«Are you going ? When is it?», Tina asked.

«No and Saturday night», Bette answered.

«Why aren’t you going ? You haven’t seen Danielle in a long time», Tina said.

Bette stroked her hair. «Because I don’t want to leave you here so close to giving birth», Bette explained.

«Is the invitation for two ? I could go with you… I know I’m supposed to rest and even though I love our home, baby, a night out would do me good»

Bette gazed into Tina’s eyes. «Are you sure you’re up for this T?»

«I’m pregnant baby, not sick and if I feel too tired we could always come home early. What do you say ?»

Bette could never say no the love of her life. «OK, but you promise to tell me if you want to leave ?», Bette insisted.

«I promise», Tina said, raising her hand as if she was taken an oath.

«All right, then I’ll answer the invitation first thing tomorrow. Now, are you ready to have your belly casted ?», Bette asked in a soft-spoken tone.

Tina smiled. «Yes Mrs Porter, I’m ready»

Bette helped Tina stand up and sit in a chair. She took off her top and discarded it on the floor. Bette pulled the plaster gauze out of the box and cut the plaster bandages into strips. She applied the lubricant over Tina’s breasts and belly and glided one plaster strip through the water for a few seconds. She pulled it up from the water, gently squeezing out the excess water by running her index and middle fingers down the strip.

She applied the strip to the Tina’s body and repeated the process many times, smoothing and over lapping the strips in various directions to strengthen the body cast. They allowed the cast to dry for about five minutes and then removed it.

«I saw on the Internet that some people decorate their belly casts… Maybe we can do the same», Bette suggested as she helped Tina go back to bed. Bette put the belly cast next to Tina who ran her fingers across the plaster. «I can’t wait to show this to Angelica and Matthew», Tina said.

Bette laughed softly. «It’ll be a while before they can understand what it is…», she told her.

Tina laughed with her. «I guess you’re right… This is so beautiful, thank you for doing it». Tina pulled Bette closer and kissed her gently.

«I’m glad you liked it T», Bette said, snuggling against Tina who welcomed her with open arms…

&&&

«Tina you look absolutely radiant», Danielle Collins told Tina as she walked into the Colonade room at the LA Hilton Hotel. «And Bette, you look great, as always», the artist said, giving her old friend a hug.

«And Paris certainly agrees with you… You are stunning Danielle», Bette replied.

The woman laughed. «Bette, always a charmer…», she smirked. «I’ll see you both later lovely ladies…», she added, excusing herself to greet other guests.

Bette turned to Tina. «Are you OK T? Not too tired?», she asked, concerned about her baby’s well-being.

Tina reassured her. «I’m all right, babe, but can we find a place to sit?», she said smirking.

The dinner went well and both women enjoyed themselves. At their table, they were surrounded by artists so Bette indulged herself in conversation about art while Tina spoke to one woman who was freelancing and had gone to Irak to write about the war.

It was right after dinner that Tina whispered in Bette’s ear that she wanted to go home. «I feel tired all of a sudden», she said. Bette quickly excused herself to the woman she was talking to and both women said good-night to Danielle who made them promise to send her pictures of their newborns.

Bette took Tina’s hand and led her to the elevator. Tina rested her head on Bette’s shoulder while they waited. The doors finally opened and they stepped inside the cabin. Bette’s pressed the button for the lobby and as the doors closed, she heard Tina say her name in a strange manner. Bette turned around and followed Tina’s eyes which were glued to the ground. Bette saw a puddle of water and gasped.

«Baby, I think my water broke», was all Tina had time to say before the elevator abruptly stopped, stuck between the 15th and 14th floor…