Bette paused in the doorway to Jems bedroom.

The nightlight was washing the room with warmth and Tinas hair was a spill of golden honey as she leaned over Jems cot.

Bette was drawn into the room.

The light cast shadows across Jems face and highlighted the lighter tones in her hair, a reminder that she was Tinas child.

Bette moved closer, her right hand lingering on Tinas hip, her breast brushing across Tinas arm. Her hand crept around Tinas stomach, fingers splaying protectively over their growing child.

She inched Tina slowly back into her body, rested her chin on Tinas shoulder. Are you coming to bed? she whispered.

Uh huh Tina nodded in a minute she relaxed into Bettes supportive frame, laid her head against Bettes cheek.

They watched Jem as her happy baby chatter lapsed into longer periods of silence until finally, thumb in mouth, she drifted off to sleep.

Night sweetheart Bette said softly sleep well.

She dropped a light kiss below Tinas ear Ready?

Mmmhmm Tina said. She turned slightly, caught Bettes hand in hers and they moved out of the room together.

Bette stopped and turned Tina in her arms as they walked into the corridor Shes so beautiful Bette sighed contentedly like her mother she said. She cupped Tinas face in her hands, leaned in and slowly brushed her lips across Tinas.

Tinas mouth opened in response. Their tongues touched, parted and touched again in a playful game of tag.

Tinas hand slid around Bettes waist and under her shirt.

Are you tired? Bette said as her focus shifted to Tinas jaw then her neck, leaving a trail of feather-light kisses.

A little Tina stretched her neck so Bette could reach that sensitive spot below her ear.

Bette lavished attention on the tiny area, heard Tinas contented sigh brush past her ear. She felt the tiny pulse below her lips quicken in response to her attention.

Bette pulled her wife a little closer, kissed her more urgently; one hand running under the silky curtain of Tinas hair, the other sliding under her top and exploring the soft skin of Tinas back.

Bette forced herself to slow down. She wanted Tina so desperately – but she stilled her movements for a moment and looked into Tinas eyes Are you OK with this? she asked tenderly, her eyes dropping to Tinas expanded girth.