Tinas mind wandered as the meeting droned on, she thought about Bette and how she seemed so defeated.

Guilt had begun to circle inside her as she thought that she was the cause of such a change in the woman that she admittedly still loved.

Seeing how caring and considerate Bettes lawyer was to her she couldnt place the familiarity of Leo and honestly couldnt stop the suspicion of their relationship.

Even the mere thought of Bette with anyone caused pain to flare and almost overwhelm her.

Her thoughts nonetheless seemed to always head to that direction.

Maybe Bette was crying and Leo was there to comfort her and their feelings would change and then Bette would start to kiss Leo…

Stopping those thoughts cold, her ringing mobile thankfully diverted her attention.

Talking the call after calling for a break, she fell back into her chair in shock as the words travelled through her mind.

Bette Porter… accident … critically injured … West Hollywood General…



Hanging up and rushing through her office, Tina barely stopped to tell her assistant of the emergency before rushing to the hospital.

On the way she called Alice who called the others and said that she would be there soon and not to worry cos Bettes a fighter.

Arriving at the hospital she was directed to the waiting room where a little girl seemed to be waiting with a nurse.

Trying to calm down her racing heart, Tina focused on her surroundings to order her mind from the whirlwind it had become since that call.

Regret and guilt wormed its way through her momentary calm, until Tina focused on the little girl.

She was a cute kid, seemed no more than about 5 or so give or take, but she had the most expressive eyes that Tina connected with as soon as their eyes met.

The deep hazel, reminded her so much of Bette, which turned her thoughts to why she was at the hospital.

Time seemed to drone on incessantly, unwavering in its slowness despite Tinas fervent wishes.

Every minute that went by seemed to last an eternity while Tinas mind spiralled out of control, which insisted on reliving the past few interactions with Bette in agonising detail.

Whimpering brought her out of her thoughts and Tinas heart seemed to be crushed by the anguish she saw on the little girls face.

Her thoughts now focused on who this girl was and her familiar looks but Tina just approached the girl slowly whilst her temporary guardian watched on.




Watching the child latch onto Tina after a bit of encouragement, the nurse was surprised knowing how standoffish the child could be to strangers.




Tinas eyes filled with tears as the child sobbed into her shoulder, glancing over at the nurse she was about to ask her a question when noise sounded in the hallway and people burst through the doorway of the room.


Alice, Dana and Shane practically ran into the room wanting to know what had happened.

They skidded to a stop as soon as they saw the child in Tinas arms, who looked up and eagerly jumped out of her arms and ran to the shadow in the doorway.




Daddy! the pained cry rebounded off the white walls and reverberated through the room.

It froze all motion as they stood and watched the child run into the arms of the tall stranger.

Tina could not believe her eyes as the figure moved forward to catch their daughter.





Shane watched in fascination as the figure scooped the child up in their frantic embrace and cradled her as words spilled forth.



Leo had been frantic after hearing the message that had been delayed during the important meeting.

Disgusted at the assistant definition of importance, Leo had run out of the building and driven like a bat out of *****.

Arriving shortly after Bettes friends, Leo was stunned at the vision of Cassie in Tinas arms.

God! It looks so right.

Scooping up Cassie and feeling the small body shake from the source of the sobs and the explanation that poured forth form the small mouth; Leo felt such an immense pain.

It cant be happening… not again…god please

Buckling under the strain of everything, Leo held Cassie tighter and tried to console her. Murmuring words of comfort and love, Leo sat down.




Alice stood in the room confused as ***** not knowing what was happening and who this person was.

Seeing Tina become increasingly pale she led her to a seat before she fell or fainted.

Trying to comfort her friend even through her own confusion her mind tried to piece the puzzle together but was just too jumbled as her fears overpowered them.

Seeing Tina in this distress caused her own anxiety and worry to boil leaving behind her rational thoughts.

Her only focus was to help Tina and that allowed her to block her thoughts and feelings at least for a while.





