Fan Fiction
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Foundations – Chapter 6
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I got your address from a lovely woman named Bette, who called me up not long ago and told me a few things. She told me that you had one daughter already and were carrying a boy now. She told me about you and all you had been up to. A Hollywood producer! It’s almost too much to believe. I always knew you would make something of yourself. But the biggest thing Bette told me was that you were missing your family, and you had been for quite some time.
Tina, we’ve been missing you too. I can’t even begin to describe how much. More than anything now, I want to rebuild some kind of relationship with you. I hope you want the same thing. If you do, you know how to contact me. Bette has the number. Maybe you can write. Now that I’m doing it, it’s much easier than I thought it would be!
I’ve put some things in here that I know your mama would have wanted you to have. I held on to them for you. Give them to your baby boy and your little girl.
I’d love to come out to California and see the children. Or maybe you can bring them here one day, let them see your roots. Let me know. We can take it as slow as you like.
All my love and many congratulations,
Leslie
Tina reached into the envelope and pulled out a soft handkerchief, crudely twisted at the top to keep the contents inside. She opened it up, cupping the treasures in her hand. Her father’s good watch, the one that he only wore on special occasions, and her mother’s most treasured possession: an engagement ring with a small, delicate diamond. The only two lasting items of real value her parents had ever owned. Tina squeezed them with one hand and broke into wracking sobs. A wave of nostalgia and sadness washed over her that was too much to stand. Bette placed a comforting arm around Tina’s shoulders and murmured comfort in her ear, then fell silent and just let Tina cry.
After a long while Tina dried up the best she could. “I’m sorry, B. It’s just… everything. It was all too much.”
“I know, T. I understand.” Bette rubbed Tina’s back sympathetically. After another pause Bette spoke up again. “I hope you don’t mind what I did. I mean, I hope you aren’t upset.” Bette’s tone was gentle.
“No, no. I’m not upset with you.” Tina slowly twisted the top of the handkerchief together again. “Having this means so much to me. You just don’t know, Bette.”
“Yes, I do, Tina. I know.”
They looked at each other for a long moment. Tina folded up the letter and put it back in the envelope.
“So how did you find her? My aunt?”
“Oh. Well…” and with that Bette launched into the details. After a few calls around her tiny hometown, it hadn’t been hard to locate Aunt Leslie, whom everyone knew, and who still lived nearby. And she had been very receptive to Bette’s call, but she had been very nervous about talking to Tina directly, so she’d opted to write instead.
“She’s friendly. Very open. I thought about having her come right after the baby was born to meet him and reunite with you, but I thought it might be too much at once.” Bette said.
“Oh, you were definitely right about that,” Tina laughed. They lapsed into another silence, and Tina was the one to break it this time. “It’s all so bittersweet, you know? But in the best way possible. Family is…”
“Family is everything,” Bette finished for her. “We don’t agree on everything, T, but we do agree on most things. We definitely agree on that point.” Bette squeezed her hand. “And I’m glad. It’s your dedication to me, to Angie and to this baby that makes our life together as wonderful as it is. It’s irreplaceable.”
Bette’s words warmed Tina from the inside out. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“I tell myself the same thing, every day,” Bette replied. They kissed, and it was quite different from some of their kisses of late. It was more from the heart. Tina felt it. She knew it. She supposed that’s what love, the lasting, best kind of love, really was. Knowing someone’s heart, the way Bette knew hers. The way Tina knew Bette’s.
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WOW!!! That was so beautiful and so heart felt!!!! Thank you
That was really beautiful….I think B’s surprise even outdid the baby shower…from the letter, it sounds like T’s parents are no longer living though, is that the case? thx for the lovely update, looking forward to the next one :)
Omalley, I think that you might have outdone yourself with this chapter! It was everything you could want in a story: humour, surprise, tenderness…it was magnificent!
wow that was really nice of bette to do that for tina. :) PPS
Absolutely beautiful and so moving that I’ve completely forgotten my Maury Povich snarky comment. Thanks so much.
That was really beautiful to read. She understood Tina’s pain before she had even voiced it.. and that means something.
I loved how you put into words all that Tina has been going through while pregnant. I also loved how Bette went out made contact with Tina’s family. I can’t wait for the next post.
Wow that was the best gift ever to give to someone you love! Love this story and can’t wait for more:) PPS
wow… i’m all caught up… and i love this story… i remember how the hiccups feel… my sons had then too… so glad bette got a hold of someone from tina’s family… maybe now the rest will also want to meet with them… PPS
Simply wonderful. If I haven’t let you know by now what I think of this story, then know this: I love it. Thank you.
AMAZING! I am so glad that Bette reached out to Aunt Leslie. I look forward to learning more about Tina’s family and roots as she reconnects with her family. I love that Alice made sure there was a baby shower, it was so fun. You’ve outdone yourself once again, BRILLIANT!
That was so beautifully written you covered every one and every body. Now Tina has something for both Angie and the baby from her side of the family thanks
Ahhh…..I’m speechless. This chapter had some of everything. You covered all the bases. Thanks!
LOVELY OMALLEY, BLOODY LOVELY, PPS.
This was 4-hankie chapter. Poignant and beautiful.
I fourth the *WOW* of akalittered, beachlife and valenkat7. Really, *WOW!* I wanted to post a comment 2 chapters back but I didn’t have the time then. Well, I’m still pressed for time today, desperately trying to beat a deadline but I couldn’t resist dropping a few lines of appreciation for your very realistic, very moving, well-written Bette & Tina tale. I love this, omalley! I even went back to all your previous posts, the prequels, and I was really impressed. I rarely read a fanfic from Tina’s POV, so thank you for this! I get a kick out of reading her thoughts, her insecurities and seeing her character in all its complex, complicated, sometimes annoying but totally endearing glory. And in this story, the couple’s both very human: still working on their issues, still making amends for past mistakes, still trying to make the relationship work every freaking day. Yeah, every day’s seems a trial for them but their deep, abiding love for one another always shines through, always sees them through. Thank you for weaving this tale, omalley! Can’t wait for the next chapter. :>
Aww so sweet!