Vignettes of the Heart – 7

"Babe, Angelica’s here," Tina called softly through the bathroom door. "Can we come in?" When Bette didn’t answer, Tina carefully opened the door and leaned in.

Bette was lying still in the tub, submerged up to her chin. "Bette?" Tina repeated. In response, Bette opened her eyes slightly. When she saw Angelica in Tina’s arms, she smiled and reached for her. "Come to mama, my angel." Angelica gurgled and reached for her mother eagerly.

Tina smiled. "Do you want her in the tub with you?" Bette agreed, and Tina quickly divested the wiggling girl of her clothing. When she was down to her gorgeous light brown birthday suit, Tina handed her to Bette. Which brought Bette’s naked body into full view. It was all Tina could do to swallow and say, "I’ll be in the kitchen making us some dinner. It will be ready in about fifteen minutes, so don’t stay in too long," before hurrying out of the suddenly too-small room.

Bette respond with an absentminded "Mmm-hmmm," too enchanted by her giggling daughter to notice Tina’s hasty retreat. Tina paused in the hallway and tried to catch her breath. She had been doing so well lately, controlling her reactions around Bette. But unexpectedly seeing her beautiful, nude body was too much. Too many memories came flooding back, and too many dreams she thought she had safely buried. Once her breathing was under control, Tina moved to the kitchen where she began chopping green onions and tomatoes in displaced frustration.

By the time a freshly washed and pajama-clad Bette and Angelica came into the kitchen laughing, Tina was just sliding the first omelet onto a plate. She looked up as they walked in and smiled. Nothing could compare to the sight of her family smiling and laughing. Because they were a family, no matter what else was going on in their lives.

"There are my favorite girls, scrubbed clean and smiling, just as I like them," Tina announced cheerfully. Bette met her eyes and without words they agreed to table the topic of Jodie. Bette needed time, and to tell the truth, so did Tina. So they ate and laughed with Angelica, both willing to play a part for their own sakes. After Angelica began to get sleepy, they put her to bed together.

Softly closing Angelica’s door, Bette stopped Tina in the hall and whispered shyly, "Thank you, T." Tina looked away as if in embarrassment, but really to hide the emotion in her eyes. "It’s okay, Bette. I’m always ready to spend more time with my daughter. Our daughter." She met Bette’s gaze. "I cherish the times we spend together as a family." Bette gently stroked Tina’s cheek with her thumb. "Me, too."