"Toni this is completely different."

"No, no Josephine, it’s the same thing! You can’t see that because you’re not truly looking at her. Look at me, you don’t know what it’s like to go to court and fight for something and someone that is apart you." Bette just turned her head still not grasping the point Toni was trying to make. "Jo, I know you still don’t understand but think about it like this, what about when Melito grows up?"

"What about it?"

"What if he wants to know who he is or where he came from? You can’t just give him a one sided identity. He may want to know Alicia later in life, who are you to deny that?" Bette looked completely crushed out of all the people involved Toni was her biggest supporter.

"Toni I thought you were behind me 100% on this?"

Toni looked up and sought Bette’s eyes and said "I’m behind Melito. Sweetie, Alicia is reaching out, she knows she’s gonna lose tomorrow, this is her last option. If you do this maybe you can set some restrictions on her guardianship, maybe you can get her some real help." Bette just stood there in complete disbelief, all this new information Toni was throwing at her was a complete surprise.

"Toni, after all these months of preparation, you’re just now telling me to have a heart for her, and be compassionate about her problems. I can’t believe you."

"Jo, I know you…"

"No you don’t know." Bette interrupted " this whole time I’m talking to you about Melito and how we’re going to give him a better life and how Alicia never should’ve been alone with him, and what a terrible mother she is and all this shit, but now the night before we go into court, you suddenly get an attack of conscience, for Alicia? "

Toni didn’t say a thing she just stared into Bette’s eyes and looked at her as she always did when she was serious. Without breaking eye contact she rose from her seat on the couch and approached Bette. She looked at Bette and saw the same fire and conviction that her little sister seemed to posses and pass down to her little girl. Toni raised her hand and placed it over Bette’s heart, the sudden and tender touch caused Bette to close her eyes, Toni leaned in close enough to Bette’s ear , her voice was barely even a whisper.

Toni closed her eyes and spoke freely "You’re making decisions with this broken, fragile, abandoned part of you. I know it still hurts and maybe it’ll never heal, but Melito deserves more. Stop looking at her as your ex-girlfriend and look at her a mother desperate for your help. Don’t let this broken heart of yours decide his fate. I love you." she kissed on the cheek. "Good night, Josephine." Toni turned around and went into her room, leaving Bette standing there holding her heart as if it was falling from her. The last sound she remembered was the sound of Toni’s bedroom door closing softly.

Bette just sat there staring at the papers. Maybe Toni had a point. Maybe Alicia deserved the right o be a mother, hell nobody was perfect. And with help maybe she could be the type of mother she used to be before the drugs. Maybe a little bit of sleep would help her to find some answers. While she was getting ready for bed Bette had the sudden urge to check on Melito. There he was asleep just like Alicia, spread all over the bed, with the covers kicked off, frequently scrunching his nose just like Alicia. Just like Alicia, Melito usually slept better if he was under another body. Bette went to bed with her mind running and sleep was no where in sight. If she did agree to this she would have to reconsider everything she’s done in the last few months as preparation for this trial. Maybe Melito did deserve better, maybe Alicia could finally get some help, maybe…

Bette’s thoughts were interrupted by her cell phone ringing she looked at the caller i.d. and her heart leapt into her throat.

"Hey you…"

TBC………………………