Tinas morning started with a soft kiss from Bette. Tina started to reach up to pull Bette in for a deeper kiss but Bette had already pulled away and was walking out of the bedroom. She heard Bette tell her goodbye and that she didnt know what time she would be home tonight so not to worry about dinner for her. Tina sat up and looked at the clock to see that it was only 7:00 a.m. so she lay back down. As she lay there she thought about Bette and how good things had been going for them. Bette had been putting in long hours at the gallery again and she was tired and a little cranky but she had still found time for them. Bette had seemed a little distracted the last couple of nights but Tina chalked that up to having so much happening at the gallery. Last night Bette hadnt come home until around 9:00 p.m. and she was so tired that she had come in and kissed her hello and sat down on the sofa and laid her head back. Tina decided that Bette needed some tender loving care so she went in and ran a hot bubble bath for her. Tina led her into the bathroom and helped Bette remove her clothes and get in the warm water. She washed her back and neck for her and told her to just relax for a while. Tina had gone in to check on her twenty minutes later and Bette was peacefully sleeping in the tub. Tina gently kissed Bette awake and then helped her get out of the tub and then dried her off. She gave her a full body massage after which she held Bette while she slept until she fell asleep. Tina had been totally aroused after giving Bette the massage but she had kept managed to keep her desire in check so that she could take care of Bette. Bette had needed rest and Tina made sure she got it. Tina looked again at the clock and decided that she should get on up and get dressed. She had taken the day off from work because she was going to see Dr. Wilson to have a check-up done. She wanted to make sure that when she and Bette decided they wanted to try and have a baby that everything with her health was in order. Bette had offered to go with her to see Dr. Wilson but Tina had assured her that this appointment was not a big deal. It was almost 11:00 a.m. by the time Tina left Dr. Wilsons with a clean bill of health and a green light for whenever she wanted to try and get pregnant. Tina decided that she would go and see Bette at the CAC to give her a report on what Dr. Wilson said and to see if she could coax her into going out to lunch with her. When she got to the gallery she headed for Bettes office. The door was partially open and she reached out to pull the door the rest of the way open but she heard voices so she hesitated and listened to see if she should wait to go in. Bette was having a conversation with someone but she wasnt sure who.

Bette: What am I supposed to do? They dont know what happened before.

Kit: Cant you just tell them that you want someone else?

Bette: Probably not without raising suspicions. I just dont know what to do.

Kit: You may have to make a choice. How would you feel having Candace around here? Working with her again?

Tina just stood there listening. She didnt mean to be eavesdropping but she wanted to hear Bettes answer.

Bette: Honestly I feel nothing for her so whether she is here or not it wouldnt matter to me but I cant or wont subject Tina to any more pain. I caused her so much pain before and I never want to see her suffer like that again.

Kit: Even if it means your job.

Bette: Tina is my priority. She is my life and I love her. We have been talking about trying to have a baby again and if I leave the CAC how could I support them? Kit, what am I supposed to do?

Kit: Have you thought of asking Tina how she would feel about it?

Bette: No! I told you I dont want to hurt her.

Tina opened the door and walked in. Bette could tell by the look on her face that she had heard everything they had been discussing.

Tina (talking to Bette): Why dont you ask me?

Bette (going up to Tina and taking her hand): You heard why. I love you and I do not want to hurt you.

Tina: Bette I love that you think you can protect me, but why dont you let me decide for myself?

Bette: How can I ask the woman I love to put up with the fact that I might be working again with the woman I cheated on her with? I dont think that I would accept it if it had been you. I would torture myself with worry.. (Tina interrupted her)

Tina (looking Bette straight in the eyes): Would I get hurt again Bette?

Bette: No. Absolutely not!

Tina (kissing Bette gently): Good answer Bette. (Turning to Kit) Hi Kit. Now why dont you tell me exactly what is going on so we can decide together what to do?

Kit (smiling): Hi Tina. Baby Sister I think you are one lucky lady to have someone who loves you so much.

Bette: Do you think I dont know that?

