Four months later Helena was driving home from work thinking about a conversation she’d had with Bette earlier that day.  They’d been talking about the amount of time she and Alexa had spent with Bette and Tina as a foursome over the past few months.

‘You two will turn into a boring married couple just like us before you know it,’ Bette had teased.

‘Why is it contagious?’ Helena had asked.

‘Being boring or being married?’ Bette had replied.  Seeing a flicker of surprise dash across Helena’s face Bette had called her on it.  ‘Have I offended you by using the big m word?’

Helena tried to laugh it off.  ‘No, Bette I mean I haven’t even thought about it.’

‘Helena you are such a bad liar!’ said Bette hearing the unnatural tone in her voice.

‘Alright so I’ve thought about it a little lately.’

‘And?’

‘And that’s all you’re getting out of me Porter.’

Helena focused her mind back on the road and decided to drop in at Alice’s place.

‘Hey Helena,’ said Alice as she answered the door.  ‘You just missed Alexa.  She left early to cook for you.’

‘Oh my god, Alexa’s cooking?’ Helena said in trepidation.  ‘I think I should pick us up some take out on the way home.’

‘Hey I should report you to her for that.’

‘What happened to you being my loyal friend?’ Helena teased.

‘I got to like your girlfriend better,’ said Alice and winked at Helena. 

‘Come on in, let me get you a drink, I never see you these days now you’re back at work.’

‘It has been pretty busy,’ Helena agreed and strode inside.  They chatted for a while, caught up on all the gossip and each others lives.  Helena’s mind kept drifting back to her conversation with Bette and she decided to try to get Alice’s input without her catching onto the significance of the conversation.

‘You and Dana ever thought about getting married Al?’ asked Helena.

Alice grew a little suspicious but answered her anyway.  ‘Not really Hel, we’re a little on again off again for that don’t ya think!’

‘True but if you were to work it out and say want to would you want her to surprise you with a ring or choose them together.’