Bette was in her car while she was pelted with a million emotions; she was upset with herself, angry with Tina, worried about Wey, worried about Tina. A few times she nearly ran off the side of the road because she was too busy thinking and screaming at herself and at nothing all at once. She finally arrived at the park where Tina had taken their son for a quick break. Tina apparently called the police because there were cop cars and an unmarked detectives car parked in front of the gated entrance. Bette pulled to a stop behind the police cruiser and hopped out of her car slamming the door and sprinting in her Manolos to the gate. One of the police officers stopped her just as she opened the fence to enter the park putting a firm hand on her chest. Im sorry maam, theres been a situation and the parks been closed to look for a lost child. Hearing those words spoken Bette almost wanted to collapse to the ground, suddenly it all seemed too real and she snapped. Im the childs mother damn itnow move! She said as she pushed by the officer and looked around searching for Tina. Finally spotting her talking to a detective she ran over. Tina! Tinas head snapped up at hearing Bette yell her name; the look on her face broke Bettes heart. She was scared, scared of Bette. Running to meet Bette she collapsed into her arms. I wasnt watching him, I was talking and not lookingI didnt see, I was stupid. I lost him BetteOh god! she sobbed into Bettes shoulder as Bette stroked her hair. T, baby, tell me what happened. Tina raised her head to look at Bette; who could see the shame and self hatred in her wifes eyes. She wiped away the tears with her thumbs as Tina started to talk. II was sitting on the bench reading andand then you called and I got distracted, after I hung up I went back to reading and I looked uphe.he was gone Bette, I cant, I dont know where she tried to finish a complete thought but couldnt manage the task as she collapsed back onto Bette crying. The detective came over then, it just happened to be the same guy from when Bette was hospitalized. Well Ms. PorterI surely hoped the last time we met would bewell, the last time. Im going to have to ask you a few questions, is that okay? Bette nodded and ran her hand down Tinas back. Babe, Ill be right back okay? Why dont you go sit down? Tina made her way over to the bench as Bette turned back to Detective Sikorski, raising an eyebrow. So you were at work while this happened? Bette nodded. Where do you work exactly? Bette sighed, she was getting frustrated and angry trying to be strong for Tina, and answer this inane line of questioning. Im working on opening a new gallery over on Fairmont St. The detective nodded and fired off a new question. And you didnt leave since you arrived there this morning? Bette shot him a look that could kill. Are you asking me if I kidnapped my own son? Are you deficient or something!? Youve already talked to my partner and she told you that she was talking to me when this happened Calm down Ms. Porter, Im just trying to get all of my facts straight so I can do my best to find your son. Now, Tina already gave us a description and a picture of what he looks like. But, she couldnt think of anyone who was possibly harboring animosity towards herwanted to get back at her for something. Is there anyone that you can think of, besides Eric, that would try to hurt you or your family? Itheres no one. Eric was the only one who I would be able to come up with. The Detective sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. Okay, Ill have the squad keep searching here, maybe we kind find something. I suggest you and Tina go home. If you think if anything or anyone who could help us find your boy, he handed her his card give me a call. She nodded as she watched him walk away. Bette walked towards Tina and knelt down in front of her. Come on T, lets go home. You need to get some rest. Tina just got up not saying a word and followed Bette. Inside Bette Porter was screaming. Her son was lost. And the woman in the seat next to her let it happen. She knew that it wasnt Tinas faultor was it? She would have never lost her babywhy wasnt Tina paying attention? Her head was pulling her in one direction and her heart in another. Tina was just as upset as she wasand from the outward appearance some would say more so than Bette. But Bette wanted to be strong for Tina, wanted to be there for Tina to lean on. She knew she couldnt keep all this pain and anger hidden foreverbut she decided to let it out once she knew that Tina was resting in bed, she didnt want Tina to see her weak. All of this made her feel like she was taking one giant leap backwards to when Tina had lost the baby, Bette tried to be her rock and it made Tina feel like she didnt care which pulled them apart further. Bette was suddenly hit with an enormous sinking feeling that grabbed her from her throat to the pit of her stomach as she pulled into the driveway of their home. She and Tina got out of the car and pushed the door open to their home. Bette looked straight ahead as she led Tina to the bedroom and helped her lie on the bed. She crawled in behind Tina and stroked her hair as she whispered soothing words to help her distraught and broken wife drift into sleep. As soon as she heard the soft even puffs of sleeping breathe from Tina she disentangled herself. She couldnt be in that warm position for too long. It felt fake. She couldnt have that warm happy feeling of home, she wasnt home. She couldnt be home without her whole family; together under one roof. Walking into the living room she racked her brain. Who? Who could possibly have taken her son? Letting out an angry sigh she flopped down on the sofa resting her head on her hands and her elbows on her knees. Looking up she saw coloring books and crayons strewn across the floor, hastily left this morning as the three of them ran out the door struggling not to be late, as her and Wey were coloring waiting for Tina to be finished dressing. The memory of just this morning was too much for Bette so she stood up and went to the kitchen. Ripping open the refrigerator door she grabbed a bottle of water and closed it with just as much force as she had opened it; sending papers that where fastened by magnets