DISCLAIMER: ABC and AMC own the rights to these characters. I'm just using them for fun. No profits are being made…but I'm willing to take visa, MasterCard, and checks (so long as there are two forms of ID) Hehehe. Special Thanks to Eden and Liz.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

Perfect Love
By Berg

 

Bianca smiled and looked down at the small single white rose that lay in her hands. She took a breath and continued on her journey. Reaching her destination she bent over and gently placed the flower down on the thin layer of crystal light snow that separated it from the ground. She cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry it's been so long. I should have come for your birthday…but I had something else I needed to do. Someplace else I needed to be." Bianca tucked her hair behind her left ear. She smiled. "Though I'm sure you know all about it. I can feel you keeping an eye on me from up there."

A gentle wind blew, causing the few leaves still clinging to the tree, to brush and make a soft magical sound. Bianca knew that was her answer. "I'm worried about Maggie," she said lowering her head. "I'm worried I've lost her for good." Bianca licked her bottom lip and closed her eyes. "I'm trying to be what she needs Frankie. I'm trying to protect her…watch over her, keep her safe. Just the same way she kept me safe. But she took it and twisted it into something else." Bianca shook her head.

"No. No she didn't twist it. He did," A hint of regret laced Bianca's soft voice. "But she let him."

A sad smile graced her face. "I tried Frankie. But she made it clear how she feels. I'd be there…explaining this to her…if I thought for a moment she'd see me. But she doesn't want that. She…" Bianca felt her bottom lip quiver slightly. "She doesn't want me."

She took a deep breath and continued. "The reason I came here is to say goodbye. You know why I've got to leave. I'm not running away because I'm scared. I'm leaving for myself, for my daughter. But I need you to know I'm not just leaving Maggie behind to face him alone. She's got tons of friends…people she actually will let in." Bianca paused. "I just can't do this Frankie. I can't. For once…for once in my life I'm putting myself first. I'm taking myself out of the lien of fire. For as much as I want to be there for her…to…love her…I can't. Not when it means I'm putting myself and my daughter at risk."

And the truth of the situation and the clarity of the moment rose in Bianca's voice. She voiced the words that she'd been thinking for so long and told them to one of the only two people she could tell anything to. ""I think the moment came for me when I realized one simple fact. That she'd rather have him then have me. And when he came after my little girl…when I looked into his eyes and saw the darkness there, it made the rest easier."

Bianca looked up at the sky. "I love you Frankie. And I'll miss you. And I promise someday I'll be back to see you again. Someday soon." She blew a kiss upward. She turned and walked away…and didn't look back.

Maggie felt the lump rise in her throat again. She tried to hard to push back the memories from the last two days. Everything was happening so fast. First her engagement. Then Bianca, Adian, and Anita trying to make her see what Jonathan was capable of. Then Jonathan's ex fiancé coming to see her. Her break up. The things she had said to Jonathan were so difficult to say…but she knew they were truth. She never really loved him. And she was certain he never really loved her. Someone like Jonathan was incapable of really loving. The Jamie shows up, asking her to help Babe.

"What was he thinking?" Maggie asked her empty apartment. She reached over and picked up the small tank top Bianca had mentioned would look nice on her the day before. Maggie smiled. Bianca was right. It was a nice color on her. The knock at her door broke her thoughts as she answered. She was certain it would most likely be Adian checking up on her again. He was quite the guy.

"Jamie," Maggie sighed. "I thought we said everything we had to say to one another. I'm not helping Babe win back Bianca's trust."

Suddenly Babe came around the corner as well. "We have something you should hear," Jamie said pushing Babe inside the apartment, as he closed the door behind him.

"I don't want you in my apartment," Maggie hissed. "I don't want you anywhere near me." Her eyes stayed locked on Babe.

"Good…you hold on to that protective side you have," Babe said matching Maggie glare for glare. "You're going to need it. So is Bianca."

"I don't have time for your southern charm back talk Babe. Get the hell out of my apartment."

"He went after her," Jamie said stepping in front of Babe and going toe to toe with his former best friend.

"I don't care what JR does to her," Maggie spit out. "She has it coming."

"Not JR. Jonathan."

"Jonathan?" Maggie looked confused. "What does Jonathan have against her?"

"Not Babe," Jamie said wondering what would be the best way to approach this. "Bianca."

"Jonathan went after Bianca," Babe spoke up and walked around Jamie to look Maggie in the eyes. "And he'll do it again Maggie. I saw his eyes. Bianca and Miranda were all alone…"

"Miranda?" Maggie said feeling the bile run up her throat. "He went after Bianca and Miranda?"

