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    is this love chapter 100

    IS THIS LOVE

    CHAPTER 100

    Bette sipped her coffee and looked with a heart bursting with love at the photograph of the blonde who she loved with no fear and no doubt. The long weekend had been just what they had both needed. They never seemed to really have time alone and it was annoying that almost every conversation was about Helena and Emma – a subject that Bette was beginning to have a very bad feelings about. So the long weekend had been perfect for them to refocus on their relationship and how they both saw it in the future. Bette had been so thrilled that Tina had acknowledged that it was getting harder to find reasons for them not to live together. It was now August – ideally Bette wanted to wake up on Christmas Day knowing that she was now sharing her home with the blonde. Tina’s time scale was more conservative but it now seemed to be the case of finding a date that was suitable for both of them rather than deciding whether to do it or not. She managed to shake the image of the blonde from her head and got back down to answering her emails. Her intercom buzzed
    “Yes James “
    “Helena is here – are you free ?”
    “Of course “ Bette looked at her watch “Why don’t you go for your lunch and close the gallery “
    “Okay – do you want anything bringing back ?”
    “No – but could you send some flowers to Tina for me before you go – red roses”
    “Sweet – any message ?”
    “Just the usual – I love you “
    “That’s very sweet Bette but what about a message for Tina “
    “Funny boy “ Bette replied “ Just make sure she gets the flowers at the bookstore”
    “Will do – see you in an hour”
    “Okay – thanks James “
    Bette got on with her email and waited for Helena to arrive. Bette heard the door open
    “I will be 2 minutes Helena – I just have to get this done “
    “No problem “
    Bette typed the last couple of sentences, reviewed the email, spell checked it and sent it. She looked up – Helena didn’t look happy – was this about to be a row about that damn painting ? well if it was Bette wasn’t going to roll over. She had been in the right about the painting and she didn’t care how much Helena loved Emma – she had to see that Emma had been in the wrong.
    “How are you Ms Peabody ?”
    “Terrible – I hope that you had a better weekend ?”
    “We had a great weekend”
    Bette got up and went and sat down on the sofa. Helena sat opposite her. Bette looked at Helena – she looked like she had been crying – a lot.
    “What’s happened H ?”
    “Tell me honestly what happened with the paintings – just you and I – no point scoring – just the truth “
    “Its probably not what you want to hear but okay. I saw the painting of the yacht in a catalogue – the name really struck me as being too much of a coincidence. So when Peggy was here a couple of weeks ago I asked her about it. It was part of me trying to lobby for the two of you – I asked her what your father would have thought of you being happy regardless of the age of the woman involved.
    Peggy got rather emotional about it “
    “It broke up in a storm “ Helena said
    “I know – I remember you telling me – I remember you getting very weepy about it. It held such memories for you about him and it gets battered in a storm. Peggy wanted the painting – she said the usual – whatever it cost – whatever it took I had to get her the painting. It was in an auction but if you get hold of the dealer and offer more than what is the reserve price you can get the dealer and the owner to take the painting out of the auction. That was what I did – I offered $2000 more than what was being asked. I agreed with the dealer and instead of just asking her to send it up I flew down with a cheque to get the painting. When I got there I found that it had been shafted – the painting had been sold. I was furious – I hate being lied to and I had been promised the painting and I had been done. When I got home I went to see Ti and her mother was there – that was when it came out. I was angry but that was nothing compared to how mad Tina was. I was staggered that Emma couldn’t see that she had been so shifty”
    “She wasn’t to know though “
    “The damn yacht was called “The Peggy Helena” for heavens sake – and she is a brilliant lawyer. She would fire some intern who didn’t at least find out the providence of the painting and find out about the yacht. These things can be researched in a matter of minutes Helena”
    Helena nodded “I know that Bette”
    Bette sighed “Sorry “
    “What about the second picture ?”
