Bette and Tina watched as a male nurse wheeled Angelica into a private room in the E.R. He smiled at them as they stepped closer to the crib.

“The doctor should be done in a minute,” he said.
“Thank you,” Tina replied, not knowing what else to say to the young man.

Tina felt Bette quickly take her hand as she stood behind her. It was shaking.

“Babe?” Tina questioned as she looked over her shoulder.
“She looks so small in this big bed,” Bette replied with her voice cracking.

Tina pulled Bette closer to her, fitting her body against the slightly taller woman.

“She’s our big girl,” directing her words to Angelica, “Momma B and I want to see you beautiful brown eyes, baby girl.”

Bette smiled at the sweet enderment. Tears quickly began to fall.

“Talk to her. Let her hear your voice,” Sophie advised.

Both women turned to look at her. Both had forgotten that she was even in the room.

“She’s right,”Tina acknowledged smiling at the sitter. “Would you talk to her while, Bette and I leave to make some phone calls?”
“Sure,” Sophie answered.

Tina took Bette’s hand and lead her out the room. Silently they walked together out the E.R. doors.

*****

Knowing how Bette valued her privacy,Tina walked her ex wife away from the people mulling around the E.R. She spotted a small grassy area with a stone bench underneath a tree.

“C’mon,” she said taking Bette’s hand again.

Tina lead the woman to the scene and sat next to her. She took a few deep breaths and encouraged Bette to do the same.

“Talk to me.”

Bette opened her mouth then closed it. She looked down at they’re joined hands. There was so much she wanted to say. So much on her mind especially since the impending break up with Jodi and now with Angelica in the hospital.

Tina saw the struggle in Bette’s body language. She desperatley wanted to help her.

“Its me, your T. You can tell me anything,” Tina tried soothing her former and now current lover.

Diving in without taking a breath, Bette began.

“I hate hospitals. “
“I don’t know of one person who likes them,” Tina smirked.
“No, I really hate hospitals. Everytime I’ve been to one, someone was dying.”

Her tears started again as she tried to explain her dread.

“Sitting next to my mother slowly suffering from cancer,” taking a breathe, ” I could her cry just before I would go in to see her after school. She was in so much pain.”

Pause.

“My father. Even though I brought him home, it was when he was in the hospital that I could see how much he had aged. To me he was still that young handsome man that made my mother smile when he came home from work. That big straping man. And then you.”
“Me? I didn’t die. I’m right here.”
“I didn’t know everything would be fine then, when you were giving birth to Angie. I was so terrified of losing you. I’d just lost Daddy and I couldn’t bear losing you. You are my lifeline. If I lose you, I would…I don’t know what would happen to me,” Bette said looking into Tina’s eyes.

Her eyes shone heavy with tears. And Tina could never stand to see Bette cry.

Tina took Bette into her arms.

“Babe, I’m not going anywhere. My place is beside you… for as long as you’ll have me.”
“For eternity?” Bette asked with her lips against Tina’s neck.
“If you don’t get sick of me before then,” Tina replied laughing.
“Never,” Bette kissed the underside of Tina’s chin.
“Our baby will be okay. I just know it” Tina reassured again.

Bette pulled Tina tighter to her, making sure nothing came between them. Even air.