Tina’s next words were forever burned into Bette’s brain.  “What I mean is, I’m having a home birth, and I want to have it in my home[.”  After everything they’d been through, Bette assumed that Tina had meant she wanted to give birth in her apartment.  Bette had started rambling about the apartment.  Tina had just shaken her head and smiled.  Bette realized now that Tina knew that as much as Bette had changed, some things would always be the same.  So Tina interrupted her, and finished her thought “No.  I want…” Tina’s voice had trailed off, as she fought back tears.  “…to move back into our house.  And I want to have our baby in our home.  I want us all to have a home together.”

It had taken Bette a moment to process what Tina had said to her, and all she could do was sit down next to Tina, frozen by the wave of emotions crashing through her.  She just looked at Tina, searching for something to confirm that she had heard her right, that Tina wanted to come home, wanted them to be a family.  Tina just looked at her, smiled, and nodded her head.  That was all Bette needed to see. 

They never had a chance to move Tina back into the house before she went into labor the very next night.  Everything started off fine, but Bette came so close to losing Tina and the baby.  Back in reality, Bette flinched noticeably at the thought of that night, and Tina began to stir next to her, feeling the tension in Bette’s body.  Tina sleepily put her arm on top of Bette’s, which was wrapped around Tina’s chest, holding her close. 

“Mmm.  Morning, Babe.”  Tina mumbled.  Bette began to relax just hearing Tina’s voice.  When Bette didn’t immediately respond, Tina continued, “you okay, Baby?”  Bette pulled closer to Tina.

“I’m okay.  Just thinking.”  Bette fibbed.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about…” Tina quizzed Bette, sleepily, as she turned onto her back to look Bette in the eyes.  Tina was taken aback by the look of seriousness in Bette’s eyes, and suddenly felt wide awake.

Bette took a deep breath before she answered, not sure she wanted to burden Tina with the truth.  But, if Bette had learned just one thing over the last year, it was that they needed to be honest with each other about everything.  She now knew that she and Tina were equally strong, but that Tina was perhaps the stronger of the two of them.  “I was just thinking about the night Angelica was born.  How close I was to losing you both.  And how lucky I am to have you.”  Bette admitted, trying to muster a smile.  She expected Tina to be upset that she wanted to talk about that night, but she wasn’t.  Tina was actually a bit relieved.  This was something Tina knew how to handle.

Tina just smiled at her, tracing Bette’s jaw with her fingers, then slowly taking a strand of Bette’s ebony hair and twirling it around her finger.  Tina looked into Bette’s eyes with a penetrating stare that Bette was certain could see right into her soul.  “Baby, I was so scared that night, too.  I was sure we were going to lose our Angel, and I was scared I wasn’t going to make it through.  But we all made it through that night, Baby.  And we’re together now, and that’s all that matters.  We have our home together, Bette.”

Bette’s mood lightened upon hearing both Tina’s admission of fear and declaration of togetherness.  Sensing Bette’s improving spirits, Tina pushed Bette onto her back, and climbed on top of her playfully.  Tina kissed Bette softly, then more passionately.  Tina had started snaking her hand up Bette’s tank top, but Bette quickly intercepted it before it reached its destination.  “Baby, you know we can’t.  God, you know I want to, but it’s too soon.  We can’t do this until Dr. Wilson says it’s okay.”  Begrudgingly, Tina agreed and relented, moving off to Bette’s left, and laying her head on Bette’s chest.  She loved the sound of Bette’s heartbeat.  “I love you, Bette.” 

Bette gently kissed the top of Tina’s forehead, running her fingers through Tina’s hair.  “I love you, too, Tee.  More than you can ever know.”  Angelica, with her impeccable sense of timing, started cooing over the baby monitor.  They both smiled and decided it was time to get up.

(To Be Continued…)