The stress of not hearing from Bette again was beginning to wear on her. Kit and the girls could see this and were keeping closer tabs on her now that she only had a week and a half left before her due date. Tina had taken a leave from the Center as she had just been to worn out lately. Her and Alice where making last minute touches on the nursery when all of the sudden the labor pains started.

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Tina: Oh my God, Alice. This cant be happening. The baby is not due for another 10 days. Bette hasnt come home yet. I cant have this baby without her. She cant miss her daughters birth.

Alice: Tina, you need to calm down. Maybe its just false labor. You shouldnt get all worked up. Im sure that getting all stressed out is not going to help matters. Why dont you call Dr. Wilson and see what she says?

Tina: Your right, Alice. I should call Dr. Wilson.

Tina picks up the phone and calls the doctor. Dr. Wilson is with a patient, so Tina briefly talks to her nurse and explains the situation. The nurse asked Tina if she had timed the contractions, which she had not. She tells Tina she needs to start timing them, to try to take it easy and she would have Dr. Wilson call her as soon as possible. Tina hangs up and lies down as Alice begins to time the contractions. Tina is thinking about Bette the entire time. It was as though she was trying to communicate with her on another level. Forty-five minutes later the phone rings. Its Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Wilson: Tina, I understand you are having some contractions. When did they begin and how frequent are the coming?

Tina: Well, I have been feeling kinda crampy since late yesterday, I guess. As for contractions, they have been kinda on and off all day, but nothing regular until the last couple of hours. Alice has been timing them since I called and they seem to be coming about every 8-10 minutes.

Dr. Wilson: They are coming regularly? They have not let up?

Tina: Yes, they have been regular for the last few hours. But Dr. Wilson this cant be happening yet. The baby is not due for another 10 days and Bette hasnt made it home yet. You have to do something to slow this down.

Dr. Wilson: Tina, babies have a way of coming into the world on their own time schedule. You are close enough to your due date to deliver a perfectly healthy baby. I would not recommend trying to slow down natures process. That sometimes can cause more complications then it is worth. I want you to monitor your contractions for another hour. If they continue to be regular, start coming closer, or if your water breaks I want you to call me immediately. You have been under a lot of stress lately and I wouldnt be surprised if this is the real thing.

Tina: Okay, Dr. Wilson. I guess I will be in touch.

Tina hangs up the phone.

Tina: ***** Alice. She thinks this might be the real thing and that it is not a good idea to slow things down. I cant believe this.

Alice: What exactly did the doctor say?

Tina: She said if the contractions continue, become more frequent or my water breaks to let her know immediately.

Alice: Wow, this could really be it. Do you have everything ready to take to the hospital?

Tina: God, Alice. I have been putting all of that off in hopes that Bette would get back.

Alice: Well, Tina, I dont think we can wait any longer. I think it is time that we get things put together. You tell me what you want and I will get things packed.

Tina spent the next hour timing contractions, while Alice got her bag packed for the hospital. By the time Alice had everything ready, it was time to call Dr. Wilson.

Tina: Hello, Dr. Wilson. The contractions are still coming. They are about every 6-8 minutes now and they are lasting longer.

Dr. Wilson: Tina, you need to get over to the hospital. I will meet you there to examine you and see exactly how far along you are.

Tina: Okay Dr. Wilson. I need to take care of a couple of things and then we will be on our way.

Tina gets off the phone and looks at Alice.

Tina: I guess I better call Kit. Dr. Wilson wants me to go to the hospital.

Tina picks up the phone and dials Kit. After a couple rings, Kit answers the phone.

Kit: The Planet, Kit Porter speaking.

Tina: Hey Kit. I hope you are not real busy.

Kit: Hey Baby Girl, Im never to busy for you. Whats up?

Tina: Its time Kit. My contractions have started and Dr. Wilson wants me to go to the hospital. I cant believe this is happening, Kit. Bettes not back yet. This is just not turning out the way I was hoping.

Tina begins to cry again.

Kit: Baby Girl, dont you worry. Everything will turn out okay. Im on my way right now.

Tina: Thanks Kit. Alice and I will be waiting.

Tina gets off the phone as her tears continue to fall. Alice goes over to her and gives her a hug.

Alice: Hey, its going to be okay. Youll see. Everythings going to be just fine.

