“That comes through – I know from bitter experience that its impossible to really know what is going on in a relationship but you and Bette are so obviously close – the way the two of you look at each other “ Carmen shakes her head “I just cannot believe that Holly would not see by using her eyes that you two are as close as you have always been. Ella’s brought the two of you closer “

“And she is one year old in 8 days time “

“And this time last year you were overdue, looking fed up and Bette was the definition of cat on hot tin roof “

I laugh “ Yeah – I was well fed up”

“As fed up as you were you were not as fed up as the entire staff of the west wing who had to put up with Bette “

“Well not only was I the size of a house and fed up but I was also putting up my wife – I win “

~~

I plan to go upstairs to check on Ella at lunchtime but I go see the big boss first – I want her to have the first copy of the book. James is reading a newspaper – I raise my eyebrows at him

“Does she know that you are bored ?”

“She doesn’t know “ James replies “Anyway – she’s not exactly doing anything to demanding at the moment “

Wondering what she means by that I go inside and discover what exactly James means. Bette is sitting on the floor playing with Ella – so much for the myth that the President has a demanding and time consuming job. I stand and watch – Ella is toddling along towards Bette who – as usual is looking at her like she is the only baby in the world who ever walked before her first birthday. Ella is pretty advanced for her age – not child prodigy level but she’s doing more things than I expected her to be doing at 11 months.

“Ella “

Ella turns and looks at the source of the voice – the effort of turning and walking at the same time makes her fall on her ass. She giggles and picks herself up – she heads towards me but Bette grabs her as she gets too close to a coffee table.

“She would have avoided it Bette “

“No risks “ Bette replies as Ella struggles because she’s been stopped moving towards me

“Momma “ she says

“Yes – that’s me honey “

I walk across and sit down facing Bette leaning again the sofa

“You can let her go “

Bette does by putting her down- she makes a bee-line for me

“Momma “ she repeats and holds out her hands to me. I put the book down that I have with me and hold out my hands to encourage Ella – she reaches me and I lift her up

“Hello honey “

“Momma “

“I thought you were the President ?”

“Hey – what the point of being the boss and living above the shop if I can’t go up and get our daughter and talk to her “

“You busy ?”

“Paperwork Monday “ Bette replies “ I am out tomorrow and Wednesday so I am getting through what I can today – what about you ?”

“I seem to be busier than you “

Bette grins “So I see – what’s the book ?”

I hand the book to Bette and turn my attention to my daughter whose in one of her hyper-active moods and wants to be amused.

“Oh wow- its finally printed “

“It is – thought you should have the first copy – I have signed it – just out of egotism “

Bette laughs and turns to the inscription and reads it out

“To Bette – Thank you for all your love and support over this book. Without your understanding of why I wanted to write about your father this book would never have happened. I love you more every day – I hope one day Ella reads this and has it confirmed what a fantastic grandfather she has”

Bette smiles at me and nods

“She knows how fantastically silly grandpa Porter is already – thanks to this she will know how great and noble he is “

Bette moves forward and kisses me “And I tell her every day what a wonderful momma T she has “