Bette’s hand stopped her movements. “Why don’t we give her a bath together? The dishes will still be here.”

She nodded, leaving the dishes on the table. Bette went ahead to get the bath ready, leaving Tina to deal with a messy Angelica.

“Come on, angel of mine. Let’s go find your Mama B and get you clean.” The little girl raised her hands toward her mom, clapping and sprouting off a string of baby talk.

Even before they reached the bathroom, Bette could hear her daughter’s excited chatter. Chuckling at Angelica’s antics, she wiped her hands on the towel after testing the bathwater.

“She’s going to grow up to be a motivational speaker,” Bette joked when Tina and Angelica came into the bathroom.

“Nah, auctioneer,” Tina quipped. “My baby’s going to be great.”

For some reason, Tina’s words bothered Bette. “Yeah, your baby’s going to be great.”

“Just like her mother.” Tina sensed the brunette’s uneasiness, realizing too late how her words had sounded. “She’s got you as her mother, Bette, for all we know she’s going to solve world hunger.”

“And looking gorgeous while doing it,” Bette lightened the mood. “She’s got your genes. She’ll be a heartbreaker.”

“She already is,” Tina reminded her ex. “Just like her mother.”

Bette looked away, focusing instead on undressing Angelica and getting her into the tub. They worked seamlessly to bath their child, much to the delight of the little girl. She splashed water all around, squealing in joy especially when she knew the water had soaked one or both her mothers.

With both of them in semi-soaked state, Angelica’s bath time came to an end. Rubber ducky still in hand, Bette carried the little girl out of the tub and into the waiting hands of Tina. She wrapped the towel around Angelica, quickly drying her off and dressing her.

“If you want, I can lend you a shirt to change,” Bette said offhandedly, trying her best to avoid looking at Tina.

“Thanks. I really don’t want to run around town with my shirt sticking to me.”

“I wouldn’t want you running around town like that, either,” Bette mumbled. “I’ll be right back.”