“What about your project? I was all set to agree to do it. I just needed to work out the logistics with James. If I adopt this baby he or she would come first in my life. I would have to make adjustments to my entire lifestyle.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less Bette. Of course caring for the baby and providing a stable home environment would be first and foremost but there is no reason why you can’t do both. You have three months before the baby is born. That gives us time to return to Los Angeles for at least two months to get things going. Valerie’s show is in two weeks. After that you will have some down time to work out the partnership arrangements with James. In the meantime I will be looking for real estate to house the L.A. headquarters and museum as well as finding a house. By the third month you could be back here in New York. I would expect that you’d want to take at least three months off to bond with the baby and by that time we will be approaching the holidays so it would make sense to postpone the start of our project until after the first of the year. The baby will be four months old by then. You can decide if you want to have a live-in Nanny or just have someone to help out during the day. You can do much of the administrative work from your home office. If you were open to the suggestion I would have you and the baby move in with me. I would be available to take care of him or her whenever you had to attend meetings or travel. You will probably be back in Los Angeles living there permanently by the time the baby is 18 months old. The fact is that it’s not impossible Bette. If this is something that you want we can make it happen.”

“You really think I can do this?”

“Sweetie I know you can and I am here to help you. I told you that I wanted you on this project but it would be on your terms. I couldn’t predict that we would be having a discussion about you starting a family so soon. I know it’s not how you envisioned it but don’t dismiss the idea without careful consideration. Just do what you think is best and I will support any decision that you make.”