Kicking Jodi’s ass was forgotton for the night. But trust it was the first thought in Tina’s head when she opened her eyes. Okay maybe not the first. First was clearing her head listening for Angie. Second was looking at her partner’s face mere inches away from her. And then kicking the ever living shit out of Jodi. After calming and reassuring Bette, the pair silently undressed and fell into bed. Still no words but yet a whispered ‘I love you’ before closing her eyes. Tina had thought with Bette airing her fears, it would’ve proven to be a restful sleep. She had obviously thought wrong.

Bette tossed and turned all night long. She whimpered in her sleep; surely from nightmares and Tina did the one thing that always worked. She held her. And soothed her. She gathered Bette in her arms tightly and around 3 am, Bette fell silent. It surprised Tina that her eyes were open at 8:46. Maybe it was the anticipation of kicking Jodi’s ass. Tina knew Bette thought she had talked her out of doing the deed but all she did was talk her into postponing the event. She wanted to make sure Angie was taken care of for the day before visiting Bette’s ex girlfriend. Tina had already prepared to ask Shane to watch Angie. Otherwise, she knew Shane would try to talk her out of it. She had thought of Kit but knew that Kit would only tag along with Angie by her side. And she didn’t want her daughter to see the act of violence or her possibly being arrested.

“Momma,” Angie called out as if knowing Tina was thinking about her.

Tina took one last look at the slumbering Bette and climbed out of bed. She found Angelica standing up in her crib. They still hadn’t gotten around to purchasing a big girl bed.

“Good morning baby,” Tina cooed.
“Morning Momma,” Angelica responed holding up her arms to be lifted out.

Tina granted the toddler’s wish. They snuggled as they walked to the kitchen.

“We’re gonna make some coffe and then maybe have a banana. And then… go wake up Momma B,” Tina finished tickling her daughter. “Wake up Momma B,” Angie repeated loudly wanting to do it right then.
“Not now. Later. After I’ve had my coffee, Tina reassured the toddler.

She set Angelica down, watching as the little girl ran to the living room, turning on the television. It was one of the few times that her daughter was allowed to watch the idiot box. Morning cartoons.

“Sit back away from the tv, sweetie,” Tina called out.

Angelica scooted back.

Tina smiled. The little girl always listening to her mothers. Tina went about preparing the coffee after which she walked to the front door finding the morning newspaper waiting on the doorstep.

“Lets see what the L.A. Times has to offer us today,” Tina said more to herself than Angelica.

She laid the paper out in sections, placing the arts portion aside in case Bette awoke on her own. Tina herself always read the sports first. Most of the their inner circle didn’t know that she was an athlete through and through. She always had to know last nights scores.

Scanning the box scores, Tina exclaimed, “Alright Blue Devils!”

Did you honestly expect Tina to cheer for any other state university other than North Carolina. LOL.

“I take it they won,” Bette said rubbing Tina’s shoulder.
“Yeah. How did you sleep?”
“I’ve had better,” Bette answered pulling the chair closer to Tina.

She sat and placed her head on Tina’s shoulder as she continued to read the paper.

“Coffee done?”
“Almost.”
“Read to me.”
“I’m still reading sports, babe.”
“I don’t care,” Bette replied snuggling closer to Tina like Angelica had done earlier.

Tina could feel Bette’s insercurties spilling forward. Even though the words were said, it would take a while before Bette would ingest them completely.

“Paul Hendricks, 24 pts, 7 assts, 10 rebounds. Tyrone Sims 9 pts, 5 assts, 19 rebounds.”
“He didn’t score many points.”
“No, he didn’t. But that’s okay. He’s the power forward. The big man in the middle when the center is not on the floor. He’s job is to protect the basket and the ball when it is released and comes near the basket.”

Bette knew that. And Tina knew that Bette knew that. But Bette loved when Tina took time to explain things to her. It showed the patience her partner had. Tina continued to read to Bette until Angelica ran full steam into Bette.

“Momma B, Momma B,” the girl chanted.

