Now youre sure you can handle this right?

Yes Tsheesh its not like Ive never been alone with her before

I knowIm sorryhave fun

Bette just smiled as Tina finished putting her bags together. Tina was going to spend the day with Nancy and Lauren and they were going to have a quality bonding session and spend the night in San Diego at Laurens house. Tina took her time getting ready not wanting to leave Bette and Liz for the weekend, but after much reassurance from Bette that she had things totally under control Tina finally left for Nancys but not without giving Liz a big hug and kiss and making her promise to be good while she was gone. Tina gave Bette a kiss goodbye as well and reminded her that a list of just-incase things was on the fridge in the event of anything going wrong.

Dont worry baby well be fineyou go have fun okay?

BYE MOMMY!

Liz squirmed around in Bettes arms as Tina loaded her stuff into her car. She finally finished and after one last kiss goodbye she was off to pick up Nancy. As Tinas car rounded the corner Bette looked at Liz and smiled.

Okay Liz its just you and me nowwhat do you want to do this weekend?

Soccer?

Liz had found some fascination with soccer lately and unfortunately Tina was the one who usually played with her whenever she wanted to kick the ball around. Bette wrinkled her eyebrows.

Anything else baby?

Can we let Bob out?

NO.

Bette hadnt really read the list in detail but she knew one thing that both her and Tina agreed on was no more letting Bob out of his cage. Liz pouted and ran back into the house just as the phone rang. Bette sighed and watched Liz run off to her room as she picked up the portable phone.

Hello?

Hiya Porterhows the munchkin?

Hey Alshes goodTina just left

So its you and the kid all weekend huh?

Yepwhat should I do with her Al?

Huh?

I mean I dont want to keep her inside all dayits going to drive ME crazy

Take her shoppingshe had fun with me and Dana

Okaymaybe

CRASH

Oh ***** Al let me call you backbye.

Bette hung up the phone and ran into Lizs room quickly looking around for any damage. Bobs cage was now on the floor and Liz looked up guiltily as Bette walked in.

What happened?

I wanted to get Bob out

Honey I told you no Bob this weekend

Bette helped Liz put Bobs cage back and Bette just shook her head. She decided maybe taking Liz out wouldnt be such a bad idea so she got Liz cleaned up and made sure she had a jacket on before changing into her jeans and grabbing a sweater for herself. She got Liz situated in her car seat and was just pulling out of the driveway when her cell phone rang.

RING RING

Hello?

Hi babewhat are you guys doing? I called the house but no one picked up

Oh were going out for the day

Out? Where are you taking her?

I was thinking either shopping or to the pier or something.

You sure you can handle her?

Yes T Ill be fine

Okay okayjust make sure you keep an eye on her okay?

Okayhave fun and quit worrying Tinabye

Bette hung up and shook her head. ***** Im not that incompetent, she thought as she pulled her car onto the freeway. She decided to take Liz to the Santa Monica pier since she always loved going there and she could keep Liz entertained with the rides and stuff and also show her a little bit of culture in the surrounding city. About half an hour later they had found parking and were walking to the pier. After playing a few games Liz decided she wanted to ride the submarine boat ride so Bette bought her a ticket. Liz looked up at her.

Mommy will you ride with me?

Bette looked at the ride skeptically. It was a ride made for children, meaning it was TINY, and she wasnt sure shed even fit. She bent down to Lizs eye level.

Are you scared honey?

Liz nodded yes and Bette just couldnt deny her puppy dog eyes so she agreed. She bought a ticket for herself and when they walked up to the ride the kid operating the ride looked at her with a laugh. He opened the gate for them to get on and after Bette made sure that Liz was secure in the seat she managed to squeeze herself into the seat next to Liz. The ride was nothing really, it just went around in circles, but Liz was having a grand old time laughing and squealing as the sub made its way around and around, while Bette thought she might just about die. The few parents watching their kids on the ride had noticed her and they were all chuckling softly to themselves as Bette just kept a smile on her face to hide her embarrassment. After the ride was over Bette took Liz to the bathroom so she could use the potty. Bette stood right in front of the stall that Liz was in since Liz had insisted she could go alone, and after she was done Bette helped her wash her hands and they walked back outside to the pier. Liz held on to Bettes hand tightly as they made their way to the ever-growing crowds and she loved all the sights and sounds and smells of the pier and all the cool things it had to offer. She dragged Bette here and there wanting to see everything and before she knew it Bette was exhausted. Bette looked down at Liz who was yawning herself and decided maybe it was time to call it a day.

Bette and Liz headed back to the car with Bette carrying the stuff that Liz had won from the pier and after loading everything back into the car she headed towards the freeway. She decided to treat Liz to something special for dinner since Liz had been so good today, so she headed to a fish market and picked up some lobsters for her and Liz. They returned home and Bette let Liz watch TV while she steamed the lobsters in the kitchen. Bette Porter may not be any kind of culinary artist, but some things she did have a knack for and lobster was one of them. She also threw some bread in the oven and made a salad while the lobsters were cooking. Soon her and Liz were sitting down to a nice dinner and Liz absolutely loved the lobster. She ate all of the meat Bette put on her plate and even managed to snag some of Bettes lobster as well. Bette cleaned up while Liz played in the kitchen but soon she had disappeared without Bette even realizing how long she had been gone.

Liz?

No response.

LIZ?

Bette sighed as she got no response again and she headed into Lizs room to see what she was doing. When she opened the door Bette started cracking up and Liz looked up with a goofy smile on her face. Liz had managed to sneak two of the lobster claw shells into her room and she had them on her hands and was torturing poor Bob by trying to claw him inside his cage. Bette just shook her head.

Arrrr

Liz snapped the claws together and smiled up at Bette who was laughing so hard she nearly had tears in her eyes. Liz ran over and tried to pinch Bette but Bette was too quick for her and soon she had Liz wrapped up and was tickling her until Liz was squealing with laughter. Bette shook her head at Liz who still had her claws on as she took her into the bathroom to get her ready for her bath. Liz even brought the claws into the tub with her and Bette let her play in the water for a little while until Lizs hands were all pruney and it was time for bed. As Bette got ready for bed (***** she was exhausted herself) Liz climbed into the bed that her and Tina share and passed out on Tinas side of the bed. When Bette returned from the shower she found Liz fast asleep and snoring lightly and she just giggled to herself thinking what a goofball Liz could be at times. She changed for bed and slipped in beside her quietly before draping her arm around her and drifting to sleep.

The next morning when Bette got up she was awakened to the feel of a pincher on her nose and without even opening her eyes she reached out and started tickling Liz with all her might. They shared a good laugh and after Bette was fully awake she got Liz ready for breakfast and poured some milk and cereal for both of them. As she watched Liz try and eat with her claw she laughed to herself that Liz might never want to let those go, although it was time to throw them away. At one point Liz looked up and beamed at Bette, who simply thought, nah, maybe just one more day