Bette and Angelica have gotten into a nice routine of school, dinner, playtime, bath and bed. Playtime could be anything from time in the park or playground, to story time or simply playing at home. She and Cynthia had agreed to take the kids to Central Park on Wednesday after school. They decided to start at the playground. They start off by feeding them dinner: Uncrustables PB&Js and milk. Bette had discovered these on a Costco run and Angelica ate them really well as did Sam. Bette and Cynthia made do with a street vendor meal: they spotted a van selling Caribbean food and decided to give it at a try. Both decided on the jerk chicken with rice and peas and plantains. The kids also wanted to taste their mother’s meals and seemed to enjoy the plantains and the rice and peas. Because of the spices they kids didn’t get to taste the chicken.

Cynthia: My parents are from the Caribbean. My mother makes food like this all the time.

Bette: Are your parents local?

Cynthia: Yes, they live in Brooklyn and they still complain that Sam is too far away here in Manhattan.

Bette: He’s lucky to still have his grandparents. Angelica doesn’t quite have that. My mother took off when I was about six and my father passed away right before she was born. Tina’s parents cut her off when she told them she was gay and in a relationship with me. We have a guardian angel who has taken to Angelica like a grandmother, so she has a surrogate, but not the blood lines

Cynthia: Do Tina’s parents know about the baby?

Bette: No, Tina has felt if they couldn’t accept and love her for who she is then she won’t subject Angelica to them. I’m not sure if we’ll revisit that in the future. Whether they know about her or accept her, she’s their grandchild. Tina actually gave birth to Angelica. We chose and African American donor.

Cynthia: Well you chose well. She is absolutely beautiful and has some of  your features.

Bette: Thank you. If you see her with Tina you’d really see their resemblance. Hmm, looks like see saw time, you ready?

The mothers help the babies onto the see saw and the kids have a blast. The final stop is the sandbox. Both have to be told not to eat the sand or throw it. It is now about 7:30 and both mothers want to get their babies home for bath and bed. The kids protest being separated, but the mothers eventually win. The families head off into opposite directions as Cynthia and Sam live on the Upper West Side and Bette’s place is on the Upper East side. Bath time is a snap as Angelica can hardly keep her eyes open as Bette changes her and puts on her pajamas. Tonight the baby would only need her goodnight kiss from Momma and not a bedtime story for a good night’s sleep. Bette’s had started her day early at the gym, so she decided to follow Angelica’s lead. She took a long shower and was in bed by 9pm. She sends Tina a brief good night text message and turns over once Tina replies in kind. The rest of the week went great for Bette and Angelica. Bette has decided to finally take Angelica to the Brooklyn children’s museum. She invited Cynthia and Sam to join them. Turns out the timing would be perfect as Sam would be spending Saturday night and Sunday with her parents. They meet at the museum close to opening. Bette’s museum card gets them in for free and they take a look around at the exhibits and are in time for the 11m puppet show. The kids love the puppet show.