Tina lay next to Bette watching her back rise and fall softly as she slept peacefully. Tina looked at her form, memorized how the soft lines of her back disappeared under the gentle curls of her hair, and smiled when Bette mumbled something and reached out for her unconsciously. Tina carefully scooted into her arms while she continued to observe Bettes face in the early morning light that was coming through the windows. Bette had a small frown on her face and her eyebrows were wrinkled as if she was lost in deep thought about something and Tina wondered what was going on in that head of hers. Tina kissed Bettes nose softly and Bettes worry seemed to vanish instantly. Her frown disappeared and for a second her eyebrows relaxed as Bette wore a look of contentment and satisfaction. But that was only for a second. Bette soon let out a deep breath and Tina laughed softly as Bettes face contorted again right back to where it was before. She must be as stubborn in her dreams as she is when she is awake thought Tina as she continued to watch her sleep peacefully and remember the previous events of the night.

******
Bette stood in the doorway holding the rose and smiling at Tina lovingly. Tina heard the words that were playing over and over again on her stereo and Bette silently walked into the living room and handed the rose to Tina. Tina accepted the rose and Bettes silent apology as she stood up and pulled Bette in for a deep kiss. Tina moaned when Bettes tongue entered her mouth and Bette smiled when Tinas ran one hand up and down Bettes spine while the other pulled her in tightly, something that Bette had discovered long ago that meant Tina was in the mood. Bette pulled back a little and without saying a word looked deep into Tinas eyes searching for the words to tell her how much she loved her. Tina saw the vulnerability in Bettes eyes, the look of pure love mixed with trepidation of completely surrendering oneself in the name of love, and Tina smiled knowingly, as if to tell Bette she understood. Bette took Tinas hand and led her upstairs to the bedroom where she laid her down on the bed and gently eased herself on top.

Bette looked down into Tinas eyes again and this time Tina didnt see the vulnerability or the fear. This time she saw the protection, the safety that Bette provided and the love that she would always give because she loved her so. Tina looked back at Bette with a look that can only be translated into three tiny words and Bette blinked once as if to say you too before lowering her head and kissing Tina softly. Tina let Bettes lips brush hers gently before wrapping her arms around Bette and pulling her into a tight embrace. Bette kissed her way down Tinas cheek to her neck and sucked softly on the spots she knew would make Tina tremble. Tina let out a ragged breath as Bette continued to nibble and suck on her neck and gasped when Bette slid her hands up under Tinas top to cup her ***** gently. Tinas hands tugged at the jacket Bette was wearing and soon it along with Bettes shirt and her own were on a pile on the floor. Bette raised herself up on her arms again looking down at Tina with questioning in her eyes. She was asking permission to proceed, permission to lose herself in her lover, permission to feel things she always dreamed about. Tina saw the question in her eyes and raised a hand gently to caress Bettes face. Bette smiled at her touch and lowered her head again to gently and seductively kiss her way down Tinas body. Tina writhed under Bettes touch but still didnt say anything as Bette skillfully unbuttoned her slacks and pulled them down her legs. Tina kicked her pants off and Bette looked down at Tinas body as she licked her lips in desire. Tina blushed slightly at Bettes crude action but laughed silently when Bette looked up at her with a devilish grin on her face. The love and emotion that Tina saw in Bettes eyes only moments ago had been replaced with lust and an animalistic desire.

Bette licked her way back up Tinas legs until she got to her underwear and Tina instinctively lifted her hips so that Bette could remove the garment. Bette threw them over her shoulder as she began teasing Tina and soon Tinas hands were wrapped in Bettes hair pulling her as close as possible to where she wanted her most. Bette knew Tinas body all too well and as she entered her and curled her fingers to find the right spot Tina inhaled sharply and loudly exhaled when Bette began rubbing her g-spot. Bette continued to work her mouth and fingers in sync as Tinas breathing became more and more erratic, and soon Tinas body contracted hard around Bettes fingers before quivering and shaking in the aftermath of one of the most intense orgasms Tina had ever experienced. Bette kissed her way back up Tinas body before looking down into her eyes once again. Tinas face was flushed from her desire, but her eyes were soft and forgiving. A single tear ran down Tinas cheek and Bette reached up to gently wipe it away before kissing her softly and settling down to rest her head on Tinas shoulder. They laid like this in silence as both women felt the power of the unspoken words of forgiveness and acceptance.

******
Tinas eyes finally grew heavy as she felt exhaustion wrestling with her body and she yawned quietly before closing her eyes and settling in and falling asleep. When she woke up a few hours later she was surprised to see Bette watching her closely. Bette smiled when Tina opened her eyes slowly one by one and laughed when Tina scrunched her face as she stretched her body out and yawned deeply. Tina sighed happily as she relaxed into Bettes arms again and watched Bette just look at her contentedly. Bette leaned in and placed a small kiss on Tinas lips as she wrapped an arm around her waist.

Morning sleepyhead.

