Summary of the previous chapter: Tina continues her talk with Alex. Bette begins to realize that Alex is hiding something about Catherines death.

Bette and Tina both spent the afternoon thinking about their own issues and about Alex. Bette tried to concentrate on her reading and Tina tried to occupy herself with several different tasks. Bette mentally chastised herself for never following up on what Alex was trying to tell her that night. She had reasoned that if Alex wanted her to know then Alex would tell her. Maybe she owed it to Alex to stop waiting on Alex.

Tina couldnt get past Alexs accusations that Helena validated Bettes fears and that perhaps Bettes fears had been legitimate all along. It was impossible. Tina had never cared about money. As long as she and Bette were able to maintain a decent standard of living, Tina was content. Conspicuous wealth had always made Tina uncomfortable. So, why did she almost immediately run into the arms of a young trust-fund brat? Was it because she was trying to hurt Bette as much as possible? What could be more hurtful than nah-nah-nah-boo-boo, look she can give me more than you can? Tina was the injured party in her marriage, so why was Alex so good at making Tina feel guilty?

The silence was interrupted by the phone. It was Alex calling to apologize for having to cancel on their dinner plans. She said that she had gotten a call from her rep at the Publishers about a last minute interview that had been arranged.

After ending the phone call, Bette told Tina what Alex had said. The look on Tinas face was one of guilt. Tina began to wonder if Alex was avoiding them because of the hurtful things she had said about Alex and her grief over Catherine.

Tina took her thoughts into the kitchen to prepare for herself and Bette the dinner she had planned to make for them and Alex.

Bette finally couldnt take it anymore.

She walked into the kitchen. Tina can we talk?

What?

Tina, last night, today has been wonderful. It has been so long since we spent anytime together being civil, much less talking. Dont misconstrue, I love it, but at the same time, Im beside myself wondering when it is going to end and the bitterness is going to return.

How unlike Bette to say something like that Tina thought. She hesitated before speaking. It has been nice for me too. Truth be told, Im tired of the bitterness. Its not good for me or the baby. It would be great if we could live together with some semblance of harmony.

It was certainly not at much as Bette would have wanted, but she was willing to take what she could get. Id like that a lot.

Unknown to Alex, she had accomplished some of her plan. She had given Bette, and especially Tina, enough to think about that they didnt want to waste the effort on the animosity. By planting some seeds of guilt in Tina, Alex had managed to dampen the fires of her righteous indignation a bit, and with those fires dampened, Tina was able to see that hating Bette just wasnt as much fun as it used to be.

Tina let Bette help in the kitchen while she prepared dinner. It was like life used to be. Somewhere deep inside, underneath all of the anger and hurt and betrayal and wounded pride, Bette and Tina both realized that what they had at that moment was what they wanted. Neither of them knew, however, how to get back to that.

Their peace was interrupted by the ringing of Tinas cell phone. Looking at the caller I.D., she realized that she had a choice to make. She picked up the phone and told the caller that she was sorry, but she was in the middle of making dinner for a special guest. Tina told the caller that she would call later when she had time to talk.

Overhearing this, Bette looked quizzically, but chose not to ask. She knew that their guest had cancelled so, she wondered why Tina would lie. Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.

The delivery person, who was quite handsomely paid to be working on a Sunday evening, left a bouquet of flowers. Bette and Tina looked at each other puzzled as they looked at the card.

So sorry to have missed dinner with two of the most attractive women in this god-forsaken city. I hope you will take a moment to cherish each other as much as I cherish you both. Let me live vicariously through you as you, on my behalf, take a moment to tell each other how incredibly beautiful you both are. With my love, Alex.

Bette spoke first. Shes right, T. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Your physical beautiful is paled only by how beautiful you are on the inside.

It was Tinas turn. I think that in the past Ive forgotten to tell you that you are so incredibly beautiful and *****. The longer that I have known you, the more beautiful you have become. Please, dont ever doubt and think that you are old or over the hill. You, Bette Porter, are like fine wine. You improve with age.

Alex had accomplished her magic yet again.

Tina and Bette sat down to dinner both saying little for fear of disturbing the Pax Porter-Kennard that had developed. When the meal was finished, Bette insisted that Tina go relax while Bette cleaned up the dishes and the kitchen. Finished with that task, Bette walked into the living room to see Tina sitting on the couch. She sat down at the opposite end and took Tinas feet into her lap. Silently, she began a foot massage.

When did we stop doing things like this for each other? Tina and Bette both wondered as Bette continued at her task. Neither could remember the last time that one of them had done something so mundane, but so thoughtful without being asked to do it. When had they stopped taking care of each other? Most importantly, why had they stopped taking care of each other?

Bette indicated for Tina to stay put while Bette got up and left the room. She returned with a bottle of lotion and continued at her work. Tina relaxed against the arm of the sofa enjoying the sensations that Bette was creating. Helena had never done anything like this. Oh, Helena would have happily paid someone to come do it, but she had never performed such a simple gesture of affection.

For her part, Bette was just grateful to be able to perform a foot massage for Tina. She was happy just being able to touch Tina, even if it was not in a sexual way. Perhaps this was even better, as it was a way of connecting, a selfless way of saying I love you.

Bette continued the massage until her fingers were too stiff to move. When she was finished, Tina moved over and lifted Bettes arm so that it was around her shoulders. She put her head on Bettes chest and allowed Bette to hold her. Neither spoke, some situations are best left silent. Tina was content to listen to the beating of Bettes heart.

As she listened, Tina thought back to her conversations with Alex. Tina thought about Bettes fears and insecurities, the fact that Bette couldnt trust Tinas love for her because Bette had so little faith in herself and in her ability to be loved simply for who she was. For her part, Tina had never questioned Bettes love. She believed in it; she believed that Bette loved her despite her flaws. One of the deepest hurts that came from Bettes affair was that Tina no longer was sure of Bettes love. Despite everything that had happened in their time together, the most painful being the loss of their son, the one rock to which Tina could always cling was Bettes love. When she feared that she had lost that, she feared that she was now adrift on the cruel ocean of life with no anchor in the stormy seas. Tina finally understood that Bette felt that way all of the time because she could never be sure that she had Tinas love as an anchor.

Damned Alex. She had made Tina aware of the problem, but she hadnt told her how to fix it. How could Tina prove to Bette that she would always love her despite all of Bettes imperfections. How could Tina make Bette finally realize that she was there to be Bettes anchor, an anchor that would always hold steadfast no matter how rough the storms.

It occurred to Tina what the answer might be. If she could forgive Bette and love her despite Bettes biggest mistake, would that not prove to Bette that Tinas love was secure? Could she do it? Could she simply forgive the ultimate betrayal?

Being held again by Bette felt so good to Tina. There was no sexual component; it was about affection that went beyond *****. She definitely wasnt ready to face that area with Bette, but she was happy to be in her safe and comfortable place: Bettes arms.

Bette was afraid, it was too good to be true. She wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. Having Tina in her arms again was the greater pleasure she could remember. It really is true that you dont realize what youve got until its gone. Alex had been trying to tell her that ever since she had lost Catherine. Bette had finally learned the lesson, but she had learned it the very hard way.

Somewhere in the recesses of Bette and Tinas minds, Alexs voice was raising her glass in a toast and saying, I told you so.