“That’s it” said Bette “Buy whatever food you’d like and then we’re going home” she pulled into the supermarket car park leaned over to Tina’s side of the car and took her hand, caressed Tina’s lips with her own.

There was so little of the weekend left and she was tired of the interruptions, she just wanted them to be together and alone so they could talk or hold each other or whatever. “Be quick” she said hoarsely.

“Bette again?” said Tina raising her eyebrows “You’re making me feel…”

“*****? Special?” Bette said stroking Tina’s cheek.

“Umm something like that..” Tina smiled, thinking ‘more like exhausted’.

“Where are you going?” said Bette as Tina started to move out of the car.

“Shopping” said Tina, turning back to her “Remember, you said be quick so I’m trying to be.”

“You’re not going anywhere without me” Bette said as she got out of the car and took Tina’s hand.

“You know Bette” said Tina smiling “I’ve had my solo shopping license for some time now” but she squeezed Bette’s hand to let her know she liked her being there.

~~

They walked into the apartment and put away the shopping then Bette picked up the phone “Call Emily” she said.

“It’s only 3 she’s not expecting me to call until 7″ Tina said puzzled.

“We may be busy then..” said Bette moving in closer.

Tina held Bette at arm’s length which was, frustratingly, not Bette’s arm length. She stepped back determined to put a little distance between them “I thought we needed to talk..”

Bette smiled and closed the distance between them “We will”

“When?”

“Later..”

“Bette..”

“Just make the call, I’ll be good” Bette wiggled her eyebrows.

“OK..” Tina gave in “but go into the other room”

“What did you have in mind?” said Bette in a provocative voice.

“Bette” she swatted Bette lightly on the arm “I need to be able to focus on Emily. It’s kind of distracting having your naked body dancing in my mind while I’m trying to talk to a three year old.”

“Mmm” said Bette “Naked dancing…I like the sound of that” and she chuckled deep and low in her throat making Tina’s resolve waiver.

“Make it a quick call” Bette said and kissed Tina lightly, disappearing into their bedroom so Tina had the privacy she’d asked for.

She re-emerged a few minutes later still dressed.

She’d sat in the bedroom waiting for Tina and had gradually realised she’d made a mistake. Being part of a family meant she had to change the way she thought, she had to start thinking like a mother as well as Tina’s lover and it meant she should take this opportunity to talk to her daughter.

Decision made, Bette hurried into the living room.

“Can I talk to her?” Bette whispered in Tina’s ear.

Tina nodded and held a finger up to indicate that she needed a moment.

Bette took the phone when it was handed to her. “Hey Emee” she said and she was gratified to hear how excited Emily was to talk to her.

She’d spoken with Emily almost everyday but Tina had always been at the other end to help the conversation along, this time she was on her own and although she found it challenging it was also incredibly rewarding.

Tina sat on the bench and watched Bette as she spoke to Emily. She loved hearing Bette’s voice, liked watching her familiar mannerisms, the way she played with her jewellery or pushed her hair behind her ears when she was listening intently. She moved into Bette’s arms and stood with her as she finished the call.

Bette’s voluntarily reaching out to Emily had eased some of the doubts Tina had about her readiness to be a parent and as soon as they were finished talking to Emily she wanted to tell her that.

They were already down to counting the hours they had left together and neither of them wanted to waste a moment.