“Candace is here Tina?” What are you gonna do?’ Bette then just realized she hadnt said anything to Lauren yet, and that she may have just realized Bette had spent the night in Tina’s room. “Hey sweetie. How are you doing?”

“Im ok. Did you sleep here last night with my mama?” Bette didnt know what to say. She didnt want to lie, and she and Tina didnt discuss what they where going to tell Lauren.

“Lauren” Tina jumped in the save the day. “Honey go in your room and stay there until i come and get you. I have to go downstairs and talk to Candace.” Lauren left to go to her room, but she turned around before she reached the door and smiled and waived at Bette.

Tina ran and got her clothes and left to take a shower. She just looked at Bette with scared, sad eyes and didnt say anything. Bette didnt know what to do. Tina had just left her in the room not saying anything. Bette decided to sit on the bed, and wait for Tina to come out.

Tina quickly showered and got dressed. She was upset that Candace was here in her home. She should have know that she wasnt going to take no for an answer. She didnt want to argue with Candace she just wanted her to go away. Tina went back into her room where she found Bette sitting on her bed.

“Um I’m gonna go downstairs and talk to her. Will you wait uphere for me?”

“Yeah sure Tina. Um i could go if you want.”

“No i dont want you to go, I want you to stay. She will get upset if she see’s you, and i dont want to have to explain anything to her. I made my decision and im going to stand by it.” She kissed Bette lightly on her forehead and left the room. Bette decided she was just going to stay here until Tina came and got her.
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Tina went downstairs where Lilo and Candace where sitting in the study. Candace was dressed as she ususally was. Carpenter overalls and a short sleeve tight shirt. Lilo excussed herself and said she was going to get Lauren a bath. Candace always had this power over Tina. When Candace entered the room everybody stopped and looked at her. She was beautiful and Tina never could get over the fact she could make her heart stop for a moment. She had loved this woman with all her heart. They had wanted to start a family together, but in the end that isnt what Candace really wanted. She just didnt want to be a mother at that time.

Tina went over to her and sat down next to her. “I should have known you where going to show up.”

“You didnt really think i was going to come all this way and not see her. She’s my daughter too, and you are not going to keep her from me.” Candace was trying and Tina just wasnt seeing that. She had spent so many years hating herself for not being able to be a parent to her little girl. She just woke up one day and decided it was time to get her life back in order.

“Yes Candace she is your daughter too. She knows your face from the pictures. She’s just a little girl and she isnt going to understand why you left her when she was almost 1to go and live somewhere else. You raised her that first year, and then you just left. That hurt Candace. That hurt both of us.”

“Im so sorry Tina. I just wasnt ready to be a mother. I loved that little girl and it killed me leaving the both of you, but i had to go. My heart wasnt it in anymore. I would do anything to get another chance to be her mother, and you are the only one who can make that happen. Please Tina do it for us.”

There was no way Tina was going to be able to say no. Candace had taken her hand sometime while they where talking and she was just holding it. If she had come all this way to see Lauren then she must be ready this time.

“Ok, but you have to promise me something. If you hurt her you will never see her again. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Thank you Tina.”

“Where are you staying?”

“In town. I rented a little house. Im only staying for 2 weeks then i have to get back to LA. Maybe the two of you could come a visit me out there sometime.”

“Well see. Im sure Lilo had Lauren dressed by now. Why dont you go and get her. You know where her room is.”

This was the house that Candace had built for there family. It took her two years to remodel this old house. They had planned and decorated it together. Candace had wanted this house to be perfect for her and Tina.
Candace left Tina sitting on the couch and went up the stairs. She knew Tina’s room was right next to Laurens. She wanted a quick look. The view of the ocean was the best and she wanted to see it. She opened up the door and looked inside. There sitting on the bed looking out the window was Bette Porter. Candace knew her from LA. She coudnt believe she was in the bedroom she and Tina use to share. Candace quielty closed the door. She went to Laurens room and Lilo left the two of them to talk.

“Hi Lauren.”

“Hi”

“Do you know who I am.”

“Yes, your my other mama. I remember you from when i was little.”

“Yes i am your mom. I left you a long time ago, and im back now for good. I was wondering if you would like to spend some time with me so we could get to know each other.”

“Um ok. I have a picture of you. Its in my desk. I took it from mama’s album. She use to sit and cry holding you picture. Are you going to make her cry again.?”

“No baby. Im not going to make her cry. In fact where going to be a family again. You, me and your mom. You know i love your mom very much and i would do anything so we could be a family again.”

“I missed you mama C.” Tina was standing at the door listeing to the two of them. She knew Candance had planned for the two of them to get back together. What was she going to do. She was falling in love with Bette, but Candace was here and she wanted to be a family again. Why hadnt Candace told her? Why would she tell there daughter and not her. Sometime she didnt understand the things Candace did. Was she going to let Candace come back into her life just as she was beginning to move on with Bette.

She had forgotten about Bette, and went into her room.

“Im sorry that took so long. They are in the room talking,”

“Thats ok. They have a lot of catching up to do. I was thinking maybe i should get going. I dont want to get it the way.” Bette had heard everything Candace had told Lauren.

“Yeah maybe that is a good idea. Grab your things and come down. I will have Lilo drive you back.” Tina left the room. Bette knew she was conflicted having both Candace and her here. Bette grabbed her dress and shoes and went downstairs. She could hear Lauren and Candace laughing together. Bette didnt belong here and she had to leave as quickly as possible. She found Lilo waiting for her downstairs.

“I’ll take you back to your hotel Ms Porter.”

The drive back to her hotel was silent. Before she got out of the car Lilo had only said this to her.

“Tina has a big heart, but its only big enough for two. Dont make her choose. Do it for her.”

Bette was shocked. That could be taken many different ways. Was she saying to choose me, or to tell Tina to choose Candace. Either way Bette was going to go and take a long hot shower and go and take a nap. The greatest night in her life was starting to turn out to be the worst.