Kit: Baby girl, I know you are trying your best here and I know you mean well, but you really need to open up to Tina and let her know what is going on inside you. She cannot read your mind. That was one of your problems in the past. The two of you never fully opened up to one another and instead were constantly misreading each other. After listening to you on your tape and spending these last few months talking to Tina about her regrets, you both had a lot of the same things stirring on the inside that you just never shared with each other. And it would have been so much easier on the both of you if you had. I just dont want to see either of you make those same mistakes again.

Bette: It is not my intention to keep anything from Tina. We will discuss everything when the time is right.

Kit: The time is now, Bette. You need to let Tina in on what has you so uneasy and distanced. Whether its doubts, fears or whatever the ***** it is, the two of you need to deal with it now, together.

Bette: Thanks for all the confidence, Kit. Im going back to my wife now.

Bette turns around and heads back to Tinas room. She knows Kit is right, she just doesnt know where to start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bette returns to Tinas room and finds her with Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Wilson: Well, here is the other proud mother. I was just asking Tina about you.

Bette: Is everything okay? Is Tina and the baby alright?

Dr. Wilson: Yes, Bette. I was just here for another patient of mine and wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. And these two are both doing amazingly well. If they keep this up they may want to check out of here tomorrow.

Bette: Isnt that a little soon? I mean, is that really that such a good idea? What if something were to happen?

Tina: Bette, dont worry Babe. I told Dr. Wilson we would wait and see how I felt tomorrow before we decide on anything.

Dr. Wilson: Bette, dont worry so much. Tina knows what she is doing. You need to trust her instincts. Now I will check in with you tomorrow. Try and get some rest, if this little one here will allow it.

Dr. Wilson leaves Bette and Tina to themselves.

Tina: Hey, you. Come here.

Bette goes over and sits on the edge of the bed.

Tina: So what did Ms. Kit have to say? Was she giving you the third degree?

Bette: Oh, you know Kit. She just wanted to make sure I realized how lucky I was to have another chance with you and that I dont do something stupid to mess things up. I told her she had nothing to worry about. That I was going to do everything in my power to make this work. I know she means well, she can just be so frustrating sometimes.

Tina: She loves you Bette and she just wants you to be happy.

Bette: I know T and I am very happy. But in getting back to what Dr. Wilson was saying, are you really considering going home tomorrow?

Tina: Bette, its like I told Dr. Wilson. It will really depend on how I feel tomorrow. But I think we would all feel more comfortable at home, dont you Baby?

Bette: I just want you to be sure, T. I mean you have nurses here around the clock that can help you with whatever you need.

Tina: And I will have you at home to help me.

Bette mind is on overload and Tina can see that there is something worrying her.

Bette: Well, I guess that is something we need to talk about. I mean, I would love nothing more then to be there for both you and Katalina, but I dont want you to feel obligated to have me there if youre not ready. I will completely understand. I can stay at Kits for awhile if that would make you feel more comfortable, while we are working on things.

Tina: Baby, how can we work on things if we are not even in the same house. Of course I want you to come home. Katalina and I are going to need your help and besides, we have been away from each other long enough. No more, Babe.

Bette: Well, I guess it is settled then. Ill be going home with you. Now, I think I will go and see if I can get a cot brought in here so I can stay with you tonight.

Tina: A cot? What do you need a cot for Babe? Didnt you enjoy sleeping here next to me today?

Bette: T, how can you even ask that question. Of course, I enjoyed it. That was probably the best sleep Ive had in a very long time. But you need to get some rest and theres not a lot of room in there for the two of us. Your comfort comes first, Baby.

Tina: Well, I can tell you right now that I will get more rest with you lying here next to me than I will with you over there on a stupid cot. So what do you say, Babe? How about we forget all about the cot idea?

Bette: Who am I to argue with such a beautiful and charming woman? I guess we will make do with what we have. Ill just run down to the car and get a few things and I will be right back.

Bette leaves while Tina ponders over their discussion. She really wants to know what is going through Bettes mind, but she doesnt want to force it from her. She has no doubt that Bette loves her and wants them to share a life together. After all, she can see that Bette is really making an effort to be open and honest with her. But yet, at the same time she can feel her holding something back. But then again Bette did ask her to just give her some time and not to give up on her. Tina decides to do just that. She will give Bette some space, at least until they get home. Maybe Bette will feel more at ease once she gets back in familiar surroundings. Just then Bette comes in. She goes into the bathroom and comes out in a t-shirt and yoga pants.

Bette: What do you say we try to get some sleep before little ones appetite kicks in again?

Tina: I think thats a great idea.

Bette turns down the light and crawls into bed next to Tina. She snuggles in close and wraps her arm around Tina and gives her a kiss on her shoulder.