Dana sat on Tinas other side silent in her unwavering support and holding Tinas hand tightly. Her own thoughts a mess she missed the tension in the room as Kit and Marina entered the room.





Shane watched on silent as her family seemed to fall apart but also pull together in this time of worry.

Thoughts awhirl as Leos dark blue eyes met hers and held for a brief moment.

The flicker that her eyes showed did nothing for the solid blue wall that seemed to hold her for an endless time.

Seeing Kit and Marina enter see gave them a nod before resuming her statue like stance and motion.



Kit had rushed over with Marina as soon as she heard the news but was surprised at seeing Leo in the same room and also

No it couldnt be… Leo wouldnt… it just couldnt be possible could it…?

Hugging Tina briefly Kits attention was focused on the small bundle cradled in Leos protective embrace.

Cassie?

The word sounded like a cannon in the quiet room causing everyones eyes to focus on her.




Cassie turned from her fathers protective embrace to a voice that she hadnt heard in ages and one that she missed greatly.

Any and all exhaustion flew from her mind and body as soon as she saw the voices owner and its companion.


Aunty Kity, Aunty Maina


Flying into her aunts arms she snuggled down and hugged her missing aunt tightly feeling closer to her mother.

Leaning over and crawling into Marinas arms she didnt budge even when Leos alto tones sounded.




Leo had stood up as Cassie ran to Kit and Marina wanting to comfort them as their frenzied eyes swept the room.


Kit, Marina

Giving both a greeting Leo moved towards Tina.




Alice and Dana seemed to straighten as did Shane as Leo approached. Waiting, they wondered who this stranger was and why they seemed so entrenched in their friends life.



Tina had watched Kit and Marina with Cassie, and wondered who the child was but was unprepared as Leo drew closer.

Ms Kennard, I wish to express my…

Tina saw Leos mouth move but wasnt really cognizant of her surroundings, she felt her friends love and support but her mind was just to busy playing around with the what ifs.


She was surprised when everyone including Leo looked towards the door, following their gazes she expected to find like the doctor or at least a nurse with an update, instead found her vision taken up by the image of Melvin who was shaking form his anger if his shout was anything to go by.

What the ***** are you doing here? Waiting around for my daughter to die?

Melvin was blinded by his anger and worries, charged Leo knocking them both into a wall.

Holding Leo against the wall with his forearm he started ranting.

You failed to protect her and you lied about everything,
you think that I would trust you again. Knowing you this is all YOUR fault.
My lovely daughter is now in surgery because of your punkass-idiot ways. What the ***** are you doing? Answer me.

Dark eyes bored into blue unrelenting in their blame and daggers.

Leo felt the anger radiate off of Melvin and felt an answering roar rise within. Letting go of a tightly held leash, Leo fired back.

My punkass ways aint nothing compared to the damage you have inflicted on your daughters from your treatment of them.
You have moulded Bette into the perfect image stifling her with your silence only showing her affection in your condescending ways leaving her with only your cold absence when she didnt heed your advice and showing her no approval or even acknowledgment when she finally found the love of

Leo couldn’t finish the sentence before Melvin let loose with his fists.

Wrestling him to the ground Leo saw a breathless nurse with security flanking her as she entered the room.



Kit stood transfixed as her father, the one that she was such a disappointment to, charged and tackled Leo.

Unable to move she quickly went to find a nurse when Cassies cries unfroze her.


Seeing Leo stand tall even after the fight, her fathers parting words in her ears as he was escorted by security.


Dont trust Leo that night wasnt supposed to happen. Leo could have stopped it…but didnt.




Tina was amazed, Leo stood there like a warrior after a fight with the lights reflecting highlighting the red streaks that now ran down Leos face and shirt.


But it was the sight of the doctor entering the room that jolted everyone and they rushed to the centre of the room.


Im Dr Kayson, I understand that you have been waiting for a report on Bettes condition.

The doctor looked over at each of the visitors wishing that she didnt have to do this. Her gaze lingered on the child before saying

Im sorry …

tbc…