“Like, three or four hours?”

Alice sighed. “Something like that. Why? Are you coming to meet us for breakfast?”

“No. But if you can get home by breakfast there might be someone here for you to meet.”

There was a long moment of silence before Shane heard, “Dana! Get dressed! Tina’s in labor!”

“Sorry about the whole…timing thing,” Shane apologized.

“Yeah. I’m holding you personally responsible. Is Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman already over there? Is Tina okay?”

“I’m at Rachel’s and she’s in the shower. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”

“Aaahh. So we’re not the only victims of bad timing,” Alice grinned.

“Something like that,” Shane admitted with a grin of her own.

“Tell them we love them. Tell T we’re on our way. And tell Bette ***** it, she won’t be listening to anything anyway. Keep me in the loop, okay. Promise?”

“Absolutely. Look, I’ve gotta go. Drive safely.”

Alice looked up from the phone in her hand to the woman standing half dressed at the foot of the bed and felt an inexplicable surge of affection and gratitude.

“Is Tina alright?” Dana asked, her face a mask of concern.

“Rachel and Shane are on their way over. I’m sure she’s going to be fine,” Alice said, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.

“Are you okay?”

Alice nodded. “Tina’s having a baby,” she finally managed, swallowing hard.

“You didn’t think she was just fat, did you?” Dana said softly, smiling as she leaned in and met Alice’s lips with her own.

~~~

Bette stood absolutely still in the kitchen, the phone receiver clutched in her hand, a loud dial tone coming from the ear piece.

“Get it together. Hang up the phone and get it together,” she said to herself, blinking in the darkness. She could almost feel the adrenaline racing through her veins, making her heart flutter and her breath come in shallow pants. She knew what she had to do, what she was supposed to do. But she couldn’t seem to make herself do it.

“Baby,” Tina called from the bedroom, “did you talk to Rachel?”

“She’s on her way. She’ll be here in half an hour,” Bette replied, her voice sounding uncertain and anxious in her own ears.

Instead of hanging up the phone, Bette pressed the one speed dial button that would connect her to the lifeline she so desperately needed.

“Hello,” Kit mumbled sleepily.

“Tina’s in labor,” Bette said.

“Girl! That’s wonderful! How is she? Is the midwife there yet?” Kit was instantly awake.

“Kit. II..”

“What’s wrong? Is Tina okay? Where are you?”

“No. She’s fine. Nothing’s wrong. I just” Bette struggled, her mouth completely dry.

“What? You just what,” Kit asked gently.

“Kit, what if something happens? I don’t know ifI’m not sure if I”

“Bette,” Kit said, her firm, even tone leaving no room for argument. “Take a deep breath. Listen to me. Tina needs you now. You need to do this together.”

Bette pressed her eyes tightly shut and swallowed hard. Kit’s words were calming and bracing all at once. She exhaled slowly.

“You there?” Kit asked.

“Yes. I’m here. I’m all right. I just panicked for a minute. Thank you.”

“It’s okay. Now get back to your wife. You can do this. God knows you two have gotten through worse in the past year. Okay?”

“Okay. I…I’ll call you when you’re an aunt,” Bette said.

“That better be the first call you make,” Kit said, a smile in her voice that warmed Bette’s heart.