After Bette got Weylend back to the hotel she put him down for his nap and proceeded to pack their bags. Keeping out an outfit for herself and Wey, she jumped in the shower only to reemerge not 10 minutes later. She had become accustomed to the mommy shower, not being able to leave her young son for more than absolutely necessary. Wrapping her hair in a towel and grabbing a tank and sweat shorts she went to wake up her baby boy. Fortunately for her he was already awake and bouncing on the couch, he was always grumpy when she woke him up for bath time. Deciding to just go for it head first and not try to trick him into the tub she pounced. Grabbing him up under his arms and swinging him around, as he laughed she rained little kisses all over his little face and exclaimed, Bath Time kiddo! His little face suddenly shifted and he squirmed and kicked at her. Nooo baff time! Uh uh no no no no no. Looking at the clock she realized that it was already well past five and the time it took Wey to get clean and dressed, she knew they would be late. Come on Wey, do this for momma just once kay? We can have ice cream later ok? She almost had to laugh as he stopped kicking almost immediately. Weally? Okay. He hopped down away from Bette and was struggling to get his button up shirt off over his head. Once in the bath she washed his hair and helped him wash himself, but was fighting internally with herself all the while. Would this work with Tina? Was Eric living with her? In their house? Starting to get angry she took a breath. She would talk to Tina about everything when they got there. They would sort it all out togetherthey would be together, she got rid of Eric before shell do it again. But what about Weylend? Okay granted hes only two, but hes very smart for his age. Can he adjust to living with Tina, does he like her? Would Tina be able to love him like he was her own? Would she want to? Maybe Tina just felt bad that Bette was living in a hotel. Damnit. She thought. Later, well figure this out later. Lets go Wey, youre starting to look all prune-y. She stood up grabbing a towel and he jumped up in the bath making monster noises and yelling, Pwune-y! Mwahahahahah! Bette laughed and wrapped him up in the big fluffy hotel towel placing a kiss on his nose. My prune-y little monster man, lets get dressed and go home. Two hours later they were both ready to goif Weylend didnt insist on running around naked for a good half an hour while Bette chased him, it may have been sooner. Its amazing how different Bette had become over the past three years, before she wouldnt have ventured out into the world without looking dressed to kill, nowadays she didnt have the time. After getting Wey dressed in his little cargo pants and black button down shirt, making sure he looked his best, she threw her hair up into a loose ponytail and slid on her favorite pair of jeans (which were just about hanging on by a thread with rips in both knees), and finishing off with a navy blue wife beater and flip-flops. Not the same Bette Porter who couldnt be without her designer bags and shoes. Grabbing their bags she headed out the door with Wey running in front of her. She checked out, hailed a taxi and tried to prepare herself for what was waiting for her when she finally got home. Tina was nervous and pacing. She didnt know what she was going to do. As soon as shed seen Bette she felt it again. The love, the need, the lust, the fact that she was almost on her knees ready to beg Bette to come home again made it all too real. When Bette agreed she wanted so much to wrap her arms around her love and drag her home right then. Seeing Weylend made Tinas heart ache. That couldve been their little boy. He looked almost exactly like Bette with his wide smile and deep brown eyes, she could swear that she fell in love with that child the second she saw him. Sighing loudly she sat on the couch. But what about Eric? She cared for him, there was no doubtbut it wasnt the kind of undying, burning passion that she had had for Bette since the moment she met her eyes in that gallery. She knew without a doubt that there was no way he could ever be a long term relationship, which meant shed have to leave himfor Betteagain. Something like this could really hurt a guy, and she didnt want to do that. Deciding she didnt want to think about Eric tonight she quickly went about getting the house ready for, hopefully what would become her family again, and preparing dinner. Tina completely forgot that she had told Eric they could spend the weekend together. Around 7:45 a cab pulled up in front of the house and Tina let out a breath. Here we go. She thought. She opened the door as Weylend was bounding up the steps with a little schoolbag on his back, followed by Bette who was loaded down with four bags of her own. Need some help there? Bette looked at her as if to say Are you kidding?, and Tina grabbed two bags from her as the three made their way into the house. Tina and Bette walked to the first room where Weylend was going to be sleeping to put his things down. I figured we could spend some time decorating and stuff this weekend if you didnt have any plans, I mean, well I just guessed that youd be here for a whileit would be nice for him to feel like he was at home here. Tina said babbling and blushing looking at the floor. Bette just stared. She couldnt believe all the love that she had for this woman was all there again, she figured some of it would have fizzled by now, but there it was bubbling and steamy like it had been 10 years ago. T Tinas head snapped up and she smiled hearing the nickname that she hadnt heard in so long. Bette just smiled at her reaction and walked over to her placing her hands on Tinas hips TIll stay however long you let me, however long you want me. Bettes breath on her face and the feel of her soft hands on the bare flesh of her hips made her skin flush and her muscles