Tina led Bette into the room, stopping in front of the fireplace. She turned to her with a big smile on her face, enormously pleased at Bettes almost speechless reaction. It was not often that she got this kind of response from Bette Porter but when she did, she savored it like a fine wine.

They were facing each other in front of the fireplace, neither speaking, both just standing there taking the other in.

Tina looked at Bette and could not help but think how ***** she looked. She had left the apartment this morning with her hair up, but had let it down for the evening and styled it the way that Tina loved, the thick tresses falling to her shoulders in its own unruly way, begging to be wrapped around Tinas fingers.

She had removed the jacket to her suit and unbuttoned her blouse to her breastbone to soften her look. The view of her chest took Tinas breath away.

Still gazing in Bettes eyes, she lifted a single finger and slowly ran it across the opening of her shirt, grazing across the bare skin from her chin down to where the shirt closed, softly, delicately, just like a whisper. She saw the pulse in her neck quicken as Bette took a deep breath.

She brought her hand back up to the back of Bettes neck and slowly but determinedly, brought Bettes lips to her own. She paused when they were millimeters away from each other, looked again in Bettes eyes which were almost closed. Bette put her free hand around Tinas waist and pulled her in to her, closing the distance between the two of them. Tina smiled at Bettes desire and allowed their lips to finally meet. The kiss was gentle, passion and desire burning to be released, but both women kept it slow and sweet, lips slightly parted, just welcoming the feel of the others softness.

Bette didnt know who pulled back first, but she knew that she was left breathless by this simple kiss. She rested her forehead against Tinas and simply said, Hi T.

Tina smiled in return, immediately recognizing the desire in Bettes voice. She dropped her arms to Bettes waist, wrapping them tightly around her.

Hi baby she whispered in return.

What have you done here, T? Bette whispered in her ear.

Tina felt goose bumps travel up and down her arms. She knew that there were many ways that she could interpret Bettes question but decided to go with the easiest response.

She pulled back slightly, looking deeply into Bettes eyes and with a smile on her face just said, What do you think?

I think that you are amazing and that I am the luckiest person on the face of this earth.

Oh yeah? she giggled, pleased at her response.

Yeah, T she said, smiling back at this woman that was her world.

How bout a glass of champagne? asked Tina, still tightly holding onto Bette.

I thought that you would never ask she teased.

Tina leaned in and kissed the tip of Bettes nose and with one last squeeze around her waist, reluctantly released her.

As she turned to walk towards the bottle of champagne, Bette finally noticed what Tina was wearing.

Jesus, T she gasped.

Tina quickly turned around, quizzically wondering what had drawn this from Bette and said, Whats wrong, baby?

Wrong? Absolutely nothing is wrong, T, I just cant

Just cant what, babe? she asked, smiling at Bette realizing that she was gawking at her in her dress. She had known that Bette would not be able to peel her eyes off of her in this outfit and was terribly happy to know that she still had Bette pegged the way that she did.

Dear God she said out loud as she made her way over to where Tina was pouring the champagne.

Tina watched Bettes reaction and the desire that she saw on her face was palpable. She could reach out and touch it. It was burning in her eyes and the flush that landed on her face was enough to start the throbbing in between her legs.

Bette walked up to Tina and placed her hands on her hips. Where did this come from? she hoarsely whispered, her eyes never leaving Tinas cleavage.

This old thing? she teased.

Not that you needed any help, but this dress makes you look so ***** hot whispered Bette, finally raising her eyes to meet Tinas while her hands began a slow exploration of Tinas back, running her nails up and down the bare expanse of her back.

This time, it was Tinas turn to catch her breath as her pulse was racing. She felt Bettes hands traveling up and down her back, occasionally running up her side, brushing against the sides of her *****.

Bette was all she could say, eyes closing as Bette leaned in to kiss her.

Bette saw the intense desire etched on Tinas face and realized that she should slow things down a bit. For Gods sake, Ive not been here ten minutes and look at us she mentally chastised herself.

