“I am Elizabeth Porter from 1885,” Bette said a little defensively.

“I know, Bette but we can’t tell anybody about this. Mr. Franklin, the director of the CAC, saw your miniature. He helped to restore it actually. He will ask questions and this story is plausible enough to keep him from asking too many questions. Kit has Elsa’s birth certificate and she was even born in December. How spooky is that? You have to be 3 years older though, baby. And by the way, do you speak French?”

While Tina was pouring out all this information, Bette was listening, half frightened, half thrilled. It was a little too complicated but Bette understood that it was the only way to deal with her presence in the future without a risk for both of them ending up in a mental hospital or worse…in the hands of the government.

“Baby, are you listening?” Tina asked with concern, feeling that mentally Bette drifted into a different dimension. “What do you think about this plan? Do you think it’s crazy?”

Bette looked at Tina and finally made a decision, “Yes, I was listening…and yes, je suis parle Française because my mother made sure that I received a ‘proper’ education and no, I think it’s genius plan. Who came up with it? Oh wait, let me guess…Alice?”

“Yes, you know her so well,” Tina laughed, happy that Bette accepted the plan. “Bette, I was thinking…maybe we can invite girls for pizza and drinks this weekend and you can spend some time with Kit. She’s amazing and she’s a famous singer. Maybe you two can bond.”

“She’s a singer?” Bette repeated, “Do you have some of her songs I can listen to?”

“I have one CD, let me put it for you and you can listen while I’m getting ready,” Tina said and turned the CD player on as she went to the bathroom to take a shower.

When Tina came out of the bathroom, Bette was still sitting on the edge of the bed in the same pose with her eyes closed, listening to the songs and Tina noticed tears coming down her cheeks.

“Bette, is something wrong?” Tina asked, worried that the music brought back some memories of her sister Katie.

“It is so beautiful,” Bette said in shaky voice, “Kit has an amazing voice and even though her style and repertoire are different, her voice reminds me of Katie’s.”

“Is it a good thing or a bad thing?” Tina asked hesitantly.

“Oh, it is absolutely a good thing. It feels like I have Katie with me again. I think I would like to spend more time with Kit,” Bette smiled through her tears. She pulled Tina towards her and kissed her tenderly. The blonde put her arms around Bette, enveloping her in a tight embrace and for a moment Bette’s world was a perfect place once again.

TBC…