Dont worry baby, everything will be fine.

Tina gave Bette a small smile as Bette put her arm around Tinas shoulders. They were meeting Tinas mother and sister for Sunday brunch and up until now Tina hadnt been that nervous about it. But as Tina glanced at her watch and saw that they would be arriving at the restaurant in about ten minutes she suddenly felt her stomach tighten into knots. She didnt think it would be such a big deal, her mom had always been very supportive of every aspect of Tinas life, but she wasnt sure her mom was this liberal. Tina knew she was worrying for nothing, but she wouldnt be able to handle her mom rejecting her new lifestyle. They had decided on a restaurant for Tinas big announcement because Tina knew that her mom was too proper of a woman to make a big scene in public. Tina checked her reflection in her compact making sure everything looked perfect and she glanced down at what she was wearing to be sure it wasnt too casual or too formal for brunch. Bette knew exactly what she was doing and she leaned over and gave Tina a soft kiss to ease her mind. Tina relaxed when she felt Bettes lips on hers and she suddenly forgot why she was so nervous.

Tina looked up and spotted her sister and mother walking towards her and she immediately sat up straight. Okay Tina, relax, this is your family and they love you. You can do this. Tina pasted a fake smile on her face and greeted her mom and younger sister with a kiss on the cheek. They hugged her and kissed her back in turn and before they sat down Tinas sister Lauren looked at Bette curiously. She knew Tina had big news and she began to figure out exactly what it was. She gave Tina a knowing look before introducing herself to Bette.

Hi, Im Lauren.

Hi Lauren, Im Bette. Nice to meet you.

Bette looked at Lauren and saw a remarkable resemblance to Tina. She was three years younger than Tina but you could never guess by the way she looked. She was slightly taller than Tina and her hair was a little darker, but the features she shared with her sister were identical. Bette looked over at Mrs. Kennard and saw exactly where Lauren and Tina both got their looks from. She appeared to be in her mid forties, but Bette could tell that in her younger days, Mrs. Kennard had been a knock out. She still had the graceful features and the soft lines that were slowly showing themselves barely revealed her age. Tina looked at Bette then back to her mom before introducing them.

Mom, this is Bette. Bette this is my mother.

Hi Mrs. Kennard, nice to meet you.

Please, call me Nancy. Its nice to meet you too.

The four of them sat down and after the waiter took their drink orders Nancy looked expectantly at Tina.

So Tina, what is the big news you had for us?

Lauren smiled at Tina and raised an eyebrow as if to say yeah go aheadtell her. Tina looked back and forth between her sister and her mother before reaching for Bettes hand under the table. Bette gave it a light squeeze for encouragement and Tina took a deep breath before speaking.

Well, actuallymom, Lauren, um

Tina looked at Bette and Bette gave her a confident smile. Tina looked back at her mother and sister and decided there was no backing out at this point. She cleared her throat and took another deep breath before continuing.

Mom you know how I told you that I was dating someone?

Yes.

Wellthis is her. This is my girlfriend.

Tina tried to smile at her mother but she didnt have much control over her facial muscles. She felt tears welling up out of fear that her mother wouldnt accept it and Tina waited anxiously for her mother to say anything. Lauren looked at Tina with a concerned look and she could tell Tina was about to cry. Nancy didnt say anything at first but she kept looking from Tina to Bette as she processed what her daughter had just told her. Just say something please, thought Tina as she gripped Bettes hand tighter. Bette felt her fingers go numb in Tinas grip but she didnt move because she knew Tina needed her support right now. Tina looked at her mom for a few more seconds before standing up and practically running to the bathroom. Bette quickly followed her leaving Nancy and Lauren staring at one another.

Bette entered the restroom and found Tina leaning against the sink with her arms on either side of the counter supporting herself. She was breathing deeply and Bette could see the fear and frustration emerging. Bette walked over to her and gently rubbed her back while Tina tried to gain control of herself. She could feel an anxiety attack coming on but she fought it off with everything she had. I knew this would be a mistake, she thought as she turned the water on and wiped her face. Bette kept rubbing her back gently and reached out with her other hand to turn Tinas face towards hers.

Baby, baby calm down. Look its going to be okay.

No its not. I knew I shouldnt have done this. Now shell hate me and never speak to me again.

Tina, shes your mother. She loves you and she will speak to youyou just have to give her some time.

