The sun was setting. Bette was parking the car thinking about what was at home waiting for her. Tina and the babies. It hit her for the first time the reality of it. It was a fact, it was there. There was no turning point, they were there. This was her life. Tina and the babies.

Smiling, Bette took the groceries bags and walked in. Trying not to be noisy she left the bags in the kitchen and tiptoeing walked to their bedroom. She found Tina asleep on the bed with the babiess cribs at her side. Smiling, Bette moved closer and after taking a look at the babies, laid down. Checking the time she knew theyd be up and running in less than an hour. The moment her head touched the pillow she felt Tina moving at her side. Rolling she faced her, finding Tinas smile looking at her.

Hey, you back Tina said, yawning.

Yeah nodded Bette, smiling back.

How was it asked Bette, removing one of Tinas rebel locks of hair.

It wasnt bad, am getting better (smiled Tina looking at the babies cribs) so are they she finished, sighing.

Good, does it hurt, still? Bette asked, moving closer, caressing Tinas bare arm.

A little Tina whispered, closing her eyes for a second.

Tina was getting lost in Bettes touch when she heard her sighing. Opening her yes Tina looked at her, curious.

You ok bug? Tina asked, tenderly taking Bettes hand in hers.

Yeahyeah I am Bette said, nodding, her words not very convincing.

You sure? Tried Tina again, caressing Bettes hand.

Yeah Bette nodded, feeling her throat closing.

Bette? Asked Tina again, moving closer.

Is just Bette tried, nodding, feeling tears in her eyes.

is jus thisthemyouis overwhelming Bette said, closing her eyes, ashamed to look at Tina.

Is ok honey Tina said, hugging Bette.

amam scare Bette whispered, hiding her face on Tinas neck.

Huging Bette, Tina caressed her back, trying to confort her. After a couple of minutes like that, Tina added,

Is going to be ok Bette, we will be ok

Nodding, Bette moved a little, looking at Tina in the eyes.

What if am not good enough for them? Tee I have no idea how to raise a kidwhatwhat if they hate me? She finished, not feeling the big fat tears rolling down her cheecks.

Smiling, Tina nodded. She looked at Bette for a minute before sitting on the bed. Opening her arms she made Bette moved so she was resting her head on Tinas chest. Caressing Bettes face, Tina said,

We are a family Bette. We will raise them the best we can, we will make mistakes, we will ***** up (feeling Bette tensing under her touch) but we will learn. But most important, we will love themI know you can do that (Bette looked up to Tina)I know you will be there for themand what we dont know we will learnit cant be that difficultour parents did it, right?…and besides we are not alonewe have Shane, and Alice, and Dane Tina finished, kissing Bettes top of the head.

..and Helen added Bette, whispering.

Tina closed her eyes. She knew this moment was coming. She knew they had to talk about it. What she wasnt sure of was if she was ready for it.

You want to talk about that? Asked Tina, taking Bettes chin in her hand, making her to look up again.

Bette, looking at Tina moved a little, sitting on the bed, facing Tina.

You? she asked back, trying to read Tinas face.

Tina took a few second before answering.

I dont, not yet. I need to talk with Helen first Tina said, nodding.

Noticing the unreadable look on Bettes face, she added,

But I can tell you somethingwhatever I find, whatever the truth isdoesnt change what we have

Bette listened to Tinas words carefully. She knew Tina enough to know she was hurt, not because from what she just found but because she was not sure she was ready for what itd be she was going to find .

Taking Tinas hand in hers, Bette whispered,

She looks just like you Teeand she is adorableshe really is

It was breaking Bettes heart to hear the words she was voicing, not because she didnt mean them but because she was sure they were breaking Tinas heart, Tinas memory walls. She knew little Tina was building memories in Tinas heart as they were speaking, she knew little Tina, not mater what the future could bring, was already part of Tinas life as much as the rest of them. And it was scaring Bette to realize that maybe it was all too much, all too soon.

What? What are you thinking? Tina asked, removing a lock of hair from Bettes face.

Bette, looking at Tina doubted what to say.

Tell me Bug, talk to me Tina begged, kissing Bette lightly on the lips.

Am scare Bette mumbled, looking down.

Why? Sweetly asked Tina, playing with Bettes fingers.

I dont knowlittle Tina, Helenmaybe is too much too soon

Why? Tina asked, again.

III like themand I feel thatthat somehowthey are already part of uspart of our family.part of you she finished, her last words barely a whisper.

Taking Bettes face in her hands Tina rose it. Taking a few seconds to look at Bette fully in the eyes, Tina said,

They areI knowno matter whatthey are(noticing tears running down Bette cheecks, Tina moved her finger to clean them) but that only mean there is more for us, more love, more laughs, more memoriesBette, babe look at meit means nothing else you are my life, Jules and Jamie are our futureLittle Tina is part of my past (noticing Bette looking at their chest of drawers), I knowan important part of my pastbut she and Helen are our present as much as Dane, Shane, Alice and Greta and maybe our future toothats not a bad thingis just a memory that has come to life. It was a good memory Bette, we have talked about it (noticing Bettes light nods)I need you here to help me face my memoriesI need you BetteI want you to meet my family…

I know your family sweetly interrupted Bette.

but not the best part nodded Tina, not noticing the tears that were in her eyes.

Cleaning the tears from Tinas face, Bette smiled at her. Not sure what to say or do but loving Tinas sweet beautiful face, Bette took her into her arms, hugging her tight.

Before getting lost in Bettes embrance, Tina leaned into her, resting her lips on Bettes. Placing her her hands on Tinas waist, caressing her soft skin Bette deepened the kiss, getting lost in Tinas sweetness.

As in on cue, Jules started crying, drawing a smile on Bettes still locked lips. Breaking away the kiss, she said, looking at the babies,

Welcome to our present babe