Chapter 39

Angelica paced the length of Shane’s living room for the fourth time, looking at her watch as minutes ticked off at a rate slower then anything she had experienced before. She decided that her level of excitement over her mothers reuniting was the root cause of her restlessness. Angelica continued to pace as she talked to herself, without even realizing how closely she emulated Bette while doing it.

“Everything will be different today,” Angelica muttered to herself smiling. “From this day forward we’ll be a family again.”

She continued to pace the living room for what seemed like hours, but in reality only 5 minutes had passed. She walked into the kitchen where there was a lone window that faced Bette’s house. She stared out of it, wondering if they would keep Bette’s house and sell Tina’s to begin to live as a family once more. Angelica looked for signs of life at her mom’s house, but the sun was barely rising and no lights were on next door.

“She has until 6:30,” Angelica made a deal with herself. “I’m waking her up if she’s not up by then.”

Angelica smiled when she realized that 6:30 was only 2 minutes away. Her smile broadened as she began to meander down the hallway toward Shane’s bedroom.

“What’s 2 minutes really?” Angelica reasoned with herself as she stood outside Shane’s bedroom door.

Angelica knocked quietly and waited for an answer from the other side of the door. When none came, she knocked louder. She leaned her ear against the door and heard soft snoring signaling Shane was still asleep.

“Darn it,” Angelica muttered as she banged loudly on the door.

Shane jumped out of bed, startled at the loud noise so early in the morning. When the door opened quickly, Angelica was shocked by the look of concern on Shane’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Shane asked worried.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Shane seemed annoyed now more than concerned. “There better be something wrong if you’re knocking at my door at 6 in the morning Angelica.”

“Technically it’s 6:30,” Angelica pointed at the clock beside Shane’s bed.

Shane walked back to her bed as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She fell back in bed, face down, turning her head away from the clock and Angelica.

“Since you’re up,” Angelica sat on the bed causing Shane to groan loudly. “Can’t we get ready to go to breakfast?”

“It’s in hours PJ!”

“But I’m excited.”

“I know,” Shane turned her head to face Angelica. “The only person that will be there at this hour is your Aunt Kit.”

“Then we can talk to her,” Angelica said smiling.

“God you are just like Alice!”

“What does that mean?” Angelica asked confused.

“It means that you pester with backward logic until you get what you want.”

“Then you should be used to it,” Angelica smiled trying to look innocent. “I just want to see my moms.”

“But they won’t be there this early,” Shane covered her head with a pillow while Angelica bounced up and down on the bed. “They probably aren’t even awake yet.”

“Please, can we go?”

“Will you give up if I say no?”

“Not likely,” Angelica said smiling reminding Shane so much of Bette in her mannerisms and shining eyes.

“Fine,” Shane said rolling out of bed to get ready for breakfast and the hours ahead of them waiting.

Alice tried to remove her arm from around Kristen without disturbing her sleep. Being in a strange bed rendered Alice unable to sleep late into the morning. It was when she had fully come out of her sleepy state that she realized her arm had fallen asleep. Alice tried to roll Kristen off her arm, but to no avail, she snuggled in closer.

“Fuck,” Alice whispered in desperation to save her arm.

Kristen moaned and snuggled into Alice’s neck, desperate to continue her blissful sleep.

“God you’re heavier then you look,” Alice muttered as she tried to move her fingers to gain feeling back in her sleeping arm. In one last ditch effort, Alice braced one hand against Kristen’s arm and pulled her sleeping arm out from underneath her.

“Thank God!” Alice exclaimed waking Kristen from her dream.

“What?”

“You’re much heavier then you look,” Alice said shaking her arm to attempt to get feeling back into it.

“Is that a compliment?”

“My arm almost fell off!”

“It didn’t fall off, it just fell asleep by the looks of it.”

Alice looked over and pretended to have an angry look on face. She was greeted with a sincere smile from Kristen causing her to chuckle.

“I want to be angry with you for almost sacrificing my arm,” Alice said.

“Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades,” Kristen said in a mocking tone.

