Tina was awake, softly caressing Bettes back under the t-shirt. Thinking about what happened with Greta, thinking about what she felt kissing her, and how she felt when after broking the kiss she saw Gretas look. It broke her heart seeing the pain in Gretas eyes but thinking about it now, as she did at the moment, she was sure she not only did the right thing, she did what she really wanted to do. She kissed Greta but she really didnt. It didnt feel like that, she didnt feel anything especial, it was nice but it wasnt Bette.

Feeling Bettes body around hers, her leg over hers, her arm around her, her face on her chest, Tina felt all the happiness, all the excitement she didnt feel kissing Greta. As she was closing her eyes, thinking about it she felt Bette moving, her muscles stretching and she realized she was awake.

Good morning Tina softly whispered, giving Bette time to be fully awake.

Smiling lazily Bette let her the warm feeling that it was having Tina so close wake her senses as she slowly opened her eyes finding a smiling Tina looking at her.

Morning Bette mumbled, moving to kiss Tina softly on the lips.

You feeling better?

Much better smiled Bette, resting her head on Tinas chest, caressing her bare belly.

So, tell me, how was it? Asked Tina, caressing Bettes back under the t-shirt again.

Chicago?

Yeah chuckled Tina.

Well, it was shocking, surprising, revealing smiled Bette, dying to start telling her all about the trip, drawing with her finger on Tinas soft skin.

Why, what happened? Inquired Tina.

You sound like Dane chuckled Bette

I know! But is because you are teasing me smiled Tina, playfully pinching Bette.

“Ok said Bette, rolling to look at Tina, seating on the bed with her back leaning on the wall, moving Tina so she could hug her.

“Peggy offered me the job of my life Bette started, caressing Tinas bare arm as that was lying on Bettes stomach.

She did? Tina said, smiling, looking up at Bette.

Yeah, but thats not half of the news smiled Bette, loving the smell coming from Tinas hair.

Why, what else?

I didnt accept yet, said that has to talk with you but thats not it

Why? Seriously Bette, tell me Tina said, serious, trying to hide the smile on her face.

I run into an old friend of you (seeing the confuse look on Tinas face), well, being precise is not like I run into her Peggy introduced us, she is the one who actually offered me the job

And I Know her? asked Tina, even more confused I know no one in the art world she mumbled, trying to think about it.

Thats not completely accurate Bug teased Bette

Is not?, ok, tell me, who do I know besides you, Peggy, the CAC board and a few others?. Asked Tina, looking up at Bette.

Does Lady Annabel Gerendish ring a bell? Asked Bette, looking Tina in the eyes.

Vaguely, it sounds familiar but am not sure why answered Tina, resting her head back on Bettes chest.

And Penelope Harrigan? feeling Tinas muscles tensing Bette added, Lady Penelope Harrigan?

*****? Tina said, seating on the bed, looking at Bette.

The one and only, she is the one who deals with Gerendish Collection being Lady Annabels granddaughter and all smiled Bette, rising an eyebrow.

What?…and she knows you are with me?, she knows am *****?, she offeres you the job’”

Yeah, she got me investigated and not only that.. I have news for you smiled Bette, taking one lock of Tinas hair in between her fingers.

What? asked Tina, curious.

She is *****

Her grandmother is *****? Wow” nodded Tina, thinking about it.

No (chuckled Bette) your friend is

What?… she is not Tina said, shaking her head, not looking at Bette, remembering.

She is Tee, she told me nodded Bette.

How the ***** did you end talking about anybody being *****? asked Tina, after a few seconds, a bit agitated.

Hey Tee, I didnt, she did after asking me many questions, personal ones (noticing Tina frowning) I never said your name Tee, I just talk about my life partner well she offered me the job, finishing saying that if Tina trusted me, then that was enough for her thats when I knew she knew your name she said she knew you, so I asked her how did she she said because you were her first love finished Bette, looking at Tina, studying her reaction.

Tinas face was frozen, not showing any emotion. After a few seconds looking away she jumped off the bed, mumbling.

I need to go to the bathroom

Bette, watching Tina walking towards the bathroom shook her head, not understanding Tinas reaction.

Tee, are you ok? asked Bette, waiting at the bathroom ajar door, not daring to come in.

You can come in Bette, is not like you havent seen me doing this before said Tina, her voice showing a gleams of annoyance.

Are you upset? shyly asked Bette, coming in.

No, is just that I didnt know that it makes sense now thou Tina said, nodding, washing her hands, splashing some water on her face.

“It must have ben one ***** of a conversation” Tina said,not seeing the shy smile on Bettes face at her chose of words.

