Bette followed Tina through the front door, both of them weighed down with grocery bags, Jordan not quite awake, blinking slowly at Bette over Tinas shoulder.

Why dont you put her down? Ill do this, Bette said, resting her hand on the small of Tinas back, kissing the top of Jordans head.

Tina disappeared down the hallway to the nursery, and Bette began unpacking food, not noticing for several minutes that the answering machine light was blinking. She pressed the play messages button as she bent into the refrigerator to put away yogurt, soy milk, and orange juice.

JordanJordan.this is your Uncle Ricky. Can you say Uncle Ricky? Im giving you a big kiss right now, said the familiar, albeit disembodied, voice. Will you tell one of your beautiful mommies to call me? Because I havent gotten a new picture of you in more than a month, and Im getting very pissed off.

The line went dead, and Bette leaned against the open refrigerator door, laughing. Thats where Tina found her a few minutes later.

Whats so funny?

Your brother, Bette managed. He is incredibly unstable.

Bette loved Rick Kennard. To start, Tinas older brother was the only person who could consistently beat her at racquetball, and for that, he won Bettes grudging admiration. But more importantly, Rick was bright, funny, and fiercely loyal to his sister. It was a combination that made them destined to get along from the first time they met, nearly a decade before.

Unlike Tinas parents, Rick had accepted Bette into his heart almost as soon as Tina had. They didnt see each other often, and even less since he had opened his own law firm in New York three years ago, but the reunions, however brief, were always sweet. His most recent visit to West Hollywood was two weeks after Jordan was born. He arrived with an oversized gym bag, three large coffees in a cardboard carry out tray, and a plea to be put to work. Bette was glad to see him, but nervous, as well. She knew that Tina had confided in her brother about the affair with Candace, and Bette was afraid that her mistake had cost her the respect of someone she cared deeply about.

Sit down. Both of you people sit down and get out of my way. Im making dinner, Rick said the first evening.

You dont know where anything is. Let me at least show you around the kitchen, Bette said, practically staggering with fatigue.

Unless you keep your pots and pans hidden in the garage, I can figure this out. Who do you think taught your wife to cook? Rick asked, pouring Bette a very large glass of wine.

Bette had relented, and she and Tina sat, half asleep, in the living room, watching him whip together a delicious meal. Later, long after Tina and Jordan had gone to bed, Bette and Rick sat up talking. About life, and work, and babies, and Tina. Finally, he cleared his throat, and Bette felt her heart pound in her chest.

Soyou two are okay, right? he asked, swirling the last of his brandy around in his glass.

Yes. Were better than okay, she replied, trying to sound as confident as she felt.

Good. You know I love you, Bette. But if you ever hurt her again Ill never forgive you.

And Bette nodded, looking into eyes the same color as Tinas, understanding that the matter was over between them, and that unless she brought it up, it would never be raised again. For that, she loved him even more.

What did he want? Tina asked, putting away coffee and granola and jasmine rice.

He wants a picture of his niece. And he wants it right now.

Typical lawyer. No patience.

What if I email him something? We have all of those pictures Alice took at the park last weekend, Bette said.

Oh yeah. What about the one with the two of you by that fountain? Tina suggested, grinning.

Tina wandered out to the deck to sit by the pool with her book, and Bette grabbed her lap top to join her in the late afternoon sun. Logging on to her email, Bette began composing a note to her brother-in-law.

Rick. Jordan gave us your message. Here is a photo taken just last weekend. Can you believe how big shes gotten since you visited? Every day is a revelation with her. Some new discovery, some new experience. In many ways, living with her has allowed me to see everything for the first time, all over again.

Bette paused and looked up at Tina, who lay stretched out on a chaise lounge, completely engrossed in her novel. While she read, Tina absently twirled her hair around her index finger, and when the thick strands caught the light, they looked like spun gold in her hand.

Youre staring, Tina said, not turning from her book.

No Im not, Bette lied, smiling.

Tell him Ill send him other prints later this week, okay?

Sure, Bette said, still staring, barely hearing a word.