Chapter 14

Early the next morning, Angie is up first.  She is so excited to see her mommies again that she almost forgets to knock.  They had been trying to teach her several weeks before Bette disappeared to knock if their bedroom door was closed.  She stops outside her mommies’ door and with her little fist she lightly knocks just like they taught her to do. 

Tina being the lighter sleeper of the two hears the quiet little knock.  She quickly gets up and opens the door to a smiling Angie.  “I ‘membered mommy.  I knocked.”  She beams.

“Yes you did sweetie.  Mommy is very proud of you.  Now as a reward would you like to snuggle in bed with us this morning?”  Angie’s head bobs up and down as she grins from ear to ear.   Tina picks her up and they snuggle back in bed with Bette.

Bette has been watching all of this from the bed.  She is glad they thought to put on pajamas before they fell asleep last night.  Tina had reminder her that Angie would be so excited that they were home she might not remember to knock.  “Is that my big girl who remembered to knock this morning?  I am so proud of you Boo.”  Angie just beamed.  They snuggled in together and talked for a bit.  Angie told her moms what she had done with Auntie Kit.  There was a funny Auntie Alice story too.  But after a bit, Tina noticed Bette whispering in Angie’s ear.  Realizing that she was about to be tickled, she quickly changed the subject.

“Are my girls hungry this morning?”  Tina asked.

“Pancakes!”  Bette and Angie said in unison. 

“Ok, you two get cleaned up and I will go and start breakfast.”  Tina smiled.

Bette reached out and took Tina’s hand.  “T we could go to the Planet if you want.”

“Bette are you sure?”

“Yes, I think it might be easier to meet everyone at the Planet the first time.  I think I am ready.  I really can’t explain it but having the family time last night has settled me and I think I am ready to face the world again.  I think the sooner we do this the less time we will spend stressing over it.  You know just jump in the water and swim.”  Bette pulled Tina into a warm and tender embrace.