She allowed her lips to softly land on Tinas and immediately felt Tina open her mouth, aching for more. She pulled back, raising a hand to the side of Tinas face, cupping her cheek while bringing her lips to her ear.

You have never looked more beautiful, T she breathlessly whispered directly in her ear.

The pounding between Tinas legs had become painful as she struggled to catch her breath.

UhIthank you baby she weakly said.

Bette pulled back from Tina, leaving one arm around her waist for support.

Didnt I hear something about champagne? chuckled Bette as she saw Tina finally open her eyes, returning from whatever place that she had just visited.

Yeah laughed Tina in return, I believe that you did.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her achingly aroused body. As she lifted the bottle from the ice bucket to continue pouring for them, she noticed that her hands were shaking.

How bout a hand with that? asked Bette. Without waiting for a response, Bette gingerly took the bottle from Tina and began to fill the two champagne flutes that were on the table.

After filling the glasses, she returned the bottle to the ice, handed a glass to Tina and took one for herself.

She raised her glass to Tina who could not remove the grin from her face. She was intently watching Bette, not wanting to miss a single movement.

Would you mind if I said something, T? she almost shyly asked Tina.

I would love for you to say something, baby she said encouragingly.

Bette took a deep breath and stared directly into the eyes of the woman that she loved so dearly.

I realize that not a lot of people get a second chance in life, regardless of what that second chance is needed for. I feel that you have given me the greatest gift in the world that could be given, just that, a second chance. I dont know that I am deserving of it, I dont know that you owe it to me, but what I do know is that I am oh so appreciative of it.

Tina watched Bette, eyes never leaving hers and took in every syllable that she was speaking. Her heart was breaking at her words and the happiness that she felt at hearing Bette speak so directly from her heart made her fall in love with this woman all over again. She felt a single tear roll down her face, but did nothing to stop it. She wasnt even sure that she was breathing for fear of missing anything that Bette was saying.

After a pause, Bette continued.

I fell in love with you for a number of reasons T. What I was initially attracted to was your breath taking looks. You immediately had a power over me that I had no control of. I was lost in your presence and the only thing that guided me was you. I had to follow you, I had to be with you. You were and I now know, are, that lighthouse sitting on top of the hill. It is you, just like the light, that I search for, in good times and in bad, for safety and comfort, for laughter and tears, and for just allowing me the ability to take my next breath.

The tears running down Tinas face picked up a pace of their own making, Tina powerless to control them. She just stood there rooted to her spot, hypnotized by Bettes words.

I guess that the thing that I most fell in love with you for was your heart she whispered. Tina had to lean in to ensure that she didnt miss a single word that she was saying.

Your ability to give and provide love as well as receive love was, and is, like nothing I had ever experienced before. I fell in love with that quality and I believe that that is what has kept us whole for all of these years.

She leaned her forehead in and rested it against Tinas.

I lost sight, T she weakly whispered. I couldnt see the light from the lighthouse. I was lost without you. I am nothing without you

Tina took the glass from Bettes hand and along with her own, placed them on the table.

Come here, baby she whispered as she pulled Bette into her arms. She placed Bettes head on her shoulder and rubbed her hands through her hair.

Its ok, baby. Youre with me, its safe.

This is home, T she whispered.

Yes, baby. It is.

They stood there, both listening to the fire crackle in the background, their bodies and minds closing the gap that had separated them for so long. Each held on tightly to the other, wishing for even more closeness and whispered to the other how she was loved.

Bette pulled back, drying the tears from her face while doing the same for Tina.

Well, I kinda ruined the moment, huh? laughed Bette while reaching for their glasses.

Tina laughed in return and just said, Absolutely not.

Bette handed her glass to her while raising her own in toast.

To your heart and to your ability to love me, not for just the first time, but for the second as well.

Tina smiled in return, acknowledging her words, and simply said, To us, to our future, to who we were meant to be.

They touched their glasses and then each took a sip.

I love you T whispered Bette.

Im counting on that, baby, I’m really counting on it she smiled back.