Bette sat on the couch waiting for Tina to come home. Yesterday after leaving Tina really did take a long drive and it was long after dark when she came home. She slipped into bed and Bette pretended to be asleepboth of them on either side of bed far apart as possible.

Bettes therapy session was horrible. She didnt talk, and neither did Leila. They just looked at each other, or rather Leila looked at Bette and Bette looked out the window. The clocked ticked and Leila announced the time was up. After leaving Bette leaned heavily onto her steering wheel and sighed. Kit was here and Bette was supposed to meet her right after.

They spent two hours talking, Kit was crying and holding onto BetteBette had to console her instead of the other way around. After Kit made sure a thousand times that Bette was getting help and was ok, Bette told her about the whole deal with Tina. The advice Kit gave Bette touched her to the core and now she was sitting on the couch waiting for T to come home from work. They were going to talk no matter what.

The door opened. Hi BetteT came in carrying two grocery bags, Bette stood up and helped her take them to the kitchen counter. Tcan I talk to you? Bette took Tinas hand and led her to the couch where Bette wiped the sweat off her forehead; she was tired and was willing to listen quietly. She also thought this wasnt a good time to tell Bette the trail of Haywood was getting nearer.

Bette took Tinas hand and kissed the soft side of her wrist, then her palm…she looked up and said quietlyI love you T. I love you too Bette, Tina smiled and wiped a piece of crumb Bette had on the side of mouth from eating toast earlier. And then Bette spoke, she felt that she had to speak her heart now or move out.

Tinathe past seven years has been a journey I would never in my wildest dreams think I would embark onbut I did not go alone, you were with me. You are my business and I am yours, together we are stronger than we could ever be alone. We complete each other, look what happened when we partedand that was the fault of both us T, both of us. You have been by my side as I try and deal with the ***** thats in my head all the timeyou are helping me damp it and I knowI know it will die and I will be able to leave the house with fear. Before I became so caught up in myself, in work, that as the years went by I couldnt see what was in front of my nose…you Tyou. When we first met I felt unfamiliar, that feeling of falling in love so hard was unfamiliar. You complimented me in ways no one else could, can. And I fucked it up massively, and why did I slip t? Why did I slip into that pit that I couldnt get out of? Im telling you the truth that I felt I couldnt reach you, instead of reaching over to you and whispering my feelings of inadequacy I shut them out and turned away, I grew arrogant and selfish. I thought T; I really thought that I could stand on my own and carry us both. When the baby died, T when the baby died I piece of myself did too. Instead of falling into your arms and sharing the tears I stitched it up and turned away, determined to be stronger than ever. But T I grew heavy under that weight, and I wasnt there for you, I mean I was there but not emotionally. It became a business contract almost, im sorry to say it but the truth hurts me and I treated you like that. But it wasnt just me T, the times I felt adequate enough to reach outyou withdrew, we both did. And Candace came and I did the unforgivable. It was horrible and I know it will take a long time for you to trust me again, but please T let this be a start. I am so sorry, T I am so so so sorry

Bette took Tinas hands and pressed them to her face. Tina hung her head until it rested against Bettes. Then Tina pressed forward until Bette lay on the couch, Tina on top of her, eventually their breath synchronizedholding tightly on to the woman she loved

Bette truly felt that she was finally forgiven.