Yesokaynookay well Ill have to call you back on that one.

Bette hung up and looked at her watch. ***** Im going to be late, she thought as she hurriedly gathered her stuff and headed for the door. James saw her coming out of her office and handed her the messages she had along with a cup of coffee to go. Bette smiled at him before practically running out to her car. They had a doctors appointment today and Bette didnt want to miss it. She drove like a maniac through the streets of LA to meet Tina at Dr. Wilsons office. She ran through the parking lot and arrived at the office completely out of breath. The receptionist told her that Tina had already gone in and she quickly walked back to the room that Tina was in.

Hey babe what are you doing here?

Sorry Im lateI got held up on a conference call.

Babe I told you it was okay. I know you have a big show coming up, and this is just a routine check up.

Yeah I know but I want to be here.

Tina smiled at Bette as she reached out for her hand. Bette stood beside Tina and looked down at her with a smile on her face. Bette felt so much more relaxed just being by Tinas side through all this than last time and she knew Tina could tell. Tina was happy that Bette wanted to be so involved this time and she let Bette know that she really appreciated everything she was doing for her. They were at the three week mark and Dr. Wilson just wanted to do a check up to make sure everything was in order. There was a knock on the door and Dr. Wilson stuck her head in.

Hello Tinaoh and hi Bette. I will be right with you guys okay?

Okay.

Tina turned and looked up at Bette. She smiled at her and Bette brought Tinas hand to her mouth and kissed it softly. Dr. Wilson knocked again before entering.

Hello ladies. How are we doing today?

Fine.

Okay lets get started then.

Bette watched as Dr. Wilson lubricated the ultrasound device and gently inserted it into Tina. Tina squirmed a little since it was cold but she gave Bette a reassuring smile. After a few seconds Dr. Wilson pointed out the fetus and Bette and Tina looked at each other and smiled. Dr. Wilson told them everything looked fine and she asked Tina some routine questions about her diet and exercise and reminded her to take lots of vitamins. Tina nodded and Bette said she would make sure Tina did all those things. As Dr. Wilson turned to leave she asked to speak to Bette alone. They walked into Dr. Wilsons office and Bette sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk.

Is something wrong?

No, no, everything is fine. I was just concerned about you.

Me?

Yes. I know that it must have been hard on you two last time and its been almost a year since it happened. I just wanted to make sure you were doing as well as Tina.

Oh Im fine Dr. Wilson. Couldnt be better.

Well thats good to hear because Tinas going to need you. The physical stress of pregnancy alone is going to be extremely tough on Tinas body but the emotional stress will be even more trying. Shes going to go through periods of mood swings and extreme irritability. Pregnancy can be a rough time in a relationship and at times Tina is going to feel like she is going through this alone. I just wanted to make sure you two were prepared for whats to come.

Bette gave Dr. Wilson a fake smile as she thought about what she said. She knew that the hormones Tinas body would be producing would cause her emotions to be out of control, and honestly Bette was a little scared that she might not be able to be everything that Tina needed. But she felt confident in their relationship and she knew that she would do whatever it took to make Tina feel loved and supported so she pushed all her doubts to the back of her mind and focused on what Dr. Wilson was saying.

Bette, Im proud that you and Tina are giving this another shot and I know that you two will make excellent parents.

Thank you.

But I think that maybe you might want to consider therapy if things get a little too rough okay? Just as a precaution.

We did that already. I think we can handle whatever may come up.

Dr. Wilson smiled at Bette and nodded her head. She had seen these two go through so much last time only to have Tina miscarry in her eleventh week and she knew how much they wanted this child. She just hoped they were truly ready for what lie ahead.

Bette walked back into the room where Tina had just finished getting dressed and Tina gave her a smile and a quick kiss when she entered.

So what did Dr. Wilson want?

Oh just some precautionary stuff about the pregnancy.

Like what?

She wanted to make sure I could take care of you.

Tina laughed at Bettes last comment and she let Bette pull her in for another kiss. They walked out of the office hand in hand and Bette walked Tina over to her car. Bette kissed Tina one more time before Tina turned to open her car door.

So babe what time are you coming home tonight?

I have a meeting with Franklin and the rest of the board at five, but I should be home right after that.

Okay, should I cook or should we go out tonight?

Why dont we go out for dinner? Lets enjoy the time we have now before our lives are overrun by a screaming baby.

Tina smiled at Bettes joke and she pretended to be offended by what Bette had said.

Hey I thought you wanted this screaming baby.

I do T, and I want it only with you.

Bette leaned in for another kiss and Tina had to push her away gently before things got too heated. Tina got into her car and headed back to the center while Bette walked over to her car to get back to work. She couldnt help but think about what Dr. Wilson had said to her in the office and she felt a sense of worry wash over her. What if she is right? What if things do repeat themselves and Tina and I shut each other out again? Bette shook her head as she drove back to the CAC and but her mind was still wandering about her concerns. How do we do this? I love Tina so much and I really want this baby with her, but what about what Dr. Wilson said? Pregnancy is the toughest time in a relationship and what if Tina and I dont make it through? NO, that cant happen. We are going to have this baby and we are going to raise it with love and affection. Why do I have these doubts? This last thought lingered on Bettes mind all day and she drifted through her work haphazardly.

When she arrived home that night Tina was waiting for her and Bette did her best to push everything to the back of her mind and enjoy her evening with Tina. They went to an Italian restaurant not too far from their house and after about ten minutes Bette felt herself relax and completely enjoy just being with Tina. Bette didnt have any more doubts for the rest of the night and when they went to bed that night she held Tina in her arms and watched her sleep. She studied Tinas angelic face that looked so peaceful when she slept and Bettes eyes wandered down Tinas body. She looked at Tinas stomach and she gently placed a hand over it and felt a smile form on her lips. This is our babythis is our family. Bette fell asleep with that smile still on her face and had one of the best nights of sleep in her life. Bette knew she would have doubts no matter what but this time she didnt let it bother her. She knew as long as she was honest with Tina about her fears that they would be able to get through anything. It was the start of their new life together and it was the start of something wonderful. It was the start of their family.