While Bianca took final charge of getting her girls all nestled snug in their beds, Marissa called Kendall's house to check on AJ and wish him goodnight. From the brief conversation they shared it sounded like he'd had an 'awesome' evening of computers games, race cars and action films. It was probably a good thing he wasn't here for the princess party, he wouldn't have appreciated it quite as much.

When Bianca came back down stairs, after tucking in Miranda, she found Marissa tidying up the dining room.

"Two dinner parties in two nights." said Bianca, giving her a hand by stacking up the plates, "You've done an amazing job."

"Well tonight was worth it for Miranda's smile. And it kept the tiny twosome happy for a few hours."

Marissa took the stack of plates from Bianca and carried them back through to the kitchen.

Realising that on her crutches there wasn't much more help she could offer, not that there was much left to tidy, Bianca turned her attention to the fairy lights draped over the two china cabinets.

"They look so pretty," Bianca said with a sigh, "It's almost a shame to take them down."

"Well don't." said Marissa stepping back into the room. She paused in the doorway, dimming the lights, and gave Bianca a wide smile. "I do know that Miranda isn't the only one that needs cheering up today!"

Marissa was also next to the speakers and the room was suddenly filled with smooth jazz.

Marissa ditched her plastic tiara as she moved closer to Bianca.

Bianca's own grin beamed as she began to realise the possibilities involved with the low lighting, sultry music and Marissa in that dress.

Marissa's fingers reached up to seductively pull free the bow that fasten the kiddies cloak around Bianca's neck.

"I thought we could have the rest of this evening to ourselves." said Marissa, gliding the dressing-up cape from Bianca's shoulders. "Would you care to dance?"

Bianca eagerly dropped her crutches to one side and slipped her arms around Marissa's waist.

"I would like that very much!"

They turned slow circles in the dining room, holding each other close. Marissa, using Bianca's slight height advantage to rest her head on her shoulder. Her right hand was resting on Bianca's other shoulder, the ticklish touch of her finger caressing the bumps of scar tissue on Bianca's neck and along her shoulder blade.

"So you didn't finish telling me about today." said Marissa, lifting her head in order to look Bianca's in the eye.

"Actually, it went well." said Bianca, thoughtfully, shifting her hold on Marissa's hips in order to keep her balance with Marissa's change of position. "It somehow wasn't as bad as I had imagined. I suppose the true test will be if Miranda can sleep through the night."

"And you're okay?"

"I'm here in the arms of the woman I love." said Bianca, pulling Marissa close again. "To quote someone very wise, 'I'm so much better than okay!'"

Marissa grinned; she had said that line the morning after their first night together over a year ago; how did Bianca remember those things?

"And your mom?" she asked, Bianca's statement about Erica when she had just gotten home had worried her.

"My mom is not something I want to be thinking about right now." said Bianca; bending so close Marissa could feel the heat of her breath against her cheek. "My mind is more focused on how much I love you… and how you should wear this dress every night!" Her hands slid across the sides of the dress's fitted bodice as she spoke

Marissa laughed at the complement. Bianca was clearly avoiding by making light of the situation, but now wasn't the time to push.

"I'll have to take the dress off sometimes." she said light-heartedly.

Bianca sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.

"Hmmm, that's good too."

Marissa laughed even louder.

"You flirt!"

Bianca smirked and rubbed noses with Marissa.

"You love it!"

Marissa closed the gap and kissed her sweetly, still grinning.

"I love you."

…