Tina: I am glad you and Kit seem to think so, because I think things are totally fucked up. This should be one of the happiest days of my life and instead everything is a complete mess. Bette should be here for this. Why hasnt she called again? How did we drift so far apart?

Tina is sobbing now. She cant bear the thought that Bette will miss out on the birth of their daughter. Alice tries to calm her down.

Alice: Come on Tina. You need to try and relax. Remember, stress is not good.

Tina: I know Alice. I just cant believe this is happening. It just seems as though Bette and I cant get a break. Have I been fooling myself thinking that we would get past all this and be a family? Am I going to end up raising our daughter alone?

Alice: Tina, you shouldnt be thinking about those things now. You need to focus on you and the baby. Everything else can wait. You need to focus on bringing your little girl into the world.

Tina: Not without Bette. I cant do this without her. She cant miss out on this. Its not right. We should be sharing this experience together. She will be heart broken.

Alice: Look, Tina. You cant be worrying about Bette right now, but I do have an idea that might help. If you really want to have something to share with Bette, I could video the birth. I know it wont be the same as her being there, but it will be a way for you to share the experience with her later. What do you think?

Tina: I dont know. Al. Ill have to give that some thought. Im not sure that I would feel comfortable enough for that and God knows how Bette would feel about you being that involved in the whole process. I dont think thats such a good idea.

Alice: Well, just think about it Tina. I will bring the equipment along just incase you decide its something you want to do.

Just then Kit arrives. Tina is glad she is there as her contractions are getting stronger. They all head to the hospital. Once they arrive they have the tedious task of getting through the necessary paperwork. Everything was going pretty good until the nurse got to the spouses information. Tina began to cry again.

Tina: Oh my God. Bette is not going to be here. What am I going to do?

Kit immediately jumps in and takes matters into her own hands.

Kit: Listen Tina, why dont you go and sit down over there with Alice and I will take care of the rest of the paperwork.

Alice proceeds to take Tina over to some chairs where they have a seat. Kit, rather firmly, deals with the nurses.

Kit: Listen, her wife is Bette Porter. She doesnt happen to be here right now and will probably not make it in time to share in the birth. Tina is already upset enough about that so can we just get the necessary paperwork done and move on with this.

After the paperwork is completed Tina is taken up to the maternity ward. Kit has a talk with the maternity nurses so they do not have a repeat of the episode downstairs. Tina is still in tears as she gets into a hospital gown and gets settled into her bed. Its not long before Dr. Wilson comes in. Kit and Alice get up to leave.

Tina: Kit would you mind staying.

Kit turns around and goes and sits by Tinas bed and takes her hand.

Kit: Baby Girl, I am right here. I will do whatever you need me to do.

Tina: Thank you Kit, its just that its hard enough not having Bette here. I just really need you to stay.

Dr. Wilson: Well, lets take a look here and see what weve got going.

Dr. Wilson does an examination, immediately after which Tinas water breaks.

Dr. Wilson: Well, it seems as though you have been very busy. You are dilated to 6 cm. so I would say your little girl will be making an appearance within the next 4-8 hours. Your contractions will continue to get stronger and come more frequently. You will need to work through them with your breathing techniques and try to relax in between contractions. I will be back in to check on you later. Let the nurses know if you need anything.

Tina: The only thing I need is Bette.

Tina continues to cry. The nurses all feel bad for her. They can see how heartbroken she is over the fact that her wife is not here with her. They all go out of their way to make her as comfortable as possible and try to keep her mind off the fact that Bette is not there. Her contractions continue to intensify as Kit and the nurses continue to breath with her and offer their encouragement. Tinas tears flow as she talks to her baby about Bette.

Tina: Your mommy Bette loves you so much. She would have moved heaven and earth to be here if she knew you were ready to join us. She will be so sad that she missed out on seeing you come into this world. She has missed out on so much already, but not by her choice. Dont be upset with her. She has loved you from the moment she first found out about you. I was the one that pushed her away from you, from us. She tried for so long to be involved with this pregnancy, but I wouldnt have any part of it. I am so sorry, my little one. So sorry that your other mommy wont be here to meet you today.

Tina is no longer the only one in tears. Kit and the nurses that have been in and out of the room are all now teary eyed. Wishing there was something they could do to help ease the heartache that Tina was feeling.

