RING RING RING

Hello?

Hi baby

Hey Betteyou still at work babe?

Yeahthe meeting ran lateIm sorry.

Its okaydo you think youll make it home for dinner?

Doesnt look like itI think Im going to be in late tonight.

Okaywell dont work too hard okay?

Okaywell I have to go. Love you.

Love you too babebye.

Tina hung up the phone and sighed audibly. The past few weeks Bette had been working overtime at the CAC since their current show was set to leave for the Tate Modern in a few days. Its not like Bette has never worked late in the past, but since Liz was born she had never worked late for so many days in a row at one time. Tina turned back to the stove and had finished cooking dinner for her and Liz when as if on cue Liz came bouncing into the kitchen.

Hi mommy!

Hey beautifulyou hungry?

Yes.

Okaylets eat.

She settled Liz into her booster seat and put some food on Lizs plate before Tina settled down with her own plate. She watched as Liz carefully ate what was on her plate and Tina smiled to herself at how coordinated Liz was slowly becoming. She seemed to favor her left hand and Tina saw this as a good thing. Left handed people tended to be better at certain things like art and with certain sports being left handed was a good thing. She didnt know exactly what her daughter would grow up to like, but it seemed she had a knack for rough and tumble play so Tina was pretty sure Liz would be playing some sport as soon as she was old enough. Dana was doing her best to get her into Tennis, but Shane and Alice were trying to get her to try all types of sports before settling down on one. Shane had bought Liz a little basketball hoop and a Nerf basketball while Alice bought her a little softball set complete with mini glove and jersey. Apparently their friends had high hopes for Liz in the athletic world.

As Tina watched her daughter she couldnt believe how fast she was growing up. It seemed like only yesterday she was pregnant with Liz and now she was already three years old and had a sibling on the way. Her and Bette had a doctors appointment at the end of the week as part of the usual prenatal care and Dr. Wilson said at this appointment they could find out the babies ***** if they wanted to. Tina was excited because she really wanted to know and so did Bette. They figured if it was a girl then maybe she would be more girlie than Liz, which wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing, and if it was a boy then Liz had someone to play rough with since sometimes she was a bit much even for Bette and Tina.

After dinner Tina let Liz watch one of her beloved Disney movies while she sat on the couch and tried to get through a few scripts that she had brought home. Tina was still amazed that those movies could hold Lizs attention for such a long period of time, but hey, whatever works right? Alice called while Liz was watching the movie and Tina chatted with her for a little while, catching up on some of the latest gossip, and soon the movie was over and it was time for bed. Tina helped Liz change into her pajamas and use the potty before brushing her teeth and having a glass of water before tucking her into bed. She sat with her for a little while before Liz finally fell asleep and Tina crept out of the room leaving the door slightly open incase anything happened. She grabbed her scripts and went into her own room to change for bed as well since it seemed that Bette wouldnt be home for a while.

A couple of hours later Tina had gotten through two incredibly boring scripts when she saw Liz wander sleepily into the room. Liz had Banks with her and she climbed up on the bed and handed Tina a book that they had been reading for the past couple of nights. Tina smiled at her daughter before deciding it would be okay to read to her even though it was nearly midnight. This routine seemed to take place only on the nights that Bette worked late and since she hadnt been home much the past couple of nights, Tina found herself reading to Liz almost every night. Tina pulled the sheets back so Liz could get comfy before tucking her in gently and turning off the overhead light leaving only the lamp next to her side of the bed on. She looked down at Liz who was still half asleep and kissed her forehead gently before opening the book and finding the place where she left off last. Liz snuggled up against Tina and before long Tina was reading quietly to her as she peacefully drifted off to sleep.

At quarter to one Bette finally pulled up in front of her house and she sighed loudly before going inside. She knew that she hadnt been home much and she could see the strain in Tinas eyes whenever she mentioned that she had to work late the next day. Bette felt terrible about not being around much these past couple of weeks but she was doing everything in her power to get her job done now so that when the baby came she could take as much time off as she needed. She had talked to Franklin about taking a maternity leave again and he agreed without hesitation that she could do it. Bette never knew what made Franklin change his mind about her, but whatever it was, she thanked her lucky stars that he wasnt being the prick he used to be. Bette gathered her things and went into the house quietly since she figured that both Tina and Liz were already asleep.

