The kids were finally nestled in bed, each one with their letter tucked carefully under their pillows. With the children asleep, Marissa retired to her own room and climbed into bed. She pulled her letter out of her purse and starred at it. It felt strange, like she would be peaking into Bianca's heart. She didn't think that there was anything hidden between them but it felt like a long letter inside the envelope, just how much hadn't been said?

Marissa slowly opened the envelope and began to read.

My Marissa,

I love you; I love you; I love you. If I could fill a hundred pages with these words and it wouldn't be enough.

I've probably told you about how I fell in love with you a hundred times. You were always so beautiful, and so kind, and so funny, how could I not. I was scared though; scared that you wouldn't feel the same… but you did. Once you were sure, you were so sure, there was no stopping you. Between you telling me you loved me and me finally being able to accept that you meant it, how many people did you tell; four, five?

…

"Only two." said Marissa out loud with a smile. "JR and Krystal."

….

You were fearless: the first to kiss, the first to say 'I love you' and you were the first to invite me back to yours for the perfect night... I hate that I am the first to go.

After my divorce I thought that was it, I'd used up all my chances. I seemed to go from one disastrous relationship to the next. I didn't think I would find anyone who believed in family like I did; because whatever relationship I had had to be about my girls too. You understood that right from the start. You and AJ, me and the girls… both of us looking for something and not realising we'd already found it in each other.

I am so lucky to have had you in my life and yet there are things I've been afraid to ask. I don't know why it scares me. I'm not afraid of commitment, I'm not. I so want to spend every moment of my life with you but I never wanted to tie you down. Life has been so unsettled since the shooting and every time we got to somewhere good something else would go wrong and I never got to ask the question I so wanted to ask. I wanted us to be a family… I know I should talk to Kendall and mom and Reese about this… Maybe once I'm out of this hospital bed I will actually find the time to do it and you can ignore this whole rambling paragraph. I want you to be Miranda and Gabby's mother. You already are their mamma 'Rissa'; no one makes breakfast pancakes quite the way you do. You just need the slip of paper to make it law. But I'm afraid if I'm gone that it is too much to ask of you; to take care of three kids. If you don't want to do it I will understand. But please be a part of their lives, tell them every day how much I love them. Help mom or Kendal to raise them and if Reese comes back, because she might come back, don't let her take them away from Pine Valley. They need to be home with their family. Please do this for me.

…

Marissa frowned at the doubt in Bianca's words. She was being thoughtful and considerate, putting others first as always. Of course Marissa was going to take care of the girls, and she suspected, despite her words, Bianca knew she would.

…

I am writing this, wondering what else to say. As I sit here I can see you in my head, your hazel eyes, your bright smile, your perfect little nose and I miss you even though I know I'm going to see you tomorrow. If I lost you…

…

Marissa frowned. The words 'If I lost you' had been crossed out but she could still read them. Bianca clearly had a change of heart about what she wanted to say.

…

No, that isn't the sentiment I want in this letter. This is a letter about love! The Princess and the Blacksmiths daughter live happily ever after in their story. I hope we do too. I hope this letter is unearthed when we are both a hundred and one so we can laugh at it together. We found love and we found family when we found each other. I gave you my heart and it is yours forever.

I love you, I love you, I love you, if I write it a million more times it will never be enough.

I don't know how to end this letter. I don't want to end it. I want to hold you and cover you in kisses and never let you go.

I love you always and forever, inside out and upside-down, never-ending and evermore - I love you.

Your Bianca.