Somebody New

Chapter Fifteen


We got another one guys. Each time Bette was in a magazine or article she would send an autographed one to the gang. There in the planet each one would hang for everyone to see.

Quite the little star, we have. Dana I think you might have some competition.

No article will ever top my slogan, right?

Hey Kit, did you see the new one?

Yeah, its a good one. Listen, I just came by to let you guys know I was flying out there next week so if any of you wanted me to give her something or say something, I need to know.

And as Kit tried to right everything down, Tina and Amy walked in.

Whats up guys? They all looked at each other then at Kit.

I was just taking requests.

That sounds exciting, for what?

Im going to New York next week and I just thought if the girls wanted to say anything.

Oh, was all Tina could manage.

Amy would you go get our drinks.

While she was gone she gave her two cents, Tell her congrats on all the success. Everyone kept on looking as if she wanted to say more. Thats it.

Okay I have to run guys. Ill see you when I get back ok. And before Amy could come back, oh this came for you.

Amy came back and Tina excused herself. In her stall she unfolded her paper.

Tina,

There was many things I thought Id never do but were done and the only thing I could never do is ever stop loving you.

B.



New York

Bette was getting ready to go home to start dinner. She couldnt wait to show her cooking skills off to her sister. Libby had taken the time form her busy days to show her what she had taught herself. And since Provocations she had a little more free time besides the paperwork that was left and the rewards from the show were allowing her not do so much work as before. It wouldnt last for long though, a new group show would be coming and she dreaded the moment the chaos would begin.

For the last two months she had been home by five. Libby would be at work or at the center. Every now and then she would too herself spend her time there. Jonathan came around a little more and Bette could see something in his eyes.

She loved the way he would call her name, but when he really wanted something he would call her B.B. and her heart would melt just a little. Sometimes she would think that this was supposed to be her and Tinas little boy, but then she would close her eyes and try to forget that part of her life. Tina was happy with Amy and she did not want to stand in the way of her happiness. She did not want to give up on them, but she could no longer reach out. Libby would tell her to not give up, but she was fighting a fight that no longer was needed she thought.

Going back to her work, she gathered her things and headed for home. It was only three, but she could take the paperwork home.


Hey James, wheres Bette.

She left about half and hour ago.

Bette Porter leave work early no way.

Yeah, ever since Libby has been with her, she goes home early and takes her work with her. Shes a real family lady these days.

I cant believe it. Thanks James. She turned to Dana to tell her the news.

Yeah Al, I think we might be a little late.

Bette hasnt mentioned anything about anyone to us, how can she be a family lady? She has some explaining to do.

Maybe we should go talk to Bette ourselves and tell her.

Good one Dane.

Lets just go and tell her. I think we should. We should right? I mean its only New York. Or we could wait for Kit to come back and tell us.



Once Libby was asleep, Kit stayed up with Bette,

You know Kit, I love her and I want her to be a part of my life. You like her right?

Yeah she laughs when I call her BJ.

Why BJ?

Because she holds on to your every word and the way she looks at you, its adorable, like a little Bette, so BJ. Bette Jr.

BJ, I like the sound of that.

Bette how come Callie hasnt come around?

She knew you were coming and wanted us to get to spend time together. She felt like she would have been in the way.

Girl, you know that isnt true.

I know, but she wouldnt. Maybe before you go I can get her to come over.

Sounds good, I do want to meet her.
All week long when Bette came home and Libby didnt have to work, they would all go sight seeing and catch up on everything that had been.


Kit are you all ready.

Yeah well then let gets going shall we?

Yes baby girl lets.

Tina had been sitting in her back yard with the cd player on repeat, she was lost in her thoughts about wanting to just go to Bette. She was tired of being lonely because even with Amy here that wasnt enough. She had tired of thinking of what might have been and closed her eyes to


Im here without baby, but youre still on my lonely mindI think about you baby


Hey guys I cant wait to see what Kit has brought back.

I know but if it wont be Bette then I dont know.

Dane, baby we all miss her, but they are doing ok. Thats all that matters right?

Yeah Dane, theyre good. And as if the moment couldnt have been more right, she walked in,

Hola Chicas

Kit,

Hey Kit,

Oh girls I did miss you,

So is she ok? Is she eating right? Any girlfriends yet? Come on Kit tell us.

Shane, shes great I never thought I would say it, but she really is. Wheres Tina anyhow?

Amy and her were doing some things, but were supposed to meet them later.

I know you guys and so no more waiting for what Bette sent for all of you guys. But before you guys go crazy I want to show you something. Marina can you come here for a second? They all waited as Kit went outside and then came back in with a girl behind her.

Kit whats going on?

Guys meet my niece, Libby or as I call her, BJ. They all looked around and wondered if maybe Kit had a few too many drinks. She is the reason for keeping my sister straight, and as she said that she walked in.

Bette!

Girls, oh God its good to see you all. They all hugged for what it seemed for hours. They ordered some more drinks and sat to catch up on good times. She looked different they could tell, but she looked good.

