Happy Monday.
SPOILERS - this week - Valentine's day comes to Pine Valley, Bianca comes home, the kids stay with Erica and Scott brings Holly to visit Madison.
...
The Montgomery-Tasker house was busy with activity, ready for Bianca's return. Gabby was moving herself into Miranda's bedroom, carrying armfuls of her toys, while AJ followed with some of her clothes.
Miranda was helping by making up the truckle bed for her sister even though it wouldn't be needed for another night. They would be going to stay with Erica tonight.
Gabby arrived and dropped her load of toys in the middle of the floor.
"Don't just dump it." Miranda said. "Put it somewhere tidy."
Gabby didn't look happy.
"Why do I have to move?" she moaned.
"Because mommy's coming home and Maggie is staying too to take care of her. That was part of the deal. And she needs somewhere to sleep."
"By why my bed?" asked Gabby still sulking.
"Because your room is the closest." explained AJ, his arms still full of Gabby's clothes.
"Do you think I want to share with my stinky sister." exclaimed Miranda in jest, sticking out her tongue at her sister as she said it.
Gabby pulled a face right back.
"I'm not stinky!" she cried in protest, but she was smiling now.
"Come on it might be fun to share." said Miranda picking up Mrs Bunny and Strawberry Bear from where they had been dropped and handing them back to her sister. "You put your toys in your bed… and AJ I've cleared a drawer out for her clothes…"
It took only a few minutes to get the rest of Gabby's things settled, just in time as well.
Reese poked her head around the door and smiled at how organised the kids had been.
"Marissa… Mama 'Rissa… just called. You've got fifteen minutes before she arrives with your mommy… Hurry and get ready!"
"We are ready!" cried Gabby.
"No we're not." exclaimed AJ just as quickly.
Miranda and Gabby stared at him.
AJ turned and looked pointedly at Reese.
"Could we be alone just a bit longer?" he asked.
Reese laughed at his forthrightness.
"Sure. I'll give you guys a minute."
"What is it?" Miranda asked once Reese had gone.
"We almost forgot our Valentine's Cards. We should get them ready for when Binks comes home."
Gabby gasped, all the changes and different plans she had forgotten all about her special card for her mommies.
"It's still in my room!" she cried. "I'll just go and get it!"
…
AJ, Miranda and Gabby were lined up in the entrance hall waiting for the front door to open. They had dug out the 'Welcome Home' banner they had last used when Marissa came home from the hospital. To add to the Valentine theme Miranda had cut out to some extra pink hearts to add to it.
The key turned in the lock…
The door opened…
Miranda held her breath…
Maggie pushed the door opened, an overnight bag on her shoulder.
Bianca was then wheeled in her wheel chair, Marissa at the helm.
Miranda cried in delight.
"Mommy!"
The three children surged forward to welcome her home.
"Whoa…whoa…" cried Maggie stepping into their path. "Gentle …one at a time. She's still tender…"
AJ and Miranda skidded to a halt, but nothing would stop Gabby giving her mommy a squoosh.
As soon as Bianca lent forward to give Gabby a hug, Miranda saw her mommy wince.
"We got you a card." said Gabby, chatting excitedly and not noticing her mommy's discomfort.
She also didn't notice Miranda looking suddenly annoyed that she had spoiled the surprise before her siblings had even had a chance to say hello.
Bianca did though.
She stroked her youngest daughter's cheek.
"That's lovely." Bianca said smiling. "But can I give everyone else a hug first? And then we can look at your card in the parlour."
"We got you cards for both of you." said Gabby, still clinging to her mommy and oblivious to the effect she was having on Miranda.
Marissa moved forward to pick up the chattering little girl.
"Come on trouble." she said lifting Gabby out of the way. "Let your sister say hello to her mommy!"
Miranda gratefully hurried up and more gently than her little sister, gave her mommy a hug and a kiss.
"Does your back hurt?" she asked.
"Just a little bit." said Bianca.
"That's why she has to take it easy." said Maggie, putting a hand on Bianca's shoulder and easing her to sit back in her wheelchair.
AJ was the last to give Bianca a shy kiss.
"Can we give you the cards now?" Gabby asked. She had wriggled free from Marissa's grasp now and was as enthusiastic as ever.
"Let's get mommy settled first." said Marissa.
"The cards are for you too." exclaimed Gabby.
Marissa hugged the excited little girl.
"Well I want mommy settled first too." she said.
…
Eventually Bianca was made comfortable on the couch. Gabby wanted to climb onto her lap but Marissa caught her and pulled her onto her lap instead.
"Gentle..." she whispered. "You have to be gentle."
"So what are these cards?" Bianca asked trying to ignore the tension around her.
Miranda held out her card.
"We made Valentine's cards for both of you…"
"…because we love you!" Gabby added loudly.
AJ gave his card to Marissa while Gabby and Miranda handed their cards to Bianca.
The cards were dutifully examined and complimented by both mothers and then exchanged and complimented again.
"Speaking of Valentine's…" said Bianca. "My sister should have…"
"Well ahead of you." said Reese from the doorway. She entered with an armful of red roses.
Marissa looked from the roses to Bianca.
"Are those for me?"
Bianca grinned.
"Who else… Happy Valentine's day."
…