As Tina and Bette finished their drinks nanny Carol came out to the porch with Alexis.
Okay Bette, Jacob is playing in his room and Lexie here just finished her yogurt. Im sorry to leave you like this when youre sick but Ive got to make my doctors appointment.

Oh please dont worry about it Carol, Tinas here to help so Ill be fine. Get going, I dont want you to be late.

Tina reached over to take Alexis from her. Hey Lexie, come here pretty girl. Tina rested Lexie on her lap and started to play with her.

I see youre in good hands Bette. Ill be here bright and early tomorrow. Have a good night and try not to get into trouble you two. With that statmenet Carol winked at them and turned to leave. Bette raised an eyebrow and looked at Tina. Tina smiled and laughed. Any idea what she meant by that?

Im not sure. Maybe she knows something we dont.

Bette and Tina played with Lexie until it was dinnertime.

I think Im going to go check on Jacob. Hes been in there by himself for too long. Im surprised he hasnt come out to see us yet.

Okay, why dont you take Lexie and that way I can get started with dinner? I thought Id make some pasta with brocolli and grilled chicken. Sound good?

Sounds perfect. Its one of my favorite dishes, but then you know that.

Yeah, I remembered. I assumed you would have a nice chardonnay to go with it.

Yes, there are a few to choose from in the wine rack. Why dont you surprise me?

Youre going to let me pick the wine? What did you do with the Bette Porter I use to know?

Oh, shes been replaced by the new improved version 2.0. Ive got lots of new features that I cant wait for you to discover.

Tina walked over to Bette and wrapped her arms around Bette and Lexie. Well I look forward to exploring everyone one of those features. Just dont keep me waiting too long. She reached up and gave Bette a quick kiss on the cheek. Lexie clapped her hands and let out a squeal.

Well I guess Lexie approves of the two of us dating.

Jacob walked into the kitchen just in time to hear Bettes statement.

What do you mean youre dating? Whats dating?

Bette gave Lexie to Tina and she knelt down infront of Jacob Well buddy when two people really like each other and want to go out and do things together they call it dating.

Maddie and I do things together, does that mean were dating?

Bette chuckled and look up at Tina. Bette, let me give this a try, okay?

Sure, give it your best shot.

Jacob, people who date are older like youre mommy and me. You and Maddie are friends, youre too young to be dating.

But you and mommy are friends, mommy told me you knew each other before I was born.

Yes, but we were more than friends Jacob, we were in love and we lived together.

So then why did you stop living together?

Well, some things happened and we decided it would be best if we were apart for a while. But now that Im back we might get back together again. But first we are going to see if we love each other and one way to do that is to spend time together and date.

So if you end up loving my mommy again you and Maddie might live with us?

Well maybe.

Cool! Mommy, I would like that. I like Tina and Maddie.

Well Jacob I like them too. Bette smiled and whispered in Tinas ear thank you.

Jacob, Tina is going to cook me dinner tonight so why dont we let her get to work. Its time for your bath and then you can help me with Lexies bath.

Tina, there is some chicken already made in the refrigerator for Jacobs dinner. Give me 20 minutes and then heat it up in the microwave.

No problem, now scoot. I need to get things started.

Tina worked effortlessly in the kitchen. Everything was in the exact same place as it had been five years ago so it was like she was on automatic pilot. She thought back to all the wonderful meals that she had cooked for herself and Bette. She wanted this dinner to be perfect because for her it was the beginning of their journey back to one another. She looked at the time and put Jacobs dinner in the microwave. She had put the broccoli up in the steamer and the chicken cutlets were grilled. She set the pot up to boil the pasta and went to find out what Bette and her children were up to. She walked towards the back of the house and heard laughter coming from the bathroom. When she got their she stood in the doorway taking in the scene before her. Jake was in his underwear leaning over the tub with Bette as Bette tried to wash Alexis. Alexis was blissfully happy kicking up a storm in the tub, giggling outloud. She had no clue that everytime she kicked Jacob and Bette were getting soaked.

Well, I see you two have everything under control. Not! Tina laughed. Is she like this every day?

Yes, mommy says I was the same way. But now that Im growned up I dont splash as much. Specially when mommy is near by. Lexie is too little to stop so we just do her bath in our underwear.

