For the moment, Bette still had a fairly flexible morning schedule, and often, it was in the hour before the sitter came that Bette considered to be their “magic hour.”  If Bette had decided to work from home that morning, thus allowing the sitter to come in on a half-day arrangement, it was the hour when Bette would play with Angelica if the baby was awake, or walk her around the tea house to show her the interesting interiors modeled after characters in the children’s story, or rock her to sleep when she hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

Today, however, Tina and Bette had arranged with Sarah to meet, after she had prodded them repeatedly, upon hearing of their return to New York, to resume their house-hunting, and at least start checking out prospects.

She’s right, of course, Tina said over the weekend.  They were lying down on their bed, and Bette was playing “helicopter” with baby Angelica, resting the baby on her shins and gently rocking her from side to side while holding each arm.  The baby was gurgling, fascinated by the sensation of being rocked this way.  Bette had nodded at Tina’s suggestion to meet with Sarah, distracted by her play with the baby. Tina was lying on her side, facing them, head rested on one arm.

You’ll agree to anything at this moment, aren’t you?, she’d asked Bette playfully. Uh, huh, the brunette responded, with a smile, her eyes locked into Angelica’s.

Hmmm…what should I ask for?, the blonde asked, in a teasing voice.  She began to caress Bette’s bare midsection, revealed by the side-to-side motion of the “helicopter” ride Bette had been giving the baby, which caused her tank top to ride up.  Tina was tracing ever-widening fluttering circles with her fingertips, steadily pushing the tank top upwards ‘til it rode all the way up to the brunette’s breast line.

T…

Mmmhmmm?, Tina asked, smiling naughtily.  She sat up and reached out to gently get Angelica from Bette’s “helicopter”.

It’s her naptime, she explained softly, bending to kiss Bette.  Angelica’s head had begun to lollygag, and her eyes were beginning to shut.

It’ll be mine soon, after you, um, rock me, too, Tina winked at Bette, as she stood up gracefully, baby Angelica held securely against her chest.