Tina had walked up to them, handing both two champagne flutes.  “Bette.  All Bette,” she answered Diane,"she designed, or had a hand in designing every aspect of this house.  Amazing, right?,” unable to hide her pride in her partner.  Niall accepted both flutes from Tina, as Tina ran her hand lightly down the brunette’s bare back, before taking hold of the hand that automatically sought hers.  “Tina,” Diane cupped the blonde’s face fondly, then kissing both cheeks.  Niall also gave her kisses on both cheeks.

“We haven’t seen you and Bette since early summer last year, when you and Bette just got back from Paris, and we ran into you both at the MOMA, remember?”

Niall continued, “I was frankly worried about you Bette. You seemed to have lost a lot of weight, but at the same time seemed just so happy with Tina.  You remember, darling?,” he turned to Diane.

Diane was nodding, rubbing Tina’s arm affectionately, “You have made Bette so very happy, Tina.  I have never seen her glow like this.”

“And now, the two of you have built this truly stunning home.  I couldn’t see the exterior of the mansion from the outside, but…”

Bette interrupted her, “Then you and Niall will just have to accept our standing and open invitation to please come back here, see it in the daylight….”

Niall smiled warmly at them, “You know that we will dear.  We don’t want to lose touch with you both again, the way we seemed to have done, when you moved out here.”

“Please come see us again, then,” Tina said, with affection.  Niall was right.  Bette should try to reconnect with her friends from her past.  Perhaps Mike can help advice on how, to make it safe.  He and his wife were supposed to come tonight.

Just then Peggy Peabody walked in.

“Bette!,” she called out, as she walked towards them.  She was turning around, head on a swivel as she looked up, then around, mouth agape.

“What a beautiful, beautiful home!,” she exclaimed.

“No wonder you never come by anymore…my place is just drab compared to this jewel-box!  Even Helena is avoiding me, preferring to bunk in with you…,” she exclaimed again.

“Hi Peggy,” Bette said warmly, as she and Peggy exchanged kisses on the cheek.  “You know Tina,”she said, turning to Tina.