Bette held Tina in her arms for a long while before she reluctantly pulled away. She wanted to lean in and kiss Tina but she refrained. She did not want to scare Tina or make her feel uncomfortable about being there.

T Bette said standing up and holding out her hand to Tina. Why dont you let me show you around the house so that you will know where everything is and then I will get you settled in for the night.

Okay Tina said as she put her hand in Bettes.

Bette took Tina into the living room first where she invited Julie to follow her for a tour of the house. She gave them a quick tour of the house and told them she would show them the pool and the backyard in the morning. She showed Julie to the room which she would be staying in and went to help her carry her suitcases back to the room.

Julie Bette said. Are you really okay with this?

Yes Julie replied. I hated seeing her putting herself through all of the anxiety of trying to remember her past. I took her to see the neurologist and he said that we really need to let her do what is most comfortable for her. Bette she may not remember you, but she is connected to you and she seems to find some comfort in being around you.

Did I say thank you for bringing her home? Bette asked smiling.

Yes Julie laughed. You did. Why dont you go get Tina settled in because I am tired from the flight and I really want to get some sleep?

Goodnight Bette said as she left the room and went to search for Tina.

She found Tina leaning back on the sofa with her eyes closed. For a minute she thought Tina was asleep but Tina opened her eyes when she heard Bette approach.

Are you tired baby? Bette asked.

A little Tina replied. This is so hard trying to remember who I am.

I know it is T, but you just need some time Bette said. You need to be patient.

That is easier said than done Tina said. Will you tell me a little bit about my life?

Yes Bette said. Why dont you let me get ready for bed and then I will tell you a little about yourself.

Bette left Tina sitting on the sofa when she went in to their bedroom to get ready for bed. She took out her pajamas and pulled off her robe and just as she started to pull on the pajama bottoms she heard a noise and looked up to see Tina standing in the doorway looking at her. Bette froze for a moment unsure of whether to rush to put her pajamas on or to wait and see what Tinas reaction was going to be. As she stood there she let her mind wander to an earlier time when there would have been no doubt, when Tina would have come to her shedding her clothes along the way and they would have made love long in to the night. She shook her head to dislodge the memories and deal with the present and when she did she realized that Tina was standing right in front of her now.

You are very beautiful Tina said as she held out her hand towards Bette but she hesitated. Is it okay if I touch you?

Sure baby if that is what you want Bette said.

Tina reached out and touched Bettes face and she ran her hand down Bettes neck and shoulder, then down her arm and she then took Bettes hand in hers. Bette stood perfectly still while Tina touched her but she had to fight to keep from pulling Tina in to her arms and kissing her passionately. As Tina held her hand she looked in to Tinas eyes trying to read and understand what Tina was feeling.

T? Bette said.

This is a strange feeling Tina said. I dont remember you or touching you but it somehow feels right.

It made Bette a little sad that Tina didnt remember the wonderful times they had together but on the other hand Tina had said it felt right to be touching her. She thought it was a good sign that Tina was feeling a connection to her. At that moment Kits words floated in to her mind I dont have a doubt in my mind that somewhere within her heart her love for you is there. Bette knew that she was going to have to walk a very fine line with Tina because she did not want to do anything that might jeopardize her chance to make things right with Tina. She brought their hands up to her mouth and gently kissed Tinas hand and then reluctantly let go and put on her pajamas.

I am glad that it feels right Bette said. I want you to be comfortable here and with being around me.

I do feel comfortable here Tina said.

Good Bette said. Now why dont I get you some of your pajamas to sleep in and get you settled in to bed? I am going to let you have our room and I am going to be sleeping in the other guest bedroom.

I dont want to run you out of your room Tina said.

Its okay. I will be fine in there. Bette said. T I understand that you need some time and space to try to get used to things and try to remember who you are.

Thank you for understanding Tina said.

Bette took Tina into the bathroom where she showed her where her toothbrush and the toiletries were and then she took her and showed her where her clothes were. She took out a pair of her pajamas and handed them to Tina before she left the room with a promise that she would come back and check on her before going to bed. Bette wanted to make sure she had everything she needed. When Bette returned to their room Tina was already in bed.

Did you find everything you needed? Bette asked.

Everything except what I really need Tina said.

Oh baby Bette said as she went to sit on the side of the bed next to where Tina was laying. I know this is hard on you.

Bette? Tina said. Will you tell me how we met?

