Tina: Awww, Babe. I know you are and I wish there was something I could do to take away all the fears and doubts that you are having. But Baby, I promise you as time goes by it will get easier. Just remember how much I love you Babe. Now, what do you say we get up and around before the girls show up and give us more grief about being in bed all day?

Bette: Okay, T. I think I will take a quick shower. Maybe that will help me feel a little better.

Bette gets up out of bed, gathers her things, then goes over and gives both Katalina and Tina a kiss on the forehead before she heads for the shower.

Bette: I love you both so much. Thank you T.

Tina: For what Baby?

Bette: For putting up with me, for loving me, for not giving up on me.

Tina: Your welcome Babe. Just be sure you do the same for me, okay?

Bette: I promise T.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tina gets her and Katalina around as she hears someone at the front door. She heads out to answer it and finds Kit waiting anxiously.

Kit: Hey baby girl, I thought Id stop by while things were slow at the Planet. Hows things going? Here, let me take this little one from you?

Tina hands Katalina to Kit as they go in and have a seat on the sofa. Tina answers Kit, sounding a little tired.

Tina: Were doing okay, Kit.

Kit: Just okay? Wheres my baby sister?

Tina: Shes in the bathroom. She wanted to take a shower, but I think she changed her mind and is taking a bath. I dont know Kit. Im worried about her.

Kit: Is she still not talking?

Tina: Actually Kit, she has opened up quite a bit. I just never realized how hard this has been on her. She has so many fears running through her mind. I can feel her get so close to me and then just as quickly I feel her pull away. I dont know what else I can do. Ive told her how much I love her and how much I want us to be together and I know she feels the same way. I think she is just so afraid of getting hurt, I dont know if she can whole heartedly take the chance. I mean, I believe she wants to, I just dont know if she is strong enough to do it.

Kit: Aww, baby girl, you just need to give her a little time. She will work things out. You know how she is. Remember, it just takes her a little longer to work things through than the rest of us. She loves you so much. Im sure she just doesnt want to ***** things up again.

Tina: Yeah, thats what she keeps saying, to just give her a little time. I just dont know if time is going to do it. Shes keeping herself at such a distance. Do you know not once since shes been back, has she given me a kiss on the lips. Ive gotten kissed on the forehead, on the cheek, on the hand and even on the shoulder, but she is being so cautious as to how close she lets herself get. Its driving me crazy, Kit.

Kit: Tina, I think she just doesnt want you to feel pressured. She doesnt know what the pace should be, what is okay and what is not. Shes probably afraid to make the first move. She doesnt want to overstep her bounds. She even asked if she could stay with me for awhile because she wasnt sure whether you were ready to have her here with you. She means well, baby girl. Shes just had some major changes in her life that have been totally out of her control and we all know she is not so good at dealing with changes so quickly. Just give her some time. Im sure she just needs some time to feel comfortable again.

Tina: Im trying Kit and I know she is trying too. Its just hard to see her this way, so insecure, so vulnerable. I guess Im seeing first hand how deeply this affected her. I just wish there was something I could do to help her through it all.

Kit: Shell get there baby girl. After all, you and this little on here mean more to her than life itself. You can see that in her eyes. She is so proud of the both of you.

Tina: She is, isnt she. I just hope she gets it through that thick head of hers and accepts the fact that I love her more than anything.

Kit: Dont you worry, baby girl. Shell get it all figured out. What about this little one? How is she doing?

Tina: Aww, Kit. She has been great. I just hope she stays this way.

Kit: Well, dont be holding your breath on that one. Just enjoy this time while you have it. They grow up so quickly.

As Kit and Tina continue talking, Bette is in the bathroom taking a hot bath as she tries to put her fears to rest. She goes back over everything Tina has said to her since shes been back. She knows Tina loves her as much as she loves Tina. So why is she still afraid to give herself 100%. Why is she afraid to totally open up her heart? She has to get past these doubts and insecurities. She promised Tina that she would give herself completely this time, nothing held back. She couldnt let her down again. She needed to move past the fears and trust in the love that the two of them shared. She needed to put Helena behind them. Tina had made her choice. She just needed to believe in that and stop stressing over things that no longer mattered.

She had to stop focusing on the risk of getting hurt again and put all of her energy towards their relationship. She was not going to let her fears shut her down and take over this time. Tina and Katalina meant way too much to her. She wasnt going to let anything come in between them again. As she genuinely came to the realization that together they could truly make it work this time around, she felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew what she had to do now. She quickly got out of the tub and got herself around.

Meanwhile, Kit and Tina are discussing the plans for the evening.

Tina: Im really not sure when the rest of the girls will show up. Bette asked them to give us a little time to get settled. Im not sure if she has any special plans for this evening or not.

