Alice (waving her hand): Hello I am here and yes I’m taking my earth daughter for the night….

Shane (teasing): Are you sure that’s wise? I mean you and Angie that kind of spells trouble.

Alice (sticking her tongue out): Excuse me what about Tasha, you know tall dark and gorgeous…

Danyael (leaning towards Bette): Are they always like this?

Bette (nodding): Put all of us together in the same room and it’s like kindergarten class, spring break and a frat party all rolled into one..

Shane (teasing): You mean the same Tasha that gets duct taped to a chair?

Danyael (laughing): I don’t want to know, do I?

Bette (shaking her head): With this lot it’s usually saner that way.

Alice (looking at Bette): I heard that and you know who was the one that had six or seven people in bed with her at one time.

Danyael (wide eyed): Really, Bette I um…

Shane (defending Bette): It was purely innocent and comforting. Tina needed support so we kind of all climbed in bed.
Alice (factually): Together.

Danyael (laughing): Bette, it’s been a pleasure. Think things over, talk with Tina and call us. I’ve got some vacation time saved up and so does Michaela (reaching for her hand.)

Bette (squeezing her hand): Thank you and I will.

Alice (shaking her hand): Thank you.  

Danyael (looking at Shane and Alice): It’s been a pleasure, keep an eye on her.

Alice (shaking her head): Mama Bear Porter has claws of her own. We just stand around and do the body count.
Shane (smiling): Don’t listen to her. We all look out for one another (emphasizing.)

Danyael (understanding): We all have families we are born into, however we grow up and things change and we have to move on. Sometimes friendships bind us closer than blood ever could.

Bette (concurring): And sometimes those friendships are much stronger than our own family ties.

Alice (looking at Shane then at Bette): True…

Shane (shrugging): How’s it go? You can pick your friends but you can’t pick your family.

Danyael (smiling): Something like that. I’m going back to the room, if anything comes up or you have any more questions or in the event Tina would like to meet Michaela then call.

Bette (nodding): Thank you for your help. (She watched her walk back into the hotel then looked at Shane and Alice.) Thank you for being here…

Shane (hugging her): Anytime. I’m going to go and take care of some stuff and then Carmen and I are going out to do some furniture hunting. I’ll see everyone tomorrow.

Alice (thinking): I’m going to go and baby proof the house. And yes I’ll make sure to put things out of reach and she’s to be in bed before nine and at school by 0830 and I have to call you or Tina every four hours with a progress report and if I can’t get through to you two then I call Kit, then Helena.

Bette (smirking): Very good. Oh and Alice (unlocking her car) don’t tie Tasha to a chair this time…

Alice (flipping her off): See if you get a birthday present from me the next time.

Bette waved and drove off; checking her cell phone she noticed she had two messages from Dylan both labeled urgent. What happened she wondered vaguely just as she received another message, this one from Tina, stating she would meet her at home. Both completely unaware of the storm brewing.

tbc
kj