It was clear whom she was referring to.  There was no need for Bette to play coy and feign ignorance.  By the same token it was clear Tina was struggling.

Uncertain, confused and frightened by the feelings that started as a flicker of appreciation for the person he was.  Uncertain, confused and terrified of what it meant for her relationship with the mother of her child.  

 “You’re fallingin love with him?” Bette whispered.

A frustrated sigh followed.  “I don’t know,” Tina answered.

She had some insecurity about Tina wanting a man before.  Plainly known and even acknowledged with and to her partner. 

‘Were you turned on by him?’ she’d asked the one night they risked sharing their bed with a man.  All in the hopes of having the family they wanted.

‘No’ Tina had replied sincerely, ‘This is you.’  But that was then.

“How long have you been feeling this way?” Bette questioned.

“I didn’t know what to make of it at first.” Tina remarked intending to supply more than the clarification requested.  “It didn’t come suddenly.  It’s justI was starting to think of him in a certain way.”

Tina finished, her voice breaking. “And the feelings didn’t go away.”

The silence stretched between them.  Angelica’s even breathing as she slept the only sound sharing the space.

Bette sighed heavily.  She could get angry.  She could rattle off words of hurt.  But what would that serve?  There was no way around this.  They had to face this head on. 

Finally, she spoke.  “I’m scared.”  Wiping tears away she straightened moved slowly to the edge of the bed to plant her feet on the floor.  She sat next to her partner, a woman she’d loved for the last eight years.

“But,” she cleared her throat quietly,  “I think you should see where these feelings take you. For you, for me, for her.”  They both turned their heads to look at Angelica.  

As they continued to watch their daughter Bette whispered, “Know that I’ll love you forever just like I know that in one way or another, you’ll love me too.” 

They embraced and for a while their world was better.  The feeling didn’t last.  Shortly thereafter, the reality seeped between them gradually.  It was beyond the baby that slept, and the two people embracing in the room. 

He had found his way into Tina’s thoughts thereby extending an invitation to join them.

“It’s okay,” Bette muttered.  “Whatever happens you’ll always be the mother of my child and I’ll always be a first for you.” 

“Yes I am. You are. And…” Tina answered honestly, “it could still be forever for us.”

Softly, they cried in each other’s arms.  Though they still loved each other, neither knew what the future held.  For now, in the bedroom they shared both laughter and tears, they just held on to one another.