Bette had escorted Tina back into the house and into the bathroom”her makeshift darkroom she showed Tina the photos she took of her the night they made love. The night that Bette felt like she was too small to contain and to show Tina all the love she felt for her. These photos showed Tina for the first time how Bette sees her in a word, they were beautiful.

Tina: Oh my God Bette thats me?
Bette: Tina who else would it be?
Tina: Its just I never look like thisI look beautiful in these, I dont even look like myself.
Bette: Says who?”Babe this is how I see you all the time. You will always be beautiful to me.

Tina: Come here Bette. If Im beautiful its because you make me beautiful.

Bette: T I cant take credit for that but if you let me Id like to show you how beautiful you are.

Tina: You never have to ask for something thats already yours and baby Im all yours.

_____________

Bette grabbed Tina by her hand and led her back towards their bedroom. She wanted so much to show her EXACTLY how beautiful she is. She remembered the girls were still out by the pool but decided now is their time. She couldnt remember the last time she had left them to their own devices while she and Tina stole a few minutes just because. Today seemed a perfect day to reclaim Tina and to let Tina know that Janice, Shane nor anyone else was a threat to them or their love”they are eternal.

A shiver went throughout Bettes body as she remembered how earlier in this very room Tina had literally fucked her brains out-she wanted to return the favor but she felt a tenderness towards Tina, a love, a gentleness that she wanted to convey, first. Bette softly wrapped Tina in a warm embrace and kissed her eyelids. Do you have any idea how much I love you Christina Kennard? I think I have an idea Elizabeth Porter, but why dont you show me. Tina replied with a sly smile. I plan to do just that Tina. Bette kissed Tina so softly Tina wasnt sure that she had kissed her at all until she removed her lips. Bette went back in, this time with more passion”with more purpose, her aim, to explore Tinas mouth with her tongue. Tina moaned and felt her knees weaken with the urgency of the kiss. Bette then kissed her neck and earlobe. Tina closed her eyes and felt her arousal amplify with each passing moment. Bette walked Tina to the bed and undressed her. She made a point to kiss every inch of her body. Tina felt turned on when Bette touched her in the most mundane places. She thought she would go crazy when Bette kissed her elbow and her ankle and then Bette kissed behind her knees Tinas pulse quickened. When Bette finally reached her ***** Tina didnt think she would last too much longer.

Tina: Bettewhat are you doing to me?
Bette: T Im showing you how very (kiss) beautiful (kiss) you are (kiss). Ive neglected kissing you (kiss) here (kiss) here (kiss) here and Im making up for it. God T you are so very beautiful (kiss)
Tina: Babe I need youI need you inside me nowplease BBette.
Bette: Okay T but babe you taste so good and your skin is so soft -youre so beautiful and T?
Tina: Yeah Bette?
Bette: I love you. Im in love with you today and forever. I cant get enough of you.

With that Bette moved back up to Tinas mouth and gave her a long passionate toe curling kiss that made Tina so wet Bette smelled her arousal.

Bette kissed Tinas body until she reached Tinas core T you are so wet babe. Bette quickly thrust in two fingers and easily added a third and began sucking on Tinas *****. Tina rocked her hips and rode Bette until she felt all her senses leaving. She only felt Bette going to work where she needed her most. She felt her ***** coming from deep within. She wanted to hold out for a little longer but Bette switched up her tongue movement and that was all it took for her muscles to tighten. She heard Bettes name being screamed out in their room and her body shook, hard. Her breathing was erratic she held on the Bette and Bette kissed her whispering, I love you Christina Kennard dont you ever forget that, ever. You are the love of my life. You are my wife, my best friend, my lover, and I need you, but more than that T I want you now and forever”dont forget that. Dont forget you are the most beautiful woman in the world. Tina couldnt help but smile she felt more loved and secure now than she had in months. Bette had never said these kinds of things to her and she felt that Bette wasnt just saying them but that she really meant it–all of it. How did I get so lucky to be loved by Bette Porter? No it hasnt been easy; but it has been worth it Tina thought to herself as she sat there and smiled to herself. T, whats that goofy smile about, uh? Nothing, a girl has to have her secrets Ms. Porter. Is that right T? Yes, its for me to know and for you to find out. T is that some kind of challenge? Well Bette if thats how youre taking it, I guess so. Bette started tickling Tina and Tina squirmed and tickled her back it didnt take long for them both to get worked up. They made love all night long.


