When Tina turned 16 she contacted her mother who had moved to California after remarrying and emancipated herself from her Father and moved out to live with her mother. It was there she met Philip Lawson at Redwood High School and both quickly became friends. Tina had tried to locate Bette but every number she tried was disconnected and the address she had was no longer valid as there was another family living there. Her search came to a dead end so she held on to meeting Bette at the fountain like they promised

One night while they were at a friend’s college party, Tina told Philip all about the pact she made with Bette and he thought it was the most romantic thing he had ever heard and offered to take her to meet Bette on her birthday. They celebrated by drinking too much and woke up the next morning with Philip laying on top of Tina and 3 weeks later she found out she was pregnant.

Tina came from her thoughts and collected herself. She got up off the bench and went to the sink to wash her face. She looked in the mirror and sighed. She was physically exhausted and the circles evident under her eyes. Today was her 31st birthday and also her son’s and the hospital was taking over her life. Making up her mind, she contacted the Chief of Staff and said she was needing to be relieved. Granted her wish, she grabbed her purse and headed out to spend the rest of the night with her family.

~~~~~~~~~

”Bette. Can you hear me?. I’m here baby. I’m here. I love you” Victoria said tearfully as she sat at Bette’s bedside looking at the bandages that covered her face. Her leg was propped above her heart and her arm was in a sling. Victoria listened as the monitor beeped out the sounds of Bette’s heartbeat and the tears fell as she fought the fear of almost losing the woman she loved more than her own life.

Victoria laid her head on Bette’s right hand as she held on to it and felt a slight squeeze. Victoria lifted her head and looked at Bette who was fluttering her eyelids.

”Baby?” Victoria said as Bette finally opened her eyes and tried to turn her head but winced in pain when she did.

”Don’t try to move. Ok baby?. You were in an accident and broke your arm and leg and you have cuts on your face but you are going to be ok..You here that baby. You are going to be ok” Victoria said as she leaned in and kissed Bette gently on the lips and pulled away to look at her

Bette looked at Victoria as she pulled away from the kiss and slowly moved her mouth to speak. ”Ti..Ti..Ti..Teen..Ah” Bette sputtered out causing Victoria to look at her confusingly.

”What? Bette?..What are you trying to say?” Victoria asked to gain clarification.

Bette cut her eyes to Victoria

”Ti..Ti…Teen..Ah” Bette sputtered out again ”Her..her. Heard her..voy..voy. voice”

Victoria leaned back in thought and shook her head then leaned forward again towards Bette

”Bette? Who is Tina?” Victoria asked curious as to why her wife was talking about this woman and hearing her voice

Bette didn’t answer and closed her eyes and went back to sleep. Victoria leaned back in her chair and fidgeted with the cross around her neck wondering what it meant and decided to let it go for now until Bette was more lucid and the anesthesia had worn off.

~~~~~~~

tbc