Bette: Good night, T. I love you.

Tina: I love you too, Babe.

Overall the night went extremely well. Katalina only got up twice and they both were able to get more rest than either one of them had thought possible. Tina couldnt believe how helpful and considerate Bette had been. She got up both times with her without any complaints, changing Katalina, burping her, and rocking here back to sleep before snuggling back in with Tina.

Morning came quickly and Tina was the first to awaken. She couldnt believe how incredible she felt. She didnt know whether it was due to the fact that Bette was back and lying in her arms or if it was all the exhilaration that came with motherhood. One thing she knew for sure and that was she definitely wanted to get out of here and go home today. She hoped Bette would be more receptive to the idea than she had been earlier. She just felt that they would all be more relaxed in their own home and with any luck it might even help Bette open up.

Tina laid back and watched both Bette and Katalina sleep. She was amazed at both how peaceful and similar they looked. If one didnt know any better, they would never be able to tell that Bette was not a true biological parent to their little girl. Marcus turned out to be the perfect donor for them. Tina could see Katalina beginning to stir, yet she wanted to let Bette get a little more rest. As she laid there contemplating how she was going to get Katalina without disturbing Bette she was saved by one of the nurses dropping in.

Tina (whispering to the nurse): I think she is going to want fed soon. Could you hand her over to me? Bette could really use some more sleep.

Nurse (whispering back to Tina): Not a problem at all. The nurse reaches in and gets the baby from her bassinet and places her in Tinas arms. She also places the buzzer close enough so that if Tina needs any more assistance she can easily ring for them.


Nurse (still whispering): You just buzz us if you need anything.

Tina: (quietly) Thank you. The baby was content just lying there with the two of them for over a half hour. Then the search for food began. Tina quickly supplied her with a breast before her cries got underway. It wasnt long before the loud sucking sounds coming from Katalina stirred Bette. She stretched as she slowly opened here eyes and was greeted with a loving smile from Tina.

Tina: Good morning Baby. I was hoping you would be able to get a little more sleep. I didnt realize how noisy this little one was going to be. You might think weve been starving her the way she is going at it.

Bette: Well, I think it is precious. I cant think of a more beautiful sound to wake up to. Did you sleep good T?

Tina: As a matter of fact, yes I did. How about you Babe?

Bette: Yeah, I did too. How are you feeling today, T?

Tina: I feel great, Babe. If it wasnt for this little one sucking away here, I would never believe I gave birth yesterday.

Bette: Youre a natural mother, T.

Tina: Well, youre not doing too bad yourself.

Bette got up and went to the bathroom. When she returned Dr. Wilson had once again appeared.

Dr. Wilson: Well, Tina. After you get done feeding that precious little girl of yours, why dont you take a shower and if you still feel good enough to go home after that, then I will get your discharge papers ready. But, I dont want you overdoing it. You need to take things slow and easy. The general rule of thumb is not to lift anything heavier than the baby for the first few weeks.

Bette takes a deep breathe. She is a little wigged out by what she hears. She was hoping for another day at the hospital before they got thrown into the confines of home. Tina looks over at Bette and can see the panic in her. She decides to try and smooth things over.

Tina: Baby, isnt that great? It will be so nice to be home. I will feel so much better and it will be so much easier to get Katalina into a routine.

Bette is still a little uneasy, but she can see how much this means to Tina so she decides to suck it up and make like this is wonderful news. She walks over towards Tina and leans down and gives her a kiss on the forehead.

Bette: If it makes you happy, T, then I am happy. And I will do my best to make sure the two of you have everything you need. Now, Dr. Wilson is there anything I need to be worried about? Any restrictions, special needs or home care instructions?

Dr. Wilson goes through things with Bette which helps to partly relieve the tension she is feeling.

Dr. Wilson: I am sure the two of you will do fine. But if you have any questions, please dont hesitate to give me a call. And I will need to see both Tina and the baby in six weeks, so dont forget to call and schedule an appointment. Now Tina, you just let the nurses know how you feel after your shower and they can pass word onto me.

Tina: Okay, Dr. Wilson. Thank you for everything. Dr. Wilson smiles at the two new mothers and is on her way to her next patient.

Tina: Bette, do you want to take Katalina? Shes finally done eating. I think I will try and take that shower.

Bette: Yeah, I can take her. You sure your feeling strong enough for a shower, Babe?

Tina: Yeah, I actually do. I think Im just excited about going home with my family. Why dont you call Kit and the girls and let them know well be at the house later and have them come by this afternoon? Better yet, make that later this evening so the three of us can get settled and you and I can have some time to ourselves to talk.