PREVIOUSLY

Bettes eyes were drawn to the doorway when she saw blonde hair moving. She knew the back of that womans head like it was her face. Tina was in the restaurant. Bette feared to see Helena and was relieved to see that Tina was alone. Bette thought to herself, Why is my T. all alone? They werent sitting very far from each other so Bette knew this was a chance she had to take. She excused herself from the table and went over to Tina who was reading the menu. She silently sat down across from Tina who didnt even know she was present. After a moment of starring at the woman she loved she opened her mouth.

Hey T.

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Tina jumped. She was startled by the fact that Bette was sitting right there. Oh my god Bette you scared me!

Im sorry.

Its ok. It was a good surprise.

Bette smiled and said, Why so?

Well Ive been meaning to call you. There are a few things I want to talk to you about.

Ok so lets talk.

Here? asked Tina with a questioning look on her face.

Sure why not?

Well Helena is meeting me here in a few minutes. Are you here alone?

No Im not but she can wait.

Whos she?

Bette hoped Tina didnt get the wrong idea of her being out with another woman so she did her best to downplay the event. Her name is Tiffany. Shes doing an internship at the CAC.

Since when do you do internships?

Since Franklin said so and this girl showed up today at the meeting, which Helena attended also.

With the mention of her name, in came the British bombshell who affectionately kissed her girlfriend right in front of Bette.

Bette wanted to throw up the meal she had eaten. Ill leave you two alone. Have a good night.

Tina grabbed Bettes hand to prevent her from leaving. Ill call you. Bette smiled at the contact the two had made and went back to the table where Tiffany looked so lonely.

Sorry about that. I had some personal business I had to take care of, Bette said to Tiffany.

No problem.

So are you ready to leave? asked Bette

Yeah, whenever youre ready.

Bette called over the waiter to get the check and paid for the meal with her platinum credit card. Tiffany thanked her for the kind gesture then they got up. Bette decided that she wanted Tina to see her with this young attractive woman, so she led Tiffany around the wall with the big plant drooping over the wooden pot that separated them from the two souls that pained Bettes heart. Tina immediately felt Bettes presence and turned around to see her with the ravishing beauty. Her heart sped up and a thousand thoughts crossed her mind.

Bette put her hand on Tinas shoulder. Goodnight Tina. Same to you Helena.

Helena gave her an evil glare as if Bette was violating her space.

Tina swallowed hard and said, Goodnight.

Tina watched as Bette walked out of the door. Helena noticed that Tina wasnt with her. She stretched her hand out and hoped her gentle touch would bring Tina back to her.

Are you alright dear?

Tina focused on the other beautiful woman in her life that was sitting in front of her and softly said, Yes. Im fine.

You dont look fine. Do you feel ok?

Tina thought to herself that this was a perfect way to end the night. She felt guilty but it just came out. No. Im not feeling so well. Do you think you could take me home?

Of course baby. When we get home Ill make you feel better than ever, Helena said with desire and lust in her eyes.

Actually I need to go back to my real home, with Bette. I have a few things I need to take care of.

Helena raised her eyebrows at this unexpected request. But why? What is so important that you need to care of at this hour at night? Didnt you just speak with her?

Helena, please. Just take me to Bettes.

Ok fine but Im staying with you. I dont want you to be stranded there with no ride home.

No, Bette can drive me. This is something I have to do alone.

Helena realized this was a battle she wasnt going to win. She obliged to her girlfriends plea and drove her to Bettes house. The entire time she feared that she was going to loose Tina to the evil Bette Porter, and she surely didnt want that to happen. When they pulled up in front of the house, Helena stopped Tina from leaving.

Tina, theres something I wanted to talk to you about at dinner. Can we talk now for a few minutes?

Tina anxiously said, Can it wait till tomorrow?

Helena hurt by Tinas willingness to leave the car became assertive and said, No it cant.

Ok fine.

Alright, well you know that I care about you a lot Tina, and I really want to be able to show that to you. Im leaving for Paris tomorrow and I want you to come with me. Its the city of love and I would much rather be there with you than all by my lonesome. I know youre pregnant but believe me your every need will be attended to, and I mean youre every need babe. So will you please come with me?

Tina was shocked. Uh wow thats an amazing offer.

You wont have to spend a dime on it. Its all on me.

Helena, I cant accept something as gracious as that.

Its my pleasure. Please come.

Tina had never been to Paris and always wanted to go and here she was having the trip thrown at her. There were many uncertainties that lurked in her mind but the strongest one was; what will Bette think?

Can I sleep on it?

Sure. As long as youre in the bed with me.

Ok. Ill be home later.

Helena whispered, Ill be waiting, into Tinas ear before kissing her goodbye.

Tina got out of the car and rang the door bell. She knew Bette was home because her blue Saab was parked in the driveway and the kitchen light was shining through the curtains. Tinas knees began to quiver when she heard someone turn the lock and slowly open the door. Tina turned around to wave a final goodbye to Helena who then sped off like a bat out of ***** down the residential street. When Tina turned back around, much to her surprise, she saw that the person who opened the door wasnt Bette, but Tiffany. Tinas face grew paler by the second that they both stood there unsure of what to do.

Bette was standing in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of wine, when she asked, Who is it Tiffany?

All that Tiffany could utter was, Uhhh.

Bette walked over and felt her heart drop as she saw Tina standing there. Her wine glass slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor. Red wine splattered all over, along with pieces of shard glass that were just like the pieces of Bettes life, broken and jagged. She immediately feared that something was wrong with her love and needed to calm her qualms.