“Funny,” Alice leaned over and kissed Kristen lightly on the lips. “Did you sleep ok?”

“Better then I have in a very long time,” Kristen said as she stroked Alice’s arm. “You?”

“I slept well, just not used to being in someone else’s bed.”

“So you don’t do sleepovers well?”

“I didn’t say that,” Alice said with a mischievous look on her face. “Usually something happens though to wear me out.”

“Oh is that how you’re playing it?” Kristen arched her eyebrow in question. “If my memory serves me correctly you were the one that put the brakes on.”

“I did.”

“Why?” Kristen pushed.

“Because it was important to me that you know that I wasn’t viewing you as just someone to sleep with.”

Tears came to Kristen’s eyes as she took in the sincerity of Alice’s words.

“That means a lot to me Alice,” Kristen said quietly. “I can remember only one other time when…”

Kristen’s voice trailed off as she recalled an earlier time where that exact sentiment meant something to someone else.

“Bette?” Alice pushed as she held Kristen tight to her body.

“How did you know?”

“Because she really loved you and I wouldn’t be surprised if she wouldn’t sleep with you on the first date.”

“Sorry,” Kristen said as she wiped tears away. “I don’t want to keep bringing her up.”

“She’s an important part of your life, I get that. She’s an important part of my past as well.”

“I know you understand.”

“The wounds are fresh,” Alice said softly as she kissed the top of Kristen’s head. “I just want you to give me a chance at the future. One day you’ll stop looking behind you, and when you look next to you or even ahead of you, just give me the chance to be that person you see.”

Kristen looked up and saw the smile on Alice’s face, warming the heart that once felt shattered, but now felt filled.

“I promise to give you that chance,” Kristen said softly.

“Let’s get up and get going,” Alice smiled and hugged Kristen tight. “We’ve got a new beginning to jump on today.”

“What’s that?”

“The beginning of us, and we’re celebrating by having breakfast with everyone at The Planet.”

“I’d like that.”

“She’ll be there.”

“I know.”

“Just saying,” Alice smiled at Kristen and sat up. “I’ll be there though too and you have my support.”

“That means the world Alice,” Kristen got up and took Alice’s hand to walk to the closet to get them both clothes to get prepared for the day ahead of them.

Bette felt the soft fingertips of her lover on her body, tickling in all the right areas to drag her out of a sleep and into a reality, which trumped her dreams on any given day.

“Were you dreaming?” Tina asked with a smile on her face.

“This is better then any dream I could have been having.”

Tina bent down and lightly brushed her lips against Bette’s and then pulled back to look in her eyes. She moved a stray curl that had fallen into Bette’s face, covering her eyes slightly as Bette stretched her tired muscles.

Bette looked over at the clock and squinted to see the numbers reflecting 7:30 and the beginning of a new day. The empty bottle of champagne sat next to the glasses on the same table. Angelica’s bracelet also caught Bette’s eyes, but the rings that once were held together by it were gone. Bette sat up and looked around the table before looking at Tina in question.

“Where are the rings?”

“I have them,” Tina said smiling.

She opened her hand and resting in her palm was the ring that, while they were together the first time, had never left Bette’s finger. The simplicity of it was what drew Bette’s attention to it in the first place. She had told Tina she wanted something simple, something that was enough to ward people off that wanted more than friendship, because the ring was only a symbol for her heart, which knew no boundaries.

“What are you doing Tina?” Bette smiled as she ran her hands over Tina’s bare arms.

“I want you to wear this until I get another one for you.”

“T,” Bette said softly. “You don’t have to get me another one.”

“New beginnings Babe.”

“That’s all in my heart,” Bette explained. “I don’t need a new ring to symbolize that.”

“You don’t want a new one?” Tina seemed slightly hurt that Bette wouldn’t want a new ring to represent their new beginning.

“Do you know how many good memories come to mind when I look down and see this one?”

Tina slipped the ring on Bette’s finger at her urging and smiled into Bette’s eyes.

“What happened to the other one?” Bette asked.

Tina held up her hands causing Bette to smile. On her left one, there sat the new diamond engagement ring. On the right hand, her ring finger was decorated with her old commitment ring.