Just then Bette enters in the room. Tina notices a change in her. She looks more relaxed. More at peace with herself.

Bette: Hey, Kit. I didnt know you were here.

Kit: Yeah, I snuck away while things were quiet, but Ill need to get back in a little bit. I never realized how much work having your own business demands.

Bette: Well, Im glad you can spend some time with us. Dont go getting yourself all wrapped up in work like I did. You miss out on the important things in life.

Tina smiles at Bette as Bette comes over and sits down beside her. Bette takes her hand and intertwines it with Tinas as she brings it to her mouth and places a soft kiss on the back of Tinas hand.

Bette: Sorry I took so long, T. I decided on a bath instead of a shower. I hope you dont mind.

Tina: Of course not babe. I hope you feel better.

Bette: Actually I do babe. I feel much better. Now, what do you think we should do about this evening. Shall I order some take-out, Im not sure when everyone is planning on coming over, but I can give them a call. What do you think, babe? Is there anything special you had in mind?

Tina: Whatever you want to do is okay with me baby, just nothing too spicey for me.

Kit: I could bring something from the Planet, if that would make it easier on the two of you.

Tina: You dont have to do that Kit.

Kit: I want too. You guys have been through a lot these last couple of days, I just want to help out.

Bette: That would be great Kit. Why dont you just surprise us?

Kit: Surprise you huh? I think maybe you stayed in the hot water too long baby sis. Are you sure youre feeling okay?

Bette: Very funny, Kit. I am feeling just fine. As a matter of fact, Im feeling better than fine. I have everything that is important to me right here. You are just going to have to get used to the new and improved, laid back Bette Porter. Now, I think Ill go and call the girls and see what time they are planning on coming over.

Bette gives Tina another kiss on the hands and then heads off to the bedroom to make the calls.

Kit: Well, she seems to be in a pretty good mood.

Tina: Yeah, maybe a hot bath and some time to herself is what she needed.

Kit: Well, I hate to run, but I should really get back. Ill be back around 6:30 and bring the food. You guys should just relax and enjoy each others company. Tell Bette bye and Ill see you all tonight.

Kit gets up and gives Katalina back to Tina and heads out the door. Its not long before Bette returns.

Bette: Hey, baby. Did Kit take off already?

Tina: Yeah, shell be back around 6:30 with food.

Bette comes back over and sits next to Tina.

Bette: That will be great. Shane said shed be here by 6:00 and Alice and Dana said sometime between 6-6:30. Shane wasnt for sure if Jenny would be around or not. It will really be nice to just hang out with everyone for awhile. Ive really missed that. Do you think everything will be okay, T? I mean, I know I messed everything up and then to leave the way I did, do you think things will ever get back to the way they used to be? Do you think they have forgiven me?

Tina: Baby, I think everyone is so glad to have you back that they could care less about anything else. None of the rest matters, babe. Everyone is just happy to have you back home, especially me.

Bette: I dont think anyone is more happier about that, than I am.

Bette looks down at Katalina who is sound asleep.

Bette: Here babe, let me take her and lie her down.

Bette gets up and carefully takes Katalina into the nursery being sure not to wake her and quickly returns.

Bette: Is there anything I can get you T?

Tina: A glass of ice water would be great babe.

Bette goes to the kitchen and returns with two glasses of ice water and again takes a seat next to Tina.

Bette: Here you go T. Anything else I can do, a foot massage maybe?

Tina: That would be nice baby.

Tina smiles at Bette. She is glad to see that Bette seems to be doing much better. Bette returns the smile and begins to rub Tinas feet as she thinks about their earlier conversation.

Bette: Im sorry about earlier babe. I didnt mean to unload all of my insecurities on you the way I did. And Im sorry about pushing you about Helena.

Tina: Bette, you dont have to be sorry for expressing your feelings. Im glad you felt that you could share them with me. It helps me understand where you are coming from. How can I help you put your mind to ease if I dont know all the things that are going on inside of it? I told you I want you to be honest with me about everything babe.

Bette: I just want you to know that I am really trying to put all of that behind us, baby and Im really trying to deal with my insecurities too.

Tina: I can see that babe. Just dont think you have to take it all on by yourself baby. I am right here if you need me.

Bette: Thank you T. Have I told you lately how much I love you?

Tina: As a matter of fact, you have. But I never get tired of hearing it.

As Bette continues to massage Tinas feet she begins to wonder how Tina is feeling about everything. Tina can see that something is on Bettes mind.

Tina: What are you thinking about, babe?

Bette: Well, Im ashamed to say that it just dawned on me that we havent talked about how you are feeling about all of this. I keep professing how much Ive changed and that Im going to work harder at our relationship and yet I have failed once again to consider your feelings?

