West Hollywood 2009(5 years after the break up)

Are you okway? My names Jake, whats yours? Do you want to pway?

Bette had just settled onto the bench when she heard a little girl crying. She looked over to see Jake helping her up and trying to talk with her. The girls nanny had run over and was making sure she wasnt hurt. Bette decided to walk over and introduce herself. It looked like the kids were about the same age. She might be a new playmate for Jake. She unlocked the stroller and made her way over to the slide.

Hi, my name is Bette and this is my son Jake. Hi sweetie, are you okay?

Maddie smiled at Bette and said yes, can we go play Dawn?

Yes, but be careful. Let Jake show you around

With that the 2 little ones took off for the jungle gym.

Hello Bette, my name is Dawn and that was Madison but everyone calls her Maddie. Shes not accustomed to this big a slide and she miscalculated. Your son is very sweet. He saw her fall and came to her rescue.

Yes, hes my little man. Always looking out for the woman in his life. You should see how protective he is with Alexis.

Oh my, look how cute she is. How old is she?

Shes just 6 months. I never thought I would have one, let alone 2 but I wouldnt have it any other way. They bring me so much joy and happiness. My life has changed but for the better. Jake is just 4, how old is Maddie?

She will be 4 next week. Look at them playing together. Its amazing how easily they make friends when they are so young.

Well it was nice meeting you Dawn. If you dont mind I will tell my nanny to be on the lookout for you. Perhaps Jake and Maddie can have a play date together. Her name is Carol.

Sure, Maddie and I will be here everyday around this time. It was nice to meet you too.

Bette walked back to the bench and sat down once again. There was something about Maddie that triggered memories of Tina. It was probably the blond hair and blue eyes. It never took much to make her think of Tina. It had been 5 years since they had broken up and not a day had gone by without Bette thinking about her, regretting her actions that had torn them apart. There had been no contact between the two since she had bought out Tina so she could keep the house. Alice kept in touch with her but it was too painful for Bette to keep tabs on Tina through Alice so after a year she just stopped asking. Bette had changed and knew she was a person that Tina would be proud of. It was too bad that Tina would never get to know the new her.

Bette no longer worked for the CAC. She had quit and opened up her own gallery again. She answered to no one and that was worth every sacrifice she made to get the gallery opened. The business was thriving and she loved her work. She kept her own hours and spent as much time as possible with the kids. They had been the best decision she had ever made. After the breakup she longed to have a family. She wanted to share her love with someone and didnt trust that she would every find someone to love the way she loved Tina. So she had decided on single parenthood and had not regretted one moment. Jacob David was born a year after the breakup and brought her fractured family back together. Kit, Alice, Dana and Shane became a large part of Jacobs life. They all doted on him, spoiling him rotten with toys, attention and most of all love. He was a lovely child. Bettes thoughts were interrupted as Jacob came running over.

Mommy, mommy, will you play catch with me?

What happened to Maddie honey?

She had to go home. Isnt she handsome mommy?

Bette stifled a laugh and smiled. Well honey, boys are handsome and girls are pretty.
So, yes Maddie is pretty. Did you like her?

Yes, she was funny, and pwetty too. Play with me?

Okay for a few minutes and then we have to get going. Remember Aunt Alice and Aunt Dana are coming for dinner tonight

Yeah, I cant wait. They are funny mommy.

Yes they are.okay go stand over there and Ill through you the ball. Remember two hands to catch.

############################################

Maddie and Dawn walked into the house to find Tina just coming home with the groceries.

Momma, I played with Jake today.
Who is Jake sweetie?
A boy at the park. He hel ped me when I fall.
You fell, do you have any boo boos that need kissing?
No, I big girl, I okay mommy.
Okay big girl why dont you go get changed and we can have some dinner.

Dawn how was the park?
It was great Tina; lots of kids to play with and this boy Jake seemed very nice. He got to Maddie before I did and made sure she was okay when she fell off the slide.

Well I guess there are some good guys left in this world even if they are 4 years old!

Yes, and his mom seemed nice too. She has a 6-month-old girl too. Her nanny will be at the park tomorrow so maybe we can set up a play date for Jake and Maddie for later in the week.

Sounds good to me, just let me know when. Id like to meet his mom. I need to start making some friends here, besides the old ones I left behind. By the way I ordered a pizza enroute to the house and it should be here any moment. Im going to finish putting away the groceries. Could you check on Maddie please?

Sure Tina, Ill go now.

As Tina was putting the groceries away her mind started to wander. Being back in West Hollywood brought back so many memories. Had she done the right thing 5 years ago when she broke up with Bette and moved across the country to New York? She had dated a lot in the last 5 years, both men and women but no one had every come close to taking Bettes place in her heart. Did she move back here, living just a block away from their old house with the intention of getting Bette back? She never admitted it to herself but when the job opportunity had presented itself she jumped at the chance to go back. Looking back at her time in New York she realized the single most important thing that had occurred was the birth of Madison. Madison was the best part of her life but she wanted someone to share that life with. It was time to put the past where it belonged, in the past and move forward. She hoped she wasnt too late.