Bette smiled through her tears. «Did I wake you sweetie?», she asked.

«No, you didn’t…», she replied.

«I’m crying because I’m so fucking happy», Bette explained.

«I know what you mean… I feel the same way», Tina replied as she lovingly laced her fingers with Bette’s, the love in her eyes evident as she looked up at her. Then they heard a soft cry coming from one of the twins. Bette smiled at Tina and walked up to the cot. Matthew was moving and whimpering.

«Our little boy is hungry, isn’t he ?», Bette said softly as she picked him up. She brought him over to Tina and placed him on her stomach. Bette helped Tina removed part of her hospital gown so that she could feed their son. Tina offered her breast to her baby who began sucking on her nipple.

«Wow, that little one was hungry», Bette said as she watched her son have his first feeding. When he was done, Tina gave him back to Bette so that she could burp him. Bette leaned the baby over her shoulder and patted him gently on the back, pacing back and forth, softly singing a lullaby.

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

Bette kept on rubbing Matthew’s back and after a few moments, he let out a soft burp. «Good boy», she praised. Tina was watching the whole thing through teary eyes. She loved Bette with all her heart and she never would have thought possible it could go deeper, but tonight it had. Bette had been her rock throughout her pregnancy and especially in the last few hours. She gazed at the woman she loved holding their tiny baby in her arms and she knew she was the luckiest woman alive.

Sensing that Tina was watching her, Bette turned around and smiled. «What are you looking at ?», she asked, teasingly.

«Where’s the Bette Porter that induces fear into so many people ? If they could see you know, a real pussycat…», Tina smirked.

«Don’t you dare spread that around… I have a reputation to protect», Bette told her as she put a sleepy Matthew down. Then, it was Angelica’s turn to wake up… Bette picked her daughter up and smiled at her. «What’s the matter sweetie pie ? Are you hungry too ?», she asked as she brought her to Tina who kissed her little girl on the forehead and then held her close to her chest. As Angelica began to suck on Tina’s nipple, Bette caressed her small head with her fingertips. She marvelled once again at the miracle of life.

«I can’t wait to bring you all three home», Bette said.

Tina smiled. «It’ll be so wonderful to have those adorable babies home with us», Tina agreed. She looked down and laughed softly when she realised that Angelica had fallen asleep. «I think this little angel is tired», Tina said. Bette took her daughter and put her down next to her brother. She covered her with the blanket and blew a soft kiss to both of them. She went back to Tina and sat down on her bed.

«Their mother needs to rest too… It’s after one in the morning», Bette told Tina. «Will you hold my hand until I fall asleep?», Tina asked.

«Of course I will», Bette replied, bringing Tina’s hand to her lips for a kiss.

«Will you sing me a lullaby too ?», Tina smirked.

«You have to be fucking kidding me…», Bette replied, smiling.

«I’m very serious baby…»

Bette thought for a moment, then she began singing…

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love,
To the dark and the empty skies.

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
And felt your heart beat close to mine
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command.

It didn’t take long for Tina to find sleep. Bette kissed her one more time and very quietly, she walked toward her own bed. She lied down and put one arm behind her head. She listened to Tina’s breathing for a while and told herself that everything was right with the world before sleep found her too….