Bette unlocked the car doors and leaned into her backseat to pull Angelica’s car seat out. As she busied herself with unbuckling the seat, Tina couldn’t help but let her eyes wander over the lean body that used to belong to her. When the sheer blue top hiked up with Bette’s reach, Tina stopped breathing for a moment as she caught a glimpse of bare skin just above the black pants. She unconsciously licked her lips and shuddered with the memories of how soft Bette’s skin felt when her body was pressed against her own. Lifting the seat up and out of the backseat, Bette twisted around and set it on the sidewalk in front of Tina.

“There you go.”

“Thanks again, Bette.”

“No problem.” She said as she turned to shut the back door. Facing Tina again, Bette felt that shyness begin to creep back in. “Well, goodnight, T.”

“Goodnight, Bette.” Tina sidestepped the car seat and took Bette into a warm embrace. She furrowed her brow, not wanting to let go as she drank in every ounce of Bette with as many senses as she could.

Bette hugged Tina back but with a little more uncertainty than the blonde. She heard Tina’s audible sigh, and thought that it was time to break the embrace. Slipping from Tina’s grasp, the Dean took her leave and began to walk to the driver side.

“Bette?” Tina called out.

“Yes?” Bette stood next to her vehicle with the driver side door open.

“For the record…you’re a great parent.”

This earned Tina a timid smile from her former lover and current love. “Thanks, T. That means a lot coming from you.”

“Drive safe.”

“I will.”

Standing on the sidewalk with a car seat at her feet, Tina watched her ex drive off into the night. Consumed by emptiness, she felt the warm tears fall from her eyes. The sad reality of the life she chose was no longer a life she wanted. Her temporary desire was only a distraction from the real thing that was in front of her all along. Yet, sadly, her realization had come too late and at too great a cost.  

Tina picked up Angie’s car seat and made her way back inside the condo where her temporary distraction and his son were waiting for her.