OH ***** thought Tina again as she tried to digest the situation. Well now I get why it was so urgent, she thought as she looked down at him with a mixture of elation and sadness. She didnt know what to say.

Eric

Eric looked at her with an expectant smile on his face as he slowly slipped an engagement ring on her finger. Tina felt like it weighed a hundred pounds as she looked down at the man she loved. I dont know what to do, she thought as she gave him a small smile. He stood up and went to wrap his arms around her and she let him hug her, but she didnt hug him back. Eric noticed the stiffness in her and he held her at arms length looking into her eyes.

Tina? Babe? Whats wrong?

Tina looked down as she felt tears of frustration building up in her eyes. She loved him so much and she knew this was totally the right thing to do, but something was holding her back. It was Bette. Tina looked at Eric and felt the tears swelling in her eyes. He is so good, so sweet, so perfect. But he isnt Bette. Tina couldnt believe she was here with Eric, the most wonderful man she had ever met, and the only person on her mind was Bette.

EricI dont know what to say. I mean this is so unexpected. I dont know. Im only twenty-five and weve only been dating for nine months. Do you think were ready for this?

Do you love me?

Yes, but

Then what? Tina I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Tina looked down as she felt the tears flowing down her face. She took a deep breath as she realized what she was about to do. She loved Eric more than anything, but she just couldnt marry him without seeing if there was anything between her and Bette. Tina slowly took the ring off her finger and placed it in his palm. She pushed his fingers closed and brought his fist to her lips and kissed it gently. She spoke softly and hoped she wasnt making a foolish decision.

I dont.

She kissed him on the cheek before turning and slowly walking out of his house. She didnt look back because if she did she knew she would just turn around and give up on Bette altogether. When she got to her car she tried to start her engine, but the tears were just too strong. She sat there shaking as she tried to figure out why she just turned down a marriage proposal from a man she loved for a woman who might not even want to see her again. An hour later Tina still sat there trying to figure out what just happened. She didnt know what she was doing, but she knew exactly who she wanted to be with right then.

Bette was sitting on her couch trying to read a book, but her mind kept drifting. Why did she cancel tonight? What could have been that important? Bette didnt have any answers and she was growing more and more frustrated as the hours passed. Bette had spent the day with Alice, who did her best to take her mind off of Tina and was surprisingly unsuccessful. Bette had never had such strong emotions for someone, and it hurt knowing they were not returned.

BZZZ. BZZZ. BZZZ.

Bette looked at her cell and was surprised to see who was on the caller ID.

Hello?

Bette? Its Tina.

Hi.

Im sorry if Im bothering you but I really need to talk to you. Were you busy?

Bette sat there contemplating her answer. She wanted to see Tina more than anything, but she didnt want to have to listen to Tina ramble on about her perfect life with Eric. Bette knew her desire for Tina was growing stronger and she had to find out if there was even a chance with her.

No, I was just reading. Whats up?

Can I meet you somewhere?

Sure. Where?

Well, where are you?

West Hollywood. Where are you coming from?

Downtown.

How about the fountain across from the Ahmanson Theatre?

Okay I know where that is. Ill be there in half an hour.

Bette sat there staring at the phone for a few seconds before quickly getting up and grabbing her keys. She practically flew out of the house and ran down to her car. She drove quickly through the streets of LA and when she got there she sat in her car waiting for Tina to pull up. What the ***** is going on? she thought as she looked around. Her heart caught in her throat when she saw Tina sitting by the fountain, head in her hands.

Bette rushed over to her and kneeled down in front of her. Tina wasnt crying but she looked upset and what concerned Bette more, distraught. Tina didnt notice Bette come up to her, but when she felt Bettes hand on her knee she looked up and saw Bette in front of her. Startled, she sat up and looked into Bettes concerned eyes and felt her heart swell. She knew she had made the right decision but she was having difficulty believing it.

Bette sat down next to her and didnt know if she should put an arm around her so she kind of leaned in to her softly and waited for Tina to speak. Tina fidgeted with her hands as she tried to think of how to explain her situation to Bette. After a few minutes of silence Bette finally got tired of waiting and spoke up.

Tina? Whats wrong? Are you okay?

Tina heard the concern in Bettes voice and it touched her heart. She looked at Bette with warm eyes and said spoke very softly.

Eric asked me to marry him.

Upon hearing this Bettes mind went into overdrive. What the *****? Why did she want to see me then? What did she say? I dont see a ring on her finger though. She had so many questions for Tina but she didnt know how to ask them. Instead she stood up and moved in front of Tina. She looked at her with pain and questioning in her eyes as she spoke.

Oh. I.well.congratulations.

Bette started to turn and walk away when she heard Tinas voice.

Bette. I said no.

Bette thought she must have misunderstood so she stopped walking and turned slowly back around. Her face was unemotional, almost cold, but her eyes were dancing. Tina stood up and walked over to Bette and she stopped when she was about a foot away from her.

I said no.

Why?

I couldnt marry him knowing there was someone else out there for me.

Bette gave Tina a wary look as she tried to fight off the urge to kiss her right then and there. A smile slowly formed on Tinas face and when Bette saw it she couldnt help but break out into a smile of her own. They stood there smiling at each other like idiots before Bette decided to say something.

So who is this person?

Just some woman I met a few weeks ago.

Tina gave Bette a wink as she said this and Bette couldnt resist any longer. She reached out and pulled Tina into her arms. Bette was leaning in to give her a kiss when Tinas voice stopped her.

BetteI really am sorry about today. Can we try it again?

Bette smiled at Tina and slowly leaned in for a soft kiss. Tina felt herself give in to the kiss and when Bette deepened the kiss by running her tongue over Tinas lips she let out a contented moan. Bette pulled away and looked Tina in the eye as she asked her a very important question.

Are you sure this is what you want?

I have never been more sure of anything in my life.

Bette was smiling so hard her face hurt and Tina looked like she could die of happiness. They stood there holding each other for a few seconds before Tina spoke.

So now what?

We could go get food somewhere, if your hungry, or we could walk around here for a little while. Whatever you want.

It doesnt matter. I just want to be with you.

Bette smiled and took Tinas hand in hers. Nothing had ever felt so right and both women knew this was the beginning of something special. Bette suddenly had an idea.

How about we go someplace else and talk?

Okay.

Bette led Tina to her car and got in. She drove through the streets of Hollywood before turning up a steep driveway. When they reached the top Bette got out excitedly and Tina followed. They walked down a short path to a concrete platform with a four-foot concrete wall surrounding it. When they reached the wall Tina gasped as she saw where Bette had brought her.

They were at the Griffith Observatory. During the day you can clearly see the streets of Hollywood down below, but at night its quite a breathtaking sight. Bette walked up behind Tina and wrapped her arms around her waist. Tina leaned back into Bettes embrace and they stood there silently having a deep conversation. They stayed there all night and talked about everything and in the morning they watched the sun rise over the Los Angeles city line.

It was a night to remember and the start of the most amazing relationship either had ever been in. For Tina, it was the promise of something she had been waiting for, that special person who would come along and make her feel alive again. For Bette it was the end of her past. She knew she never wanted to be with another woman and she couldnt believe how lucky she was that Tina found her. They would spend many nights together, staying up all night and talking, but for them nothing would compare to that first night. The Observatory would become a special place to them and every time they saw it or read about it they would think of each other. It’s like Alice once told Bette, new love is always the best.





***Authors Note***

I’m thinking of putting this story on pause as I might explore the suggestion that Pan and Seven brought up about another story. It would pick up right after Starting Back (the painful ending) and explore how Tina and Bette get over that hurdle. Let me know what yall think.