As soon as Tina heard the words leave Ellies mouth, her body froze, her whole world stood still. She had for seen this conversation with Ellie, countless times in her mind, and now it had finally come to fruition, she was at a total loss for words. She was under attack and she had no defence whatsoever.

Dont be ridiculous Ellie. Tina snapped. She wasnt ready for this.

But I do look like her mother, I do, we have the same eyes, we have the same hair, and the same colour skin. Ellie took hold of Tinas hand and placed it over her heart. I felt it mom, I felt it here. It was like as soon as I saw her, I knew who she was, It was like she had always been in here, but I just didnt know it.

Tina knew she had nowhere to run. Helena was right. It was time she faced her fears, she just never expected this to be one of them.

Tina scooped Ellie in her arms.
Ellie, I dont know what to say . . . how to explain this to you. Tina looked at Ellie and smiled lovingly, whilst gently smoothing her hair from her face.
You have to understand that this was a long time ago, before I met Helena, okay?

Okay. Ellie nodded at her mother.

Okay. Said Tina, taking a deep breath. You know I love you right? And Helena loves you? Ellie nodded. Well before Helena and I got married I was married to Bette, Bette Porter. And we tried to have a baby, and eventually I got pregnant. But unfortunately I lost the baby. Are you okay with this so far sweetheart? Tina asked Ellie. Yes mom. She whispered. Well, after that happened Bette and I started to have a few problems, and we kind of drifted apart from each other a little bit. Then I got pregnant with you. Tina smiled at Ellie and kissed her forehead. But I didnt tell anyone I was having you. I wanted to make sure first that everything would be okay. I was going to tell Bette when I knew everything was okay. But our relationship broke down to the point where I could no longer stay with Bette so I left, before I had the chance to tell her about you. And the reason you look so much like Bette is because the donor we picked was coloured, we thought that by picking a donor who was black you would be representative of both Bette and I. And you are the most precious thing in my life Ellie, and I dont want you to ever forget that, I love you, okay?

I love you too mom. But why didnt you try and work things out with Bette mom, maybe if she had known about me we would all still be together. Asked Ellie.

Tina closed her eyes and tried to hold the tears back that were now threatening to escape.

Because she hurt me Ellie, and I could not forgive her for that, I couldnt get passed the hurt that she caused me. Tina whispered.

She told me she was very much in love with you, were you very much in love with her mom?

She did? Yes Ellie I was very much in love with Bette.

What did she do that hurt you so much mom? Ellie said, wiping the tears from Tinas cheek. Please dont cry mommy.

She broke my heart Ellie, thats what she did, she broke my heart. Tina softly cried.

She did? Is that why you married, Helena? Did she mend it again? Ellie said, smiling at Tina.

Yes, baby thats why I married Helena.

So she mended youre broken heart right mom? Ellie frowned.

I dont think anybody, could do that unfortunately, Ellie. Tina said sadly.


Oh. Ellie sighed. She then looked at Tina and said.


Mom, if Bette could break your heart, dont you think she could fix it?




TBC>>>>>>>>