Angie jumped up from the sofa excited that her Auntie Alice got through to her Momma B and she would be coming home to win her Momma T back. It wasn’t going to be easy as her Momma T has closed off her heart from allowing it to get broken again. And the fact she was engaged to Rachel now also presented a major obstacle. But after seeing her Momma T cry over her Momma B’s picture, Angie knew that her Momma T was the only one that was causing her heart to break by not allowing her Momma B back in.

Angie walked over to her book bag and pulled out the dvd that her Auntie Alice had left for her before she left last night for New York. She took the dvd out of the case titled ’2003 Costa Rica Trip’ and walked over to the DVD player and put the disc in. She grabbed the remote and walked back to the sofa and waited until her Momma T came back from the store.

Ten minutes later she saw her Momma T pull in the driveway and hit play on the remote. Angie laughed as her Auntie Alice appeared on the screen. It looked like they had just arrived at their beach bungalows and of course her Auntie Alice was driving everyone crazy as Tina entered through the front door.

”Hey Momma!” Angie said as she laughed at something her Momma B said.

Tina looked at her funny as she walked in and was about to say something until she heard Bette’s voice and turned to the TV to see herself and Bette in an embrace then Alice turn the camera to herself then back to her and Bette. Her heart melted as she remembered that was their 5 year anniversary as a couple and Bette sprung for their friends to join them in Costa Rica to celebrate.

”Angie?. Where did you get that?” Tina asked not taking her eyes off of the screen and went over and sat down beside Angie.

Angie smirked as she knew her Momma T was hooked. ”Auntie Alice gave it to me to watch. I saw it at her and Auntie Dana’s house and I just wanted to see what you and Momma B looked like when you were younger.” Angie lied and noticed that her Momma didn’t even hear a word she said as she was fixated on the screen. Angie smiled and went back to watching the video

Bette finally wiped away the remaining tear of many that had rolled down her cheeks after ending her call with Tina. Hearing that Tina was marrying Rachel devastated her and she felt like she was losing her all over again. 13 years. That’s how long she has been separated from the love of her life. From the one who still had her heart. From the one she loved more than life itself. There was no room for anyone else and although she had been on her share of dates that’s all they ever ended up being. Just dates.

Bette got up from her chair in her New York City penthouse and walked over to her bar to fix herself a drink. It would become the only comfort that would help suppress the loneliness and emptiness she has felt since Tina abandoned her physically, mentally, and emotionally after Angie was born. Tina shut herself off from Bette as she never fully forgave her for cheating on her with Candace and instead of talking things out and telling Bette her concerns and fears, Tina’s self defense mechanism was to shutdown and push Bette out of her life.

Bette moved out of the home they shared soon after she had returned from her trip to Washington D.C and got an apartment not to far away. They set up a visitation schedule for Bette to spend time with Angie and a few months later The Whitney had called Bette about the job opening and it was hers if she wanted it.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for Bette to see Tina explore her newly single life going out with heaven forbid men again but after she went through that phase to see her with another woman was just too much for her to take. She had to remove herself and moving to New York was what she needed. Leaving Angie was the only regret but Kit brought her to New York to see Bette often. Bette has been back to L.A. for a few visits since the move but any interaction with Tina was brief but pleasant and always mixed with a dose of sadness.

”I hope you are happy Tina. I hope Rachel makes you happy and never breaks your heart or your trust like I did” Bette said to herself taking a sip of her drink and looking out of her window at the night skyline.

”Psst. Psst. Angie?” The voice whispered as Angie turned around to see who was trying to get her attention but didn’t see anyone. Accepting that she was hearing things she shrugged her shoulders and proceeded to her home a few houses down

”Angie!. Up here!” The voice said a little louder as Angie looked up and saw her Auntie Alice up in a tree.

”I’m not even going to ask what you are doing in the tree Auntie Alice” Angie said shaking her head and switching her school books over to her other arm

”Good. Let’s just say that I am your Earth Mother you know and I have to be one with nature here even with the trees” Alice explained

”Are you trying to spy on Momma T and her girlfriend again? Give it up Auntie Alice. She and Momma B are not getting back together. They tried after I was born but Momma B took that job in New York at the Whitney and she isn’t coming back here. Momma T never forgave her for- Well you know” Angie explained

”I know. But Bette still loves Tina Angie. She only moved because Tina pushed her away. Why do you think Bette hasn’t been in a relationship all these years? That’s been 13 years ago. Don’t you want them back together?” Alice said slowly climbing down the tree.

”I don’t ever remember them being ’together’. But. Yeah. I always wanted us to be a family. But Momma T loves Rachel. They have been together a year. Yesterday was their 1 year anniversary” Angie said with a mixture of happiness and sadness.

”Exactly! And Rachel asked Tina to marry her last night and she said yes! She didn’t tell you did she” Alice said finally down from the tree.

Angie dropped her books.

”What?” Angie said in shock

”Thought that would get your attention. Let me ask you this. Do you think Tina still loves Bette?” Alice asked folding her arms waiting for a reply

Angie knew the answer but it wasn’t going to change anything.

”Yes she still loves her but she isn’t going down that road again. There was too much hurt and Momma T doesn’t want Momma B to hurt her like that again. They are good friends. Let it go Auntie Alice” Angie said picking up her books and walking off.