Bette woke up Saturday morning with a pounding headache. She hadnt been sleeping well all week, mostly due to Tinas raging hormones and sudden mood swings (think lots of ***** + crabbiness + late night cravings) and Bette was exhausted. Bette rolled over expecting to find Tina laying next to her but when she felt nothing she opened her eyes and looked around. Bette could smell coffee and pancakes coming from the kitchen so she reluctantly rolled out of bed and put her robe on before paddling out of the bedroom. She heard Tina and Alice talking in the living room and she suddenly felt very grouchy. She had hoped Tina wasnt home so that she could get a few more hours of peace and quiet, but in true Bette fashion, she forced a smile on her face to greet them.

Morning babe.

Hey Bette.

Hey.

Bette walked straight into the kitchen to pour herself some coffee and try and find the aspirin. Tina noticed Bettes moodiness and she quickly jumped up to follow Bette and she wrapped her arms around her from behind causing her tummy to push into Bettes back slightly. Bette sighed loudly and Tina lightly brushed her hair to the side before placing a small kiss on Bettes neck.

Whats wrong babe?

Where is the aspirin?

In the med cabinet in the bathroomare you feeling sick?

Nojust a headache.

Bette pushed Tina away slightly before turning and walking back to the bathroom. Tina frowned a little at Bettes behavior but didnt think too much of it. Tina knew that Bette had been dealing with a lot of stuff and she also knew that she had become a little more demanding of Bettes time lately so Tina let it go without another thought. Ten minutes later Bette reemerged from the bathroom and plopped down next to Tina. Tina immediately opened her arms and pulled Bette into her as she smoothed out her hair and tried to baby Bette a little. Bettes headache was not getting any better and Bette kind of waived Tinas hand away from her face but she didnt move from where she was now lying. Alice looked at them and smiled. She was so happy to see them happy and she couldnt wait for the baby to get here already. Tina had a stack of papers in front of her and Bette noticed them right away. She reached for one of them and after skimming it she sat up and looked at Tina in disbelief.

Youre writing a will?

Yeah Bette, its not a big dealIm just making sure

Making sure of what? Do you plan on dying in the next few weeks or something?

Calm down Bette, a lot of people are doing it early nowadays. Its just better to be prepared than leaving it for later when youre already gone.

Alice my father hasnt even written his will yet.

Thats because Melvin probably thinks ***** live forever.

Bette gave Tina a nasty look as she flipped through the pages. She couldnt believe that Tina was doing this and she really couldnt believe Alice was helping her do it. Since when did Tina feel the need to seek out help from Alice? thought Bette as she threw the papers back on the table and went into the bedroom to lie down. Her headache just got a hundred times worse and Bette was worried that her head might actually explode. Tina came in a few minutes later and found Bette lying down just staring up at the ceiling. Tina sat down on the bed next to her and reached for Bettes hand.

Babe I dont know why youre getting mad about this. Im doing this for usfor our familyI just want to make sure everything is taken care of in case anything happens.

Thats great Tina. Im glad you are being quite the little Girl Scout.

Tina shot Bette a cold look and let go of her hand. She stood up and stared at Bette with her hands crossed defensively over her chest.

Well at least Ill be prepared when the time comes. What about you Bette? You know if something were to happen to you I still dont have any legal rights over what happens to you, your stuff, OUR stuffdid you ever think about that? And what if something happened after the baby was born. You wouldnt have any parental rights over itdo you really want to make our kid an orphan Bette?

I dont know Tina, I really hadnt thought about that okay? Im sorry but I dont plan for the worst case scenarios in life.

Tina sighed angrily before turning and walking back out to the living room. Bette stared at the door before turning her attention back to the ceiling. What the ***** was that? thought Bette as she rubbed her temples trying to ease the throbbing that was causing her so much pain. God damnif this is all because of the hormoneswe are not having any more kidsfuck that. Bette closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep.

Three hours later Bette still hadnt fallen asleep and she was tired of trying. She was getting a little sick of Tinas constant mood swings and crabbiness and she knew she wasnt helping the situation out any, but she just couldnt help it. Bette stomped out to the living room and was glad when she saw that the house was empty. Bette fixed herself a salad and after having a cup of coffee and another aspirin she took her lunch outside by the pool. It was a gorgeous day and Bette basked in the sunlight hoping that it would lift her mood. Bette heard Tinas car pull up and she sighed to herself as she braced herself for whatever fight was about to arise.

