Story I missed a day, double shifts cut into my writing time so posts are now going to be every other day for the next two weeks and then my life should be returning to normal...

...

Marissa stopped off at Krystal's on the way home from the hospital. The kids were hungry and Marissa was hoping for a chance to speak to her mom. Unfortunately Krystal was out for the night and Camilla was minding the bistro.

"Hi guys!" exclaimed Camilla, warmly welcoming them in and leading the family to a table. The Bistro was quite quiet this evening and Marissa was glad of the peace.

"Do you need a menu or do you know what you want?" she asked once they were settled.

The kids all grinned widely.

"They know what they want." said Marissa, "One kid's pizza, two kid's burgers, one chicken salad for me and then three sodas and a coffee…"

"Coming right up." said Camilla.

Gabby was fidgeting in her seat.

"Can I look at my pretty dress again?" she asked, reaching for Miranda's bag of wedding magazines.

"Not at the table!" warned Marissa. She was hoping talk of the wedding would subside now they were in the resturant. What she really wanted was a chance to digest the fact that she would be planning the wedding without Bianca... She wanted it all to be perfect but had no real clue where to start. The kids enthusiasm, though wonderful to see, wasn't helping her think.

"Mom?" AJ asked.

"Yes buddy?"

"When are Binks and you getting married?"

"I don't know." said Marissa. "When she's well, I guess. It will take a while to organise… February maybe..?"

"February." said Miranda thoughtfully. "On Valentine's day?"

Marissa blinked.

"Valentine's day… It might be hard to book but it would be nice." she said.

"What would be nice?"

The question came from behind Marissa and then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Kendal grinning down at her.

"Mama's planning her wedding." explained Gabby.

"They're going to get married on Valentine's day!" Miranda gushed.

"Nothing is decided yet!" exclaimed Marissa, putting a stop to the excitement. She wasn't enjoying the pressure.

Kendal's hands rubbed Marissa comfortingly on the shoulder.

"You only proposed yesterday, you don't have to get it all organised at once!"

"Try telling my advisors that." said Marissa, referring to the three eager kids at her table.

"I've already found my dress!" boasted Gabby.

"No you haven't!" snapped Miranda. "Mom said no!"

"Hey, hey…" warned Marissa not sure where Miranda's grumpiness had come from. "What do you say for right now we don't talk about the wedding and instead talk about Christmas?"

"But we want to talk about the wedding." said Gabby.

Miranda shushed her sister again.

"I'm guessing everyone is a little overtired after all the excitement of yesterday." observed Kendal quietly in Marissa's ear.

"You might be right."

Luckily Camilla chose that moment to arrive with the beginning of their order.

"Quieten down guys." said Marissa, before the argument could brew between Miranda and Gabby. "Our dinner's arrived."

"I'll leave you to it." said Kendal, stopping to kiss Gabby and Miranda on the cheek once they had calmed down. "I've got a chilli to pick up before I have my own revolution back home."

She gave Marissa one last smile.

"If you need to talk about anything just call."

"Thank you." said Marissa, before getting the kids to focus on eating their meal. "I will definitely take you up on that offer!"

…