“Where’s Angie?”

“She’s playing on the floor in the living room watching a Dora cartoon.  Have I told you how gorgeous you are lately?”

Tina smiled.  She could feel Bette’s uncertainty fading.  “No, I don’t believe you have.”

“Well, you are beautiful.  I missed you this morning.  I had hoped to return the favor from last night and help wash your back this morning as well.  Did you find everything you need?”

Tina turned in Bette’s arms and wrapped her arms around her neck.  She placed a kiss on the corner of Bette’s mouth.  She couldn’t believe how easy it was to be back here in Bette’s arms. There was none of the uneasiness that surrounded them the last time they tried to reconcile.  It was so natural this time.  

“I did.  Why don’t you get ready so we can head to the Planet? ”

“T, what are we going to tell the girls?   You know Alice is going to have a million and one questions for us.”

“Well, for now, we’ll just tell them that you ended things with Jodi, and we are trying to be a family again.  They don’t need to know the specifics.  We still have so much to talk about that I don’t know that there are answers to give them because we don’t even have them for us yet.  We can handle Alice together, okay?”

“Okay.  Let me grab a quick shower and we can be on our way?  I’m sure that snack isn’t going to last very long for Angie.”  Before Bette let Tina leave, she pulled her close and placed a searing kiss on Tina lips that left both women gasping for air.  They broke from the kiss and rested their foreheads together.

“I love you, and I want you so badly right now, but that’ll have to wait.  And, I hope you know that I want this.   Us.  Our family.  All of this to work.”

Tina kissed Bette with the same intensity that Bette had just showed her.  “I love you, too.  Now go get ready, before we have a very hungry little girl.  You know how cranky she can be when she’s hungry.”

As Tina walked away, she turned to Bette. “By the way, I’ll take you up on your rain check later tonight.  My back could use a proper washing.”

Bette turned on the taps to let the water warm.  She chuckled to herself, as it was going to be a great day.

* * * * * * * * *

Bette emerged from the bedroom wearing jeans, a white tank top and flip flops.  No one should look that good in a pair of blue jeans.  Tina felt her breath catch as she watched Bette move towards them.  She saw Bette look at her with that look that she knew was just for her. It had been so long since she had seen Bette look at her that way, but she would never forget that look.

“Hey Boo, are you ready to go see Auntie Kit and get some pancakes?  

“I’m hungry!”

“We were just waiting for you, babe.  You look great.”

“Thanks, T.  Do you want to just take your car?  I thought we could stop by your place after breakfast and pick up whatever you and Angie might need for the day.  I thought we could spend a family day by the pool.  It’s supposed to be just as hot as it was yesterday, and who knows what will happen with the rolling blackouts.  We could have dinner together, and talk after this little one goes to sleep.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea.  I can’t think of a better way to spend the day with my two girls.”

Bette picked up Angie, and reached for Tina’s hand.  They walked out the door and made their way to breakfast.