They Do
Chapter Fifty-Three



Watching her dear friend walk up and down her bedroom, Al, thats my job to pace.

She kept walking.

Alice, you have to breath.

Bette I cant. Im scared.

Just breathe and count to ten.

You ***** count to ten.

Bette flinched.

Im sorry, Bette, my nerves. Im about to get married and Im nervous.

You love her Alice, remember you love her.

Then why am I so scared?

Because you love her and you worry if youre going to be enough for her.

I want to be.

You are.


Meanwhile in the other room down the hall.

Tina, I cant stop shaking.

Im here Dane, youre okay.

Were you this scared?

Yes, but it went away the moment I saw Bette waiting for me at the end.

I love her Tina.

I know.

Then why am I so nervous?

Because youre scared you wont be enough for her.

I want to be.

You already are.


Shane stood in the center awaiting for it to begin. Alice and Dana had decided that though they” wouldnt let them have what they had wanted and deserved, that they instead would rather have someone perform it for them.

Alice had said that she didnt need a paper or anyone to tell her that Dana was going to legally be her wife. All she had needed was Dana loving her and her loving Dana.


Kit let the music cue, and Tina was the first to take her place next to Shane. Bette followed suit and stood on the other side. Dana and Alice with joined hands and hearts, then followed.

You guys, Shane began, We are here because we believe in love. We believe in each others love. We have love in our lives and that is beyond anything greater to come to any of us. So today, we are here to celebrate Dana and Alices love.

Now Dane, you have some words to express to Alice?

Not knowing if she was supposed to answer or just start, she decided to answer, Yes Shane I do.

Alice, from the very beginning, you had my love. I just didnt know it and it took you pushing me to let love in to know. You have been there as my friend and now as my soul mate. When I was scared you were there to hold me, when I cried you were there to dry my tears, and when I needed to be loved, you were there. And today because I need you and I love you, I give you this ring to remind you everyday that I am yours and you are forever mine.

Alice,

Dana, a long time ago, we had an intervention and tried to stop the boringness from taking over. But really all I wanted was that very thing, with you. The one thing I couldnt stop myself from doing was falling in love with you. Loving you is something that I just had to do, because you make everything better. We both went looking for something that was in front of us the whole time. It took you a lot longer to figure it out, a small laugh, but Im glad you let me love you. And with this, know that Im always and forever yours.

Now ladies, please make each other happy with the rest of us I might add, and kiss your new wife.

The music cued and they all joined in the back to give congratulations. The dinner was served and all was good. The music continued along with the laughs till one by one, they tired. Before the newlyweds left, Bette gave them their surprise.

Al, Dane, Tina and I took the liberty of taking care of your honeymoon for you so here.

Opening it, No way, you guys. Showing Dana two tickets to fly to Paris for two weeks.

Thanks you guys.

Everyone wished them luck as their cab made his presence known.

Tucking JJ in, who was tired from dancing his poor little heart out.

Laying bed, both unable to sleep. Something that had been said so long ago, had been bugging Bette and having Alice and Dana joining their lives, made her wonder if that feeling was now gone. Tina sensing that something was troubling Bette,

Babe.

Turning to face her,

Yeah, but Bette knew that she knew. Do you remember lying like this and telling me you were scared?

Scared of what?

That in the beginning you felt that I was proud to be with you and that you hadnt felt that way and it scared you.

Yeah. But Bette you made that feeling go away.

Did I?

Yes, I havent been scared in a long time since then.

You know that I hope you dont have to.

I know I wont have to. Now babe kiss me so I can go to sleep with dreams of you.

So if I dont kiss you, you wont have dreams of me?

Bette, you know what I meant.

Then?

I just wanted a kiss from you.

Then why didnt you say so.

“Cause you were busy talking away.”

“Patience my darling patience.”

“You know, you and this patience thing is going to be the end of me.”

“Then I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting.”

“No cause then I’ll be one angry woman. And i’d have to punish you for making me wait.”

With that look known so well to Tina, “Well then whatcha waiting for punish away.”





They Came Early
Chapter Fifty-Four



Push Tina, come on T, one more push.

I AM pushing Bette. You push if you think its so easy. Bette taking her eyes off of her wife and going back to Dr. Wilson, as if asking her to help her.

Now Tina one deep breath and shell be here.

You said that three pushes ago.

Baby, please come on.

Dont baby me Bette, I cant look at you right now okay.

