Chapter 17

(Early Sunday morning)

Melvin Porter is standing next to the wheelchair bound Bette watching the nurses as they make Angelica and Zachary Kennard-Porter comfortable in their tiny beds.

“Aren’t they beautiful, Daddy?”

Melvin continues to look at his grandbabies proudly, “Yes, they are…..beautiful….just like both of their mothers.”

The fair haired and honey colored babies were reflections of both their mothers, yet personifications of several past generations too.  Their piercing green eyes were the first thing Bette fell in love with when she took them both in her arms.

Bette reached for her father’s hand….continuing to look at her children.  “I love her so much, daddy.  I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“Not to worry, my dear child.  You, your friends and your family will make sure that doesn’t happen.”

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Bette and Tina are in the birthing room.  The nurse has just brought the twins to Tina in order to be fed.  Maxine and Melvin have congratulated the couple and have gone to Bette and Tina’s for the night. 

“Watching you nurse our children is the sexiest sight I’ve ever seen.” 

The hospital staff put another bed next to Tina’s so the patients could be together for the night.  Bette is holding Angelica while Zachary hungrily suckles at Tina’s breast.

“Dude, knows what he’s doing, huh baby?”

“Porter…your mind is a dangerous place…stop it.”  Tina chuckles at Bette’s one track mind.  “You’ve had a long night…promise me you’ll take your pain medications now.”

“Tina, I love our family more than anything I’ve ever loved in my life.  You have been the balm to the ache in my heart from the minute I met you.  I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting you and our children.  I’m going to be better soon.  I know it’s hard to believe right now…but I’m never going to let anything hurt our family again.”  Bette’s voice starts to crack from the intensity and exhaustion of the last few days.

Tina looks at her wife and caresses her face with her free hand, “There’s no one who has ever made me feel safer…both physically and emotionally….than you.  I have never doubted you, Bette Porter.  I don’t doubt you now.”