    “That was my idea totally – so if anyone wants to get mad with anyone about it- here I am. Peggy was not just angry – I have seen her angry a lot – but she was also disappointed. She wanted the painting of the yacht. I found the artist and we talked and he said that he had some original sketches of the yacht. So I asked if he could turn one of the sketches into a painting. I dangled some dollars in front of him. His grand-daughter is sick – he wants money as soon as possible so I offered him a lot of cash to get it done. It was also my idea to send him some photographs of John Peabody. I didn’t know he would get it done so fast – certainly not before your birthday and – well okay. I messed up not thinking how Emma would react. What happened on Thursday was the last thing I wanted. I really hoped that the picture would be a piece of common ground for you and your mom “
    “The painting is really great “ Helena said
    “It is”
    Bette looked at Helena “What’s happened Helena?”
    “Emma and I had a huge row about it – she was livid at everyone – Tina, Peggy, Rosemary, Melvin – but mainly you”
    Bette laughed “I think upsetting Tina and Peggy is something she should worry more about than me “
    Helena was silent “It was a side to her that I have not seen before and I didn’t like “
    “She likes her own way “
    “So do I, but I don’t think I react the way she did when I get my master-plan messed up “
    “You have been known to – I remember a plant pot getting in the way of a Peabody temper at college “
    Helena laughed “I was 19 and I was a spoilt brat “
    “Do you want a scotch ? your mom has drained my reserves of gin “
    “I wouldn’t refuse one –thanks “
    Bette got up and prepared two large glasses of scotch. She returned to her seat and raised an eyebrow
    “Tell me everything Hel “
    “She just went crazy – ranting about how you had reacted to finding out she had got the original. She is also really annoyed that the thing that keeps coming up is that she has a dealer who finds her things that isn’t you “
    “To be fair to me – that was Tina and my mom “
    Helena grinned “Your fan club “
    “Exactly – look I don’t care about that. I have a lawyer and its not Emma – that’s a side issue Helena- what did you two argue about?”
    “I didn’t like what you had said about her getting the painting. Is there any doubt about that ?”
    “No – the artist told me himself. What upset him was that he didn’t get any of the $3000 that Emma paid the dealer. He had already paid the dealer a fee to sell his work. She paid more for the painting than I paid to get the new one painted and none of the money went to a dealer “
    “You are a dealer “
    “Okay – yes – I made a sum of money out of it but I would much rather have got the original. Tina said that I should be happy that I had been partly responsible for a really exceptional painting that brings a lot of happiness to someone that I love a great deal – if you look at the painting you will see that “
    “I have and its “ Helena sighed “Its him. I got in really early on Friday morning after arguing with Emma. I got in early and I looked at the painting and I cried. Its been a long time since I cried over my father “
    “But you miss him ?”
    “Yes – of course I miss him. I know its been a long time but I don’t think it will ever go away. There is always something just missing”
    “You and Tina should get together – that’s what she says about her mom “
    “I don’t think Tina is too fond of me at the moment “
    “Tina and you are fine as far as I am aware. Tina and her mom – less so “
    Helena fiddled with her bracelet and was silent for several minutes
    “I do have some standards – I do believe that there are ways to do things and ways to not do things and what Emma did was wrong “
    “It was unethical “ Bette agreed tactfully “I know that lawyers cut corners – I know that from my dad. I know that my dad has probably done stuff to get bad guys banged up that he would defend as being the right thing to do which doesn’t make it any more ethical. Emma got caught doing stuff that wasn’t right and she got caught by me. “
    “It makes me wonder what else she would do “ Helena said
    “Tina isn’t naïve about her – Emma didn’t get to be where she is today by acting like a nun. I admire her for where she has got in a very male orientated world”
    “I didn’t like what I saw of her when she was lashing out at everyone and I don’t like her excuses because they are excuses”
    “So what happened ?”
    “We got into an argument about you – about my mother – about Rosemary and Melvin. She was bad mouthing the four people who I love so much “
    “You love her as well “
    “I know and I hated that she was so angry and taking it out on them. All your parents did was defend you “
    “And Peggy is Peggy “
    “She is – I know that the two of us are in a very bad place at the moment but she is my mom and we do have real problems but she is my mom “
    Bette nodded “The two of you do have to sort things out “
    “I did mean what I said the other day. I do think that maybe my mom and I would get on better if I did not work for her and lets face it – I do not have the business and administration skills that Tina does. I can see that and I can see that mom is so impressed with her “
    “Its not easy for Tina “Bette said – she didn’t want an sort of stand off between Tina and Helena
