When Bette arrived home after her therapy session she was emotionally drained. She knew when she had made up her mind to go to therapy that it was going to be tough but she really wasnt prepared for some of the questions that Dr. Standridge had asked her. She had been honest with her answers to the doctors questions but it was tough to face some of those answers. Before she left Dr. Standridges office she had asked for advice on handling the current situation with Tina. Dr. Standridge had asked if it was a possibility that Tinas memory loss could be due to the emotional trauma rather than the actual head injury. Bette was a little surprised when she said that. Bette realized that the doctors Tina had seen were not aware of the emotional upheaval that Tina had been through right before the accident. She cautioned Bette about treading lightly with Tina.

Bette walked in to the house to find Julie and Tina in the kitchen laughing and preparing dinner together. Bette stood and watched the two of them, who were unaware that she had walked in. She was happy to see Tina laughing and glad to see that she and Julie were bonding.

Hey you two Bette said. You look like youre having fun.

Hi Julie said. I was just telling Tina about some of the cute things she did when she was young.

I think I was a mess Tina said.

Probably a cute mess Bette said laughing. So do you care to share the story with me?

I was telling her about when she was 4 years old and we had gone to visit my parents and one afternoon she came up missing. My parents lived in Florida on a street that had a swamp at the end of it and we freaked when we couldnt find her. We hunted for her for about an hour and we decided to make one last sweep of the house. We found her sleeping standing up in between the dryer and the wall. There was barely enough room for her to get in there but there she was, sound asleep. She had been trying to play hide and seek with her cousins and had crawled in there to hide and had fallen asleep. The boys figured she had gotten bored and gone in the house. When we woke her up to pull her out she asked if she was the winner. Julie said. I wasnt sure whether to kiss her or spank her but she was so cute standing there I just laughed at her.

See T. You were a cute mess Bette laughed. So what are you two preparing for dinner?

My specialty and one of Tinas favorites as a kid Julie said. Beanie Wienies

Were really having Beanie Wienies? Bette asked as the thought disgusted her.

Julie and Tina looked at each other and started laughing.

Im kidding Bette Julie said. We are having lasagna

Now if you two dont mind setting the table for dinner I am going to freshen up before dinner Julie said.

After Julie left the room Bette walked over and gave Tina a hug before going to get the dishes out to set the table.

Im really happy to see you laughing and having fun Bette said.

Today has been a pretty good day Tina said. Julie, I mean mom, shared some memories with me today. It makes me feel better to have at least some parts of my past in my head. She wants me to start calling her mom but it feels strange after calling her Julie for the past few weeks.

Thats good baby Bette said. You and your mom havent been really close in the past, but you regretted that you werent, so maybe this is a good thing.

The table was set when Julie returned to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on their dinner and soon they were sitting at the table enjoying the wonderful meal they had prepared.

This is really good Bette said. I can see where Tina got her cooking skills.

Im a good cook? Tina asked.

Yes Bette said. Its a good thing too because I suck at it unless you like charred, burned or rubbery things to eat.

Thank you Julie said. I really enjoy cooking.

They finished their dinner and were cleaning up when Bette decided to tell them about having guests for dinner tomorrow night.

I wanted to let you know not to make plans for dinner tomorrow night Bette said. I invited my sister and our friends over for dinner. I am going to pick up dinner for all of us at the deli. They should be here around seven. T, do you think you are up to meeting our friends and family?

Do they know that I dont remember them? Tina asked.

Yes Bette said. I told them but they want to see you and make sure you are doing okay.

Then yes I want to meet them Tina said.

The rest of the evening was spent with Tina and Julie watching a movie on television while Bette had excused her self so she could do some work in her room. She had gotten ready for bed and was sitting back against the headboard typing into her laptop computer when she looked up and found Tina standing in the door way to her room.

Hey baby Bette said. Did your movie get over?

Yes a while ago. Tina said. Its getting late.

Oh I was engrossed on what I working on and lost track of time Bette said. So are you ready to turn in for the night?

Yes Tina said.

Tina stood in the door way waiting for an invitation from Bette to crawl in to bed with her. When she had gotten in to bed with Bette the previous two nights she had been asleep. Bette looked up at Tina and realized what she waiting for, so she reached over and pulled the covers back on the other side of the bed. Tina didnt hesitate as she walked over and got in to bed with Bette. Bette shut down her computer and got under the covers and let Tina cuddle up close to her.

I liking sleeping next to you Tina said. I feel safe.

T I like sleeping next to you too Bette said. Were you uncomfortable sleeping in our room?

