The car picked Bette up just on time. She was wearing her best Jill Sander suit and watching herself on the mirror she smiled, just imagining what Alice could be saying about her image. It didint matter, was her lucky suit, the one that always made her secure.

Watching the English landscape she tried to calm her nerves, she wanted everyting to go ok, she whished that Helen was there with her. It was meant to be that way but at the last moment some legal issues, something to do with Lady Penelopes signature on some papers didnt let her go with her.

Before she could think about it again the chauffeur announced that they were there. Looking through the window Bette saw an inmense gate opening, showing them what it looked like the most beautiful garden shes ever seen before. The car moved slowly on a small hidden path letting the view welcome Bettes arrival. A few minutes later the car stoped in front of the mansion. A castle, Bette thought should be more apropiated. It was an eighteen century castle, Bette noticed, taking a good look at it. The moment she put her feel outside the car a uniformed buttler appeared at the door ushering her inside.

Lady Gerendish wil be with you in a minute he said, leading Bette to the library.

Bette, amazed by the house was speechless, trying to look cool, but finding very hard not to let her mouth hang open at what was appearing in front of her. The most amazing art pices, the best taste in every little detail. The moment the buttler closed the door behind him, Bette let a sigh escaped her lungs, calming her.As she was admiring the old books, the staircase that lead to a second floor full of beautiful books a blonde four year old hurricane burst in.

Alfred, Alfred!! the little girl yelled. Her eyes full of joy, her big smile unable to be frame in the beautiful face that Bette imagine under the messy blonde hair that was covering it.

Bette, taken by surprised didnt know what to say or do. The little girl, in her tore apart old jeans with a long sleeve t-shirt was looking at her.
Bette, looked around, trying to find something to say but then two black labs arrived looking for their owner. The dogs arrival made the little girl looked away from Bette, given her a few seconds to compose herself.

This is Snape, and this one (pointing to the smaller one) is Nemo The little girl said, her perfect English accent drawing a smile on Bettes face.

They are beautiful Bette said, moving closer.

Alfred says they cant be inside but I know Gran doesnt care the girl said, looking at Bette, removing the hair from her face, showing Bette her beautiful face.

Looking at her, seeing her eyebrow rising, Bette noticed something but was not sure what it was. Then, as if she knew Bette was studying her, the little girl let the dogs free and moved closer to Bette, facing her.

I like your shoes she said, looking at Bettes Manolos.

Thank you, I like yours better Bette answered, lying as she loved her Manolos more than anything.

My mom gave them to me last time she came she proudly said, looking at her bright pink Convers.

As Bette was going to say something else they heard some one approaching. Then, at the door, an old lady smiled, facing them.She was all Bette had imagined. Tall and slim with a beautiful white hair. She was wearing perfect tailored slacks, matching a silk blouse. The only jewlery she was wearing was pearl earrings and a beautiful old ring on her left hand. She looked distant, her elegance speaking of her, her image intimidating.

You keeping Miss Porter company dear? Lady Gerendish asked the little girl.The warm tone in her voice, her smile, the way she moved while looking at the girl showed Bette how different the real person was from the image.

A mischevious smile grew on the girl little face. Nodding, she run to jump into the old ladys arms.

Am sorry for being late Mss Porter, but I hope this little bug offered you a drink Lady Gerendish said, walking towards Bette, still balancing the little girl on her hip.

I was just going to the blode beauty said, whispering to Lady Gerndish, loud enough for Bette to hear it.

She was introducing me to Nemo and Snape Bette said, smiling, looking at the dogs.

Lets hope Alfred doesnt see them here dear The old lady said, walking towards the dogs.

As on cue the buttler appeared at the door.

Milady, everything is ready he said, her voice showing no emotion, her face blank as a sheet.

Thank you Alfred Lady Gerendish said, placing the little beauty on the floor.

Shall we? She added, smiling to Bette.

Nodding, Bette started walking as Lady Gerendish was leading her outisisde.

Honey, why dont you show Snape and Nemo the exit the old lady said, winking at the girl.

Was nice to meet you Miss Porter the little girl said, nodding to Lady Gerendish.

It was nice meeting you too Bette said, still a little confused by the blonde hurricane.

