“Babe,” Tina stroked Bette’s face gently and gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you.  I appreciate this so much, “ she said, gesturing to the box.  “It was so sweet of you to go to this effort.”  She kissed Bette once more, satisfied with the way Bette’s demeanor was lightening a bit.  “I’ll just take these with me,” Tina said, taking the box out of Bette’s hands.  “Gotta run.  I’ll call you later,” she called over her shoulder, checking her watch. If she didn’t hurry, Angie would be late.

“See you,” Bette called after her.  Tina, in her rush, didn’t turn around.

                                                                            ***

When Tina returned home that afternoon with Angelica in tow, she didn’t have anything else in mind but handing Angie over so Bette could keep an eye their daughter while she took a nap. She was utterly exhausted from running from one meeting to another all day.  Her pregnancy was manifesting itself with a vengeance today: swollen ankles, nausea, fatigue… She sighed, opening the door and allowing Angelica to run inside, full of the boundless sort of energy only small children possessed.

“Bette?” Tina called.  Her heart sank when there was no answer.  She would have to stay awake with Angie when all she wanted to do was collapse into bed.  She picked up the phone with another sigh, wearily dialling Bette’s number.  No answer.  She didn’t bother leaving a voicemail. What was the point?

She kicked off her heels and stopped to look at the ceiling and count to ten as a giggling blur sped past her. She followed Angelica into her bedroom and set her down with a pad and some crayons, then went to go change. She peeked in at Angelica again and then went to call Bette once more, getting no answer.  She was thoroughly annoyed now, almost angry. Why was Bette so hard to get in contact with lately?

Whatever, Tina thought bitterly.  Just whatever.  She supposed that maybe Bette was feeling distant herself, or was just too busy with work to pick up the phone and let Tina know what was going on.  Tina felt a twinge of guilt remembering that Bette had been nice enough to fetch a special breakfast to pamper her.  But, Tina’s mind rebelled, I don’t care about being pampered.  All I really want is a little common courtesy.  My job is just as demanding as hers, just as stressful, and *I* still manage to pick up a phone.  Maybe Bette just wasn’t used to this “family” thing yet.  Functioning as a unit required a lot more communication than Bette’s input of late.  Romantic surprises were nice, but Tina would be satisfied with a smoother every day routine.  Was it too much to ask?