“Babyyou didn’t do anything wrong.  And if anyone even insinuates that – they are going to get their ***** kickedI don’t care who they are.  That’s just wrongand if they say thatwell ..  I won’t put up with that.”

“But what if I did do something wrong?”

“”Betteyou are a wonderful mother – to all of the kids.  You were so good when you were pregnantso careful.  You had three beautiful babies.  One doesn’t hear quite as well as the others.we’ll deal with it ..we’ll all be ok.  I promise.”

Another tear escaped from Bette’s eye.  “Two lesbians moms and now thishow is Dante’ going to deal with that?”

“Bette.  We love our kidsand Dante’ has an advantage.  He has two older brothers who will kick the ***** out of bullies for him.  Do you know how close these kids are going to be?  They’re going to take care of each other Babyyou’ll see.  And, we don’t know much yet about his hearing loss.  We’ll know more after they do more testing on him.”

Bette looked at Tina and began sobbing.  Tina pulled her to her and held her.  “I bet we look really stupid with this towel over our heads.”

Bette chuckled as she held on for dear life.  “I bet we do look dumbbut I like it under here.  Just you and me, Sweetie.  Kind of feels like the world has gone away for awhile.”

“But the world awaits us.  We WILL be ok Baby.     You’ll see.just fine.  This is our beautiful little boy.  Right now – he can tune out everything – maybe not such a bad thing when the Porter Kennard clan gets together.

“I hear ya T.  We can get pretty loud.”  Better stopped talking and looked at Tina.  “We are going to be alright aren’t we?”

“Yes Bettewe are going to be fine. We’ll learn sign and all that stuff.”

“I know how to say ***** you in sign language T.”

Tina chuckled.  “You are so talented PorterI know how hard it is to learn that one.  Can I kiss you?”

“Yeah.”  She leaned forward and tenderly kissed Bette.  “I could stay like this with you forever Betteyou are so..”

“What T?”

“MINE!”

“You think?”  Bette winked at Tina. “Welllet’s get going here and break the news.”

“Bette.  You’ll seeeverything will go fine.   Come onlet’s get going.  Not that my mom can’t entertain Melvin for hours at a time.”  Tina wrinkled up her nose like a little girl.  “I wonder about them sometimes.eeewwwww.”

“Oh pleaseI don’t need that image in my head either.  Although.”  Bette smiled broadly at Tina.

“Shut up Porter!  I don’t want to be seeing that all day either.”  Tina chuckled.

“Okkiss me Kennard.”  Bette wagged her finger motioning for Tina to come closer.

“Is that an order Porter?

“Yes!”

“Oh!”  Tina smiled and kissed Bette so lovingly.  “I love you Bettetogether we are so strong.”

“Yeahwe are.ok let’s get dressed.”

They shared a hug and then got dressed and went out into the kitchen to join the rest of the family.  All of the babies were up too.

“Wowthis is a virtual..crowd!”  Tina laughed as she looked around the kitchen. 

“Oh, they ALL just woke upbut no one is screaming to eat yet Sunshine.”  Jackie smiled  at Bette.  “Everyone has been changed and will probably want to eat soon.”

“Well, Tina and I are always prepared for that!”  Bette winked at Tina.

“Well, you know.  Taylor and Dylan can be fed by bottle.”  Tina walked over to Melvin and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  “How are you Dad?  It’s nice to see you again.”

Melvin kissed Tina back.  “Tina nice to see you againyou look beautifulglowing.”

“Glowing huh?”  Tina made a face and looked at Bette.  “Well, if I’m glowingit’s hers!”

“Funny Tina!”  Bette walked over to Melvin.  “Hi Daddyglad you could come over today.”

“Anytime to see my grandchildren,” Melvin was downright giddy.  “Look at themthey are beautiful.  Just perfectevery single one of them.

Just then the babies started to cry.  First Dylan, then Taylor, then Sammy, then Rene, and finally Dante’.  It sounded like a hospital nursery erupted. 

Tina looked at Bette.  “I think the babies need to eat..  Fifth nipple anyone?”