In the kitchen Bette was heating up the crock pot “This isn’t ruined babe – come and taste this – tastes pretty good to me”
“Can you come with me for a minute?”
“Okay but no longer – you don’t want this ruined do you?” Bette grinned
Tina took Bette by the hands “I love you “
“I love you too – even though I think you might have strangled me a few minutes ago”
“I wanted to kill you” Tina admitted
“Been a while since you really got that pissed off with me “Bette smiled hoping that she was off the hook
“I lied to you “
Bette raised an eyebrow
“Why?”
“I have been planning to be alone with you for a few days – It wasn’t a spur of the moment thing- I am sorry it seemed that I don’t take into account your feelings… Come with me “
Bette obeyed Tina and followed her to their bedroom. Tina gestured for Bette to sit down which she did while Tina went into their bathroom. When she emerged she was carrying a large insulated box. A distant memory stirred for Bette who stared at the item.
“I had this sent from LA – it arrived a couple of weeks ago and I collected it today. I wanted you to myself because I wanted this to be perfect – I want us to make a baby together – this is Marcus Allenwood’s sperm Bette “

NEW YORK MINUTE

CHAPTER 97

Bette was totally floored by what Tina had said and also by the insulated box in front of her.
“”I collected some insemination tubes this morning because every day for the last few days I have been testing to see if I was fertile – I am. Nothing would make me happier than you making me pregnant and us having 9 months of sharing everything to do with me being pregnant. I want another baby so much Bette. I am not getting any younger so I think we should not wait any longer”
“Wow “Bette said “I – I really didn’t expect this “
“I know – you have been working really hard lately and I know it’s because this is a really busy time for you at the gallery. I am so sorry I got angry with you – I just wanted this to be perfect “
Tina put the box down and sat on the bed with Bette who looked genuinely shocked.
“This is right Bette – the timing is right and I want this to be OUR experience.”
“Wow Tina – you always could take my breath away – this just “
“You still want a baby don’t you?” Tina asked “You haven’t gone off the idea – I know what with one thing and another we haven’t talked about it for a few weeks but – please say this is something you want as much as I do”
Bette suddenly was aware of how desperate Tina was sounding. She faced the blonde and took her hands
“Tina – Tina – of course I want another baby. You and I have talked about it almost since we started living together again. Yes I want another baby – I want lots of babies but for now I will settle for just the one “
Tina sighed “You mean it?”
“Of course -I am sorry that tonight didn’t go the way you wanted it to”
“It doesn’t matter – if I get pregnant tonight – that’s all that matters – that you and I start trying to make a baby together. No secrecy this time I swear – me getting the sperm sent over is as sneaky as I will get I mean it Bette “
“I know – its okay “
Tina exhaled “You and I should know better than to even try making plans – they always go wrong and one of us gets upset and the other one doesn’t know what they have done “
Bette lent forward and kissed Tina on the lips “its okay – stop talking and just kiss me”
Tina closed her eyes and sunk into a long and tender kissing session. When it ended Bette smiled at her
“The dinner is still cooking in the kitchen “
“Oh fuck – lets go and eat”
“You don’t want to make a baby at this very minute?”
“I wanted us to have a quiet dinner together just talking and relaxing together with all our attentions on one another “
“Well let’s go and do that – we can have a lie in tomorrow. James is off to Chicago – it’s not the end of the world if I don’t open the gallery until 11”
“A lie in?”
“Yeah – why not – you remember having a lie in don’t you?”
“A distant memory “ Tina admitted “Oh Bette “
“It’s okay – let go and eat and then we can just shove everything into the dishwasher and we can come to bed and try and make a baby “
Bette stood up and pulled Tina up with one hand. They embraced
“I would like nothing more than to make a baby with you – you have to know that “
“I do – I just freaked “
“Sssh – its okay – come on – let’s eat “
They went back through to the kitchen and while Bette cut some crusty bread, Tina heated up the crock pot. Bette finished her task and went across to the oven and cuddled up to Tina
“I cannot wait to get you pregnant – it will be awesome “
“I might not get pregnant first time – in fact I probably won’t but we have to try – every time we try and fail we get closer to succeeding “
“I know – thank you “
“You don’t have to thank me – this is what we both want “
“Your parents will love being grandparents “
“I know and it is part of it but the most important thing is that I get pregnant for us.”
Bette pushed Tina’s hair to one side and kissed her ear “I love you “she whispered
Tina closed her eyes and sighed – this was more what she had hoped would happen. Bette blew into Tina’s ear making her knees feel that they were not up to the job of holding her up.
