Barbara snuggled closer to Bette; she had heard all she wanted from the woman. She was content to stay in that position and apparently, so was Bette.

“I hope … you’ll be in my life for a long time,” Bette’s words broke the lull of silence. “It’s a rough road ahead, but at least it doesn’t feel as scary with you beside me.”

“I’m glad,” Barbara relaxed. “We’ll take on the world together.”

“You ever thought of returning to politics?” Bette asked while she ran her fingers through Barbara’s hair.

“I have,” Barbara sighed. “The few offers on the table right now are appealing, but some are more viable than others.”

“So you do have something in mind.”

“Yes. Instead of having to turn down the job offers, I will be a consultant. That way, I still can do the things I want to do.”

She continued with her caress; the gesture was comforting for both of them. “And what is it you want to do?”

The senator sat up slowly, loosening their embrace. “Enjoy life. Spend time with you and Angelica.”

“Aren’t you a woman after a mother’s heart,” Bette teased. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

“I took a chance. I had a hunch.”

“That must be some hunch if it got you to move to another coast,” Bette pointed out.

“Love is always worth the hunch,” Barbara gently cupped Bette’s cheek. “I hope in time you’ll see the beauty that I see.”

Bette smiled as she tightened her hold on Barbara. “Did you really mean what you said earlier, about spending time with me and Angelica?”

“Of course, Bette. Loving you means loving Angelica. And your daughter inherited your mannerisms, if not your looks, too. How can I not love her?” Barbara swallowed before continuing, “I don’t have any experience with children, but I hope to change that.”

“You’ll do fine,” Bette chuckled. “Don’t forget, it’s my first time, too.”

“You and me, we’ll do it together.”

Bette nodded. “This is going to get complicated.”

“But it hasn’t ruin anything between us,” Barbara reassured the woman.

“No, I obviously didn’t know what I was talking about earlier.”

“Good thing you have a willing audience to tell you otherwise,” she teased Bette. “I have no illusions that it will be smooth sailing from here. There are issues we have to deal with, but as long as we take a proactive approach, we should be able to weather the storm.”

“Famous last words,” Bette mumbled.

“You don’t have faith in us?” Barbara’s tone hardened.

“Not the way you’re thinking. I just…” Bette backtracked. “Things are going to get really messy before the dust settles. The fact that we’re both high profile adds that extra gunpowder into the mix.”

“What are you saying, Bette?” the woman sat up once again. “I didn’t devote so much of my life in politics without learning a thing. I can handle the hounds.”

“Can you, though?” Bette tilted her head to the left. “What are you going to tell people when they ask about us? Are you going to preserve that open secret? Or are you going to tell the truth?”

For once, Barbara had no quick answer.