Happy Monday!

SPOILERS - this week - David makes a break through, Scott visit's Madison and Erica discovers the joys of being a grandmother.

...

Time passed in Pine Valley and New Year came and went without incident.

Scott received an invitation to visit Madison in New Oak Haven now her solitary confinement had been lifted. Realising that Madison might be well enough to come home soon, Adam's question about Scott's guardianship of his daughter sprang to mind. Scott wondered whether he should do something to make his position as Holly's father more official.

Erica's publicist was receiving calls daily from talk shows, national and international press agencies all wanting an exclusive on her miraculous return from the dead. She selected a few prominent shows to appear on but kept the publicity to minimum, doing enough to quash the rumours that her disappearance was just a publicity stunt for the new film. She wasn't going to let herself be drawn into the spotlight again. For possibly the first time in her life, Erica had learnt the lesson, that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be. She was also trying to keep her distance from Erica II despite the critical acclaim the film had garnered.

Marissa went back to work at Chandler. It was not the same as working for Caleb. She missed the camaraderie of the old office; she had a lot of new faces to get to know in the Law department. At least Adam Chandler was letting her focus on her passion, corporate law, and not trying to groom her into the next inheritor of the Chandler legacy; for the moment anyway. She was glad of the distraction; work gave her less time to worry about Bianca who was still recovering in hospital.

…

"Hey sis!" came a call from the door.

Bianca looked up from her magazine to see her sister standing in the doorway.

"Hey yourself." said Bianca.

"As Marissa is working late tonight she asked to do the honours and visit…"

"Well it good to see you." said Bianca with a smile.

Kendal was pleased to see her sister looking so much healthier. The colour had returned to her cheeks and she was much perkier than she had been at Christmas.

Kendal took a seat at the edge of the bed.

"So do you have a date yet for when they are letting you out?"

"Not for a while yet." said Bianca with a sigh. She patted her left leg. "Frankie is worried about my ankle. It's been a problem area for a while but the damage to my calf left by the infection has shortened the tendons, I'll need surgery or I'll never be able to put my foot flat… which will affect my balance… which will affect my ability to walk… so…"

"More surgery?"

"Frankie assures me it's the last. I might be home in a month. Just so long as David doesn't suddenly decide I need more tests."

"In time for Valentine's Day?" Kendal asked.

"Maybe? Now enough about me and my depressing hospital confinement… how are you? How is mom? How are the kids?"

"I'm great. Fusion Christmas sales went beyond our projected estimate so business is booming once more… Mom is caught up in the publicity of your return but she's also trying hard to keep her promise and focus on the family… Uncle Jack and I have managed to persuade her to focus her energy on the grandkids though and give you and a little space. She's actually picking Miranda and Spike up from dance class tonight while Jackson's taking AJ on his yacht. Then everyone, Reggie included, is coming to mine for dinner tonight. "

"Spike's dancing?" asked Bianca in surprise.

"He is." said Kendal. She laughed. "I'm not sure where he's got it from but he asked to join Miranda's Jazz group and he loves it! What he really wants to learn is tap dancing. Thanks to Griffin's classic movie collection he developed a bit of an obsession with Fred Astaire… he can't keep still. Unfortunately there aren't any tap groups in the area. Mom said if we don't find anything soon she'll give him private lessons."

"Well not many people have a mother who has a resume that includes show girl…

"…or talk show host…" said Kendal joining in the game.

"… or model…"

"… or film star…"

"… or entrepreneur…"

"… or lifestyle guru…"

"… or author…"

Kendal chuckled.

"…or force to be reckoned with…"

Bianca laughed too.

"There is only one Erica Kane!"

"Thank god." finished Kendal with a hearty laugh.

Once the two sisters had regained some composure Bianca asked.

"You didn't get to Ian when you were talking about your kids?" asked Bianca. "How is your little tearaway?"

"I think Ian had finally discovered his softer side. Having a baby around is teaching him to be careful. Charlie is toddling now and Ian follows behind making sure he doesn't fall over or bump into things. It's cute."

"Looks like having Griffin and Cara around is doing your whole family good!"

"It does." said Kendal giving Bianca a warm smile.

Kendal looked down to her lap and the bag that she had brought in with her.

"I almost forgot." she said passing the bag to her sister. "Marissa has promised to bring the whole family tomorrow but these will have to tie you over until then."

"Ah… goody." said Bianca with a grin. "It wouldn't be a hospital visit without get-better pictures!"

…