"Go ahead tell me. Had Bette been hurt?" Stamping down the terror she felt Tina prayed for this option rather than ….

"Ms Porter was in a serious car accident approximately an hour ago and has been rushed to LA General–she is currently in surgery" the staccato emotionless words of the officer reverberated through Tina’s soul as she once more sat down.

"Surgery??? My God what happened? "

Leaning forward Officer Bancroft (female officer T noted from her name tag) answered, It appears Ms Porter lost control of her vehicle and collided with a Hummer. She sustained serious injuries to her legs and lower spine.

Breathe Tina, breathe" the words repeated over and over inside of T as she found herself unable to speak.

"That can’t be Bette is a superb driver, she has only had one accident in years. There must be some mistake"

"I’m afraid there has been no mistake Ms Kennard. Ms Porter’s ID was taken from her purse at the scene and it was from there that we located you. Ms Porter was unconscious as she was taken to the hospital."

"Do you have anyone to look after your little girl so we can accompany you to LA General?"

At the mention of someone to look after Angel Tina registered that Austin was crying from somewhere down the hall. Turning to the officers she numbly replied "Yes, actually Bette and I have a daughter and a son. You’ll have to give me a minute–he’s crying."

Turning on her heels Tina followed her maternal instincts to Austin’s room , reaching into his crib she pulled the little boy close and headed to Angelica’s room.
Entering her daughter’s room Tina found Angelica happily assembling a musical jigsaw puzzle. Moving to the girl’s side she sat holding Austin against her chest as she spoke,

"Angel honey Mommy has to go away for a little while but she is going to call Auntie Alice to come sit with you and Austin. How does that sound?’ Kit would most likely be at the hospital already as she was Bette’s closest next of kin.

Looking up from the puzzle Angelica’s eyes sparkled; Alice was one of her favourite people in the entire world.

"Really Momma, I love Awice"

"Really honey but you have to be good for her."

"I promise" Angelica responded smiling into T’s face.

Setting Austin in the combination car seat bassinet that she and Bette had bought to make interactions between Angelica and Austin easier. Tina leaned down and gently kissed Angel’s forehead.

"Momma is going to leave Austin here so you can play with him and go call Auntie Alice.

Walking into the hallway Tina braced herself against the firmness of the wall as she reached for the cordless phone, taking it off its cradle. At the sound of Alice’s voice she realized she had managed to dial Alice’s number and found herself mumbling into the phone,

"Alice, something terrible has happened to Bette. I need you to look after Angelica and Austin….right away the police are in my living room"

"The police!! Oh my God Tina I’m on my way."

Seven Minutes Later

Not bothering to knock Alice burst through Bette and Tina’s front door to find a pale and shaken Tina and two officers sitting in the living room.

"Thanks so much Alice. You must have sped all the way here!" Suddenly remembering the police officers Tina felt her face flush

"Who cares what are they going to do arrest me?" Alice blurt out pinning both officers with a stare that only she was capable of.

"What are you still doing sitting there. Go, Go Bette needs you I have the kids just go be with her."

As Tina went met Alice eyes she saw that Alice had been a good choice. Alice knew the fear, anger and pain that coursed through her right now. She knew it all too well and had still remained by Dana’s side.

After hugging her friend, T and the officers made there way out of Bette and Tina’s house driving with lights on toward LA General. Tina sat in the back seat praying that Bette was alright and that somehow this was all a mistake–knowing full well that it was not. Praying that she would not lose the only woman she had truly loved.