Kit (laughs): Yeah I think you know that now. I am going to get out of here and let you guys talk. Between the two of you maybe you can come up with a solution. (She hugs first Tina and then Bette) Keep me posted. Bye.

Bette: Shes right you know. I am one lucky lady.

Tina: I think we are both lucky to have each other. So tell me what is going on.

Bette: Franklin came to me day before yesterday and told me we are going to have to do a few more renovations for the upcoming show. He wants me to hire Candace and her crew to do the work. It seems he and the board really liked the carpentry work they did for the Provocations opening so they want the work done by them.

Tina: And they dont know what happened between you and Candace?

Bette: No. Nobody knew anything except that you and I split up for a while.

Tina: And if you say no?

Bette: I would have to explain and I am not sure what their reaction would be. I hired her to a do job for the CAC so I am afraid that they might feel I abused my power. Maybe I should just tell them and let the cards fall where they may.

Tina: Do you really think they would fire you?

Bette: I think it is a real possibility. (sighing) God Tina, it just wont go away no matter how hard I try. How could I have been so stupid?

Tina (ignoring Bettes question): Maybe there is some way around this?

Bette: I wish that there was but I have come up empty.

Tina: Doesnt Candace have a partner that she works with?

Bette: Yes.

Tina: Maybe the work could go to Candace and her partner but the partner head up the renovations and that way Candace wouldnt be around here.

Bette (looking at Tina in awe): Baby how can you do this? Sit here and help me try to figure out how to deal with this problem?

Tina: Three reasons. First because I love you, second because we are partners and third because we are talking about it. We are trying to deal with it together.

Bette: That might work but I would probably still have to meet with her and I dont want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable.

Tina: Baby I will deal with Candace working here if I have to or deal with you meeting with her but maybe we can work it out so her partner oversees the work. I do not promise you that it will be easy on either of us and you may have to call me a thousand times a day to reassure me but I will find a way to deal with it. I do have one demand though. I want to be here when you meet with her to see about her company doing the renovations.

Bette: I dont think that should be a problem. I really think that Candace will understand because I made it clear to her that I wanted to be with you.

Tina: Why dont you call her and see if you can set up the appointment?

Bette: Are you sure about this?

Tina (taking a deep breath): Yes.

Bette pulled the rolodex of phone numbers on her desk over to her and looked up Candaces phone number and picked up the phone and dialed the number. Tina was a little relieved to notice that Bette had to look up the number. When Candace picked up the phone Bette explained to her that the board at the CAC wanted her to bid on some more renovations that needed to be done for the upcoming show and she asked her if they could set up a meeting to discuss the work that needed to be done. Candace asked her if she was sure that she wanted to do that and Bette told her that it was strictly a job and nothing else and that the board had really liked the carpentry work they had done before. They made arrangements to meet in Bettes office at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon.

Bette: Okay 2:00 p.m. it is.

Tina: So we have time for you to take me to lunch?

Bette (lightly kissing Tina): Sure baby. What are you hungry for?

Tina (hungrily kissing Bette): You! But I will settle for some Thai food.

They left the gallery and were soon seated at a table at Tinas favorite Thai restaurant.

Bette: So why did you stop by the office this morning? Oh I forgot you had your appointment with Dr. Wilson this morning. How did that go?

Tina: I got a clean bill of health and a green light for anytime we decide for me to try and get pregnant.

Bette (gently kissing Tina): That is great baby! You know I am ready when ever you are. We are going to have to go through the process of finding another sperm donor though which might take some time.

Tina: Lets deal with one problem at a time. First this situation with Candace and then we will talk about getting pregnant and finding a sperm donor.

