The Only Gift That I Need
By Misty Flores
Email: mistiec_flores@yahoo.com

Fandom: All My Children
Pairing/characters: Bianca/Maggie
Rating: Hard R - maybe NC-17Playing card URL (will be supplied): http://invisible-cities.net/images/gsc/femslash/02.jpg

Summary: Bianca's plans for a perfect first Christmas in Paris with Maggie are thwarted a surprise visit home, and the return of some old ghosts.

--

CHAPTER TWO

Maggie and Bianca had driven each other crazy before they actually got together, Maggie knew this for a fact.

"You drove me crazy," Bianca told her, time and time again, with that little roll of her eyes, and the smirk of her smile, either trying to keep a hold on her increasingly wily little girl or smoothing gentle fingers up her arm, those words a sexy whisper that made her shudder. "You still do."

Maggie could relate - the year in Paris had been quiet and wonderful, too wonderful. Screwing it up with sex was one of her deepest fears, especially in the wake of the disaster of her relationship with Jonathan was a literal nightmare that she had. Losing Bianca and Miranda, the most perfect things to come into her life, would happen in her dreams, and she would wake up in a cold sweat, scared that if anything ever happened, like she really, really wanted it to, she would screw it up. Because she was Maggie Stone, and that was what she did.

Of course, that didn't stop her feelings from growing exponentially, pulsing with raw awareness, now that she knew that Bianca thought she loved her too. There were longing looks and accidental touches, and more than ever, despite her confusion, Maggie was very aware that she very much wanted to press herself against her friend and explore every part of her, touch Bianca in the most intimate ways, and sometimes it gave her chills, and frightened her, the extent of those feelings.

They talked about it - because Bianca always liked to talk and it was clear Bianca was just as hot and bothered as her, and they both discussed the risks of what a relationship could do to their friendship and Maggie was honest about her fears, and was surprised to discover her perfect Bianca was a little scared too.

They both agreed to hold off, and it was a great idea that worked well in theory. Of course Maggie, being a medical student buried in studying the human body, should have known that ignoring the inevitable would only heighten the tension.

And boy did they explode. One usual errand to the market, one accidental touch over an apple, one smoldering glance, and the next thing Maggie knew she had pressed her lips heatedly against her friend's. That was enough to shock her into releasing a stunned Bianca, but before Maggie had a chance to apologize, Bianca had grabbed hold of her and began to plunder her mouth, right there in the grocer's aisle.

That had led to some heavy petting and necking in a nearby shadowed little street, and before long they had fallen into their apartment, barely able to register their thanks Miranda was out with the au pair, as they didn't even make it past the living room floor.

To be honest, Maggie was too consumed with need to feel nervous about the fact that it was her first time with a girl, with Bianca. Too much of her had wanted this too much for too long, and as such it was over before the fact even hit home, naked and sweaty, curled in the arms of her beloved, staring at her with such wide, frightened eyes as the reality of what they had done sunk in.

Bianca had refused to let the fear settle, and she loved her for it. There was no talking for once, simply her friend nudging her over, covering her like a second skin, and kissing her swollen lips over and over again, until the fear gave way once more to the intense passion, and no thought existed, ever, but kissing Bianca back.

Four hours later, Maggie had woken up in Bianca's bed, with Bianca staring at her, when Miranda, now settled between them, began bouncing on the bed, chattering to Maggie in her French/English/Baby language. She waited for the fear to come: it didn't. In that bed, she and Bianca finally talked, and both of them agreed for once, that whatever the risk, it was worth it, for that perfect moment that existed.

Settling into a relationship with your best friend was weird and confusing, but it was also amazing, and Maggie knew that getting on that plane with only a passport had been the smartest thing she had ever done, because this was the happiest she had been in her life.

That didn't mean she was ready to deal with what she had left behind, in Pine Valley.

--

"Seriously, does it look all right?" Lifting her head from her books, Maggie arched an amused eyebrow, watching with loving amusement as her girlfriend stepped back, finger against her chin, inspecting the tree with a critical eye.

Miranda waddled to her, handing her an ornament, with Maggie took with a smile and a thank you, letting the girl go back to her mother, mimic her posture in front of the tree.

"I think it's perfect," she said, in a teasing tone, "Just like I thought ten minutes ago."

Bianca looked at her, and sighed, smiling self consciously. "I know," she commented, scooting a strand of hair behind her ear and scooping up her daughter. "But I just love Christmas trees, and I... I kinda want this one to be perfect." They shared an intense glance. "For obvious reasons."

Maggie smiled, automatically flipping her books shut and reaching up to stretch, feeling the bones in her spine crack with a delicious crinkle. "Bianca, if nothing goes to plan, it still will be a perfect Christmas, because it'll be us, together."

Miranda took the opportunity to shout sharply in her mommy's ear that the tree was sparkly, and Maggie bit a smile back as Bianca winced.

"Yeah," Bianca admitted raggedly, murmuring an aside, "Indoor voice, Sweetie," to Miranda, before letting the squirming child down.

