A few days prior …

Bette was in New York City to meet with one of the art consultants that Peggy Peabody had introduced her to over the Memorial Day weekend. The art consultant had invited Bette to a private showing of several talented artists that he represented in the hopes that Bette would display their works and feature some of the artists in her Los Angeles gallery. Now that they all lived together as a family Angie was handling the separations much better when Bette traveled. Although she didn’t have any further meltdowns it didn’t stop her from missing her Momma.

Tina and Angie are home preparing dinner after a day spent at the center.

“Mommy, when is Momma coming home?”

“She’ll be home in two days sweetie.”

“Why did she go to New York again?”

“She told you sweetie. She has to meet some artists so she can get new artwork for the gallery.”

“Oh yeah. I remember. Is she meeting Jodi?”

“She might see Jodi while she is there.”

“Is Jodi her girlfriend again?”

“No. They are just friends. Momma is with me now.”

“Momma is your girlfriend?

“Momma and I are more than just girlfriends. We are life-partners. We’re your parents, we love each other very much, we all live together, and we are a family. Neither one of us is going to have another girlfriend. You helped to bring us back together again. I don’t think I ever said thank you. So thank you.”

Tina gives Angie a loving kiss. Angie beams proudly that she played a part in bringing her mommies together. Little did she know that this was the third and hopefully final time that their love for her had brought them back to each other. She truly was their guardian angel.

The name Angelica means messenger and it’s the name of a plant (Angelica atropurpurea). How prophetic was it naming their child Angelica. Her message planted a seed in both of her mommies’ hearts that allowed a love to be rekindled; to grow and to blossom into what they now shared as a family.

Tina had once told Bette “Angelica is your heart Bette and if you ever need a gauge she is the one you need to look to. She is the one that will help you find the way to your future. She is your moral compass.” It was true for both of them.