Charades ended slowly with the kids getting bored and conversation overtaking the game. Kendal had joined her sister on the couch by that point and she, Marissa and Bianca started chatting between the rounds until they lost focus on the game entirely. They had so much to catch up on.

Bianca had hoped for a moment alone with her sister to talk but she also didn't want to let Marissa out of her sight. The ring Reese had returned to her was burning a hole in her pocket.

All day Bianca's mind kept going back to her last night with Marissa, before the abduction; the promise she had made when marriage was mentioned… The promise to supply the ring and propose properly with all their friends and family around them… Today seemed too good an opportunity to miss. Her heart raced at the thought, was that something Marissa still wanted?

Marissa caught her staring and smiled her beautiful smile. Bianca knew then, without a doubt, it was just what Marissa wanted.

It felt good to know almost all of their family were here for Christmas; only David, Marissa's father, was missing. After their weeks together in captivity Bianca realised she was disappointed he wasn't here. True, before the shooting they hadn't seen eye to eye, and for while she doubted she could trust him but, like her mother, the trauma of their imprisonment had brought them back to a place of peace.

Bianca watched Marissa's face a little longer as she girlfriend was drawn back into conversation with Kendal. She would wait though, the tradition was the last big present was opened after dinner - and there was no bigger present than this.

It was actually a welcome moment when Bianca's thoughts were interrupted by Opal's arrival. She stood in the doorway looking a little frazzled and dressed in her Christmas apron.

"Dinner is served;" she announced, "If you would like to come through?"

Bianca smiled; she wouldn't have that much longer to wait.

…

Bianca wandered through into the dining room with the others. Reese, Maggie and Camilla had done a good job of setting up enough places for everyone. Fortunately Dixie had thought to bring plates from their home so they had just enough place settings, and after raiding the patio, the kitchen and the basement there were enough chairs for everyone as well. The dining table was fully extended and by the window a smaller, second table was set up for the kids with plates and cutlery from Camilla's house.

Camilla took charge of the seating arrangements.

"Bianca, if you want to sit pride of place at the head of the table… and I thought Erica, if you sit the other end in honour of your miraculous return… and then if everyone else, just find a place… The kids are in that corner…"

Scott and Cara arrived carrying their babies and Camilla gave them a grin.

"I put you both on the kiddy table too…" she added. "I hope that's alright. The high chairs are set up for the babies. If it gets too much watching the kids let us know… I thought we could change places during each course."

"That's fine." said Cara carrying Charlie over to the table. "You've done an amazing job to squeeze us all in."

Scott just grinned. He'd been avoiding Cara since returning from the island, hoping the escape the attraction he'd been feeling toward her… and the guilt. Now there was no escape.

Reggie walked in with Ayesha in his arms, with Gabby and Jenny following.

"Where do you what the little angels?" he asked.

Camilla then took on the challenge of organising the seating of the kids.

…

Marissa didn't follow everyone directly out to the dining room, she had to grab AJ and Miranda from the den and remind them to come and get dinner.

As they hurried on ahead of her the doorbell rang.

Wondering who was left to arrive, Marissa turned back to answer it.

She found David standing on the door step, wrapped up against the cold.

"Merry Christmas." he said. "I thought I should take the time to see my family today."

Marissa cried with delight and gave him a big hug.

"Of course! It's great to see you! Come in, you are just in time for the feast…"

David didn't come right in though.

"Thank you, but Leora's in the car… and I wanted to go over and see Cara and Charlie too."

"Well they are both here… and why have you left Leora in the car? Christmas is for family… come on in. Come on… I'm sure we can make room."

…

Marissa strode through to the dining room as David followed wheeling in Leora in her buggy.

"Have we got room for two more?" she announced, but as soon as she entered Marissa realised the answer was 'probably not'. It looked quite a squeeze as it was.

Opal, Krystal and Dixie had brought the kitchen table through and set in up by the study door. It was almost groaning from the weight of food on it. Tad was carving the turkey and Jackson the rib of beef while Krystal and Opal were taking orders and doling out the vegetables.

Camilla got up from her seat between Reggie and Marion.

"I don't think we've got anymore chairs." she said "Here take mine."

"What about the office?" asked Bianca. "There is a chair in there."

"Oh yeah." said Marissa. "I'll get it!"

"But where can we squeeze you both?" Krystal asked, taking a look at the crush of seating around the dining table.

"We can just get on the end of here." David suggested, gesturing to the kitchen table that was acting as the serving table.

In the end, once the plates were all served up, the joints of meat and vegetables were moved back to the kitchen. Krystal, Jesse, Frankie, Randi, Stuart and Marion then moved to join David and Ayesha at the third table so that there was less of a squash all round. It worked very well indeed.

…

Bianca was delighted when she saw Marissa walk in with David and Leora. All of Marissa's family was here now. This must be a sign.

She gave silent thanks to whatever miracle had brought David here. After dinner, although she couldn't go down in one knee, Bianca was going to ask Marissa to be her wife.

…