"He was yelling at them. He grabbed at her…chased us down to the boathouse. I stopped him. Protected them. Ryan came…and we left. She is safe…for now."

Maggie felt the room spinning. "What did I do?" she whispered looking left and right.

"There is more," Jamie said taking hold of Maggie's shoulders.

"What? Is she ok? Is Miranda ok?" Maggie felt a tear escape.

"Bianca's leaving."

"Leaving?"

Too much. Too fast. Too much. Too fast.

"She's leaving town. She doesn't trust Jonathan around Miranda. It isn't just about you anymore. She thinks he's the one who poised Greenlee. And maybe worse. This just isn't about his abuse. It's also about his greed. He's resentful and hates Miranda for taking the company."

"She's just a baby," Maggie whispered.

Babe saw Maggie's eyes. She saw the devotion. The love. She saw in Maggie the same thing she saw in Jamie.

"Do you love her," Babe asked. Maggie looked up and looked eyes with the blond who was responsible for turning the life of the person she loved more then anything completely upside-down.

"Yes."

"Before it's too late. Before you lose the chance…tell her Maggie."

"She doesn't want anything to do with me," Maggie shook her head. "Not after what I did…said…I was awful."

"So you're just going to sit here…and wallow in your self pity?" Babe said looking around the messy apartment.

"You don't get to judge me," Maggie pointed her finger. "Not you."

"Hey," Jamie shouted causing Maggie to look at him. "Take it easy. Because of Babe…Bianca and Miranda are safe! She risked her life to save them for Jonathan."

"I…I'm sorry," Maggie shook her head.

"You don't have to apologize," Babe said honestly. "I deserve everything you have to say. All the hate. All the anger."

"Hate and anger," Maggie began to cry. "They're overrated."

"Maggie," Babe moved closer. "You can make this right. Only you."

You are loveable. Would you listen to yourself. Look what he is making you feel about yourself. You're smart and beautiful and funny and strong. You were my rock. You remember that? There was a time I didn't know how to put one foot in front of the other and you showed me how. I cherish every single part of you. You are extremely beautifully loveable.

"Hey baby girl," Bianca smiled as she arrived home.

"Hi Binks," Kendall winked.

"I was talking to my daughter," Bianca laughed. "Nice try though."

"You can't blame a girl for trying can you?"

"No I can't…I don't blame you for feeling old," Bianca winked.

"Watch it baby sister," Kendall laughed.

"Thanks for watching her."

"No worried. Everything all set?"

"All set," Bianca nodded.

"Are you going to call her?"

"No," Bianca shook her head. "This will only add to what she is dealing with."

"So you're not going to tell her that her Fiancé assaulted you, went after your baby…"

"Kendall," Bianca voice had a warning behind it.

"Fine," Kendall held her hand up. "How long?"

"A few months…maybe a little more. Just till things calm down here."

"You mean till he kills someone or gets himself killed?" Kendall asked.

"He scares me," Bianca said softly looking up. "I don't like being scared. Not since…"

"I wont' let him hurt you," Kendall said sternly. "Ever."

"He's capable of anything. I don't need to sit here and wait for 'anything' to happen."

"I support this," Kendall said softly. "I don't want you to think I don't. I'm just going to miss you like crazy. Both of you."

"We'll miss you too," Bianca smiled kissing her daughter head.

The knock at Bianca's door startled her. She had managed to fall asleep on the couch. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just a little after ten. "I can't believe I fell asleep." She stood and looked through the peep hole. She stepped back and adjusted her shirt. She tucked some hair behind her ear and took a breath. She opened the door.

"If you don't want to see me," Maggie began softly. "I'll understand."

"No," Bianca shook her head sadly. "Never. Come on in," She motioned for her to come inside.

Maggie didn't want to give her a chance to change her mind. "Thanks."

"You're out late."

"I needed to see you."

"Oh," Bianca nodded. "I didn't think…after what you said. I didn't think you'd want to see me again."

"After what I said," Maggie shook her head and felt tears begin to fall, "after what I said I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to see me again."

"Oh Maggie," Bianca shook her head. "Never."

"I'm so sorry," Maggie flew into Bianca's open arms. "I'm so sorry for everything I said. Everything I did. I'm sorry that the words I'm sorry aren't enough."

"It's ok," Bianca said feeling Maggie in her arms.

"No it's not. It'll never be okay. I hurt you. I brought him into our lives…and he went after you…after the baby…I…"

"Jamie and Babe told you?"

"Bianca," Maggie pulled out of the embrace. "You need to know you and that baby mean the world to me. And if I had to I'd kill him before I ever let him come near you."

