Have I told You
Chapter Forty-Three



Kit I only have one more day to practice. The gallery opens tomorrow and after that I dont think Ill ever have a second free.

Dont worry baby girl, youre only practicing what you already know. You know that song by heart.

I knew that song by heart, Kit.

Bette are you gonna let a few years of not playing ruin this?

A few, try a few decades or centuries for that matter. As she took her seat at the bench next to her sister.

Girl you never cease to amaze me, you know that.

What do you mean?

Can you really tell me that maybe 2 or 3 years ago you wouldve done this for her?

I hate to say it, but I dont think I wouldve.

And now look at you, I mean just look at the last few months. You have two wonderful kids, your wife safe and in your arms, friends who love and adore you both, and not to forget, one sober sister.

Striking the keys to let a low sound out, I am proud of you Kit Kat.

Striking a few keys herself, I wanted you to be proud of me.

Putting her hand over her sisters on the keys, Im very proud of you. Tina and I both are. And you yourself have so much love in your life so dont you forget it.

All right, all right, back to the keys, lets go.

Bette tapped the keys as Kits soulful voice let the words go, Have I told you lately


Libby, JJ and I are gonna take Bette some lunch well be back. They had decided that Jonathan was just to long for the little boy so JJ fit just right for him.

Okay I have a class in half an hour so I probably wont be here when you get back.

Be careful, and call us.


James, wheres Bette?

Shes in the back, but be careful shes been a little testy today so

Thanks James, but I think we can handle it right JJ.

He only smiled as he went by James and offered him a high five.

B.B.

Tina, my boy, what are you guys doing here, as she let the days struggles go and kissed them good-bye as she met Tinas lips.

We brought you a small lunch, as JJ held the small brown bag up to show her.

Peanut butter and jelly, B.B.

Taking the bag from him and thanking him, really you shouldnt have T.

I didnt, he made them for you.

Well in that case I know theyre gonna be wonderful. Can I share with you JJ?

What about Nini?

Sweetie, I already ate mine member.

Taking his half and running to look for James, he left Bette to enjoy her half.

Did you have a half day today?

Yeah the house is opened and running so Carlos let me go. Walking up to her,

James said you were being a little testy, his words by the way, so whats wrong?

Nothing, Peggy just called and you know how her calls make me nervous.

Youre going to be great tomorrow.

As long as youre there with me, you bet youre sweet ***** I am.

Such a charmer you are.

Aw T, you bring out the charm in me. And Libby she feeling ok?

Yeah, she has a class in a little bit.

Wrapping her arms around her, And you, do you feel okay?

In your arms I cant complain.

I hope not.

Shut up and kiss me already.

I thought youd never cutting her wife short. Catching her breathe, My arent we a little impatient cutting her off again.

Nini,

Pulling away from Bette, but remaining in her embrace, Yeah sweetie,

I have to go to the bathroom.

Oh, okay then, lets go.


Hey Bette,

Yeah James,

I was thinking.

I already dont like the sign of that.

And why not.

Because the last time you were thinking, you made me put Porter and Kendrix outside the building.

I wasnt thinking, I was only suggesting.

Another one for James.

Okay, what is it this time.

Well we both are expecting right?

Yeah.

And you and I are a team, no?

Yes.

Well we both know that we will be spending a lot of time here, and so will our companions.

Where exactly are you going with this James?

So dont you think we might have to put a nursery or something here. So when we get stuck with the parenting duties.

Stuck?

Um I meant, when we have the babies and JJ here you know, so they can have their space here.

Right.

So what do you think?

Where would we put it?

Here, in your office, laughing and walking out as Tina came back in, and JJ following him around again.

Her eyebrows told Tina all she needed to know.

Is James messing with you again, babe?

Yeah, and he thinks hes funny too.

Whats he doing now?

He thinks it would be a good idea to set a room aside for JJ and the babies when they come.

Hes thought about it all hasnt he?

Speaking of babies, when do we have an appointment?

Next week. Two-thirty.

And Libby?

Next week, three-thirty.

Oh that reminds me, the school called and JJs paper work is done so after this weekend he should be in school.

The one a few blocks down from the center?

Yup, that very one.

Speaking of reminders, I could have sworn there was a piano in the west wing or whatever wing it is.

Bette forgot to push it back into the storage room after her session with Kit.

What are you talking about?

On the way to the restroom, I saw a piano.

Um its part of the show. A small lie.

I dont remember a piano being in Peggys art collection.

Thats because

Because why?

Its, its a

A what Bette.

