“Anything, what do you need?”

“I’m not ready to introduce you as Cara’s ‘other mom’ yet. I’m not sure what we should call you or how should we explain it. You and I need to talk about it. But for now, until I know that this is something that you are willing to truly commit to, I don’t want to risk hurting or confusing her.”

“T, of course I’m committed to this. You don’t have to doubt that.”

“Actually, Bette, I do need to. I know you truly mean what you’re saying, but Cara is almost three and you haven’t had the chance to bond with her. You don’t know what will happen in two months or six months when the reality of a child hits. And Bette, I like Robyn, so please understand I don’t mean anything bad by this, you also don’t know how Robyn will handle you with our child. It can’t be easy for her and I don’t envy her situation. So for now, I just want to be careful of how we explain this to Cara and let it come naturally in time.”

Bette thought for a few moments before speaking. Picking her words carefully, she responded, “I understand why you’re concerned. And to be honest, you are as caring and careful a mother as I always knew you’d be,” she smiled thinking back on the days when they together planned for this, “and I’m glad to see that. I know that it will never be an issue, but for now, I can do this. For your peace of mind and Cara’s happiness, I can do this, but T, I can’t do this forever. Please respect that and promise that we can decide together when it’s time to explain it all to Cara.”

Tina nodded, “That seems fair to me. So are the two of you ok to work out Cara? Jules, I’m guess that she is going to spend the majority of time with you and most every night?”

“Yes, ma’am. Don’t worry Chris, we’ll work it out. Right Bette?” Julia looked over at Bette, who was trying so hard to maintain her smile. She knew that to keep Tina’s trust in all of this, she was going to have to learn to deal with Julia. She might not be happy that this woman was in the middle of her family, but she was and if Bette had a chance at making this friendship with Tina work and solidify her place in Cara’s life, she was going to have to get Julia on her side.