Dana was happy that she had already won over her new niece. 

After Dana made her rounds ,she was rudely interrupted by Alice.  Who, after impatiently awaiting her turn pushed Dana out of the way.  Immediately, she regretted her actions as she turned back to Dana with a puppy dog look… “Please baby, don’t make me sleep on the couch…I am just a little excited is all.”

Tina laughed at this exchange and turned to Bette… “Some things never change.” And then she winked which caused Bette’s cheeks to flush and her smile to grow even wider.  She then returned her attention to Alice, who had been impatiently waiting her turn.  She tried to sneak in before Dana but her loving spouse would have nothing to do with that and blocked Alice in her pursuit of the Kennard women.

“It’s about time you showed up…Porter has been moping around for far too long.” This caused Tina to blush and Bette to bury her head into Chrissy’s hair.

“It’s nice to see you too Alice.”

After they hugged, Alice turned to Lizzy… “Alice Piaszecki…I’ll be happy to sign any copies of my novels that you might have.” She said with a huge grin…which faded when Lizzy looked at her with a confused expression…

“Mom, what is she talking about?”

Tina cringed… “Umm…Alice…lesbian romance novels are not really good literature for 10 year olds…In fact, they were a little too spicy for me…”

“That’s crap…you and Porter are both alike…depriving my nieces of top of the line literature…they are going to grow up deprived of my work.” Alice said, clearly hurt because her new niece did not know of her own fame and fortune…

Lizzy could see that Alice was hurt and she wanted to make her new aunt feel better…“I’m sorry, I would have read them, maybe if you write something else she would let me read it…”

This brought a smile to Alice’s face… “You know, I am working on something.  It is totally different from everything else that I have written before but I bet she would let you read it.”

“ “You know, I am working on something.  It is totally different from everything else that I have written before but I bet she would let you read it.”

“Yea, work on that one.” Lizzy smiled, glad that she would lift Alice’s spirits.

Bette and Chrissy stood back and watched as their family members became reacquainted with Tina and and Lizzy.

As they stood there, Bette whispered to her daughter… “I knew they’d fit in…and Lizzy sure is holding her ground with Alice.”

They both giggled and then returned to being silent observers…

As Bette stood behind Chrissy, wrapping her arms around her little girl, they both had the same thoughts going through their heads…their family finally felt complete.  After all these years, Chrissy had an inkling of what things could be, and she was more determined now than ever to make sure her mother found happiness with the beautiful Tina Kennard. 

Jane, Carmen, and Charlie were not acquainted with Tina and so they silently remained in the background, patiently awaiting their introductions. 

After all the commotion died down, Tina turned once again to Shane… “So Shane, I hear someone has finally won your heart…”

Shane smirked, “Yea, Tina and Lizzy, let me introduce you to my wife Carmen… Carmen quickly made her way from the table and hugged Tina and Lizzy… Oh and this is our little girl… Shane said proudly, patting Carmen’s belly. 

Tina smiled, “You will be a great mom Shane, and Carmen, it is nice to meet you.  You must be an extraordinary woman to have captured the heart of our dear Shane.”

Alice and Dana brought Charlie over… “And you must be Charlie.”

“Are you my aunt?”

Tina smiled…“Only if you want me to be.”

Charlie thought for a second and then smiled… “Yea, I think I would like that.  He turned to Lizzy… Are you my cousin like Chrissy?”

“Yea, I’m Lizzy.”

“Hi Lizzy, I’m Charlie…they hugged and then Charlie ran back to his mothers.” 

Tina turned to the last remaining person standing… “And you must be Jane…Bette has told me all about you.”

“Yes, I am…although I must admit, she hasn’t told me much about you.”

Chrissy couldn’t help but cut in… “It’s alright Jane, she hasn’t told me much about Tina either…don’t feel left out.”

Jane smiled… “Thanks kiddo.”

Finally, after all the heart felt exchanges and introductions were made, extra seats were retrieved, a table was added as the four newcomers were added to the brunch…

Tina sat down with Bette to her right and Lizzy to her left.  Chrissy opted to sit next to her sister rather than next to her mother. 

As soon as everyone was situated and brunch was ordered, the girls were eager to hear about Tina’s life and the events which brought her back to them and West Hollywood.

“So TK…spill it”

Tina laughed… “Spill what Alice?”

