Tina stood outside the door of the home she once shared with Bette.  Memories flooded her mind of the seemingly endless days and nights of happiness this space held.  How did it go so wrong?  It was supposed to be forever.  First, last, always, Bette and the family they dreamed of.  Tina had not been completely honest with Alice and Shane, she missed her family, and she missed the love of a woman.  She missed Bette like crazy.   

            The dreams had intensified lately of her and Bette together loving and reaching that space that was beyond words.  That’s how their lovemaking was and she wanted it back. She wanted Bette back.  It was pride at this point that kept her in relationship with Henry.  She didn’t want to lose face and admit that she had made the biggest mistake of her life.  It wasn’t that Henry wasn’t a nice guy because he was.  He was a decent lover but once you knew the difference between having sex and making love there was no comparison.  With Henry and Helena she had sex, with Bette she made love. 

            She sadly acknowledged that it might be too late.  There was too much to work through and Bette was serious enough about this mystery woman that she wanted her to meet Angelica.  She couldn’t very well say Bette wait, I still love you wait for me.  I just have to end things with Henry, work on myself and win you back.  Oh, babe, don’t you know that you and I are forever?

            “Hey Tina, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” Shane and Shay startled her out of her reverie. 

            “Yeah, Alice called and invited me.  I’m not sure I should have come.”

            “I’m glad you did.  Come on we’ll go in together.”  Shane took Tina’s hand.

            The awkwardness slowly dissipated over the course of the evening.  Bette was polite and made an effort to treat Tina in a friendly manner.  It was actually easier between them than it had been since before they split up.  At one point they both wound up in the kitchen together, Tina out of habit responded to the request for a corkscrew and ice.  As she confidently opened the drawer for the corkscrew and filled the bucket with ice she became aware that Bette was just standing there looking at her. 

            “What’s wrong Babe?”  Tina was distracted and didn’t give her words or actions a second thought.  She looked up at Bette puzzled as to why she seemed rooted to the spot where she stood. 

            “Nothing” Bette turned away quickly and exited the kitchen.

            “Shit.” Tina whispered to herself as she sorted out the look on Bette’s face.  Bette looked like she had seen a ghost and in truth an easy Tina in their kitchen was a ghost. 

            Tina returned to the living room where everyone was gathered. After delivering the corkscrew and ice she took a seat on the couch.  Her eyes sought her estranged partner who was talking softly and earnestly to Angelica.  Angelica’s eyes grew wide and she nodded as Momma B apparently worked her magic.  Angelica put her head down on Momma B’s shoulder her tiredness showing.  Bette worked her way across the room to Tina.  “I’m going to put her down, do you want to come?” 

            Mutely Tina nodded yes and followed Bette out of the room. Tina watched as Bette readied Angelica for bed.  She tenderly washed Angelica’s face and hands and changed her into her pajamas.  Angie used the bathroom and Bette told her what a good and grown up girl she was.  Finally she sat in the rocking chair and read to Angie who by this point was struggling to keep her eyes open.  Once she was asleep they both sat quietly as the little girl who meant more than anything to both of them slept peacefully in Bette’s arms. 

            The moment was so profound that Tina was sure she had stopped breathing.  She approached mother and daughter reverently.  She reached out and tucked a stray curl behind Bette’s ear.  Hazel eyes met ebony.  “Priceless” she whispered.  She scooped Angelica out of Bette’s arms and put her into her crib.  Bette silently joined her at the rail of the crib and they stared down at their own special miracle lost in dreams of what might have been.