While Marissa got up to help clean up the mess left by Reese's dropped tray, the kids decided to help with explaining to Bianca and Reese what they had missed. Miranda and AJ between them were explaining to Bianca how Reese came to stay to help look after the girls and then stayed to help with the adoption. Gabby was helpfully explaining to Reese how the angels sent her mommy back for Christmas. Marissa, not sure how Gabby could still be so muddled after they explained it all last night, filled Reese in a little more accurately about the abduction and consequent rescue.

Reese and Bianca shared a tense smile and then laughed as the shock of their reintroduction.

"It's good to see you." said Bianca. "It's good that you put the girls first."

"And it's a miracle to see you." said Reese. "It really is!"

…

They coffee pot had miraculously survived being dropped. They also rescued one glass of juice, half a jug of milk, but the croissants had got a soaking. Marissa used a bath towel to soak up the rest of the spillages and all the broken crockery were piled on the tray.

"It's the thought that counts." said Bianca taking a bite out of a limp, now orange flavoured, croissant.

"You don't have to eat it if you don't want." said Miranda, now embarrassed.

"Yeah." said Marissa, taking the croissant from Bianca and replacing it with a cup of coffee. "I think the tradition is stocking presents and then breakfast. Besides I found a recipe for banana chocolate chip pancakes I want to try…"

Gabby grinned widely, remembering her stocking that had been abandoned on the bed.

"Presents!" she cried.

…

The stocking presents were unwrapped with glee. All three mothers watched the children happily tearing off the paper and crying in delight at each new discovery.

Bianca reached across and squeezed Marissa's hand.

"You did good." she mouthed, pleased to see all the effort Marissa had gone to to give the kids a great Christmas.

AJ pulled the wrapping off a large bar of candy and his eyes widening in delight.

"Can I eat some now?" he asked.

"After breakfast you can have a little… if you've got room." said Marissa, her focus drawn back to the kids.

Bianca starred at Marissa a little longer. She realised she hadn't gotten Marissa anything for Christmas… but she thought she knew just the thing to make this day perfect.

…

At the breakfast table the three kids were digging into their pancakes with gusto, discussing what Santa had brought them. Marissa was at the stove making the last pancake for Bianca. She had made an effort to make all the pancakes into Christmassy shapes with varying success. Gabby had an angel, AJ, a Christmas tree and Miranda had a reindeer that somehow looked more like a horse than all the horses she had ever attempted before.

For Bianca's pancake she had gone for the old romantic fall back of a heart shape. Having Bianca back was the best Christmas present she could ever imagine… but what could she give Bianca in return, she had nothing to give her!

Marissa's mind quickly went through every possession she owned, and then she smiled. She suddenly had an idea for a gift for Bianca that would make this day even more amazing.

…