Bette sat at her desk at the CAC staring at the pile of paperwork in front of her. She sighed as she flipped through folder after folder of proofs and background information on the various artist that were appearing in her new show. Between getting this show in place and being available for Tinas doctor appointments and just spending time with Tina, Bette was exhausted. Tina was only six weeks pregnant, but Bette felt like it had already been a year. Man if its this bad now, just wait until the baby is born. Bette checked her watch and was glad to see that it was almost five. She was looking forward to going home and relaxing after such a stressful week at work. Franklin had been on her ***** about this and that and she was ready to really let him have it. Tina had been great though, and she never bugged Bette or complained about her tiredness. Bette felt lucky to have Tina in her life again and she cherished the moments when they would be in bed just before falling asleep. They would lie there and hold each other while talking softly and it was at these times when Bette felt extremely loved and wanted, and she did her best to make sure Tina felt the same.

RING RING RING

Bette Porter.

Hey babe.

Hey T, hows your day going?

Tina smiled and let out a little laugh. Bette had been trying so hard to be supportive of Tina and she always made sure she asked about Tinas day and how she was feeling.

Its going fine. Oscar had me start a new project and we met with some architects who are willing to lend us a hand on the house.

The center had recently undergone some major financial support and lately the projects that they were taking on had been getting bigger and bigger. The one Tina was currently working on was to build five new housing structures in the South Central area of LA. Bette had been impressed that Tina was so take charge and it made Tina smile knowing that Bette was proud of what she was doing.

Oh thats great. So what time do you think youll be home?

Um probably after six.

Yeah me too. I have to work late and Im just looking forward to crawling into bed.

Aww baby Im sorry youre having such a bad day.

Bad week is more like it. I swear T, one day Im just going to lose it completely.

Tina laughed as Bette went on about how stressed out she was getting. Some things will never change about that woman, she thought as she played with the phone card. Tomorrow was Bettes birthday and Tina had arranged to throw an impromptu surprise party for her tonight. She bit her lip as she tried to decide if that was a bad idea since it sounded like Bette was so tired, but she decided Bette would probably be okay with it. They talked for a little while longer and Tina hung up with a smile on her face. Tina glanced at the clock and decided she should head home to get ready. She was just having the usual gang over for a early dinner and she hoped Bette wouldnt be in too grouchy of a mood when she came home.

At eight oclock Bette was pulling into her driveway, completely exhausted. She looked at the house and frowned since all the lights were off. I thought Tina was going to be home by now. Oh well maybe she went out with Alice or something. Bette grabbed her shoulder bag and slowly walked up to the house. Bette opened the door and almost had a heart attack.

SURPRISE!!!

Holy *****.

Everyone laughed at Bettes reaction and Bette felt her cheeks flush out of embarrassment. She looked around and saw Shane, Alice, Dana, Kit and Ivan standing there looking at her with smiles on their faces. Bette was still a little confused as to why they were all there and she looked around for Tina but didnt see her.

Hey guys what are you doing here?

Duh baby sister. Its your birthday tomorrow and your lovely wife has planned you a surprise dinner.

Where is Tina?

I think shes in the bedroom.

Bette hugged everyone and quickly walked back to the bedroom. Tina was sitting on the bed and her head was between her knees. Bette rushed over to her and knelt down in front of her.

Baby whats wrong?

Tina looked up and smiled at Bette. Her stomach was just a little uneasy and she had come back here to try and get it settled before going back out there. She didnt realize how long she had been gone.

Im fine Bette. Just a little nausea thats all.

I can ask everyone to leave if you just want to lie down.

No its okay. I guess you already figured out the surprise huh?

Bette smiled as Tina framed her face with her hands. Tina had so much love in her eyes and Bette felt herself get lost in Tinas gaze. Bette placed a small kiss on Tinas forehead before helping her up. Tina said she felt much better and the two of them walked back into the living room. Everyone had started eating and Bette laughed as she looked around.