“Bette”
“I love you so much “Bette whispered
“Are you going to let me get dinner ready”
“I am not stopping you “Bette replied chuckling
“I think you will find you damn well are “
Bette stopped kissing Tina’s ear but didn’t let go of her. Finally the dinner was ready and Tina served the meal onto two plates, switched the oven off and they walked through to the sofa and sat down together
Bette was hungry and dived straight into her food “This is awesome “
“You are hungry enough to eat a horse “
“I am but this is lovely – we should make this again “
The food was lovely but neither were giving the food much attention. As soon as Tina finished her meal she took both plates and went to fill up the dishwasher. Bette lent back and took a few deep breathes and took in the events of the evening. This was so unexpected – yes they had talked about having a baby – they had talked A LOT but never to the point where they had agreed to start doing anything about it. It was fantastic that Tina had taken the decision and Bette was thrilled if still startled that she had. She closed her eyes and composed herself. As she went through her deep breathing routine she started thinking about all the times in the past when they had done an insemination. For all the care and attention they had paid to Tina’s body and her ovulation cycle it had been an ordeal for both of them. Both of them sharing the disappointment of every month Tina’s period arriving and being the announcement of another failure. The one time it had worked had been special – Bette remembered that night fondly but thinking about that only brought to her mind the miscarriage that followed a few weeks later. Bette couldn’t forget that pain or hurt – that had been the real beginning of the end for them – and especially for her. When Tina came through she saw that Bette was resting on the sofa with her eyes closed. Tina watched her and realized that the brunette was crying – slow tears escaping her eyes.
“Babe “Tina sat down beside her – Bette opened her eyes and looked at her lover
“Sorry “”
“What’s wrong?”
Bette shook her head “Bad memories “
Tina sighed and took Bette’s hand “You have to put them out of your head. What happened in LA has got no bearing on what happens now. We were very different people”
“I couldn’t lose another baby “
“I know – we are not going to lose the baby – let’s make it first eh. I mean it babe – we are going to be okay. There is a totally different aura about us now – we have both shed the toxic parts of both our personalities – you do know that don’t you?”
Bette nodded “Sorry “
“It’s okay – should I have given you more notice?”
“No – no – it’s an awesome surprise “
“We both suffered more than we should have. Me losing our son – that was when it all started to crumble isn’t it?”
Bette nodded “I couldn’t hold it together – I did try “
“I know “Tina took Bette’s face with both her hands and placed a soft and loving kiss on her lips “its okay – it was fate – shit happens but the most important thing is that it’s over. We are not going to let that crap ruin our future. Are you okay?”
Bette nodded “Sorry- that just crept up on me and I started reliving the whole thing”
“Come on – let’s go and lie down. We have all night – its only ten past nine – we have hours – we can still be making out 12 hours from now – nothing is going to stop us. Let’s very slowly make love to each other and then it will be really easy to make our baby”
Bette pulled Tina close and held the blonde “Thank you – thank you so much for being who you are “
“Thank you for being who you are – I couldn’t be with anyone else – Angie and I love you so much “
Tina took Bette’s hands and stood up “This is right “
Bette nodded – together they walked to their room. Bette went to take a shower and compose herself. She could feel that at the moment she was too tense to enjoy what was going to be a great night regardless of the success or failure of this insemination. They had made some wonderful memories when they had been trying to get pregnant. Those moments had been rare oasis of tenderness at a time when Bette’s job meant that they didn’t spend enough time together. The hot water of the shower and the gentle smell of the shower gel helped to unwind Bette so that by the time she emerged she did feel much more positive about this new phase of their relationship. This was the most natural next step for them – a new baby would be the icing on the cake after the euphoria of finally being able to call Tina her wife again.
Tina had abandoned the jeans, boots and blouse. She had quickly undressed and after considering putting on some sexy lingerie she had simply jumped into bed naked. Scantly undies and candle light was all very well but they didn’t need them tonight – there would be no interruptions – that was a rarity that deserved to be celebrated. Bette came into the bedroom and saw Tina sitting up in bed naked looking at the tiny vial of sperm.
“Checking on it?”
“It looks as strong as ever”
“Should we have had it tested?”
“It’s fine – it’s been kept safe – it’s not ice cream”
Bette smiled and got onto their bed – she looked at the sperm “Hello boys”
“They produced Angie – they are brilliant”
Tina turned and put the vial down on the bed of tissues she had created to cushion the sperm sample and the syringe they would use when they were ready to inseminate her. She looked back at Bette who was watching her.
