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Outside Angelica’s bedroom door, they ran into Bette coming from the master bedroom. She had changed into a light gray tanktop and a pair of loose black pants. Her slender fingers were gathering her hair into a ponytail, exposing the graceful curve of her neck.

“Bette…” Tina’s breath caught on the exhale and the name came out a sigh. This was the side of Bette that made her pulse race the fastest. She loved seeing Bette in power suits, feeling the warm press of her body through a silk blouse….but Bette in casual clothes could positively undo Tina’s sense of propriety. Bette didn’t have to make a show of control. Without any effort, the elegance of her power in repose was intoxicating.

“Ladies…” Bette flashed Tina and the baby a suave smile.

“Mama B!” Angelica crowed joyfully and wiggled around in Tina’s grasp.

“Hi boo…” Bette stepped in close and dropped a kiss on Angelica’s forehead. “You smell nice.”

Angelica’s cheeks bloomed with a happy blush, and she nuzzled into her mother’s kiss.

Bette moved another step closer and placed a kiss on Tina’s forehead too, lips lingering as she reveled in mingled scents of Tina’s hair, perfume, lipstick, fingertips, breath.

Bette bent to place a kiss at Tina’s earlobe. “You smell nice too.”

Bette’s mouth moved against the delicate arc of Tina’s ear. Warm breath, the flick of a tongue. A nibble.

A delicious chill ran over the nape of Tina’s neck. She had to lean against the doorjamb. Reaffrim her grip on Angelica.

Bette stepped back and enjoyed watching Tina attempt to collect herself. “I should check on dinner. I’ll come back to give you a goodnight kiss Angie.”

Tina and Angelica stood in the bedroom doorway, watching Bette go. The baby rested her head on Tina’s shoulder. “I love Mama B.”

Tina leaned her cheek on Angelica’s head. “Me too.”

Moving down the hall, Bette heard them, but not their words. Felt their gentle murmur floating, following her. And she knew that she was loved.

In the kitchen, Bette forced herself to focus on ordinary tasks, not ready to fully consider the implications of the extraordinary way this evening was making her feel. She checked on the pizza, and finding it done, turned the oven down to “warm.” She gathered dishes, napkins and silverware, and set the dining room table for two. She picked up the bottle of wine, which she had left breathing, and poured a glass for her, and one for Tina. Bringing the glasses with her, she walked back to Angelica’s room.

Bette opened the baby’s door slowly, silently, not wanting to disturb Angelica if she was already asleep. Peeking around the door, she saw the lights low, the glass mobile twinkling in the dim, Tina on the edge of Angelica’s bed, reading a picture book in a low hum. And in the midst of all this calm, Angelica, wide awake.

At the sight of Bette, she perked up even more. “Come, Mama.” She stood up in bed and held out her arms for a hug.

Bette put the wine glasses down on the bureau and went over to stand next to the bed.