Bette sat on Tinas couch completely dumbfounded. What the ***** is she talking about? thought Bette as she looked at Tina with a confused look on her face. Tina couldnt help but laugh as she saw Bettes reaction and she reached out and pulled Bette into her lap. She figured Bette thought she was trying to break up with her and it never dawned on her that this might freak Bette out. Tina let out a small laugh as she gently bent down and kissed Bette softly on the lips. Tina pulled back and gazed lovingly into her eyes as she spoke.

Bette, you are such a dork for thinking that I would ever want to break up with you. I have never been happier and its all because of you. No, what I wanted to talk to you about was us. I know that we just started seeing each other and its going so wellbut

Tina let her voice trail off as she tried to find the right words to tell Bette how she felt. She knew that Bette had very strong feelings for her and that she could trust Bette with anything, but she was still apprehensive about sharing her fears with Bette. How do you tell the person that you love that you are so scared to be with them? Bette looked up at Tina and tried to figure out what was on Tinas mind. Usually Tina didnt have a hard time telling her something and she knew if it was bothering Tina this much, it was either very important or very personal. Bette waited for Tina to speak but when she didnt Bette sat up and looked into her eyes as she gently tried to tell her everything was going to be okay.

Tina, baby, what is it? Whats wrong?

Ium

Tina tried to get the words out but she couldnt. This was all new to her and she was doing her best to try and handle things as they came along, but this was hard. She had never been the type of person to be insecure about herself, but something about Bette was disarming. When Bette looked into her eyes it was like she was looking into her soul and Tina had never felt that before. She stood up and started pacing back and forth in front of Bette while she tried desperately to get a handle on the situation but it was no use. She couldnt figure out how to get the words out so she tried taking a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them Bette was still sitting on the couch but she was leaning forward and looking up at Tina with tears in her eyes. She reached out and took one of Tinas hands in hers as she spoke again.

Okay Tina, you are starting to scare me. What is going on?

Bette I think I am falling in love with you and it scares me more than you will ever know.

Tina tried to smile at Bette but she just couldnt. She wanted to run into her bedroom and lock the door so that she could stay in there forever, but she didnt. She felt tears forming in her own eyes as she watched Bettes expression change from confused to surprised to loving. Bette reached out and pulled Tina down so that she was sitting on Bettes lap with Bettes arms wrapped around her waist. Bette leaned her face into Tinas hair and she nuzzled Tinas neck with her nose. Tina felt Bette tighten her hold on Tina just a little as she whispered into her ear.

Im scared too. Tina, I have never been more scared in my entire life. But I think about what the alternative is and suddenly Im not so scared anymore.

Tina smiled as she let out a huge sigh of relief. She thought Bette might get nervous or even angry after knowing how she felt but the fact that she felt the same way made Tina love Bette even more. Tina turned herself around so that she was straddling Bette and she used one hand to smooth Bettes hair as she spoke.

You are? Really?

Yeah.

Bette smiled up at Tina and Tina felt her heart soar. She knew that this woman was special, but she never imagined just how special Bette really was to her. Since this was so good she decided to forge ahead and just get all her fears out of the way.

Bette, seriously though, there are some things I want you to know.

Okay.

I dont know why I am so scared. I mean I know its only been two weeks but I feel like its been two years. Ive never felt like this about anyone before and the fact that you are this amazing on top of the fact that you are a woman confuses the ***** out of me. I dont want you to think that Im only in this relationship because its a phase or some experiment I felt I had to do or anything like that. I have never wanted to be with someone so much and Im afraid that you will suddenly realize it was all a mistake and that I am not what you want and need. Am I making sense because I feel like

Bette cut Tina off by covering her mouth with hers. She had listened to Tina voice her most intimate fears and Bette understood exactly how Tina was feeling. She literally felt her love for Tina grow as she spoke and she could tell Tina was rambling because she was nervous. When Tina felt Bettes lips on hers she felt a warm sensation spread throughout her entire body. She knew that Bette understood what she was saying and once again Bette had managed to handle the situation just like Tina had hoped. Tina tentatively ran her tongue along Bettes lips and moaned softly when she felt Bette open her mouth and suck gently on it. Tina let her tongue explore Bettes mouth and she could feel herself growing wet when she felt Bettes tongue touch hers.

