Krystal was frustrated in her attempt to reach her daughter. Sometime later, after trying Marissa's cell, her work, the Chandler mansion and Opal, Krystal was about to give up and drive herself over to the house. Finally the phone in the Montgomery-Tasker House was answered. It was then that Reese told her that Marissa had gone to the Miranda Centre Ball.

Krystal thought briefly that maybe she should pass on to the children that she had spoken to their mother, but she decided it would be better to let Marissa tell them the news.

Krystal hung up and walked over to where Jesse was sat on the couch, deep in conversation on his cell phone. He seemed suddenly excited by something.

"Jesse, I need to get to the Pine Valley Gallery… to the Ball, to find Marissa." Krystal said. "Can you let me know if anything else happens while I'm gone?"

"Wait," said Jesse covering his phone to talk to her, "We need to get to the airport." Then he smiled. "We have a plane to meet!"

…

Marissa should have known what a big deal this Ball was going to be after the press interest at the funeral. The press gauntlet was almost on a par with that of the Erica film premier. In a way it was the premier, because Erica II was going to be released that night to the world, but in an unprecedented (and carefully managed by the film marketing department) publicity coo, all the stars of the film were attending the memorial Ball instead.

It felt to Marissa like she had spent hours smiling and acting grateful for the commiseration of strangers who's faces she had only ever seen on the front of a magazine, or on the television. Eventually she retreated to a quiet corner. She really wasn't ready for this. It only felt like Christmas when she was at home with the kids. Here, or even when she went out to do the Christmas shopping, without Bianca she just didn't feel it. In the mall the only songs she seemed to hear piped in were; Blue Christmas; Lonely this Christmas; I'll Be Home for Christmas; All Alone On Christmas; Christmas Blues; Please Come Home For Christmas… All of them had the same theme, being alone. When she wasn't with the kids Marissa missed Bianca so much it hurt.

Right now the lead singer of the live band that was serenading the dancers was singing the worst Christmas song of all, a slow cover of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you…

All Marissa want for Christmas was Bianca…

Marissa wondered if Myrtle would mind if she made a hasty retreat from the party.

…

As Marissa tried to push her way through the crowds to gather her shawl from the coat check girl and inquire about a cab, there was a huge bustle by the main door. Marissa assumed another big celebrity had arrived but amongst the murmur was a name, 'Bianca', and heads now turned in her direction as if people were seeking her out.

…

If you asked Marissa afterwards what happened next she would describe it as that perfect moment in the film where the crowds part and the lovers are reunited, because that is exactly what happened.

The worst Christmas song in the world instantly became the best song ever written, because suddenly there in front of Marissa was Bianca. Not a dream or a memory… Bianca. She was wearing a wrinkled black dress and was balanced on some cheap silver crutches. She may have looked pale and a little worn around the edges but to Marissa it was the most beautiful sight in the world.

Marissa couldn't speak or move; she just stood in shock.

"It's really me." said Bianca, giving her a nervous smile.

That smile broke the spell. Marissa cried her name delight and ran to her, wrapping her arms around Bianca and kissing her like they were the only two people in the room. Bianca returned the kisses, caught in the same ecstasy, as they battled to kiss lips and cheeks and the tips of noses; fought to kiss every part of the face they loved and had missed so terribly.

"We thought you were dead! I thought you were dead!" Marissa sobbed between kisses, unable to stop the tears of joy from falling down her cheeks. "I should have known."

"I know. I thought I'd never see you again." Bianca sobbed in return.

Their kisses grew in passion as if their lips were trying to take back everything that had been stolen from them over these past sorry months.

Marissa pulled away when she finally registered the applause around them and realised the extent of their audience. So many people were watching and smiling at them, she was suddenly caught up with the wonder of it all.

"But what are you doing here?" Marissa asked, still unable to draw her eyes away from Bianca's perfect face.

"I just wanted to get home." said Bianca, "...After they recued me, I just wanted to come home to you. Uncle Jack got us a plane and we flew right back. Then Jesse and Krystal intercepted us at the airport. Your mom told me where you were. Kendal found this dress in her case and they spruced me up on the journey over…"

Marissa's eyes were finally drawn to the crowd and she saw her mother, Kendal, Griffin and David applauding with everyone else.

She nodded briefly to her father, pleased to see him safely returned, but she was pulled back to Bianca's again, her eyes to hungry for a sight they had been starved of for so long.

Bianca's own eyes drifted down to Marissa gown and she lovingly caressed the fabric down Marissa's sides.

"I so wanted to see you again… all this time. But I never thought I'd see you like this… Beautiful; always beautiful!" She said the last words and gave Marissa a smile that beamed like the sun.

Marissa sighed as she traced the smile with her thumb and then kissed her again. There were no words to describe how happy she was feeling, the kiss said it all!

…