“I need both,” Tina said laughing as Bette grabbed her and held her close to her chest while she laughed.

Bette and Tina laid in silence for the next 10 minutes, both lost in their thoughts of how perfect it felt to be holding one another again. Tina looked over and saw the clock, bolting up into a sitting position.

“We need to get going!”

“Do we really?” Bette dreaded allowing the outside world in to glimpse at their happiness.

“I want to see our daughter and have a talk with her.”

“Yes Angelica, the one that successfully threw me off my feet last night with her gesture of support.”

“Oh she totally threw you,” Tina said laughing. “But she’s a lot like you Babe and you throw me most days with how loving and generous you are.”

Tina got up to make her way into the shower, halted by Bette grabbing her arm to still her progress.

“Tina?” Bette sounded serious and vulnerable.

“Yeah Babe?” Tina turned back and walked up to where Bette sat on the edge of the bed.

“I just want you to know, you’ve made me the happiest person on this Earth. I promised myself I wouldn’t hold things in that I feel and I’d communicate better with you. So, I just wanted you to know that.”

Tina knew it was a struggle for Bette to share so much of herself for such a long period of time as she had done while the journeyed back to one another. She didn’t want to embarrass Bette by making a production of every show of affection, so she kissed her head quickly and walked into the bathroom. Tina shut the door and looked in the mirror, seeing the tears form in her eyes, tears of happiness falling freely made her smile.

Kit looked up when the bell on the door signaled someone was entering The Planet. She smiled at Shane who seemed to be barely trailing behind Angelica at the early hour.

“Double shot?” Kit rubbed Shane’s arm with a smile on her face.

“Triple is more like it,” Shane rubbed her eyes once again and sat down at the nearest table. “Thanks Kit.”

Kit asked a woman behind the counter to get Shane’s drink, a juice for Angelica, and a coffee for herself. She sat down holding Angelica’s hand and smiling at her niece who seemed unusually happy.

“What’s goin’ on with you Miss Angelica?” Kit asked her niece.

“Just happy.”

“I gather that, you’ve got a beautiful smile gracing your face. What I want to know is what specifically put it there?”

“I can’t tell you,” Angelica said mimicking a tone that she had heard Alice use so many times in the past. This time, however, was different because Angelica didn’t follow it up with any details as Alice usually did.

Shane began to sip her triple shot that was placed in front of her and seemed to come alive almost instantly.

“She’s been up most of the morning,” Shane smiled at Angelica and nudged her laughing.

“Can’t I just be in a good mood?”

“You can, but share with the rest of us so we can enjoy the day too!”

“Auntie Kit,” Angelica said seriously causing Kit to smile at her. “Soon enough you’ll know why I’m in a good mood so stop asking me.”

“Damn Girl, you remind me of your Mama B.”

Shane broke out laughing, turning toward the door when she heard the bell signaling someone else was walking in to begin their day.

“That bloody car is awful to drive,” Helena said throwing a set of keys on the table that Angelica recognized immediately. “Remind me never to loan Bette my car again.”

“What’s wrong with Bette’s car?” Kit asked.

“I can’t even get into it,” Helena said as she smiled at Angelica. “Good morning my favorite niece.”

“Mornin’ Aunt Helena.”

“Can I get a latte please?” Helena asked the waitress as she turned her focus back to the table. “Tina’s car needs to just be put out of it’s misery.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Shane laughed.

“No? You try driving it once you’ve driven something that practically drives itself.”

“That means the issue is you,” Kit said laughing. “You’re spoiled.”

“I never denied that,” Helena stated winking at Kit and smiling. “So can anyone tell me why we had to be here so early?”

“I’d like to know the same thing,” Dana said sitting down next to Shane. “Who made breakfast this early?”

“Bette,” Shane said.

“And we’ve all come running without knowing why?” Dana asked.

“It’s for a good cause,” Angelica said smiling.

“What is it then?”

“I can’t tell.”

“Dear Lord,” Kit said rolling her eyes. “Why my Baby Sis needs to be so secretive I’ll never know.”

