Pine Valley Airport had been cordoned off from the press. They had learnt their lesson after the riot when Bianca and family returned from Paris. Family and friends were lined up at the exit lounge waiting for the poor wedding guests to disembark from the plane. The town had been devastated by the news of the pirate raid and abduction that destroyed what should have been a perfect holiday.

David had brought Charlie to be reunited with his mother. Randi and Frankie were there with Holly waiting for Scott. Adam and Stuart Chandler were there too, waiting for their grandson and son in turn. Tad waited for Opal with Dixie by his side. Krystal looked the most distraught. She'd spoken briefly to Marissa before the flight. Her daughter had sounded so sorrowful and desperate she just wanted to be there for her.

Cara was the first to appear, being wheeled out in a wheelchair by her brother. She smiled and waved when she saw Charlie in David's arms. He passed him down to her and she cooed over her baby boy. David then gave Griffin a nod and shook his hand to welcome him home.

"Was he good?" Cara asked; all her focus on her son as if she didn't want to think about what had happened to her over the last few days.

"I'll admit he spent a lot of his time at the Miranda centre," said David, "But I did take him to see his big sister Leora for a day."

"And how is Leora?"

"She's getting on well." said David. "I'm off to see her again tomorrow. I'm worried about how you are though. You've broken your leg?"

"It's a fracture." said Cara. "It will heal." She looked down at her baby. "I just wanted to get home to my boy."

…

Marissa emerged next, herding the three kids in front of her. They all looked very sorry for themselves clutching carrier bags that contained the few belongings that could be saved from the mess left by the pirates. Krystal hurried over and embraced her daughter.

"My poor girl." she gasped. "Whatever you need, I'm here."

Marissa smiled gratefully.

"I just want to get the kids home and settled."

"Well my car is right outside." said Krystal. "I'll drive you home."

Marissa nodded.

Krystal took her bag from her and held out her hands for AJ and Miranda to take. Marissa in turn, lent down to pick up Gabby who was tired from the flight and lagging behind. Before they could leave though, Adam and Brooke came forward.

"Hey, AJ?" said Adam, stooping to grin at his grandson. "Are you okay? I was worried about you."

"I'm okay." said AJ with a shy snuff. "It was a little scary," he looked over to Miranda, "But we were together so we were okay."

Adam looked to Miranda too.

"I'm glad to hear that." he said.

"AJ was really brave." said Miranda. "He looked out for all of us."

Adam gave her a sad smile.

Marissa cleared her throat.

"We've all been through a lot. I don't want to be rude, but I should get them home. They need their rest."

Adam straightened up,

"Of course." said Adam.

"Maybe you could come by tomorrow." said Brooke, "Come by for dinner. We'd love to see you all."

"Thank you." said Marissa. "We'll see how it goes tonight."

"Of course." said Brooke. She looked to Krystal. "You come by as well."

…

As Marissa left with Krystal, everyone else had emerged from the plane to be welcomed home. Scott was reunited with his dad and his daughter. Opal was welcomed by Tad and Dixie.

Marissa didn't look back, she just had her focus on getting home.

The car journey was very quiet. Gabby was fidgeting a lot in the back seat, but didn't say much. Miranda's expression was still a sad blank. Going home wasn't going to be the same without their mother there. Marissa knew how they felt.

They said goodbye to Krystal in the car and then walked up towards their house. Marissa stalled slightly at the sight of a pile of bricks by the door. She had forgotten that they had the builder's in while they were away. As they walked into the entrance hall it smelled slightly of fresh paint. The elevator was now neatly installed in the corner where the mud room had once been, only now there was no Bianca to use it.

They all paused in the hall; despite everything it was good to be home.

"Okay kids." said Marissa, "You go get yourself washed up and I'll go see what we left in the freezer for supper."

AJ stopped to take Gabby's hand and they all headed up together.

"Girls, you can use the bathroom in our room." Marissa called after a moment. She suddenly had images of them all scrambling into AJ's bathroom, now theirs had been turned into the exit for the elevator. She winced though when she said 'our', another reminder of Bianca's absence.

"Thank you." called Miranda. The loudest she had been over the last six days.

Marissa was just taking herself off to the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

She wasn't sure who it could be. Maybe they had left something in Krystal's car? Maybe it was Camilla forgetting her keys for the pool house…

Marissa opened the door with a smile, which froze on her face.

"Marissa, hi." said Reese, waving her cab away. She gave Marissa an unexpected hug. "I am so sorry!"

Then Reese picked up a suitcase, before pushing past Marissa into the entrance hall.

"This is a nice house." she added, looking around her. "Good lines."

"Why are you here?" Marissa asked.

"Social services call me. I dropped everything and came as fast as I could. How are my girls?"

Marissa frowned.

"Why would social services call you?"

"I'm their next of kin." Reese said, putting her case down by the central table. "They are still my daughters. I'm still their guardian. With Bianca gone they are now my responsibility. And this time I'm not going to let them down."

Marissa just stared at her, stunned.

"You flew out today?" she asked for something to fill the horrible silence. Marissa felt like a void had just opened up in front of her at Reese's arrival.

"Yeah." said Reese with a weary smile. "It's been a long day… But I guess no longer than yours. It must have been horrible, to loose Bianca like that. I can't imagine what you are going through. I'm just happy if I can make it easier for you by taking the girls off your hands. Where are they?"

"Gabby and Miranda are getting washed up for supper." said Marissa slowly, her mind not really able to register the fact that Reese was here and there was every chance she was going to tear her family away from her. "And we are not sure Bianca is really gone." she added.

Reese's expression grew more serious.

"Of course. We still have to wait for the coroner's report."

They stood staring at each other for a long moment. Marissa didn't know what to say next. The lawyer in her knew that Reese was right; Marissa wasn't the girls legal… anything. If Reese wanted to take the girls back to Paris tonight there was no way she could stop her. She just had to hope that wasn't what her girlfriend's ex-wife had planned.

…