As the morning arrived Tina was up and leaving for the day, she would be in court most of the day with Oscar.

Tina: Bette I had an awesome night last night. I still have goose bumps just thinking about it. What got into you last night anyway?

Bette: I think I was turned on seeing you stand up to Janice, defending whats yours.

Tina: Funny Bette, Oh Bette if you have time can you make sure you talk to the girls we just left them and didnt say good night before we disappeared.

Bette: Ill call Shane and Al and see if they can meet for lunch at Danas club or something. That was kind of rude, but babe we needed that time. So, I know youre in court today. What time will you be home?

Tina: Maybe 6:30 after court we plan to have a meeting at the center. Ill call. I miss you already. Have a good day. Are you going to meet with any artists today or are you taking pictures today yourself?

Bette: I thought Id finish developing your pictures and a few of the others I took and maybe shoot a few more. I have a ton of paperwork James left before the barbeque too. Ill be busy today for sure. Babe Ill miss you too.

They shared a sweet kiss and began their days.

Bette was walking around looking for the negatives to the pictures she had shot of Tina. She looked on the floor, in her files, and in the kitchen she couldnt find them. She realized all the proofs of the photos she had taken were missing and then she remembered she was in the darkroom when James came by yesterday and wondered if she had mistakenly mixed them in with the new artists proofs.

It suddenly dawned on her James must have taken them. Oh no, maybe he thinks they are in a new artists collection we were considering for the next exhibit. Bette panicked. Those photographs are just a hobby and quite possibly my best work; the photos I took of Tina are beautiful”they are of Tina of course theyre beautiful; but there is no way Id want those on display. Im such a hack anyway. Besides Tina will kill me”those are private. Bette quickly threw on some shoes and ran to her car. She was on autopilot. As far as the other proofs of her work were concerned it was one thing for her and James to review and critique them in the comfort of her home but those photographs arent ready and would never be ready to be shown to the world. What a big mistake. As she turned the corner she saw the CAC and James car. She was glad he was there. She was trying to find parking on the street to no avail she went into the garage, parked the car and headed into the museum. She didnt want to draw too much attention to herself she slowed her sprint to a light jog as she approached the doors and walked in. She passed the receptionist area and noticed everyone staring at her. She thought, Why are they looking at me like that? She didnt have time to really consider her own question. She had to get to those proofs before James showed them to Franklin. Speak of the devil”there he is. James hi. I think, I think you may have picked up some proofs by mistake”the ones we were looking at yesterday before the barbeque.

James: Bette-oh my God, you are here. Im so glad youre here. Youre back, are you sure its time? I mean; youre okay being here. Did you park on the street? No panic attack this time? God Bette. I was so worried about you not coming back and I missed you being here so much. Did I just say I missed you being here?

James was laughing and crying at the same time as he held Bette in a very tight bear hug.

She hadnt realized it”she WAS BACK. She was able to park in the garage and come into her building. It dawned on her like the first rays of sun breaking over the horizion. In that moment she had never felt more proud of herself”ever. She didnt force it”it just came and that would be her new way of living her life from that moment on. Bette had learned that some things are simply out of our control and thats okay because in the end things work out when you exercise a little faith. This morning when she woke up she had no idea shed be standing here back at the CAC but here she is. Bette couldnt wipe the smile from her face. God she wanted to hold Tina so bad at this very moment but Tina was in court.

Bette did the next best thing; she whipped out her cell phone and left Tina a voice mail to call her right away because she had great news. James was still there holding on to Bettes shoulder as if he let her go she would disappear. Bette turned and noticed Shane walking towards her.

Bette: What are you doing here?
Shane: I was about to ask you the same thing? Are you okay?
Bette: Im GREAT?
Shane: I was on my way to Lather and saw you running in here. I thought it was you– I couldnt be sure. I didnt know you were back to work. You didnt say anything yesterday.
Bette: I, I came on a fluke. I have to admit it feels great to be back.

Bette wasnt prepared for the emotions that had been pinned up in her. Tears quietly fell from her eyes and Shane walked towards her and held her in a supportive, loving embrace. Shane led Bette into her office and closed the door”Bette openly sobbed in front of her dear friend as the weight of the moment and the moments past”the attack, the fear, and the recovery, washed over her.


TBC