She is the one that you never forget, she is the heaven-sent angel you met, Oh, she must be the reason why God made a girl, she is so pretty all over the world

Who are you singing about? I turned around quickly and saw Dana grinning at me. I turned down the volume of the stereo as I felt my face turn red.

Oh, um, no one. Dana peered at me, but she didnt say anything. You startled me! When did you get here? I asked.

Just now. She walked in and sat down on the bed. So, tell me, who were you singing about? Dana asked again.

My face got even redder. No one, its just a stupid song. I murmured.

Dana kept grinning at me. So theres no special someone in your life? What about that Emma, Bette asked about during dinner last month?

Oh, youve been gone too long, Dana. I sat down on a chair. Shes my ex.

Well, you know, this job comes with a suitcase. She said, and I wasnt sure if it was a joke or not. So, your ex? I didnt even know youve had a girlfriend. When did this happen?

Mom and Bette didnt know either. We had a secret relationship. I grinned at her. Very Romeo and Julia, huh?

Hm. In this case Id say Rebecca and Julia. Dana said and giggled at her own joke.

Yea, well, Bette and Tina found out and it was all pretty much a mess. But I broke up with her, and now everythings back to normal.

Why did you break up with her? Dana asked, suddenly serious.

Because she wanted to keep our relationship a secret. She isnt out yet, and she has no plans to get out of that closet either. I bit my nail. And besides, shes a real ***** to me at school.

Dana smiled at me. Youre a smart girl she said.

Tina knocked on the door and looked in. The coffee is ready

We went out to the living room where Bette, Lara, Alice, Jenny, Marina, Shane and Carmen were already drinking their coffee.

Okay, guys, weve got something to tell you. Lara said to us. She looked at Dana and squeezed her hand. Dana cleared her throat. Im quitting tennis. She announced.

What? Tina asked.

But youre doing so well Alice said. You cant just quit when youre on top of your career.

Yea, I have to. Dana said. Cause Im pregnant. She paused.

This came as a surprise to all of us.

I didnt know you tried to have a baby. Jenny said

No one did. Lara explained. We decided not to tell anyone. Dana and Lara held hands.

When is it you know. Um, how far have you gone?

Im 2 months pregnant. Dana smiled. So Im gonna give birth 3 months after Bette.

This is big news. Tina said. Congrats guys! Youre both gonna be great moms!

Everyone congratulated them. I was happy for them, but at the same time I couldnt help but feel a little disappointed. Maybe they wouldnt love me, and let me be with them so much when they had a kid on their own. Later that evening, when everyone had gone I went into my room and turned on the music. I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. There was a knock on the door and Tina walked into my room. How are you sweetie? She sat down on my bed. You seem a little sad.

Im not sad. I said. Im worried.

Tina stroked my head. What are you worried about?

Im worried that Dana and Lara will forget about me when theyve got a kid on their own.

Tina smiled at me. Dana and Lara love you. Theres no way theyre gonna forget about you.

She kissed my forehead. Besides, Im pretty sure theyll let you baby sit every once in a while.

I smiled at Tina. I love you mommy.

I love you too kiddo. And with that she walked out of my room and closed the door.


4 months later.

Can Kathryn Porter-Kennard come to the principals office please? I looked at the speakers and didnt know what to think. I was pretty sure I had heard it wrong, they didnt say my name. Did they?

Kathy My teacher said and nodded towards the door. She gave me a note with the words principals office written on it. I looked at the note as I went out in the hallway and slowly wandered towards the principals office. A frightening thought came to my mind; what if something had happened to Bette or the baby? I started to walk faster and when I got there I was shown into the office immediately. Alice was in there, and I couldnt breathe. Whats wrong? I asked as soon as I got in.

Um. Bette and Tina are at the hospital. Alice said. Bette went into labour after you had left for school this morning, and she and Tina went to the hospital. But something went wrong and both Bette and the baby are in the OR as we speak. I just stared at Alice and I didnt understand what she was saying.

But theyre ok? I asked.

We dont know yet. Alice said.

Im here to pick you up, we have to go down there.

But I have 2 classes left. Im not off until 3.

The principal laid her hand on my back. Its ok Kathy, well give you the rest of the day off.

I just stared at the both of them, still in shock. Alice lead me out to her car and drove to the hospital. We found Tina in the waiting area, she was just sitting there staring at the floor.

Mom? I whispered. She looked up at me and embraced me hard. Mom, whats going on? I asked.

She kissed my head. I dont know yet honey. But just as she had said that a doctor walked up to us.

Ms. Kennard?

Thats me. Tina said.

Whos this? He asked waving his hand at me.

Thats our daughter. Tina told him.

Can we sit down? He asked and the three of us sat down in the couch. There were some complications during the procedure, Bette lost a lot of blood, but she should wake up anytime now.

Hows the baby? Tina asked.

Shes doing just fine! He said. Shes a strong little girl.

She? I asked. Its a she?

Yea, congrats big sis.

Can we visit Bette? Tina asked.

Yea, sure. Ill get a nurse to take you there.

I was so relieved, and all the fears I had had when I walked into the hospital released. I started to cry and Tina embraced me. Alice, who had been waiting outside, walked in to us.

How are they? She asked, almost whispering.

Theyre both okay Tina said, smiling through her tears. A nurse showed me and Tina to Bettes room and we walked up to her bed, but she was still sleeping. Tina bent down and kissed her forehead and I squeezed her hand. A nurse came into the room with the baby in her arms. Who wants to hold her? She asked.

Tina looked at me. Kathy can hold her.

I smiled as the nurse gave the baby to me. I sat down in a chair, watching my little sister sleep.

 Shes so little. I said to Tina.

Tina smiled at me. Just like you were.

Bette and the baby were ready to go home from the hospital only a week after. We walked into the house and were welcomed by Lara, Dana, Shane, Carmen, Jenny, Marina and Alice. They had put up a banner that said Welcome home Bette and baby

We really have to give her a name. I said. They all laughed.

Sure, do you have any suggestions? Bette asked.

No other than the ones Ive already suggested.

We will not name out daughter June, just cause shes born in June. Tina said to me.
Nah, cause its much better to be called baby. I grumbled.

Everyone laughed at us. Later that evening, when the baby was sleeping and we were drinking coffee I turned to Bette and asked Then how about Clara?

She thought about it for a while. Clara Porter-Kennard That actually sounds good.

Tina nodded in agreement. Clara it is.

TBC