Tina crept up beside Bette, taking hold of her hand as they both knew what was coming,

“In fact … I’m happy to announce … that Lara’s pregnant!” gushed Dana, pulling Lara towards her for an excited hug,

The room erupted into ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ and cries from Angelica and Alice who were both asking for it to be named after them if it was a little girl, Lottie grinned as Lara was poked and prodded and told to sit down and rest or put her feet up, 

“Not exactly what I had in mind” whispered Bette softly into Lottie’s ear,

Lottie shrugged, “It’s nice though, really nice,” Lottie mumbled, to no one in particular,

“Come on …” shouted Tina … “Let’s eat …”

Bette sat with her feet dangling in the pool, appreciative, for not the first time that evening, at how relaxed and at ease their little family was. Since the evening Lottie had come and told her she’d fretted constantly about the idea of telling Melvin and about a hundred and one other tiny little things which seemed to coincide with that prospect but she’d never really doubted that the girls would all be effortlessly cool and welcoming …

“So …” mumbled Alice, her voice slightly slurred from a hell of a lot of wine, “there’s an even bigger reason now for you to answer my question” she said to Lottie,

All the ears of those who remained sat outside, which consisted of Bette, Shane and Dana were suddenly alert and no longer half sleeping,

“What are you talking about Al …” mumbled Dana, her voice indicating just how much ‘drinking-to-the-baby’ had gone on,

“My question …” muttered Alice, slapping Lottie on the leg to rouse her from where she lay half comatose on the sun lounger,

“Ow …” Lottie mumbled, “what question and why do I have to …”

Bette laughed, “Trust me … you’ll soon learn it’s easier …”

Alice grinned triumphantly, “Exactly … and besides … I think it’s very important for people to know …”

Shane and Dana both sat up intrigued, Alice was known to be cryptic at times but this was bordering on inane even for her …

“Spit it out …” mumbled Lottie, tired of the tease,

Alice turned to her seriously, aware that her comment would probably earn her a serious punch from Bette, “My question …” she repeated, “… gay or straight …? Because I think West Hollywood needs to know whether Bette Porter’s little sister is on the market or not …” Alice said quickly, before ducking as Bette threw one of floats from the pool at her head, “Hey …” she protested, “it’s a reasonable question”

“And none of your fucking business” muttered Shane,

“You really want to know Al …?” Lottie asked, seriously,

“Yes” said Alice “I really want to know …”

Lottie leant across to bring her lips up close to Alice’s ear as she began to whisper …

Slowly Alice pulled away … “Aw … Jesus …” she pouted, “that’s just not fair …!”
 

Bette chuckled, "See … she’s definitely related to me …"