“Well what do we all know?” Dana asked. “Can’t we just put pieces together and figure it out? That way nobody gets in trouble for telling.”

“She had a date with Tina last night,” Alice interjected as her and Kristen walked into The Planet together.

“Good morning Alice,” Kit greeted her with a hug. “You too Kristen, I’m glad you’re here.”

Kristen always found comfort in the hugs that Kit would offer. She knew that Kit was closer to Tina, yet she still felt rather special when Bette’s older sister would pay attention to her and show some sign of acceptance.

“Hey Kit,” Kristen said hugging her back and then taking a seat at the table.

“I’m glad you’re joining us,” Helena said.

“She will be for, hopefully, a long time,” Alice said smiling.

“Wow,” Dana chuckled at seeing her best friend happy. “Isn’t that kind of like incest?”

“Fuck you Dana,” Alice topped off the sentiment with a flip of her middle finger.

“Alice,” Kit admonished her. “Our niece is here.”

“Sorry PJ.”

“I saw it in school already.”

“See that’s what’s wrong with today’s kids. I didn’t know the bird until I was in high school.”

“God Al,” Shane said shaking her head. “You’re a late bloomer.”

“Eat me Yoda.”

Dana broke out into laughter, followed by Helena, Kit, and Kristen.

“She’s got you there Aunt Alice,” Angelica whispered to Alice as they sat next to one another.

“She just thinks she’s got me, but I’ll get her when she least expects it.”

“So what were you trying to figure out when we walked in?” Kristen asked in a desperate attempt to change the subject.

“Kristen can I talk to you?” Angelica asked hesitantly.

“Sure,” Kristen said unsure of what Angelica could possibly say to her at this point of their relationship. Kristen sensed the conversation was going to be serious in nature, so she wanted to allow Angelica as much privacy as possible. “Kit can we use your office?”

“Sure, you know where it’s at right?”

“Yep,” Kristen got up and shot Alice a worried look. Alice smiled and struggled to keep her laughter contained.

Angelica got up and followed Kristen down the hallway to Kit’s office. They walked in silence until they approached the door and then Kristen opened it and smiled at Angelica motioning her to enter the office.

Angelica sat down on Kit’s couch while Kristen perched herself on the corner of Kit’s desk waiting for Angelica to begin the conversation. When that didn’t happen and Angelica was obviously struggling, Kristen decided to break in and save her from the uneasiness.

“How’s school Angie?”

“Good,” Angelica smiled at Kristen thankful that she began the conversation. “I’m getting really good grades and we’re up for first place in a cheerleading competition.”

“Is that girl still bothering you?”

“Not really,” Angelica said looking away. “That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about?”

“Ok,” Kristen sat back and waited for her to continue.

“I wanted to say sorry,” Angelica avoided looking at Kristen as she spoke in a quiet tone.

“For?”

“I wasn’t very nice to you was I?”

“You were true to yourself, and for that, I’m happy.”

“But I wasn’t very supportive of you and Mama B.”

“I don’t blame you Angelica,” Kristen said kindly. “Can I ask you something though?”

“Sure,” Angelica said nervously.

“Would it bother you if I was around because I was dating your Aunt Alice?”

“No,” Angelica smiled. “I like you a lot, I just love my Mom ya know?”

“I think I do,” Kristen said smiling. “I’d like us to get along.”

“Me too,” Angelica beamed. “This day is turning out to be amazing!”

“For me too,” Kristen got up and hugged Angelica who hugged her back tightly.

“I can’t wait until my moms get here!”

Bette circled the parking lot and still couldn’t find a spot to park Helena’s car.

“What was wrong with that one?” Tina pointed at the empty spot.

“It would be a tight fit, I don’t want something to happen to her car.”

“She’d park it there.”

“She has the money to get it fixed if something happened.”

“Oh this is stupid,” Tina rolled her eyes laughing. “Drop me off at the door.”

“Fine,” Bette smiled and let Tina off at that door in front of The Planet. “I’ll be there shortly.”