Yeah Tina said looking up at Bette. I feel so alone when I am in there.

Bette wondered if it was possible that somewhere within Tinas subconscious, the memories of their last night in their room were making her uncomfortable. Thoughts of that night filled Bettes head and made her sad. She struggled to keep from crying because she did not want to have to explain to Tina why, but she was unable to stop a teardrop from running down her cheek. Tina was surprised to see Bette crying. She reached up and wiped the tear off of Bettes face.

Why are you crying? Tina asked.

I just hate the thought of you being uncomfortable in your own home Bette said as she thought its not the whole truth but its not a lie either.

I am comfortable here Tina said. Maybe I just want to be with you when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Maybe my body remembers sleeping with you and making love with you.

T Bette said. You dont really believe that do you?

Well maybe it could be true Tina said. I just really am more comfortable in here with you. So can I just plan on sleeping in here with you every night?

Sleeping only? Bette asked.

Well unless you want more Tina replied.

Its not about want T Bette said. Its about doing the right thing. Sleeping only and if you want maybe a little cuddling. Okay?

Okay Tina said as she snuggled up close to Bette and closed her eyes. You drive a hard bargain Porter.

Bette froze for a moment at Tinas last words. That had sounded something like Tina would have said to her before the accident, before she lost her memory. Could it be that her memory was starting to return? The thought terrified her because she wasnt ready to tell Tina the truth nor was she ready to deal with the possibility of Tina walking away from her forever. She didnt have all the answers yet as to why she let Candace into their lives and she felt like she needed that to have any chance at all of keeping Tina in her life.

She didnt sleep well and when the alarm went off it she felt as if she hadnt slept at all. She reached over and quickly turned off the alarm and looked over at Tina to see if the alarm had woken her. Tina was still sleeping peacefully beside her so Bette lay there just watching her sleep for a few minutes before she got up and got ready for work. She had started out the door when she remembered that she had left her laptop in the bedroom. She walked quietly into the room trying not to wake up Tina but when she went to pickup her laptop she accidentally hit the lamp and almost knocked it over. Tina sat up at the noise and rubbed her eyes.

Hey babe Tina said. Are you leaving already?

Bette thought there it is again. How many times had she heard Tina say that to her?
What if her memory came back and she walked out while she was at work. Bette decided that she was going to spend the day with Tina instead of going to work.

I was going to but Ive changed my mind Bette said. I am going to take the day off and spend it with you.

Can you do that? Tina asked.

Sure Bette said. Ive been putting in long hours for the last few weeks so taking today off shouldnt be a big deal. Let me call James and let him know I am not coming in and work out the logistics of clearing my calendar and then we can decide how we want to spend the day.

Bette went to call James and when she was finished she went in search of Tina. She checked her room and Tina wasnt there so she headed to their room to see if she was there but to no avail. She found Tina sitting outside in one of the lounge chairs by the pool.

Hey you Bette said. I thought you would still be in bed.

I like to sit out here in the mornings Tina said. Its peaceful.

You always have Bette said. You love being outdoors and enjoying mother natures gifts. So is there anything in particular youd like to do today?

No Tina said. Id just like to spend time with you and perhaps if you feel like it, you could share some more of our past together with me.

I think I can manage that Bette said. Lets go get changed and Ill take you out to breakfast first. Should we invite Julie?

No Tina said. Shes been sleeping in so she probably wont get up for quite a while.

Before they left the house Bette left Julie a note letting her know that she had taken the day off and she was taking Tina out to breakfast and they might take a walk along the pier.

They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together with Bette sharing little things about their life together and after breakfast they took a walk along the pier and found a bench to sit on so they could talk and just enjoy being together. By the time they made it back home Bette had realized something important. This was one of the things that had been missing in their relationship in the last few months, maybe even years, taking time out of their daily lives to just talk to each other and to enjoy being with each other.

T Bette said. I really enjoyed this morning. We havent done anything like that in a long time.

I really enjoyed it too. Tina said. The more time I spend with you the more I want to spend with you.

Somehow Tinas words made Bette feel guilty. If she knew the truth she wouldnt want to be spending time with her at all. Bette knew in that moment that she had to at least tell Tina some of the truth if not all.

Tina Bette said. You know that this isnt real.

What isnt real? Tina asked.

This idyllic picture you have of me Bette said. All you have seen since the accident is the tender, caring side of me. I can be and have been a real ***** to you sometimes. I just dont want you to see me as some type of perfect person when in fact, Im far from perfect.

TBC