Previously...

“Oh hey mom…this is my new best friend from camp…Lizzy, and she is our new neighbor.”

Tina gasped…this was the moment when her life would collide with Bette.  She watched with a renewed attention as Lizzy was introduced to Bette…

“Why hello Lizzy…let me take a look at you, see if you pass as an Elizabeth.”

Bette turned to Lizzy and, just as she had with Chrissy, she looked the young girl up and down… “Long legs, beautiful mocha skin, she got to Lizzy’s smile… beautiful…smile…something seemed familiar, she glanced up into Lizzy’s eyes and froze…. “Oh…God….Without a second thought, Bette pulled Lizzy in for a tight hug with tears running down her cheeks…

Tina watched this interaction with awe.  With new tears streaming down her face, Tina took a deep breath and came out of her hiding place... “I had the exact same reaction…their eyes, they give them both away.”

Absentmindedly Bette responded… “She has your smile too…”  Bette realized what she said, in shock she turned her head.  There, wrapped in Lizzy’s arms, Bette whispered… “T?”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Bette was absolutely stunned.  So many different things were hitting her at once and her mind could not comprehend it.  One moment she was happy to be reunited with her beautiful daughter, the next she was meeting her daughter’s new friend, who turned out to be the image of a daughter Bette had dreamt about when she and Tina had first thought of having a child.  Looking into her eyes, Bette was sure that she was the daughter of Tina Kennard.  They were a brilliant hazel.  Bette could see the beautiful green specks glistening deep within them. 

And then, BAM, she heard the voice of her former lover.  It was soft and tender, it felt like home to Bette.  She responded as if with a natural occurrence.  Like something she had been doing daily for the last 20 years, it was a comfortable reaction.  It felt like home. 

Then it dawned on Bette…Oh my God, that is Tina, isn’t it?... Reality came shooting  back to her.  She had to do a double take.  Not only was she hugging Tina’s daughter, but now, the source of Lizzy’s life was standing only feet away with tears rolling down her cheeks. 

Bette stared at Tina…God, she is stunning.  And I cannot believe she is standing here, in front of me, in front of our house…after all these years.  I feel like I am dreaming.  I actually think it is a dream.  If I move from this point, I fear that it will all go away.  She is absolutely stunning.  She looks like an angel.  The years have most definitely been good to Ms. Kennard.  She looks like she is in top shape.  And that face, oh God, that beautiful face.  It is more beautiful that which is portrayed in my dreams.  My dreams were accurate, how couldn’t they be?  I spent 8 years of my life with her…but over the years, your memory forgets specifics…my dreams could never portray the light that emanates from her eyes, or the subtle beauty of her smile.  My dreams could never express the warmth of her voice when she spoke to me.  And how the sound of her giggle filled me with life and happiness.

And her beautiful blonde hair.  It is much longer than it was the last time I saw her.  It is just a bit longer than it was when we first met.  I always loved it when she wore her hair in soft curls…just as she has it now.  It is so delicate…so…so elegant…so… Tina…

Tina was amused at the look of shock which adorned Bette’s face.  Tina felt somewhat bad for Bette.  She had been given a few moments to digest all that was going on.  First, last night, she found out that she was back in the old neighborhood, then this afternoon she found out that Bette had a daughter…a daughter who is the half-sister of her own daughter, and now, to see Bette, after all these years…

Damn, she looks good.  Just as I knew she would.  I always told her that she would age well…and she has. 

She is still hugging Lizzy.  It is almost like she is holding on to her with a death grip, like…if she lets go, she may fall to the ground.  Like, if she lets go of my little angel, everything before her eyes will disappear.

In all actuality, that is probably the case.  She is probably completely stunned.  Tina grinned… Serves her right…the least she deserves is a bit of a shock. 

Standing here, looking at her, I cannot hate.  At least not right now…I just cannot hate this woman.  As much as I want to despise her…to punish her for how she wronged me…I was right when I said that I forgave her.  She is no longer the same woman who betrayed me. 

Now, she is a beautiful mother who absolutely adores her daughter.  And her daughter is her mother’s greatest fan…She is hugging Lizzy like the other mother I always wanted her to have.  Many women have wanted the role that Bette never knew she had.  I just could not give them something that was not mine to give. 

In this moment, I cannot find it within me to even be slightly angry with her. 

Tina moved to Chrissy and took her in her own arms… She didn’t know what caused her to do so.  She just felt as though it was the right thing to do.  In that particular moment, it was like their family was right, and it was real.  For that moment in time, the two women silently reveled in the feelings of love that emanated around them.  Both women already felt a deep love for the other’s child.  Disregarding the fact that they had never met, the children were an extension of their mothers.  Through these embraces, the women felt a sense of one another.

After a few more moments of hugging, Tina leaned down to Chrissy and whispered in her ear… “Chrissy, honey, why don’t you take Lizzy inside and show her your room?”

“Yea… ok Tina”  Chrissy slowly eased away from her hug with Tina.

Chrissy walked over and pried Lizzy from her mother’s grip… “Come on Lizzy, let’s go inside… Turning to her mother… Mom, I believe Tina would like to talk to you…”  Chrissy and Lizzy were anxious to know why their mothers were being so cryptic.  Neither of them had said much since they saw each other.  They had simply pulled the girls in to death locks and the girls were unsure how much longer they could last without proper oxygen flow.  Knowing now was not the best time to ask questions, they both decided to give their mothers the requested privacy.

“Ummm…ok, thanks honey.”

Bette gazed as the two girls as they quickly made their way into the house…

“Bette…”

Bette abruptly turned her gaze towards Tina.  She slowly took the few steps closing the gap between them, and then gracefully, she raised her hand to Tina’s face and lightly traced her fingers over her cheek and down to her chin.  It was as though she were suret Tina was a dream, and needed to make sure she was real by touching her, by feeling her warmth beneath her fingertips.  As a new set of tears began streaming down her face, Bette came to her senses… “Oh God…Tina…” With that, Bette pulled Tina into a deep hug, never wanting to let her go.  The two women stayed there for many moments, both reveling in the idea that they were there, and that they were together.  After all this time, fate had brought them back to one another.  At this very moment, no words were needed.  They simply needed to feel each other and know that they were no longer alone.

After what felt like ages, Bette pulled back to look at Tina… “Tina… what are you doing here?”

Tina grinned…“Well, hello to you too Bette…”

“No, no… I am glad to see you…I am just…stunned…I mean, I haven’t heard from you or seen you in what?...12 years, and here you are, out of the blue…but… then again…you don’t seem to be too stunned to see me.”

Tina smirked…“I should probably explain, shouldn’t I?”

“Yea, I think that would be good.”

“Umm…I think we should sit…”

“Good idea…” Tina followed after Bette as they both sat down on the front porch steps.

After a few more moments of silence, Tina stated… “I am not really sure where to begin…”