I remembered my Monday update on Monday - hooray!

Thank you as always to all of you who take time to review; I hope you are enjoying this new detour on our way to the eventual happy ending.

SPOILERS - this week - The meeting to decide Chandler's future begins; Erica hears some home truths and Madison's paranoia grows

...

Erica's car collected Opal on the way to the Yacht club for the Charity Gala Concert. Opal couldn't help but notice that her gal pal was being a little quieter than usual.

"So do you have any more news?" Opal asked brightly.

"About what?"

"Why, your wedding of course! I want to hear all about the dress and the bridesmaids and the flowers and… have you set a date yet?"

Erica frowned.

"Um… I haven't really had time…" she said slowly.

"No time for your wedding?" Opal asked surprised.

"There are family issues that have my full attention at the moment." said Erica simply, so Opal had to push for more.

"What kind of problems could distract you from your wedding day?"

"Bianca…" said Erica in a flat tone.

"Is she okay?" asked Opal suddenly worried; was it her health or Miranda?

"She's… she's refusing to listen to me." said Erica hotly. "I am trying to keep her safe and she's treating me like I don't know what I'm talking about. I know all about affairs… I lived through it from both sides. She needs to listen to me!"

Now Opal was thoroughly confused.

"Who's having an affair?"

"Marissa… with Scott."

Opal burst out laughing. But the laughter stopped when she could see that Erica was completely serious.

"You kidding right?" said Opal. "Marissa would never do that to Bianca. Haven't you seen them together? That is love!"

"That's what Bianca keeps saying, 'that Marissa never would', But I've seen her and Scott together…"

"So have I." said Opal. "They are good friends. They always chat when Scott comes racing in for his coffee every lunch-time… that boy works way too hard… But that is what they are friends."

Erica turned to Opal.

"But how can you know that? I mean really..?"

"Because I've gotten to know Marissa pretty well. That gal has a big heart. I mean there are very few people in this world who would be willing to take on the care of another person's child. Marissa is happy to take on three. I saw her just this afternoon with Miranda." Opal grinned at the memory. "That woman was born to be a mother; she knew just the right thing to say to keep that girl smiling."

"So she loves kids," said Erica, "That's great; but she's not gay… not really. She'll change back they always do. And Bianca will be on her own again and the kid's hearts'll get broken and it'll be a mess!"

Opal just stared at her friend, not comprehending where this was coming from.

"Marissa has stood by Bianca through ordeal after ordeal that would have broken most couples. I believe those two are gonna get their happy ending. They just fit so perfect… you know. I think they know it too."

Erica just shook her head.

"But you can't trust her… her family!"

Opal sighed, so that was the issue.

"Now I know you and Krystal bump heads all the time, I think it's 'cause you're so alike and you hate to admit it. And I know David can be trusted about as far as you can throw him. But if you use those standards to judge Marissa, what does that say about AJ? He's a Chandler, but he is just the sweetest boy in the world. And Miranda… hmmm… that little girl is nothing like her 'sperm donor'. I mean where on earth did you get this nonsense notion anyway?"

"It's not nonsense." said Erica. "Someone always cheats."

"Not always." said Opal. She then looked hard at her friend trying to work out the real issue and instantly she saw it plain as day.

"Do you know what this is"? Opal asked, "This is what those psychologists call transference."

"What?" asked Erica.

"You are seeing things in Marissa that aren't there because you're afraid to look for them in yourself. You've got a wedding coming up. And as much as I love you I know you have a few commitment issues. You would love for you and Jackson to be as happy and stable as Bianca and Marissa are right now, but you're scared. You're scared that this will be another failed marriage and you will leave a trail of heartbreak behind you once again. So you are laying your own guilt and fear onto Marissa because you don't want to admit it to yourself. And the most ridiculous part is your wedding hasn't even happened yet."

"That is preposterous!" spluttered Erica.

"Really." said Opal. "You wanted an autumn wedding but now it's almost winter and you are no nearer with your wedding plans than you were two months ago!"

"I have a destination." said Erica in defence.

"And a date?" prompted Opal, "A guest list? Have you even looked at wedding dresses? What's the hold up?"

"This isn't about me!" said Erica angry at her friend. "This is about Marissa!"

Opal put her hand on Erica's knee.

"Honey, I love you, but it is always about you!"

…