“Both.”

“By the way, I saw Miguel and Cecilia down in the lobby and they think the yacht they co-own with Mark and other people will be ready by 10 or so this morning …”

“So you can go snorkeling out in that coral reef a few miles away out in the water?”

“That’s one place we could go to. They were asking if we’d like to join them for an all day trip out.  Their sons want to fish also, and the boat crew has prepared food and drink that should be good for the whole day.”

TJ made his presence known again. They heard the kids’ bedroom door shut. Angie! He squirms around to locate his sister and squeals excitedly, while Bette readjusts her hold on him twice.  “Angelica!  We’re swimming again today!  We’ll see the little fishies!  Like yesterday!”

Bette flinched and reared her head back, wondering about how long her ear drums would hold out, or even whether they would make it through TJ’s teenage years. Heaven help us if he decides to take up the drums later on or pick up an electric guitar or something!

Angie had wandered sleepily through the living room of the family’s suite, raised her hand to acknowledge what TJ had told her, and made her way to Tina’s welcoming arms. TJ jumped down from Bette’s arms as she obliged his desire to greet his sister. After Tina swept Angie up and carried her with one arm, still holding on to the precious latte with the other hand, TJ hopped up and down excitedly in a circle around Tina, arms flapping around, one chubby hand clutching a plush toy dolphin.

And that right there is a snapshot of how different our two children are from each other: Angie, preternaturally calm most times, and seeking a cuddle in the morning whenever she woke; TJ exuberant from the time his little eyes popped open in the morning, excited to start the day. 

Calm versus exuberant. Must be in the genes?

Tina rubbed Angie’s back affectionately with the hand that held onto the latte even as their daughter wrapped her legs around Tina’s waist and rested her head on the blonde’s shoulder. Tina chuckled at Bette’s slightly puzzled expression as the brunette shifted her eyes from one child to the other, as if comparing their two kids but trying to hide it.