“I love you, you know” and with that, so simple, so direct, so honest, Bette kissed Tina. She kissed her sweetly, tenderly, leaving a warm spot on Tinas shattered heart.

Noticing Tinas hair dipping, Bette broke the kiss. Looking at Tina, she quietly caressed her face for a few seconds before whispering.

“Put this one, Im gonna make some tea”

“Ok” Tina mumbled, unable to stop shaking, feeling Bettes lips still on hers.

Bette walked to the kitchen and after turning on the kettle she walked to the front door. Opening her biggest bag, she took a vanilla envelope out. Walking back to the kitchen she saw Tina walking out of the bathroom.

At the kitchen, as Tina was sitting down, Bette placed the envelope on the table. Tina, confused, looked from the envelope to Bette and back.

“It was going to be a surprise. But here you are” Bette said, unable to stop herself from leaning down to kiss Tina again.Having her there she had the urge to touch her, to feel her, to realize that it was real, that it was true.

“I…I…well…I mean…” she babbled, only to be save by the kettles whistle.

“Open it” she said shyly smiling.

Standing up she moved to prepare the beverages. Looking at the envelope, Tina frowned, intrigued. Slowly, checking Bette out for a second, she took the envelope.

“Open it…am going to put on my robe and slippers” Bette said, not wanting to see Tina opening the envelope.

Tina opened the envelope and carefully, very carefully let its contents fall on the table. There was something beautifully wrapped in a pink silk paper and what it seemed like a letter. Unfolding the piece of paper, she read,

“Tina,
I woke up this morning and you were not here. I went to bed yesterday and could not sleep. I didnt know whats with me. Ive live alone a great part of my life and now, all of a sudden I dont know what to do with my solitude. Yesterday, I was trying to work at home and I could not stop looking around. Was looking for something even when I didnt know what it was. I felt cold and lonely. I went to bed and it was cold and too big. It didnt feel right. I know its only been a couple of days since you left but I miss you. I miss you so much that it hurts. I dont know why this is happening, why now?. Ive never felt this way before. I…I… I guess I got used to you. Well, maybe that doesnt sound too good. What I mean is that…see…this is not easy…I still dont know what you really feel…I can guess….I can hope…I can even pray…but am only certain of one thing. That I love you. Feeling it, knowing it, makes me smile. Just thinking about you, saying your name out loud comforts me. And now you are not here. Im dying to see you, to know that you are here, to feel you, to touch you.

I know what you must be thinking…this is too soon…this is too fast…this is crazy. And you are right. Is all that and even more. I used to think I was the one in control. To tell you the truth its always been that way. What I feel now has nothing to do with anything Id felt before. I need to see myself through your eyes, I need to feel you close, I want to make you happy, I want to make you smile. I need to make you smile. I woke up this morning dying for your smile, longing for your sleepy eyes.
Ive been feeling tired, empty, lost since you left. And I didnt even know what it was but then, it hit me. It was you. All I need is you. I dont know if you are ready, but I know I am. I can wait, I can follow your lead. As long as you are there, I will follow, I will be there. But I need to tell you this…if not for now, for whenever you are ready. Open it…rip the silk paper…


Tina, unaware of the tears that were waiting in her eyes to go free ripped the silky paper. There was a pair of keys hanging in a beautiful silver key ring. Caressing it, Tina looked at it for almost a minute before moving back to the letter.



“…. there you have it. They keys to my home. Your home, your keys. Tina…Boo…I want to live with you…I want to share my life with you. I want to know that you are going to be there in the morning when I wake up, I want your face to be the last thing I see when I close my eyes at night. I want to know that even if you are away, travelling, working, you will be coming back here, to this house, to me. Am ready. This is it. This is You. Ive been living my life this past weeks. Ive seen it. I never thought, never believed in love at first sight, I used to believe in lust at first sight but this is real. Who could imagine that falling in love in an hour was possible?… Before you there is nothing. I dont know what my life was before I met you. I dont want to remember. I cant imagine what did I use to do with my life when you were not there. Just by thinking about it my hand is trembling. I know what I want. I know what I love. Is you.
I know…dont feel pressure. Is ok…I understand if you are not ready. I can wait. Take your time, there is no rush…I have lived a life with you , I can wait for the next one to start… Im here. I just needed you to know it, to tell you how I feel. Keep the keys. My house is your house. Will be yours when you decide”


Nodding, unable to continue looking, Tina stood up. Slowly, holding the paper tight she walked to Bettes bedroom. Stopping at the door she saw Bette sat on the bed, looking at her feet. Slowly, very slowly, Tina moved closer. Only when she was at Bettes side did Bette notice her.

“Hey” Bette whispered looking Tina in the eyes.

“Where were you going?” Tina asked, unable to move her eyes from Bettes.

“I… I…” Bette started saying, suddenly very nervous about Tinas reaction.

Sitting on Bettes lap, Tina removed a lock of hair from Bettes face, then, still holding her look, she kissed her briefly.

“I was going to surprise you in Hawai, was going to send somebody to give you the envelope and wait for your call…I…” Bette said, her lips still feeling Tinas, her body noticing Tinas.

“Yes” Tina whispered, her head nodding in agreement.

“Yes?…yes what?” Bette asked, her voice barely a whispered

Leaning forward, her lips almost touching Bettes neck, Tina whispered into her ear,

“I love you”

Mute, not knowing what to say, Bette stood still, processing Tinas words. Noticing her quietness, surprised, Tina moved lightly to look at Bette in the eyes,

“Bette?” she whispered.

“You love me?” Bette said, more to herself than to Tina.

Nodding, with a smile growing on her face, Tina took Bettes face in her hands.

“I love you” she repeated before kissing her again.

Breaking the kiss, hugging Tina closer, Bette whispered,

“This is the first time you say it”

“I know” Tina said, blushing.

Smiling, Bette looked at Tina. Seeing her there, sitting on her lap, with the wet hair all messed up. The curls framing her beautiful smile. Bette nodded. She was happy. That was all she wanted, all she needed.

Caressing Tinas face, putting a curly lock of hair behind her ear, Bette said,

“You hungry? You want anything to eat…?”

Shaking her head, Tina smiled wider.

“You tired?” asked Bette then, trying to understand the look in Tinas eyes.

“I do” Tina whispered, looking at Bette straight in the eyes.

“You do?…what?” asked Bette, confused.

“I do want to live with you” Tina whispered, her voice trembling a little as she was feeling her heart light, her shoulders weightless, the knot on her stomach vanishing.

“You do?” asked Bette, the words coming out of her mouth as a tear, as a hidden dream.

Nodding, unable to add anything else, Tina hugged Bette tight. They hugged each other for a long time till Tina said.

“Can we go to bed now?”

Feeling the tears drying on her face, Bette nodded. She was too moved to talk, to say anything. All she wanted to do was to continue hugging Tina.

“I…Im gonna turn the lights off, ok?” she mumbled walking to the kitchen.

“Ok” Tina said sweetly smiling, noticing Bette tears.

Turning the lights off, Bette noticed how her hand was trembling. Seeing Tinas keys on the kitchens table she realized that it was real, that is there, that it was Tina. That she was no longer just herself, that she was now, finally, someone else.