Hey T, I think you misunderstood me. Im not too sure why I thought youd want to know. Well I wanted you to know. Ah, I will see you tomorrow, in fact I am looking forward to it.

Me too Bette, she thought relieved by what she heard. How did Bette know what was bothering her? What didnt Bette do or know

Tina let the next wave of happiness wash over her before jumping into bed.
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Bette awoke the next morning in a whirlwind; she wanted to be in and out of the office today in a hurry. She didnt want to focus too much on what was going on and certainly didnt want to be there for Alices call. Bette knew that she would call her cell phone when she knew she couldnt get her at the office, so the sooner she got out of there, the sooner her phone would be turned off. Bette was in no position to talk about Tina, any feelings that she thought she had were put on hold for the issue at hand. She was going to get through the day
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Tina had a similar morning, but unlike Bette she wasnt lucky enough to get away from everyone else. Eric had caught her at the office, Gail put the call right through and Tina was stuck.

Hey baby, just checking in for today, where the first words he had said to her.

Tina sighed, Gotcha, are you sure you still want to go, I mean it isnt exactly a very good time.

Tina of course I want to be there for you and we can go do something afterwards, he countered.

Eric, you dont just go *do* something afterwards, plus there will probably be some people from work and I just dont know.

Tina why are you trying to make me feel bad for wanting to take you out, my girlfriend whom I havent seen or really talked to for days, after this funeral. You werent really close with this woman and I dont think its fair for you to jump all over me.

He was right, she knew and she just didnt care. The past few days have been everything from emotional to confusing, and for Tina every part of her wanted to be there tonight, to comfort Bette.

Bette, the thought of her made Tina sigh, she just didnt know what this was, either way she didnt want Eric to be interrupt it.

Eric, look I have some things I need to take care of, I am sorry if I have been unavailable to you these past few days, but this is something I need to do alone.

Fine Tina, but I cant say I am a fan of you pushing me out of your life like this, I think we really need to talk about some things here. But I will let you get back to the things you need to take care of. He hissed at her.

Eric, I was all she could get out, she was sorry for making him angry and felt selfish for wanting to be there for Bette and pushing Eric away for wanting to do the same for her.

Yeah well I love you too, and he hung up the phone.

What the ***** was all that was all she could think of as she spun her chair around and hurriedly looked at the time.
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It seemed like there was a crowd to get to just about anywhere you wanted to go. Tina got a seat toward the back in a pew by some of her colleagues, but her eyes continuously scanned for Bette. Her heart stopped when she found her, sitting in the front amongst family and what she assumed were college friends, the gorgeous brunette sat talking silently to the lady next to her.

Tina stayed where she was, unsure of really what to say to Bette. She wanted to talk about her message, what she had thought the night beforebut when it came down to it, Tina wasnt sure if she was ready to fully admit to all that. What she did know is that she wanted to be near Bette Porter and that she didnt want this to fade off after the funeral business quieted down.
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Bette arrived early, but there were still swarms of people everywhere. The mood was totally different from the night before, she wasnt sure if it was always this way, or if the presence of Tina by her side made her not see it. She was seated with Rachels family and some friends, with her eyes averting in different directions, searching for Tina. She saw her walk in and sit– with which she assumed were colleagues, and noticed Tina looking around a bit too. Bette didnt know quite what to think about the message last night. She knew she didnt want Tina to think she was with someone else, however silly it seemed, she felt like there was something there worth seeing out.

The service started and all thoughts were erased, everyone focusing on the grief at hand. Bette found herself going through the motions and trying to hold herself together. She wanted to feel Tina next to her, she just had this ease that calmed Bettes nerves. The casket was moved down the isle and Rachels parents followed, leading the procession to the gravesite. As Bette walked past Tina, she met her eyes; there was so much compassion there and something else. Bette wasnt too sure what it was, but she felt herself stop when she met them. She stopped and didnt move
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Tina felt Bette coming toward her and met her eyes when she looked up at her. She saw Bette the way she did yesterday, she wanted nothing more than to just be there for her. While her mind thought this, she saw Bette not moving, frozen in what was their eyes locking, but then something more. Tina didnt hesitate at smoothly getting up and brushing Bettes side, lightly putting her arm around Bettes waist as the walking seemed to continue.

Tina spoke as they got outside, Bette, whats going on?

I dont know T, just dont leave me, she got out slowly coming back to reality.

They walked toward Bettes car, so they could make their way to the gravesite. Neither of them spoke, their silence said it all