***

At the same time in LA Tina was trying to sleep, there was something bothering her, dinner she thought, too spicy she realized, shaking her head in the dark. Listening to the rain outside, she placed a hand on her prominent soft belly, caressing it. Seeing from the bed the rain drops faling down on the window she remembered the afternoon in Carmel.

She was attending a seminar. It was a one week thing they had to do twice a year because the studio wanted them to. Tina smiled, remembering how miserable she was feeling. She had been seeing Bette almost three months by then and she knew that she loved her but she wasnt sure why they have been fighting a lot lately.

Tina wasnt sure why but not knowing, feeling Bettes anxiety was making her miserable. Too many thoughts, too many possibilitiesMaybe Bette didnt want her anymore, maybe she was tired of her.
Tina spent the first five days of the seminar like a zombie, attending the lectures but doing very little with the rest of the group. She took long naps, long walks and went to bed very early every night. It was Friday afternoon and the group decided to go out for dinner. Tina was not in the mood for it but she knew she had to go as it was a requirement, to interact with the group. She told them she was going to go for a walk and then met them at the restaurant.
She started walking to nowhere, just feeling the breeze on her face while watching people on the street was calming her. She was very upset because the last couple of times she called Bette she wasnt able to contact her. She knew Bette was very busy with an uncoming opening but that wasnt comforting her. The wind was getting wilder and then, without a warning it started raining. Tina wasnt prepare for it but she didnt care, she always loved the rain and didnt mater to her getting wet. She just missed her rain hat, the one she used to wear as her only protection while at college.Studying on the east coast rain was very common. She was known for never use an umbrella, all her friends knew she loved walking under the rain just wearing her old raincoat and a hat.

But now, without the hat the rain was making everything difficult to see, the streets, the cars,the pedestrians were all in a blur as she was feeling raindrops falling down on her face. She was getting wet but she was feeling how the rain was caressing her worried heart. But then, waiting for the light to turn green she noticed a couple at her side. She looked at them. They were an old couple, smiling at each other and then, as the rain was getting heavier the old white haired man, moved his hands and tenderly pulled the womans rain coat lapels up. That way the rain coulnt wet her inside. The old lady smile sweetly at him and then as the light turned green, holding hands, they walked away from Tina.

It was the simplicity, the tenderness, the loving gesture what broke Tinas heart, bringing all the hidden emotions to the surface. She started quietly crying, watching the old couple crossing the street, holding hands, sharing a history. It made her think of Bette and what they have or didnt have.

Was then, in all her misery that Tina felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around finding Bette looking at her, getting wet, under the rain.

Ive been looking for you were Bette words.

Tina couldnt believe that Bette was there, in front of her, talking with her. She was going to to say something when Bette, moving closer put her hands around her face and slowly, looking at her in the eyes said,

I love you Tina For the first time Bette said the words that Tina thought shed never hear from her.

Tina, felt her lungs lighting, her stomach relaxing, her heart exploting with joy. Nodding, she leaned closer, whispering to Bette,

What took you so long?

Tinas words broke Bettes heart in a million pieces, showing her all her fooliness. Making her to think about all those times when she tried to tell Tina that she loved her, how the knot in the stomach, the dry lips, her sweaty hands made it imposible for her to say it back. It wasnt that she didnt love Tina with all her heart, it was that, Bette realized only a week ago, saying the words was the ultimate gesture, was finally accepting to Tina all the power she had over her.
Was accepting that she was never again alone, that somebody was with her, that somebody was taking care of her. Saying the words was accepting that her happiness was in somebody else hands.
But then, the day Tina left for the seminar Bette thought that it wasnt somebody else, it was Tina. The woman that always left a note for her to bright her days, the woman that without being asked for always look after her, the woman who took care of Kit just a week after meeting her, the woman that didnt care for her coolness, the woman who never used her insecurities in her own benefit even when Bette knew that Tina could tell, name all of them.

Not finding a proper answer to Tinas question, Bette moving tenderly, softly, rested her lips on Tinas. Then, after a few seconds she let herself get lost in Tinas kiss, showing her what her shy scary words meant.


As the sweet memory was cradling her sleep, Tina felt it. She opened her eyes, confused…