p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Bea put her empty mug on the glass table. Allie and Bea are sitting side by side in the waiting room chairs. Allie turns to Bea. "You did it, Bea… you did the hardest part. You should be proud of yourself." Allie said gently. Bea bursts into tears. Allie turns her chair to face her and places her hands on top of Bea's. "You are so brave. So many woman don't have the strength to leave." Allie says with tears in her eyes. Bea turns her hands so that she is actually holding Allie's. Allie smiles. "Whatever Harry told you about yourself is not true. You are an exceptional person, full of value and worthy of love," says Allie. Bea is now sobbing. Allie let go of one of Bea's hands and strokes her hair soothingly. Allie's hand lingers on Bea's cheek at her jaw line. Bea turns her face further into Allie's touch, her cheek is resting on the palm of Allie's hand. "You are such a beautiful person, inside and out. I know it will be hard but you have to erase Harry's words from your mind. You did nothing wrong," Allie whispers. They sit in silence like this for a while, Bea crying while still holding Allie's hand. Bea releases a slow breath, trying to compose herself. "I couldn't have done it without you," says Bea. Allie smiles softly. "You did this…you. I hope that I made it easier for you but ultimately it was your choice, your strength that allowed you to finally be heard." Bea slowly got up from her chair and Allie followed suit. "It's late, I should go home to Debbie or she'll be worried." Bea said walking toward the front door. "Are you ok to drive?" Allie asks with concern. "Yes, thank you." Bea steps in front of Allie, facing her. Looking directly into Allie's eyes she says, "I mean it. Thank you so much." Allie's heart flutters, Bea is standing so close. To Allie's surprise, Bea /spanspan style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"slowly wraps her arms around Allie and pulls her into a tender hug. There is no space between their bodies and Allie feels a warm flush over her whole body. Bea kisses Allie on her cheekspan style="color: #222222;". Bea pulls away, turns around and walks out the front door, leaving a very confused Allie./span/spanspan style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #222222;"br / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Bea arrives home shortly after leaving Allie's. Once in the house, she turns the alarm off. Debbie is sleeping on the couch with the television on. Bea grabs the remote and turns the tv off. She doesn't want to scare Debbie so rather than wake her up, she puts a throw blanket over her body and walks to her bedroom. Bea is exhausted. It has been an extremely emotional day and she is so glad it's over. Allie is right, she did it. While undressing she hears her phone ring. She grabs it quickly, hoping the sound doesn't wake her daughter up. The caller ID screen says "Allie Novak." "Hello?" says Bea. "Hi Bea, I hope I am not disturbing you but I realized that we didn't set up another appointment. We need to work on getting your medical records." Allie says suddenly feeling awkward. "No we didn't. What time do you want me to come by?" Bea asks. "How about you come by at 9?" Allie suggests. "That sounds good. I will see you tomorrow," says Bea. "Ok, good night Bea," says Allie. "Good night." Bea hangs up. Bea climbs into bed and pulls the covers up to her chin. She thinks about the things Allie said tonight. She wants to believe Allie, that she is brave, has value and that she is worthy of love. Harry's words have been so ingrained into her that it feels like she could never believe it. She knows that other people see something in her that Harry didn't see. Franky and Bridget constantly tell her that she is a good person, that she's beautiful and smart. Why can't she see it in herself? Allie seems to see something worthy in her too. There's something about Allie believing in her that makes Bea want to believe that she is worthy. Would Bea feel that way with anyone who is as kind and compassionate as Allie is to her? Or is it Allie? Bea thinks about how even Allie's touch is kind, even tender. Bea replays the day in her head and eventually falls asleep./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Allie makes herself something to eat. The intensity of the last couple of hours has drained her. She was glad the hardest part was over. As she replayed the day in her head, her mind kept going back to the hug Bea gave her. It wasn't so much that Bea hugged her, it was the way in which she hugged her. Straight women don't women hug each other that way. It was a full body hug. She knew that Bea was communicating her gratitude through touch, thinking that words weren't sufficient