Bette straightens slightly in her chair. “Is there something you needed, Michelle?”

Michelle finally breaks eye contact with Tina, looks toward Bette, and shakes her head. “No.” She glances down at Mickey, who is happily playing with the ends of her hair. “I just saw my baby and wanted to speak.”

Michelle looks back at Mickey, her expression softening. “Alright, handsome. Mommy’s gonna let you get back to your dinner.” She squeezes him affectionately, then carefully settles him back into his high chair. She adjusts his shirt and brushes a stray curl away from his forehead. “There you go, sweetheart.”

Mickey immediately reaches for his cup.

Michelle smiles, then straightens and steps back from the table. “Well, enjoy your dinner, B,” she says softly, almost flirtatiously.

Bette doesn’t bother responding

Michelle’s gaze shifts toward Tina and a small, knowing smirk plays at the corner of her mouth.

Tina rolls her eyes as Michelle turns and walks away with a deliberate little switch in her hips.

Tina watches her for a moment before slowly turning toward Bette.

“I know, I know,” Bette murmurs, her voice low enough that only Tina can hear. “Don’t let her get to you, baby. Come here.”

Tina looks at her for another second, still wearing that mildly irritated expression.

Bette smiles. “Come on.” She reaches across the small space between their chairs and gently touches Tina’s chin, turning her face toward her.

Tina’s expression softens despite herself.

Bette leans in and presses a tender kiss to her lips. It’s soft and unhurried, just long enough to make Tina forget what she was annoyed about.

As Bette begins to pull away, she playfully catches Tina’s lower lip between her teeth and gives it a gentle nip.

Tina lets out a surprised giggle…

***

By the time Bette and Tina finally get both children tucked into bed, the house has settled into a welcome silence. Angie has managed to negotiate an extra bedtime story, while Mickey has insisted on one more kiss, another sip of water, and a final check beneath his bed for monsters.

In their bedroom, Bette slips off her suit jacket and drapes it over the back of a chair. She unbuttons the top button of her shirt, glancing toward the walk-in closet as Tina emerges wearing only her skirt and bra.