Not letting go of her wifes hand she remained silent. It hurt her that Tina was in so much pain and she didnt want to further annoy her.

Tina, here she is, onetwothree, a small baby girl making her way into their world. A scream Bette had never heard come from Tina before as she tried to put some feeling back into her crushed hand.

Bette.

I know baby, I know.

Bette would you like to do the honors?

Making her way next to the doctor and cutting the cord. She went back to her side as Dr. Wilson placed the baby in her arms.

Wiping her tears away, Shes beautiful Bette.

Our beautiful Lola.

We did it, as she counted the tiny little fingers that laid next to her heart.

Im going tell the girls. Ill be right back.

Alice walking up and down, with Dana trying to get her to sit for just a second, and Shane and Kellie watching them fight. Kit sitting there with JJ at her side wondering about her little niece. James sitting with Libby who was feeling quite uncomfortable with pains coming from her side every few minutes or so.

The doors opened and a proud mama making her way to them. Kit getting up and rushing to her sister.

So?

Shes beautiful Kit. Hey watery eyes betraying her.

Oh girl, Im so happy for you. Hugging her but being interrupted by a tugging at Bettes shirt.

Mami,

Yeah baby.

Nini.

Shes resting sweetie, shes with your sister.

Can I see her?

Not yet, but in a little bit. Did you eat?

Tia, took me to McDonalds. The little boy going back to sit with his coloring book not to far. Shane was next.

A girl huh.

Yeah.

Congrats, man. Thats great.

Yeah Bette, Im happy for you guys.

Thanks Kellie.

So Porter she look like me or what?

Al, shes gorgeous,

Good, turning to her wife at her side, See were gonna have beautiful babies honey.

Alice, scolding her wife and making her way into her friends arms. Im so happy for you guys, really.

Thanks Dane. Looking back to her daughter who hadnt said a word yet.

Sweetie you okay?

These pains are killing me momma.

What pains?

The ones that come every

Five to seven minutes, James replied looking up from his watch.

You cant be. Youre not due till three weeks.

Momma, she said grabbing hold of her chair and showing the pain she was in.

Bette I hate to rain on your parade, but I think my baby is making its way.

Sure enough Libby was in labor. Alice taking the opportunity, walked up to her friend and patted her on the back.

What was that for?

Happy Grandparents day!

Giving her son a quick kiss, she followed as James pushed Libby to the delivery room.

Libby baby, keep breathing, Im just gonna go check up on your mother.

Libby not caring right now just closed her eyes and took James hand as he tried to keep from yelling.

Tina laying down trying to recuperate as the baby girl was in the nursery being weighed and measured.

Baby,

Do you need anything?

I need a nap.

Sitting next to her and tucking a few stray hairs behind her ear, I hate to tell you, but Libbys down the hall giving birth to our grandson.

Her eyes now wide open.

What. Is she okay?

Yeah Dr. Wilson said that he should be here within the hour.

JJ?

Hes with Kit and the girls. Caressing Tinas cheek, Alice already wished us a happy grandparents day.

Wait till shes pushing well see whos laughing then.

So are you okay with just Lola?

I was thinking we could put Katherine in there.

Lola Katherine Kentor. I like that.

What ever Lola wants, Lola gets. A small chuckle.

Is that why you like that name Bette? From that song.

Ive always wanted a Lola.

Whats wrong with having a Tina?

Absolutely nothing. Kissing her and calming her down. Im going to go check up on her.

Tell her I love her.

Back in the waiting room.

Alice whispering to Dana, I hope we have a girl first.

What.

You know, so we can put bows and stuff on her. Itll be cute.

Well then youre having her.

Why cant you do it?

Because you want a girl first and you said it first, so youre having the first one.

Then youre having the next four.

Four!

What I want a big family.

I want the pair. Kellie looked at Shane.

You wants kids?

Yeah, itll be nice. Dont you?

Of course.

Leaning down so only Kellie could hear, But only with you Kel.

Before the night was over, Elijah Ray Kendrix was born. No that everyone was okay, Alice and Dana decided to take JJ home with them.

Bette tired from two deliveries in under five hours returned to Tinas side.

Are they doing okay?

Yup ten little fingers and ten little toes.

Were gonna have a lot of celebrating to do from now on.

I like summer babies.

Then you can have the next one, next summer.



A baby girls cry came from her room in the middle of the night. Tina rolled over to get up but Bette was already standing.

T, Ill get her.

