Tina looked over at Bette and offered an affectionate smile. She loved how much Bette adored Lauren and Logan, and over the past five years, they had formed a very close bond with her as well. Lori had also come a long way in accepting Bette as a member of the family, and although things had never quite been repaired with Louis and Tina, her mom had at least been civil enough to share time with Bette and Tina, and the year she died, had been a year where it seemed things had strengthened between them. The family had changed when Tina decided to share her sexuality, but five years later, looking at the woman who has brought her so much contentment and love, she knows she wouldn’t have ever changed a thing.

“Cool…..thanks Auntie Bette……I’ll be sure to make a contract to seal the deal with you later,” Lauren declared as she walked smugly out of the room, leaving the women to laugh at the young entrepreneur in the making.

“Wow if that isn’t Bette Porter in age eight form, I don’t know what is” Shane remarked as she watched Lauren walking with such a purpose through the kitchen towards the living room.

“Very funny” snapped Bette in return. “I can’t help that the girl is driven and loves art”

Tina arched a brow at Bette as a smile formed.

“What?” asked Bette as she seemed ready to defend whatever remark may ensue.

“I’m not sure she was just driven, as much as she was strongly encouraged,” offered Tina.

“What do you mean?” Bette questioned as the gang started to snicker at the light bantering beginning to start between Bette and Tina. A banter which they had all become accustomed to, and which showed their ability to poke a little fun at each other at different times. Tina folded her arms as she leaned against the hutch in the dining room.

“Well….let’s see…..between the subscription to the Children’s Artist Workshop magazine that she receives through the mail each month, tickets to that new Children’s Art Museum that opened a few years ago, which you ensure we all visit at least three times a year, and the puzzles of Monet and Picasso that she has come to expect on her Birthday and Christmas, I’m not so sure that she just made a wild decision to enjoy art”

“I may have offered some outlets which she could become more informed and perhaps share her expression, but certainly the appreciation for art lies within…..you can’t just create it,” Bette answered a bit more defensive than before.

“Baby, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing” Tina quickly offered, in response to Bette’s small self-protective tone. Rubbing her arm she continued “I’m just saying that Lauren may not have just woke up one day with such an inspiration without seeing the passion that you have for art. It’s a good thing. I would rather see her inspired by something positive, than getting involved in something harmful”

Before Bette could offer a reply, Lori came into the dining room carrying the pan of lasagna, prompting Dana to grab the available trivet and move it to one of the few spaces still available on the table.

“Thank you. Did you girls eat anything yet?” Lori asked.

As if on cue, most everyone nodded or said that they had not.

“Well please, don’t be shy, there is plenty here,” Lori said as she wiped her hands on the dish towel that she had used to carry the pan of lasagna in. The phone had rang, prompting her to quickly walk back towards the kitchen.

“How is your sister holding up?” Dana asked as she watched Lori answer the phone in the other room.

“She is having her moments. It has been hard over the years trying to get to a point where she, Mom and Dad reconciled. She never really got over everything that happened that first Thanksgiving, but for the sake of the kids, the olive branch was extended and everyone seemed to do their best to be civil…….but it had not been easy” Tina admitted as she watched Lori hold the phone to her chest as she politely greeted the neighbors who had stopped by.

Dana was the first to grab a paper plate and pick through the antipasto, being choosy about what things she wanted to retrieve. As she did, the rest of them joined in, taking a plate and carefully lifting some of the aluminum foil and covers from the number of dishes on the table, inspecting what lay hidden beneath each.

***************
LATER
Tina is laying on the couch watching television when Bette comes out of the bedroom, having changed into her black satin pajama’s after taking her shower. She walks towards the living room as she puts her hands through her damp hair.

“Do you want me to heat up some apple cider?”

“I would love that” Tina replied, not hesitating a moment to decline that offer. Apple cider during the Fall and Winter months was something she always enjoyed.

“Do you want a little cinnamon in it?”

“Sure”

Bette turned back towards the kitchen to heat the cider up on the stove. It had been 4 years since Tina had sold her place and moved in with Bette. A year after that, they had gotten married and Bette had put her name on the deed to the house. With the sale of Tina’s home, and the merging of their bank accounts, both women were in a financially stable position. It had been an adjustment for Bette in particular, to give up some independence she had when it came to finances and other things that a committed relationship, and certainly a marriage would require in terms of a more joint approach to things. Although Bette’s home had been arranged in a way which had been quite artsy, it also had been a bit stale, plain. White walls had offered a very bland appearance. After moving in, both women had decided that a new look was indeed needed. Bette had impressed Tina when she gave her a fair amount of room to make decisions in bringing new flavor to the décor. The end result, mixed Bette’s feel for a contemporary and artsy feel, with Tina’s need to bring more warmer colors for the walls, and more plants throughout the house. She loved gardening, and bringing part of the outdoors in, was important for her. Of course, with Tina, came Jake. Yet another adjustment for Bette, as she never had pets once she had gone off to college. Because she was traveling often before she landed the job at the CAC, pets were not something she could even consider, unless it was a cat, and she was never very fond of those times they would shed on her expensive suits…..not that Jake has been free of that problem.