“Mom, I can’t breathe.”

I pulled away and looked at Bette. She shook her head as if she knew what I was asking. “Its so nice hearing her call you mom.” I whispered to her as I held them back.

“Tina I want to see my surprise pleeease.” Naomi grabbed my hand pulling me into the house.

They followed us back in. I took her to the room I redecorated for a nine year old girl. “Ok now close your eyes.” I said as we approached the bedroom. “No peeking.” I guided her to the door and opened it. “Ok open your eyes.” I watched as her face lit up, her mouth was agape. “You like it? Its your room.”

“Its beautiful.” She ran to the bed, then to the desk complete with a computer, study lamp and chair. She went through the entire room touching everything. She had everything a child her needed and wanted to an extent. She was elated and excited. “I can’t believe I have my own room.” She hugged me tightly, “Thank you so much Tina, I think I am the luckiest girl alive.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Like it? I love it. You’re the greatest.” She stepped back, “Wait, where will mom sleep?” She asked with a confused look on her face.

“Um,” I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I looked over at Bette for some help.

“Sweetie.” Bette took her hand.

“We’ll be right outside.” Shane, Dana and Alice left the room giving us the privacy we needed for the conversation.

We sat her on the bed. Bette joined her while I took the chair. “Honey, remember when I was telling you how happy I am since I met Tina, and that she is an important part of my, our lives now?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, baby, Tina and I aren’t just friends.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I love her more than a friend.”

“Oh, you mean she’s your girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Oh ok.”

“So you’re ok with it?”

“Of course. Well the only thing that matters is that you are happy. And besides now I get two parents instead of one.”

“You are truly special you know that?”

“Yeah well I’m your daughter, and we’re a family now. That’s the only thing that matters.”