Tina laughed and snuggled deeper into Bettes arms. She never thought of Bette to be the type of person to have stupid pet names for the person they were with, but for some reason Bette seemed to always say this whenever they woke up next to each other. Other people had called her sleepyhead in the past, ***** her mom used to call her that in high school, but for some reason when Bette did it, Tina found it endearing. If Bette had to leave before Tina could get up she would leave Tina a note that always said, Morning sleepyheadI love you. Tina remembered the first time Bette said this to her and Tina never forgot how cute Bette looked when she woke Tina up just as she was leaving that morning just to say it to her. Tina rolled over and looked at the clock and groaned inwardly. It was six thirty and she had to be at work in two hours. Tina also groaned because she knew Bette was leaving for New York on Thursday and she would be gone for two weeks. This would be the longest period of time Bette would be gone since they got together and Tina felt a headache forming as she pictured them falling back into their old routine once Bette got back. Bette seemed to sense Tinas mood change and she tightened her arms around Tina as she whispered in her ear.

Twhats wrong?

Nothing. Just dont really want to go to work right now.

Why not?

Because I like just being here with youand youre leaving again in two days.

I know but Ill be back in no time.

Two weeks babethats a long time.

Bette kissed behind Tinas ear softly as she ran her hand along Tinas arm before taking Tinas hand in hers.

Ill miss you too babybut I have to go on this trip. It could be really beneficial to the gallery.

I know.

Bette sensed the tension in that last comment and she sighed loudly as Tina rolled away from her. Tina sat up and looked down at her with a pained expression on her face.

BetteI know you have to go and do whats best for the gallery. I understand that. But is everything going to go back the way it was before? I mean one night doesnt change anything Bette.

Bette looked away when she felt tears threatening to form in her eyes. She loved Tina so much and she thought after last night Tina wasnt mad at her any more, but once again, Bette was wrong. Bette felt like every time she did something Tina made her feel guilty for it, and after what they had talked about, she thought Tina understood her and how she lives her life. Tina noticed Bettes mood swing as well and she looked down at her with a concerned look on her face. Bette rolled completely over and sat up with her back turned to Tina. Tina watched her quietly for a few seconds before she saw Bettes shoulders shake a little. Tina knew Bette was crying but she couldnt imagine why this conversation would make Bette tear up. Tina climbed over to Bette and wrapped her body around Bettes from behind. Bette wiped away her tears quickly and stood up as she shook Tina off. Tina watched Bette slowly get dressed and gather her things and she noticed Bette was doing a discreet job of cautiously avoiding eye contact with her. Bette had reached the door before Tina finally decided to speak.

Babe?

Bette turned around and Tina saw how red her eyes were. Tina felt her heart drop and she realized Bette must have misunderstood and thought when she said one night didnt change anything that she was still mad at her. Tina stood up and walked over to Bette and wrapped her arms around Bettes neck. Bette tried to look down, away, anywhere but into Tinas eyes, but Tina used her hands to stop Bettes head from moving and she looked her right in the eye before kissing Bette softly.

Babe Im not mad at youIm just mad at you having to leave.

Its my job Tina. Its just something I have to do.

I understand babyI do. I know your job is time consuming and stressful and it makes having other obligations hard. I know all that Bette. And I also know asking you to compromise any part of that isnt fair and it isnt the right thing to do. All I was saying is that I love you and I love every minute I get to spend with you. Thats all.

Bette looked down again before looking back at Tina with hesitation in her eyes. Bette was trying to figure out of Tina was lying or not. She saw the sparkle in Tinas eyes and Bette felt herself relax instantly. Bette smiled down at her and leaned in for another kiss. She knew that with the way their schedules were, the amount of time they could spend together would be less and less, so Bette decided to jump in and ask Tina what she had wanted to ask her when they were in Hawaii.

TI know its hard because of our schedules and at the rate were going, well be reduced to seeing each other less than once a monthso I was thinking

What babe?

Well I kind of thought of a way to solve that problem.

You magically managed to make both our schedules compatible leaving us lots of time to spend together?

Bette and Tina laughed knowing this was asking the impossible so Tina waited patiently for Bette to continue.

NoI wishbut umI might have the next best thing

Okay Bettecome ontell me alreadywhat is your solution?

Wellwhat if at the end of the day we came home to each other all the time?

We already do that babe.

NoI mean what if we came home to the same house to each other?

Tina looked at Bette curiously before a big smile crept across her face. Bette was relieved that Tina was happy and she slowly let out the breath she was holding. Tinas smile grew a little more and she leaned in a kissed Bette gently.

Are you asking me to live with you Porter?

Something like that Kennard.

They laughed as Bette leaned in for another kiss and Tina pulled her in tighter as Bette dropped her bag and slowly started walking them back towards the bed. Tina laughed when she felt the bed hit the back of her knees and she fell backwards pulling Bette down with her. They laughed together lovingly before giving in to their physical desires. Bette was ecstatic that Tina said yes and Tina was so happy that Bette was trying to find some kind of compromise to make both of them happy. It would be well past noon before either woman got out of bed and after they both called in sick, Tina vowed to never let any feelings of jealousy crowd her head again, and Bette vowed that no matter what, she would do her best to make Tina feel like the number one thing in her life. Sure these were unattainable wishes, but at that moment, they both felt like it would last forever.