She missed Tina beside her.  Their bed seemed larger without both of them in it.  Bette reached over to Tina’s pillow and caressed it, imagining Tina facing the door, then turning to look into Bette’s eyes, her smile capturing Bette, pulling her in, and holding her safely. 

If only she had tried talking to Tina when Bette needed her most–when they lost the first baby; if only she hadn’t gone crazy and let Candace fuck her; and if only she had come to her senses and tried to reconcile with Tina earlier instead of going back to get easy, emotionless sex from Candace over and over.  Bette shook her head, inhaled, and smelled Tina’s scent and the baby smell of Angelica.  Why had Bette done everything so wrong?  Her mistakes allowed Helena to charge in and take the one she wanted most.  It was her fault.  No matter what the doctors told her, if Tina hadn’t been stressed during her pregnancy, Angelica and Tina wouldn’t have been in jeopardy.  She was to blame for Tina’s situation.  Her fault.  Her fault.

Bette went through all of the ‘what ifs’ nightly.  These were always her last thoughts before she finally drifted off into a fitful night’s sleep.

It hadn’t been long that she had fallen into a deep sleep, before she was awakened by the telephone ringing.  She glanced at the clock and saw that it was 3:52 in the morning.  Her heart began to beat hard and fast.  Something had happened to Tina.  Please don’t let it be Tina, Bette thought.  She contemplated not answering.  She didn’t want any bad news.

The phone rang again and Angelica stirred.  Bette reached for the phone.  “Hello.”

“Hi.  Bette Porter.”

“Yes?”  The person sounded friendly yet formal.  She wondered what telemarketer in their right mind would call at four in the morning.  She was incredulous.   “I’m on the ‘Do Not Call,’ list,” Bette stated with irritation.

The woman on the other end laughed.  “This is Theresa Kennard, Tina’s Mama.”

Bette recognized the soft southern accent, sat up and switched on the low wattage lamp next to the bed.  “Hi, Mrs. Kennard.  How are you?”

“I’m doin’ well, Bette.  I’m sorry I haven’t spoken with you in a good long while.  How’s my little girl?” 

“Tina?”  Bette was still pulling herself out of the fog of sleep.

“Yes, Tina.”

“She’s the same. I’ve found a good facility for her.  Her doctor is one of the best in Los Angeles.”

“Well, we’re on our way out there.  I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to arrange everything here.  You must think we’re the worst people…”

“No, not at all.” 

“And you must need a break.  Tina’s sister, Stephanie and I are at the airport waitin’ to board.  We should reach LA around one this afternoon– your time.  We have a layover in Dallas-Fort Worth.” 

Bette reached for the pen and paper.  “That’s great,” she said.  “If you give me your flight information I’ll pick you up.”

Theresa Kennard recited all of the pertinent information to Bette who quickly scratched it on the notepad.

“Uh-oh.  Sounds like we’re startin’ to board, honey.  I need to run.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later today.  Have a safe flight.  Your granddaughter can’t wait to meet you.”

“And we can’t wait to see the latest little Kennard.  I just know she looks like my husband’s family.  That Kennard gene is a strong one,” Theresa Kennard said.  “Bye now.”  She hung up. 

Bette put the phone down and turned to look at Angelica sleeping peacefully beside her.  “It just keeps getting better, Angelica.”

End Part Five

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DaddyOf2 (Season 3, Episode 3)

Otto, the dog (Season 3, Episode 3)