With the meal over, Bette slightly pushed back in her chair, holding a hand on her stomach, and said, T, that was amazing. How could I have ever forgotten how good your cooking was?

I didnt know that you had forgotten said Tina with a slight smile and raised brow.

Well Bette quickly responded, You know what I mean. Not forget, really, just an expression actually.

Tina smiled at Bettes feeble attempt at recovery and said, Dont worry baby, I think that I know what you were trying to say.

Why dont you go sit down and make yourself comfortable, and Ill clean up suggested Bette.

You clean up? asked an amazed Tina.

T, I am good for some things around the house, you know she replied.

Im sure its just my memory failing me that is causing me to not remember all of the time you spent doing chores around the house, cleaning, vacuuming, cooking she said jokingly.

Ha ha was Bettes only reply as she stood to clear the table.

Seeing Tina still sitting there, not moving as instructed, Bette said, Go on, I can handle this.

Tina didnt share the same confidence as Bette in the task in front of her but agreed to get out of the way and go relax in the living room.

Ok baby, but you know where to find me when, oops, I mean if, you need my help she laughed.

Again, Bette chose to ignore her and after getting everything from the table, went in to the kitchen to tackle the mess that was left behind by Tina.

Tina dropped on to the sofa, tired from all of the work and emotions from the day. She smiled to herself as she heard a few expletives coming from Bette in the kitchen. Some things will never change she chuckled out loud.

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to completely relax, the soft music in the background providing assistance in that effort.

Looking around, pleased at her work, Bette finally determined that she was done. And it took only what? 10 minutes? Looking at her watch to confirm her guess, she was surprised to see that actually 40 minutes had passed. *****, this stuff isnt easy she muttered to herself while shaking her head.

She made her way into the living room and saw Tina with her head resting on the back of the sofa. As she walked around the end of the sofa, she could tell immediately that she was fast asleep. She looked at her watch again and seeing that it was already 9pm, wondered if she should wake her or just get her a blanket.

She softly sat down next to her and whispered, T?

She saw her faintly respond to hearing her voice and so Bette repeated herself. This time, Tina slowly opened her eyes and turned her head towards Bette.

Hey she sleepily said. I must have dozed off.

Yeah, I guess that you did said Bette, smiling at her. I think that that dinner wore you out.

I think that its a combination of things Tina smiled back at her.

Wanna go to bed? asked Bette.

Uh huh said Tina while nodding her head.

Bette stood up and reached her hand down to Tina who accepted the help and allowed herself to be pulled up. Bette wrapped her arm around her waist and steered her towards the bedroom. She walked her over to the side of the bed and said, Sit.

She did as instructed and watched Bette walking over to the dresser that she was sharing with Tina and reached in a drawer for some clean pajamas. Bette made her way back over to the bed while standing in front of Tina, slightly between her legs, she reached down to the hem of her t-shirt and slowly lifted it over her head. As her hands cleared the top, Tina slowly brought her arms back down, waiting to see where Bette was going with this. Knowing that Bette had been uncomfortable with any type of nudity between the two of them, Tina was mildly surprised that Bette was taking this initiative.

Bette gently smoothed the hair on Tinas head back down, while slowly dropping the t-shirt from her hand. Tinas eyes never left Bettes. She placed her hands on Bettes waist, pulling her into her a little more. She began to rub sensuous circles around her lower back and hips, feeling Bette do the same in her hair, massaging her head.

Tina sighed and allowed her head to fall forward, her forehead resting on the slight bit of bare skin where Bettes low slung pants and top didnt meet. Her face had not been this closely intimate to Bette in she didnt know how long. She inhaled deeply, allowing all of the sensations that were caused by the nearness of Bette to simply run their course through her body.

Bette ran her hands down the length of Tinas back, passing over the bra strap that cut the expanse in two. She slowly reached for the clasp and began to loosen it. Tina jerked at Bettes actions, surprised at what was happening.

Bette just said, Shhh and continued her exploration of her back.

Tina meanwhile was finding it hard to control her breathing. They had not been this intimate with each other in so long and the reactions that her body was experiencing were overwhelming.

Bette placed her hands on either side of Tinas head and pulled her back a bit so that she could look into her eyes. She slowly reached to her shoulders and pushed the bra straps to the side, allowing the bra to fall freely in between the two of them. She rubbed her thumbs over the indentations left by the straps in an attempt to smooth them out.

Bette never moved her eyes from Tinas. She bent down, her face next to Tinas, kissed her on the cheek and whispered into her ear, T, put your arms up.

Tina was surprised to see that when Bette pulled back up, she had the top to her pajamas in her hand.

***** she thought to herself. Well, I was certainly going in a different direction than Bette on this.

She did as Bette asked and felt the top sliding down on her body, replacing the t-shirt that had just been there.

She looked back up at Bette and said, Thanks, but I think that I can get it from here.

Bette was surprised at Tina but just stepped away, letting her finish the task of preparing for bed.

She went into the bathroom to get ready for bed and tried to figure out the look in Tinas eyes.

Oh wait she slowly thought to herself, did she think not having to finish her own question.

Not waiting for Bette to finish up, Tina came into the bathroom, reached for her toothbrush while not ever looking at Bette. Tina finished before her and after getting in bed and turning her light off, turned on her side, away from Bette, and closed her eyes to go to sleep.

Bette came in to the bedroom, got changed and made sure that the apartment was locked up with all lights off. She returned to the bedroom and slowly got into bed, Tinas chosen sleeping position not lost on her.

After turning her light out, her eyes adjusting to the dark, she slid over to Tinas side of the bed.

T? she softly said.

What? she briskly responded.

Im sorry

Tina turned over, facing Bette, and said, For what?

Did I mislead you? asked Bette.

Tina paused, thinking about how to respond to that question and said, I dont really know that you mislead me, but Bette, it is not news to know the effect that you have on me.

Bette didnt say anything, just thought about what she said.

Ok was all she said.

Tina watched Bette thinking this through and said, Ok what?

I dont know shrugged Bette, just ok.

Bette she patiently explained, I love it when you touch me, just as I love to touch you, but right now, during all of this, I think that we need to determine what our boundaries are as I think that we are clearly not at the same place physically.

She reached a hand over to Bettes face and trailed her fingers down the side, feeling all of the different contours.

After a moment of silence, Bette quietly said I love you T.

I know you do, baby.

And one of these days, we will be able to express that love physically.

Yes we will Bette said Tina, lovingly smiling at her partner.

Soin the meanwhile? asked Bette.

Cold showers laughed Tina.

And no helping you change for bed?

Sadly, yes Tina uttered.

How will we know?

Know what, baby? asked Tina.

You know said Bette. When we are ready?

Tina continued her exploration of Bettes face and said, I think we just will.

If I dont, will you tell me? asked a smiling Bette.

Oh dont you worry, baby. You will be the first to know, after me of course! she laughingly answered.

Bette reached over and pulled Tina onto her, placing her head on her shoulder. Bette placed a soft kiss on her forehead and said, Good night T.

Cmon baby. We can do a little better than that smiled Tina as she lifted her head to gently kiss Bette on the lips, her tongue lightly drawing a line on Bettes bottom lip.

Good night baby said Tina as she returned her head to Bettes shoulder, and I love you too.