“You still love her,” her own sister had pointed it out to her once, not too long after Angelica turned 1.

She had no reply to that. It was true, she still loved Tina. But Bette also knew that love was not the same as it was nine years ago. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something they weren’t ready to acknowledge.

Angelica’s laughter rang loud in her mind. The resulting smile was calming, though the wine had easily helped move things along. Her thoughts went back to Tina, how she had retreated as soon as the fireworks show ended outside.

“I need to go,” Tina announced as they lied motionless on Bette’s bed.

Bette tried not to let her disappointment show. “You don’t have to pick up Angie till 10.”

Tina cringed at the almost accusatory tone in Bette’s words. “I don’t feel too well.”

It was moot to say anything to Tina at this point. Bette recognized the telltale signs. She sighed, and got up to put on some clothes. Without a glance at the other woman, Bette headed for her briefcase on the couch.

“Why do we keep doing this to each other?” Bette mumbled to herself.

Tina heard Bette’s musing, despite her better effort. She cleared her throat, shifting on her feet nervously. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Yeah, sure,” Bette answered offhandedly. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

The blonde hung her head low; this distance was her doing. She followed Bette in silence. Her mind was screaming at her to stay and talk to Bette. The click of the door unlocking brought her out of her daze.

“Drive safely,” Bette offered in a dull tone, holding the door open impatiently.

She was expecting some resistance from Bette, but still she couldn’t help run her mouth. “Thanks for helping clear my head.”

Neither one of them missed the subtle change in Bette’s demeanor or the labored breathing. For a split second, Tina wasn’t sure what to do. She turned around to face Bette, but the woman already had closed the door. Her hand was raised in midair; she was ready to knock on the door. The roar of her pulse was too much. She began to back away. There would be no change of seasons tonight.