KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Theyre here!!!! Theyre here!!!

Liz tore through the house to run and answer the doorbell. Today was her birthday party and as hard as Tina and Bette tried to keep it a secret she found out somehow and hadnt stopped talking about it since. Liz was turning three today and with Tina being two months pregnant and having the morning sickness all over again Bette was nearly going insane. Alice, Shane and Dana had been so great in helping out with the party planning and Tinas mom had been hanging around more to help Tina with whatever she needed. Bette had been extremely busy at work with a new show opening at the end of the month that she didnt know how she made it through the days. But, no matter how stressed out Bette was getting or how tired she had been due to lack of sleep and all, she never brought her bad mood home with her. When she walked through the door all of her attention and energy went to her wife and daughter. Nancy had taken over cooking dinner for the four of them despite Tinas nagging that she could do it. Tina had become busy at work as well and Nancy told her that she didnt want Tina to wear herself out.

But for both Bette and Tina, days like today made everything worth it. The look of pure happiness on Lizs face as she pulled Alice and Dana in the house was enough to warm anyones heart. Alice and Dana laughed as Liz led them through the house and into the backyard where everything was set up for today. It was a warm and sunny southern California Saturday afternoon and the plan was to have a BBQ and swim if weather permitted. Shane and a friend arrived next both bearing armloads of gifts for the birthday girl and Kit and Ivan were right behind them. Liz jumped into Kits arms who gave her a big kiss and wished her happy birthday before putting her down so she could go scamper off and play with everyone else. Tina and Bette greeted Kit and Ivan and after taking everyones jacket and purse they joined Alice, Dana and Shane outside. Liz was being entertained by Shanes friend who was teaching Liz how to blow bubbles with a little toy she had and Shane watched them with a smile on her face. Alice and Dana were spreading the food out and after several attempts Alice finally got the BBQ started so they could begin cooking.

Just then the doorbell rang again and Bette ushered Nancy, Lauren and Jamie into the house. Nancy was carrying a big cake for Liz, which Bette quickly took and hid before Liz had a chance to see it. If she did Bette knew they would be having dessert before lunch and she didnt want that. Nancy and Lauren greeted Bette and Tina while Jamie took off to find her little cousin.

Everything looks great Thow are you feeling?

Gooda little tiredbut not too bad this time.

Bette laughed a little at Tinas answer and was promptly reprimanded with a smack on the arm. Bette felt that this time around Tina was more tired than last time due to the fact that they had a toddler in the house and she knew Tina was just hiding how tired she really had become. Countless nights Bette would come home late only to find Tina and Liz completely passed out in front of the TV or curled up together on the couch where it seemed Tina was trying to read a bedtime story to Liz but only got past the first page or so before giving in to sleep. But through it all, Tina had been wonderful and Bette could see how happy she really was.

CRASH

Waaaaaaa!!!

The four women looked at each other for a second before quickly running outside to see what happened. Alice, Dana and Shane were standing in front of Liz and Jamie laughing a little as Liz shot Jamie a mean look and Jamie rubbed her head a little. One of the chairs was tipped over and the soap for the bubble toy that Liz was playing with earlier was all over the ground.

What happened?

Alice, Dana and Shane looked at each other and started laughing so hard they were holding their sides. After a little bit Shane was able to get control over her laughter and she turned to Tina and Bette with a big smile on her face.

Those two were fighting about playing with the bubble thing and when Jamie took it away from Liz she punched her. Got her pretty good too.

LIZ!

Lizs head snapped up at the sound of Tinas voice and she had a look of complete guilt on her face. Jamie ran to Lauren who laughed a little as she picked her up and kissed her forehead where Liz had hit her. Tina stood there with her hands on her hips staring down at her daughter.

Elizabeth Kentor you are in trouble young lady! No hitting!

Aww come on Tinait was just one hitbesides, at least you dont have to worry about her being able to take care of herself right?

Bette looked at Shane with a small smile on her face but after seeing the looks from Alice and Dana Bette couldnt help it. She burst out laughing as well and Tina turned to her with a scowl on her face.

Oh come on babyit was just an accident. Besides, its not like you and Lauren never fought like that right? And its her birthdaylet her just enjoy it okay?

BETTE! Do you want our daughter going around punching everyone when she doesnt get her way?

No, but

Well then, we cant let her get away with it now.

Oh calm down ***** was the first time shes done this. Besides, maybe that will teach Jamie not to just take things without askingright?

Lauren looked at Jamie who nodded yes then back to Tina who still looked angry. Lauren looked at Tina and smiled.

T, remember the time when we were little and I stole your favorite stuffed animal? You sure as ***** let me have it back then. So what if these two get into it a littlethats what kids do right? Jamies fine even though she did get beat up by her little cousin.

Tina held her laughter in as long as she could before shaking her head and smiling. Kids will be kids I guess, she thought as she bent down and pulled Liz into her arms. Liz still had the guilty look on her face so Tina smiled at her and kissed her gently.

Its okay honey. But do you understand that hitting is not okay?

Yes mommy.

Okaytell Jamie youre sorry and you guys can go play.

Tina put Liz down and watched her walk over to Jamie and apologize to her. Jamie looked at her wearily for a second before smiling at her and soon those two took off to look for something to play with. Tina shook her head at the two of them and she grinned as Lauren told her they reminded her so much of how it was when her and Tina were growing up.

