I could see that Bette wasn’t herself, that she was too tired for anything really, and so the day was short. After insisting on helping me with the dishes, she was just as stubborn on insisting she stay up and wait to talk with me again.

Seeing that she could be quite a stubborn woman, I brought her into her room, and smirked at the look on her face. “I’m not up to what you must be thinking,” I chuckled, leading her to her bed. “Get changed for bed. I’ll be right back.”

“I want to talk with you,” she said, her eyes still so obviously heavy.

I smiled and nodded before giving her some privacy, “Get changed.”

After seeing that Angelica had found her show on the television, I went back to Bette’s room and knocked.

“I’m changed,” she said quietly. I opened the door to see that she was changed, and seated on the edge of the bed.

I eased her mind and got up there with her, lying down over her comforter. “Come here.”

She looked around the room in apparent shock. “What?” She looked into my eyes, totally confused. “Now?”

“No,” I chuckled, pulling her a little closer. “I want to hold you.”

“Uhh I’m not tired,” she chuckled back, finally allowing me to pull her in and keep her close. “This won’t work. I don’t need to sleep. I probably won’t even sleep.” It seemed like she wanted to fight it, that she might try to push me away, but I could be stubborn if I wanted to be. I did have a three-year-old after all, and if I could out-stubborn my daughter, I knew I could do the same with Bette.

“Come here,” I repeated, wrapping both arms around her while I breathed onto her shoulder. She wasn’t struggling, so I settled in and made another offer. “How about I tell you about my day then?”

She nodded in a way that told me just how exhausted she was, and I went on and on about my day with Angelica in the park. I could see that she had fallen asleep in a matter of minutes, and I finally tapered off my whispering to just lay behind her, smiling into her hair. As I pulled myself up, I saw that same angelic face, and slowly climbed off of the bed. I hoped that maybe this way, she would get a proper sleep.

I even came back to check on her later in the evening, and smiled at the joy I felt at just watching her there. What was going on with me? I didn’t even fully understand it, but I did know that Bette made me happy. Endlessly so.

Sleep was easier to find that night, and the nights following it. The whole matter of love and our relationship seemed to be put on hold while the three of us enjoyed our days together. She was always wonderful with Angelica, and our quality time was cherished by us all. Especially my daughter.

“I love you,” Angelica giggled, busy doodling one day as I listened to Bette coloring with her.

I walked over and peeked my head around the corner with some confusion and a lot of happiness, to see that she had spoken to the beautiful brunette. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Bette pat my daughter’s back with great adoration. “I love you too, kiddo.”

Angelica seemed totally at ease, and eager to point out the next truth before her. “This one’s green,” she beamed, quickly filling in the space with the crayons she loved. The sight just about melted my heart, but I kept the moment to myself so as not to intrude on their time together. And after all, I was busy with the dishes. Chores are such a quick process when your heart is buzzing and you feel like you’re floating. How was everything so perfect?

And that was when they weren’t. Doesn’t it always work that way – that happiness is taken away just as you’re understanding it again?

Not that we were in any danger, but the ease I felt between Bette and myself began to crumble when her friends started to hassle her. She never burdened me with her concerns then, but let on later. I was so confused when she pushed me away, and insisted we both needed space. I had no idea her friends thought I would break her heart, and that they wanted to protect her from me. From the pressure of friends come great complications. I wish I could have kept her from that and saved us both the hardship.