Tina got out and walked into The Planet with a smile on her face. There, at the first table, sat her family. They were deep in conversation, not noticing when she walked up, hands in her jeans pockets to save the news for when Bette could join them.

“So they had a date? It’s one date among good friends!” Shane said laughing.

“But why go through the effort to make yourself a Belena then?” Alice questioned.

“That’s the dumbest word I’ve ever heard,” Tina broke into the conversation.

“I agree,” Helena muttered then noticing Tina was actually standing there. “How much of that conversation did you actually hear?”

“Enough,” Tina said smiling. “Where’s Angie?”

“She’s in my office with Kristen.”

“Ah,” Tina seemed confused. “Excuse me while I go check on my daughter.”

Tina walked down the hallway and knocked at Kit’s office door softly.

“Can I come in?” Tina asked.

Angelica lit up at the sound of her mother’s voice. She smiled and quickly walked to the door opening it and smiling at her mother.

“Hey you,” Tina said smiling at her daughter.

Angelica lunged into her mother’s arms knocking Tina slightly backward until she caught her footing.

“Wow, if everyday I was greeted like that.”

Kristen chuckled at the display in front of her, knowing that it was meant to be exactly how it was turning out for all of them.

“Hey Kristen,” Tina said breaking the silence between them as she hugged Angelica into her body.

“Hi Tina.”

“Everything ok?”

“I think so,” Kristen said smiling.

“Mom,” Angelica broke into the conversation. “Where’s Mama B?”

“She’s outside parking Aunt Helena’s car.”

“Did she?” Angelica hesitated not sure she would broach the subject of Bette’s plans without getting a clear sign from Bette that she actually followed through on her intent that her letter detailed.

Tina smiled, looking between Angelica and Kristen, not knowing how much to reveal in Kristen’s presence.

“It’s beautiful,” Kristen said smiling at Tina.

“I’m sorry?” Tina questioned.

“Your engagement ring,” Kristen pointed to Tina’s hand as it rested on Angelica’s back. “Absolutely stunning.”

“She did it!” Angelica jumped up and down quickly, hardly containing her excitement.

“If you’re referring to your mother asking me to marry her she did.”

“Oh my God! I am so excited! Where is Mama B?”

“She might be at the table already,” Tina said letting Angelica go as she was bursting to see her other mother. “I wanted to check on you and make sure you were ok.”

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been!”

“I see that,” Tina said smiling. “Angie, thanks for last night.”

“What about it?”

“The rings, on your bracelet,” Tina smiled. “It meant the world to both of us.”

Angelica seemed barely able to stay enclosed in Kit’s office for a moment longer.

“Go ahead.”

“Really?” Angelica asked hopeful at being let out to see Bette.

“Go see if she’s there.”

Angelica raced out of the office toward the front of The Planet to see Bette, never more excited to see her then she was at this moment.

“I’m sorry,” Tina said carefully.

“Don’t be.”

“I thought it might be awkward for you,” Tina said slowly. “I didn’t want to throw it at you without some warning.”

“If you’re this happy I can only imagine how happy Bette is. That means a lot to me Tina.”

“Thank you for that,” Tina said sincerely as she began to relax within the conversation. “I never thanked you for being so wonderful to the two people I love the most.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“It still deserves a thank you.”

“You’re welcome then,” Kristen said smiling. “Shall we?”

“Shall we what?”

“Go meet your fiancée for breakfast,” Kristen said getting used to the idea of Bette’s new relationship.

“I’d love to.”

Kristen walked up to Tina and put her arm around her shoulders. They walked like that out to the entrance of The Planet to greet Bette when she entered for breakfast.

“Where’s your sexless lover?” Alice asked Tina smiling at her witty comment.

“I can only assume you’re speaking of Bette.”

“Who else would I be speaking of?”

“She’s parking Helena’s car as we speak.”

“So why do we need to be here so freakin’ early?” Dana asked confused at the current state of events with her friends.

“I think we should wait for Bette to…” Tina was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder.

“Because I didn’t want to wait one more minute to tell all of you that Tina and I are, once again, celebrating our love by getting married.”

