Bette:  “Babe its 3 a.m. come to bed.”

Stevie:  “I’m still filling out these papers for the friggin’ state.  I’ll be in as soon as I’m done.”

She didn’t even raise her head as she spoke.  Bette stared at her back a few moments then relented back into the bedroom.

She stared at the ceiling for a long while expecting Stevie to come creeping in and snuggle in next to her.  It had been forever since they simply held each other.  Even longer since the last time they were intimate.  Stevie had been devoting all her time and energy to getting her photography business started.  When she wasn’t handling the legal and logistic aspects of the business she was working on the spare room behind Shane’s to make it not only a full fledged dark room and also a portrait studio.  Bette supported her 100% in her endeavors.  When she wasn’t working at her own job she was doing what she could when she could.  Unfortunately, that meant little actual time with Stevie and more with the kids so Stevie was free to get done what she needed to.  She knew none of this would be easy.  Starting a business is always a heralding time in a person’s life but priorities have to be chosen.  And for Stevie that was the kids, the business and last in line was Bette. 

Bette sighed and rolled over on her side.  She was willing to wait up for Stevie.  She tried her hardest most nights to be awake and waiting for her partner.  Most nights Stevie was too tired to do anything.  If she wasn’t too tired she just had too much on her mind to perform.  Again Bette understood.  Stevie had made several promises to make time for she and Bette soon, but as the months rolled on and the clients rolled in, that time was pushed back further and further. 

Bette:  What if things will never be the same?

So as 4 am was coming and going Bette felt exhaustion pulling at her eye lids.  With one last depressed sigh she gave in and drifted off. 

Bette woke the next morning for work alone.  She wondered if Stevie had slept at the table.  She went into the hall to find Stevie exiting the kid’s bedroom with them in toe.

Angelica:  “Morning mommy.”

X:  “Hi sleepy head.”

Bette smiled at her children as she looked at Stevie questioning expression.

Stevie:  “Hey.”

Bette:  “You never came to bed.”

Stevie:  “Yeah fell asleep at the table.  Sorry.  When I woke it was time to get the rug rats ready for daycare.”

Bette:  “Oh.”

Stevie:  “Well don’t want to be late.  Have a good day.”

Stevie scooped up with kids throwing them over each of her shoulders causing them to squeal and laugh.  Bette smiled to herself as she watched her family exiting the house.

Bette:  I’m sure things will work themselves out.

TBC