There was a bustle in the hallway as the kids lined their overnight bags up ready for their trip to Erica's.

Marissa took a chance, now that she had a moment alone with Bianca, to slide onto the couch and snuggle against her.

"Just think in a few hours it will be just you and me alone on Valentine's Day," she whispered, "Just how it should be…"

Bianca smiled as Marissa nuzzled her nose lovingly against her cheek.

"You mean you and me and my two ex's." said Bianca, not missing the irony.

"They've promised to order a pizza and stick to watching the TV in Reese's sitting room. So it really will be just us two." said Marissa turning to plant a small kiss at the edge of Bianca's mouth, keeping one eye on the door waiting for the kids to charge back in.

Bianca sighed at the soft kisses.

"So what do you want to do?" Bianca asked.

"Whatever you feel up to doing," said Marissa. "We can snuggle on the couch and watch a movie… Order Chinese food… Have an early night?"

Bianca sighed again, only a little less happily.

"I really wanted to take you out to dinner… Wine and dine you properly; no expense spared… but as we can't have that I guess it's a yes to all three of your suggestions."

"Hey." said Marissa giving her a nudge. "You'll be up and about before you know it… You can spoil me then!"

"Before or after we're married?" asked Bianca with a laugh, her smile returning at sight of her girlfriend's cheeky grin.

"Oh, before and after obviously…"

Bianca nodded, happy to play along with Marissa's flirty mood.

"Oh, obviously."

Just then the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" shouted Miranda from the hall.

"I'd better get up." said Marissa, although she was a little unwilling to leave the cosy warmth of Bianca's side. "That will be your mother."

Bianca's smile grew tense again.

"Has she asked any more about helping with the wedding?"

"Not a word." said Marissa. "I think we're safe from her meddling for now."

Little did she know she had spoken too soon.

Marissa stepped out into the hallway to find not just Erica coming in the front door, but Krystal and Opal too… and Krystal and Opal were laden down with boxes and bags.

"What's going on?" asked Marissa confused. "What is all this?"

"This is my…" began Erica.

"…OUR…" interrupted Krystal, but Erica carried on regardless.

"…our special Valentine's treat for you. I know Bianca said she wanted to take you out for a romantic meal so we've brought the meal to you."

"That's a really nice gesture." said Marissa sweetly, but what else could she say?

All she could see was the prospect looming of not just spending Valentine's Day with her fiancé's two ex-girlfriend's in the next room but both their mothers here as well. That was not really the kind of night she had planned.

"But aren't we going to your house?" Miranda asked, her overnight bag already in her hand.

"Oh yes." said Erica. "I'm not staying… I just want to see my girl and then we'll be on our way... I've left all the rest up to Krystal and Opal..! Is she through there?"

Erica walked past Marissa into the parlour to find Bianca.

"We'll just set up in the Kitchen." said Krystal, heading into the Dining room with Opal.

"Sure mom." said Marissa still frozen to the spot.

This definitely wasn't the romantic Valentine's Day she had envisioned spending with Bianca.

…

Bianca hugged her mom and they chatted briefly about her treatment and how she planned to cope recovering at home. She then got a goodbye hug from three excited children before they headed out for a night in the Yacht Club penthouse. Miranda and Gabby were excited about spending time with Erica; AJ was just thinking about the view of the boats in the Marina from the balcony.

By the time the kids were organised and all the goodbyes had been said twice over, the aroma coming from the kitchen was growing quite enticing.

"What is that smell?" Bianca asked just as the front door closed.

"It's my mom and Opal cooking us a romantic Valentine's meal."

Bianca smirked.

"Your mom?"

"Yeah. But it was your mom's idea."

"It your fault, you know. You shouldn't have made that statement about my mom not meddling… meddling is in her blood!"

"Hey, at least she didn't mention the wedding." joked Marissa. "So what now?"

Bianca patted the couch, inviting Marissa to sit back down beside her.

"I say we enjoy that delicious smelling meal with grace," said Bianca, slipping her arm around Marissa's waist and drawing he closer. "We then we retire to bed before anyone else turns up to disturb us."

Marissa grinned and rewarded the suggestion with a kiss.

"I like that plan."

Bianca grinned back.

"And I love you… I may have mentioned it lately… but I feel it needs mentioning again. I love you and I love that I get to spend Valentine's Day with you no matter how crowded it gets. Thank you for rescuing me from the hospital."

Marissa rewarded her with another kiss.

"You do know I got you out for purely selfish reasons." said Marissa in a serious tone.

"You did?" said Bianca playing along, sensing a tease coming.

"Yeah…" said Marissa, kissing her a little longer, "I don't think I can live without you."

Marissa tone was still serious, she meant it. Bianca returned the kiss with passion.

"I know just how you feel." she said.

…