tense. Closing her eyes she whispered, God Bette, hows forever? Is forever okay with you. Opening her eyes she was met with a Bette Porter smile and couldnt help but lean in to kiss those smirking lips lightly. You have no idea how long Ive wanted us to be a family again. And with you and Wey here, it makes me feel like Im finally home I guess, if that makes sense. Kissing Tina one more time, pressing just a little deeper and then backing away. We have a lot to talk about T, but we will. I need to go check on Wey. They walked out of the bedroom and Bette placed her bags in her and Tinas room before finding Wey with his toy cars strewn all around the living room and Tina stretched out next to him. Bette just watched as they ly there together, it was probably one of the cutest things she had ever seen. Ok kid. Lets get some dinner in you and then its time for bed. Weylend and Tina looked over their shoulders and Tina smiled sexily and rolled over onto her back leaning on her hands, she pretended to pout. Oh mom just 10 more minutes. Smiling playfully she grabbed Tina up off the floor and whispered in her ear. Ill tuck you in personallylater. Tina flushed and backed away holding Bettes gaze. Theres pizza in there that I ordered, I was keeping it warm for you guys. What do you say Wey, you want some pizza? Jumping to his feet he ran to his mother grabbing onto her hand and bouncing. Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! After they were done eating they all went to what was now Weylends room. Tina stood in the doorway as she watched Bette and her mothering skills. How tender she was as she changed her son. How she carefully laid him down and covered him, all the while talking to him as if he was a little adult, listening to his ramblings as if they made perfect sense. Smiling to herself Tina couldnt help but to think that she would be lucky if she could someday share this ritual with the two of them. She was already blessed to be able to witness it and she wanted so badly to be a part of their lives. Bette kissed her sons forehead and said her goodnights walking towards the door. Tina waved and said goodnight to the little boy only to be stopped by his sweet voice. Tina, can you an momma wead me a stowy? Turning around she walked back to the bed followed by Bette who dug out his favorite book. Which just happened to be Monkeys Go On Strike. Bette sat on one side of Wey, while Tina crawled in to the other. Wey lend immediately snuggled up to Tina and was fast asleep before the fourth page was begun. Kissing him lightly on the head Tina got up and was followed into the kitchen by Bette. Hes so amazing Bette. Tina gushed. Yeah he is. I have to ask this, and I know it may not be any of my business; but what made you decide to have a child. I mean you were always so gung-ho for me to be the pregnant one. Tina asked, finally have the courage. Bette knew this was coming, so she was prepared to tell Tina, she hoped, without crying. I told you about the friends and stuff I made doing my photography right? Tina nodded. Well there was this guy Dom and him and his partner wanted to start to have a family, and we had become really good friends. He was always there for me. He gave me a place to stay when I first got to Barnes, when I started crying out of nowhere he would drop everything to help me, he helped me get on my feet and started selling my work. Anyway, he asked me if I would be willing to carry the baby because his partner didnt want to adopt for some reason. Dom said that I fit the description of the type of person they would want for the mother Bette was at a loss for what to say next, it was obviously very hard for her. I dont really know why I agreed, I guess I just wanted to do something for someone else for once in my sorry life. I loved being pregnant though, even the morning sickness, there was just something about nurturing this life inside of me that just She saw the sad but amazed look on Tinas face and brushed her cheek with her fingertips. Im so sorry T, I didnt mean to Keep going Bette, its ok, Im ok. Im just so amazedyou seem like youve changed so much. Bette looked at her skeptically but continued, But uh, well a few weeks before I was due Dom and I were out shopping for the baby. As we were crossing the street this truck came flying from around the corner and Dom pushed me out of the way, he was hit instead of me, he died instantly. Tears started pooling in Bettes dark eyes and Tina grabbed her and hugged her tightly. Its okay baby. Let it out, Im right here. God Tina, all I could think about was thank god the baby is okay. Bette said now sobbing. Bette, babe, its perfectly fine to want to feel that your child is safe, no one would blame you for that. Bette wiped her eyes and nodded then continued. After that I went to Doms boyfriend and he said he didnt want anything to do with the baby. SoI was pretty much stuckbut, I love my son. Hes one of the two most precious things in the world to me. Smoothing Bettes hair out of her face, she couldnt help but ask. Two huh? Whats the other one? Bette grinned and instead of verbally communicating it to Tina, Bette decided to show her. She grabbed the back of Tinas head and pulled her lips to her own. Licking Tinas bottom lip she then sucked it into her own mouth and gave it a little nibble before releasing it. Letting their tongues intertwine in a kiss that reconnected them on so many levels, they had realized that whatever happened in the past was exactly that. In the past. This night was the start of their new family and their new love. Pulling back from the kiss they just looked. Rediscovering every feature of one anothers face, until Tina caught something in her peripheral vision. Looking over she saw Eric standing in the kitchen doorway with a blank expression and his overnight bag hanging from his hand. The only thing Tina could think to say was, *****, Eric!