Chapter Text
Since the Kennards moved to LA, their next-door neighbours, the Porters, had been incredibly kind, especially Maxine.
Though they only met recently, they instantly clicked, and over the past year, they had built a deep friendship.
The Porters' daughter, Bette, was incredibly lovable.
With her bronze-coloured skin, a blend of Melvin and Maxine's tones, and her lively, sparkling eyes, she captivated everyone.
Despite being only three, she already knew many words and often quietly read books while Carol and Maxine chatted at home.
Though it was already December, LA’s sunshine still bathed the land, bringing a bit of warmth to the winter.
Taking advantage of the sunny day, Carol was out in the front yard, decorating for Christmas and hanging lights on the fence.
She heard the gate to Mr. Porter's house next door creak open as Maxine returned from the supermarket with daily groceries.
"Maxine, how’s everything? Christmas is coming, and it’s really starting to get cold," Carol said, walking over to meet Maxine at the boundary between their homes.
"Carol, I haven’t seen you much lately. I’m doing well. How about you?" Maxine was dressed in a brown coat and a black skirt that reached down to her ankles.
"Maxine, I actually have some good news to share—I’m pregnant! Our baby is due next July." Though Carol was wearing a loose gray sweater, you could still notice the slight curve of her belly.
She instinctively placed her hand on her stomach.
"Carol, I’m so happy for you!" Maxine, unable to contain her excitement at the news, jumped up and grabbed Carol's hand, pulling her toward the house.
"How about we celebrate with some tea before you head back?" Maxine invited Carol to sit on the velvet sofa in the living room, then turned to the kitchen to boil some water.
Carol heard the sound of little footsteps approaching, followed by soft giggles behind her.
"Wow! Auntie Carol, are you here to play with me?" Bette jumped out from behind the armchair, holding a book about penguins and Antarctica.
"Yes, Bette! What are you reading today?" Carol asked in a sweet voice, looking at the little girl with her messy brown curls.
"Today, I’m reading a library book. It says that penguins can be gay! Even if they’re the same gender, they can be partners and take care of baby penguins together. And they show their love by giving each other pebbles they like!" Bette excitedly explained, flipping through the pages of the book as she pointed things out.
"Really? I didn’t know that! Bette, you’re so smart, knowing so many things I don’t!" Carol couldn’t help but gently stroke Bette’s cheek, already imagining that her own daughter would become friends with Bette.
"Bette darling, did you know that Auntie Carol has a baby growing in her belly? She’ll come out to play with you next year!" Maxine brought tea and snacks into the living room, sharing Carol’s pregnancy news with Bette.
"Really? When will I get to meet her? Why can’t we meet now?" Bette tilted her head, confused.
"Because the baby is still growing in my belly. She needs to get big enough and strong enough before she can come out and play with you. Just wait seven more months, and she’ll be here!" Carol explained, amused by Bette’s innocent curiosity.
"Seven months? So I have to wait one, two, three... four... five... six... seven months? That’s so long! Can’t she come to play with me sooner?" Bette pouted, counting on her fingers and growing impatient.
"Sweetheart, calm down. Mommy wants to chat with Auntie Carol now. How about you choose another book to read next to us? Didn’t you borrow a book about Picasso from the library?"
"Oh yeah, I haven’t read that one yet. I’ll go get it!" Bette quickly darted upstairs to fetch the book she wanted to read.
"I hope my daughter can become good friends with Bette," Carol said as both she and Maxine glanced at the staircase where Bette had disappeared.
They exchanged a smile.
/
Although Carol started having contractions on the evening of the 3rd, after a long night, she finally gave birth to Tina on the morning of Independence Day.
The Kennard family returned home from the hospital with tiny Tina bundled up in a blanket, soundly asleep in the carrier.
After parking the car, Harge couldn’t help but smile while glancing at his daughter’s sleeping face.
He carried the overnight bag from the hospital to the master bedroom so Carol only had to care for the baby.
Holding the carrier, Carol opened the door to the baby's room, which had already been set up with a soft yellow crib and gifts from friends for Christina’s birth.
She gently lifted Tina out of the carrier and placed her in the crib, then turned on the radio to play soothing music to calm the baby.
Tina’s short golden hair shimmered. Although her features were small, you could already tell she had inherited Carol’s deep-set eyes and Harge’s long fingers.
She briefly opened her eyes as if getting used to the room that would be hers.
Her hazel-green eyes looked around before closing again, falling back into sleep.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Carol put down what she was doing and went to the door.
There stood Maxine, holding Bette’s hand.
"Maxine! Bette! Hello! I’m sorry, we just got home and haven’t had the energy to say hi yet."
"Oh, no need to apologize! Bette noticed your car was back and started fussing, saying she wanted to see the baby she’s been waiting for. I couldn’t do anything else but bring her over. Also, here’s a chocolate cake I made to congratulate you on your new baby." Maxine handed over a box of brownies topped with chocolate frosting.
"Thank you so much, Maxine!" Carol gave Maxine a hug before turning to Bette.
"Bette, the baby is sleeping now. If you want to see her, you have to be very quiet, okay?" Carol leaned down a bit, gently holding her sore belly as she spoke to Bette.
"Okay, Auntie Carol. I’ll be reallyyyyyy quiet. Can I see the baby?" Bette already started to whisper, showing her sincerity.
They entered the baby's room, where Tina was still sleeping.
Bette ran excitedly to the crib but, due to her height, could only see the pillows around Tina.
Carol moved a small stool over and let Bette stand on it.
"Wow... she’s so tiny," Bette gasped softly in awe, staring at Tina for a long time without saying anything.
"Say a quiet ‘hi’ to Tina, Bette," Carol, moved by Bette’s reaction to seeing Tina for the first time, couldn’t help but tear up a little.
"Hi, Tina, I’m Bette Porter. We’re going to play together from now on, okay?" Bette whispered.
She gently touched Tina’s chubby cheek with her tiny finger.
Tina opened her eyes, and just as everyone thought she was about to cry, Tina looked in Bette’s direction and gave a faint smile.
"Mommy! Tina smiled at me!" Bette, forgetting she was supposed to be quiet, turned around and shouted excitedly to Maxine.
At that moment, Tina was startled by the sudden loud noise and burst into tears.
"Oh no, I forgot to be quiet!" Bette quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
"It’s okay. Tina might be hungry and ready for some milk," Carol quickly reassured Bette so she wouldn’t feel guilty, then picked Tina up to feed her.
Maxine realized they had stayed long enough. She took Bette’s hand, said goodbye to Carol, and headed back home.
That night, after watching the Fourth of July fireworks, Bette fell asleep on Maxine’s lap, still murmuring in her sleep.
"Tina, we’re going to be best friends forever..."