The coffee was getting cold as the croissant was becoming drier. A week has flew since Tina has gone back to work. Bette was looking at the open book in front of her as she has been doing for the last thirty minutes but was reading nothing. It was not a bad or boring book but she had her mind in other things. Hearing the door opening she finally looked up watching another customer coming in.

She was getting use to the place, she could even say she liked Moss. It became a surprise the first time she came in. It was the day Tina had her doctors appointment. They all met at Moss to celebrate Tinas freedom back. Bette knew about the place, as the girls mentioned it a few times during different conversations.
Bette wanted to go, wanted to see what has been Tinas cave during all the time they were apart. Alice filled Bette with all the places details and the moment she put her feet in she realized what it was all about. It had Tinas name written all over. It was the kind of place Tina could be happy in and that made, somehow, Bettes heart ached.

Since Tina started going back to the Center the day after the appointment and Bette didnt want to, didnt feel like going back to CAC yet, she still had two more weeks off, she decided to spend some time at Moss. She liked the place but mostly she was curious, very curious about the owner, the beautiful, quiet, shy and very mysterious Greta.

The moment Bette met Greta she saw it. She saw something in her that intrigued her. She saw, not only how affectionate she was with Tina, how she greeted her, how she took care of her, of all her needs, Bette saw how Tina looked at her.

That first time at Moss, Bette was the one who entered first, noticing the few and very relaxed customers enjoying the soft music and the very warm atmosphere.
It took her a few seconds to adjust her eyes to the soft light, then feeling Tina behind, she moved, letting Tina walk towards a small woman that was reading behind the counter.

They greeted each other like old friends, kissing each other lightly on the lips before hugging. Bette, following Tinas steps moved closer to them. Tina introduced them and then Greta, gave walked them to the biggest table were they sat down to wait for the girls.

Waiting for the girls, while Tina was filling Great with all the news about the twins and her bed retirement as she called her two weeks in bed, Bette took the time to study not only the place but its owner. She thought, after seeing Greta kissing Tina that she was going to feel jealous or threaten but there was not a single threaten fiver in Gretas attitude . She was not only very nice and sweet with Tina, she also was with her in a not annoying or false way.

It was a week later and Bette was still trying to understand the woman who was reading behind the counter while almost all her customers were doing the same.
So lost was Bette in her own thoughts that she didnt notice Shane taking a seat at her side.

Hey nonchalantly said Shane, resting her feet on the coffee table, nodding at Bette.

Eh? Oh, hey, how you doing?

Waiting for Tee? Asked Shane, smiling at Greta who was already preparing what she already knew Shane wanted.

Yeah nodded Bette, watching Greta bringing Shanes coffee.

Shane smiled at Greta, thanking her for the coffee but noticing how Bette was looking at the caf owner.

Dont tell me you too she added, a few seconds after Greta left their table.

What? Asked Bette, finally looking at Shane.

Dude, you are just like the rest of all Shane chuckled, taking a long sip from her drink.

What? What do you mean? Asked Bette, placing her book on the table, leaning closer, as Shane was almost whispering.

We all have been there Bette, al of us (looking at Greta) there is something about her, is like a spell… you will get use to

Bette was looking at Greta too, who now was smiling to a little girl who, holding her big brother hand was looking at the cookies displayed on the counter. Bette saw how Greta subtly offered the little girl the biggest cookie, winking at her, without her brothers notice. The kind gesture made Bette smile, thinking about Shane words and how they seem to be just accurate. There was something in that woman very appealing, in a non sexual or romantic way.

As she was sipping her cold tea Bette saw Tina entering the place. Feeling a smile growing on her face she saw her walking towards her, smiling too. It has been only a week since her back to work and not seeing her all the time was making moments like that precious. Watching Tinas pace she noticed how her belly was getting rounder, as well as her *****, she thought looking at Tinas tight t-shirt as she was leaning into her to give her a kiss.

They spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, talking with Shane and then, after running some errands together they headed home.

Tina was taking a long bath while Bette was wandering around the house. There was something she wanted to talk with Tina but was not sure how to, seeing that she was not getting anywhere she headed to the bathroom, finding Tina relaxing with her eyes closed in the tub.

Feeling Bettes presence, not bothering to open her eyes Tina said,

Will you join me?

Bette rose her eyebrow, was not expecting the offer, but loving being asked non the less. Not hearing the quick answer she was expecting Tina opened her eyes to find Bettes stare which made her smile.

