"I see the same person that drew me in and made me feel the most important person in the world every time I looked at her."
Megan stared at Tina pleading with her eyes.
"You know I'm right," Megan said softly. "You know it in your heart or you still wouldn't be with her all these years later. You know her the best Tina and I challenge you to tell me I'm wrong."
"I can't," Tina muttered in a soft voice.
"I'm not asking for an answer right now," Megan sniffled as she wiped tears from her face once more. "I have enough time to finish the show and get it off the ground."
"How long is that?" Tina asked afraid of the answer. "Are we talking months or years."
"Months," Megan said bravely.
Tina looked at Megan and the two sat staring at each other for a moment before Megan broke the silence.
"Don't pity me Tina; just help me by taking care of Sarah as if she were your own."
"This is a lot to take in," Tina said.
"You are a mom Tina, you know how hard it is to think of another woman raising your child as her own and missing out on the lifetimes of 'firsts' and the joy a child can bring. It breaks my heart when I'm not with her. I know you understand how hard this is for me."
"I do," Tina quickly agreed. "I don't know that I would be as brave."
"Just promise me one thing," Megan begged.
Tina arched her eyebrow as her answer waiting for Megan to voice her request.
"Think about it before you even talk to Bette," Megan pleaded. "We can talk to her together. Let it sink in for a few days and we'll talk again before we discuss anything with Bette."
"I have to share this with Bette."
"Not yet," Megan begged. "I don't want her pity or her answer before we've talked again Tina. I'm begging you for this one thing."
The tone of voice, Megan begging Tina for her request, continued to ring in her ears as she pulled her car into the driveway and parked it. She shut the engine off, drained from the weight of the day, barely able to control her emotions that sat uncomfortably just below the surface.
"I'm begging you..." Tina could hear Megan's voice as she shut the car off and tried to still her shaking hands.
Tina got out of the car and tried to take a few deep breaths before entering the house with her work that needed to be completed by tomorrow morning, but went ignored in lieu of paying Megan a visit.
Tina opened the door and was quickly greeted by Bette's voice, as she was engaged in a debate with their daughter regarding her actions over the weekend. Tina remembered that the discussion of Angelica's punishment was scheduled for tonight, but was emotionally drained to the point of feeling sick at the thought of taking on another issue.
"Hey Babe," Bette said looking up from Angelica as she heard Tina walk in. "Are you ok?"
"Fine," Tina answered feeling numb and working to block out Megan's voice ringing in her head. "Why?"
"You look like you just saw a ghost."
"Nothing like that," Tina offered a small smile as she dropped her briefcase on the floor near the table and took a seat across from Bette, positioning Angelica now in between them.
Bette frowned at the look on Tina's face, coupled with the fact that she had not greeted Angelica nor offered Bette a kiss hello, which was her usual routine.
"We were just debating what Angelica considers fair as a punishment."
"Against?"
"What I do," Bette answered.
"Any decisions?" Tina asked still fighting the images of Megan falling apart in front of her eyes.
"We waited for you," Bette said concerned at Tina's appearance. "Maybe you should change and relax a bit, you look a little frazzled."
"I'm fine."
"How was your meeting?" Bette asked thinking work had Tina upset.
"Fine."
"I'm sorry Mom," Angelica broke in seizing an opportunity seeing Tina's weakness. "I know it was stupid and it will never happen again."
"I don't believe that," Tina said feeling numb.
"I promise."
"Your word right now," Tina snapped at Angelica. "Your word means nothing to me until you earn my trust back. I give it once freely Angelica. Now it's up to you whether you deserve it or not once it's broken."
Angelica let her tears fall in a dramatic fashion, praying inside her head for some leniency from one of her mothers, but knowing she wasn't about to have her wish granted.
"All I can do is say sorry," Angelica cried. "You have to trust me."
"We don't have to do anything of the sort," Bette broke into the conversation.
Bette looked over at Tina and saw in her eyes things she had not seen a long time. Tina's eyes were reflecting sadness, fear, stress, confusion, anger, and an overall concerning look. Bette laid her hand on Tina's and caught her eye as she looked across the table to see what had covered her hand.
"Are you ok?" Bette asked very concerned at Tina's demeanor.
"Maybe I will change and rest for a second," Tina said.
She got up from the table and even Angelica looked worried about Tina. She looked at Bette and looked scared at her mother's state of mind and blinked back tears.
"She'll be ok," Bette covered her hand over Angelica's before getting up to check on Tina in the bedroom.
"Am I supposed to wait here for my punishment?"
"You're grounded from everything other than school and working every weekend at either the gallery, the studio, or The Planet to keep you out of trouble," Bette turned and faced Angelica with a seriousness in her eyes and voice. "And Angelica if I even so much as think you are hanging around with Tracy in any fashion, I'll strangle her in front of you so you have a preview of what's to come for you. Do I make myself clear?"
