“Punctual Porter, that’s what they call me,” Bette said, kissing her.

“No one calls you that.”

“I didn’t want to keep you waiting, that’s all.” Bette took Tina’s hand and led her to the Saab.

“Is that so?” Tina asked, looking at Bette with a sidelong glance.

“Yes. That’s so.”

 ~~~~~~

As she stopped the car in front of Margaret Wilson’s office, Bette took a noticeably deep breath.

“Starting Lamaze without me?” Tina asked.

Bette shook her head, not quite meeting Tina’s glance.

“Spill it,” Tina said, leaning back in the passenger seat.

“What?”

“Whatever it is that has you soagitated.”

“T, we’re going to be late,” Bette said, looking at her watch.

“We have plenty of time.”

Bette traced her palm along the steering wheel over and over, chewing her lip. She was clearly struggling for words and Tina reached over and rested a comforting hand on her thigh.

“Talk to me,” Tina prompted gently.

“The last time I was here waswas when” Bette stared out the window, lost in her memories.

“Oh, Baby,” Tina said with sudden realization. “I didn’t even think. I’ve been here so many times since then.”

She gently brushed her fingers through Bette’s thick, dark hair, relying on the reassurance of her touch rather than words. Bette finally turned to face her wife, reaching for Tina’s hand and kissing her palm.

“I’ve never forgiven myself for missing that last appointment with you. Every time I thought about you hearing that news all by yourself I should have been there, Tina. I’m so sorry I wasn’t with you.”

“You’re here now,” Tina whispered.

“I’m here from now on,” Bette said, with quiet vehemence. “You are the most important thing to me. You and our family. And nothing will ever get in the way of that again, I promise.”

“Good,” Tina said. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

Bette nodded and took another deep breath. “How about we get inside before Dr. Wilson comes out looking for us?”

They walked into the office hand in hand, checking in together at the front desk before taking seats in the waiting room. Twenty minutes later, they followed the receptionist back to one of the exam rooms.

If Margaret Wilson was surprised to see Bette when she walked in the door for Tina’s check up, she didn’t let it show. Tina had never offered an explanation when she started coming to her appointments alone, nor did she say anything when Shane began arriving with her a few months ago. And while Dr. Wilson had wondered about Bette’s absence, she hadn’t questioned it. Now, though, from the proprietary and protective way that Bette was standing at Tina’s side, holding her hand, the physician could see in an instant that whatever fissure had separated the two of them was clearly mended or mending. They were quite obviously a couple once again.