    “Bette – I have no problems with Tina. I can see that Tina has the aptitudes that I don’t. I do not want to get to my 40th birthday and feel as bad as I do with my 30th coming up”
    Bette made a note to tell James that for once one of his theories seemed to be right – Helena was considering changes with her birthday coming up.
    “I have never thought it was easy to be you. That’s why you used to love coming to stay with my parents during vacations “
    Helena shook her head “Your dad has been a father to me – he was there when I so missed my dad and I love him to pieces – same with your mom. Your mom taught me to cook”
    “And your girlfriend is at war with everyone “
    “Yes “
    “So how did the two of you finish this argument ?”
    “I lost my cool and walked out before we both said things that we would both regret”
    “And the two of you are deep in sulk mode ?”
    “Yes “
    “You have been crying a lot “
    “Yes “
    “You should have rung me “
    “You were in a log cabin with your girlfriend “
    “All the same – you and I are best friends “
    “I have missed hanging around with you and with Tina too “
    Bette felt torn – on the one hand she and Tina had made the same vow numerous times – namely – we are not going to get involved. And on the other hand – she loved this crazy woman.
    “You could ring Emma or go and see her “
    “I could but I am not going to – I didn’t like the person I saw on Thursday “
    “You realise that I will get the blame “ Bette said
    Helena hugged her glass “Yes – its not your fault. You run a business – you have to do whatever it takes to pay the bills and make money – I don’t have a problem with that”
    “I should have thought of the consequences of what I was doing. If I had held the picture back for a week or so – you would have had the painting as a lovely birthday gift”
    “Is it a good painting ?”
    “Yes – it’s a lovely painting – the sea is much more vivid in the original. The artist has developed and it shows. You will like the painting “
    “I don’t know if I will get the painting – Emma is so angry with the whole world at the moment “
    “She needs to get over herself. She was in the wrong and guess what she got caught”
    “True “
    “What are you plans for your birthday ?”
    “I don’t know “
    “Its on Thursday – you must be planning to do something “
    “I wanted to spend time with you and Tina and my mom and some other friends like Dylan and Phyllis – but Emma had plans “
    “Look – there is something that I need to say to you – I know you are not going to like it but I wouldn’t be your friend if I didn’t say it “
    “You have always been the only person to tell me some home truths whether I have wanted to hear them or not “
    “True – I like flirting with danger “
    “So what is it you want to say ?”
    “Helena – I do not doubt for a second that you do not love Emma – you do. Its impossible to fake the way you and her have been”
    “There is a but coming up “
    “There is – Helena – you have been dominated your whole life by Peggy and I fully understand that you want to be free of that “
    Helena held up her hand and got up and picked up Bette’s bottle of scotch and brought it back to the table and topped up her glass. Bette had barely touched her scotch. She sipped the scotch and looked at Bette
    “And you want to know why I am with a woman who is so like my mother ?”
    Bette nodded
    “She is not like my mother – I don’t need therapy because I am secretly attracted to my mother. Its not that – I am attracted to Emma because she is so strong and she doesn’t care about me being a Peabody and she is smart and funny “
    Bette didn’t speak
    “Until what happened on Thursday blew up we were very happy. I do love her – I have never felt the things that I do for Emma. The disapproval just made us close ranks and lose ourselves in one another. But we have a long way to go before we are anywhere near where you and Tina so clearly are. Have you ever seen a side of Tina that you didn’t like and really shocked you ?”
    “I was shocked that she doesn’t see kids in her future – that’s all. Tina is not complicated – she had a really happy family upbringing with her parents who loved her and probably spoilt her. What sent her into a tail spin was Kate’s illness and her death – I know it was hard on Emma – I am not saying that losing your partner is easy but Tina lost her mom – and that is horrible and it wasn’t helped by having a really terrible girlfriend who did more to under mine her when she should have been boosting Tina up. “
    “And now she has a girlfriend who does boost her and is devoted to her and she’s really showing the world what she is capable of “
    Bette nodded. Helena smiled – as bad as she was feeling it was so heartening to see how devoted Bette was to Tina. Helena sipped her scotch and sighed
    “I don’t know what to do Bette – as much as I love Emma I cannot be with her if she thinks that how she acted and spoke on Thursday was acceptable – I hate her for the way she spoke to all of you and I don’t know where that leaves us”

