I'm back. Sorry it's a day late.

SPOILERS - this week - There are funerals to arrange, Marissa has an unexpected invite and David searches for an escape from the lab.

...

It was two days since Jesse had told them about Bianca's death.

Marissa thought the news might break her, but somehow it didn't.

She had to be strong for the children because they needed her to be strong. All three of them were mourning in their own way. Miranda had worried her most at first, she was too good at bottling up her emotion. Tonight though, Marissa had left her sleeping peacefully, curled up around her mommy's pillow. It was almost as if knowing for certain that her mother was gone had stopped her imagining the worst and had given her a focus. Miranda had made it her job to look out of her baby sister now and like Marissa finding her strength in having to care for someone else.

Gabby had coped with the news of her mother's death in her own unique way. Gabby was so certain her mommy was an angel in heaven and would always be watching she had taken to talking to her. She chatted to her mommy all the time about her clothes, her breakfast, her toys, like an extra imaginary friend to share the day with. It had snowed this morning, the first real snow of winter, and Gabby made the whole family go out and make snow angels on the lawn for mommy to see from heaven. It was a sweet though and something to distract and unite them all. So despite the cold, the lawn was now covered in a dozen angels big and small; even Reese had taken part.

AJ was being a sweetheart. Marissa found he was clinging to her more than usual, like he wanted to comfort her and make it better but didn't know how. He was the first to cry when Jesse broke the news although Miranda was a very close second.

Marissa kept her tears for the night-time when she was alone, but she had no more tears left. What she needed now was sleep, but Bianca still haunted her.

Her mind kept taking her back to their last night together on that tropical island. If she closed her eyes now she could see Bianca's face…

…

Bianca grinned as Marissa held a juicy strawberry out for her to taste. Her moist lips lingered suggestively as they drew the fruit from Marissa's fingers.

"Mmm," Bianca sighed, "The perfect castaway breakfast."

Marissa sighed too and leaned closer to savour the strawberry juice that still lingered on her lovers lips.

"Perfect." she replied.

The kissed lingered on, their improvised breakfast forgotten. Bianca's hand slid around Marissa's waist and she pushed her back onto the bed. One of Marissa's own arms wrapped around Bianca's neck to keep her close. Her other hand held Bianca's cheek to keep her lips on hers.

Bianca pulled back slightly, her smile just beaming and she shook her head slowly.

"You're beautiful! I love you and I am never leaving you…ever… ever..."

…

'…I am never leaving you…ever… ever…"

The memory of her last morning with Bianca echoed in Marissa's head as she lay in bed starring up at the blacked out skylight.

The thought was replaced by the vision of Bianca's wide helpless eyes as Marissa was forced into the bathroom and the door slammed in her face. The last words she heard from Bianca's lips was,

'I'm sorry...'

That vision of Bianca was the last she would ever see…

Marissa tried to find a happier memory, to take her away from this torture. She needed to take herself away from the pain just like she did every night, coaching Miranda to escape her nightmares.

She reached up a hand and clutched the heart pendant around her neck.

"How come Reese doesn't seem to be having trouble sleeping?" she muttered to no one in particular, just to let her frustration be heard.

Marissa wanted to forget the last time she saw Bianca, she tried to take herself to the first time she saw Bianca.

Maybe beginning would give the peace endings couldn't.

Her thoughts of Reese and Bianca and snow on the ground turned to memories of Bianca's divorce and a meeting in the park. As Bianca's lawyer Marissa had done her upmost to pursue her client's best interests, Bianca couldn't seem to understand and accept the gravity of the situation.

As a friend Marissa knew she had to help Bianca…

And that was also the first time she really saw her! Not the first time they met, or the first time they spoke… The first time she really saw her. The first time she realised what an incredible woman Bianca was...

…

Marissa started a snowball fight.

She hadn't planned it, she just knew she needed to find a way for Bianca to let go of all the emotions she was holding in, so she threw a snowball. Bianca had been a reluctant combatant at first but it only took a few more snowballs to entice Bianca to unleash her deadly aim. It quickly turned it into a free for all. Marissa had taken cover behind the bench while Bianca leaped athletically over the wall, despite her heeled boot. After a flurry of snowballs from both sides Bianca had finally held her hands up in surrender.

She collapsed to floor despite the cold, laughing and finally relaxed.

Marissa fell beside her onto the snow.

There was so much trust in Bianca's eyes as she turned to her and asked,

"We will win won't we?"

Marissa reached across and squeezed her hand briefly.

"Oh, we will."

Bianca laughed and fell back again. Marissa joined her, ignoring the cold seeping through her clothes. Her coat really wasn't thick enough for this wintery weather.

Bianca reached over and for a second Marissa thought she was going to take her hand, instead she sprinkled snow on her face and laughed with glee.

Marissa turned away as Bianca, still laughing, rolled against her side.

"Thank you." Bianca whispered as she gave her a hug. "I think you may be the best lawyer in the world."

"Thanks, but there is still a long way to go."

Bianca laughed again and sat up.

"I trust you."

They got back to up on their feet together, brushing snow off each other's coats.

For the first time Bianca noticed Marissa's bare hands.

"You must be freezing!" she exclaimed, taking Marissa's hands in her gloved ones and rubbing them to warm them.

"I'm fine." Marissa said, surprised at the easiness between them. It seemed to have happened so quickly but they had gone from client and attorney to close friends effortlessly.

Marissa found herself admiring Bianca's relaxed features. It was wonderful to see. And it was a great feeling to know that she was the reason for the beautiful smile.

If she was honest Marissa knew she was falling a little in love with her friend with the big heart.

…