Shane couldnt believe her ears. Why would Bette refuse to press charges against Simone?
Bette: T and Shane before you two lose it, try to understand. First off, Im ok.
Shane: (interrupting) No Bette, you arent ok. Youve been stabbed and youre in the hospital. (Beginning to sob) And if anything had happened to you; Im not sure what I would have done, other than kill Simone and Bette I would have taken pleasure in it knowing she hadhurt you.
Kit: Amen Shane”Bette you are anything but ok baby girl.

Bette looked at Shane as her sobs made her body shake at the thought of the unimaginable grief she would have felt if Simones attempt had been successful. Bette knew Shane had a point but she had to try to make Tina, Shane, and Kit understand that pressing charges wouldnt get Simone the help she needed. Bette knew Simone needed counseling not to be convicted. She tried to find the words to let her family know what she was feeling and her thoughts on Simone. Bette wanted them to understand without revealing too much of herself. Bette didnt know why she couldnt shake this feeling of complete sadness when she thought of Simone but she noticed something in Simone tonight that she couldnt escape. The vulnerability Simone demonstrated as she lay there in Denises comforting embrace yelling for help”that image struck a nerve in Bette that she never thought would be exposed again. Bette knew Denise and Simone were lovers but the image tonight that she saw was very reminiscent of a scene that played out years ago”a lifetime ago between Bette and her mother. Bette had not given her mother a thought in years and she really wasnt prepared to tonight either but Denise rocking Simone the way she did had transported Bette back to a moment that would be etched in her heart and head forever. But Bette wasnt prepared to deal with that now. She shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind and to focus on Shane.

Bette: Shane youre right Im not ok but Im alive and Ill heal but Simone wont have a chance to heal if shes in jail. I still would prefer her to get the emotional or mental help she needs.
Shane: But why do you care what she needs? The pain youre feeling right now she caused Bette why are you being so
Bette: Compassionate? Shane the girl needs help and God there is so much pain in the world and Im starting to believe if you always fight eye for eye one day well all be blind. It amazes me when someone does something wrong to us we want justice but when we do something wrong we want mercy. Im not doing this for Simone and Im doing this for me and my wife and our babies that are on their way and for you too. Shane I guess I want the world to be a bit more compassionate when they get here and if I can do something to that end. Ive got to be prepared to make that first step”to forgive and be merciful.

Tina had remained quiet the entire time she wanted to try to understand and after hearing Bettes explanation she shook her head in agreement as a faint smile tugged at her lips. She so loved Bette and her willingness to forgive and move on she didnt fully understand but she loved it anyway. Tinas thoughts were on her family and their future. The only thing she could think was, Shes going to be an excellent mother.

Tina: I dont fully get this Bette but whatever you want to do Ill support. I just dont want you to regret your decision later.

Shane was still angry about Bettes decision and still very angry with Simone deep down she knew she was really angry with herself for not being there thinking things would have played out very differently had she gone with Bette. Kit sat quietly watching Bette. She believed what Bette was saying was true but she also felt simply by watching Bette that there was more”something deep and powerful rested in Bettes dark brown eyes and Kit was determined to figure out what really lay in her sisters heart.

As the evening progressed Alice, Dana, and James all came to quickly check on Bette before she got her much needed rest. James didnt want work to be a concern for Bette as she recuperated and he informed her he would”if she wanted him to get Megan Freemans show up and running. Bette at the moment couldnt care less about work she wanted to get better and be healthy for her family. She gave James her blessing and sent him on his way. James hated that for the second time in six months Bette his boss”but more than that, his friend, was in the hospital because of something that someone else had done to her. His eyes were filling with tears and he quickly turned away after giving Bette a quick peck on the cheek. Bette saw James sadness and yelled, James, hey Im ok. I dont want to see anymore of those. She pointed to his tears he tried to wipe away before he turned back around”his attempt was unsuccessful, more tears where waiting to make their presence known. James smiled and said, Ill stop crying when you stop getting sent to hospitals. Bette couldnt help but laugh she so appreciated James not only as her assistant, but also as the friend he had become. Touch was her only response. Dana managed to postpone leaving a couple of days to be there for Bette and Tina. She usually got to her tour dates two days prior for press and to get familiar with the courts shed play on but now this obviously took greater precedent.

Everyone spoke with Bette and the doctor arranged for a fold away bed for Tina who insisted on staying. Just as Dana and Alice were leaving Bette noticed a striking brunette loitering around her door.
Bette: Tina whos that?
Tina: Oh, thats Carmen, my pilates instructor and Shanes new friend.
Bette noticed Shane was still quietly sulking in the corner and thought shed try to lighten the mood and the tension that still surrounded them.
Bette: (teasingly) So you go to the gym once and hook up with someone. Your best friend is stabbed and you bring your date to the hospital?

Shane looked up and followed Bettes eyes to Carmen and couldnt help but smile. All the anger she felt earlier had suddenly disappeared. She didnt know if it was because she had begun to feel relief that Bette was ok or because she had a glimpse of the one woman who in a matter of minutes could make everything seem surmountable including her disgust of Simone and the events that had unfolded tonight.

