The Opening with a little Doubt
Chapter Forty-Five



Babe, are you ready, JJ and I are waiting on you.

T, I cant find my jacket have you seen it, coming into the living with Tina holding it in her right hand.

Come on, babe, theyre waiting for us. James came and got Libby ten minutes ago.

Hold this, handing her cane to Tina as she slipped her jacket on. Giving her self the once over in the mirror and then turning to Tina and JJ and checking them out.

You look great Tina.

So do you.

Holding her cane up, even with this.

Even with this, I kind of like it, its so you.

Looking at JJ who in his slacks and a button up white shirt with suspenders and a small tie, looked cuter than she had imagined when she bought that very outfit.

And you, grabbing him and gently poking at his sides, you look very handsome.

Fidgeting with his tie, and giving her a smile, hoping he wouldnt have to wear it for long,

Thanks, B.B.

So are we ready?

Taking JJs hand, we are, are you?

I didnt forget anything did I?

No, now lets go.

Coming up to the front as Bette stopped, they were rushed out of their car, by the valet.

With her free hand, taking Tinas in hers and Tina taking JJ by the other, they were off to make their appearance.

The girls in their corner with glasses in their hands, spotted them and raised their glasses to them.

After millions of questions and photos, Bette decided she would find Peggy.

Ill be over there, as she pointed to their familiar circle who now congregated to the temporary bar.

Come on JJ, leaving Tina to join the girls.

She did good.

Im glad it worked out for you guys T.

Looking around as Bette didnt find Peggy, but instead was explaining some pictures to JJ. JJ looking uninterested as he stood by his mother fiddling with his suspenders.

Yeah, me too. She worked hard for this.

So we still on for dinner in a few days, Tina.

Yeah.

Shane took her glass from her lips, Hey Al, I was wondering if you didnt mind me bringing some one.

Three pairs of eyes turning to look at her.

Just a friend you know, taking the glass back to her lips.

Um, sure.

Im gonna go find Libby, Ill be right back.

B.B., can I go with James over there? Pointing to where his sister stood with his new found hero.

Yeah come on.

Hey buddy, picking him up.

Momma you look great.

As do you.

Settling her hand on the small of Bettes neck, You both look great, as Tina find who she was looking for with a little something extra.

Nini. Tina.

Libby. James.

Um Im going go see if we have some orange juice or something for JJ. Kissing Libby, Ill be right back, leaving the three Porter women standing in front of a beautiful picture.

I cant tell which is more breathtaking, the picture or you three. Came from a voice none other than Peggy herself.

Peggy, you made it.

Of course dear, I wouldnt miss this success for the world. You did good my girl.

Thanks, but James and I worked hard for this.

Speaking of James he told me you have enough friends for a couple more shows.

Weve been lucky.

Its has nothing to do with luck, my child. You should know that by now.

Now, if youll excuse me ladies, Bette and I are wanted by a few people so if you two dont mind, Ill need to take her for a few minutes.

Leaving now just the two, when Kit entered.

Im sorry my A.A. class went late. I didnt miss it did I.

Miss what Kit, the shows still going on.

Thinking that Tina had no idea about the piano, um never mind.

Tina looking at Kit and thinking back to Bettes words yesterday, I was gonna do this tomorrow, which was now tonight.

Just hugging Kit and thanking her.

For what, babygirl.

She sang to me yesterday.

But I thought

Yeah, I saw the piano yesterday and I ruined it.

No you didnt girl.

It was nice of you.

It was nothing, its not very often my baby sister comes to me asking for help. Or least a long time ago it wouldnt have been possible, I think.

You did good, Kit.

Anyway, how are my two favorite mommy to be doing?

Im good Kit Kat.

And you Tina?

But Tina wasnt listening as this time Bette was explaining the same picture to someone else this time. Using her hands to talk, as the cane rested against her leg, and just seeing the passion that she had seen in Bette the first time she met her so long ago.

Tina, are you okay? Kit waving her hand in front of her sister-in-laws face. Then having her look at her daughter and then back at Kit.

Um yeah, I was just wondering, going back to where Bette stood, with all of this, is she gonna be okay?

Momma. Looking back to her daughter,

No, its just this is a lot for someone to take in, let alone Bette. And with that someone being Bette, you know how she gets when she takes on too much Kit,

Tina, she has you, and shes not that Bette anymore, shes a better Bette.

Taking her eyes back to Bette, she wondered if that was going to be enough. But as that thought entered her mind, Bette turned to look at her and smile her smile that was meant for only Tina.

She didnt smile, just stood there, and studied her wifes smiling face across the room.

Bette noticing that some thing was not right, she turned to the man she had been in conversation with and excused herself.

Seeing Bette come her way, she struggled to maintain her poise and not let her tears fall.
When she made it inches away from Tina, she looked at Libby then to Kit, and rested her eyes on Tina.

Baby, whats wrong. Youre scaring me T, what is it.

Just looking at Bette hoping she could read the answer in her watery eyes.

Looking around as if this wasnt the right place for this, she took Tinas hand and led her to her office.

Baby you have to tell me, whats wrong.

Sitting on the couch wiping her soft tears that did escape from her eyes,

II was watching you tonight, and seeing you work so hard for this.

T, I dont understand.

And us having a baby, and our baby having a baby, and then theres JJ. Im scared were taking on too much Bette. What if all this makes us you now, loosen our bond.

The night was going so well, and everyone was enjoying themselves, this couldnt be the right time for this.

Sitting down and caressing her cheek, T, I told you to tell me this before we started. And when I asked you at the time you were fine. What could have possibly triggered this now, of all times?

I dont know.