Dana and Alice Im so happy for you guys, I
knew it was only a matter of time,

Alice gave her that look like yeah right as Dana only blushed.

Well its about nap time so we are going to Kits ok. She paused and they all knew for what.

Um shes good Bette. Are you going out tonight? She asked leaving out that Tina would be there.

I have a daughter so I cant go out like I used to.

Jesus, Porter shes a little old to have a babysitter dont you think?

Alice, be nice ok. But well have breakfast tomorrow. Bye.

I guess she did her explaining huh Alice.

Alice could only blink her eyes as she repeated, I cant believe it, over and over.


Later that night

Tina could tell they were all keeping something but she chose to ignore it. She had that feeling a lot, when she brought Amy along, but then she would get over it.

You guys another round?

Yeah, they all replied.

But first restroom brake ok. Be back in a second.

And as Tina made her way to the restroom Bette made her way to the bar. She wanted to finish her first drink before joining the gang. She hadnt known if Tina would be there, but she needed a few drinks to reassure herself that she would be ok. While downing one, a girl she hadnt seen before offered to buy her another one.

Thank you, but maybe next time.

Hey Jessie, another round for us ok, and Tina skimmed the bar while waiting for her drinks, when she came to the far right corner, her heart stopped and her breathing became hard. She only had to see her side view and shoulders to know who it was. She was looking away, but Tina knew it was her. She made her way back to the crowd and she looked at them one by one.

How come you didnt tell me she was here?

T, what do you mean? and they all turned to look at her direction, but she was no longer there, she was walking out the door. She didnt wait for an answer she just followed her outside.

Bette was unlocking her door when she felt it, she felt her. Before she opened her door, she turned around to see her.

Tina, was all could whisper. She just stood there. Tina didnt know what to do, she wanted to see her so bad, and now that she was here, she couldnt catch her breath.

T, are you ok?

Bette, what are you doing here?

I came to introduce the girls to someone, and knowing how she put it she realized that Tina would take it the wrong way.

Tina flinched and turned to walk away. Bette grabbed her hand and turned her around.

Her name is Libby, Tina, they met my daughter, and looked into her eyes for some sign of anything.

Your daughter?

Yeah, I wrote about her in all my letters to you, but knowing she couldnt finish.

But what Bette?

The letters that I could never send you.

You said daughter,

Yes, Libby.

Libby,

Shes here at my sisters, I took her in,
and she is my kid. Its only us Tina. I dont want anyone else. Knowing that she didnt want to start again,

I have to go back inside,

Back to Amy.

Bette dont, as Bette came up to her touching her face and looking at her with all that she had.

Dont what Tina, I did everything I could that you wanted of me. But in the end the only thing you didnt want was, me. I love you, Tina even all the way in New York I am still in love with you. I dont care who you have with you I want to be with you.

Stop, as she got out of her embrace and walked back in with Bette right behind her.

You guys not again, and they noticed Alice pointing to Tina with Bette following her.

Tina, dammit girl, what more can I do to show that I love you huh? You have my all, my everything she couldnt finish, she just kissed her. As the kiss deepend, Amy had come just in time to see the kiss. She pulled on Bettes shoulder and as she turned her around, she swung and knocked Bette right in the jaw.

Amy, stop.

Tina knew Bette wasnt the type to just let things be and as she noticed Bettes fist tense up, she just felt shocked as Bette looked at them both, released her fists and just looked at Amy. The fury she held in her hands calmed down as it moved into her words.

Fine, but know this Amy, despite me breaking her heart, it is I who owns that very heart. I have loved her and do love her with every ounce of anything that I could ever possess. You could never compare to how much I will continue to love her. So when you look into her eyes, keep in mind that it isnt you she is looking at or looking for. One last look at Tina, she smiled, now if youll excuse me someone offered to buy me a drink and I need that very drink right about now.

She made her way back to the bar and the girl returned. Two drinks later, she thanked to girl, raised her empty glass to Tina and the gang and left.

The next morning before Kit could awake, with a sleepy Libby by her side, they went home.

Oh momma, Im sorry, Libby tried to comfort her mothers heart as she told of what had happened.

Me too,

You know, I know this isnt the right time, but maybe its time to look and see what you might find here.

Knowing she meant Callie, and that would never stop looking for Tina, she just told her daughter, maybe.

Bette knew it was no longer safe to send her short notes to Tina, so she addressed them to Alices hoping she would send them on their way. But instead she just stuffed them into her box and hid them deep inside her closet and deep within her heart. Before she could truly let go, the last one she would send.

Hey girl, how about lunch?

Alice, besides the lunch what really brings you here.

Ah, you know me too well. I know its been awhile, but one came today, and I have a feeling it might be one of the last ones to do so.



T,
Im sorry, Please forgive me for that. Maybe its time. Thank you for loving me.
B.


So what shed say.

Lets just eat okay Alice.

I think its over Al. Really this time.