Taking the moment to come forward, Maggie slipped an arm around her waist and squeezed, "The tree is perfect," she told her simply, "Just like you."

Bianca's featured softened, and a faint blush, a tribute to her modesty, curled up her cheek and her ears. Maggie thought that was always adorable. "I don't know about that," she answered, but held onto Maggie anyway, pulling her in closer. "It just seems... surreal, you know? You and me... sometimes I still can't believe it's you and me in Europe, just like we wanted."

Before Lena and Jamie and Pine Valley. Maggie swallowed down the nervous emotion, laying her cheek against her friends bicep. "It's pretty amazing." Her eyes fluttered closed when she felt the soft press of lips against her forehead.

"I rented the cabin," Bianca told her, words mumbled against her skin. "It's perfect, Maggie. Romantic and cozy, and-"

"We're going to need trucks to get Miranda's gifts up there," Maggie told her simply, staring at the pile already under the tree, currently being shaken to death by Bianca's little girl.

"I think we'll manage."

The phone interrupted the moment, and Maggie blinked, as Miranda excited began to scream, "PHONE!" and raced toward it as fast as her chubby legs would carry her.

"I got her," she told Bianca quickly, "You get the phone!"

She was little, but fast, and her arms curled around the baby's waist before she managed to grab the phone and crash the entire base to the floor, like she had done the last time.

"Ooomph!" The tackle was a successful one, and Miranda, splayed against her, began to giggle hysterically, banging chubby arms against her face.

Smiling gratefully, Bianca grabbed the phone and brought it up to her ear. "Hello?" Maggie frowned at the look of sudden surprise. "Myrtle?"

--

Pine Valley had always been rife with drama, and truthfully, Bianca had been grateful she had left it behind. While she missed her mother and her sister terribly, her happiness in Paris was untouched, unmeddled, and came with it a blissful sort of independence. With no one around to mess it up but themselves, Bianca and Maggie had managed to find each other, Miranda was growing up healthy and happy, if not a bit spoiled, and they were secluded in the most romantic city in the world.

Now, she couldn't but feel consumed with her own guilt at her selfishness.

News from Pine Valley came often, with editorials by her mother, but with the Holidays, Bianca had been more wary about taking her calls, afraid her mother would want her home for Christmas, something she hadn't quite been prepared to do - Maggie's own shock at first, Jonathan's death, then Jonathan's magical return, had been enough to keep them away from Pine Valley.

And while she and Maggie had spent the past year exploring each other and their relationship, while she had spent her time settling into Cambias and trying to work around the sharks who disliked her for her age or her sexual preference or the simple fact she had gained her title by the blood of her daughter, at home, things had fallen apart for her sister.

Myrtle's kind, scratchy voice had been a douse of cold water over her warm, cheerful mood. Sinking down on the couch, she pressed a palm against her face, eyes closing at the thought of her sister, loyal and kind and completely misunderstood, being treated to another round of being the town pariah.

"Mommy-" Miranda tugged at her free hand, and almost immediately, Maggie had scooped her up, some effort considering the little girl was already half her size. Her girlfriend was watching her warily, as Bianca licked her lips and closed her eyes, sighing raggedly as she tried to take in what Myrtle had told her.

"Are you okay?" Wrangling her daughter, Maggie's eyes were careful, clouded, as Bianca shook her head mutely and once again vividly pictured the events that had taken place: her sister so afraid and broken and hurt and alone.

"No, I just... I-" Mouth pressed against her fingers, she sighed raggedly, considering what she had heard. "I knew things were tense, but the last time I talked to Kendall she was so... HOPEFUL - she wanted Ryan and Greenlee to work things out, she was sure they would - I had no idea that-"

The couch shifted slightly with the combined weight of Maggie and Miranda, as Maggie licked her lips and held onto the squirming little girl. "The baby is really Kendall's?"

Bianca shook her head blindly. "Yeah," she said softly. "Something about there being blackouts and her convincing the doctor to inseminate her with Ryan's sperm, and Greenlee finding out- Kendall wouldn't try to steal her baby, Maggie, I know it."

"I know..." Miranda squawked, and Maggie let her go, edging closer to her and pressing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I just... I think about what she's going through - she's alone, Maggie. She's alone and Greenlee's gone and turned the whole town against her, and she's pushing away the people that care-"

Stopping herself, Bianca blinked back the tears of desperate emotion, memories of her sister and what she had done for her during the aftermath of her rape and the hidden pregnancy vivid in her head. Kendall loved fiercely and deeply and without sense, and once again, it had broken her.

The Christmas tree blinked at her, merry and full of promise, and the warmth of Maggie pressed in closer. She closed her eyes and sighed raggedly, her hope for their perfect Christmas taking a sudden nosedive.