The food was just about cooked so everyone began to eat and drink a little as Jamie and Liz ran around the backyard playing with whatever they could find. Soon everyone was fed and it was time for cake and gifts. Tina rounded up Liz and Jamie and everyone sat around as Nancy helped Bette carry out the massive cake she had bought her. The cake had a Beauty and the Beast theme, Lizs current favorite movie, and after singing Liz did her best and blew out the candles. Everyone cheered while both Jamie and Liz stuck their fingers into the frosting and before anyone knew what happened both were covered with icing. Tina and Lauren looked at their daughters and before they could get mad at them both kids stuck their hands into the frosting once more and held it out as a peace offering to their mothers. Tina and Lauren glanced at each other before bursting out in laughter and Tina got an idea. She whispered to Lauren who nodded and turned to tell Liz and Jamie about the plan. Tina nonchalantly snuck a little bit of frosting on her own fingers and walked over to Bette who was helping Kit carry the gifts outside.

Hey babewant some frosting?

T?

Tina held her hand out to Bette who looked at her with an eyebrow raised. This playful side of Tina rarely made an appearance anymore even though Bettes inner child seemed to be coming out more and more as the days went by so Bette decided to take advantage of the opportunity. She opened her mouth for Tina to put her fingers in and right before Tinas finger made contact with Bettes lips Lauren came up behind Bette and smeared frosting all over her face. Bette was completely surprised and when Tina did the same she looked like she was about to explode. Liz and Jamie were laughing hysterically and when everyone else heard the commotion they turned around to see and soon everyone was rolling at the sight of Bette covered in frosting. Bette felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and she quickly walked over to wipe her face off and seek her revenge. Liz was standing next to the cake and when Bette approached her icing covered daughter Liz motioned for Bette to lean down so she could tell her something but Bettes guard was up. She looked down at her hesitantly but after Liz smiled warmly at her Bette gave in and bent down. At that moment both Liz and Jamie attacked Bette and pulled her to the ground causing her to get more and more frosting on herself and soon everyone else was laughing so hard they were all wiping tears away from their eyes. Tina finally went over and helped Bette up who looked a little hurt at the sudden attack but after a kiss on the lips from Tina her face softened a little. Just as Bette leaned in for another kiss she felt a tug at her pants.

Mommymommycan we open now?

Okay Lizlets open them.

Bette carried Liz over to the mound of gifts and let her tear into them. After a few minutes she had managed to open all of them and was already playing with the little tennis racket and balls that Dana bought her. Nancy and Tina were doing their best to keep the cards with the corresponding gifts but since Liz had done such a good job of literally ripping through the gifts it was kind of hard to see which card went with which gift. Tina just shook her head and smiled as Liz and Jamie started playing with as much as they could. Alice and Dana smiled and went to play with the kids as Bette and Tina carried all of Lizs gifts back into the house. Nancy, Kit and Ivan cleaned up the mess the cake had made and after about half an hour the backyard was put back together and clean. Everyone made their way back out to the pool area in time to see Dana trying to teach Liz how to throw the tennis ball. Liz did her best imitation of Dana and cocked her arm way back with the ball and threw it as hard as she could which resulted in the ball landing in the pool.

A few hours later everyone left after wishing Liz a happy birthday one more time. Liz barely looked up as she was playing with her gifts and Bette had to drag her to the door to say goodbye to them. Lauren and Jamie were staying at Nancys for the night so after making plans to have lunch the following day they left as well and as soon as she shut the door Tina leaned against it and let out a huge sigh. Bette looked concerned for a second but after seeing the happy look in Tinas eyes she relaxed. Tina went over to Liz and sat down next to her as Liz looked at the books that Alice bought her.

Happy birthday honey.

Thank you mommy.

Tina laughed and looked over at Bette and winked. Bette went to go make coffee leaving Tina and Liz to look at Lizs stuff. Tina let Liz play for a second before turning to her with a semi-serious look on her face.

Lizabout todayyou cant hit people when they make you mad okay? You have to say how angry you are instead of hitting okay?

Okay mommy.

Tina shook her head at Liz who was too immersed in her toys to even care what they were talking about. Bette returned with two cups of coffee and handed one to Tina. She sat down next to her and smiled down at her.

Well just look at it this waysoon there will be two of them running around.

Tina looked at Bette for a long time before finally giving in and laughing. Great, two balls of energy running around here all day longI cant wait Tina laughed at her own thoughts and Bette just looked at her strangely as she put her arm around her. Tina leaned into Bette as they watched their daughter play with her toys and Tina put her hand on her stomach as she thought about the new life growing inside of her. As she was just about to fall asleep she had one thought on her mind that put a smile on her face. I hope this next one is ready because I have a good feeling big sister is going to be a bully Later that night when everyone was in bed Tina had a dream about their unborn child. She dreamed that they had another girl and she could see both her and Liz playing then letting their play turn into a wrestling match for whatever reason. She could see the two kids rolling around together laughing and trying to pin each other down to declare themselves the champion. She could see her and Bette watching them with looks of disbelief on their faces as their daughters roughhoused each other and would probably end up seriously hurting each other one day. Tina felt the happiness coarse through her body and when she woke up in the morning she had a huge smile on her face as she remembered her dream. Whatever the future held for her kids she knew that she would never be able to really prepare for it and she knew that no matter whatit would never be quiet in their house again.