Tina had rang Helena to take her to the hospital; she knew calling a cab would take too long and she yearned to see if Bette was ok.

Helena arrived as soon as possible, aware of the turmoil of emotions Tina must be experiencing she was worried for both her friends.

“Are you okay Tina? Stupid question I know but you don’t look too good.” Helena had sat in the driving seat and lovingly pulled Tina’s seatbelt across her bump.

Tina sat their unfazed and undeterred that Helena had even said anything. So Helena tried to break her trance as she was unsure where she was driving to get to Bette.

“Tina…. Listen to me you’re in a state of shock but I need you to tell me two things. What hospital did they say Bette was in? And you feeling ok?.” Helena voice was soothing and sympathetic to Tina’s current state. From a slight touch to her arm Tina finally spoke.

“I erm… Erm I can’t remember. St.Ann’s or St.Austins maybe…. Please tell me she’s going to be alright.”

Tina had completely ignored Helena’s question about how she was feeling it didn’t seem important right now; Bette needed her.

All the pain was subsided she would never wish a hair on the Brunette’s head to ever come to any harm. The moisture within the car felt thick; misty even causing heat to quickly burn to her cheeks. She wound down the window enjoying the cool breeze caressing her cheeks.

Helena had noticed Tina open the window, the night wasn’t exactly warm the wind was quite brisk. She observed Tina’s posture and overall she was concerned for her friend in her current condition. Tina hadn’t told her she was pregnant but she already knew from the swell of her breasts and the roundness to her stomach.

Helena had decided that she would try both St.Ann’s and St.Austin’s hospitals, starting with the latter as it was closer. She spoke softly; “Tina, I promise you we will find her no matter where she is. I know how much you love her and quite frankly you, Bette and this baby are my only concern right now.

Tina was shocked as Helena said the word ‘baby’, she hadn’t told anyone but Bette. Or had she, her mind was in ten different places all at once. Helena always took care of her; the friendship was indescribable and Helena seemed the older sister she never had.

They both drove in silence, as Tina looked out the window she was aware they were approaching the hospital. In her current state she couldn’t believe she had forgot which hospital the nurse had told her. She felt frustrated with herself. Subconsciously blaming herself for whatever may have happened to Bette.

Helena parked the car up, helping Tina from her seat warily watching to see if she seemed to be in any physical pain. She wasn’t entirely satisfied by the pale blonde’s structure. She seem to wince with every glide. The wavy haired brunette wrapped her arms around the blonde in a way to support her pain. Tina’s body immediately appreciated the extra care as it supported it’s self within the strong mould.

Helena looked at Tina as they approached the reception desk of the hospital; their eyes spoke without words.

The brunette was still supporting Tina when they reached a young red head at the reception desk, “Excuse me this is Tina Kennard and she is here to see Bette Porter her life partner. She hasn’t been told anything, and we’re not sure that this is even the right hospital.” As she spoke she kept glancing over at Tina to try and soothe the blonde’s pain.

“Hi, do you know what time she was brought in at all? As I don’t seem to have anybody by that name here on my list”.

Tina was shaking; where was Bette? She grips her hands more firmly to those supporting her.

“It was maybe about 20minutes ago if that, some nurse called Alicia rang to tell Tina she was here.” Helena remained polite although she knew Tina was anxious to know how her ex-lover; life partner was doing.

“I will be right back I will just go and check with the head nurse. Just take a seat, I think you should get her some water she doesn’t look too good. I will be right back”. With that the red head was gone; even before Helena had managed to seat Tina and get her a glass of water.

Tina seemed a little more aware of her surroundings as she swallowed the last drop of water from the polystyrene cup. She had the courage to speak, “How did you know about the…”. She paused for a few moments before continuing “Baby?”.

Helena smiled; “How could I not Tina? That tiny thing is growing inside you and you’re starting to show alittle bit. Don’t worry I haven’t told Bette or anyone else for that matter”.

Tina was grateful for Helena’s disgression surrounding the matter. She momentarily placed her hands on her small bump exploring the shape. She realised for the first time, this child was indeed growing inside of her. She had been oblivious to Helena’s statement day after day. She felt her body adapting to change but she reluctantly wanted a different life to what she had; they deserved more.

The red head was standing before them, “Miss Kennard your wife Bette is in surgery. She wasn’t on my paperwork because she was rushed in straight away. I’m sorry but if you follow me I can take you up to the room she will be going to when she comes out of surgery”.

“Is she ok? What even happened?”. Tina’s worry was not diminishing infact multiplying, she knew this was serious for Bette to be in surgery.

“I’m not exactly sure if she is ok but I can tell you that you wife was in a car crash. And from the injuries she has sustained they can tell it wasn’t your wife’s fault.”

They waited in a small room that could barely act as privacy. Helena had been allowed to stay with Tina for the time being because the receptionist had been worried Tina needed a shoulder for support. The receptionist was more understanding because she was gay herself and life-partners were long term. A unity or marriage that was forever although she had never experienced it first hand she knew all about it and admired the courage of these women in this society.

They waited and waited, the hand on the clock didn’t seem to move. Helena had been keeping track of how long they had been sat in the room. It had been 1hr and 45 minutes and still they were yet to hear anything more on Bette’s condition.

Helena had decided she would go and find a nurse or a doctor so they could explain to Tina what was going on.

She’d had enough of waiting, she was starting to get angry as patience was never her strong suit.

“Look here I didn’t want to be rude earlier, but we have been waiting nearly 2 fucking hours and we’re no closer to finding out how Bette Porter is than when you phoned to say she was here, I’m Helena Peabody and if you don’t know me you should get to know. My mother Peggy Peabody will eat you alive for breakfast, she donated a lot of money to this hospital and it would only take one call to…”

Helena was broken from her rant as she span round to see Bette lying on the hospital bed being pushed into the room. Bandages and bruises escaping her pale gaunt looking skin, her eyes closed she wasn’t awake. She then noticed the blood as she sprinted towards the room. She hadn’t even been cleaned up properly as she reached the room she spotted Tina’s distress as Bette was wheeled in.

Tina looked at her beautiful ex wife; with watery filled eyes before feeling a sharp blow again to her abdomen like earlier. Helena saw the hurt in her eyes as Tina automatically clutched her stomach. Helena looked to the floor and saw blood, she was sure it could have been Bette’s but it was positioned where Tina stood.

She went to say something but saw the image of Tina crumple before her.