Alice: Maybe your focus is on the wrong thing. Just be careful there.
Shane: Seriously, dont let Simone cloud your attention because next month it will be someone else. I really think youre missing the point too.
Tina: Whats the point?
Alice: Bettes so happy all she has on her mind is you and making babies. Arent you happy too?
Tina: Oh”that is the point isnt it?
Shane: Well arent you happy too”seems to me youre creating problems?
Tina: Of course Im happy. Ive never been happier.
TBC
****
Over the next several weeks Bette prepared for the upcoming show. She and James met with the other artists that would be featured and continued to work closely with Simone. It was apparent that Simone would have a long-term relationship with the CAC, her works were extensive and she had gotten back into the groove of painting daily again. Bette and James were both impressed with Simones ability to create images that were so emotionally moving words couldnt describe her talent. Bette was spending a tremendous amount of time at the CAC and at Simones studio she and James were still trying to figure out which pieces to include in the upcoming show but Simone was making their selection process difficult by creating new awe inspiring paintings daily.

Tina was trying to be supportive of Bette she knew the show would be starting in a week. She knew that Bette was always stressed out during the week before the show and she knew this was the first show since Provocations and since shed returned back to work after her attack. Tina didnt want to nag Bette but Bette seemed more than a little preoccupied and Tina was concerned that the new and improved Bette still didnt know how to let her in when she was stressed out. Instead of Tina making this about her she recalled her conversation with Alice and Shane and decided she would be there for Bette regardless if Bette asked her not. What can I do to let her know she doesnt have to stress out so much. I have to let her know that Im here for her and not sit around and feel bad about her not giving me as much attention as she had been”its my turn to give her some long over due attention. Tina reasoned with herself. She decided to call Bette to see when shed be home.

Bette: Hello?
Tina: Hello beautiful.
Bette: (smiling) Hi Tina. I know Ive been really busy lately and Im sorry but Im really stressed out about this show. All of these artists are amazingly talented T and I just want to get their work out there. Theyve worked so hard now its my turn to see that we can get them the recognition they deserve. Tina I promise as soon as this show is over well take a long weekend.
Tina: Babe calm down”its okay I know youre busy with the show and Id like to help you out in any way I can. I have to admit I have been missing you.
Bette: Oh Tina I miss you too. Ive been getting home so late I dont want to wake you. Its taken all of my restraint not to wake my sleeping beauty though”I miss you too, a lot.
Tina: What time do you think youll be home tonight?
Bette: Well we are trying to decide where well hang each piece and were still working on the main gallery but I think I can be home by 7:00 tonight.
Tina: Perfect
Bette: What do you have planned?
Tina: It wouldnt be a surprise if I told you.
Bette: Well Ill see you at 7:00. Tina I love you. Thanks for being so understanding about this.
Tina: Anytime now you get back to work so youll make it home on time. Love you babe.

Tina smiled into the phone before she hung up. She couldnt wait to reconnect with Bette she decided shed cook dinner and prepare a romantic setting for a very romantic lust-filled night with her beautiful wife. Just as she was writing a list of things shed need from the grocery to make dinner there was a knock on her office door. The receptionist was delivering a vase of beautiful long stem white roses. Tinas heart quickened as she got up to get the card. It read

I know Ive been busy with work but I need you to know
You are always first in my heart and mind.
My Eternal Love
B

Tina quickly called Bette back.
Bette: Hello?
Tina: Bette these are so beautiful. I cant believe you sent these.
Bette: I thought that was why you called the first time. I guess great minds do think alike but seriously Tina you are always first on my mind its just when its busy I dont tell you as often as I should.
Tina: Bette youre doing fine and the show will be a success too. Its a balancing act Bette and you just have to remember you dont have to do anything alone”Im here. Now get back to work so we can spend the evening together.

Just as Bette hung up the phone Shane wandered into Bettes office.

Shane: Bette I know youre really busy with the show I was wondering ifif I could help you with it.

