“Tina, I don’t think that Bette could ever stop loving you even if she tried.  She loves you more than life itself.  Can’t you see it in her eyes?”

                                              *******

            Tina called Bette right after she put Angelica down for the night.  Even though Bette was not Angelica’s birth mother Tina swore that she could see parts of Bette in her.  There was no question that she had Bette’s confidence and charm even at this tender age. The machine picked up.

            “Hi, Babe we just got in a few minutes ago.  Angelica fell asleep in the car on the way home. She’s fast asleep and I think she’ll sleep through the night. Give me a call when you get in.” 

            Tina wondered where Bette was.  She would have assumed she was with Kit if she hadn’t just left there.  She toyed with the idea of just showing up at the house and waiting there when the doorbell rang.

            Tina opened the door and there stood Bette with Angelica’s favorite bear in her hands. 

            “I would have called but I didn’t think you would be back yet.  I just came to drop this off and saw your light on.”

            “Come on in.” Tina invited stepping back so that Bette could come in.  “I just left you a message.”

            “Oh, was Angie already asking for her baby bear?”

            “No she’s sound asleep.  I suspect you didn’t put her down for a nap today.”

            “No. I didn’t.”  Bette answered sheepishly.  “She was having so much fun at the park and didn’t want to get off the swing.  I think she got overexcited.  I can’t believe how much she grows each day T.”  Tina smiled. 

            “It’s ok Babe.”

            “I know we agreed that we would try to establish a schedule for her but I don’t think that breaking it under the circumstances was such a bad thing.”  Bette declared readying for a fight.

            “I agree.”

            “Then we had a small picnic and she was fascinated by the grass and the butterfly’s and birds…”

            “I said I agree Babe.”

            “Oh.”  Bette seemed at a loss having won the argument that she was having without Tina. “I should be going then.”

            “Only if you want to, I would like to spend some more time with you this evening if you’re up for it?”

            “I’d like that but I need to prepare for a Departmental meeting tomorrow.  Are we still on for dinner on Friday with Elizabeth and her husband?” Bette asked pushing stay curls behind her ear and turning back towards the door.

            “Of course, I said I would cook too.  You have Angelica Wednesday and Thursday.  Since I’ll be over on Friday do you just want to keep her until then?”

            “I’d love to.”

            “I’d like to stop by each night if that’s ok with you. You are free to do the same while she’s with me.”  Tina wanted the door to Angelica wide open between them.

            “No problem. See you tomorrow.  Goodnight.”

            Tina kissed Bette goodnight then pulled her into her arms for a long hug.

            “Goodnight, Babe, drive safely.”