What happened? said Rachael.

Tina glanced furtively at Bette, saw she was watching her. She thought back to the night at the gallery when she saw Bette and Candace together. Trust was a two-way thing she thought. She was playing a dangerous game and she wasnt good at games especially ones where the rules often changed without you knowing it.

Tina took a deep breath Uh ..my daughter.. Rosie ..she was taken to hospital..shes OK..but Bette, thats my partner..we were really concerned about her for a while..

There was a long pause at the other end So..uh.. everythings OK then?

Yeah.. thanks..everythings great. Tina smiled at Bette and took a deep breath I was wondering if youd like to come over..meet Bette and Rosie..

A few minutes later Tina hung up the phone and turned it off. She smiled tentatively at Bette.

Bette patted the sofa beside her. She felt that some big milestone had been crossed for both of them. So, tell me about.. she gestured to the phone.

Rachael .Its not like theres much of a story to tell, Tina looked embarrassed Its more like a fairytale actually

Well thats good.. we know they have a happy ending Bette smiled and took Tina in her arms again. Talk to me, tell me what happened..

Tina sighed I feel like were back on that trip from San Francisco all over again.. me talking about how I feel.

Weve come along way since then havent we baby? Bette rubbed Tinas back reassuringly.

Tina started haltingly realizing Bette deserved some explanation Yeah..you have….and ..and when youre here and were together .I can feel how much you love me.. but then we go places and I see how other women look at you and when youre not hereI sometimes start to wonder if Im enough for you.

A frown crossed Bettes face. Where had that come from, didnt Tina know how much she loved her? T, just tell me what I can do to reassure you said Bette anxiously.

Its me Bette..sometimes I feel how much you love me and its so overwhelming my heart seems to stop beating for an instant and then I start to feel that I dont deserve it all.. Tina whispered maybe it was some inadequacy in me that drove you away..that made you stop loving me..

Bette looked at Tina; she loved her so much it physically hurt sometimes. Bette rested her hands on Tinas shoulders, she cupped Tinas face and caressed Tinas cheeks with her thumbs, Firstly, I never stopped loving youSecondly you could never drive me away.. Thirdly its not just me they look at when we go out you know..

Bette sighed and looked at how distraught Tina was. Tina how is it that you seem to have forgiven me but not yourself huh? We talked about this we both made mistakes but were not going to repeat them again.. You have to believe in yourself..in us..

Tina didnt answer; so Bette pulled her close, held her tight whispered in her ear Tina..I love you..maybe I dont tell you that enough..but just being with you makes me feel loved and wanted and safe ..I am so lucky to have youand Im not going to let you go.

Tina still didnt say anything so Bette decided it might be better to move on, give Tina time to think through what shed said. Why dont you tell me about Rachael huh?

Shes a writer said Tina quietly..slowly at first We uh..met online when I was pregnant..we just exchanged ideas at first..shes really..uh..interesting..

Bette swallowed but continued to smile at Tina wanting to encourage her to talk.

–(Wow, she thought, as if its not enough to have temptations at work and each time they went out now she had to worry about predators in cyberspace. Shed never even given it a thought and shed seen how much time Tina spent logged on. Shed even laughed at the stories of people whod fallen in love over the internet unsure how it could happen)”

Uh.. how did you end up meeting? Bette asked.

She wrote to me..said she was coming to LA..that she wanted us to exchange real names and numbers. Tinas eyes met Bettes then drifted away. She fought to re-engage eye contact. Im sorry I ..uh..youd just told me about Candace so I emailed her with my number..then she wanted to meet when she got here and I .. Tina looked really embarrassed but was determined to tell her the whole sordid tale I..heard James mention Candace when you called that day..and I got worried and angry ..so I rang her and arranged to meet her..

Bette sighed Im sorry baby..I knew I should have told you Candace was starting I was just delayinghoping that shed send her partner.. Bette trailed off.

When Tina didnt respond Bettes curiosity got the better of her So whats Rachael like..is she worth it?

Tina didnt think this was a joking matter but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth Shes nice..not as wonderful as you are of course!

Of course! said Bette smiling in response pleased to see Tina lightening up a bit.

She writes really amazing stories would you like to read some? said Tina not wanting to hide anything.

Sure..especially if Im going to meet her.. she looked at Tina Do you really want to bring her here?

Yeah..I want her to meet my family.. said Tina smiling.

They sat together, Tina wrapped in Bettes arms both thinking about how fragile relationships can be, how much work you needed to do every day to keep them strong and healthy. How important communication was and how easy it was to get off track when things were hidden.

Bette pulled Tina closer, held her so tight that Tina gasped Bette I cant breathe

Get used to it T, Im never going to let you go.. Bette whispered in her ear.

TBC