We met a little over seven years ago Bette said as she let the images of that time run through her head. At the time I owned a small art gallery and you came in with your boyfriend Eric to see the opening of an artist I had signed. Eric was a big art collector and loved coming to see the new things I had to offer in the gallery. I remember him tapping me on the shoulder to ask me a question about one of the prints and turning and seeing you stand there. You were so beautiful just standing there. Eric introduced us and when we shook hands I felt an instant connection. He left us there making small talk while he went to talk to the artist of the print he had asked about. He returned a few minutes later and we each went our separate ways. A few days later I invited Eric and you to a formal dinner party that I was having at the gallery where we met again. You were looking at one of the prints when I approached you and asked if you were going to join us for dinner. You told me that you really liked that particular print. As you were standing there I noticed that your earring had come out and was tangled in your hair. I reached out and disentangled it and handed it back to you and watched you put it back in place. When I touched you I once again felt that connection but I didnt push getting to know you because you were there with Eric and I wasnt sure just how involved the two of you were. I had know idea what your sexual preferences were. As fate would have it, when I was straightening up a few things around the gallery later that evening I found your earring. I knew that you would be coming back to the gallery and I would get to see you again. You returned to the gallery that very evening after realizing that your earring was missing. I had waited around hoping that you would find out that the earring was missing and would return to the gallery that evening. When you came in I was glad to see you. You seemed so shy standing there in my office and when I handed you your earring back I held on to your hand and didnt let go. I then leaned in and kissed you. I couldnt stop myself. I had to kiss you and I wasnt sure what your reaction would be. Thankfully you tentatively kissed me back. I pulled back and looked in your eyes and somehow I knew that you had never been kissed by a woman before. I wanted to kiss you again but I didnt want to push my luck. I told you that I really would like to take you out sometime if you would be interested and asked for your phone number. I could tell you were a little shell-shocked over the kiss and knew you needed to time to deal with what had just happened between the two of us. You seemed hesitant to give me your phone number but ultimately you did. I wanted to call you the next day but I was afraid of pushing to hard. I gave you three days before I finally called you and we agreed to go out together. That is how our relationship began.

Tina had listened to Bette tell the story of how they had met and even though she didnt remember what had happened it helped her to understand a little why she seemed to feel a connection to Bette.

So I take it you believe in fate Tina said.

Yes Bette said. At least when it comes to you and me I do.

Thank you for telling me about how we met. Tina said. Even though I cant remember it I at least have a small piece of my life in my head. Will you tell me more?

T you know I will tell you more, but can it wait until tomorrow? Bette said. You really should get some rest and so should I. I have been working long hours at the gallery and I am really tired.

Okay Tina said. Goodnight.

T if you need anything you know where I am Bette said. Goodnight baby.

Bette leaned down and kissed Tina on the cheek and left their room. She checked to make sure she had locked the house up for the evening and went and crawled into the bed in the guest room and soon she was fast asleep. As she slept she started to dream and her dreams were filled of Tina and their lives together.

Tina lay there in their room trying to go to sleep. She looked around the room still hoping that something would trigger her memory to return. She thought of Bette and the story that Bette told her about how they met and she wondered what their life had been like together. She was glad that Julie had agreed to let her come to California because somewhere within her she knew that her life was here and this is where she belonged.She lay there for what seemed like hours but she could not sleep. She got up and quietly wandered around the house for a while. When she felt like she might be able to sleep she started to walk back to the bedroom but instead of going back to her room she headed to the room where Bette was sleeping. She walked in and stood there watching Bette sleep. As she stood there she thought about how loving and caring Bette had been to her since the accident and how beautiful she is. Tina was feeling something and she wasnt sure how to handle it. She knew that she should go back to her room to sleep but for some reason her feet would not take her there so instead she went over and gently crawled into bed with Bette. Bette didnt stir as Tina crawled in to bed with her. Tina snuggled up to Bette slowly so as to not wake her and closed her eyes and soon was fast asleep.

When Bette woke up early the next morning she was surprised to find Tina in bed with her. She lay there looking at her wife and thanking her lucky stars to have her here with her. She wanted to touch Tina and to kiss her but she was afraid. She started to reach out to touch Tina and had just pulled her hand back when Tina opened her eyes.

Good morning baby Bette said. It was a nice surprise to find you here with me.

I hope it was okay Tina said. I just felt as if I needed to be here with you.

Its fine baby Bette said.

Bette? Tina said. Can I ask you a favor?

Sure T. What do you need? Bette asked.

Will you please kiss me? Tina asked.

TBC