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The Thawing of the Ice – Chapter Twenty-Nine
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
On Tuesday morning, Bette was sitting in her office, reviewing her schedule for the day when her cell phone rang. She eyed the caller id, surprised at the name staring back at her. Unable to piece together the “why” of this particular call, she shrugged and answered.
“Hello?” she said.
“Bette, hi. Joyce Wischnia here,” came the response.
“Hi Joyce. To what do I owe this honor?”
“I usually have my secretary make these calls, but I wanted to make this call myself.”
Bette’s brow furrowed. “Okay,” she replied, drawing out the first letter in the word.
“Bette, I need you to clear your afternoon two weeks from today,” said Joyce, her voice carrying its characteristic hint of revelation.
“What’s happening two weeks from today?”
“You, Tina, and Angelica will be appearing before Judge Patrick Nelson to finalize your second parent adoption.”
The phone slipped from Bette’s hand and clattered onto her desk. Her eyes filled with tears and her breath left her. Her hands scrambled to pick up the phone and when it was safely pressed against her ear, she said “Are you serious? How did this happen? I withdrew the petition.”
Bette could feel Joyce’s chesire cat grin through the phone. “Bette, I placed a hold. And yesterday, Tina Kennard stopped by my office and we had a long chat. She insisted that I push this paperwork through as soon as possible, granting you parental rights and shared custody of Angelica Kennard-Porter.”
“Tina did this?”
“Yes she did. Ms. Kennard can be very persuasive when she wants to be. I pulled a few strings and got us into see Judge Nelson.”
Bette swallowed. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Thank Tina. Are you guys getting back together…again?” asked Joyce.
The dean sighed deeply. “That’s yet to be determined.”
Their call ended and Bette placed a call to Tina.
“Hey Bette,” Tina answered.
Bette wiped at the wetness on her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice weak with emotion.
Tina had been walking onto a set but she stopped where she stood. “I take it Joyce called.”
The brunette sniffed and replied. “She did. Just now. Why did you do this?”
“Babe, it needed to be done. It was long overdue.”
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so the last sentence referred to Helena i presume and Bette was missing her friend at the “family” gathering? This was a good thing that Tina had done but the whole chapter felt like a calm before the storm…i just feel like something is going to happen and Helena will be part of that
Maybe Helena missing was for dramatic effect but I would think the most important person in Bette’s world would have been there to share in this momentous occasion. Tina said she was OK with Bette having her as a friend and I thought she was still Tina’s friend so why is she MIA. I guess now it leaves it open for them to have their own private celebration and another sleepover. Bette’s still crushing so maybe Helena is sensing this and keeping her distance or maybe just playing hard to get. Tina should take lessons from Helena on how to get Bette to lust after her, even as a so called friend. Great story. Looking forward to the next little tidbit.
Great chapter. Tina’s decision was the right thing to do but, for all the wrong reasons. She has done this to show Bette that she cares and to get Bette into her life on a permanent basis. This should have been done weeks ago and not to use as a tool. I want to see them together again but I don’t want Tina playing games to get into Bette’s good graces. AND I STILL DON’T WANT Bette and Helena together as lovers. Great chapter. Thanks for posting.
Well, I think you might of given it away on purpose with that last sentence. Thanks for posting.
Need to say it in Dainty style – I STILL ANT TO SEE BETTE AND HELENA AS LOVERS! LMAOBut i have a feeling we’re in for a rollercoaster of surprises here!!!really trying to make the most interesting story here…and as it looks the end’s not near!!:)))My my – think I’m properly hooked;)
I agree with seahurst, I think you ended it, showing your hand. Enjoyed the story anyway, Your story of course, your endings
I think Seahurst’s comment is right on. Until Bette is hoping to see “hazel eyes” Tina has a long wait ahead. Hopefully she exhibits the patience needed to handle Bette’s indecision. I still find it odd that Bette seems to need Helena’s presence or opinion to feel good/happy about anything involving Tina. Maybe it’s what Seahurst said Bette has some type of unhealthy obsession with Helena akin to what she had for Candace. That’s the only sense I can make of it, otherwise I’m completely baffled by it. I can understand the hesitancy to jump back into a relationship with Tina because of their painful history, but if Bette has feelings for Helena she needs to be honest with not only herself, but Tina. If that’s the case, Tina just needs to move on, because there’s no point in pining away for someone when it will only lead to disappointment. And if Bette & Helena together is where the story is headed, I still don’t understand how a person can develop feelings for someone who ruined their life in so many ways. Let alone the fact that they slept with your ex. Wouldn’t it be hard to trust this person in any capacity? I personally believe in the hands off policy. Once my ex has slept with that person I can’t even consider being with them in a relationship nor sexually. Maybe that’s just me. Thanks for the story.
