Yes okay that will be finejust get them over here as soon as possible please. Thanks.

Bette hung up the phone and sighed loudly. She rubbed the back of her neck with one hand while trying to support her head with the other. It was Thursday afternoon and Bette was simply exhausted. All week she had been killing herself trying to get this opening taken care of and after the show tomorrow all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep through Sunday. Bette leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a second trying to catch a few minutes of peace and quiet before going back to the never ending pile of ***** that was always on her desk. God damnwhen will this stop? she thought as she flipped through folder after folder of work. Just then her phone rang and Bette looked at it with a tired face. She let it ring three times before angrily snatching it off the cradle.

Bette Porter.

Hi babe.

Tinawhats wrong?

Nothingjust seeing how your day is going

T dont even get me started

That bad huh? Aww poor babywhen you come home tonight Ill take care of you.

Bette had to smile at Tinas offer. Tina had been doing so well up until the last few weeks and Bette thought she could handle all of the side effects of Tina being pregnant, up until three weeks ago that is. Tina started having really bad heartburn and at the rate she was using the bathroom, Bette was sure they single handedly funded the department of water and power. These things had been making sleep difficult for Tina and as the days wore on she was getting less and less sleep throughout the night. She would wake up every few hours and going back to sleep was always difficult for her. This in turn made her very cranky and her mood swings were unpredictable. She would go from completely happy one minute to extremely irritable the next and Bette was being extra cautious to not do anything to make Tina upset. Bette would wake up with Tina and make sure that everything was okay and make sure she went back to sleep, but after one night in particular when Tinas temper got the better of her, Bette decided it was best to let Tina go through this on her own. Tina felt bad knowing that Bette was getting the short end of the stick so to speak and she couldnt believe Bette was being so understanding about everything.

Uhhhwhenever I get to crawl through the door that is

Oh babe are you working late tonight?

YeahI have so much to do before tomorrow TIm sorry.

Its okaywell Ill just see you when you get home thenlove you.

Love you toobye.

Bette hung up and stared at the phone. She couldnt believe Tina was already six and a half months pregnant. Bette smiled every time she looked at Tinas growing belly and she knew that soon enough they would have another addition to their family. She let this happy memory float around in her head for a little while before being pulled back down to earth by the sound of someone knocking on the door.

Come in.

James opened the door and stuck his head in tentatively. He knew Bette was on the warpath from both lack of sleep and having to get this show ready and he didnt want to be caught in the crossfire.

Franklin coming down the hall

James quickly ducked back out of the office and Bette smiled to herself as she shook her head. I need to get that boy something nice when this is all over, she thought. James was always looking out for her and doing his best to keep Franklin off her ***** and Bette never let anything go unnoticed. Bette stood up to straighten out her suit before Franklin walked in. She gave him her best fake confident smile and Franklin smiled at her warmly before sitting down in front of her desk. Bette looked puzzled but took her seat as well and waited for him to speak.

So Bette hows everything coming for tomorrow?

Everything looks fine Franklinit should go smoothly.

Excellent. Um, Bette, the reason I came in here was actually to discuss something with you.

Bette looked alarmed and she mentally tried to run through everything she had done over the past month to try and figure out what the ***** he was talking about. Franklin was definitely not a spontaneous person so whatever he wanted to talk to her about he had given some thought to. Bette waited for him to continue and he cleared his throat and shifted slightly before continuing.

How are things going with Tinas pregnancy?

Im sorrywhat?

Tinashes pregnant right? Must be due soon by now

In two and a half monthsbut Franklin what does that have to do with me?

Franklin looked confused and Bette understood why so she rephrased the question.

I mean what does that have to do with me here at the CAC?

Well, Bette things have been going great ever since the fiasco over Provocations was straightened out and weve recently been gaining the support of more and more contributors, and with this show being wrapped up in the next month or so we should have things under control here for a little while so

Bette was utterly confused and she couldnt believe her ears at what she was hearing come out of Franklins mouth.

Well you have a maternity leave clause in your contract and I know you arent the one who is giving birth, but after all thats happened here over the past few months I think you deserve a break. Now I cant give you the entire six months off, but I was thinking we would compromise and you could take three months off instead?

Bette stared at him with her mouth slightly open. She couldnt believe that Franklin was actually going out of his way to be nice to her. Franklin, the same man who almost fired her over pushing Provocations on the CAC in the first place, the same man who had been such a prick to her over her past five years here at this place. Bette was stunned.

Well I dont know what to saythank you.