gliding to the ground. Damnit she muttered as she crouched to pick up the fallen sheets. Shuffling them all together she reached for the last one and felt her eyes sting and prickle with hot unshed tears. It said My Family at the top in Tinas handwriting but it was Weys scribbled stick figure drawing. It depicted Weylend in the center and on each side were Bette and Tina. Tina with long straight purple hair and Bette with curly green hairBette felt herself grinning like an idiot and sobbing all at the same time. Straightening herself out she put the papers back onto the counter and walked out of the kitchen deciding that a shower would give her time to relax her mind and out her at ease. As she was walking down the hall she couldnt help put stop in their sons room. She slipped in and sat on the bed, picking up his little pajama shirt that had been thrown on the floor and fingering the patters on dinosaurs. Once again feeling the biting pull of tears she let them fall freely in the room painted with characters from childrens stories, their fictitious grins contradicting the fact that she was breaking inside. She felt herself slipping and she slid to the floor clutching the shirt and sobbing into it. Feeling lost and hopeless, she couldnt help, she had to sit and wait. Wait to see if one of the only people in the world that she lived for would be returned to her. She didnt want to think of anything but the fact that he WOULD be homeno matter what. Her tears subsided, and though the wetness was gone she could feel the grittiness of the saline left on her cheeks. It made her angry, for reasons unknown, she pulled herself up off the floor almost tripping on the toy truck, which fueled her anger further. Pulling her leg back she kicked the toy and watched as it sailed across the room and hit the wall, little blue bits of plastic cracking and falling off. It set Bette off. She began grabbing anything that she could find, thankfully mostly were stuffed animals, and flinging them. The sound of the toys and clothes hitting the walls awoke Tina, who immediately jumped up and ran to where the noise was coming from. Pushing open the door her, heart shattered as she saw Bette pick up a small box full of markers and pencils and chuck it against the wall releasing and hear-tearing guttural scream. The only sort of yell that could come from a woman whose child was ripped away from her. The door creaked as Tina rushed her way in to catch Bette as she collapsed into a fit of tears, sobs, and the occasional strangled scream. Tina ran her hands through Bettes hair trying to comfort her and calm her. Itll be okay Bette, hes going to be okay. She was scared. She had never seen Bette come so completely undone before, she didnt like it. Bette was supposed to be the solid one. Tina then realized that maybe Bette never was the stable one, sure she kept a faade that made her seem like she always had it together, but beneath the surface she had emotions that she never showed anyone. Not even Tina. It took strength to show emotion, to be that open, to give up that power. It was now that Tina realized Bette was finally giving her that, giving her the go ahead to be the one who could comfort and be strong emotionally. Tina was ready to be that person for Bette, so Bette didnt feel so alone in this. Im here baby, just let it all out. She said soothingly rubbing her back. Bette clung to her wrapping her arms around her neck. After a while she had finally calmed and the tears had all but vanished. She heard Bette sigh and pull back. Her makeup had run down her face, her face was puffy and red from the salty tears, her lips were trembling, and more tears were threatening to be spilt from glassy eyes. Still, Tina swore that she was the most stunning creature on this earth. Come on babe, you need to get rest. Tina grasped Bettes hand and pulled her to a standing position. Bette looked at Tina and Tina looked at Bette. They were both losttheir son was ripped from their lives. Tina felt like she was to blame, she couldve done something to stop it, if only shed have been a better parent. All Bette could think about was that her baby was gone and what would happen if he would never be found. She gave Tina one horrible look as one horrible thought crossed her mind, What if heshes dead. What if some horrible person News clips and paper articles, milk cartons, flyers, all passed through her head. Pictures of missing children, broken families, desperate pleas on local new stations. Would that be what she would be reduced to? A searching mother, a broken life living only for the hope that her son could still be out there. God it had only been a few hours since she found out, she didnt know if she could make it a full day, a week, a month She looked at her wife who was holding her hands, wondering what was going on in her head. She wanted to ask, but all she could manage to so was stutter out, Tina, III cant. I cant do this alone. Tina pulled Bette to her and put her hand to her cheek. Youre not alone Bette. You will never be alone okay? Bette just nodded and let Tina lead her into the bedroom. She started undressing Tina who gave her a puzzled look and started wonder what Bette was doing. Babe, do you really think that youre up to But Bette cut her off with a quick peck on the lips. No T, I dont want to she trailed off trying to not sound like she putting down the idea of wanting to make love to Tina. Her brow was furrowed and Tina couldnt help but smile at how cute Bette was as she was deep in thought. I need to be close to you Tina, I just want to feel you next to me, your warmth, your skin. Is that okay? I just feel so lost, so empty, I need to know that youre here, that youre real. Tina let a small smile play across her lips as she nodded. Bette continued to undress Tina and then Tina undressed Bette. The slowly entered the smooth sheets and let them caress their naked bodies. Tina pulled up the covers as Bette slipped under them followed by Tina who spooned herself into Bettes back with her hand rubbing indiscernible patters on her stomach. She spoke softly in Bettes ear telling her she loved her, and that they would all be okay. She relaxed completely when she felt Bette succumb to exhaustion as she followed her there.