Tina ran her hands through Bettes hair and Bette slowly moved one hand up to grip Tina by the back of the neck. She wrapped the other hand around Tinas waist and smiled into the kiss when she felt Tina pull herself into Bette. Bette felt herself becoming wet as well and she could tell that Tina was getting more and more into the moment, but she had to stop herself. She didnt want their first time to be right after Tina poured her heart out and Bette knew that Tina was feeling a little vulnerable right now. Bette also knew that if she didnt stop this soon there was no telling what exactly she would do to Tina that night. She gently started to pull away and gave the inside of Tinas mouth one last lick with her tongue before she spoke.

I love you Tina. And you are making complete sense.

Tina looked into Bettes eyes and she could see that Bette was telling the truth. She saw the fear and excitement in Bettes eyes and she knew that Bette probably had a few fears of her own about this relationship that she never told her.

Just then they heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen. Tina looked up and when she saw the water boiling uncontrollably and the foam spilling over the side from the noodles she was making she quickly jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Bette let out a small laugh as she watched Tina try and turn the stove off while wiping up the spilled water. She walked into the kitchen to help her and she took the pot from Tina and put it in the sink. She was running cold water over the pot to cool it down when she felt Tinas arms snake around her waist. Tina was nibbling on her ear and Bette let out a low groan in protest. Tina laughed to herself and stopped what she was doing long enough for Bette to turn around in her arms.

I guess this means were going out for dinner. The noodles are ruined.

Bette laughed as she looked at the noodles that were on the stove. They looked dry and pasty and while Bette didnt know much when it came to cooking, she knew they were not supposed to look like that. She ran her hand up and down Tinas back while she debated if this was the right time to bring up Alices dinner request. She thought it would be okay so she asked Tina about having dinner with Alice next Saturday.

Speaking of dinner, Alice was wondering if we wanted to join her and a couple of other people next Saturday night?

Bette looked at Tina, waiting to see what kind of reaction she got, but Tina surprised her by being so nonchalant about it.

Okay, if you want to.

Tina are you sure? I mean I could just tell Alice that we had plans already.

Its okay Bette, I want to meet your friends. And besides, they must think something is wrong with me since youve kept me hidden for this long.

Actually Alice doesnt believe Im really seeing you and that its all a cover.

They laughed as they decided where to go eat and thirty minutes later they were seated at a little Mexican place not too far from where Tina lived. They hadnt talked much on the way over and Bette was worried that Tina was having doubts about next Saturday. She reached across the table and took one of Tinas hands in hers as she spoke.

Baby, we dont have to go you know. It would really be okay if youre not ready.

Tina looked at Bette with sincerity in her eyes as she thought about meeting Bettes friends. This was something she truly wanted to do, but it would be another step for them and she was just getting used to the way things were now. Tina hoped that she wouldnt be too awkward or nervous around them and she certainly didnt want to be awkward or nervous around Bette either. She looked around the restaurant to make sure no one was watching them, but luckily it was not too crowded and the people who were there didnt seem to notice them. She turned back to Bette and melted when she saw the look in her eye. She took a small breath before speaking and she tried to push all of her worries to the back of her mind.

No I really want to go. Its just thatwellI guess Im still adjusting to all this and its just going to take a little time. But I do want to meet your friends Bette, so I say we go and have a good time.

Bette smiled at Tina as she listened to her but Bette knew there was more to it than that. She knew the stages of coming out and how hard they are so she decided not to push Tina to try and share her feelings. I hope Alice doesnt scare her off, thought Bette as she took a sip of wine. She was happy that Tina was willing to take another step with her and she felt confident that Tina would like her friends and that they would like her. Bette just hoped that with everything happening so quickly, that it didnt overwhelm Tina to the point of making it seem like Bette was expecting things from her. Their food arrived then and Bette decided to clear her head and just focus on Tina. As she ate she watched Tinas demeanor and she could see her relax a little after they changed the subject. Out of nowhere something dawned on Bette that made her forget about worrying about Tina and next Saturday night. She said shes falling in love with me, Bette said to herself as she felt a strange feeling overtake her body. It completely relaxed her mind and it made her look at Tina in a whole new light. As Bette was drifting off to sleep that night she still couldnt believe how charged she was from this new feeling. Just before she felt herself surrender to sleep she could only come up with one conclusion, must be love.