BEEP BEEP BEEP

Bette rolled over and shut the alarm off with a heavy hand. Tina was still wedged against her and she could feel the layer of sweat forming between them because it was so warm this morning. Bette stretched out and felt her whole body tense as she reached over her head as far as she could and let her toes reach down as far as they could.

Mmmm.pancakes

Bette looked over at Tina and giggled. Bette had noticed that Tina was talking in her sleep more and more these days and sometimes she didnt make any sense and sometimes she would utter little words like today. Bette gently rolled away from Tina who was still breathing heavily and she crept over to Lizs room to see if she was awake. Sure enough when Bette opened the door Liz stood up in the crib and wanted out. Bette picked her up and took her to the bathroom where Liz successfully used the potty and was rewarded with a kiss from Bette who also needed to use the potty. After washing their hands and brushing their teeth Bette decided a sneak attack on Tina would be in order. She carried Liz quietly to the bedroom where Tina had now stretched out totally across the bed and Bette placed Liz down gently on the bed. Bette nodded at Tina and Liz got the hint.

MOMMY!!!

Liz bent down and did a flying leap onto Tina who woke up very surprised and Bette started laughing so hard she almost had to use the potty again. Tina laughed lovingly at Liz who was doing her best to tickle Tina and had actually managed to make her squirm pretty good and when Bette reappeared she watched the whole scene with a big smile on her face. This is what I have been waiting for all my life, thought Bette as she got back into bed with them. Liz had snuggled down in between Bette and Tina who pretended to be mad and wanted payback for being woken up like that. But after Bette gave her the puppy dog look with little Liz doing the same Tina finally gave up and laughed.

Who wants breakfast?

Pancakes baby?

Tina gave her a weird look but just shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. She couldnt figure out why Bette was smiling like that so she figured shed let it gofor now. Tina rolled out of bed and after using the bathroom and brushing her teeth, went out and started cooking breakfast for them. It was Sunday morning and Alice and Dana said they wanted to check out the Los Angeles County Fair, Alice claimed she had to write a story on it, but Tina didnt buy that excuse, and they agreed to meet at ten and head over together. Liz had been really excited for today because she had never been to a fair and Alice promised to make sure she had lots of fun.

At nine-thirty Alice and Dana came over and after they ate the leftover breakfast they all headed out to Pomona for the fair. Bette had on a pair of jeans and a white tank top while Tina was wearing khaki Capri pants with a baby blue t-shirt and Alice said that for once they were dressed like normal parents and Bette just rolled her eyes at her. Alice and Dana were in the mini while Bette, Tina and Liz piled into Tinas car. They could have all taken one car but with the car seat in the way, Alice said she didnt feel like getting squished for an hour so she opted to drive. Before they left the house Tina made sure Liz had used the bathroom and had clean clothes on while Bette packed the usual shoulder bag with some of Lizs necessities in them. At eleven fifteen they finally found parking in the overcrowded fairgrounds and after seeing the mob of people Tina decided to leave the stroller in the car. It would be easier for one of them to carry her or just let her walk and hold her hand so Tina put the stroller back in the trunk and locked the doors as Alice and Dana caught up to them.

When they entered the fairgrounds all five of them looked around in awe. The LA County Fair is quite a spectacle and even miss Ive-seen-it-all Alice was happily shocked. There were rides, games, live music, crafts, almost anything you could imagine. Tina put Liz down but held on to her hand tight as they began to walk around and look at the various booths set up all over. Alice and Dana were looking at some hand made jewelry while Bette and Tina and Liz were looking at a map of the various components of the fair. Bettes eyes lit up when she saw that there would be an art exhibit there and Tina knew she wanted to show Liz some art. Bette asked if they could go there first and Tina said okay so they grabbed Alice and Dana and headed over to the Museums part of the fair. There were all sorts of various paintings and photographs and Bette picked Liz up as she walked around and pointed out some different things and Tina laughed when Liz looked absolutely bored by the time Bette was done with her. Alice saw the look on Lizs face as well and she teased Bette.

Jeez Porter, you bring your kid to a fair and you want to show her art? Give me a breakcome on kid let Aunty Alice show you how to enjoy this fair. Well leave mommy and mommy to their stuffy art.

Alice picked Liz up and started walking away leaving Bette staring at her with a frown on her face. She didnt mean to get so into it, but she really wanted to share her love of art with her daughter. She followed them dejectedly and Tina smiled as she leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Come on babedont be upset. She was just kidding.

I know

Bette sighed and tried to smile as Alice took Liz around the Carnival part of the fair and showed her all the different rides and games they had there. Liz squealed with delight as she saw all the different rides to go on and the stuffed animals that were the prizes for the games so Tina had an idea.

Babe why dont you play one and win something for Liz?

Bette looked at Tina skeptically. While she may be a very well educated and accomplished woman, athletic ability was never her strong suit. She went running and did yoga and stuff like that, but when it came to a sport that involved hand-eye coordinationwell she was just about as good as the next person. Alice laughed and held Liz up as she spoke in a baby voice.

Come on mommywin something for me or else aunty Alice is going to make fun of you all day.

Bette heard the challenge in Alices statement so she gave her a dirty look and agreed. They walked around a little bit trying to decide what to play when all of a sudden a big stuffed dog caught Lizs attention. She kept looking over at it so Bette squared her shoulders in an attempt to win her daughter the dog. They walked up to the booth and Bette cringed a little when she saw the game. It was one of those games where five cans are stacked in a pyramid and you have to knock all five off of the little pedestal it was on in order to win. Sounds easy enough, but the catch is you only have one two inch by four inch beanbag to do it with. Not as simple as it sounds. The guy working the booth grinned when he saw them approach and tried to coax them in to playing.

