Bette looked at her watch, ten minutes.  Tina coughed up her five dollars having wagered that Alice would be able to wait fifteen minutes before demanding to know why they were here.  Pulling Tina to her side Bette played her hand awhile longer.  “Did you summon anyone T?  I thought we were both quite gracious in our invitations don’t you?”

          Tina looked thoughtful for a moment.  “I think you’re right Babe, there was no summoning involved.”

          Alice groaned loudly. 

          Tina continued, “I think they’ve waited long enough.  Shall I do the honors Babe?”

          “Please.”

          “Bette and I are getting married.”

          Shocked silence filled the room.  Kit was the first to react.  “Baby sis.” She flew across the room and hugged them both with her belly now full of her and Mangus’ child.  Congratulations were exchanged all around and toasts were offered with champagne and sparkling cider.  Questions flew left and right; was the date set?  Where? By whom?  Each offered an opinion more outrageous than the next.   The only issue settled that night was that Alice, Shane and Kit would be their best persons. 

          Days turned into weeks and the wedding plans took firmer shape.  While they were both practicing Buddhists the occasion called forth other long buried feelings.  They wound up selecting a very progressive Episcopal Church for the ceremony.  Neither was prepared for the requirement of Pre -Cana counseling.  They discussed money, sex, communication, family of origin and a host of other topics the priest identified as the most common causes of marital problems.   They found it drew them even closer together than before.  California Law was still unsettled and the Church required that they both take all the legal steps available to protect their relationship.  Bette changed the deed on the house to both names.  They both petitioned to legally hyphenate their last names each needing to hold on to their previous names for professional recognition.  Angelica’s adoption was approved and Bette legally became her other parent.  They celebrated and almost broke their chastity agreement that night.

          Angelica continued to grow by leaps and bounds every day.  They doted on their daughter and hesitantly began discussion of another child.  They were even considering that Bette carry their second child again using Marcus’ sperm.  The nights were hard.  They spent a lot of time at Tina’s condo as the dust from the renovations forced them from their home.  Tina gripped that she didn’t even know what a hot shower felt like anymore. Occasionally they slept in the same bed when they were both too exhausted to do anything more than sleep.  Somehow the gang found out about their chastity agreement until the wedding and ribbed them mercilessly.

          Finally the wedding day arrived.  It was bright and clear.  Bette had spent the night before at Kit and Mangus’.  The color scheme was black and white.  Tina wore a white gown off the shoulder; while Bette chose a black gown with a sheer black over warp with mock tuxedo sleeves ending with white cuffs.  Kit and Tina’s Mom who was able to fly in the night before led the procession each holding one of Angie’s hands as they slowly processed down the aisle, followed by Tina and Alice and Bette and Shane.  No one noticed the older woman with platinum blonde hair who quietly slipped into the church though there was a resemblance to one of the brides.  The usher instinctively tried to seat her in the close family section but she declined choosing a spot within the crowd where she could observe yet not be observed.

          Dearly, beloved: we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of Christina and Elizabeth in the bonds of Holy Union.   

          They turned to one another, their eyes locked and the world melted away.