Didnt the dinner help, and what about the song that she poured her heart into for her. That along with everything else had been for her, where did she go wrong?

I dont know what to tell you Tina. Im at a loss of words.

I just thought things were gonna be simple after all the hard we went through.

Bette was upset, she thought that all she done for Tina was enough, but now she couldnt find that feeling here tonight.

Simple, how can I make it more simpler than me loving you through and through. I thought this is where you wanted to be, a family with me.

I do Bette,

Then help me understand your worries. Taking on too much, what does that mean Tina. Losing our bond, what is all that?

Folding her hands together and looking down at her shoes, I dont know.

Rubbing her forehead and getting up, When you do know T, Ill be waiting, till then, Ill be outside this door. And leaving her wifes side to join the party.

Truth be told, Tina didnt know where this was coming from herself. She was happy, she wanted that life with Bette that she had been working so hard for, she wanted that prize at the end of their rainbow, but most of all she just wanted these worries to stop plaguing her mind so much.

Tina,

Is everything okay?

Yeah James, I just need a minute.

Nini, and that was all she needed to let it go. Taking his mother-in-law in his arms, what happened?

Wheres Bette?

Her and JJ are in the back at the piano. She just told me to take over.

I hurt her.

Do you need me to get Alice, or somebody?

No, Ill be okay.

You know, seeing the two of you and then seeing when you guys when you werent together, it was hard. But in the end, we all knew you were meant to be. Im just glad to be a part of something so special, you know.

I told her I thought we were taking on too much.

Do you?

No,

Then why

Because almost a year ago my life was *****. And now Im a wife again, with two kids, and a baby and grandbaby on the way.

Is that what you meant by too much?

No.

I dont understand.

Is there such a thing as too much happiness?

No. Is that what this is?

I was just scared that we have so much good in our life, that the bad isnt too far around the corner.

You already went through the bad Tina.

You deserve this, her loving you, and all the good with that.

I guess I panicked over nothing then.

You panicked because you love her so much that loving somebody makes us go crazy a little.

Well then if too much happiness makes me crazy, then bring it on.

Now go take that frown off my boss face. She thinks she did something wrong.

We cant have that now can we?

No we cant, I dont want to deal with a cranky boss tomorrow.



Too much of a Good Thing
Chapter Forty-Six



JJ honey, Libby and James have some cookies for you.

Really, and that was all he needed to jump from Bettes lap.

Taking JJs place on the bench next to her,

Bette, Im sorry.

No, you dont have to ever be sorry, you didnt do anything.

Yes, I did, I hurt you.

I thought it was gonna be enough for you.

Putting her hands on top of Bettes as she struck the keys,

You are enough for me.

Then why?

I was scared.

Of what?

Too much good in our life.

Theres nothing wrong with that.

I know, but I was just scared that the bad wasnt too far behind.

Tina, I promised that it would be better than last time. That means no bad for us.

I know that now.

You should have known that then.

Im sorry.

Maybe its a little much, but Im trying for you. All those months, without you taught me that what I had been wasnt working and worth losing you. Why do you think I laugh more often.

I dont know.

Resting her hands just on the keys with Tinas still on hers. Taking one and putting it up to her heart.

Because you put it there. All the good in me is because of you. I feel better with you right here next to me, and laughing just means that Im taking it as it comes. Because my all is all you. The changed woman is all you. The mother in me is all you. The patient woman is all you.

Holding her hand and leaning in for a kiss,

Because youre the reason, a reason for all that I do T. Too much of a good thing is never a bad thing.

Thank you Bette.

Your thank yous are never needed T, I can see it in your eyes. Can you see it in mine?

Yes.

Then can you see, that I love you?

Yes.

Can you see that maybe we should get back out there?

Do we have to?

Just for a little while longer.

Then, lets have at it.


The glasses now empty, some paintings now sold, one slightly drunk group of friends, and a sleeping boy, let them know that tonight was indeed a success.

Congratulations given as they were all off to enjoy the rest of the night.

JJs tucked in and sound asleep. Do you need help being tucked in T.

No, small pout from Bette, but I do need help out of my dress.

Bye all means then, let me help you.

One zipper downa jacket thrown on a chairboots in a cornerblouse coming undonehands outlining a spineslacks making their way to the floorhands over a naked hearttwo sets of eyes lockeda shiver from them bothI love you BetteI love you Tinaa mess in the sheets

Laying in the afterglow and just reminiscing, you know this is the simplest thing Ive ever done,

Whats that T?

Loving you.

Tina resting her head on Bettes shoulder and letting her hand fall on top of her ring that Bette still wore.

Are you ever gonna take that off?

Do you want me to?

No. But maybe you could put it somewhere else just as meaningful.

Like where.

Taking her hand off the ring and holding her left hand that still wore a promise ring,

Like here, shaking her ring finger.

You already have a ring.

Yes, but Im a happily married woman, and I think a happily married woman should have her wedding ring on.

What would you do with the promise ring?

Keep it with me always.

Where?

On my right hand.

Sitting up, resting against her pillow, she hesitated as she thought about it. Taking her hands and unclasping her chain and letting the ring fall into her hand. She removed the promise ring and placed it on Tina’s right hand.

I promise forever with this ring for you.

Putting the wedding ring back on her left hand,

And I promise forever with this ring, for us.

Feeling almost complete Tina looked back to Bettes dresser drawer where she knew she placed her own ring.

Your turn.

How did you know?

I saw it on your dresser when I woke up.

Bette moved to get it but instead Tina gently pushed her back down.

Let me.

Sitting back onto their bed,

Taking her promise ring off and placing in on her right hand,

Because I know we have forever.

Taking Bettes ring and putting in back on her left hand,

Because you know you are my forever.