“Yes, we are,” Helena grinned, placing Angelica into her booster chair.

She sat down next to her new admirer and held her hand.

“Now what shall we have, Sweetpea? I love to cook. And I’m going to make you and your Mama a wonderful breakfast.”

Bette retrieved her coffee mug from the counter and pulled out a seat at the table on the other side of Angelica. She was smiling, revealing her contentment. She lightly fingered her cell phone which lay in front of her.

“Can you cook Cocoa Puffs?” Angelica squealed excitedly.

Helena looked warily at Bette. Bette smiled and gently shook her head.

Picking up the bib Bette had laid out on the table earlier, Helena stood and tied it around Angelica’s neck.

“You know, Sweetie. I haven’t quite figured out how to make those. How about scrambled eggs?” she suggested, glancing at Bette for approval.

Bette nodded and took another sip from her mug.

“And I can make French Toast. And bacon?”  Helena shot Bette another querying look.

Again Bette nodded.

“Is dat whats you want, Ella?” Angelica asked.

“Indeed, it is. And your Mama too,” Helena responded.

Quickly turning her head to Bette to be sure, Angelica replied, after seeing Bette’s nod and smile, “Me wants scwamble egg. An’ Fwench toasts. And bacon too!” she grinned. “Me big girl!”

“You certainly are,” Bette agreed proudly, leaning over to kiss her little lips.

“May I make myself at home, Bette?” Helena asked, turning and placing a hand on a cabinet door that looked as if it may be a location that would hold some skillets.

“Knock yourself out,” Bette smiled, wrapping her fingers around her cup to warm them.

“Mama, me want Dora plate!” Angelica announced. “And milk. Me wants milk.”

“Okay, Baby. I’ll get you some,” Bette said, busying herself and stepping around Helena. She pulled the milk carton from the refrigerator and placed a carton of eggs on the counter next to Helena.

Angelica picked up Bette’s cell phone and began playing as if she were calling and talking to her friends from school. Bette set the sipper cup full of milk in front of Angelica.

“Bette, she is so precious,” Helena said, conversing as she cracked the eggs in a bowl and began whipping them. Angelica jabbered playfully in the background. “You and Tina have just done a marvelous job with her. She’s so smart!”

“Well, it’s obvious she’s quite the fan of yours too,” Bette said, leaning in to plant a sweet kiss on Helena’s lips.

“Mama! Did Ella sweeps over wast night?”

Startled, Bette turned.

“Why, yes, Sweetie, she did,” Bette answered uncomfortably. “Why do you ask?”

Angelica shrugged. “Me fawt so. Hab swumber party. Me tell fwends.”

Angelica continued to jabber into Bette’s phone, as Bette and Helena fixed breakfast together.

“What were you thinking about when I walked in and hugged you, Bette? You flinched,” Helena asked softly.

“I was thinking about you,” Bette answered quietly, pulling the bacon slices apart.

“Are you sure? I’d like to believe that, Bette. But it’s all right if you weren’t,” Helena replied, placing the bacon in to sizzle.

Bette’s cell phone rang.

Angelica’s eyes quickly grew wide and she punched some buttons.

Her attention otherwise engaged, it took Bette a moment to react.

“Helwo,” Angelica said innocently, putting the phone up to her ear. “Mommy!” she screamed.

“Angelica, let Mama have her phone!” Bette said anxiously, holding out her hand.

“No! Me tawks!” Angie said, holding the phone tight to her chest.

“Angelica, give Mama the phone!”

“No!”

"Angelica, you should give your Mama the phone," Helena said.

“No!  Tawk to Mommy.  Hi, Mommy!” Angelica said, putting the phone back up to her ear, animated with excitement. “Me hab fun! Me gawt kitty. Her name Fluffy. Like Ella. Yup.  Me famish.  Hab hole in belly.  Ella spens night wid Mama! We hab swumber party!”