“Bette, you’re not your father. He may have influenced some bad behavior, and granted there were times in our relationship when you were very cruel, but you were never malicious. You don’t love conditionally or hold back your affection as punishment because you are disappointed in someone. I know your heart, and I know you love me. I know you didn’t set out to hurt me by cheating, but it is a by-produce of your actions and we need to deal with that. I love you, but our trust was broken. That is what really hurts. I think that maybe it was the same with your mother, but I’m not running away. I’m still here. We’re having a baby and no matter what happens between us as a couple we will always be a family. Your father’s disparaging attitude can’t change that.”

“You know what, you’re right and it doesn’t matter anymore what he thinks. What matters is us. You’re what’s important. Our baby is what’s important. I love my father but I love you more and if he can’t accept who we are then he’d dead to me.”

“Bette, you don’t mean that, and I don’t want me and this baby to be the reason you alienate your father. He’s of a different era, his convictions are ingrained and nothing is going to change that. His intolerance cost him to miss out on an entire lifetime with Kit, but maybe now he is having regrets. Otherwise why would be here wanting to spend time with her? Him inviting Benjamin to dinner was probably less about accepting Benjamin over me than finding some common ground with Kit.
Baby, Melvin has known that I was an important part of your life since we started dating 10 years ago. I remember all the attempts you made to get him to spend time with us in the early part of our relationship and he always found an excuse to cancel. He refused to come to our commitment ceremony 8 years ago, he’s refused invitations to every milestone event we’ve celebrated in all those years. He refused to even consider a connection to our children because of biology. It’s no secret I’m not fond of your father. His rejection has stung over the years but I’ve grown to accept it. I only made the effort because it was important to you. I know that you thought it would be different with a baby and maybe it would have if you were the one carrying it but to be honest I half expected him to react just the way he did. His love for you is so conditional that it’s unhealthy Bette. It’s almost like he’s punishing you for who you love. That emotional stronghold is what you need to get away from, but I don’t think cutting him out of your life is the answer.”