They enjoyed their lunch and they made it back to Bettes office around 1:40 p.m. They were waiting for Candace to show up. Tina was pacing the floor trying to figure out how she was going to handle seeing and talking to Candace. Bette was getting tired watching Tina pace so she got up and pulled Tina into her arms to reassure her. Tina responded to Bette pulling her into her arms by kissing Bette passionately. Once she started kissing Bette she wasnt satisfied with just kissing and she started to pull at Bettes shirt which was tucked into her slacks so she could touch the skin on Bettes stomach and to touch her *****. They were kissing each other as if they could not get enough of one another so they were oblivious to the fact that Candace had walked into Bettes office until Candace cleared her throat. They broke the kiss and they stood there trying to catch their breath. Tina started to pull away from Bette so Bette could talk with Candace but something within her drove her to make sure that Candace knew that she and Bette were totally together and that she is off limits to anyone. She put her arms around Bette and possessively kissed Bette and told her that she loved her. Bette was a little shocked that Tina had done that, but she responded with I love you too. Tina said she was going to excuse her self so they could talk about renovations. As Tina went to walk by Candace she slowed down and softly told Candace that she hoped that she didnt have any ideas about trying to start something up with Bette again because it wasnt going to happen and she told her that they love each other and no one is going to mess that up again. Tina turned and winked at Bette and left the office. Bette sat there in shock for a moment and then laughed.

Bette: She is one beautiful, *****, extraordinary woman and she is all mine! (Focusing her attention on Candace) Im sorry about that.

Candace: Its okay. I think I can fully understand now why we never could have had a future together.

Bette: Good. Look I dont want this to be hard on either one of us but the board wants your company to bid on these upcoming renovations. I want to make this as easy on all of us as we can so I was wondering if maybe you might bid the job and have your partner oversee the renovations. Tina and I have talked about it and if you feel you need to be here than we will deal with that too. You have to know that even if you are here that it is strictly a job. I am not the person that I was three months ago and I will never put myself or Tina through the pain of my being with someone else again. I just want to be clear and up front about this before you make any decisions about bidding on the job.

Candace: Thank you for your honesty. I am sure that my partner could oversee any of the renovations that need to be done.

Bette: Thank you for understanding. Why dont you have your partner call me to set up an appointment to come in and look at the plans for the renovations and give me an estimate?

Candace: Okay I will. Bette you know I only wish the best for you.

Bette: You dont have to wish the best for me because I have her and her name is Tina.

Candace: Goodbye Bette

Candace left Bettes office and shortly thereafter Tina walked back into Bettes office.

Bette: So were you our there listening?

Tina (laughs): Of course I was. So everything is good?

Bette (coming around her desk to pull Tina into her arms): Everything is good. So where were we before she walked in?

Tina (pretending that she doesnt remember what they were doing): I believe that I was just getting ready to leave and go home and be a lazy bum.

Bette: No. That is not what I remember. It seems as if you had your lips on mine, your tongue was teasing my mouth and your hands were touching my *****.

Tina: Oh I do remember that but you have work to do and I want you home early enough tonight so that I can have my way with you. I had a hard time keeping myself from attacking you last night after the massage so tonight I am not holding back anything.

Bette: I guess I better get back to work then so I can get home to you as quickly as I can but do you think I could just have maybe one good kiss to hold me over until I can get home.

Tina: Okay just one.

Bette leaned and kissed Tina passionately with their tongues darting in and out of each other mouths. Bette took advantage of the one kiss she was granted by Tina. Tina left Bettes office with the promise of more kisses when she got home from work. Even though Bette was very busy for the rest of the day time just did not pass fast enough. All she could think about on her drive home from work was Tina and the promise of the evening ahead. When she walked into the house she found Tina waiting for her at the door.

Tina didnt even give Bette a chance to say hello before she started kissing her. As they were kissing they somehow made their way into the bedroom only bumping into two walls along the way. They quit kissing long enough to undress each other and soon they were on the bed, they were touching each other all over, and soon they were writhing with their pleasure until their passion overtook them and they climaxed together.

Bette (breathing raggedly): That was incredible. I couldnt even focus on my work this afternoon for wanting to come home to you.

Tina: I guess you could tell I was waiting for you since I attacked you the minute you walked in the door.

Bette: T?

Tina: What baby?

Bette: I just wanted to thank you for today and for being so understanding.

Tina: You know it was easier than I thought it would be because I know that you love me and that I love you and I am secure in that love.

They had worked as a team today to solve a potential major road block in their future. They both went to sleep that night secure in the knowledge that in a way they had faced a demon of their past today and come through it with flying colors.