Chapter 140

All of the Thanksgiving company arrived shortly after Melvin did. It seemed more like Halloween than Thanksgiving. As soon as Bette and Tina sat down…the door bell would ring again. After Kit arrived – which completed the list of visitors, Bette and Tina looked at each other.

“Ok Tina…you didn’t invite anyone else did you?”

“Nope…ummmmmm…..well….I did invite Amanda and the kids for desert.”

“Really? So you’re ok with your mom and……”

“No…not really…but it’s really none of my business Babe. And I really can’t let myself get so upset over something I have absolutely no control over.”

“I’m proud of you T….good for you…..you’re doing the right thing.”

“Yeah…I guess. Hey…let’s go feed the twins and then we can get on with the festivities.”

“Ok Sweetie…let me just check on dinner…ok?”

“Yeah ok. Hey…where is dad? He still has Dylan.”

“I think he’s in the kitchen with mom. Come on….come with me.” Bette took Tina’s free hand and led her into the kitchen. Jackie and Melvin were having a great time playing with Dylan and talking about the next round of grandchildren. The were getting along famously.

“Look at that T…they act like they’re family.”

“Ah Bette…they are.”

“Oh yeah…they are aren’t they?”

“God Bette…you don’t think they’d ever….oh God…get together. Do you?”

“I don’t know…that would be kind of neat….you don’t think so huh?”

“If they ever got married….oh my God…we’d be step sisters!” Tina laughed. “That would be pretty funny.”

“Pretty weird is more like it T. Just really weird!”

Bette checked on dinner while Tina walked over to where Melvin and Jackie stood. “We need to get these guys changed and fed…then we can have dinner.” Tina took Dylan from Melvin and held him in her free arm. Bette very quickly took Taylor from Tina.

Tina smiled at Melvin and then at Jackie. “Could the two of you keep an eye on dinner until we’re done?”

Melvin and Jackie both shook their heads and continued talking.

Bette and Tina left the kitchen with Taylor and Dylan in their arms. They made their way into the nursery. They each changed a baby and then cuddled up together while Tina fed Dylan.

“Tina?”

“Yeah?”

“Oh nothing….”

“Spill it Porter!”

“I love you….that’s all. Are you ready to entertain this crowd?”

“I don’t know….my God…there are a lot of them out there!”

“Yeah. But this is what Thanksgiving is all about T…friends…family.”

“My God … you have grown up…haven’t you Baby?”

“I guess so…is that a bad thing?”

“No…I love the grown up you Bette!”

“What if we get boring?”

“Oh…let’s not go there….remember the last time we were accused of being boring?”

“I’d really like to forget T.”

“So would I.”

Bette and Tina sat in silence for several moments and then switched babies. Tina closed her eyes and rested her head on Bette’s chest.

“This is nice Babe…so relaxing. How are we going to do this with four babies?”

“I don’t know T…we’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah. You know if we each had two more we’d have….”

“Don’t even think about it T. This is it…remember. Four is plenty!”

“Yeah…four is perfect…Hey Taylor just fell asleep.”

“Ok…Dylan looks all sleepy too. Let’s put them down and get out to our guests.”

They put the babies in their cribs and then quietly left the nursery.

As they entered the kitchen the telephone rang. Jackie picked it up. “Yeah sure…hey…Happy Thanksgiving. Hold on one second please. Bette…it’s Dr. Wilson.”

Bette took the phone from Jackie. Tina looked at Bette with concern. She knew it usually wasn’t
a good thing when your doctor called you on a holiday – especially if you didn’t call them! Tina looked at Jackie and Melvin. “Do you two mind if we have a minute alone?”

Jackie and Melvin quickly left the room.

“Yes Dr. Wilson…” Bette was noticably trembling.

“Bette…I need to talk to you about the ultrasound my tech did on you earlier in the week. I just saw the
results today and I’m so sorry to be calling you on a holiday…but we need to talk.”

Tina watched as Bette’s face went ashen. Tears began rolling down Bette’s cheeks. She listened but she didn’t say a word. Tina’s heart sank.

Bette choked as she thanked Dr. Wilson for calling. “Monday at 9am..ok…we’ll see you then.” Bette hung up the phone. Tina grabbed Bette’s hand. “Baby…what?”

“Tina..the ultrasound of the babies….” Bette’s words trailed off as she began sobbing.

Tina grabbed Bette and held her close to her. Tina now had tears streaming down her cheeks as well. She knew it couldn’t be good news. She knew the feeling and she began to sob as she held Bette as close to her as she could. Bette couldn’t speak…she just held on to Tina for dear life.

Bette looked into Tina’s eyes. “Tina….the ultrasound…” She couldn’t speak.

“Baby…wait here a minute ok? I’ll be right back. I love you….I promise I’ll be right back Babe.” Tina kissed Bette gently on the cheek.

Tina left the kitchen and went to find Jackie. She tracked her down in the dining room. “Mom…can I talk to you for a minute please?”

Jackie grabbed Tina by the arm and walked to the corner of the room with her. “What’s going on Tina? What’s wrong?”

“Mom…” Tina began crying again. Jackie held her close to her. “Bette…the ultrasound….she…she can’t stop crying long enough….long enough to tell me what’s wrong….I need to go be with her…please….can you please entertain everyone for us? Please mom? Please?”

“Yes Tina…please go be with Bette….take all the time you need. Don’t worry about dinner or any of us….go be with Bette.” Jackie had tears in her eyes now. “Tina…please go to Sunshine…” Jackie gave Tina a squeeze and then Tina left.

When Tina returned to the kitchen, Bette was sitting on the floor with her head in her hands. She was still crying. Tina walked over to her. “Baby…come with me to the bedroom.” Tina took Bette’s hand and helped her up. They went into the bedroom and Tina closed the door behind them.

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Jackie and Melvin served dinner – trying to pretend that nothing was going on…that nothing was wrong. It was difficult, however, to hide the fact that Bette and Tina were missing from the table. Jackie made as many excuses as she could. Everyone seemed to know that something was wrong. The atmosphere had turned from happy to sad. Concern filled the room.

Everyone seated at the table tried to eat….there was no conversation…no laughter…and not a shred of thankfulness was expressed by anyone in attendance.

Bette and Tina appeared in the doorway some time later. Everyone seemed to look up at the two of them at the same time. It was obvious that both of them had been crying.

Tina searched for Bette’s hand…found it…and held it tight. Bette appeared to be in shock and was still unable to speak. She had shared the news with Tina…but was not prepared to share it with a room full of her family and closest friends.

Tina continued to hold Bette’s hand as she very quietly announced to everyone, “We have something we need to tell all of you.”

All eyes continued to be on them as Tina opened her mouth to speak.

TBC