Come on up ladies. Its an easy game. Just knock all five off and win a prize.

Bette looked at Tina who was smiling at her and Bette shook her head as she took out some money. Tina and Dana cheered for Bette a little while Alice just stood there laughing quietly and holding on to Liz. Bette picked up the beanbag and looked at it before looking at the cans and shaking her head. Stupid game. This is impossible. Bette looked at Tina one last time before sighing and turning back to look at the cans. She wasnt really sure where to aim so she figured the middle would be the best and cocked her arm back like she knew what she was doing. Bette had thrown a baseball maybe a dozen times in her life and she really doubted her skills but nonetheless she threw the bag as hard as she could. Alice started laughing so hard she nearly dropped Liz who was also laughing, but only because everyone else was. Dana and Tina were more subtle in their laughter and Bette turned around with a very embarrassed smile on her face. She had only hit the top can and barely at that, while the other four cans stood there untouched. Bette went over and practically yanked Liz away from Alice who was still laughing her ***** off. Bette turned bright red from embarrassment and frustration and Tina didnt want to see her get really mad right then so Tina went up to her and placed an arm around her shoulder in a comforting manner.

Its okay babeit was a good try.

Yeah Portergood trybut the object was to get all FIVE cans.

Fine Aliceyou try.

Okay I will.

Alice paid the man who was still gawking at them and after giving him a what is your problem? look she picked up the beanbag and turned to Liz with a smile.

Let me show you how its done Liz.

Alice licked her lips and scrunched her face as she did her best pitchers impersonation before bringing her arm back and throwing the beanbag towards the cans. She hit the pyramid in the dead center but only two of the cans actually fell off the little platform. Bette smirked at Alice and Tina laughed at Bettes reaction to Alice as Dana watched on with a small smile on her face.

Not so easy huh Al?

Hey at least I knocked some of them off.

Tina just shook her head at them and Dana giggled at the exchange of pseudo male like aggression between the two. Tina looked at Dana who smiled and winked as she went over and paid the guy so she could take a turn at this. Everyone was quiet as Dana simply picked up the beanbag and instead of throwing it overhand like Bette and Alice had done, she cocked her arm to the side and let it fly with a quick snap of her arm. Alice, Bette, Tina and even Liz had shocked expressions on their faces when all five cans came tumbling down hitting the ground one by one. Dana turned around with a satisfied smile on her face and she reached for Liz so she could pick out which prize she wanted. Liz chose the big dog of course and as the guy handed it to her and they started walking away Alice turned to Dana with a confused look.

How the ***** did you do that?

Its easy Al.

She just winked at Alice who started sputtering at Danas seemingly magical throwing abilities while Tina gave her a high five and laughed with her. Bette hung her head a little as she held Liz who was now totally preoccupied with her stuffed dog and Dana laughed when she saw the bitterness in Bettes face. Tina decided they should chill out and get some lunch so they made their way over to where the food was and after ordering sandwiches and fruit salads for everyone the five of them sat down at a table in the shade. Tina fed Liz some of her sandwich and some of the fruit as Alice and Dana chatted on about the cool stuff there while Bette just watched all of them quietly. Tina gave Alice a kick under the table and nodded at Bette and Alice got the message so she jumped up saying she wanted some ice cream and dragged a confused Dana with her. Tina turned to Bette who was just eating her fruit and looking around and waited until Bette finally looked at her. Liz pulled on Bettes arm wanting to crawl into her lap so Bette finally turned back and after letting Liz get comfortable she gave Tina a questioning look.

What?

Dont give me thatwhats wrong babe?

Nothing. Here Liz want some watermelon?

Bette busied herself by feeding Liz who kept taking the fruit out of Bettes hand so she could feed herself and finally Tina reached for Bettes hand and began stroking it softly.

Are you having fun babe?

Yeah. This place is neat.

Then why do you look like your favorite artist just died?

Bette sighed as Liz continued to play with her fruit. Bette just looked at Tina who was giving her a gentle smile and Bette knew she was just being childish about what happened with Alice. Bette shook her head as she laughed and Tina was glad to see her finally relax.

Im sorry babyI guess me and Alice get too competitive sometimes huh?

Just a little babe. But its okayat least you two arent wrestling with each other.

Bette laughed and Tina joined in as Alice and Dana came back. Alice gave Bette a smile as she inquired about why they were laughing.

Whats so funny?

The idea of you and me wrestling.

In your dreams lady. Besides, I could take you down any day, any time.

Tina laughed at Alices remark and shot Bette a look that basically said, you better not as Bette grinned. Liz interrupted the moment however by accidentally knocking the plate of fruit off the table and looked up at Bette with a worried look on her face. Bette just kissed Lizs forehead as Dana bent down to pick up the spilled fruit and plate and threw them into the trash. They stayed at the fair for a few more hours enjoying the sights and the food and the fun, and Alice and Bette kept their little competition going despite Tinas nagging that they needed to grow up already and Bette finally stopped when she managed to win Liz a toy. It was a good day and when Bette and Tina fell asleep that night with Liz snuggled in between them both ladies had smiles on their faces. It was a fun memory that they would have with them for a long time and even Liz smiled as she remembered what fun she had that day with her two mommies and their friends. For the next sixteen years Liz had a reminder of that day and whenever she asked about it, Bette would always make Tina tell the story because she was too embarrassed and didnt want to have to relive it over and over and they would all laugh as Tina recalled the events of their trip to the fair. It was a reminder that Liz grew very very fond of and even Bette and Tina had to admit was a cute toy, it was something that sat on Lizs bed every night and even managed to make its way to Bette and Tinas bed every once in a while, it was the little stuffed dog who was appropriately named Banks.