“Tina and Angelica, not to mention myself, are going to live in that house,” she said over her shoulder as she rapidly walked out.  “You better believe I’m going to work my ass off to make it perfect!” she winked at George and Mark as she pushed the door open.

Now, nearly seven months after the first crews arrived to start the reconstruction project, everything was done.  All the art installed, all the lights up, all their personal touches scattered around, the bulk of their clothes.  Everything moved. Finally.

As she lay back, with Tina resting comfortably on her, and Angelica beginning to snore, falling asleep on Tina’s chest, Bette reflected on how far they’d come in their relationship, from the moment they’d laid eyes on each other in her gallery in LA nearly three years ago, to the anguished year of their separation, to having a baby, and to building a home.

“T…”

“Hmmm?”

“Do you want to see it?  See our house?”

Tina craned her neck to one side to look at Bette.  “You sure you want to head out in this cold?”

“I want you to see it… see this labor of love we both put our hearts and souls into.  If I could, I’d carry you over the threshold of that house, you know.  That’s how excited I am for you to see it come together.  Tonight.  Our home.”

“Our home,” they said simultaneously.

They smiled at one another, reaching an unspoken decision.

Just then, Kit had tiptoed back in, upon hearing Bette and Tina’s voices.

Tina sat up, cradling Angelica against her chest.  Then she stood gracefully, heading towards their bedroom, to put Angelica in her co-sleeper, attached to the side of their bed.

Bette stood up, too.  “Kit, do you mind watching Angie for a bit?  I want to take Tina to see the house, now that everything’s finally up and ready, lights and everything.  She hasn’t seen it yet…”

Kit smiled, tears rushing unbidden to her eyes.  She clasped her hands together, “I’m sooo proud of you baby sis.  You’ve turned out to be such a wonderful person, and have built this beautiful family, made this beautiful life with Tina, having Angelica, everything so full of love…”

Bette drew her in, “A life that you are a very big part of, Kit.  Thank you, thank you for….well, for everything!”