Bianca saw the seriousness in her friends eyes. "He's not going to come near me or Miranda again."

"They told me you're leaving?"

"Yes," Bianca nodded.

"You're leaving because I…"

"No," Bianca cut Maggie off. "not because of you. Because of Jonathan."

"If I hadn't brought him into our lives none of this would have happened."

"Maggie listen to yourself," Bianca took Maggie's hands. "You're blaming yourself for something he did. You can't help he's a…a…"

"Raging lunatic?"

Bianca knew she should…but she couldn't help it. She laughed. And when she laughed, Maggie laughed. And then they both were laughing. They sat on the couch, in comfortable silence.

"I didn't love him," Maggie said swallowing down fear. "I never did."

"I know."

"Where will you go?"

"I'm not sure yet," Bianca answered.

"I…"

"What?"

"I never thought I'd be having this conversation with you again," Maggie said sadly. It took a moment before Bianca understood.

"We'll be back Maggie. I promise."

"I can't."

"You can't what?" Bianca asked turning so she was facing Maggie.

"I can't let you walk away Bianca. I did it before…and I nearly died inside. I won't do it again."

"Maggie…"

"No," Maggie reached out and took Bianca's hand. "If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you didn't mean every word you said to me the other day…if you can tell me that kiss didn't mean anything more then what it was…if you can tell me you don't love me…then…then…" Maggie paused. "…then it wouldn't matter either way. It wouldn't matter because I can look you in the eyes and tell you that every word you said to me I feel the same. I can tell you that kiss meant the world to me. And I can tell you…I love you."

"Maggie," Bianca felt the tears begin as Maggie took a breath. "What do you want?"

"Bianca," Maggie leaned forward and placed her cheek against Bianca's own, her lips a breath away from Bianca's ears. "I want what Bianca wants. Romance. A lover." She gently lowered her head and kissed Bianca's cheek.

"Do you think it could be me?"

"I know it will," Maggie smiled softly and kissed Bianca's lips gently. She pulled back. "What do you want Bianca?"

Bianca smiled and brought her hand up to Maggie's cheek. "I want us to talk every day. I want us to rent bad 80's movies and curl up on the couch and watch them. I want us to paint each other's nails and take midnight swims together for the rest of our lives," Bianca said remembering Maggie's words from years before.

"The rest of our lives huh? Sounds like quite the commitment."

"It is," Bianca nodded.

"I have no say in this," Maggie kissed her again, slowly and pulled back. "My hearts already committed to both you and Miranda. It was long before she even came into this world. I loved you both then…and I love you even more now Bianca."

"I know," Bianca nodded and wiped Maggie's fallen tears.

Kendall knocked but there was no answer. She used her key and let herself in. There in the apartment on the center table was Miranda's baby book. Kendall called out her sisters name. There was no answer. She reached down and opened the book. Reading the inscription Maggie had written so many months before brought a smile to Kendall's face. She flipped through the pages till she came to the last one. There was small written item, dated from the night before.

Miranda,

You know you are in love when you see the world in their eyes, and their eyes everywhere in the world.

Love

Mom and Maggie

Kendall,

Maggie and I have left with Miranda. We will return someday, but till then remember how much I love you and will miss you each day. Miranda will grow much while we're gone, so I'll be sure to send you pictures often.

Smiling, Bianca held Maggie's hand in her own as they drove down the highway

And I wish to thank you for your advice. Maggie and I finally spoke.

Maggie reached back and handed Miranda her bottle laughing as Bianca told her about Miranda's Christmas experiences.

And shared our fears, our dreams, and our passions. There is no doubt in my mind, she's the one Kendall. And I will leave you now with the words of a great poet who knew and spoke of the heart like it was their profession.

Maggie pointed to the large rolling mountains from the side of the road where they stopped for a picnic. She laughed as Miranda jumped up and down in her arms seemingly excited about the deer's they could see in the distance

'The snow, so peaceful and serene, caressed by the soft moonlight, gave magical feelings to the night. The soft blue glow, the lovers' words that then did flow, their lips closer and closer until, locked in the throes of a passionate embrace, she decided to express her feelings, keep her safe. She whispered softly, her words like music to her ears, "I Love You," and her response the same, heard like the gentle breeze, "And I, love you, forever." That was the night they promised to be together through everything, each to care for the other when old and gray, A lovers' pact the most likely to last."

"I love you," Maggie smiled kissing Bianca.

"I love you too," Bianca kissed her back. Miranda giggled.

"Ma…"

Bianca and Maggie both looked at Miranda and then at each other.

"Did she just…"

The End

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