Tina: Aww, Baby, you havent failed anything. Youve had a lot to deal with. Im just happy with the progress we have made.

Bette: But T, what about you? What do you need from me? Are there questions you need answers to? Do you have any concerns, any fears? What can I do to make things easier for you, Babe?

Tina: Bette, this, you being here, is what I need the most from you. You have already answered so many of the questions I had, but trust me, if I think of something I will ask you. I feel that we have gotten so much closer with you opening up the way you have babe. As for my concerns, I am mostly worried about you. I just wish there was something I could do to make this easier on you. I know the last 72 hours havent been easy on you, but Im very proud of you for the way you have handled them babe.

Bette: T, you dont have to worry about me. I am okay. We are going to be okay. I promise you everything is going to work out for us.

Tina: I believe that baby, I just hope that you do.

Bette: I do T, I honestly do.

Just then there is a knock at the door. Bette gets up to answer it.

Shane: Hey, Bette. Hows things going? Did you guys get settled in okay?

Shane reaches over and gives Bette a hug.

Shane: God, its good to have you back home.

Bette smiles as she hugs Shane back.

Tina: That is what I keep telling her. Hows you day been Shane?

Shane: Better now that I get to see my niece again. Where is she?

Bette: She is still asleep Shane. Youre going to have to wait a little. But dont worry, it shouldnt be too awfully long. Its about time for her to tummy to want some attention again.

Bette returns to her place next to Tina as Shane takes a seat across from them.

Shane: Hows that going T?

Tina: Its actually not as bad as I thought it would be.

Shane: So, Bette, what did you think of the nursery? I thought Tina was going to drive me nuts before we got it done.

Bette: It is great Shane. I am so glad you helped Tina with it. You dont know how much that means to me. Its just like Tina and I had planned. Thank you for taking the extra time to make it perfect.

Shane: Im just glad I could help.

Just then Katalina could be heard stirring. Bette starts to get up to go to her, when Tina grabs her hand and pulls her back down.

Tina: Ill go babe. Ill feed her and then Auntie Shane can spend some time with her.

Tina goes off to the nursery while Bette and Shane continue to talk.

Shane: So, hows it feel to be back home?

Bette: Its getting better. When I left I just never dreamed Id be back here again and now here I am, not only home again, but with my newly formed family. Its just a little overwhelming sometimes.

Shane: She never gave up on you Bette. Even when the rest of us told her she needed to move on, she wouldnt give up. You are one lucky woman, to have found someone like Tina.

Bette: Believe me Shane, I know how incredibly lucky I am. And I wont ever forget that again. I cant believe how much I love her and the baby. I wont let them down. They both mean the world to me. But enough about me. How have you been? Whats been going on with you since Ive been gone?

Shane: You know me Bette. Im getting by. I still take things a day at a time.

Bette: So, no one new in your life?

Shane: Not like what you and Tina have. I dont think Im ready to settle down and get all serious yet.

Bette: Your day will come Shane. I didnt think I would ever settle down either until Tina came into my life. The right woman will come along and change your whole life. Dont worry, its not as scary as it sounds.

Shane: You know Bette, you seem different. Not a bad different, a good different.

Bette: Shane, you cant go through what I went through and not make some changes. I just hope they are for the better. I want to be a better person, one that Tina can be proud of. Ive put her through so much, I just want to make it up to her. She deserves the best.

Shane: Well, I think having you back home has made her happier than you can imagine. That is all shes talked about the last few months. You two belong together. I am glad you found your way back to each other.

Tina then returns with little Katalina.

Tina: There is someone here to see you, my precious little girl. Here she is, Shane. She probably needs burped. Do you want to do that?

Shane: Yeah, I can handle that.

Tina gives Katalina to an eagerly waiting Shane.

Shane: I just cant believe how beautiful she is. You guys are so lucky. You have each other and now you have this wonderful gift.

Shane looks down and smiles at little Katalina. She is amazed at how this tiny little girl has latched onto her heart. Bette and Tina smile at Shanes reaction.

Shane: You are such a special little girl. Do you know how special you are? You dont ever need to be afraid of anything. I will make sure that no one ever hurts you.

Shane puts Katalina up on her shoulder and walks her around as she talks to her and tries to get her to burp. Tina goes over and sits next to Bette. They are amazed at how protective Shane is over the baby. Tina smiles at Bette and reaches over and takes her hand in her own.

Tina: So, did you and Shane have a good talk.

Bette: Yeah, we did T. I think Im going to like having Shane live next door. She really loves all of us you know, especially our little one there.

Tina: Yeah, I think youre right about that Babe. And I think things are definitely looking up.