But the most important thing she needed to tell Bette was how much she loved her and that she wanted a second chance for a life together. One that would be even better and stronger than what they had before.

Tina then yells out loud.

Tina: God, Bette, where are you! I need you! We need you!

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

It had been almost three months since Tina had went to Alices and watched Bettes video. It seemed as though her life had come to a stand still. She still had no idea where Bette was. She had exhausted every means she could possibly think of in an attempt to find her, but is was as though she dropped off the face of the earth.

Kit continued to be her life line. She didnt know what she would have done without her. They had become extremely close. Kit had even attended Lamaze classes with her, not that she had wanted to go without Bette, she just couldnt put them off any longer. The other girls where there for her too, its just that their lives had all moved forward while Tinas had frozen in time. The only thing that seemed to move forward for her was her pregnancy.

It was hard to believe that she was 8 months along. Other than the 20 hours a week she worked at the Center, her time was now mostly spent at home talking to their unborn child, telling her all about her other mom. Tina shared all her favorite memories with her. She would even play Bettes video, as she wanted their daughter to be familiar with the sound of Bettes voice. Her life went on as though they were just waiting for Bette to return home from a long days work.

The girls tried their best to get Tina to move forward, to accept that Bette was not coming back. They even tried to get her to consider dating again. But Tina would have no part of it. There was no way in ***** that Tina was going to consider the possibility that Bette may never return. That was just not an viable option for her. Bette just needed some time. She was coming home and they would be a family again. When the girls offered to help redecorate, she told them no. She wouldnt do that without Bette. Nothing in the house was allowed to be moved. Everything remained exactly the way it was when Bette had left. She had even put off fixing up the nursery.

When doubts would try to seep into her mind as to Bettes return, which they had on many occasions over the long three months, she would just remember Kits words:

But dont worry, I do now one thing for sure and that is that Bette Porter loves you more than she loves her own life. Sooner or later she will call. She may be able to put the rest of us in that neat little box and stick us on a shelf, but there is no way on Gods green earth that she is going to be able to keep you and the baby there. I dont think she took into consideration the depth of her love for you in this little plan of hers.

you know Bette has to process things in her own time and her time schedule is nothing like yours and mine. She has to process the tiniest little detail, sometimes it can take her forever.

Those were the worlds that kept her focused now. She just had to wait. They were on Bettes timetable. She remembers Bettes words from the video:

please know that you are and always will be the one and only true love of my life. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you in my gallery and I will continue to love you until the day I die.

She couldnt believe that life had dealt her such a lousy hand, but she was trying her best to work with what she was given. She just hoped that wherever Bette was that she was thinking about her and the baby as much as she was thinking about Bette.

Today had been a particularly stressful day. Tina had just finished reading Monkeys Go On Strike to the baby. She had found it along with some others, amongst Bettes things. Bette had obviously gotten them some time during her first pregnancy, but was never given the chance to share them with her before they lost the baby. She was saddened as she remembered the many times that her and Bette had laid together as Bette happily talked to her stomach, reading to the baby. Tinas reminiscing had completely exhausted her so she decided she would lie down and try to take a short nap. Unsurprisingly, she fell asleep quickly and was soon off in dream land.

Tina was on the beach watching a beautiful sunset. As she walked along she could see a small gathering of people. She was a little tired so she sat down on the beach. As she rested she found herself intriguingly watching the group of people. She felt such happiness coming from them. As she focused her eyes on the scene around her she could see that it was a wedding ceremony. She thought back to the day that her and Bette had gotten married, which brought a smile to her face. She rubbed her belly as she felt the baby kick. She then looked back to the ceremony taking place on the beach. They couldnt have asked for a lovelier place to make such a commitment. She smiled as she watched the two lovers kiss. A smile that quickly faded as soon as the couple turned around. She couldnt believe it. It was Bette with some beautiful blonde woman. Tears began to flow as she couldnt catch her breath..

Tina woke abruptly in a cold sweat. Oh my God, what the ***** was that, she thought to her self. Tears began to fall as she was bombarded with fears and doubts. Was she kidding herself to believe that Bette was coming home? Was she kidding herself to think that Bette would be able to get past all of this and come back to her? She remembers how difficult if had been for her to forgive Bette after her infidelity with Candace. Would Bette ever really be able to forgive her, forgive her for withholding the pregnancy, forgive her for being with Helena? Was she just fooling herself to believe that Bette would ever truly get past both those betrayals?

Her confidence that Bette would return home was beginning to unravel quickly. She needed to do something. She needed to talk to Kit. Kit would help her get back on track. When she got to the planet, Kit was in her office. Tina went back and tapped on the door, as Kit told her to come in and sit down. Kit could tell she was upset just by looking at her.

Kit: Whats wrong, Baby Girl?

Tina: Just a bad day Kit. I had a terrible dream while I was trying to get some rest. I dreamt that Bette was getting married to some beautiful woman. It felt so real. She looked so happy. Happier than she had been in a long time. When I woke up, I just felt so helpless. The doubts and fears started rushing in and I just needed to get out of the house for awhile.

Kit gets up and goes to sit next to Tina. She gives her a hug.

Kit: I am sorry Tina. I know how hard this has been on you not knowing where Bette is, but maybe we should start looking at the fact that Bette may not come back. The stress of all this sitting around, hoping and praying that she will be back cant be good on you and the baby.

Tina: God Kit, not you too. Please dont tell me that youve given up hope. Its your words that have kept me going all this time. Everyone else has already given up. You cant give up too, Kit.

Kit: Tina, I am just saying that you shouldnt put your life on hold any longer.

As if on cue, just then the phone rings. Kit reaches over to get it.

Kit: The Planet, Kit Porter speaking.

There is no response on the phone. Kit is caught off guard by the silence. She knows someone is still on the line, she can hear them breathing.

Kit: Hello, is someone there. I know someone is there I can hear you. Who is this?

Suddenly it comes to Kit.

Kit: Baby sis, is that you? Please tell me that it is you. We have been so worried about you.

No sooner than Kit gets the words out, than the call is ended. Tina looks at Kit in desperation.

Tina: Oh my God, Kit. Was that her? Do you really think that was her?

Kit: Slow down, Baby Girl. That could have been anyone. It could have been a wrong number for all we know. We cant go jumping to conclusions.

Tina: Kit, that had to be her. You said she would call eventually and you were right. Shes just not ready yet. But shes getting closer. See, Kit. You were right, you were right all along. She has to do this in her time.

Kit: I dont know Tina. I dont think we should make anything out of this. After all, there is no way to be sure that was even her.

Tina: I know for sure Kit. I can feel it in my heart.