When Marissa got the kids home and tucked up in bed she wandered back into the study with Miranda's bag of Wedding magazines. As much as she hoped dinner out would be a distraction, the wedding was all the kids could talk about. She was going to have to start researching the options so she could have an answer for the kids the next time they asked.

The first question was the date. As romantic as the idea of getting married on Valentine 's Day sounded, something in Marissa's gut told her it wasn't a good idea. Something else had happened on that day in Bianca's past but she couldn't remember what. She got the diary out and checked birthdays but it wasn't anything like that.

So Marissa decided instead to find the dresses, but even there she was coming unstuck. This wasn't a first wedding for either of them so should they look at traditional white or choose something more colourful? Should it be a big grand ceremony or a small private affair with only family present?

There was a knock on the door just as Marissa circled one of the two brides maids dresses she'd found which she liked better than the fluffy creation Gabby had become attached to. Marissa was glad of the distraction.

"There you are." said Reese, peering round the door. "I was wondering where everyone had gone."

"Did you have a nice evening with Maggie?"

"I did." said Reese. But then she noticed the wedding magazines spread out on the table. "Are you researching the wedding already?" she asked.

"Peer pressure… of should that be kid pressure. Bianca has given me the job of organising the big day while she's in hospital. The kids are full of questions and I'm not sure where to start… You've married Bianca once. What was your big day like, if it isn't too awkward for me to ask? What would you recommend?"

"I married her twice." corrected Reese. "First time it was huge grand affair, beautiful white dresses and bouquets of red roses… We wrote our own vows… We went all out! But by then I'd already screwed up with a drunken kiss with my brother-in-law to be and Bianca annulled the marriage a few days after the wedding. The second time it was the smallest kind of ceremony you could have. We didn't even buy any special outfits. It was a couple of witnesses and a brief ceremony. So I would say somewhere in between would be perfect so that it doesn't remind her of me."

"This must be a little uncomfortable for you now though, right?" Marissa asked, seeing the whole thing from Reese's perspective.

"I knew it was going to happen eventually. Bianca's too amazing a woman to stay single forever… And I like you two together… You have the ex-wife's approval."

"Thanks." said Marissa.

Just then her cell phone buzzed, Marissa had received a text.

"Look I'll leave you to it." said Reese. "I just wanted to let you know I was back."

"Thanks." said Marissa again, distracted with the thought that whatever wedding she chose it wasn't to remind Bianca of Reese. Marissa checked her text, it was from Kendal.

*Marissa. I couldn't say in front of kids. Don't get married on Valentine's Day, it was the day Bianca married Reese. Not recommended. Good night. Kendal xx*

Marissa blinked as she read the message and then laughed out loud. So that was why Valentine's Day felt like a bad idea! A March wedding it was then.

…

I managed to write despite everything (Who needs sleep?). Thanks Guest for your comment that inspired this chapter… I'd gone through a similar process as Marissa before getting your review.