After a day of making arrangements, Bette and Tina went out for dinner.
I dont know that I want to sell the condo. Bette said to Tina.
Why?
I dont know. She kept Catherines clothes all of these years. Alex held on to so few things in life, but she held on to everything associated with Catherine. I feel like I am dishonoring them to let it go.
I know, babe, but I think maybe that is why Alex left it for you. I think she hoped that you would have the strength to do what she could not. Alex lives in your heart and in your mind, not in that empty condo.

It was during this trip that the ashes were mixed and scattered.

In the end, they put the condo on the market and it sold quickly.
As Alex had suspected, she and Bette had made for a great team. The fourteen paintings on which they had both agreed were worth well over $200,000.

Although Alexs book collection was not worth nearly as much financially, it was a treasure for academia. She owned many books that were long since out of print and extremely scarce. Even though Bette had to sacrifice the tax write-off, she felt justified in donating the collection to a small university in Hungary.

It took more than 6 months for everything to be resolved with Alexs estate. By this time, Tina had brought their daughter into the world. It was in the afternoon one day that Tina and Bette were lying on the bed with their daughter.

Ive been thinking about something, T.
What is that?
Id like to quit my job and open a gallery.
Okay, what brought this on?
Alex was right, Im not happy at the CAC. I miss the thrill of the hunt.
Youve lost me, Bette.
Bette shared with Tina the theory Alex had long ago expressed about Bette being like a Lion born to hunt prey.
I dont want to run the gallery. Ill hire someone for that. I just want to spend my time looking for new artists. I am good. Look at how much the paintings Alex owned had appreciated in value over the years. It will be fun. We can take long weekends and go to art shows, farmers markets, sometimes you can find great undiscovered artists at farmers markets [tribute to Jwet]. I can have fun working and we can go to the beach and do fun things as a family while I work. Thanks to the money that Alex left, I can afford to do this and not worry about our financial security.

As Bette and Tina continued to discuss Bettes idea, it grew on both of them. Bette would be able to do what she loved best without the worry of not being able to provide. By hiring someone to run the gallery from day to day she would free herself for more time with her family.

After Bette and Tina had talked for a while, their daughter interrupted their conversation by crying to let them know that she was hungry. Bette picked her up and took her to walk around while Tina went to prepare a bottle. As they walked through the living room, Bette stopped at the mantle.

And see this picture here, this is your Aunt Alex. Im sorry you wont get to meet her. You would have loved her and she would have loved you. Im the only lucky one here, because at least now she wont be able to help you blackmail me. I promise you, though, that I will be a mommy who will make you proud and make her proud.

Bette held up the baby so that she was closer to the picture. Alex, I want you to meet someone. I want you to meet Alexandra Catherine Kennard-Porter.