Great her small surprise ruined, taking Tinas hand and leading her to it.

Um why dont I show you?

Come here, sit with me.

I was gonna do this for you tomorrow, but Id rather show you now.

Seeing that is was another small gesture for her, she felt terrible for asking.

Bette, I can wait.

I like it better this way.

Just you and me?

Just you and me.

Opening the lid thingie, she set her fingers on the keys and took a deep breath. And in her low honey voice,


And have I told you lately that I love youHave I told you there’s no one else above youYou fill my heart with gladnesstake away my sadnessease my troubles that’s what you doTake away all my sadnessfill my life with gladnessease my troubles that’s what you doTake away all my sadnessfill my life with gladness…ease my troubles that’s what you do THave I told you lately


Letting the last note linger on for just a second longer. They sat there until the applause from behind them startled them.

Ah, the Porter Charm back to its old self.

Alice! Sorry guys, we just came by to see the place before tomorrow.

Bette feeling a little insecure at the moment welcomed the small interruption.

Dane, Al.

Hugging Bette and whispering in her ear, You still have it dont you?

Having thought no one heard her except Bette, until Tina responded, Yes Al, she still does.

You now Stevie is looking for a duet partner, you should call him Bette.

Funny Al, besides Stevie himself gave me my lessons.

Kit.

Yup.

She helped you Bette?

Yeah.

When.

I dont know, the last few morning I guess.

So you excited for tomorrow Bette?

Yeah,

Yup, Porters back to her confident self again.

What was that Alice?

Hmm. What? So wheres JJ.

With James somewhere.

So how bout Dana and I cook dinner for us in a few days around 8?

Its a date.

Then dont be late. I know you Porters and when it comes to time, youre never on time. Well Tina you are, but it seems Bettes watch never wants to work.

Well be there Alice.

All right were off. So go back to serenading your love Bette.

Dana, please get her out of here. Besides Al youre just jealous.

Me jealous, of what Tina?

Dana not singing to you.

Dana sings to me all the time, dont ya honey.

Alice you know damn well I cant carry a tune to save both our lives.

Well she sings, I just didnt say how well.

Alice come on.

Babe were off too. Im sure James is tiring JJ out, so we might go take a nap.

You dont mind if Im a little late do you.

Bette. He waits for you to tuck him in.

Let him lay with you till I get there.

The past two nights he has crawled into bed with us Bette, this is going to be a habit hard to break.

T, please.

Youre hopeless.

Just until I get there.

What are you gonna do when the baby comes.

Buy a bigger bed.

Call me when youre on your way.

Can I walk you out?

JJ, tell James bye, we have to go.

Nini, can I stay with a him a little longer?

Sweetie, James and I have to finish work, so we can go home to you and your momma, and Libby.

Oh,

But youll see him later.

Esta bien.

Now can I have my kiss and hug?

Si, wrapping his little arms around her neck.

Be good for momma okay.

Yes maam.

Getting back up to Tinas level, Now can I have my kiss and hug.

Yes and Ill be good for momma.

You better, you dont want to get grounded now do you.

That depends.

On what?

On whos on the ground first, you or me.

Thats not the grounded Im talking about T.

Too bad, thats the kind I was.

Well then, you better leave before we find out who hits it first right here, you or me.



A Talk and A Duet
Chapter Forty-Four



It was a little past eleven-thirty went she made it home. Setting her briefcase down, and locking the doors, she saw a figure on the couch.

T,

Its me. Came the throaty voice.

Shane, are you okay?

Now sitting up and allowing Bette to sit next to her,

Yeah, I just needed to crash here, Tina said it was okay.

No, of course Shane, you know youre always welcome here. Do you want to talk?

A moment of silence as Shane struggled to say something, anything.

Knowing something was wrong by just the silence she took her friend in her arms.

Shane, tell me.

Pulling away from the secure embrace her friend had on her and wiping the few tears that made their way down her face.

Oh Shane.

Bette, I believed in love because of you two. And when all that ***** happened, it put a dent in my beliefs, but it never went away. And the one time I felt that I really did or could love someone, only to have her rip out what little of my heart I did give her.

Bette knew who she was talking about, but at the time she herself had her own life in a mess, and didnt take the proper time to be there for her friends like they had done for her.

Im sorry.

Dont sweat it. I understand. You had your own ***** to go through.

I should have

But you did Bette, when you worked so hard to fight for her, becoming a mom, and then getting back together when you guys knew it was the right time to. You guys making it work made me think that maybe I didnt have it so bad. Yeah she busted my heart, but I could find someone again you know. I was scared so of course I jumped into any bed that would have me, but then she

Laying her head on the couch and closing her eyes.