Well thats pretty smart of you Jacob. Tina looked down again and took in Bettes body. She was in fact in her underwear; a pretty pale yellow matching set that seemed to leave her skin glowing. Tina started to feel a tingling between her legs and knew she had to get out of there fast.

Jacob, how about you go put on your pjs and Ill help mommy get Lexie out of the tub and dressed?

Okay, make sure you stretch the towel out for mommy just before she takes Lexie out.

I will sport, now scoot. Come on Bette, lets get her out of there. Tina picked up the towel and held it out. Here, give her to me. Bette grabbed Lexie out of the tub and turned to put her into Tinas outstretched arms. Tina wrapped Lexie in the fluffy yellow towel with the duckbill on top and turned to give her back to Bette. As she did her hand mistakenly rubbed against Bettes left nipple. Tina noticed it become erect immediately and the tingling between her legs got more intense. She looked down to avert her eyes and Bette laughed.
Tina, hey, it okay, I know you didnt do that on purpose but you cant blame a girl for getting excited. To tell you the truth it felt nice and I look forward to a time when you can touch me again without getting embarrassed.
Listen Bette, its just too soon and it feels a bit weird with Lexie here and Jacob in the next room. You really need to go put some clothes on. Im not sure I can control myself much longer.

Well its nice to know that I can still get to you and you to me. Let me get her dressed and Ill put my clothes back on. Do you mind serving Jacob dinner?

No, its ready so let me get him from his room and well get started. Should I put up the pasta for our dinner?

Lets wait a little bit. Ive still got to give Lexie her bottle and Jacob wont go to bed for at least another 2 hours.

Jacob was almost finished eating when Bette showed up in the kitchen with Alexis. She had already had her bottle and was ready for bed.
Say goodnigt Lexie to Tina and Jacob. Wave bye bye.

Lexie waved her left hand and blew kisses to Jacob and then Tina. She really is too cute Bette.

Why thank you, I think she takes after me.

Bette I could think of many ways to describe you but cute wouldnt be one of them.

Im crushed. Jacob do you think Im cute?

No mommy, I think your pretty.

Ah, I knew there was a reason why I loved you. Come here and give me a kiss.

Jacob slid off his chair and went to give Bette and Lexie a kiss. Can I go watch TV?

Yes, but only for half an hour. Then its a bedtime story and bed.

Okay mommy. Jacob ran off to watch TV in the living room and Bette went to put Alexis down for the night.

An hour later Jacob was asleep, tucked in by Tina who he insisted be the one to read him his bedtime story and put him to bed. Bette was glowing with happiness at the thought of Jacob accepting Tina so quickly into their life. She sipped on her wine while she waited for Tina to come in with their dinner. Tina entered the room with two plates filled with their main course.

Here you go Bette, I hope its as good as you remember.

Bette put her wine glass down and inhaled deeply. It smells wonderful Tina. She cut a piece of chicken and swirled some pasta around it and took a bite. Oh this is heavenly. Ive missed your cooking almost as much as Ive missed you Tina.

So its not just my cooking that you loved all those years ago?

Bette turned serious and put her fork down.
Dont even kid about that Tina. You were my friend, my lover and my soulmate. I could care less about your cooking, as long as you were by my side. You believe me dont you?

Tina reached over and grabbed Bettes hand. Im sorry I touched a nerve baby. I know how much you loved me. Please lets just move forward starting with tonight. I think of tonight as our new beginning so lets enjoy each others company, and the good food and see what happens.

Bette smiled shyly. I guess I over reacted. So, how has your week been? Did all your meetings go well?

The two of them talked for the better part of the night, catching up on each others lives and work. The time flew by and before they knew it it was well past midnight.

Bette, will you look at the time? Ive got to get going but I dont want to. This just feels so right.

Dance with me?

Now?

One dance, please? Bette found an old cd that contained one of her favorite songs and pushed play.

As soon as Tina heard the first notes she knew the song and stepped into Bettes waiting arms. Bette wrapped her arms around Tinas waist and pulled her close as Tina snaked her arms around Bettes neck. As Bette Midlers version of Wind Beneath My Wings floated softly through the air Bette Porter whispered gently into Tinas ear, always remember that you are my strength, and the best part of me.

Ohhhh, oh, oh, oh, ohhh.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I’ve got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
You’re everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.