Tina.

Tina just stood there lifelessly. Tiffany realized this must be a serious situation and felt out of place. She grabbed her purse and left while saying, I think I should go. Goodbye.

Tina, still standing there, finally blinked. Bette avoided the spill beneath her and walked towards Tina, who turned her back and was just about to leave. Bette rushed to catch her. She put her hand on Tinas shoulder with force to prove to Tina that she wasnt going anywhere.

T. are you alright?

Does it look like Im alright?

I dont know why youre upset?

Tina now started to yell, You dont know why Im upset? Are you ***** crazy? I think you are!”

Tina calm down. Come inside.

Why would I want to go inside? Tina was still shouting.

Because this is your house too.

Tina decided she really needed to sit down before she collapsed. She walked past Bette and made her way over to the couch. Bette closed the door and went over by Tina and sat down on the other end of the couch, making sure there was distance between them. They sat in silence for a few minutes; mostly because Tina had her eyes closed and was trying to regain her composure. Finally she said, Can we talk?

Of course, responded Bette.

Tina didnt know where to begin but she tried to do so without loosing her cool. First of all, why did you come over to me tonight while that girl was with you?

Bette didnt realize this upset Tina. What are you talking about?

Were you trying to make me jealous by showing her off as this young hot piece of ***** that you now have?

What the ***** Tina? That is so far from true, I cant believe you even suggested that!

Then why did you have to come back over to me? And if thats not the case then why the ***** was she just here in your, she paused, in our house?

I had justwanted to say goodnight to you. Is that such a bad thing?

Tina cut her off before she could say anymore. Yes! It is when youre with another woman!

Bette was getting very angry but didnt want to upset Tina. She took a deep breath before speaking again and closed her eyes. Youre the one whos actually dating someone else. Helena ceases to rub it in that she has you, but do I say anything? No, because if youre happy then Im happy. I am not, nor will I ever, date Tiffany, or any other woman for that matter. She was here to look at some art work. Thats it. So please dont say that my gesture of kindness was done so that I could upset you because I never want to upset you.

What makes you think Im happy? Those words just slipped out of Tinas mouth. It was like a Freudian slip that she couldnt control, but she knew shed have some explaining to do now.

What do you mean? Bette said as she opened her eyes and tried to hide the smile was dying to come across her face.

Im not happy Bette.

Well theres nothing I can do about that T.

Yes there is.

Bette wasnt sure what she could possibly do. It could be good or bad, and the way her life was going she figured it was going to be bad.

What?

Tina grabbed Bettes hand in her own and looked her straight in the eyes.

Tell me you dont love me anymore.

Jesus Christ Tina! I cant say that. Thats not true!

Just say it please.

Bette threw her free arm up in the air and let it fall against her thigh, I will not! I love you more than life itself. Id die for you in a heartbeat. You are my world Tina. I love you more than you will ever know. Tears started to pour from Bettes already bloodshot eyes. She pulled her hand away from Tina to fully cover her face as she cried. Tina was feeling the pain too and tears began to trickle down her rosy cheeks. She slid over on the couch and threw her arms around the sobbing Bette.

I love you too.

Bette moved her hands away to see Tina staring right back at her. Her warm embrace made Bette feel safe.

You… you still love me? said a shaking Bette.

I never stopped and I never will.

Tina grabbed the back of Bettes head and drew their lips together. They embarked on a passionate kiss that they both had been craving for so long. Tina straddled Bette and sat on her lap as she maneuvered her tongue around Bettes mouth, playing a little game with her. Bette was enjoying Tinas every move but she knew she had to stop before things got out of control too fast.

Why stop babe? questioned Tina.

Lack of oxygen, Bette responded with a smile plastered across her face. Uh T, why did you want me to tell you I didnt love you?

If you said that you didnt love me, life would be so much easier for me because then maybe I could move on, because knowing that were still in love breaks me apart more and more each day. I want to be with you but I cant.

On hearing Tina say that they cant be together Bette felt her stomach drop, as if she was riding the Cyclone rollercoaster in Coney Island. Why cant we be together? Is it because of Helena?

Tina got off of Bettes lap and sat next to her. She clasped her hands together and looked down at the floor. Partly, but Im also afraid to be with you.

Bette grabbed Tinas hands as she closed her eyes again because she felt the tears swelling in her eye sockets. Dont be scared T. I love you.

You claimed to have loved me before too, but I fear that love isnt enough anymore.

Love is all I have to give. Im full of love for you T baby please.

Tina stood up and raised her voice. Thats just it! The only thing you can offer me is the idea of love, but it wont erase the past! Im sorry; I shouldnt have come here in the first place. She was making her way to the door before Bette grabbed her arm and swung her into a tight embrace.

T youre not walking out of this door. I love you too much to watch you walk away again. I fucked up I know, but I love you baby, I lo-

She was cut off by Tinas lips pressed against her own. I have to go. Im going to Paris with Helena tomorrow and I need to pack. Goodbye Bette.

Tina put all her might into getting out of Bettes hold. She put her hand on the doorknob and opened the door as she heard a thud on the ground. She turned around one last time to see Bette on her knees crying. She was in the puddle of wine, which would permanently stain her white pants for sure. Bettes tears caused ripples in the puddle and the sight of that made Tinas heart break. As much as she wanted to stay the night in Bettes arms in their home and start their life together again she just wasnt ready to. She closed the door behind her and whipped out her cell phone.

TBC…