“What?!?! Come on, where have you been, what have you been up to…things like that…”

Tina was about to answer Alice when she felt a tap on her shoulder… “Umm…excuse me Ms. Kennard, but I was wondering if I could get your autograph…see, you have been instrumental in creating some of my favorite films…plus, I have a major crush on you...”

Tina smirked… “You’re such a smart ass…She turned her attention back to the gang… Girls, this is Annie, she is Lizzy’s nanny and one of my best friends.”   Everyone, especially Jane was delighted to see that Annie was the beautiful redhead who had captured their attention earlier in the morning. 

Anie laughed… “Sorry boss, I couldn’t help it.  You’re such an easy target.  Turning her attention to everyone at the table… Do you mind if I join you?”

Alice winked at Jane… “Not at all, pull up a seat, Tina here was just about to tell us what she has been up to.”

“Well Alice, from what Bette tells me, your sources were pretty correct.  I have been living in Manhattan for the last 12 years.  But there really isn’t much to tell about that.  It was just work and Lizzy.  But, I got an offer for a promotion a few months ago.  Lizzy and I talked about it and we decided that I should take the job and move out to California.  We thought it felt like the right thing to do at this time in our lives… She turned to look at Lizzy… Right Lizzy?”

Lizzy smiled… “Right mom.”

“Anyways, I just got here on Friday evening.”

Kit interrupted… “So then how did you already meet up with Bette and Chrissy?”

It was now Bette’s turn to speak up… “Well, you know the girls met at  camp…but I think Chrissy should explain this one.”

Chrissy blushed and smiled sheepishly but she felt like she was up for the task… “Well, they must have not changed much over the years because they both sent us to the same camp and got us the most expensive cabin and well…we just sorta clicked – instant best friends.  She inconspicuously pulled the picture out of her bag and glanced at it… Then I found this in Aunt Alice’s office… She showed the picture to everyone… Anyways, I had to show it to Lizzy right away so I told Aunt Alice that Jane was waiting for me at the house so that she would drop me off…except Jane wasn’t really there… She interrupted her story and turned to Alice… Sorry Alice but it was an emergency.”

Alice raised her eyebrows… “Hey, that’s fine with me as long as your mom doesn’t try to kill me.”

Chrissy figured it was best to continue with her story before her mom and Alice had a chance for an argument to escalate so, she continued… “So as I was saying…it turns out that they moved into my friend Jamie’s old house, you know…the one just down the street…”

“Tina you sly old dog…” Alice wiggled her eyes suggestively

Annie grinned… “That  actually would be my fault you see… I was in charge of house hunting for Tina and well, she didn’t know where the house was until she got here.”

“Well isn’t that convenient…” Alice added skeptically.

“So…like I was saying, I ran over to their house and Tina was outside carrying something inside…”

“And the moment I looked at her, I knew that she had to be Bette’s daughter.”

“And when they came over to my house, I could see Tina in her eyes and in her smile.” Bette remembered fondly.

Alice was now hurt,  “So you’ve known that they were here since yesterday and you didn’t tell us?”

Bette smirked… “Selfish aren’t I?”

“Anyways my dear aunts…you guys haven’t heard the best part yet.”

“There’s more?”  Dana asked, clearly interested in what Chrissy had to say.

“You tell ‘em Lizzy she smirked, It’ll make them love you more.”

“Ok, well besides Chrissy being my new best friend, she is also my sister.”

Alice choked on her coffee, sputtering, she said,  “Explain now Porter!”

“Well, It’s like Lizzy said…Tina and I inadvertently used the same donor.

“So Lizzy and I are half sisters.  Nice how that works out isn’t it?” Chrissy winked at Alice.  They had a subtle way of communicating.  With this gesture, Alice knew that her beloved niece had something up her sleeve.  She was anxious to hear her plans but she was also aware that it would probably be best if they continued the conversation with less of an audience present. 

The girls continued with brunch well off into the afternoon.  Things were running smoothly.  Everyone was catching Tina up on the events of their lives and Lizzy was becoming better acquainted with her new-found family.  Bette was so excited that Tina and Lizzy fit into the family so well… God, I knew that they would be accepted right away.  I am not really sure why Tina was so apprehensive to meet up with them today.  I mean, they are her friends too…granted, they haven’t seen each other in over a decade but, it is like she left just yesterday.  They are laughing and joking like they always would.