"No Tracy and manual labor," Angelica repeated happy the punishment wasn't worse. "For how long?"
"As long as I think it should be before we ship you to a convent," Bette muttered as she walked down the hallway to check on Tina.
07/24/2007 ,
21:45:06 PM From:
Galaxy Any Size Comments:
GUMBY!Thanks for the shout out and your faith in me to tell the story. Your vote of confidence means a lot. Looking forward to the sequel to "On Center Stage". I LOVED IT and can't wait for more! SHEV!
07/24/2007 ,
21:59:23 PM From:
Audi Comments:
Megan still creeps me out. She acted all up on Bette to test her? Riight. I see mothers giving up their kids always trying to sexually tempt the adoptive parents. Huh? But, I am beyond happy there will be a sequal to Center Stage. I hope its fun, adorable, light hearted, and hilarious like the last one. Maybe the Kennards are coming to LA? Absolutely can't wait.
07/24/2007 ,
22:21:49 PM From:
superdaddy Comments:
damn Gumby this was sad..... it's interesting what lengths ppl go to for their kids. It's all fiction yeah we know, but it has happened in reality so many times. Now u left the post there with Tina out of sorts, Bette being worried and Angelica still up to no good (to a certain degree). When will the next post be up this is pure angst waiting to read the out come of this fabulous story!!!! It's would b so great if you updated every day or every other day!!!! do u get the hint???? HUH?? HUH???
07/24/2007 ,
22:28:31 PM From:
wildtouch Comments:
AWESOME UPDATE GUMBO....I LOVE THIS.....AND CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE.....THANX FOR 2 POSTS IN ONE NIGHT........MAKES ME FEEL ALL GIDDY.....
07/24/2007 ,
22:35:39 PM From:
smiley Comments:
Damn you Gumby for making me not hate Megan! lol Speaking of sequels I think "Smoking Mirrors" can get a 'lil somthin' too, don't cha ya think?!? lol In any event , any story you write will be great! As for Angelica, if she decides to sneak out can you have Bette and Tina sitting outside of her window or in front of the front door when she is about to leave or coming back? Did you ever see the episode of the cosby show when Vanessa snuck out to see "The Retched"concert and then when she came back Claire and Cliff were sitting behind the front door to a very surprised Vanesssa? Classic Episode! But you know what would be funnier is if Bette/Tina show up to the dance in thier pajamas and drag Angelica's ass right out of there! That would be priceless! lol Post soon!
07/24/2007 ,
22:38:27 PM From:
TMerlin Comments:
"Gumby style" forever! Nice twist to the story! Look forward to the next one...chappy and story.
07/24/2007 ,
22:46:14 PM From:
rsa Comments:
Another great chapter. Looking forward to how this story plays out.
07/24/2007 ,
22:46:22 PM From:
jb621 Comments:
My vote is for the CONVENT! LMAO! Gumby, I've used that the convent line on my daughter and when she was younger she just looked at me w/ horror. Now,she is a young adult and she just smirks and walks away shaking her head. Hopefully, B & T will do the right thing and honor Megan's wishes. Fantastic chapter and I can't wait for the sequel to "On Center Stage."
07/24/2007 ,
23:18:41 PM From:
azmama Comments:
Gumby...You are amazing. It's a big step for Bette and Tina. It's not as if the child is Shane's or Alice's or another close friend's. "On Center Stage" was a boffo story. Totally hilarious, clever, sexy and thoroughly enjoyable. It could be a series like National Lampoon's Vacation series of movies. PPS.
07/25/2007 ,
01:51:57 AM From:
coop Comments:
Damn, these last few chapters that our fav fanfic authors have written are emotionally draining me. I truly believe in the end Bette and Tina will take Megan's daughter and give her the love she will need and deserve. HOw hard it must be for Megan. I'm not thrilled by her means but they make sense. Your thinking of entrusting that which you hold most dear, why would you not do everything you could to make sure you choose the right people.
07/25/2007 ,
01:53:01 AM From:
pattifloatn Comments:
I cried while reading this chapter. The fear of leaving a special life behind and not really knowing what to do has got to be one of the most frightening thoughts for any person. I hope that this story will end on some happy note. Oh by the way Angelica is getting off easy.
07/25/2007 ,
05:26:33 AM From:
jp22 Comments:
Well it's all come out, and Tina's got a lot to think about. How long it'll take her to make up her mind is another matter. As for Angie... the crocodile tears aren't working. She'd better re-think her plans, cos once her parents catch wind of them, she'll long for the safety of a convent. Great as usual, Gumby, thanks.
07/25/2007 ,
05:46:57 AM From:
skycaptain Comments:
This is so sad and captivating. Poor Megan. And to Su's comments on the last chapter...Bette dosen't want Tina to have the baby...she didn't say she didn't want more kids, I think she even mentioned adoption...you just hate Tina and want to cut her off at the pass any chance you get...you need to embrace Tina Susannah cause she's not going anywhere *insert evil laugh here* Love ya Su...lol. Keep the chapters coming Gumby love this story.