Well you deserve it Bette. And after Peggy Peabody called me and told be what a great job you did at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, well I just couldnt.

Im sorryPeggy called you?

It all made sense now. Her guardian angel had struck again. Bette smiled inwardly and knew that whatever Peggy said to Franklin must have scared him enough to get him to bend to Peggys conditions. Bette wondered what Peggy told him and she made a mental note to thank Peggy in person as soon as she could.

Yesand she reminded me how lucky we were to have you here. Well, anyways, Im going to let you get back to work and after this show is done we can discuss the terms of your leave of absence.

Okaythanks again Franklin.

Franklin just kind of nodded at Bette before walking out the door. Bette sat back in her chair and smiled broadly to herself. Tina will be so excited, she thought as she tried to focus her attention on the mound of paperwork in front of her. Bette decided she would get through as much as she could before bringing the rest home so that she could at least be home with Tina.

At nine oclock Bette dragged herself into the house and looked around sadly. The house was dark and Bette was pretty sure that Tina was already asleep, or trying to sleep so she just threw her bag on the table before making her way to the kitchen to see if Tina left dinner for her. Bette opened the fridge and was poking around inside trying to find something to eat when she heard a voice behind her.

Its in the oven babe.

HOLY *****!

Bette was so startled and turned around so fast that the water she had just grabbed slipped from her hand and went crashing down on the floor. Bette looked at Tina for a second and was about to get angry with her when she saw how tired Tina looked. Tina had been trying to sleep since eight oclock but it wasnt working. She wanted Bette in bed with her so that she could curl up in her arms and as hard as Tina had tried to fall asleep she just couldnt do it without Bette tonight. Tina figured it was one of those weird hormonal things that she was experiencing right now and she waited patiently for Bette to say something. Bette just sighed and grabbed a towel to clean up the water she spilled before throwing the towel into the sink and yanking open the oven. Tina could see frustration and exhaustion written all over Bettes face so she decided to let Bette eat before getting her to come to bed. Bette took the food over to the kitchen table and set the plate down so she could spread her work out. Tina gave her an annoyed look and walked over to her placing a hand softly on Bettes shoulder.

Do you have to work tonight babe?

Yeah ***** just some last minute stuff for tomorrow. Go back to bed, Ill be in in a little bit.

They both knew it was a lie and Tina didnt want to make a fuss so she kissed Bette softly on the forehead before retiring to the bedroom. Bette watched her walk away and she felt the strangest thing. She felt like her skin was crawling and all she wanted to do was scream at the top of her lungs so just to know that she was still alive. Maybe its just because Im tired, thought Bette as she shook her head and ate some of the cold dinner before putting her glasses on and getting back to work. A little past midnight Tina had woken up to use the bathroom and she came out to the living room to find Bette sleeping at the table. Tina had a sad look on her face as she walked over to Bette and gently took off her glasses before trying to wake her.

Babebabe wake up

Bette didnt stir and Tina sighed softly to herself. She knew Bette was exhausted and after having to put up with her endless nights Tina knew Bette was on the edge again. Tina ran her hand lightly along Bettes face brushing her hair out of it so that she could place a small kiss on Bettes cheek. Bette still didnt stir and Tina continued to nuzzle Bettes cheek and neck with her nose before sucking on her earlobe softly.

MmmmT

Bettes voice was hoarse and groggy from sleep and she still hadnt opened her eyes but Tina was glad that she was awake at least. Tina continued to suck on Bettes earlobe trying to bring her back to consciousness when Tina felt Bette push her away slightly.

Im sorry baby Im too tired

Tina slowly smiled when she realized that Bette thought she had ulterior motives and Tina leaned down and whispered in Bettes ear.

So am I babe but its latecome to bed

Bette just stood up and let Tina lead her to their bedroom before falling into bed still fully clothed. Tina frowned and let out a soft sigh as she went back out to the living room and shut the lights off before coming back into the bedroom. Tina took Bettes suit off so that she wouldnt grumble about sleeping in it in the morning and when Tina finally lay down next to Bette she felt Bette reach for her immediately. Tina smiled as Bette pulled her close and buried her nose in Tinas hair softly before falling into a deep sleep. Tina knew Bette had to put up with a lot over the past month and she would be so glad after tomorrow nights opening. She knew Bette was just going to crash this weekend and she hoped that they could spend at least some of it doing things around the house. Bette shifted lightly in her sleep and Tina smiled again when Bettes hand came to rest on her stomach. Tina finally fell into a deep sleep with Bettes arms around her and it was one of the best nights sleep Tina had in a long time.