As Bette and Tina walked out to the garage Tina held Bettes hand tighter.

Tina: Babe I really am proud of you. I cant imagine how big of a step it was for you to return here.

Bette: Tina I guess it was just time. I was on autopilot. I had to get the negatives back. They are right here, by the way; they became an interesting topic of conversation too.

Tina: How so?

Bette: Well James was simply amazed that some of my photos seem so detached while others seem so intimate and he and Shane both wondered how that translates to the photos I took of you.

Tina: Well babe, I think those are just truly beautiful. Its like youre right there in the moment. You know, they are familiar but it also seems like you were seeing me for the first time too. I love them.

Bette: T thats so sweet. You know even Shane wanted to see them and I never thought shed be interested in artwork, not really.

Tina: Babe they are private but its not like Im nude. I did have on my robe. Maybe you should let her and James see them since they seem interested.

Bette: Really

Tina: Yeah. Im really proud of your work and you. You hungry? Should we pick up some take out on the way in? Id like to hear about the rest of your day and Megan Freemans return.

Bette: T its not what you think believe me she knows Im happily married.

Tina: I know, its just almost laughable how many women want you. Its not always easy to deal with it, thats all.

Bette: Tina I couldnt care less about any of them. I only have eyes for you and besides there are plenty of girls who check you out too. T I know it may not be easy but I hope you think its worth it. I mean were worth it, because its not about anyone else its about us”to ***** with everyone else, okay?

Tina: Okay”Ill pick up some take out and meet you at the house, okay. Go home and get comfortable.

Tina leaned in and kissed Bette. As soon Tina got into her car she decided to get some background information on Megan she only knew her name and that she and Bette hand slept together. She knew Alice would know the entire scoop.

Alice: Hello?
Tina: Alice Hi. How are you?
Alice: Im fine. How are you and Bette? Thanks for the barbeque. I guess things are okay between you two since you disappeared on us.
Tina: Were sorry but things got a little crazy with that Janice chick so we decided to take a little us time.
Alice: Yeah bruiser, hows your hand anyway?
Tina: Its fine. Look Al a lot has happened today and I need your advice on something.
Alice: Whats going on Tina?
Tina: Morgan Freeman, what do you know?
Alice: A blast from the past. Well, she was a few girls before me; ah shes an artist and Bette really admired her work. I gathered they had a lot of um, um
Tina: a lot of what Alice?
Alice: *****.
Tina: Great, ***** Fantastic!
Alice:but Tina they didnt have anything else. Bette loves art and ***** lets face it she loves ***** too but that alone cant keep Bette, shes a complete person and Megan wasnt enough then and she sure isnt a threat now. Why is her name coming up now anyway?
Tina: Bettes back to work”TODAY and by fate or coincidence Megan appeared TODAY at the CAC apparently she wants Bette to look at her new work. Bette told her shes happily married but God Alice its always someone going after Bette.
Alice: Tina thats nothing new. When I think about it even when I dated Bette it was like that. Bette has blinders”she dates who she dates and no one else exists. The difference now is the affair. The question is do you trust her?
Tina: Yes I doI honestly do but there are so many of them and Im not perfect what if one day I do or say something to get on her nerves. She wouldnt have far to go to
Alice: Dont finish that”that doesnt sound like trust. Trust her to love you, warts and all; neither of you is perfect thats okay you dont have to be. You just have to trust and believe in each other enough to do the right thing.
Tina: Alice Im afraid of something else too. DO NOT TELL BETTE. I want to have our baby but I dont want to be pregnant and big as a house with all these women prancing around tempting her.
Alice: (smiling) Tina thats probably a normal response, but dont tell me not to tell Bette. You should share that with Bette as a matter of fact; you should share all of this with her.
Tina: I dont want to disappoint her.
Alice: Tina this will only bring you guys closer shed hate to know youre carrying around these unfounded fears especially about Megan; that was the past even then”it never really had a future dont let it ruin what you guys have now.
Tina: Thanks Al I gotta get home and feed my woman.
Alice: (smiling) Bye

When Tina got home Bette was on the phone with Shane. She didnt plan to eavesdrop but she did.

Bette: Yeah most of the rest of the day was uneventful. Franklin told me more about the artist Simone Lennox. I brought some of her proofs home so T and I could look at them. Apparently she passed on an individual show at MOCA to work with me on this new artists group show, thats a little strange, but Franklin thinks shell want an individual show later.
Bette: Yeah well the best part of my day was when T came by. Shane its weird sometimes I dont think shell ever know how much I love her, you know? When I look at her sometimes I could just cry.
Bette: What?
Bette: I guess I have turned into an old softy. Youll be the same way too. I guess so.

When Tina overheard this she grabbed her heart and felt the tears tickling her eyes but refused to let them fall. She couldnt deny she loved Bette with every bit of her existence.

Bette: Oh by the way, Tina said you could see the pictures. Yeah well it was totally her decision. Shes cool with it.
Bette: Well Wednesday Im totally booked but what are you doing for lunch tomorrow? Maybe we can get everyone to meet at the Planet for lunch.
Bette: Okay. Be good tonight or at least be good at it. Bye.

Tina: (clearing her throat) Um, Um

Bette: T you scared me. Do you have plans for lunch tomorrow? Im hoping I can get the gang to meet I guess it depends on Danas training schedule more than anything though.

Tina: Bette you amaze me babe. Come on lets eat so we can get to dessert. Tina said this while wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

While they ate Bette explained the Megan and Simone situation and showed Tina Simones work, which admittedly was very good. Bette was really excited about meeting her Wednesday.

Bette cleared the dishes and was standing at the sink when Tina came into the kitchen and wrapped her hands around her waist whispering, Show me how much you love me, please. Bette suddenly felt she couldnt swallow. She tilted her head back and rested it on Tinas shoulder and closed her eyes. Tinas voice had a way of exciting her in a way she hated to admit but she could never deny. Bette quickly turned around and faced a startled Tina. And Tina saw it and for a brief moment her insecurity, her doubt, and her fear was gone. She saw love, the purity of it, the devotion, the trust, and the security of Bettes love. A tear escaped Bettes deep brown eyes to her dismay but she didnt care. She felt her love for Tina overtake her and if it proved itself in a tear, it was fine by her. She placed her soft moist lips upon Tinas and created a tender passionate kiss that made Tina whimper in sheer delight. As their lips parted.

Diapers

Bette: What are you saying?
Tina: Oh Im so embarrassed. Im thinking Id like to have a lot of kids with you but wed need a lot of diapers.
Bette: (laughing uncontrollably) I love you Tina Kennard!

TBC