Bette was taken aback she had noticed that ever since Shane had been dating Megan she had really developed a genuine interest in art but she was pleasantly surprised that Shane would want to spend her free time around the CAC. The more Bette thought about it though Shane had been around at least twice a week just walking from gallery to gallery sometimes with Megan but most of the time alone. Bette realized she hadnt answered Shane yet.
Bette: Shane uh Im sure there are a few things that James and I could use your help with. Im just surprised”pleasantly surprised that you are so interested in artwork suddenly.
Shane: Yeah I was surprised too. I like how some of the pieces make me feel. I didnt know that looking at something could fill you with emotion”its strange I cant put it into words but I like it a lot.
Shane started to walk around Bettes office looking at some of the artwork there and then the photographs that Bette had taken of Tina caught her eye.

Shane: Bette you know of all the photographs here and I mean here at the CAC these are still the most beautiful”in my humble opinion that is. Why dont you hang these up in here at least? They wouldnt be on exhibit but here in your office, your home away from home you can surround yourself with beauty and love. Yeah every time I look at these I can tell you have so much reverence for Tina I mean the love is there and the desire– these pictures are amazing Bette.

Bette really couldnt believe this Shane”her Shane was really becoming interested in artwork.
Bette: Thanks Shane for the compliment. I think the fact that its Tina the photos couldnt help but to come out beautifully”thats not related to any talent I may or may not have. Its T but I do think Ill ask her if she minds if I hang them here in the office. I actually find myself gazing at them when Im here working late wishing I could be home with her. Oh Shane Im so happy everything is going well. Almost everything, I do have to admit something. Do you have time Id like to run this by you?

Shane noticed Bettes eyes darken a little and wondered immediately if Simone had overstepped her boundaries. Shane had been trying to be more aware of Simones interaction with Bette ever since Tina had clued Alice and her in on the fact that Simone had been shamelessly flirting with Bette. Shane knew all too well how intoxicating Simone could be thats how she ended up going home with her. Shane steeled herself waiting for whatever Bette was about to lay on her”thinking, Please dont do anything stupid Bette.
Bette: Shane its almost time to find out if Tina and I are going to be parents. Im so scared. I want this more than anything”thats not totally true I guess I have everything I need. I have Tina, but this”our baby, its the one thing we want for US and I dont want her to be disappointed if we arent pregnant. Or what if we are, God Shane what if we lose another baby what if something goes wrong?
Shane: Bette slow down you cant think like that. First find out if youre pregnant and Bette trust that you guys will be great parents really and as far as something being wrong is concerned you cant know that. You can only love Tina and the baby and pray for the best Bette. You guys deserve some happiness and I have faith that things will work out the way they are suppose to. If you arent pregnant this time keep trying but dont worry things will be all right.

Bette breathed a sigh of relief.
Bette: Shane, thanks Ive been busy getting the show together but if Im honest I know part of me has been trying not to go home when I know Tinas awake. I want to talk to her about this but Im afraid to too because I dont want to scare her.

Shane sat there and listened to Bette she closed her eyes and shook her head from side to side.
Shane: Bette youve been doing so well dont hide”you and I both know your NOT TALKING gets you into more trouble than talking to her ever could. Please be honest with Tina and if you scared share that with her thats why you two are together to go through things TOGETHER good and bad things happy and scary things.
Bette smiled
Bette: Its good to be a close personal friend to Yoda.

Shane smiled and told Bette she would let her get back to work and check with James on what help she could provide to get ready for the show. Bette felt the tension that had been residing in her shoulders fade away as she reflected on the advice Shane had given her. She had attributed all of her stress of late to the show but she knew the majority of it rested upon the impending pregnancy she was truly worried about that and admitting that out loud to Shane did relieve a great deal of the stress but she knew shed feel one hundred percent better if she spoke to Tina about it. Bette decided shed had enough fun for one day and left the CAC to spend time with Tina.


TBC