As Tina crossed the living area, she saw Bette was leading a group of guests, including the lighting designer and her partner and Jacques up the staircase, towards the second floor.  Tina overheard her wife explaining, “And the ironwork of this staircase was custom-made by this guy who had inherited a foundry up in New York.  He and I co-designed the whole curving structure of the staircase so that it would be consistent with the look of the bronze buds of the chandelier you designed for the entrance, as well as….”

Tina raised her hand slightly to catch Bette’s eye.  The brunette looked her way, but was apparently listening to something the lighting designer was saying.  Tina mouthed, “Jason and his mom are here.”  Bette nodded at Tina to signal she understood, while she responded to the lighting designer.

Tina opened the front door just as Rose and Jason exited the elevator.  She bent her knees to get down near Jason’s eye level, as mother and child approached.  She smiled at him, “Hi Jason!  We’re so happy you and your mom could make it here today!  Angelica has been looking forward to seeing you.”

Jason hesitated, and then gave Tina a quick hug.  Tina hugged him back a bit longer, before she released him.

She stood up, and smoothed out her dress while she greeted Rose warmly, “Happy Thanksgiving, Rose.  You and Jason are just in time for dinner.”

As they stepped through the vestibule, Rose looked around, mouth agape at the beauty of the home.  As Rose looked up at the unique chandelier of bronze buds that dropped down from the ceiling like raindrops, encapsulating LED lights, Tina explained that the lighting designer who did the chandelier was also at the party.  Bette soon joined them, as Rose was still admiring the duplex’ interiors.

Tina automatically reached for the hand Bette extended to her unconsciously as the brunette walked up next to Tina. Tina introduced Rose, and then picked up Jason’s hand.  The three women chatted for a few minutes longer then Tina indicated to Rose that she was taking Jason up to the playroom where Angelica and a couple of other kids were playing.

She gave Bette a quick kiss, then walked away, Jason in tow.  Bette and Rose followed the two walk away from them, with Tina bent slightly towards Jason, apparently listening to something Jason was saying.