Shane: (smiling) Bette it wasnt like that. We did just meet a few hours ago but theres something special about her”I just feel it. I need you to get better so I can talk to you about this. I need some pointers I dont want to mess THIS ONE up.

Bette: Hey I wont have anything but time to discuss your love life with you if thats what you want to do. I know I look awful but Id like to meet the girl who has at least momentarily consumed your attention.

Shane: Id like that.
Shane quickly escorted Carmen into Bettes room.
Bette: (extending her hand) Hi Carmen. Im very happy to meet you. Of course I wish it were under better circumstances. Thanks for coming to be here for Shane this wasnt easy on any of my family.
Shane beamed she did love Bette and Bette would always have a special place in her heart”she would, but to hear Bette refer to her as family that was like a million bucks to Shane because she never had a family and though she and Bette wouldnt be close in a romantic way”this way seemed better. Carmen noticed the look of pride, warmth, and love Shane gave to Bette as she referenced her as family. The look on Shanes face was the look Carmen wanted to be able to bring about as she and Shane become closer. Carmen etched that expression in her mind to hopefully recall in the months and years to come. She hated to admit it but she was smitten with Shane at the word go.
Carmen: Bette Im so happy you are ok.
Carmen began to cry. This took Tina, Bette, and Shane by surprise.
Carmen: Oh God Im so embarrassed. Its just looking at you all the closeness is so evident”there is genuine love and concern and the idea that things could have been so much worse I dont know I just feel so grateful to be
Bette: Alive? Carmen, dont be embarrassed I feel the same way. I am really looking forward to getting to know you.

Everyone left and Bette stayed in the hospital for three days. The police stayed in contact with her and Bette refused to press charges as promised but those probationary charges were still hanging above Simones head. Bette wrote the DA in and the judge in San Francisco pleading that Simone be allowed to commit herself to a mental facility to get the help she needed. Unfortunately for Simone thats not what happened. The judge in San Francisco and the DA in LA agreed that Simone should go to the facility but it would be court appointed not of her own doing. They both agreed after she got the help she needed her criminal record could be expunged. This pleased both Bette and Simone.

Over the next few months Simone made progress during her time in the facility she continued to paint and agreed that upon her release if the CAC would still have her shed still want her first individual show to be held there. Denise and Simone were able to reconnect; they agreed to take things slowly because Simone needed to become a better individual before she could be a part of a better couple. Simone had taken the time to write both Bette and Tina very sincere heartfelt apologies and after reading the letter Bette knew she had made the right decision in not pressing charges. She could feel from the letter alone Simone had made great progress and she knew things would only get better with time. Bette and Tina were solid these days and preparing for the arrivals of their little ones. Bette was in the Baby Super Store everyday buying a new gadget, and the books. The babies werent even here yet”they had four months to make their arrivals but their nursery boasted a library that would rival any adults. Dr. Seuss, Encyclopedia Brown, Aesop Fables, a slew of Disney, and Lowly the Worm books all lined the shelves of the twins room. Carmen had become a fixture and they all loved the affect she had on Shane. Shane of course rivaled Kit for the most excited aunt to be”actually all the girls were so full of anticipation and joy they were counting the days. Danas tour had gone extremely well and she was pleased but if her recent wins continued she would be in Australia during the time of the birth for the first time she hoped shed do poorly. The idea of not being in the country was almost too much to bear.

Bette had fully recovered and gone back to work she was looking for a show that would fill in the fall season hoping Simone would be better by winter or early spring”all indications were that wasnt unreasonable. In the meantime in the evenings Bette would sit outside with Tina a peruse proofs looking for the right show to exhibit.

Tonight Kit who was helping Tina maintain the garden was there and they were all waiting for Shane and Carmen to bring dinner. They were all a bit startled when they heard Eh, um, excuse me Im looking for Elizabeth, Elizabeth Porter. Kit froze. She knew in an instant who belonged to that voice. She made her feet go towards her sister as if she was a lioness protecting her cub. The owner of that voice had done so much to hurt and disappoint her sister Kit vowed long ago shed never have the chance to do it again. Bette felt the sting of tears in her eyes only one person ever called her Elizabeth and in her young life she loved it until that person abandoned her she hated being called Elizabeth since then. Suddenly the image of Simone being rocked in Denises arms made more vivid the image that was etched in her heart and mind”the last time Bette saw her she was four and she had fallen. Unable to cry in front of her father Bette took advantage this misstep had occurred in front of her doting mother. She played up the pain of the scratch on her knee and basked in the affection of her mother. Her mother rocked her in her arms as she lay there whimpering, Help me, help me as she breathed in her mothers beautiful brunette locks and snuggled into her neck. Who knew that would be the death of Elizabeth Porter and the birth of Bette Porter”a motherless child. Her mother abandoned her that night and sadly Bette silently called help me, help me from that moment on until she met the love of her life”Tina, and the world made sense and anything that didnt make sense didnt matter anymore”not even Katherine Porter.

The End
A sequel will follow later.

Thank you all for this ride. Its been a fun one for me. I hope its been fun for you. I will follow up with a storyline that includes: Bette and her mother, Bette Tina and the twins, and Shane and Carmen.

Thanks again