    Comments

    1. Whoa….what a great conversation. Helena is a lot more mature than thought. Seeing that Emma misbehaved with her actions at the party on Thursday night is really a remarkable event. Knowing that Emma is still lambasting all those present does not bode well for her relationship with Helena.

      Bette should advise Helena to go back and pose the question to Emma: Do you feel that your outburst at that reception was appropriate and justifiable? If Emma has not back down from her position and her rage, then Helena will have her answer. Helena needs to break it off with Emma. She needs to make it clear to Emma that she cannot live with that sort of behavior. It was wrong and she will does not find it tolerable, especially toward the people who have been a part of her life and supported her for years. Stick by your core beliefs Helena, you will not regret it.

      There is a really strong friendship between Helena and Bette. The fact that they can say things to each other which the other does not want to hear and yet hear and understand that it is because they love each other is something that is rare even between the best of friends. I do not see Helena giving up her friendship with Bette simply because Emma wants her to. Bette has done nothing wrong and Helena knows it. If only Emma could see it, there might be hope for Emma.

      Thank you for this chapter…. it doesn’t get much better than this.

    2. Sadly I think this is the beginning of the end for Helena and Emma. Given the way she has been portrayed and how Tina has seen this side of her mother before even an apology would lead to another incident and another. Emma didn’t get where she is by apologizing for her behavior. Everything she does in life is about getting the end result she wants in law and in her life. And if she were to apologize she would not mean it. It’s just who she is. Emma is not going to have an epiphany or a brain transplant or grow a heart without some therapy. Now if you continue to write this story for another thirty chapters until Bette and Tina live together and Tina decides she wants a baby then maybe there is time in the story for Emma to change. But that’s just not her present personality. And Helena now knows it. Personally I think Helena is going to quit her job or take a leave and find herself. Helena does love Emma and maybe one day Emma will have done the work to get her to try again. Sadly any half hearted apologies from Emma would be hollow and all too convenient.

      • One more comment: as I have said before – Bette and Helena are closer than sisters. They have a bond. And Helena trusts Bette beyond measure. And Rosemary and Melvin. There is a loving history. Helena came to Bette for a reason. I love this Bette and Helena.

    3. Good talk between Bette and Helena, despite everything they are best friends.

      Helena didn’t turn a blind eye with how Emma behaved and spoke about the people who Helena loves very much.
      This Emma is not a nice person and it isn’t likely she will back down or apologize.

      I feel for Helena, she really loves Emma but she didn’t like how Emma reacted and behaved, it isn’t something she wants to see in a partner. I think this will be the end of their relationship. And if it does i have the feeling Bette will be held responsible by Emma, Because at the moment she loathes Bette.

      This will cause more of drama.

      Thanks for the update!

      • Emma can blame Bette all she wants. If she blames Bette she loses Rosemary and Melvin. The love between Tina and Bette is unshakable. So maybe she loses Tina. Will Emma ever understand and see – really SEE – the love Helena has for the Porter family and the grief Helena still carries for her father? Doubtful. So she loses Helena. If she stays set in her negative bombastic ways she will be very much alone.

    4. Thank you for continuing Bette and Helena’s close relationship.

      Enjoying the story and looking forward to more.

      Wrote a longer Comment but got thrown out by the system! :-)

      Stay safe
      SG

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