“Based on what Tina told me,” Bette continued, “No..no, it’s alright Sarah.  You were a good friend.  To us both,” she said, assuring her, as Sarah looked guardedly at Tina.

“I know it wasn’t my place, Bette,” she started, in an apologetic tone.

“Sarah: no, no.  As I said, it’s alright.  That’s what good friends do – they tell us what’s what,” Bette cut in again, assuring Sarah.

“And you continued to be a good friend to Tina, coming by to spend time with her all throughout the pregnancy, checking in, going with her to the doctor’s,” Bette continued.

“And… from what I understand, the hospital had initially thought that you were her partner, or Angelica’s other mother, based on the fit that you threw when you’d found out they were taking so long getting the morphine started,” it was Bette’s turn to shake her head.

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Tina’s labor had been difficult, and had taken almost 10 hours, from the time she was checked in, after reporting initial symptoms to the doctor, until she’d given birth.  She was scheduled to give birth 10 days later, but she began to feel contractions early one morning.  She timed the gaps between contractions, and decided to call the doctor, who told her to go check into the hospital, as it most likely meant she was entering labor. 

As agreed, she’d also called Logan and George, after talking to the doctor, but found out both were out of the country. Melanie had been with Logan, but Claudia was in Boston visiting friends.  Tina sent a quick text to Claudia to tell her. She picked up her “go bag,” preparing to call for a cab.  But, as she was on her handset, to book a cab with a cab app, the concierge called their land line to tell her a car was now waiting for her downstairs.  She figured Logan had sent it over. 

She slowly made her way to the elevator, took it down to the lobby.  The concierge jumped up and ran to her to get the bag from her, and held her arm to guide her into the waiting car.  As the car sped away, Tina made separate calls to Sarah and to Kit.

Kit had flown into a panic, promising to check with the airline if her reservation to fly out a week later could be bumped up to that day or the next day.  Sarah was in Greenwich, helping a client close on a house, but would come soon after.