"Here we go," Bette said, holding Tina’s hand as she selected Marissa’s name in the contact list.

After a single ring, Marissa’s face came online.

"Hello…Bette?," she asked.

"Hi, Marissa," Bette responded, "I’m Bette … joined by Tina, my wife."

"Well… thank you both for taking the time to call tonight," Marissa started, "and, since you may want to get to bed soon, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go directly to the point."

"No, no we don’t mind," Bette responded graciously.  "Liz seems to think we can help you and your partner with something?"

Marissa nodded, then paused, apparently listening to something else. She was holding the ear where her phone’s earpiece was  clipped. She said hurriedly, "Bette, Tina, I’m sorry but my assistant just called me about something urgent.  I’ll stay online with you but I’ll be taking his call.  Hope it’s ok?"

Bette nodded, then gave her a thumbs up, to reconfirm.  She hit the mute button on their end.

Marissa spoke in clipped tones, responding to a series of questions, while Bette and Tina quickly compared notes.

"Looks very much like her magazine photos"

"Power suit"

"In a limo"

"Looks perfect, not a hair out of place, clothes are creaseless even at the end of a long day," Tina added, "just like you, baby."

Bette smirked at Tina’s observation. Thinking Marissa was still preoccupied with her call, Tina leaned closer to Bette, intending to give her a quick peck on the cheek, but Bette had leaned towards Tina, too.  They exchanged a quick kiss, laughing lightly at being able to narrowly avoid bumping heads after they’d both simultaneously leaned towards the other.

Marissa voice floated in, "hey you two…I’m still here!"

"Hi," Bette un-muted the app, still smiling, "hope everything’s ok?"

Marissa broke a warm smile, in response, "not as ok as you two, apparently."

"But, yes, things are mostly ok, thanks for asking."

"So you were going to tell us about what it is Liz thinks we can help with?," Bette asked, bringing them back to the purpose of the session.

"Alright, " Marissa started, breathing deeply, then drew a breath out. "Strictly speaking, not a lot of people know that I even have a partner at all.. Or that we’re trying to get pregnant.  Just my doctors, my small team in the office, a few close friends … and both of you."