You dont understand Bettemy mom is pretty liberal when it comes to most things, but shes never had to deal with anything like this. Shes probably flipping out and I dont know what to say to her.

Baby, relax okay? Look lets just go back out there, finish brunch and see what she has to say.

But what if she doesnt accept this?

Then she doesnt, but at least she knows. Look, its not like my father praises my lifestyle either, but I dont let his opinion dictate who I am with. I love you and you love me, thats all that matters okay?

Tina looked at Bette and felt tears forming in her eyes again. Bette just didnt understand how important Tinas mother and sister were to her. Tina knew that overall Bette was right, but Tina couldnt shake the feeling that she had just destroyed her relationship with her mother. Tina sighed as Bette gently wiped her face and let Bette take her hand and lead her back out to the table. Bette gave Nancy and Lauren a small smile before sitting down again and Tina sat down next to her but couldnt look either of them in the eye. Nancy looked at her oldest daughter for a few seconds before speaking.

Tinahoneylook at me.

Tina looked up slowly expecting to see anger on her mothers face but instead she saw traces of tears in her eyes and a loving smile across her lips.

Tina are you happy?

Yes.

Tinas voice was small and Bette knew that Tina was still trapped in the worst-case scenario that was going on in her head.

Then Im happy for you. Tina its not a big dealI understand.

Tina looked at her mom for a long time before a smile finally made its way onto her face.

Really?

Yesin fact I dont know why you felt like you had to hide this all this time.

WellI

Its okay T, I probably would have done the same.

Tina gave her sister a look that said thank you and Lauren laughed a little at Tinas expression. Lauren was happy to see her sister so happy and she didnt care what gender the person was that made her this way. Lauren looked at Bette who had a look of relief on her face and couldnt help but tease her a little too.

So Bette, how did you convert my sister to the other side?

Bette looked at Lauren with a surprised expression and Nancy laughed at her daughters joke. Tina smiled at Bette and Bette finally understood that she was kidding. Lauren looked at Tina and nodded towards the bathroom and the two sisters quickly jumped up and headed in that direction. Bette looked at Nancy with a small smile on her face and Nancy took this opportunity to get to know her daughters girlfriend a little bit better.

So Bette, how did you and Tina meet?

I met her when she came to a show at my gallery.

Your gallery?

Yes, I have a gallery over in the Hollywood area.

I see. So youre an artist?

No, Im a curator. Ive never had much of a skill for producing art myself but I love everything else about it.

I see, so where are you from?

Originally Im from Philadelphia, and I moved out here about seven years ago.

Bette can I ask you a rather personal question?

Sure.

Do you love Tina?

Bette paused a second before answering. It wasnt that she was trying to decide her answer, but she never thought she would be admitting this to Tinas mother.

Yes Nancy, I do. Very much.

Good. Because I can tell she loves you too.

Bette smiled warmly at Nancy and they continued their conversation while they waited for Tina and Lauren to return from the bathroom. Bette figured Lauren was probably grilling Tina for details and she smiled to herself thinking about how their conversation must be going.

***
Okay Tina, spill.

What?

First you were with Eric and he proposed then you said no and now youre dating woman? Man what happened?

Its kind of hard to explain.

Try.

I dont knowtheres something about her

So are you in love?

Yeah LaurenI am

So T, can I ask you a question?

What?

Hows the *****?

Ill tell you when youre old enough to understand.

Tina laughed and looked at her sister with a gleam in her eye. Lauren rolled her eyes at Tina and playfully swatted at her arm.

Oh my god you are such a dork.

Tina laughed as her baby sister teased her. They talked a little more about Bette before Tina decided they should go back out there. After all she didnt know what on earth her mother and Bette were talking about and she didnt want Bette to get worried about her. They returned to the table and found Bette and Nancy having a conversation. Tina and Lauren sat back down and the four of them finished their meal. Afterwards they walked outside and Nancy made Tina promise to bring Bette over for dinner one night. They said goodbye and Tina and Bette walked hand in hand back to Bettes car. Tina leaned her head on Bettes shoulders and before they got into the car Tina wrapped her arms around Bettes neck. She leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Bettes lips. Bette felt Tina pull away and she looked down at her with a questioning look in her eye.

Whats gotten in to you?

Nothing. I just wanted to say thanks.

For what?

Everything. For today, for taking a chance on me, and most of all for loving me.

Bette smiled as she pulled Tina in for another soft kiss. She pulled Tina in tighter and softly whispered into her ear.

Anytime.