Bette, quiet, waiting for whatever else Tina wanted to say was using the toilet herself, looking at Tina.

How is she? Did you like her? Shyly asked Tina, turning to look at Bette, wanting to see her reaction.

Yeah, she is very nice answered Bette, washing her hands, feeling Tinas stare.

And she looks hot teased Bette, trying to get a smile from Tina.

Tina, looking at Bette was at first shock by the remark but looking at Bettes eyes quickly knew what she meant, and as hoped, a smile grew on her face.

Yeah am sure she is, she even was back in high school teased Tina, walking out of the bathroom.

Am sure (patting Tinas ***** as she walked by) too bad you were in denial then winked Bette.

Yeah well, I was waiting for the real one whispered Tina, walking towards the kitchen, barefoot, smiling at the beautiful day.

Bette, having heard Tinas words let them fill her heart with joy and pride, pushing her to say what she didnt know wanted to share yet.

But thats not all I got to know during the trip said Bette, sitting down in the kitchen table.

Is not? Bette, I have to remind you am a pregnant woman, surprises am not sure are so much in order teased Tina.

Tinas words made Bette doubted about telling what was in her mind, maybe it was not the right time. Tina, seeing Bettes concern look, moved closer and sitting on her lap said,

Am kidding , sure you can tell me, what was it? Another ghost from the past?, by the way, you havent tell me about the job offer yet Tina said, kissing Bette on the lips lightly before standing up, moving to the fridge, to get some orange juice.

I I I think Greta is in love with you Bette said, watching Tinas back, noticing how she stiffed.

Silence suddenly filled the room, making the seconds looked like hours.

I know whispered Tina, turning slowly to look at Bette, not knowing why she said it but feeing it was the right thing, the only thing to do.

“What do you mean you know slowly asked Bette, standing up, moving away from Tina.

Tina, moving slowly closer to Bette took her hands in hers and looking at her in the eyes whispered,

She kissed me

She what? asked Bette, rising her voice, removing her hands from Tinas, moving away, turning her head, not wanting to look at Tina.

Tina knew, the moment she saw it in Bettes eyes what was going through her mind, the walls around her heart were growing fast. Moving to get closer again, carefully, Tina placed her hand on Bettes arm, caressing it kindly, slowly, trying to calm her. Bette with her eyes closed was trying to shut her mouth, to erase all the images that were running through her mind. She was not aware of her trembling shoulders and before she could do anything against it, Tina was hugging her tight.

Its not the same Bette, It was nothing Tina whispered, caressing Bettes neck with her hand.

“She kissed you Bette mumbled, feeling hot fat tears full of pain, anger and jealousy fighting to roll down her cheeks.

Tina, quiet, was letting Bette decide, it was something she had to do by herself, decide the road to take. Tina knew it was an important moment, a trusting one. Bette hugged Tina tighter for a few seconds before releasing her to quietly walk away, towards the bedroom.

That was what when tears appeared on Tinas eyes. Bette taking the easy road again, shutting her heart down, leaving her out of all her fears and doubts. As a shiver was running to her body Tina heard Bette mumbling, a scary whispered, a silent prayer.

I kissed you like that once have I lost you?” Bette words travelled to Tinas heart like a thunder, making her paces towards her even faster.

You have lost nothing Bug, am here

But I once kissed you too and got you Bette was looking down, defeat, scare, trembling like a leaf.

Nodding Tina caress Bettes arm, she knew what she was talkig about, so clearly, so vivid, so present it was.

I didnt love Eric, and I knew right there, before the kiss that you were the one Bette. This has nothing to do with that Tinas words were putting Bettes heart pieces back together while her hand was cleaning the tears that were running quietly down Bettes cheeks.

But she loves you pouted Bette.

I know, but I love you. Look at me Bette, look at me said Tina, pushing Bettes chin up, making Bette to look at her.

I love you, I have loved you since the first time I lied my eyes on you, even when I didnt know it then, I have love you through the best and through the worst.. a kiss wont change that, can you understand that? Tinas words were harsh, she was hurt by Bettes doubts, tired.

Looking at Tina while she talked Bette saw it all again in her head, she hated herself for it all but seeing Tinas hurt look in her eyes she nodded, and taking Tinas neck in her hands she leaned, surprising her. Kissing her hard, passionate, deeply.

After what probably was one of the hottest kissed they have shared Tina sighed, looking at Bette, still amazed by the kiss, composing herself.

I love you Tee, I do Bette said, not leaving Tina time to answer as she put her into another big bear hug, hiding her head on Tinas neck, tighten her hard. There were no other words she could use to let Tina know what she felt, she just needed to touch her, to show her.