Hey thanks for waiting guys.

What? We didnt know how long you were going to be back there and we were all starving.

Bette gave Alice a mock look of anger before turning to Tina.

Thanks for planning this. It did surprise me I have to admit.

Yeah Bette looked like she had the ***** scared out of her.

Everyone laughed at Alices comment and Bette just shook her head. She went over to the counter to get a plate and held one out to Tina.

No, Im not hungry babe.

Tina, you have to eat something.

I will, laterI promise.

Bette gave Tina a look that said, you better, before getting some food for herself. She settled down on the couch next to Tina and everyone proceeded to eat and enjoy the night. A little after ten oclock all of their guests had left and Bette was sitting on the sofa with her head leaned back and an arm over her face. She was completely exhausted and after having to be social tonight, she felt like she could sleep all day on Saturday. Tina walked over to her and sat down next to her and gently played with Bettes hair. Bette put her arm down and looked over at Tina and smiled.

Hey.

Youre exhausted huh babe?

Yeah.

Im sorry if tonight was too tiring. I just didnt know if we would have time to do anything tomorrow.

Why whats tomorrow?

Were going to my moms tomorrow remember?

Oh *****, thought Bette as she vaguely remembered agreeing to go visit Tinas mother with her. Tina gave Bette a look that said, you forgot didnt you, and Bette gave her a sheepish smile.

If youre going to be too tired its okay I can go by myself.

No I said I would go. What time?

Ten.

Okay just wake me up.

Bette, seriously, its okay if you dont go.

No its really okay Tina. I want to.

Bette, you dont have to do everything with me you know.

What do you not want me to go?

I do, but I dont want you to feel obligated to go with me.

I dont feel obligated Tina.

Yes you doI can see it in your actions Bette.

Tina I dont know what the ***** youre talking about. Yes you and the baby are my priority right now but I never felt obligated to be here. How can you even say that?

Well Im sorry if thats the way I feel okay?

Tina sighed to herself as she looked at Bette. She knew that Bette was just doing her best to try and be involved with all aspects of the pregnancy and everything, but she didnt want to feel like a burden on her either. Bette sighed as she looked at Tina and she felt her moodiness from being so tired fighting its way to the surface. She fought it back with everything she had and hoped that this conversation wouldnt end up in a huge fight.

Im sorry Tina.

Im sorry too babe. Look I know youre tired and stressed out and I would love for you to come with me but if youre really too tired its okay, I understand.

I justIm so tiredbut I do want to go with you to visit your mother tomorrow.

Then why dont you go to sleep and well see how you feel in the morning?

Fine.

Bette got up and walked back to the bedroom. She was so tired all she wanted to do was just fall into bed, but she knew she couldnt leave things with Tina like this. She felt a familiar pattern developing and she didnt want to go down that road again. She changed for bed and walked back out to the living room to find Tina sitting on the couch reading a book. Bette walked over to her and sat down on the other end of the couch.

Baby Im sorry for being so grumpy.

Its okay Bette

No its not. Tina I dont want what happened last time to happen again and I feel like its already starting.

See thats where youre wrong. If this were like last time then you would have gone to bed angry and we wouldnt have spoken to each other for a couple of days. But this time is different. Dont worry about making the same mistakes Bette, its not going to happen.

How do you know that?

Because I wont let it.

Tina smiled at Bette and Bette breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that could have ended very badly and she was glad that Tina was not being so quick to get angry with her. Bette fell asleep on the couch while Tina read a little more and when Tina went to bed she woke Bette up and dragged her with her. In the morning Bette reached out for Tina but she didnt feel anything. Bette jumped out of bed and saw that the house was empty. Breakfast was sitting on the table with a note next to it and when Bette read it she just smiled and thanked God once again for bringing Tina back into her life.

Baby,

I just didnt have the heart to wake you up, since you looked so peaceful. Here is breakfast and remember – you need to eat something. =)

Love,

T