A few minutes had passed, but the little cries were gone. In place were her mothers soft sweet words as she held her and danced with her slowly. Tina getting up but staying just at the end of the hall watching.

The lights were low, the music soft, and a loving mother holding her babygirl.

You know I did something right, something that keeps me alive, you sweet little babies. When you came and you let me know I was finally happy, you knew me before now didnt you.

A little pair of blue eyes just staring back at her.

God youre so lovely, did you come here to help me. And I know you cant sleep well unless Im right there next to you. Oh you take care of mommy too, youre so quick to defend me arent you. God youre lovely yes you are, you came here to save me didnt you. You came here to teach me and Im gonna try to teach you.

A small smile as her mother tried to keep her tears in.

Know youre everything to me, know you have to learn and try. Please dont fear to lose me, you know I have those same fears too. Little man and a lady, so handsome and pretty. Sometimes dont listen to your momma no, and dont do as I do. God youre so lovely

I love you Lola. Her little eyes fighting to stay open. Bette kissed her little face and she was asleep.

Tina by then had retreated back to their room. Bette laid Lola down and went to check up on JJ. His spiderman pillow on the floor and his nightlight looming in the corner.

Climbing in to bed and snuggling up to Tina, Shes fine.
I know.

Bette.

Yeah.

I want to stay home with them. I cant leave them.

You dont have to.

Is it okay then?

Well be okay. James and Libby are just next door, so we can all be together.

Making breakfast while Tina fed the baby in bed, in a little bit she had to go the gallery. Walking in to greet her, she found JJ sitting at the end of the bed watching his baby sister drink her bottle.

I have breakfast ready, taking the baby girl in her arms to burp her and walking behind Tina and JJ heading to the kitchen.

JJ sweetie, can you come with me today?

Shaking his head as he stuffed his mouth with some pancakes.

Why not?

I dont want to leave Lola momma.

Shes going to be fine sweetie. Shes going to sleep all day.

She needs me momma.

Bette, well be okay.

Itll only be for a little while T. Taking Lola and laying her down in the room.

Walking back to join them, kissing her boy, Be good, then kissing Tina, I love you.

Call me when youre coming home.

I will, and she closed the door. She walked next door. James and Libby were eating breakfast.

Morning.

Mom.

Wheres Eli?

Asleep in his bassinet.

You going to the gallery?

Yeah Im behind on some paperwork. And I have to start for the next show.

I could go in here in a little while if you need me.

No, James, Ill be okay, Rudy and Jessica are helping me today.

So now not only do you have an assistant, but you go and steal mine.

I need two to make up for the one I used to have.

He must have been one ***** of an assistant.

Yeah, she was.

Libby baby, I have to get going. You guys having dinner with us?

Yeah, JJ wants Eli to come over.

In her office, on her laptop, catching up on her work.

You busy?

Hey Alice, what brings you buy.

Danas at practice and Im bored.

And you decided to come here. Is something wrong?

No,

Al,

Bette.

You going to tell me or make me guess.

Guess what?

You tell me.

Tell you what?

I asked first.

What was the question?

Alice!

Walking around the office and pretending to care about a picture that hung on the wall.

Its just all this baby stuff is making me have an itch.

Scratch it.

Turning around to see Bette smiling and making a face at her.

Porter I find that when I get serious you and Tina decide to get funny.

Getting up to stand next to Alice, Al, what is it. You want a baby.

No.

Then.

I dont know Bette, were in a good place. I mean weve been married what a few months now, my job is good, her game is strong, and then when I look at you guys with JJ and now with Lola, it makes me think were missing out.

On what?

On what you guys have.

Youll know when youre ready.

Thats just it. I think I am but she cant right now.

Dana tell you that.

She didnt have to.

Did you at least ask her?

Not really.

Then?

Then what.

Then, maybe you should ask her.

Am I just ***** crazy?

Yes, you are,

Thanks.

You didnt let me finish. Yes, you are, crazy about Dana.

Oh my God.

What?

Were boring.

Yes you are.

Not one to let the boring get to her, Well its a lot funner than I thought it would be.

Right Al.

Were a good boring you though and Tina are a whole different story.

I wouldnt have it any other way Al,

Neither would I.

Then go talk to your wife, Alice.

My wife, I have a wife.

Its been months Al, saying it to yourself, youre bound to get bored with it.

I cant wait Bette.

Your wife, go now. Shooing her friend out of her office.

Wife, wife, I have a wife, wife, wife