Elizabeth Christina Kentor get in here NOW!!!

Lizs head snapped up at the sound of Tinas very irritated voice. Her eyes grew wide as she walked slowly into her mommys room. Tina was standing near the dresser next to the door with her arms crossed and a very stern look on her face.

Did you do this?

Tina pointed to the dresser, which was covered in Crayola marker. Liz looked down at her feet as the tears formed in her eyes.

Well did you?

Liz looked up at Tina with the saddest eyes Tina had ever seen and as hard as she tried she couldnt help but feel a little guilty. She bent down to Lizs eye level and rested her hands comfortingly on Lizs shoulders.

Honey, you cant draw on the furniture okay? If you want to play with the markers make sure you only use them on paper okay?

Yes mommy

Okayso no more okay?

Okay

Tina sighed as she hugged Liz before giving her a kiss on the cheek and sending her to her room to play. She went and got a paper towel and wet it before going back into her room and cleaning the marker off the dresser. Thank God its water based, thought Tina as she scrubbed the marker out of the dresser. Bettes gonna flip when she sees this, thought Tina as she finished wiping off the marker. As if on cue Bettes voice came floating through the house.

T? Liz? Where is everyone?

Tina and Liz appeared at the same time and Liz made a beeline for Bettes arms. Bette looked surprised at Lizs happiness to see her and she gave Tina a strange look to which Tina responded by just waiving her hand and mouthing later. Bette shrugged and put Liz down before kissing her on the cheek and sending her off to play. Tina kissed Bette hello but Bette could sense the blas attitude Tina had right then. She turned to Tina and stroked her hair gently as she smiled down at her.

Hard day baby?

You dont even knowOscar called and wants me to come in next week just to help out

But baby you really shouldnt

I knowbut its only for a few days so I think it should be okay

Okaybut if

I knowif I get tired Ill just come homehow was your day?

Long, exhausting, boringsame as usual.

Aww it will get better babe

Ehso why is our daughter so overjoyed to see me today?

Long storyIll tell you laterlets eat

Tina went and grabbed the leftovers from the fridge and heated them up while Bette went to change and go get Liz ready for dinner. Bette went into Lizs room and found her playing with Bob (yes yes Bette gave income on can you really say no to a three year old?) and looking very sad. Bette went and sat down next to her on the floor.

Hey sweetie whats wrong?

I made mommy mad

What did you do?

I colored

Bette looked confused but decided not to try and solve this problem. She and Tina had a long talk about parenting and how it shouldnt always be one parent saving their child from the other. If Liz was in trouble Bette couldnt always come to her rescue and Tina would stay out of things when Bette was disciplining Liz as well. (Minus Bob of course =P)

Well are you sorry?

Yes

Did you tell mommy that?

Yes

Okayit will be okay baby

Bette picked her daughter up and the two of them went in to join Tina in the kitchen for dinner. After dinner Tina gave Liz a bath while Bette spread her paperwork out on the coffee table and went over some contracts that she had brought home with her. Half an hour later Liz was all clean and so was Tina so Bette hopped in the shower before heading to bed. Tina put Liz down while Bette was in the shower and when Bette returned she saw the dresser that Liz had used for her canvas. She was just staring at it as Tina came into the room.

Liz do this?

Yeah

What did you do about it?

I talked to her and told her that it wasnt for drawing and to not do it again.

Is that why she was so happy to see me?

Yeah

Bette shook her head and smiled a little. Talk about guilty conscience she finished changing for bed as Tina brushed her teeth and everything and waited for Bette to get into bed as well. After getting washed up, Bette climbed into bed and lay down next to her and gently wrapped an arm around her.

I love you T

I love you too Bette

Tina smiled and sighed happily as she shut her eyes and let everything about that moment settle in. She missed these tender moments between her and Bette, and ever since Liz had been born she felt like sometimes that she was competing for Bettes attention. Whenever Tina felt like that though, she scolded herself for being irrational and knowing that Bette only paid that much attention to Liz because she loved her so much, but Tina thought, if things are like this now, how is it going to be when their son arrives? She shook off all of those bad thoughts as she kissed Bette good night and snuggled into her.

The next morning Bette awoke to the smell of bacon and pancakes with a smile. someones in a good mood, she thought as she went and joined Tina in the kitchen. Tina used to cook breakfast like this when shes was in a happy mood and Bette was glad to see that she was back to her old ways.

Morning baby

Morning babe

Tina kissed Bette good morning and Bette smiled back at her with a look of love in her eyes. Bette leaned in for another kiss when all of a sudden Liz came trampling through the kitchen covered in head to toe with mud.

LIZ!!!

Liz beamed at Tina who gave her an exasperated look as Liz ran around in little circles happily. Bette stared at her daughter with a mortified look as she questioned how she got so dirty.

Liz what happened?

Liz just squealed with laughter as Bette picked her up and headed for the shower. Bette shook her head at her daughter and Tina just laughed as she remembered how her and Lauren used to play in the mud just like that. Bette helped Liz get into the shower as she questioned how she got so dirty.

Liz how did you get so dirty?

Liz just beamed as Bette did her best to wash off all the mud that was caked into Lizs hair. Liz looked up at her mommy and smiled. Bette just smiled back thinking oh great and we have a boy on the way huh? as Liz played happily in the bath. A few minutes later Bette had Liz all clean and the two of them went to join Tina in the living room. Tina laughed at Lizs antics as Liz tore through the house again looking for something to play with. Greatone more huh? thought Tina as she watched Liz happily and patted her stomach gently. Bette saw Tinas actions and smiled down at her. No matter what happened from now on, Bette knew to expect the unexpected and suddenly she couldnt wait for the birth of their baby boy. Liz proved to Bette that girls can play just as hard as boys and Bette couldnt wait to see if Lizs brother could out do her. But that was still three months away and Bette was getting anxious. One thing was for sure, no matter what happens, from now on, things will never be the same.