Bette moved quickly across her apartment unable to suppress the anticipatory grin that lit up her face.

She opened the door but her well rehearsed greeting was instantly extinguished when she realized she was looking at an empty hallway.

She took one step forward, looked to the right following the sound of Tinas raised voice as she yelled at someone who was already out of view Where are you going..come back.

She caught a quick glimpse of Tinas face as she turned her head and flung the words Ill be back.. in Bettes direction then disappeared around the corner in pursuit.

Bettes smile died as she focused on the spot where the woman shed waited over three years to see, had already vanished from view.

A frown formed slowly on Bettes face.

This was not how shed dreamed their first meeting would go.

She shifted uneasily. Tina had said shed be back so, unsure what else to do, Bette waited impatiently in her doorway.

A few minutes later she heard Tinas unmistakable voice getting louder as she re-approached Bettes apartment Now be a good girl for Mommy ..and dont run away again..

Bette was still trying to process the words as Tina reappeared with a toddler in her arms.

Tinas face was pink from the chase and she was smiling happily as she greeted Bette, her voice raised over Emilys laughter Bette..theres someone I want you to meet.. her eyes left Bettes face and focussed on the squirming bundle in her arms this is my daughter Emily.

Bette froze. For the second time in a matter of minutes she was speechless. Her thoughts immediately fixated on Tina being here to tell her shed moved on and this was absolutely and definitely not what shed planned.

She wondered what else could go wrong.

Tinas smile dimmed as she took in the disbelief and the lack of welcome in Bettes expression. The tears welled in her eyes as she realized that this whole trip had been for nothing;

Bette wasnt happy to see her. Things were not going to be alright.

The tears spilled over and down her cheeks and Emily sensing her mothers distress abruptly stopped laughing and burst into tears as well.