07/25/2007 ,
07:17:48 AM From:
Rau Comments:
intense, poor tina...
07/25/2007 ,
08:11:22 AM From:
Paula53 Comments:
First, let me say that I love this story and secondly I love the way you have several stories going on at once and you balance them perfectly. Megan is a very difficult character to like. For some reason I just don't feel that sorry for her. I also think that if she was so devoted to her daughter whe would take the 20% and try to do all she could to live. I know that would mess up the giving the baby to Tina story though LOL!!! It would give Bette and easier way out of her dilemma with Tina snd the whole baby thing.Whatever you decide to do with these characters I am along for the ride. You have hooked me.
07/25/2007 ,
09:04:01 AM From:
darkhawkdown1 Comments:
Hello Gumby, you are so rocking this story. I love everything that you have put into this story the level of commitment to each of the characters and their personalities is really inspiring... consider this writer inspired. If this keeps up I might have to put my own brand on the L Word universe... hmmm... thank you for your stories and your inspiration. PPS. Sincerely, JC
07/25/2007 ,
10:23:30 AM From:
kbergin47 Comments:
This was so beautifully written. It was hard to read with the tears in my eyes. I hope B&T will take Sarah as their own. Can't wait for more!
07/25/2007 ,
11:03:43 AM From:
brighteyez07 Comments:
Nice twist, love Tina being an Alpha, poor megan, cant even imagine what shes going thru.
07/25/2007 ,
11:09:38 AM From:
OneStorm1 Comments:
This whole situation has really shaken Tina up, she needs to process the information so she can talk to Bette as soon as possible.
07/25/2007 ,
11:37:02 AM From:
Suejan Comments:
U know I think Megan has a baby that she wants B&T to adopt cos she is dien n this is goin solve the wish of T wanting another baby and fear of B losing her in childbirth complications lol.
07/25/2007 ,
12:11:46 PM From:
prasnil Comments:
Excellent chapter Gumby! Now i feel sorry for Megan. PPS
07/25/2007 ,
12:50:35 PM From:
Dainty Comments:
As I said before, what a heck of a story. Hopefully Tina will see this as a method for having a second child even if it is not of her and Bette. Children are a gift, no matter from where you receive them. When they are place in your love and care, it does not matter that they were not borne of your body. Maybe, just maybe after they discuss this , Bette and Tina will acquiesce. Can hardly wait to read what happens next. PPS
07/25/2007 ,
14:03:13 PM From:
tylo Comments:
hey my computer is down for a few day and you go post crazy and drop bombs all over the place!!!!!!!!!! loved it megan ur ok in my book for now
07/25/2007 ,
20:27:06 PM From:
bbb Comments:
Hey, this is a great story...hopefully they will find a way to, I don't know how to say...make things work out with the Megan story. I would adopt, at anytime. I do think that is a personal decission on their part although. Prayers are for them. Keep up the great writing. Thank you again for keeping us glued to the updates.
07/25/2007 ,
21:10:10 PM From:
kelika Comments:
Interesting you answered alot of questions here. PPS
07/25/2007 ,
21:19:33 PM From:
kinda Comments:
I love the way you write... I love this story... Megan's biggest secret broke my heart... OMG! It's been a long time since a fanfiction brought tears in my eyes... OMFG! thks a lot! Post soon!
07/26/2007 ,
10:58:03 AM From:
Lamentamini Comments:
I'm finally caught up. lol First, I'm quoting skycaptain for truth. I get so damn sick of people hating on Tina (in the comments of a B&T story no less...wtf is that about?) no matter how right or wrong she is. Don't like Tina? Don't read a B&T story! It's not that hard to understand. The same applies to people who aren't fond of Bette. As for Megan, I really think she could've used another method to see how strong B&T are. I don't know what that would be but flirting and carrying on is just lame. Like someone else said, Megan should have at least tried treatment before just giving up. And for the record, I thought digging into Megan's life was a bit extreme. Whatever happened to head-on confrontation and threatening to bitchslap someone? ;)
07/26/2007 ,
22:23:22 PM From:
gigi1976 Comments:
Well, I, too, love this story but for my tirade it's going to be Angelica! Still trying to f*ck with the rents after everything. We need a good ole Auntie Kit upside the head with your dumb narrow ass scene! What's so funny is I think I did all the same crap when I was her age! LOL.
07/27/2007 ,
18:03:58 PM From:
miamigrl Comments:
Poor Megan & poor Tina. What a crappy situation. Angie seems to be SOL for A WHILE but she needs to learn her lesson.
12/09/2007 ,
22:47:17 PM From:
ut Comments:
Poor megan, this is to much to take in!