Sorry, I meant I agree with BatnAA’s comment. Dead on.
agree with BetteAndTinaForever that it feels like a calm before the storm. I like what Tina has done and how she is paying more attention to her work as well. A focused mind is always attractive….Interesting as to why there is doubt in Tina’s intention about the adoption? Has she even been underhanded in the way she functions to let readers think she could use her own daughter to lull Bette back? I felt it was more Tina just sitting her ass down to try and do the right thing. But I guess, it’s really possible that Tina has changed for the worse…if there is such a plot line, I would be terribly disappointed with Tina’s character…….regarding Helena, I’m sure Tina would be quite devastated if Bette really falls for Helena but sometimes life is such. just saying it is really not easy to accept such a situation in real life, even if you no longer have any romantic feelings at all towards your ex-partner. Few friends of mine said they would never ever sleep or date their friend’s exes because it is just a matter of respect? And if they really had to, they had to be sure that their friends are ok with it. As for them being really close friends, I feel that Tina is still really just trying to come to terms with the idea of them as friends as she had to rationalise things in earlier chapters. Oh dear, I am rambling and better stop….
not that I’m a cynic or anything…BUT…although it was appropriate for tina to push through the legal proceedings, it’s a little too conveniently timed…hey, but she had to play her cards…yeah, this is getting good…looking forward to the journey you take us on!!
It’s a good thing we’re not married.
Addendum to my earlier note after I went back and read the chapter again and my comment. Maybe I’m selling Tina a little short. I really don’t think she accelerated the adoption process with any ulterior motive, I think she finally thought about what she’d done and realized she needed to correct her mistake. Maybe the timing seems a little suspect to cynics like me but maybe she has given some thought to what she’s done and trying to correct it. I think she has done what she could to show Bette that she cares and has admitted she does want them back as a couple. I want this action seen as true and heartfelt and not a game. A little retrospection can cure a lot of ills if followed thru with positive action. And I suppose that is what Tina has done. Now I feel better about what I said earlier after adding to it. Thanks for bearing with me.
Yeah I’ve got mixed feelings too. It’s really great what Tina did, but I get a feeling that it’s just a way to get Bette faster don’t get me wrong, I do think that Tina has waking up and really wanted to redo the wrong in right but this timeline looks like she’s intent to do everything to get Bette back. Yeah it’s great and really overdue for Bette, but I think here, the only ine is genuine is Helena. And yeah why isn’t she there? I mean she’s living with Alice and she has been acccepted by the scoobi clan so why isn’t she there? I don’t think Helena is playing hard to get, it’s just that she’s really like a child with a new toy (here the toy being the friendship’s concept) I think that she never really had real one coz of her attitude and her money, so she doesn’t want to do anything to crush these new feeling and as for Bette she discover that she was really attached to her and I don’t think she doesn’t want to risk anything with her and the fact that she isn’t there maybe she gives bette space coz she knows that Bette needs to know what she wants ans what she needs. Anyway nice part, I like it. :)
MTS – thank you for your author’s notes a few chapters back as I’m going along with the assumption that these women are maturing and the sins of the past do not necessarily have to shape their future. I believe in Tina and I believe she’s acting from the heart. Since her breakup with Henry she’s been honest with herself and with Bette about what she feels, needs, and wants. She’s expressed these sentiments and backed them up with actions. The adoption is something we know she’s wanted all along and her initial reaction to Bette pulling the petition makes me believe that she’s got no agenda in doing it now other than it was something that was long overdue and in her mind it was time. What concerns me about the timing is if Bette is ready for it. Bette is not in a place where she can accept anything that Tina offers in good faith. She’s angry, resentful, hurt, and the ice around her heart has melted somewhat – but Helena is the reason not Tina. She’s opening up herself to care deeply for someone new – Her all consuming obsession with Helena is akin to the all consuming obsession with Candace and it’s her escape from dealing with her reality (feelings for Tina). Whether she’s in love with Tina or not – whether she wants her back or not – whether she can trust her or not – All these things are holding her back. Tina is acting very similarly to the way she did when she got pregnant with the first baby – she’s doing what needs to be done and is fully prepared to do it on her own while Bette is lagging behind. Bette on the other hand feels like she’s being left out and feels the self-imposed push and pressure to catch up, but she’s just not ready. I question Bette as the best co-parent for Angie but now it’s a done deal and hopefully Bette can step up to the plate. Instead of thinking that Tina is using the adoption to pull Bette in I hope it’s an impetus for Bette to open up and be honest about how she sees their future together. If she just wants to parent Angie then say so – Tina will be devastated but she’ll get over it. Better than them getting back together because Bette feels an obligation only to be unhappy. I’m not saying once a cheater always a cheater but my feeling is if Bette gets back with Tina any time soon she’s going to stray again. When we start reading that Bette’s missing ‘hazel eyes, and a smile that brightens up a room and makes her heart happy’; when Bette can be with Angie and the only other woman on her heart and mind is Tina then maybe we can see a future for Tibette. Right now it’s all about Belena. It’s like Bette can’t make a move without consulting Helena, and she can’t find the joy in anything including being with Angie if Helena isn’t a part of it. MTS – I hope Helena is as genuine a ‘friend’ as you are making her out to be, because Bette is setting herself up for a major heartbreak, and Tina might not still be around to pick up the pieces when that happens. Thanks for the story.
Helena and Bette…yes, lol
BatnAA_2009 you said it all for me.
The logical conclusion for me when I read about Helena’s absence was, that she was away for business, as she has a job now which involves a lot of travel as it would seem. Also as many of the others I am undecided about Tina’s timing and motivation to make Bette’s adoption legal, but really hope it was for all the right reasons and she really has just Bette and Angie’s best interests at heart. Now I’m going to sit back and wait where you are going to take the story. Thanks!
What, what? Tina doesn’t have crystal blue eyes!!! I’m thinking of a human money wrench boluxing up the works, a woman named Helena. Thanks!
Tina reasons seem so transparent and contrived. Tina did Bette a real solid and now Bette is beholden to her.