Bette slowly approached the door to Tina’s hospital room.  As she reached to open the door she was startled as it suddenly flew open.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” said the nurse as she left Tina’s room.  “No, no it’s fine.  Really, I’m o.k.” said Bette trying to still her pounding heart.  As the nurse began to walk away Bette asked her quietly, “Can you tell me if she is asleep?”  “Honey they could set of a fire alarm in her room and she wouldn’t even be bothered enough to turn over,” the nurse chuckled.  Bette took a deep breath and gently pushed against the door.  As her eyes became accustomed to the darkness of the hospital room, she saw the women who she had only seen in her dreams for the last seven months lying almost lost in the large hospital bed.  Even with all she has been through today she could not have been more beautiful thought Bette.  She slowly walked to the head of the bed and in the soft light of the room carefully leaned over and kissed Tina gently; first on the forehead and then on the lips.  Part of Bette was anxious for Tina to wake up and the other part was scared to death that she would.  Noticing how long Tina’s hair was now she reached down and gently brushed it back behind her ear.  Looking around the room she spotted a very uncomfortably looking chair pushed into the corner.  She maneuvered the chair as close to the bed as she could possibly get it and sat down.  Reaching out she softly grasped Tina’s hand.  Holding it gently she rubbed her cheek across the back of Tina’s hand softly kissing each of her fingers as they grazed her lips.  “Baby what have I done to us?” Bette whispered to the woman who was her world.  She leaned over the edge of the bed and rested her head on Tina’s left shoulder.  As she continued to hold Tina’s hand next to her face she felt the steady heartbeat of the women beside her and briefly closed her eyes trying to figure out how to make things right again.

            The sound of the door opening woke Bette up.  “Sorry to disturb you ma’am but I need to check on her I.V.” said the nurse softly.  Bette stood up and began to slide the chair back into the corner so that the nurse could check on Tina.  Looking down at her watch she saw that it was almost 4a.m.  Pushing her hair back behind her ears, she bent down to retrieve her purse.  As she stood back up she felt a chill run across her body.  Slowly turning towards the bed, she saw Tina looking at her.  “Alice?” said Tina weakly.  Bette mumbled a reply feeling suddenly trapped in the tiny room.  “Al please stay with me for awhile.  I feel so alone right now,” Tina whispered.  Bette didn’t know whether she wanted to climb into the bed with Tina or climb out the window she was standing in front of.   Tina had begun to cry quietly and although Bette knew that she was not aware of what she was doing felt the shattered remnants of her heart crumble.  Tina patted the bed next to her and slid towards the other side of the bed.  Bette walked over to the bed and sat down gently next to Tina and lay down gently beside her.  “Thanks Al – I just, it’s, I need Bette,” mumbled Tina.  Bette lay next to her wiping the tears that continued to flow from her eyes even as she fell asleep again. 

            Bette was resting on her elbow watching Tina sleep when the door opened again.  As she began to get up from the bed she was greeted by the sight of her baby girl being held in the nurse’s arms.  “Good morning,” said the nurse cheerfully.  “How is the patient doing this morning?”  “She is still pretty out of it.  Bette said softly.  Could I hold the baby until she wakes up?”  As Bette reached for her daughter she noticed the name bracelet on her little arm.  Twisting the band so that she could read the name she slowly said it aloud – Elizabeth Christina Kennard.  Suddenly she stood up and handed her daughter back to the nurse.  “I’m sorry, I can’t do this right now,” said Bette fighting back her tears. 

            The closing of the door caused Tina to awaken with a start.  “Good morning Ms. Kennard.  How are you feeling today,” asked the nurse.  “Like I have been run over by a train,” Tina said with a laugh.  “You have a visitor this morning said the nurse as she handed Tina her daughter.  Your friend was going to hold her and let you sleep a little longer but then she suddenly had to leave,” said the nurse.  “Oh that’s just Alice.  She probably decided that she needed coffee and went down to the cafeteria to find some.

“Hey girl!” exclaimed Alice as she burst into Tina’s room with arms loaded down with balloons and stuffed animals.  “You’re Alice?” asked the nurse.  “Last time I checked!” replied Alice in typical Alice fashion.  “If you are Alice, then who was the pretty brunette lying on the bed with you when I came in earlier?” the nurse asked now totally confused.  “I’m Sorry?” “I don’t understand,” said Tina in barely a whisper.  “You don’t know who was in your bed?” said the nurse laughing in Tina’s direction.  Tina looked at Alice with tears pouring down her face.  “Alice?” *tbc