"Hey!" said Caleb giving Marissa a grin. "So do you have any news for me?"

It was lunchtime at Krystal's and she had come over to take his order.

Marissa grinned back.

"I'd like to say yes!" she said. "I accept your job offer."

Caleb looked happy.

"That's wonderful news!" he exclaimed, "Do you know when you can start?"

Marissa looked across to where her mother was chatting with Opal at the counter.

"I need to talk to Krystal first." she said, "But I'll get back to you!" She flipped open the cover of her order book. "But in the meantime, what can I get you?"

…

Marissa was taking an order back to the kitchen from Caleb's table when her mom stepped into her path.

"So are we going to have a proper conversation about your resignation?" Krystal asked.

Marissa grinned an apology.

"We probably should." she said.

"Come and see me in my office when you're done." said Krystal, nodding towards an empty booth at the opposite end of the room to Caleb's.

"I'll be five minutes." said Marissa.

…

Marissa took a seat in her mother's 'office'.

"I suppose I should really ask about how long I need to work out my contract." said Marissa, not sure how formal this conversation was going to be.

"Did Caleb say when he wanted you to start?" Krystal asked, glancing across to the man who was poaching away her daughter.

"He wasn't specific, but reading between the lines I think he wanted me there as soon as possible."

"Well if you need to you can start tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" said Marissa in surprise. "I'm that dispensable?"

Krystal laughed.

"Of course not honey, you will greatly missed! But this isn't the job you set your heart on. You need to get back to what you love! I'm you mother as well as you employer and I want you to be happy!"

Marissa smiled gratefully.

"And Camilla is more than capable of carrying the torch." Marissa added.

"More than capable!" agreed Krystal.

Marissa sat smiling at her mother not sure what else needed to be said.

"Maybe you should tell Caleb." Krystal suggested. "Tell him you can start ASAP!"

Marissa nodded, but she hesitated as she became lost in her thoughts, how was this change in jobs going to change her family. This was all happening so fast!

"Are you alright?" Krystal asked, noticing the hesitation in her daughter's expression.

"It's just the timing…"

Krystal waited patiently for Marissa to explain.

Marissa took a deep breath.

"The new job will mean longer hours, trips away from home. It's a complete change. Can we afford that? Everything that's going on with Miranda… Bianca's health… and now Erica…"

"What do you think Bianca would say?" Krystal asked sagely.

Marissa laughed.

"She would kick my butt for not following my dreams."

"Well then. Follow your dream. You managed before as a lawyer to take care of AJ, and you're not alone in this by any means. You need a baby sitter at any time you only need to ask."

Marissa nodded and gave her mother a grateful smile.

"So big changes…" she said nervously.

"Changes can be a good thing."

…

"One Tempura Green Beans." said Marissa, putting the plate down in front of Caleb.

"Thank you." said the former mountain man, picking up his knife and fork.

"And… um… if you need me, apparently I can start tomorrow." said Marissa, still a little in shock at how quickly her life was turning around.

Caleb looked up.

"Really!" he said happily, reaching out to shake her hand. "Well then attorney, all I can say is, I look forward to seeing with you at the Courtland offices tomorrow and we shall sort out your contract!"

Marissa smiled and walked away.

So that was it, tomorrow she was a lawyer again; she just hoped she could remember how.

…