Ingrid: Well I’ll be happy to help you both with another adoption when you’re ready. I helped Helena Peabody with both of her adoptions.

Bette: Yea, but I’m not a Peabody.

Ingrid: You’re closer than you realize, but you don’t need to be a Peabody to adopt the children that you and Tina have together. You’ve done very well for yourself Bette. Any parent would be glad to call you daughter.

Bette: Thanks.

Bette heads into the office to start her day. She has a lunch time meeting scheduled with Hilda. She hasn’t met with her since before Angelica moved to New York.

Hilda: Well I can already see how life it treating you. You look great and your smile is a mile wide.

Bette: Well, if I was doing that well I wouldn’t be here now.

Hilda: So now you’re making up reasons to come see me?

Bette: You’re right, my life is really, really good right now. Tina is now here full time and we are a family under one roof again. We go for the adoption hearing on Tuesday and I’m just on pins and needles. Everything points to the adoption being granted, but part of me just can’t believe it’s going to happen. I’m not sure what I’d do if the court says no or somehow delays the decision.

Hilda: Bette let’s step back to when you first came to see me. You arrived in New York, alone, depressed and shaken. You built a life for yourself, you flourished at the Whitney. Now you have your family in place; the one thing you’d thought you’d never have. You will survive no matter the decision. Tina will be with you no matter the decision. If you have to redo some steps in the process, you’ll do it because you are dedicated to your daughter and you will see the process through. I have no doubt that the judge will see your dedication to Angelica and grant your petition. Just let me know once it’s a done deal.

Bette: I’ll do that. It may not be immediately, but I’ll let you know. Thanks for seeing me today.

Hilda: It was a pleasure having you on my calendar for today.

Bette heads back to the office and calls Tina.