enough to thank Allie. But, Allie felt more of an intimacy behind it. Of course, she was probably reading into it because she wants Bea to feel something for her. Allie shakes her head as if to remove these thoughts. Allie knows she needs to not go there. It's inappropriate and selfish. Allie turns on the tv and settles in her bed. Maybe watching a movie will quiet her thoughts. After a while Allie drifts off to sleep./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Bea wakes up early. She had no nightmares and feels unusually light and relaxed. She heads into the kitchen and is surprised to find Debbie awake and making pancakes. "I was going to bring you breakfast in bed," Debbie says with a look of disappointment. "Awww baby, that is so sweet. Thank you," Bea says while hugging Debbie. Her heart swelled with love. She has such a wonderful daughter. "I thought it would be nice since yesterday must have been horrible," Debbie says with sympathy. "It was very difficult, I am glad it's over," says Bea. "So what's the next step?" Debbie asks. "I am meeting with Allie at 9 to talk about getting my records from the hospital." Bea says. "Can I go with you today?" Debbie asks. "Yes. Why don't we do something fun today? Bea suggest. "Like what?" Debbie asks. "Let's take a drive and go to the Vanderbilt Museum. We can go to the planetarium. What do you think?" Bea asks smiling. She know Debbie loves the planetarium. "Yessss! I would love that." Debbie says excitedly. Breakfast is ready and after they clean up, they both shower, dress and head to Allie's office./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Allie wakes up thinking about Bea. She was eager to see her this morning. She put on her running gear and heads out to the beach. Feeling really good after her run, Allie heads to Starbucks and picks up the usual. Nikki , the barista greets her with a smile. "The usual?" Nikki asks flirtatiously. Allies nods. Nikki has been hitting on Allie for weeks. Nikki is really attractive but Allie has shied away from responding to her constant flirting. Allie hasn't felt that she is up for dating anyone. Her last relationship ended so badly. Funny, she doesn't feel that way with Bea. Allie is so drawn to Bea, she forgets all of her insecurities and excuses why dating is not a good idea. As Allie is leaving, Nikki smiles and tells her to have a good day in a flirty tone. Allie is not interested./spanbr / br / span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"Bea and Debbie walk into the office and greet Grace. Grace smiles and says, "good morning ladies." Grace notices a difference in Bea. Her posture, gait and voice sound more confident and lighter. Allie opens her office door smiling. "How are my two favorite ladies?" Debbie has a smile from ear to ear. It is obvious how much she likes Allie. Bea blushes and says hello. Once seated in the office, Allie asks "How are you feeling this morning, Bea?" Bea smiles and says, " I feel... hopeful." "That's great!" Allie beams. "Well, we need to move on to the next step. Getting your medical records. Hopefully that won't be too difficult. New York state law requires physicians to give most documents that a patient request within 10 days. The hospital can charge you a reasonable fee but they can't deny you the records if you show that you cannot pay." Allie says. "There is no problem with me paying for the copies." Bea says. "Good. I need you to call the hospital and ask for the records department. Explain what you need. They will probably need you to sign a release form. Ask them to fax, e-mail or mail them to my office. Do not go there to pick them up. I don't want to take any chances that someone you know will recognize you." Allie says with concern. Bea nods her head. "I understand. I will call them after I leave. I told Debbie that I would take her to the Vanderbilt museum. Should we not go?" Debbie looks disappointed at the thought of staying home. "I really don't recommend it. Can you do something around here? There is a boat tour and it is beautiful out." Allie asks. Debbie smiles. "That would be good. Please mama?" Bea laughs and says, "how can I refuse that face?" Allie smiles at the exchange between them. "Oh before I forget. I will have to get Debbie's statement before I file the paperwork. I would like to file asking for you to have custody at the same time." "Can we do it tomorrow, Allie?" Debbie asks worriedly. "Of course we can." Allie smiled gently." Ok, well we are finished for today. Bea, please call me and let me know that the hospital will fax over the copies of your file." Allies walks Debbie and Bea to the door. "I will. Enjoy the rest of your day Allie." Bea smiles and blushes when Allie looks her in the eye and winks. "I will."/span/span/p