--

Kendall and Maggie were never friends, but they respected each other. They were both aware of the special bond in their own individual relationships with Bianca, and there had always seemed to be an unspoken truth to keep out of each other's way. Unlike Maggie's constant head-butting and animosity with Lena, because they had loved Bianca the same way, despite Maggie's inane denials, she and Kendall's love for Bianca was different, but equally intense.

Still, she doubted they had ever had an actual conversation that didn't involve Bianca that lasted for more than ten minutes.

Maggie and Kendall ran in different circles - to be honest, she was more Greenlee's friend than she was Kendall's, but in this situation, she didn't take sides. Bianca clearly hurt at the idea of her sister in trouble, and Maggie understood what the solution was, and was also completely aware that the only reason Bianca hadn't brought it up was the fact that she knew that for Maggie, it simply wasn't possible.

Not just school, but there was no way that Maggie was ready to face Jonathan Lavery, no matter how harmless and Rain-Man like everyone was telling them he was.

But to separate Bianca from her family during the Holidays for some perfect Christmas that was already ruined with the news was something Maggie couldn't do.

"You should go home," she told her, late that night, as Bianca curled into her, breath uneven, as if her lover had been trying to sleep for hours but had so far been unsuccessful.

A hitch of breath, and she felt the warm weight of Bianca shift, a pair of dark brown eyes watching her carefully in the dark. "Maggie..."

"I mean it," she said simply. "Kendall needs you right now." Biting her lip, a nervous gesture, Bianca glanced away. "You know you want to go."

"Come with me."

Maggie smiled bitterly, as Bianca stared hard at her, hopeful lilt in her tone. "You know I can't. School is nuts, I can't get away for more than a few days, and it's gonna take more than that to try and fix Kendall."

"Nothing will fix Kendall, except maybe Greenlee coming back," Bianca muttered, eyes closing, pushing up until she was sitting, placing her hands in her lap. Watching her, it occurred to Maggie that since getting together, they had never spent a night apart.

It was astounding, to realize the sense of loss that filled in her at the idea of spending that time alone in this bed.

"But what about..." Bianca sounded so frustrated, head tilting forward, eyes shutting closed. "What about Christmas? The cabin?"

She felt a tightening in her chest, but smiled through it. "We'll postpone it. Who says we have to spend Christmas together?"

Bianca's eyes were wide and sad. "I really wanted it, Maggie."

Her throat closed in on her, and she turned her head and blinked back her emotion, coughing in an attempt to get rid of it. "I know. Me too."

They fell into an awkward silence, and Maggie struggled hard to fill it, pushing herself up to her elbows, doing her best to be cheery and make the best of an awful situation. "Maybe I can get Anna to come! She's always loved Christmas in Paris. And with her daughter back in Port Charles, maybe she might want some company for the holidays."

Bianca's smile was weak. "Maybe."

--

Bianca was tired.

Her words to her assistant were uncharacteristically short and to the point, and when her VP of marketing asked if something was the matter because she wasn't smiling her usual radiant grin, she simply told him she had a lot on her mind, declining the light lunch invitation with her friend Angie from finance, preferring to make the arrangements with the travel office from her own chair.

She did it with a heavy heart. Never had she wanted to be in two places at once more than she did now.

Her first Christmas with Maggie - she had planned everything. The cabin was going to have roses and chocolates and the traditional Parisian foie gras and buche de Noel, raw oysters and smoked salmon. The roaring fire and the more American hot chocolate with decadent large, puffy marshmallows and laughing with Miranda.

She had envisioned lovemaking in front of the fire, and the look on Maggie's face when she opened the tiny box Bianca had purchased from Tiffany's.

Instead she was taking Miranda and leaving Maggie behind, for the only reason she ever would. Bianca couldn't choose her own happiness over her sister's devastation, it simply wasn't in her, and Bianca was so grateful that Maggie understood it.

But Christmas was still ruined, and her beautiful Maggie would be alone on the day no one should have been alone, and Bianca had no idea how on earth she could get on the plane and leave her lover behind with only a gesture of understanding.

--

The city had already begun to quiet - residents fleeing the city to head to their homes, and they left behind a stillness that was almost serene. Tourists and those left behind wandered the streets, couples holding hands and children gleefully skating in front of the Hotel De Ville, something she had wanted to do with Miranda before Bianca left.

Maggie had found the trinket at a nearby Christmas market, stopping in to pick up some chocolates for Miranda's Christmas shoe, at a table of jewelry manned by an elderly woman with gnarled hands.

There wasn't anything particularly amazing about the necklace. It was beautiful, though, with an odd, hour glass shape, and a long silver chain that seemed to glimmer. But when she had picked it up, she could picture Bianca in it immediately, could see the way it would sway with her movement, a testament to her girlfriend's grace.

She could imagine Bianca's hand curling around it, and she wondered if she did, if Bianca would think of her.

It wasn't the most expensive piece of jewelry, and the old woman put it in a classy velvet little bag, not an expensive box, but Maggie knew Bianca would cherish it.

In her mind, that was what made it perfect.

--

end chapter