The sun was shining and the heat was obvious to everyone. It was one of those, almost summer, sunny days when all you want to do is be in the water.

Bette was talking with June, walking around the garden. Alice and Dana were seated on the terrace sofas still recovering from the impression that June had left on them. A very tall woman walking from the water with neoprene suit, flippers and scuba-diving glasses was not what they had in mind every time they thought about her. She was much taller than they thought shed and her beauty was even more aggressive.
June was visible amused by the look on her guests faces but she was even happier to see her dear Jack there. She kissed and hugged her granddaughter and then with lots grace greeted the girls.

Bette was very impress, something new to her, with Junes humbleness and taste. The moment she shook the old ladys hand she felt totally in love with her. She became her most fervent fan. She didnt know anything about her movies but the grace that June showed in every little move she made enchanted Bette. And just thinking about the paintings she briefly saw hanging on the walls made the spell even deeper.

Alice and Dana blushed the moment they shook hands with June and to everybodys surprise Alice was speechless. No one could really understand how her friend, who was quite use to see and be with celebrities, could be so moved by the retired actress.
Alice spent her youth with many actors and actresses. Her mother and father were part of the hot hip Hollywood community. But what her friends didnt know about Alice, only Dana knew, was that what she really respect and reverence was the old Hollywood. And there was no one more old Hollywood than June Hasselblad

Tina was looking at Bette, smiling. She could tell what Bette was feeling, what moved her so much. It made Tina felt great to know that Bette was relaxing, enjoying herself, and opening up. Jack was seated at her side, looking at June and Bette and then, just slightly, at Tinas reaction. Shane was on the floor, her back on the wall, looking at Jack.

Tina looked at her friends, loving having them around, happy. She looked at Shane who was unaware of the way she was looking at Jack. It made Tina smile broadly to realize that what she suspected, was already true. It was going to be a bumping and fun weekend she thought.


After the funny and very entertaining lunch everybody disappeared. Dana and Alice went to their room, to take a nap they said. June went to hers, to really take a nap while Shane and Jack went to the small town nearby to buy some last minute groceries for dinner. Bette was looking around at Junes very impressive art collection and Tina was laying on the terrace sofa, just looking at the ocean, day dreaming. She was feeling the warm caress of love. She was happy but she didnt know why. She looked around, smiling. She stood up and walked to the beach, wanted to feel the sand on her feet.

Bette was looking at the marvellous paintings in the living room. She was amazed by not only the beauty of the pieces, but by the painters. There were many important authors there, some Noldes, a couple of Grosz`s and to Bettes joy two impressive Schieles. Finding her favourite painter hanging in there made Bette wanting to run and tell Tina about it.

She looked outside, checking on her and saw her walking towards the beach. With a smile on her face, slowly, taking her time, Bette followed Tinas steps. Enjoying the anticipation, the hopes and the excitement Bette walked towards Tina.

She finally caught her on the beach. Tina was seated down, barefoot, playing with the sand in her hands, looking ahead, to the ocean, feeling the warm breeze on her face. She had her eyes closed and was exuding such calm, such beauty, such peacefulness that for a few seconds, Bette hold her breath, unable to move, still on the last steps of the stairs. She had to stay there, looking at Tina.

Tina felt that she was being watched, and she knew who it was. She could feel Bettes presence anywhere. Knowing that she was there, looking at her made her heart jump with anticipation. She was nervous, she knew that the moment was there. She knew that she had to finally face Bette.

Bette walked towards Tina and without saying anything sat down, close to her, almost touching her. She took her sandals off and ducked her feet in the sand, letting the cold feeling calm her.

Its beautiful here. Bettes voice was almost a whisper. She was looking at Tina, her head slightly turn, shyly watching her.

Yep Tina was not sure what to say, she was finding very difficult to talk with Bette. All her worries, her fears, her memories were fighting to come out, to be voice but she was speechless.

The easiness shes been having with Bette during the last week made her realize how much she missed her but she knew, was sure shed not just jump back to be with her. She needed to talk with her face to face, to say things clearly. But the love she was feeling for her, just then, was too much for her.

Tina finally opened her eyes. Bette noticed tears in them and without intending to, as the most natural thing in the world she moved her hand and tenderly she caressed her cheeks to erased them. That sweet gesture moved Tina even more, making her to close her eyes again.

Bette was not sure what was going on. She saw Tinas tears and felt her heart braking apart. She wanted to hug her, to comfort her but was unable to move.

Sighing deeply Tina opened her eyes again and slowly turned her head to look at Bette. She saw concern in her eyes and true deep love. Tina looked at Bette for a few minutes without saying a word and then, looking her fully in the eyes, she leaned and kissed her deeply. It was a long sweet very tender kiss.

The moment Bette felt Tinas lips on hers her body started trembling. It was like a new first kiss.
It was shy, curious, tentative. Tina took Bettes breathe away and just before broken the kiss Tina let her lips rest on Bettes and then as a last bonus she bit her lower lip, as if she needed for just an extra second to feel Bettes body with hers.

Bette had her eyes close, was not aware of the tears that were running down her face. She opened her eyes when she felt Tina moving away from her.

Tina was shyly looking at her. To Bettes surprise Tina stood up and cleaning the sand from her shorts, without looking at her asked,

“Will you walk with me at the edge of the water?

Bette, nodding, stood up following Tina.