“This is special “
“It is “
Tina pulled Bette closer and they started kissing. Bette moved so she was lying between Tina’s legs as their kissing and touching began to get serious. Knowing they would not be interrupted made them both more relaxed and willing to take their time touching and exploring one another. Bette was kissing and sucking at Tina’s breasts as Tina had her hand between Bette’s thighs and was touching her clit. Bette started to ease her way down Tina’s body – she wanted and needed to taste Tina. Tina knew what Bette was going to do – she wasn’t predictable but she did love oral sex so much. Tina held onto Bette as she maneuvered herself so she was lying between Tina’s thighs sucking at the skin and licking it. Bette used her fingers to ease Tina’s inner lips apart and kissed the very sensitive skin. Tina moaned – that was so good.
“Are you aroused enough?” Bette muttered
“I think you are in the best place to judge that “Tina replied
“You seem hot and dirty to me “
“That’s because I am “Tina said
Bette’s laugh was dirty which made it hard for Tina not to laugh. Bette looked up at Tina
“Glad my attempts at making love to you amuse you “
Tina laughed “You are doing this to me “
“Me? I am trying to give you an orgasm – which is the most natural thing in the world for us – what’s less natural is you giggling”
Tina was still laughing – Bette smiled and watched the blonde for a few minutes. This was one of the views she most often retreated to when the going got tough – this was her haven. Finally Tina stopped laughing and smiled at Bette
“Sorry “
“It’s good that I amuse you “
“You are funnier than you will ever know “
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes “
“Okay – good – now if you don’t mind – too much talking and not enough action”
Bette buried her head between Tina’s thighs and started to lick and suck her clit – Tina moaned. The moan got louder when Bette slipped her finger inside her and started to make love to her. Bette was going to take her time doing this – this didn’t have to be hurried – this didn’t have to be done quietly in case Angie came exploring – this was just about the two of them. Tina cried out as Bette pushed her to the inevitable orgasm.
“Oh – oh God – that was so fucking awesome “
Bette eased herself away from between Tina’s thighs and reached over and took the syringe and the vial of sperm. She filled the syringe and as Tina lay watching her she slipped it inside her and slowly released the sperm deep inside her lover. Once she had done that Bette grabbed a pillow and put it under Tina’s ass. She got up and disposed of the syringe and the now empty vial and returned to Tina. Bette lay beside Tina and took her hand.
“You okay?”
“I don’t feel pregnant if that’s what you are going to ask “
“It wasn’t “
They both went silent – Tina was feeling sleepy, Bette was lost in thought.
“Can you hear something?”
“What?” Tina opened her eyes
“It’s okay – I can hear someone knocking on the door of the next door apartment that’s all”
Tina looked at Bette
“What did you think it was?”
“Shane, Alice and Dana “Bette said unexpectedly
Tina laughed “Exploring the intentions of one Lara Perkins “
“I liked her – she was cute “
Tina smiled “Oh – you fancied her did you?”
“I thought she was cute – that doesn’t mean I fancied her. She was less insane than most of Dana’s lovers”
Tina kissed Bette’s hand “Do you think about Dana?”
“Yes “Bette said without hesitation “She was one of the few of us that genuinely didn’t have a bad bone in her body – she was confused and she could be infuriating – but she wasn’t malicious “
“It was truly terrible “Tina said thinking about Dana’s illness.
“I am glad I didn’t see it – watching anyone die is hard – it must be worse when it’s someone as young as her.”
“After she died all I could think about was all of them coming to the hospital and me introducing them to Angie – Kit and Alice and Shane and Dana and Jenny – all of them just falling for her “
Bette didn’t speak – she hadn’t met her daughter for four years – that wasn’t going to happen when they had their second child – she was going to be a part of every moment of Tina’s pregnancy and the birth.
“Are we going to tell them when you get pregnant?” Bette asked
“No – if Shane wants to tell them that’s her right”
“Shane won’t say anything if we don’t want her to”
Tina shrugged “They don’t want to be part of our happiness – why should we tell them that we are adding to our family. “
Bette sighed which caused Tina to look at her
“Are you okay?”
“Yes – if this doesn’t work we are going to keep trying right?”
“We are – in three weeks we are getting married and with luck you and I might have a very special gift to share with one another – and if it doesn’t work we keep trying – we are going to have another baby I swear to you – our second child
NEW YORK MINUTE