You can tell me Shane. Im here.

Grabbing Bettes ring that she still wore, and outlining the circle that her life had become, a circle.

Awhile back, I met this chick. She worked for this lady whose hair I had done. I wasnt thinking about anything with anyone but she kept at it. Shes different, I cant explain it, but her coming after me it was different. All the other girls, they were nothing, but I hadnt even slept with her yet, but she had something. She was about to give up on me, when we finally did go out. And usually before they wake up, Im gone, but I stayed. I dont know why, but I did.

How come we dont know about her?

Because, what if this could be something and then her to just up leave and break me. If you guys not knowing about it, it wouldnt be a big deal.

Shane it would have been.

I know but I didnt want that. Till I made sure she was good.

And is she?

I think she is.

So why are you sleeping on my couch?

Im scared to let her in. Im scared that she might be something that I wont be able to live without.

Thinking for a second that Shane lately had been disappearing a little too much.

All those appointments you were rushing off to, they were her werent they?

Most of them, the others were real clients.

When youre not with her, how do you feel?

Like I cant breathe, but

What?

I was scared Bette, when I new she might feel the same way, I went back to other girls.

That night out at Milk?

Yeah.

What did she do?

What do you think she did?

Turn and run.

I thought so too.

She didnt?

No, she just held me and told me that didnt matter. That if we wanted we could have an us that did matter.

So why are you here on my couch, Shane?

Because I want an us that matters.

Then tell her.

Looking back at Bette hoping she could read her eyes.

Shane, its natural to be scared, but when shes all you need, you have to take that chance at either making you or breaking you.

Like you did.

And it made us.

Is she worth it?

Yeah, she is worth itworth my heart ever loving again.

Good now we have to meet this girl okay.

Youre not gonna give her a talk are you?

If it means that much to you, no I wont. But I guess I have to go to bed, we have a long day ahead of us. Getting up to hug her friend good night she stopped when she called her name.

Bette, as Shane took her hand around her neck and loosened her necklace. I think youre ready for this, as she placed Bettes ring onto her palm.

I love you Shane.

I know.


In the morning a note left on their couch.
Thanks for the couch, Tina. Thanks for the words, Bette. Shane.

Eating breakfast

I thought you were gonna put him in his bed?

T, I was tired. Besides you were holding on to him and I couldnt loosen your grasp.

Dont lie.

Im not, I was tired.

You save some for me JJ? As Libby made her presence made.

James?

He went home around two.

He couldve stayed. With Tina and Libby both looking at Bette as if she had three heads or something.

I mean so he doesnt have to be driving late at night.

He didnt think you would like that?

Well, proves how well he knows me. Putting her dishes in the sink. Well we have to be at the Gallery to just tidy up for tonight, but I should be back around noon.

I dont have to go to the center today.

So what are you gonna do?

Libby and I were just going to finish putting the last touches on JJs room and Libbys place.

So can I take JJ with me so you guys can work.

What about your work?

T, James will be there with me, you know he adores him.

Dont forget to eat if youre taking him with you then.

Why dont you just pack a lunch for us?

Yeah, two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches coming right up.



The statues dusted, the paintings aligned, and the abstracts in their place, it didnt need that much tidying up as they had thought.

You dont mind if I take off early do you boss.

No, just be back at six-thirty.

Which is fifteen till for you.

Smart *****.

JJ you want to play some music.

Shaking his head and putting his lips together to send a small whistle in the air.

Who taught you that?

Libby.

Sitting him in her lap on the bench and letting him feel the keys. She was talking to him as if he understood when she talked about when she was a little girl and used to play. His little five-year-old mind just wanted to play and nothing more.

Placing his hands on top of hers, as she pressed the keys and sang to him.


You are my sunshinemy only sunshineyou make me happy.when skies are grayyoull never know dearhow much I love youplease dont take my sunshine away


Again B.B.

You like that?

Putting his hand back on top of hers was the only answer she needed.

You are my sunshine


Hey, babe, you on your way.

Yeah,

Did you finish?

Yeah we got done a little earlier than usual.

So why are you coming home now.

Because JJ and I were playing some music together.

Bette.

Yeah, hes my sunshine.

I love you Bette.

I love you Tina.

Now come home and give me some of that sunshine.

You cant get whats already yours, T.

Yes I can, and I have every intention of doing so.

Youre impossible.

And youre a hopeless romantic.

But thats why you love me.

That I do, sweetheart, that I do.