Chapter 2

When Tina woke up, it was dark outside. She felt rested physically, but the emotional exhaustion still consumed her. Her hand slid up the sheet to find Bette, but she was not there. Her thoughts shifted to hours earlier when she and Bette were talking. Bette’s pain was as intense to Tina as her own. What she didn’t tell Bette was that she was as afraid of losing her to Candace as Bette was afraid of losing her because of Candace.

Tina knew that for two people who were so deeply in love to get to this place in a relationship, the fault was never one sided. She began to think about the events the two of them had endured during recent times. They had been through an awful lot. At some point, life had gotten very difficult – complicated. She longed for simplicity – she too, she decided, longed for peace. She wanted nothing more than for she and Bette to find that peace. Tina knew that peace needed to come from within, but she hoped that she and Bette could ride out this storm and somehow come together stronger – more united than ever. She believed in them as a couple – and she believed in both of them as individuals. She knew it would be a difficult journey for them – but a necessary one. She also knew that her temper might flare when they both hoped it wouldn’t and that her anger would be something she would need to express openly as it came up. The bottom line was and always will be – love does conquer all – together, they could beat the demons they were now forced to deal with.

What time was it anyway? She looked at the clock – it was around 8PM. Tina thought she smelled something cooking – and she thought she heard some swearing too. She pushed the covers from her body and climbed out of bed. After a quick stop in the bathroom – where she couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t really look her best – she made her way to the kitchen.

There in the kitchen was Bette – sitting on the floor in front of the oven crying. Tina went over to her, knealt down and gently stroked her hair. “Hey, Bette – what’s wrong?”

Bette raised her head and looked at Tina with tear stained cheeks – “I wanted dinner to be special – I burnt the filets!” Tina smiled at Bette – “Well , you never have been a Martha Stewart you know.” Bette smiled back – wiping away her tears. ” Thank God for that, huh?” In a strange way, Tina thought, Bette’s infidelity had made her feel closer to her – not more distant. She had never seen Bette so fragile and emotionally raw as she had in the last couple of days.

Tina couldn’t help herself – ” At least you didn’t burn the house down!”

“I’m sure that whatever you made will be fine. After all, it’s the thought that counts Bette.” Tina leaned in close to Bette and placed a quick, playful kiss on the tip of her nose.

Tina stood up and noticed the beautiful table Bette had set. There were candles-they created a soft glow, wine glasses and a bottle of Tina’s favorite wine. At her place was a single red rose. Tina went to the table, picked up the rose and noticed that it contained a surprise. There was also a envelope with her name on it. She opened the envelope. The card inside read:

Dear Tina,

Thank you so much for loving me.
The depth of your love has always mystified me.
Your physical beauty excites me.
Your inner beauty captivates me
You are my strength, my love, my life.
I am forever yours and yours alone.
I never want to hurt you again.
I never want to be without you.
I will always love you…always!

Bette

With tears in her eyes, Tina removed her wedding band from the stem of the rose. She walked over to Bette and engulfed her in her arms. She gently kissed her eyes, her nose, and finally her soft lips.

Tina nuzzled her face in Bette’s hair and whispered in her ear- “I’d love it if you’d put my ring back on my finger.”

Bette’s eyes filled with tears as she took the ring from Tina’s hand and placed it on her finger. Bette whispered “I love you baby.”

Tina’s reply was a passionate kiss.

Neither one of them needed to say another word.