The look of shock that crossed over their friends’ faces was priceless. Bette smiled as she grabbed Tina’s hand and kissed her passionately in front of the table making her intentions known to the crowds that were now piling into The Planet.

“Oh my God,” Helena said smiling and standing up grabbing Tina in an embrace. “I am so happy for you both!”

Tina hugged her back as Dana wrapped her arms around both Helena and Tina to offer her support.

“I am so happy for you Baby Sis,” Kit wrapped her arms around Bette and squeezed her tight.

Angelica waited near the table watching as her extended family smothered her mothers with affection and well wishes.

“Do I get credit for this?” Alice said smiling at Bette and opening her arms to give her a hug.

“Hardly.”

Bette turned and faced Kristen smiling at her trying to read her reaction to the news.

“You knew already.”

“I talked to Tina when she came in,” Kristen said smiling at Bette unaware of Alice watching them.

“You ok?” Bette asked sincerely.

“Are you happy?”

“Without question.”

“Then so am I,” Kristen said opening her arms to offer a hug to Bette.

Bette walked into the embrace holding Kristen tight and rubbing her back.

“I want you to be happy,” Bette said.

“I am.”

“She’s a great person.”

“I know,” Kristen said.

“Are you talking about me like I’m not here?” Alice asked Kristen and Bette. “I can hear you just so you know.”

Bette laughed, then hearing her name called, she looked toward the counter.

“Ah my coffee,” Bette began to walk toward the cashier when Angelica began to walk to pick it up for her. Bette watched her intently, reading her every move and body language. Angelica put her hand on the coffee mug and also pointed to a blueberry muffin, asking to have the cost of it placed on Bette’s bill.

She looked back at the table once more to see Shane hugging both Bette and Tina at the same time. When the hug broke up, Bette and Tina locked hands in what seemed like habit, but everyone knew it meant so much more.

Angelica wiped a tear away from her eyes, waiting on the muffin, and wanting nothing more then to talk to Bette in private. She felt a hand on her back and, startled, she turned around to face a smiling Bette.

“You amazed me last night Angelica.”

“It was nothing,” Angelica felt herself blushing.

“You took my breath away.”

“That makes two of us.”

“The note?” Bette questioned.

“The note,” Angelica confirmed.

“I want to thank you Boo, for offering your support like you did. I can never tell you how much it meant to both your Mom and I.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Angelica said. “I should be apologizing for being the jerk I’ve been.”

“It hasn’t been easy,” Bette laughed. “But I can’t blame you given all that we threw at you.”

Bette took Angelica’s bracelet out of her pocket and handed it back to her. Angelica put it on quickly and stood there, not knowing how to express her emotions inside. Bette smiled and opened her arms, gathering Angelica in them, and hugging her as if it were the last one she’d ever give her.

“I can’t breathe Mama B.”

“And I can’t let go,” Bette smiled as she kissed the top of Angelica’s hair. “Thank you for leaving the rings and letting me know you were supporting us.”

“Thank you for giving me my family back.”

Tina watched as Bette and Angelica made their way back to the table and sat down. She caught Bette’s eyes as they silently communicated something they often did. Tina knew by the look in Bette’s eyes that Angelica was ok and things would move forward with them being a family.

“So Angie,” Dana got Angelica’s attention. “How’s school going? Is that girl still picking on you?”

“Ya know Aunt Dana, I don’t care what she has to say. She can just eat me if she doesn’t like it!”

Bette’s mouth gaped open as she stared at her daughter in shock.

“Where did you hear that Angie?” Tina asked already fearing she knew the answer.

Both Bette and Tina looked at Alice who now seemed fascinated with the rim of her coffee mug.

“Al?” Bette said with an underlying anger.

“What? I did learn that one in middle school and look how wonderful I turned out!”

The group laughed as Bette looked at her daughter to ensure she understood she was not to use that phrase anymore. Tina threw a napkin in Alice’s direction, hitting her on the side of the head.

“This is just how it should be,” Angelica thought to herself as she joined in laughing.