“So what does that mean for the kids?”  Alice asked.

“Well, we’ll continue to co-parent Ang as before.”  Tina answered.

“No. I mean us!” Alice clarified.  The others, nodding.

Tina chuckled, happy at least that her friends didn’t seem to blame her.

“Well I guess we’ll just continue to share you.  But, it would be great if you let one of us know when you’ve invited the other to something.”  There was a collective sigh.

Tina shared their frustration. “Look guys, I’m really sorry.  I know that being friends with Bette and I these last couple of years hasn’t been a cakewalk”

Helena reached over and squeezed Tina’s hand.  “Its been worth it” she assured

Shane snorted.  “You can say that.  You were getting booty calls!”

The group burst out laughing, breaking the tension.

Chapter 18

At 10:30p the gang could sense that Tina was doing all she could to hold her head up so they made quick work of the dishes and decided to head off to the Planet after Tina promised to go to bed.

They found their favorite table empty, well almost but Shane and Alice’s glares helped to speed the process. Alice signaled for a round.  Being more than regulars, specific orders weren’t necessary unless someone wanted to deviate from the norm.

Alice plunked herself down in her seat.

“Well, was it just me or did everyone else think that was bullshit?!”

“Well, Alice, you need to clarity.   Did you mean the dinner, the babies or the other thing?”  Shane teased.

”You know damn well what I mean.  I’m excited as hell about the babies and just plain pissed off about this forced separation.  Me thinks, this isn’t Tina’s idea”

“Your right, Alice.  Tina was very happy about where she was with Bette.  She’s gotta be going along with this because she wants to make it up to Bette for making her so unhappy”  Helena surmised.

The drinks arrived and everyone drank quietly, lost in thought.

“Well what are we going to do about it?” Alice asked expectantly of the group.

“Nothing Alice, Its not for us to get involved.” Shane said

“Since when?” Alice challenged.

“She’s got a point Shane” Helena sided.

“So does Shane” Max said.

At this standoff, the group turned to Max who was usually pretty level headed.

He sighed deeply.  “I think we need to stay out of it until and unless Tina is noticeably unhappy about the situation.”

“Max, one doesn’t know that Tina’s noticeably unhappy until its too late.  Then she blows. And takes off with a man…”  Alice supplied.

“Well, what do you think we can do? Max asked, clearly a little worried now about Tina.

“Operation snag and bag”  Alice shared a wily grin with Helena.

“I’m almost too scared.” She hesitated before addressing a grinning Alice.  “ Ok Alice. Tell”

Alice was grinning like a Cheshire cat, clearly in her element with a plan and an audience to boot.  Well.  Its really nothing elaborate.  It just requires vigilance.

“God you sound like George Bush”  Shane groaned

Alice gave her a nasty glare and continued. “We know that with these two out of sight doesn’t mean out of heard.  But I think its good to redirect Bette’s mind a bit.”

The group was lost and more than a little scared.

Look its just a matter of capitalized on opportunities” She explained.

“If you say so.” Shane said.

“I do. Now, Helena do you have Christa’s number?”

“Oh no Alice I wanted her.” She whined

“Do you want to be helping with 3 babies in the middle of the night??”  Alice queried.

“Here” Helena hastily wrote her number for Alice.