“Does Joel know?”

Dakota shook her head.  “Nobody knows except you and Zoe.”

“What prompted you to tell us?”  Tina asked.

“Zoe, huh?”  Bette asked.

“She said it might be good if I talk to you guys.”

“Are you glad?” 

“Depends on how you feel about me now.”

“My view hasn’t changed.  Honey, so what if you’re pregnant?  It happens.”  Bette said.

Dakota looked at her mom as tears fell down her strong face.  “Mom…”  She whispered.

“I know, I know… you needed a shoulder to cry on.  You are always welcome here for that.  I love you.”  Tina embraced her daughter and Bette moved to the couch to join them.

“You’re always up to something, aren’t you?  Never give us a moment’s rest.”  Bette smiled.

“I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m pregnant.”  Dakota sobbed.

“We’re around to help you.”  Tina said.

“I don’t even know if I want to keep the baby.”

Bette scowled.  “What do you mean?  You’d have an abortion?”

“I’m not sure.”  Dakota blew her nose.”

“I don’t think an abortion is the answer.”

“Bette.”  Tina flashed Bette a look as a warning.

“What?”

“Can I talk to Dakota alone for a while?”  Tina pleaded with her eyes.  Bette caught the glance and rolled her eyes but relented.  She kissed Tina on the top of the head and squeezed Dakota’s hand before leaving.

“Is mama mad at me?”

“No, but there’s something I need to tell you that might explain why your mama is so sensitive about this.”

“Ok.”  Dakota faced her mother, their similar features mirroring off each other.  She grabbed another tissue and wiped her nose.

“Years before you were born when your mama and I were married before, we wanted to have a baby.  After months of trying to conceive, I finally became pregnant.  It took a long time and a lot of work, but it finally happened.  Your mama and I thought it would never happen, but it did.  Something went wrong, though and I lost the baby.  It crushed me and your mama and your mama took it hard, in her own way.”

“I never knew…”

“How would you?  It’s not something that we like to talk about very much.  It was a hard time in our lives and very sad and devastating.  I think this is why your mama was so upset today with the idea of you not wanting the baby.”

“It’s nothing personal against her or you.”

“I know that, but it kills your mama to think that people don’t want their children.”

“It’s not like that, though.”  Dakota explained.  “I’m in no position to have a kid right now in my life.  I’m not ready.  I’d have to give up everything I do.”

Tina nodded.  “Trust me, I understand.  I just wanted you to know where your mama is coming from.  Whatever decision you make is fine with me.  You have to do what you want to do.  It’s your life and your body.”

Dakota sat quietly, letting Tina’s words roll around inside of her.

“Promise me one thing… you’ll really think about what you want to do before doing it.  And talk to me.”

“Ok, I can promise that.”

Bette entered the room, clearing her throat.  “Kody, just thought I’d let you know your cell phone rang.”  She tossed the phone to her daughter, having a hunch it was the doctor.  Her anxiety was just as high as Dakota’s, though she didn’t want to admit it.

Dakota grimaced and excused herself, heading out to the patio for privacy.  Tina motioned to Bette for her to sit with her.

Tina rested her head on Bette’s shoulder.  “I still see her as our little girl swimming in the pool with floaties on her arms.”

“Me too.”  Bette grinned.  “Now she’s talking about babies and life altering choices.”

“We have to give her space to make her own decisions, Bette.  It’s her life.”

“I know.  Just never knew it would be so hard.”

Dakota stood in the doorway, the glow of the setting sun illuminating her.  She smiled weakly at her mothers as she gripped the phone in her hands.