranda entered the house to be greeted by Marissa, unexpectedly dressed in the burgundy ball gown, she had last worn at the Erica film premier, and a flimsy tiara.

"How are you?" Marissa asked with a wide smile.

"Tired." said Bianca, wearing a curious frown at Marissa's appearance. "I take it you've had an interested afternoon."

Marissa looked down at her dress.

"Ah. This was Gabby's idea. In Miranda's honour we are having a princess pizza party. So your highness," said Marissa, giving Miranda a low curtsey. "You have two ladies-in-waiting upstairs picking out your princess dress if you want to go up and get ready!"

"Okay." said Miranda, smiling at the idea and hurrying up the stairs.

Marissa then turned to Bianca, the concern returning to her eyes.

"So how are you really?" she asked stepping closer.

"Tired." repeated Bianca. "And mom turned up at the centre this afternoon."

"Did she apologise?"

"I didn't give her a chance. I told her if she couldn't accept my family then she couldn't be a part of it."

"Bianca!" exclaimed Marissa. "You said that to your mother?"

"I did." she said, "But I don't want to talk about it right now." Her eyes were drawn to Marissa's dress again. "So this party is for Miranda?"

"The princess part is probably more for Gabby." Marissa admitted. "But they have made some very happy pizzas and have rehearsed a little show, so that should give Miranda lots of happy thoughts for tonight."

"And I take it this dress is for me?" Bianca asked, unable to resist releasing her grip on her crutches and wrapping her arms around Marissa's waist.

Marissa smiled.

"Quite possibly." she said leaning in to steal a sensual welcome home kiss; pausing in time to catch Bianca's perfect smile before closing the gap.

"Hmm." sighed Bianca closing her eyes happily as Marissa pulled away. "Well, it's working." Her eyes opened and her smile widened. "And I love the tiara."

Marissa reached up to straighten the flimsy plastic crown balance precariously on her head.

"Well, you have one too." she said. "I picked you out a princess dress as well and put it in the downstairs room." she added nodding towards the old Nanny flat turned guest room. A nervousness touched her eyes at the necessary hint to Bianca disability.

"I can manage the stairs." said Bianca, a small frown returning to her features.

"I just thought it would make it easier."

Seeing Marissa's discomfort at the awkwardness of the subject, Bianca acquiesced. Of course she was right; it was easier than having to climb all those stairs; and then climbing all the way back down again. Bianca just hated giving in to her lameness …but sometime you had to.

"It will probably be quicker as well." Bianca said eventually, her smile returning, making Marissa relax again.

In fact Marissa glanced at her watch and gave Bianca an apologetic grin.

"I've just got to finish in the kitchen." said Marissa, "You'll be okay?"

"I will."

"Just don't let anyone come through to the dining room until I come and get you." Marissa called, hurrying away with a swish of her skirt.

Bianca stood appreciating the retreating view for a moment... that dress really did look just as amazing from the back!

…

Bianca found Marissa had laid out a flowing purple summer dress and beside it were accessories from the kids dressing up box; a pearl tiara that had come to the girl's via one of her mother's weddings, a shiny white cloak and an ostrich feather fan.

She washed and changed quickly, putting on the tiara and tying the cloak around her shoulders; the fan she hung from one of the handles of her crutches.

She came out in time to see the grand procession of royal princess from upstairs.

Gabby came first, in her blue Cinderella ball gown, a pink purse hanging from her wrist and a silver and pink tiara on her head. Miranda followed, holding Ayesha by the hand as they walked down together. Miranda had her pretty pink fairy-princess gown on, and a gold crown and red cloak; dressed like a queen. Ayesha was wearing Gabby's yellow Belle ball gown which was a little bit too big for her, with another silver tiara and a wand. Bianca just wished she had a camera. They all looked amazing.

Luckily Marissa was well ahead of her.

She appeared, picking up the camera she had left sitting on the dresser just for this moment.

"Right, I think we need a princess picture." she said, her own princess outfit ruined by the fact she was now wearing an apron over the top.

The girls all gathered round smiling and Bianca tried to step out of shot.

"Oh no. You too Princess Purple." said Marissa gesturing for her to join in.

…

Pictures were taken of everyone, once Marissa took off her apron and handed Miranda the camera.

"So," said Marissa, putting the camera away, once her picture was taken. "I did actually come out here to say dinner is served. If you want to come through princesses, your pizza's await!"

Bianca followed the girls into the dining room. Marissa had been very busy. There was pretty music playing softly in the background. The drapes were closed and there were fairy-lights twinkling in every corner. Marissa had covered the table with a dark blue velvet tablecloth, which Bianca eventually recognised as Marissa's old curtains from the pool house and she had laid the table with their gold edged glasses and china. She had even made aluminium foil stars which were pinned around the walls. The whole room sparkled, it looked magical.

Marissa hadn't lied about the pizza's either. Everyone had their own individual mini pizza, each with it's own crazy happy face on it.

Bianca looked across to Marissa in amazement, but Marissa was too busy watching the wondrous smile on Miranda's lips.

All this was in her honour! Bianca's eldest daughter was definitely going to be going to bed with happy thoughts tonight!

…