Meanwhile back to Bette ..

Bette packed her things and headed to the pay phone. She was going to call Kit to let her know she was on her way home and make sure that it was okay for her to stay with her for a few days. She finally felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She could feel happiness beginning to arise within her. God, how she had missed that feeling. She decided to call Kit later, as she just wanted to get back to L.A. as quickly as possible. She was eager to get her life back on track.

As she drove, she thought back to happier times between her and Tina. She remembered when they first met at her gallery, their first kiss, their first date. She remembered their first few years together, how they had been inseparable. They were so close, so in love. She wanted to get that back again, she was willing to do anything to get that back. She remembered how they used to talk about everything, never holding things back, never keeping secrets. They were so open and honest with each other then.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a feeling of uneasiness came over Bette. A feeling that she just couldnt shake. She had a terrible feeling that something was wrong with Tina. She needed to get to a phone to call Kit. She pulled into the next gas station and called the Planet, only to find that Kit wasnt there.

Bette: It is very important that I find her. Do you know when she will be back or where she is at?

Waitress: Im sorry Ms. I dont know when to expect her back. She is at the hospital. A friend of hers is having a baby.

Bettes mind begins to process things. Tina had over a week before she was due. Oh my God, could something have went wrong. Bette begins to panic.

Bette: This friend of hers, did she tell you her name?

Waitress: I believe she said Tina. Yes, I think it was a Tina Kennard.

Bette drops the phone. She cant believe this is happening. She has to get to the hospital. She has to see Tina. She doesnt care if Helena is there or not. She has to be with Tina. She has to be there for their baby. She gets back in the car and continues on to LA, towards the hospital. Her mind is on overload. If something happens to Tina or the baby she will never forgive herself. She has at least another 45 minutes, that is if traffic cooperates. As she drives she runs through several scenarios of how she will deal with Helena. She doesnt want to have to get into a physical altercation with the woman, but if that is what it takes for her to see Tina, then so be it.

Bette had been so intensely focused on Tina and the baby that she had not realized the time that had passed and the distance she had traveled. As she took in her surroundings she was happy to surmise that she was only minutes away from the hospital. She just hoped that Tina and the baby were okay. Bette quickly finds a parking space and enters the ER. She goes directly to the nurses station.

Bette: Can you tell me where I can find Tina Kennard? She was brought in earlier today.

Bette is directed to the maternity ward and told that the nurses there would have further information. Bette takes a deep breath and heads toward the elevator. Once she arrives to the maternity floor show slowly steps off the elevator and looks around to see if any of the gang is nearby. She really doesnt want to run into anyone until she has the chance to see how Tina is doing. She sees the nurses station and walks over to it.

Bette: Hi, Im looking for Tina Kennard. Could you tell me where I can find her?

Nurse: Im sorry Ms., but Ms. Kennard is in labor right now and cannot have any visitors. If you would like you can join the rest of her friends down the hall there in the waiting room.

Bette takes a deep breath and takes a more stronger approach with the nurses.

Bette: I am sorry. I didnt make myself clear. I am Bette Porter. Ms. Kennard is my wife and I need to know where I can find her.

Nurse: Did you say your name was Bette?

Bette immediately gets defensive, assuming that Helena had called out the guard dogs.

Bette: Look, I dont know what Helena Peabody may have told you, but Tina is my wife and that baby that she is delivering is my daughter and there is no way in ***** that you are going to keep me away from her, so if you could just tell

One of the nurses interrupts Bette.

Nurse: I dont know anything about any Helena Peabody, but did you say you are Bette, Bette Porter?

Bette: Yes, and Tina is my wife. Now can you tell me where I can find her?

Nurse: Oh my God, Tina is going to be so happy to see you. She has been so upset. She didnt think you were going to make it. Come with me, I will take you to right to her. She is going to be so excited.

Bette suddenly feels that she has entered the twilight zone. The nurses words repeat over and over in her head. Tina is going to be so happy, she is going to be so excited. As Bette follows the nurse down the hall she begins to think that this is just another one of her dreams. A sick joke. She figures she will wake up at any moment only to find herself back at the cabin. She continues to follow the nurse as they approach a room. The nurse enters the room as Bettes feet are suddenly unable to move.

Nurse: Well, you are never going to believe who I found wandering around in the hall.