Tina walked into the house and when she saw the backdoor open she walked outside to find Bette sitting at the table just staring at the pool. Tina walked up behind her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She wasnt mad at Bette, she never really was, but she had the feeling that Bette thought she was. Bette turned and looked up at her but didnt smile and Tina noticed a certain sadness in her eyes. Tina sat down in the chair next to Bette and looked at her for a little while before speaking.

Whats going on babe?

Nothing.

Bettewhy did you get so mad this morning?

Why are you writing a will?

I told youI just want to know that if anything should happen to me that you and the baby would be okay.

Bette looked away and didnt say anything. Tina reached out and gently stroked Bettes face causing her to turn back to Tina. Bette sighed again before answering.

TIm sorry that I got upset this morning, but it just took me by surprise thats all. I didnt know you were thinking of doing this and I guess I felt a little hurt that Alice was the one helping you do it and not me.

Oh BetteAlice wasnt helping me do itshe just came over this morning and found me working on itbut it is something Ive been thinking about doing for some time now.

Why T? I mean its not like you are in any kind of danger or anything like that.

I know babeand I dont plan on going anywhere for a long timebut sometimes accidents happen.

Bette looked at her with a furrowed brow and stood up to carry her bowl back into the kitchen. Tina followed her and sat down on the couch waiting for her to return. Bette came back and she was about to head back to the bedroom but changed her mind and crawled onto the couch letting her head rest in Tinas lap instead. Tina began to play with her hair and Bette was silent for a moment before speaking very softly.

It scares me T.

What does baby?

The thought of you not being here with me. I cant do this on my own TinaI cant raise our baby girl on my own. I wouldnt know what to doI wouldnt know what to teach herIm not good at being a momI dont knowI guess I take after my mother after all.

Babeyoull be fineyoull be a great mom. And like I saidthis is just a precautionIm going to be here with youright along side you as we raise our daughter.

Tina

Yeah?

I love you.

I love you too babe.

Tina leaned down and gently kissed Bettes forehead. She let her lips linger on Bettes skin and she inhaled deeply as if she were trying to inhale Bettes scent forever. Tina sat back up and both women were quiet for a few minutes before Tina finally broke the silence.

Seriously thought Bettethis is something you need to think about. I meannow dont get freaked outbut sometimes during labor there arecomplications.

What do you mean?

Well sometimes something happens that puts either the mothers life in jeopardy or the babys life in jeopardy. But Bette if it ever comes down to that promise me something

What?

Promise youll tell her all about meabout usand how much I loved her.

Bette sat up angrily again and this time there were tears in her eyes. Tears of hurt and tears of fear and Bette couldnt believe the words that were coming out of Tinas mouth.

You cant be serious Thow am I supposed to chose between my wife and my unborn daughter?

Worst case scenarioyou might have to. But Im making it easy for you

Easy? You call deciding to let you go EASY? Im sorry Tina I just dont agree with that.

Bette I couldnt live with the fact that we lost another baby. It would be too much. And honestly babeIve lived a full life. Ive done the things I wanted to do and Ive seen the things Ive wanted to see. I fell in lovetwice with the most amazing woman I know and I know what it feels like to be loved by her. Its enoughits all I could have asked for and whenever I really do pass, its not like anyone will be around to remember thatbut you can pass that memory on to our daughter Bette.

Bette stood up and wiped her face with the back of her hand. She didnt like what she was hearing and she had about enough of Tinas melodramatic bullshit right about now.

You know what TI dont want to talk about this right nowNOthis conversation is over. We are not discussing this because it isnt going to happen. There will never be a point in which this decision needs to be made so Im not going to think about it.

Bette we do need to talk about this. What are you going to do if it does?

HOW CAN YOU EVEN ASK ME THAT? How do you expect me to live after I have to watch you die? How do you expect me to go on knowing that the ONLY person I ever loved will never be with me again? How can I look into our daughters face when the only thing I will see is you? Im sorry Tina I just cant do it.

Bette turned on her heel and walked back to the bedroom. She slammed the door shut and threw a book against it out of frustration. How can she expect me to handle all this right now? Bette threw herself down on the bed and curled up into a ball. She didnt know what had gotten into Tina but it was scaring the ***** out of her and she didnt like it. God damn you Tinawhy cant we just take it day by day? Bette stayed in the room all night and it was well past midnight when Tina finally came to bed. Bette pretended to be asleep so that they wouldnt have to continue their conversation but inside she was terrified. What if Tina is right and something does happen? What if I am left with that decision? What if I cant raise our daughter on my own? What ifwhat ifwhat if