Shanes serious demeanor relaxed and a slow smile crept across her lips because Bettes tone was so solemn when she asked her if she was really Yoda. Bette got up and ran to Shane and held her tight as she whispered. Thank you Shane”God what would I do without you? Im not giving up on my life that easily. You said everything I needed to hear. Thank you so much. Bette kissed Shanes cheek and Shane closed her eyes and held her close for a moment longer as she breathed Bettes scent in. Ive got to get over this beautiful woman. She and Tina belong together”enough, enough Shane chastised herself. She slowly let go of Bette and looked at her beautiful friend. Now weve got to get you home to your woman where you belong.

TBC

Bette: I must look awful after all that crying. Let me get cleaned up and then someone please drive me home to my wife. (She says while walking to Kits bathroom.)

Shane: You go right ahead and pretty yourself up. Ill be ready to take you home as soon as youre out of there.

Shane walked into the kitchen to try to get calm her emotions and to take a minute. Alice followed her in.
Alice: ShaneShane look what you did with Bette everything you said was so sweet and encouraging.
Shane: Well Al, I just call it like I see it.
Alice put her hand on Shanes heart. Shane no sweetie, its apparent that you love her but you didnt try to take advantage of this situation instead you gave her what she needed to get back to Tina. Shane I swear Ill never forget how amazing you are. You have a heart of gold and I know its probably a little broken right now but whatever you do”never change. You are going to make some woman so happy one day.
Shane: Well the important thing is, hopefully these two women; Bette and Tina will be able to get through this. You know at least now I know I can love. Bette gave me that”thats something right?
Alice: Oh Shane thats everything.
Alice wrapped her arms around Shane silently wishing for her to know true love and happiness one day, shes just so deserving, Alice thought to herself.

Bette yelled from the living room. Okay I think Im ready guys thank you both so much. Youll never know how much you mean to me.

Bette remembered to write Kit a quick note explaining she had gone home to talk to Tina and with that she was heading home”where she belongs.

As Shane pulled up to the Kennard-Porter residence she looked at Bette who was beginning to look nervous. Okay this is your stop Bette. Bette breathed out a deep sigh. Shane I dont know what to say to her”where do I begin? Bette asked. Bette why dont you just listen to her youll be okay. Promise? Well well never know for sure until you go in there. Shane said with a laugh. Bette finally gathered all the emotional strength she had and headed for her door. She quietly prayed that whatever caused Tina to do this she could rectify and they would be better for it.

As Bette walked into the house Tina as pacing back and forth with tears streaming from her eyes. Bettes heart broke. Shed never meant to bring Tina this pain she just needed to wrap her head around the fact that Tina would feel the need to kiss someone else. Tina stood there and looked at Bette and through her cries made only one request. BetteBette dont give up on me, please! Bette immediately ran to Tina Shh. Tina, T Id never give up on you. Bette grabbed Tina face and kissed away her tears. Tinas cries finally died down and Bette wrapped her in a warm loving embrace.
Bette: Lets sit down? You want some water?
Tina: No
Bette sat there holding Tinas hand they sat in complete silence for a while both fearing what the other might say but knowing the silence was a greater threat Tina finally spoke.
Tina: Bette I need you to know I love you with every fiber of who I am. I just simply wasnt myself tonight.
Bette: Oh Tina I know that feeling all to well. But I have to be honest here”my concern is that maybe this, what you did tonight is your true self.
Tina: No Bette you cant believe that”what are you saying?
Bette: Tina please dont get angry with me when I tell you this.
Tina: I dont think Im in the position to get angry with you about anything tonight”Bette just tell me.
Bette: One of my biggest fears since we got together was that youd leave me. Sometimes Id think this was never meant to last.
Tina: Okay now I am getting angry. How could you think that?
Bette: Tina I am the first woman youve been with. First rarely also means last. I always thought youd get curious about being with someone else or ***** youd be attracted to someone else.
Tina: No Bette not at all”Im neither curious about nor attracted to Simone or anyone else for that matter. Ill admit Simone is a beautiful young lady. Shes very beautiful but there was no real attraction there. But Bette I think I just realized why all this happened.
Bette: Do tell. Please Tina if you think theres a reason Id like to know what it is so that we can deal with it and move on.
Tina: Bear with me its hard for me to admit this.
Bette: (lovingly rubs Tinas arm) Go ahead there are no judgments here I just want to know what were up against. Im not giving up on us. (Bette stops rubbing Tinas arm and places her hand on Tinas now occupied womb.)
Tina smiles and a tear falls from her eye. She realizes shes more in love with Bette than she will ever be able to convey. She inhaled deeply and exhaled, she begins rubbing Bettes hand and prepared herself to try to explain.
Tina: I love you immeasurably. Bette Ive never once doubted your love for me”never. And I hope I love you in a way that youll never doubt mine for you. But babe, sometimes I forget why you love me.
Bette tries to interrupt. Tina touched her lips indicating she needed to get this out.
Tina: Simone helped me to remember that Im desirable and loveable.
Bette: T”you dont get that from me? Am I not enough? Lately I thought things were going so well and now I find out that whatwhat?
Tina: Bette I dont doubt your love for me but sometimes I dont know, I feel insecure and forget that on my own Im pretty special too.
Bette listens thinking to herself, what am I suppose to do about this? What if shes feeling insecure again?
Bette: Tina what is that I can say or do so this doesnt happen again?
Tina: Bette -you love me with an absolute perfect love this isnt on you at all. This was completely on me. I guess I thought Simone was my last time to have that feeling”to know that Im special in someone elses estimation. But Bette as soon as Simone and I kissed I realized something.
Bette: What did you realize Tina?
Tina: Shes not you. The kiss made me feel beautiful and desired but it also left me empty because it wasnt from you. Simone could kiss me a million times and it wouldnt add up to one of your love-filled kisses”the ones I live for, need, and thrive on. Bette Im sorry I kissed her but Im also glad that now I know that if it doesnt come from you it will still leave me empty. It reaffirmed for me that what I need most and desire always is your love no one elses. I think the whole experience helped me to realize I love you in ways I didnt realize. Bette this could make us stronger”if we want it to, couldnt it?

Bette didnt respond”she couldnt she didnt know if this could make them stronger at this point she just didnt want it to tear them apart.

Tina: It was a moment of weakness and Im very sorry I was so wrong to allow it to happen. Can you love me anyway? Please Bette Im going to work through this”you said you wouldnt give up on me”please dontdont give up.

Bette sat there in silence remembering a few things. First, the guilt of her affair and that things were pretty ***** between them when she stepped out. Tina in her own admission says things have been fine. If she kisses other women when things are going right”what the ***** can I expect when we hit a rough patch? Bette thought to herself. Lastly Shanes advice rang through her head. Be strong enough to love her when shes weak and when shes wrong. She was for you. God, no truer words have been spoken.

Bette: T, I want to get through this. Im not angry. I think Im really scared of losing you. Im very scared because things had been going so well. Ill try to be strong for the both of us but Tina we are about to have a baby and I dont want this to be the beginning of the end. If you want out”T please tell me. I dont want you to regret and resent our family and me later. Bette turned her head to hide the tears she couldnt stop from falling.

Tina: (turning seeing Bettes tears) Oh babe dont you know our love is never ending I know I messed up but it was a moment of damage in a lifetime of joy. This”our love is infinite if you still want me.

Bette: T, Ill want you always. (wiping her tears)
TBC