The rest of the weekend passed quickly for them. They rarely left the apartment, not willing to share the other with the outside world.

After their first night of lovemaking, they had finally fallen asleep, their bodies regretfully giving in to sheer exhaustion.

They had woken the next morning, just to start again where they had left off hours before. Neither woman could get enough of the other. Their bodies were reclaiming each other, needing to recapture what had been denied for so long.

For the duration of the weekend, they only left the bed long enough to eat and have an occasional shower.

Sunday afternoon found them resting on the bed, exhausted from another intense round of lovemaking.

Tina was lying in Bettes arms, head against her chest, her hand absent mindedly tracing patterns on Bettes stomach.

She felt a sadness wash over her, realizing that she would be leaving Bette in the morning for her trip back to LA. She also realized that she needed to say something to Bette that she had wanted to get off of her chest all weekend long.

Bette was absolutely still beneath Tina, only movement coming from the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed along with her hand slowly rubbing Tinas head. She loved being with Tina like this, mentally, both lost in thought but physically, almost one. She breathed in the scent of Tinas hair, and found a sense of absolute contentment that she could find from no other source.

She felt a wetness on her chest and realized that Tina was crying.

T? she softly asked.

Tina did not respond, just kept her head on Bettes chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart.

T? she repeated, reaching down to turn Tinas head up towards her.

As she did so, she saw that Tina was indeed crying, tears slowly running down her cheeks.

Whats going on, T? she gently asked.

I just she started, not really knowing how to voice her insecurities and feelings that were coursing through her body.

Bette just remained still, waiting to hear the explanation for what appeared to be fear crossing Tinas face.

Tina knew that she needed to say something to Bette, but again, didnt know how to start.

I she began, raising herself on one elbow so that she could look directly at Bette. I just cant believe that this weekend is almost over she softly said, as the tears continued their path down her face.

Bette knew that there was more to this anxiety that she was seeing from Tina than just the weekend ending.

What is it, T? she questioned.

I love you Bette she said, eyes boring a path directly into Bettes soul.

I know that, T she softly replied, waiting to hear what was on Tinas mind.

Do you? she asked with passion, tears slowly falling. Do you really know what you mean to me? Do you really understand that you are everything to me?

Of course I do, Tina Bette quickly responded, confused as to where this was coming from.

Tina just looked at Bette, saw the confusion pass across her face, took a deep breath and continued with what was weighing so heavily on her soul.

Than you will understand that I have to say this she said, eyes following Bettes every response.

Bette felt a sudden fear take over her entire being and realized that she was not breathing, fearful of making any movement at all, simply waiting on Tina to share whatever it was that she needed.

Bette she began. I trust you completely. I need for you to understand that, ok?

Ok Bette weakly responded, not really sure how to respond.

But, there is something that I need to say to you and it will only be said once. I will never bring it up again after this moment, but it is something that I need for you to hear directly from my lips, ok?

Bette said nothing, just softly nodded her head in agreement.

Tina took a deep breath and looked directly into Bettes eyes, pausing to ensure that Bette was with her, that she was 100% focused on Tina.

She saw that she was.

Tina laid a hand on top of Bettes chest, right above her heart that she could feel beating rapidly in expectation.

Bette, this weekend, this week, all of it, has been beyond comprehension she began.

If I were asked to describe the emotions that I have experienced this week, I know that there is no way that I could begin to do so. You and I have come so far, further I would expect than either of us would have guessed.

She looked at Bette and saw that she was anxiously watching her, intently hanging onto her every word, just waiting for the next one.

But, that shouldnt surprise either of us. We both go after what it is that we want with reckless abandon at times, huh? she said, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked down at Bette.

Bette returned the small smile, wordlessly acknowledging her comment.

It is with the knowledge of the distance that we have traveled together that I need for you to understand something, Bette.

Tina paused, looking away for a brief moment and then returning her eyes to Bettes, continued.

What I need for you to understand Bette is that there will not be a third chance.

Bette simply laid there, allowing the impact of this simple sentence to settle in.

We were lucky Bette, we were given a second chance. But thats it. There will be no more.

She looked away from Bette, felt the tears run warmly down her face, not attempting to hide the emotion that she was experiencing.

Tina turned back and looking at Bette, saw tears beginning in her eyes as well.

If you even think about letting another woman touch you, touch you in a way that you know only I should be doing, that will be it Bette she shakily said.

T

No Bette, let me finish! she adamantly said.

She took a deep breath and continued.

I know that we have our flaws, as individuals and as a couple. I get that. But, if you ever turn to another woman to avoid dealing with whatever is going on between the two of us, that will be it. I will not fight to get you back, I will just walk away. Not because I dont want you or love you, but because I will not have it in me she trailed off, begging for Bette to understand.

Neither woman said a word, just watched the other.

Bette understood what Tina was communicating, and knew that she needed to ensure her of that comprehension.

Tina she began, watching to see if it was ok to respond. Seeing no resistance from Tina, she continued.

II love you with my entire being, with everything that I am. She paused, trying to compose herself but the tears were making that effort difficult.

I am nothing without you. I dont wish to be anything without you. I hear every word that you are saying and understand why you are saying it.

As much as you wish for me to understand what you have said she continued, I need for you to get that I get it. I am with you, T, in every sense she quietly emphasized.

I would rather die than hurt you again. Just as you would not be able to give us a third chance, I would not be able to survive your hurt, being the cause of your hurt. I simply could not live through that again she softly cried, tears falling down the side of her face.

Tina looked down at Bette and tried to brush the tears away, but was not able to keep up as too many were falling. She did not try to stop Bette though. She needed to hear this from her, needed to hear these words spoken by her, spoken from both her heart and soul. She never wanted to have this conversation again, but knew that it was important for each to be as open and honest as possible at this moment regarding this topic, in order to put everything behind them, to move forward with a shared understanding of where the other stood.

It is to you that I swear with my life Tina, that I will never turn to anyone else she emphatically uttered. I will never stray outside of our relationship again, will never break the trust that you have bestowed in me, for a second time she said, tone begging to be believed.

I swear to you, I promise you with everything that I am, that I will never turn away from you. You will be the one, the only one, that I come to, regardless of the issue.

Tina began to softly cry, hearing the words of promise from Bette that she had needed to hear for so long. The expression in Bettes eyes was one of fear that Tina would not believe her.

She leaned down to kiss Bette, to assuage her of those fears. Truth be told, she did believe Bette and knew that every word that she had spoken was one born of truth.

I believe you baby she whispered to Bette, pulling away from her lips to read Bettes expression, needing for her to understand that she did, she did believe her.

Tina saw some of the fear begin to leave Bettes eyes and pulled her body up and placed herself onto Bettes, settling into her, allowing everything to find its home.

She leaned down and kissed Bette again, a kiss that was meant to both reassure her as well as let her know how much she was loved.

Bette returned the kiss, hoping that her words truly had been believed by Tina.

Tina pulled back, gently rubbing Bettes temples, and smiled. She watched Bette return the smile and saw that the smile reached her eyes. The fear that she had seen just moments ago was gone, replaced with a sense of happiness and contentment.

You ok? asked Tina.

Yeah, and you? whispered Bette.

Better than ok, baby she smiled.

Bette rubbed her hands up and down Tinas back, reaching up to pull her head back down onto her shoulder.

How long they laid like this, neither knew, nor for that matter, cared.

There was something that was flowing between the two of them, from ones body to the others. Contentment, trust, love? Probably all.

It wasnt long before they both fell asleep, happy to just be with the other, knowing that they were clear with where they were heading as a couple, dreaming only of the future that they both knew was in front of them.