I dont know babedo you think it would be alright?

Sure why not? Shes old enough now

Yeah come on guysit will be fun and me and Dana will take good care of her.

Bette looked at Tina with uncertainty in her eyes. Alice had come over to ask if she could take Liz on a grunion run that night. Alice was writing an article on this and she decided it would be a fun thing for Liz to do so she figured making a night out of it would be great. It was a perfect Southern California day and with the way the weather had been lately, it would be a beautiful night to play on the beach under the stars.

For those who dont know, grunion running is an annual event that takes place on the west coast during the months of March through September. During this time, the grunion make their way to the west shores along the coast and during high tide they make their way up on the beaches to lay their eggs. For about two hours a night when there is a full moon, observers can see the beaches shining and moving about as hundreds upon thousands of fish beach themselves for their ritual mating habits. For some, the spectacle is fun enough to just watch, but for those who like to play in the mud so to speak, its fun to go down on the beach among these fish and try and catch them by hand. As easy as it sounds, its not quite that simple and can be quite a fun experience for a first time fisherman.

Grunion running was something that Tina has done since she was a little girl, but Bette had never heard of it, which was why she was so skeptical about sending Liz to the beach around midnight with Alice and Dana. Tina smiled at Bette and patted her on the leg.

It will be fun Betteand maybe well go with them so you can do it too.

I dont know

Oh come on it will be funand Liz would love it

Bette smiled at Tina and just as she was about to give in Liz came tearing around the corner and practically flew into the kitchen. She had been listening in on the conversation and although she had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, she knew she wanted to go.

Mommy mommy can I go?

Liz had jumped into Tinas lap and was now giving her the biggest puppy dog eyes she could muster. Tina laughed and looked at Bette with one eyebrow raised.

So this is what you teach her huh?

Bette laughed and looked at Liz who was doing a pretty good job impersonating her whenever she wanted something from Tina as well and Bette pretended to smile proudly.

Thats my girl.

Alice and Tina laughed as Liz continued to bat her eyes at Tina in hopes that Tina would give in. Tina looked down at her and gave her a big smile.

You wanna go grunion hunting Liz?

Yeswhats gunnin mommy?

G-r-u-n-i-o-n babyand theyre little fishyou wanna go catch some?

Liz beamed at Tina who smiled and nodded okay. Alice smiled and winked at Bette who just shook her head and smiled at the rest of them. Alice told Bette and Tina that her and Dana would be by around eleven so that they could head down to the beach together. After Alice was gone and Liz was off playing Bette turned to Tina with the questioning look returning to her eyes.

Are you sure shell be okay? I mean its kind of late dont you think?

Its not that late babe and besides, its only one night.

Okay okayI guess shed better take a nap first then dont you think?

Are you sure YOU dont need a nap?

Hey

Tina giggled as Bette attacked her with her fingers digging deep into Tinas sides. At first Tina put up a fight but soon Bette had her squealing like a little kid. Finally oxygen was becoming an issue so Tina pleaded for Bette to stop.

Okay Im sorryIm sorryjeez youre strong for an old woman you know

Tina had managed to wiggle out of Bettes grasp and with that last comment she took off running towards Lizs room with Bette on her heels. Both women were laughing and giggling and when they found Liz their laughter turned to sounds of adoration. Liz had understood that Tina said fishing so she went and dug up the fishing gear that Shane bought her and she had managed to change her clothes and even had her shoes on. It must have tired her out though because she was lying in the middle of her bed completely passed out. Tina looked at Bette and smiled as Bette went and pulled a blanket up around her and the two of them quietly left the room hoping that Liz got sufficient sleep so that she could be up late tonight.

At eleven oclock on the dot Alice, Dana and Shane appeared at the front door. Alice said that they should probably head down to either Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach since Santa Monica probably wouldnt have that much action tonight. Tina and Bette grabbed their jackets and after making sure that Liz didnt have to go potty again and after ensuring that she was warm enough the six of them made their ways down to the cars. Bette got Liz situated in her SAAB while the other three piled into the Mini and soon they were off. A short twenty minute drive later they were pulling up to the strand at Manhattan Beach and after getting lucky with street parking the five ladies plus one little one made their way down to the sand. When they reached the sand Alice, Dana, Shane and Tina had big smiles on their face while Bette and Liz looked on in awe.

