The next morning

Harmony rose and 6 and began her usual routine of showering and primping.  Harmony usually fed Angelica in the morning but she made Bette aware that she wouldnt be able to.

Bette:  What?  Again?

Harmony:  Im sorry babe but I need to get to the office early today.  I need to get as much time in as possible.

Bette:  And what about time with me and Angel?  You werent home for dinner last night either.  She was asking for you.

Angelica was now beginning to use words.  She couldnt say much but the usual mama and yes and no.  She somehow learned Harmonys name.  She did live with her and Bette part time it was bound to happen.  But no one thought it would have happened so soon.  She knew Harmony, recognized her and checked for her when she wasnt around.  They were all worried that she would begin to call her mama too but she didnt.  Angelica knew full well who her mothers were, but she still created a special part of her fledgling memory for Harmony.  She couldnt quite master the multi-syllabic Harmony but she could muster honey.  So that became Harmonys name and she would answer to it. 

Bette:  She used to eating with both of us when shes here.  If I heard honey in a questioning voice one more time I was gonna lose it.   She asked when I picked her up from the sitter, when I put her down to play, when I fed her, when she had her bath and when you werent there to read her bed time story.

Harmony felt like she was just offered a verbal slap in the face.  She wanted to be there but there were things she had to do.  They wre getting accustomed to living a certain way and she wanted nothing more then to maintain it and carry it even further.  Growing up as a kid with little or nothing, and a father who often did nothing to contribute to his familes well being, played with Harmonys psyche.  It gave her a complex when it came to money.  By no means was she money hungry but she was ambitious.  She was going to go out and be the best and what she did so no one could ever accuse her of being her father.  She was going to get as much as she could for as long as she could and provide for her family all the things that her family couldnt provide her with.  Not only had she taken on the responsibility of caring for Bette and Angelica but she had a mother to think about and a brother who did little to help.  He felt better removing himself completely from the situation, which no one could blame him for, including Harmony.  So she sucked it up and claimed yet another responsibility.  She felt horrible that she had disappointed Angelica but truth be told she would do it again.  She loved Angelica like she was her own, so there was a wonderful private school she wanted to send her to from kindergarten on that cost several thousand dollars per term.  Not to mention college.  Angelica would one day need a car to get around, spending money, etc. All the things she wasnt offered as a teenager/young adult.  Harmony was determined to get her all those things and more and not to mention take excellent care of Bette was well.  She didnt want to just supply their needs but their wants as well.

Harmony:  Im sorry babe.  But this is work, Im sure when shes older shell understand.

Bette:  I dont care about when shes older.  I care about now.  I care about the time your not spending with her now.and with me.

Ding!  That was it.  Harmony was seeing it a lil bit clearer now.

Harmony:  BB Im sorry.  This is a real big gig for me.  If I get this, then Ill get that promotion Ive been working for all this time.  Then one day partner.  This could mean a whole lot more money for us.

Bette:  I dont care about money Harmony, I care about us.  Im working now, we have 2 incomes.  Were doing great monetarily.  A promotion is only going to mean even less of your time spent at home.

Harmony walked over to Bette and wrapped her arms around her.  Bette smelled her perfume and felt light headed.  Bette sat and watched her put it on yet Harmonys smell still made her crazy.  Must have been the scent mixed with her body chemistry.

Harmony:  This promotion means I call the shots, I make the rules for myself so I will be able to spend more time home with Angie and you.  I want the best for you, for us.  Angie wont be a baby forever, theres college and I want to send her to the best schools in between.  Im only trying to do that for us.

Bette:  I know babe but you dont have to work so hard to get it.  The more time you spend out there trying to obtain the best is the more you missed with Angelica and me as well in the mean time.

Harmony knew she was right.

Harmony:  Your right.  One last gig.  After this, everything will be alright.  I promise.

Harmony leaned in and kissed Bette on the lips.  Bette longed to feel Harmony but she seemed detached.  She couldnt even get a brief make out session before Harmony was  out the door and pulling out the driveway.  Bette couldnt put her finger on it but something wasnt quit right.