Chapter 6–West Hollywood, October 2005

“Any ideas?”

Bette jerked awake at the sound of Tina’s voice.  She attempted to focus her bleary thoughts.  The prior night had been the first time that they had tried to use Tina’s expressed milk for the overnight feeding.  The infant had not been pleased, though Tina had been able to sleep through the night for the first time since Angelica’s birth.

“I’m sorry.  What did you say?”

Tina paused in her coffee-making and turned and squeezed Bette’s shoulder, “She gave you a hard time.”

Bette gave a small smile.  “She just needs a little time to get used to the bottle.”

“You could have woke me.”

“If she’ll take the bottle, we can split night duties.”

Tina placed a mug of coffee in front of Bette and sat at the kitchen counter.  “Do wet nurses still exist?” she said with a laugh.

“I’ll check online.”

Tina pointed her chin at the baby monitor, “She’s sleeping in?”

“With any luck.”

“I’ll get her when she wakes up.  You can catch a nap.”

“We’ll see.  What were you asking about before?”

“About Halloween.  What should we go as?”

Bette was surprised.  They were so wrapped up in being new parents that the outside world rarely intruded on their daily reality.  In their prior childless life, they had often dressed for Halloween.  Bette figured that if Tina were game, she’d go along.

“I hadn’t thought about it.”  Can we talk later when I’ve shad a chance to think?”

The baby monitor transmitted Angelica’s early warning signs that she was about to erupt.

“Finish you coffee<” Bette rose and headed to the waking child.

“But..”

“Remember.  I’m getting a nap soon.”

Bette woke two hours later when she felt her daughter’s hands patting her face.

 “Baby A missed her Mama B.”

Bette smiled at Tina and reached for the baby, “And Mama B missed her Baby Boo.”

“Your cell rang, then the house phone.  Julia left a message about a guest curator position. She wants you to all her ASAP.”

“Okay.  Thanks for waking me.”

“When you finish your call, could you take Angelica so I can shower?”

Bette turned Angelica so that they were facing each other, “Would Baby Boo like to take a shower with her mommies?”