The beach was completely covered in the little fish as they rode the waves up onto the beach and did their best to dig into the sand and lay their eggs. The others had done this before but since it was both Bette and Lizs first time they were completely mesmerized. Bette was holding Liz in her arms and when Liz started squirming around she set her down and Liz took off running towards the water and the fish. At first Bette watched with a smile on her face but then suddenly the mother in her sprang to life and she took off running after Liz. From higher up on the beach the other four watched Bette run after Liz and they were all doubling over in laughter. Liz didnt seem to mind running with the fish and occasionally step on one or two while Bette on the other hand was doing her best to not step on any of them and she looked like she was doing some weird mating dance for the fish. Liz stopped just short of the water line and she was looking at the little fish flopping around by her feet and she let out a happy squeal as she looked at Bette with a big grin on her face. Bette laughed halfheartedly as she tried to pull Liz higher up on the beach while avoiding any fish and finally Tina felt sorry for her so she went in to save her. Tina maneuvered herself effortlessly among the fish and when she bent down to pick up her daughter Bette looked at her with a defeated look on her face. Bette made her way back up to the dry sand where there were no fish and plopped down in the sand watching Tina and Liz play about as they tried to grab the fish.

Alice, Shane and Dana had joined Tina and Liz in the fish hunt and soon the five of them were throwing sand, water and little fish at one another while Bette watched on with a smile on her face. Tina looked up and after making sure Alice kept an eye on Liz she made her way up to Bette. Tina sat down next to Bette and wrapped an arm around her.

Having fun babe?

Yeahand so is Liz. Look at her

Both mothers looked on with grins plastered to their faces as Alice showed Liz how to grab the fish and Liz did her best to keep the little fish in her hands and make her way back to her mommies. The fish are only about six to eight inches in length, but they as slippery little suckers and Liz kept dropping the one she had in a death grip so by the time she finally reached Bette and Tina the poor little guy was dead. Bette and Tina laughed and Tina pulled Bette to her feet and the three of them made their way back down to join the three amigos among the fish. Tina showed Liz how to gently grab them and put them into the bucket they had brought with them and soon Liz was running around scooping up fish left and right. Tina turned to Bette with a smile on her face and raised one eyebrow at her.

So Ms. Portercare to try your hand at this?

Um

Bette smiled nervously at Tina and let out a sigh before squaring her shoulders in determination to show her that she could do it. Tina watched her with her arms crossed over her chest as Bette tried to bend down and scoop up the fish but they were too slippery for her and she kept losing them.

SPLASH

DAMMMIT ALICE!!!!

Tina and Bette looked up and started laughing so hard they had to bend over and hold their sides as they took in the sight of Dana sprawled on her ***** as the waves and fish washed over her. Apparently she fell over when Alice pushed her a little when she bent over to grab a fish, and Shane was laughing so hard at this that she had tears running down her face. The four of them continued to laugh as Dana stood up and walked dejectedly back towards the dry sand. Suddenly Tina stood up and looked around in panic.

Bette wheres Liz?

Bette stood up and snapped her head around looking for her daughter and when she saw her a sense of relief washed over her. Liz had wandered about fifteen yards down the beach still collecting grunion and she was having a grand old time. Bette ran over to her and scooped her up and carried her back to Tina who looked like she was ready to explode. Bette put Liz down and Liz ran over to Tina holding out her little bucket that now only had two fish left in it as the others had managed to jump out whenever Liz bent over to grab more fish.

Look mommyI got fish!!!

Tina looked at her for a long time before finally breaking out into a smile. As much as she wanted to yell at Liz she couldnt help but smile at the excitement in her daughters eyes. Liz was dancing around a little holding the bucket proudly showing off her catch to her mommies. Liz tugged on Tinas pants.

Mommycan we keep them?

Tina looked at Bette who just shrugged her shoulders as if to say, your call. Tina looked down at Liz who looked so happy and she knelt down to look Liz in the eye.

Baby we cant keep themwe dont have any place to put them

Pleeeease mommy? I named them

You did huh?

Yepthis is Sam and this is Bob

Tina and Bette burst out in laughter at Lizs declaration of their names and Bette shook her head at Tina who looked at her helplessly. Bette got the message and knelt down as well and turned Liz to look at her.

Honey we cant keep them because they wouldnt have a good life with us. Sam and Bob need to be with their fish friends okay?

Liz looked from Tina to Bette then down to her pets and finally looked back at Bette with a sad look.

Okay

Bette helped Liz pour the water and fish back into the ocean and the six of them made their way back to the cars. Half an hour Bette and Tina were helping Liz wash off and get ready for bed. Tina looked down at her daughter and smiled.

Did you have fun Liz?

Mmmhhmmm

Liz was barely responsive because as soon as they got into the car Liz looked like she was ready to pass out and Bette had to carry her into the house half asleep. Tina tucked Liz into bed and soon she joined Bette in bed and wrapped her arms around her. Bette smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. Tina yawned and looked up at her with a small smile on her face. Bette smiled back at her and placed a small kiss on her lips before softly telling her to go to sleep. Within minutes both ladies were fast asleep and dreaming about what other adventures they would undertake with their three year old in the near future.