No that for (chuckling), am too tired for that but Id love to have you here with me for a while

Tina didnt need to say all that as Bette was half naked when Tina finished talking. Carefully getting in the tub, Bette placed herself between Tinas legs, leaning her back on Tinas front. She lay in her arms, letting the warm water caress her her body while she was caressing Tinas legs that were resting on her lap. Resting her head on Tinas chest Bette felt Tinas fingers removing the hair from her face, placing it behind her ears. Sighing deeply she let the moment relax her enough to start talking.

Guess who called me today Bette asked, loving Tinas soft skin.

Who? Asked Tina, feeling Bettes muscles tensing under her touch.

Peggy Answered Bette, opening her eyes, waiting.

Really? Hows she doing? Tinas voice was calm, relaxed, not threaten.

She is ok, apparently she called CAC and when they told her I was still enjoying some time off she decided to call me home Bette, was again lost, not knowing how to go to the point, even when she noticed Tinas calm tone.

Why? Is something wrong with Provocations?

No, no, everything is fine. She is very happy with it, is not that.

Caressing Bettes face, noticing her sweaty forehead, realizing that she was trying to say something but was having it difficult Tina, taking pity of her added,

Why dont you stop beating around the bushes and go to the point babe? Tinas words showed not anger, they were almost teasing, playful.

Bette, stiffing, moved to look at Tina.

She wants to see me, not sure what about

Thats good, right? Asked Tina, not knowing why Bette was so worried telling her all that.

Maybe , I dont know, but Tee, she wants me to go to Chicago to see her Bette was looking Tina in the eyes, trying to read her thoughts.

I think is great Bette, that could be interesting, maybe she wants to offer you something else

Really? Bette said, confused by Tinas reaction.

Tina, looking at Bette, removing a wet lock of hair from her face, smiling added,

Bette, you have to stop being like thisyou dont have to change your whole life because of what happened, I know you have to work, is not like we have to stay glue to each other all the time, I dont want that (smiling) I dont think Id stand that

Seeing Bettes face Tina pulled her back into her embrace, caressing her watered belly, drawing with the bubbles that were floating over it.

I dont need to have you at my side to know that you love me, I just need to feel it, and you make me feel it every time you look at me, every time you take my hand or every time I hear you laugh so, relax and enjoy your work ok

Bette was smiling, hearing Tinas words. Taking her hands in hers, knitting her fingers with hers, Bette asked,

Why dont you come with me, Peggy even offered, she asked me about you

Thats very nice Bette but I dont know, I feel bad , I havent work that much lately, Ive put many things on Oscar shoulders and besides, I want to take it slowly, and am not sure a long flight would be the best for this two

Tina kissed Bettes shoulder as she was nodding, agreeing with her last words.

When does she wants you to go? Tina asked, sponging Bettes arms.

I dont know, I told her that before agreeing on anything I wanted to talk with you first

Thanks Bug you gonna have a blastgod I love Chicago

I know Bette said, nodding closing her eyes from Tinas touch, sighing, relaxing.

Bette left a couple of days later. She was happy, it was an exciting trip, and she was anxious to see, to know what Peggy wanted but she felt bad leaving Tina.

Thinking about it now, while enjoying her drink on the plane, letting distance, watching it all with perspective, she was noticing, realizing how much they have changed in the last months. She realized that Tina was even more Tina than ever, she was not the old Tina from Bette& Tina, it was the true self, the real one.

It made Bette smile how strong Tina was now but it also made Bette realize that it was her, now, the needy one. The cheating made that to her, her betrayal to Tina made that to her. She didnt need a therapist to know, her long days, weeks in India showed her that. Realizing that what she was able to hurt the people she loved the most made Bette very conscious about the realities in life, about how much we fool ourselves, how much we believe what people think about us instead of what we really know we are.

Enjoying her cold drink, Bette realized that she was at a point in her life where she needed to feel her life around her, protecting her, and her life was Tina. She was sure about that. Tina was the only thing that she needed to work in her life, well her and her friends, she was able to accept the fact that they were a very important part of her life too. But Tina, her love, their future was the only thing Bette needed and knowing that, realizing that, accepting that without Tina she was nothing, scared the ***** out of Bette, and that was why she was always feeling like walking on thin ice.
Thats why Tina agreeing about the trip so easily made her heart light, calmed her and without knowing it, made her neurotic mind start working after hours.