Alice took a sip, but it wasn’t even that much.  The liquor hit her lips and immediately burned her whole mouth, but it was a good burn.  “Wow.”

            “I think Dana’s an idiot,” Carrie said, seriously.

            “In a lotta ways,” Alice agreed, taking another sip.

            “No, for leaving you, she’s an idiot.  And when she comes around, and she will, I hope you’ve moved on.  She doesn’t deserve you,” Caroline said, trying to make Alice feel better.

            Alice sighed.  “That’s sweet of you, really.  But, and don’t take this wrong, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

            Carrie nodded.  “Maybe not, but I think you’re great.”

            “Ok,” Alice said, pulling herself together, “enough about me.  Let’s talk about you.”
            “It’s what we’re here for,” Carrie conceded.  And, totally drunk, Alice interviewed Carrie about her book.  It was the most revealing interview the young author would ever give

            Tina came home that night to find Bette asleep on the couch, Angelica passed out on her chest.  She smiled at her wife and daughter, sleeping peacefully.  It was no surprise Bette fell asleep.  They hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before at all.  Tina smiled wider.  She bent over Bette and brushed the hair from her forehead.  Bette didn’t wake up.  She turned her head towards Tina’s touch and murmured softly, “T.”

            Tina lifted Angelica from Bette’s chest.  It was time to feed her and the baby clearly knew it.  She stirred awake and so did her other mother, finally.  Bette’s eyelids fluttered and she groaned.  “Hey, sleepy,” Tina whispered to both of her girls.

            Bette drew the back of her hand across her mouth and opened her eyes halfway, enough to see Tina smiling down at her.  “Hi,” she said, throatily.

            “I’m gonna go feed her.  Would you mind calling Caroline for me?” Tina asked, softly.

            “Why?” Bette asked, as she stretched her body out along the couch.  Tina’s gaze flickered along Bette’s lithe frame.  She couldn’t help it.  She loved sleepy Bette.

            “Big sister check-in, I’m involving you,” Tina said seriously.

            “She’s tanked at the hotel bar with Alice.”  Bette rolled toward the back of the couch, muffling her next sentence.  “I didn’t even have to call her to tell you that, not that she would answer if I did since she’s probably too drunk to hear right now.”

            “You’re not making me feel better,” Tina warned.

            “Wasn’t my goal,” Bette answered, cuddling closer to the couch, inhaling deeply.  She was tucked into Tina’s side of the couch.  It smelled like her.

            “Baby”

            Bette rolled halfway over and looked squarely at Tina.  “She’s twenty-what?  Four?  Three?  She’s a big girl and she has better sense than me that’s for damned sure.  She’ll call you later anyway.  Is this about your mother calling?”

            “Duh,” Tina admitted and Bette chuckled. 

            Bette sat up, patting the couch next to her.  Tina sat down.  Bette began to unbutton Tina’s shirt for her, helping Tina feed their daughter.  When Angelica was settled in, Bette gently ran her fingers through Tina’s hair.  She brushed her lips against Tina’s cheek.  “I know you’re scared, but you’re the strongest person I know.  And how could your mother not love her?” Bette asked, running her hand over Angelica’s tiny arm.

            “I know you’re right, but I’m still terrified.”

            “I’ll be right here when she calls and Caroline is still in the city.  Your brother is back in your life.  You have millions of people that love you,” Bette recited.

            “But this is my mother,” Tina sighed.

            Bette continued her litany of reassurance, quietly, close to Tina’s ear.  “And that’s all the more reason to trust that she’ll love you no matter what, the last eight years notwithstanding.  However, as long as we’re talking about it, I know, baby, I’m sure that your mother has loved you every day of the last eight years and if you let her, she’ll spend the rest of her life making it up to you.”  Bette’s nose grazed Tina’s cheek.  Bette knew all too well what it was to fail this woman and she recognized that same knowledge in Rose’s voice that morning.

            Tina closed her eyes and leaned her head against Bette’s.  “I hope you’re right.  I don’t know if I can take this all over again.” 

tbc?