Logan

144. February, 1999

*Ripley's POV, 1999 February*

I thumbed the photo of baby Natalie in my pocket before putting it back in my wallet and shutting off my car, and hauling my ass in to work another shift

Next week was her party, the first one I'd actually been invited to, reluctantly so on Betty's part. I thought back on the conversation we had just a few days ago.

"When I introduce you, you're just an old high school friend, nothing else." Betty had snapped on the phone, "you know I have no issue filing a restraining order."

"Betty it won't come to that. What about when she gets older and realizes she and Craig don't look alike? Or they have different blood types. Remember Biology class?" I asked, careful not to completely blow my chance at seeing Natalie.

"She'll never find out, Alex and Natalie look like twins in their baby photos." She said, handing me the pink Barbie tye-dyed invitation covered in star stickers." I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, I held up the card and pointed it out, "Looks like we have an artist for a daughter."

Betty's eyes softened, "She insisted on decorating all of them herself." She laughed and leaned in, putting her hand on my arm. "Robbie said he wasn't going to come if you couldn't, but I need a favor from you. You have to call your sister and tell her that he can't come."

My joy instantly turned to frustration as I turned to her, "Betty, he's 12, he just wants to see her. You know Robbie won't show up without him, forget me."

"Absolutely not!" Betty hissed, "I do not want this to turn into the Ripley family reunion."

She handed me another invitation, Robbie's name spelled out so formerly, "Give this to Robbie, please? Tell him he has to come this time, our parents are driving from Colorado, they said Natalie's gift couldn't be sent."

"Fine." I said curtly, tucking the invitation into my coat.

She let out a huff and pulled her coat closer while we stood in the parking lot behind the grocery store, a secret place she had wanted to meet. "Okay, I have to go get Alex and Natalie from daycare, we're getting ice cream later if... maybe you'd like to come."

I raised my eyebrows, "You're being nice, what's wrong?"

Betty rolled her eyes at me, "I don't know. Craig's been working longer hours and I'm," she rubbed my arm and stepped a little closer. "You know."

I looked down at her, my lips mere inches from hers. Don't Thomas, you know exactly what will happen from here. Remember, you have to make it to Natalie's party. Don't fuck this up.

"Listen, Betty, I can't. I wish I could go get ice cream with you and the kids, but I'm already working extra shifts to go to Natalie's party. I'm sorry."

Betty placed her hand on my cheek and I wanted so badly to lean into it, but I didn't dare. I had to hold steady. Her eyes looked filled with sadness and disappointment, but she pursed her lips and stiffened, "Fine, whatever. See you next weekend then."

"Thank you for this," I held up the invitation, "Really." I pulled her into a hug, at least, and felt her body relax, breathing steady. I tried to pull away but she pulled me to her and kissed me. All the good feelings I just had were soured, I pulled away but she pulled me in again and I felt myself kiss her back. No.

I split our kiss by stepping back at least two steps, my hand on the truck. "Bee." My voice was firm, "We can't do this. You made your choice, you're with Craig, I'm-" I shook my head, "No, Betty."

Her voice was sharp like a dagger when she looked at me with resentment, "It's because you're screwing Kimberly Richardson? Huh?"

Of course she threw the one date I'd had in my face, "God, Betty she's just a dispatcher, and it was one fucking date! How can you pretend to care about who I do and don't date, you made your decision, you took my daughter from me!"