Bette picked her up and held her.

“I love you, Boo,” Bette declared.

The toddler didn’t fight the hug but held on which as much strength as her mother; somehow knowing that the woman needed it.

“Luv you, Momma.”

Tina could almost melt from Angelica’s words. Instead she cried. She was about to join in on the hugfest when the coffee pot signaled that it was full. ‘Fuck it,’ she thought. And wrapped her arms around both Bette and Angelica

*****

“What do you feel like doing today?” Tina asked once the breakfast dishes had been done.
“I haven’t given it much thought,” Bette answered.

She did know however one thing she hoped wouldn’t happen.

“How do you feel about maybe meeting up with Aunty Shane and Aunty Alice?” Tina asked Angelica who still sat at the kitchen table with Bette.

Somehow crayons had found themselves on the table. Mother and daughter sat coloring in the black and white photos in the newspaper.

“Yay,” was the little girl’s reaction.
“I guess we have plans,” Bette said.
“Why don’t you and Angie go take a shower while I finish cleaning up?”
“Okay. Let’s go, Boo.”

Tina watched as Bette took their daughter into the bathroom. She waited until she heard the water running before picking up the phone.

“Hello Kit. It’s Tina.”

*****

Just as she suspected, Bette had talked to Kit before her. Tina was not upset knowing that her partner had to talk someone who understood her fears like Tina did. And Kit Porter was the next logical choice.

“Either you’re calling to inform me of the funeral arrangements for my sister or you need a strong sista to help you kill Jodi.”
“You’ll be happy to know that your sister is still alive,” Tina laughed.
“Okay, okay. So what do you have in mind?” Kit asked in a sinister tone.
“Well, I was thinking…”

******

The happy family walked into The Planet cafe a little after one. With the gang was sitting at their usual table, Tina didn’t hesistate letting Angelica’s hand go so the little girl could run over to the full table. She witnessed Max picking the toddler and instantly engaging in conversation. Tina smiled.

“Tee, the usual?” Bette asked indicating what to order.
“Uh, yeah,” she tilted her head placing a kiss on Bette’s lips.

Reassurance that everything was indeed okay between them.

“Hi, babygirl,” Kit waved to her sister.

Bette waved back watching as Kit saddle up next to her wife.

“I have everything. Just tell me when you want to do this ,” Kit whispered.
“Good,” Tina nodded,”I was thinking tomorrow morning. I know Bette has meetings all morning. So she won’t be walking the halls of the university.”
“Okay, okay. Give me a call in the morning and I’ll provide the getaway car.”
“Will do.”
“What are you over here whispering about?” Bette asked sneaking up behind the pair.

Tina jumped.

“Shit, babe, you scared me,” Tina said with a hand against her chest.
“Sorry,” kissing Tina’s cheek, “just being nosy.”

Bette wrapped her arms around Tina’s waist. In turn, Tina leaned back relishing the secure feel of her lover’s arms.

“You know that I love you, don’t you?” Tina asked tipping her head back against Bette’s shoulder to look her in the eyes.
“Yeah, I love you, too, Tee.”
“Good to know… and to hear.” Turning in her arms, Tina raised her arms around Bette’s shoulders and locked her fingers behind her neck. “Listen, do you think you would be alright with Angie and the girls if I left to run an errand?”
“Sure. Something I can help you with?” Bette asked with a concerned look in her eyes.
“No. No. I’ll be fine. Just something that needs my attention before I can relax and enjoy the rest of our weekend.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
“I’m positive,” Tina pecked Bette’s lips with a quick kiss. “You relax.”
“Okay.”

Bette released Tina and walked back over to her friends at the table.

****

“That was some slick thinking girl,” Kit commended Tina. ” If it was me, I probably would have been stuttering or some shit,” Kit laughed.
“I don’t like lying to her,Kit.”
“What you did right now was for her own good. And kicking Jodi’s ass will benefit us all.”
“I don’t know about that but it will make me feel good,” Tina smiled.
“Well then, let commence to kicking some ass.”