Sure enough the house was completely dark except for a faint light coming from the master bedroom. Bette figured that Tina was reading in bed so she took her time and got herself a glass of water before going into the bedroom. She opened the door and smiled when she saw Tina and Liz completely passed out with a book open on Tinas chest. Bette set her things down and changed for bed before carefully crawling in and reaching over to take the book off of Tina. Tinas eyes opened when Bette lifted the book up and she smiled at Bette before glancing at the clock and frowning a little. Bette mouthed Im sorry to Tina who shook her head slightly and looked pointedly down at Liz who was snoring lightly. Bette sighed and lifted herself up on her knees and gently picked Liz up and carried her back to her room. When she returned Tina was sitting up apparently now wide awake and had a somber look on her face that made Bettes stomach drop a little. Bette climbed into bed next to her and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

Im sorry its so late babybut it will only be like this for a few more days I promise.

Bette

Tina sighed and looked down at Bette. She wanted to get mad and tell Bette that she needed to be around more, and she wanted to say that right now she felt alone and abandoned and that it seemed like Bette was more distant now than she ever had, and she wanted to tell Bette that she missed her and missed making love to her. But she didnt. She couldnt say these things to Bette because they would only come out accusatory or hurtful and Tina knew that deep down she wasnt really angry with Bette for any of those things. Bette had been doing her best to be available as much as possible, but Tina knew that right now, work just didnt permit it. Tina smiled sadly at Bette and caressed her face gently with her hand.

Babe I knowI wish it could be differentbut I know.

I promise Tjust a few more days okay?

Okay.

Bette smiled up at Tina and leaned in to kiss her lightly on the lips. Tina reached out and held Bettes head in place for a few more seconds before finally pulling away and smiling at her as she licked her lips a little. Bette knew that look in Tinas eye and as much as she wanted to, right now, she was just way too tired. She reached out and pulled Tina into her arms and for a few seconds they just held each other in silence both lost in thought, not wanting to give in to the fears or worries that were lurking in the back of their minds. Bette brushed Tinas hair out of her face a little before speaking softly to her.

How are you feeling baby?

Finea little tiredbut okay. And dont forget we have a doctors appointment on Friday.

Ten thirtyI already have it on my calendar.

Good.

Tina snuggled down deeper against Bette who tightened her arms around her a little and sighed happily. She smiled at Tina who smiled back at her and kissed her cheek.

So Liz is still wanting to read every night huh?

Only when youre not here

Im sorry TinaIm doing the best I can

I know

Tina was interrupted by the door opening again and this time Liz smiled through her half awake state at seeing Bette finally home and in bed where she belonged. Liz crawled up between them again and rested her head on Bettes shoulder as she lazily dropped one arm around her mother. Liz yawned before looking up at Bette.

Hi mommy

Hi babydid you have a good day today?

Mmmhhhmm.

Did you have fun with mommy tonight?

Yep. Can you read to me?

Its kind of late sweetieyou should be asleep.

Please?

Bette looked over at Tina who smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Bette looked at the clock and saw that it was almost one thirty but when she looked back at Liz who had learned how to make the puppy dog eyes just like her mom, well Bette had to give in. Bette chuckled a little and reached for the book and opened it to wherever Tina left off. Liz settled into Bette and even Tina curled up next to her daughter and listened to Bette read. Ever since she could remember, Tina always loved to have someone read to her as she was falling asleep. Theres something about hearing a soothing voice as your body is giving in to exhaustion that almost always guarantees a good night sleep. Liz loved getting read to as well and for her, it was simply the sound of either moms voice that did the trick. As soon as she heard that gentle tone in both Tina and Bettes voice that crept in slowly as they read to her, Liz felt herself totally relax and wander gently into dreamland. Bette only read about two pages since both Tina and Liz were fast asleep before she finished the first page and even she was struggling to get through the second one. With one last glance to make sure they were all asleep she kissed both Liz and Tina on the forehead before setting the book down and turning off the light. Working late of not, Bette knew that she loved coming home to her family especially at times like these. When her days were hard and long, she always looked forward to coming home to her beautiful wife and beautiful daughter who always seemed to know exactly how to end each day. A simple kiss on the cheek and snuggling in bed will always do the trick but the icing on the cake? A bedtime story of course.