Bette felt euphoric. She was driving along the scenic route of the Pacific Coast, clutching unto the hand of the woman who apparently was clutching her heart. Tina loved the way her hand seemed to be molded for Bette’sit felt so good, so right.

With fingers entwined, the two enjoyed each other’s company and never experienced a lull in conversation. They attempted to appreciate the beauty of what California had to offerbut were too consumed absorbing the sight of the woman beside them.

Tina: “So, where are we off to Bette?”

Bette: (smiling at Tina) “Ahpatience, Tina. It will be a surprise.”

Tina: (pouting) “Tell me you’re going to make me waitagain?”

Bette: (laughing) “God, that pout is quite irresistible.”

Tina: (still pouting but perks up) “So, you’ll reveal?”

Bette: (laughing) “Uh no. I’m like a Swiss vaultthis secret is safe. Nothing will get me to reveal.”

Tina: (leaning in to whisper in Bette’s ear) “Hmmmnothing?” (she places a light kiss on Bette’s cheek)

Bette: (feeling a shiver race along her spine) “Tinadon’t tease me. We’re going 55 mph in a moving vehicle!”

Tina: (retreating back to her seat, laughing) “Okay finesurprise me!”

Bette: (winking) “Oh, I will.”

Tina: (wanting to find out about the things that Bette likes) “So you’ve never told me what your favorite thing to eat is, Bette”

Bette: (glances at Tina, raises her eyebrow) “Excuse me?”

Tina: (realizes her wording, begins blushing) “umyour favorite type of foodcuisine, you know?”

Bette: (smiles at the sight of one blushing Tina Kennard) “Well, I’d like to say I’m totally easy” (lets out a small laugh) “but I do appreciate fine foods.”

Tina: (teasing) “Hmmnot totally easy, huh?” (lets out a pout) “So, I guess my Hamburger Helper specialty won’t cut it, huh?”

Bette: (smiles) “TinaI’d accept whatever you offered me.”

Tina: (laughs) “Well, to be honest, I am actually quite gifted in the kitchen.”

Bette: (smiling at the thought of Tina being gifted in thewell, anywhere) “Tina Kennard, chef extraordinaire!”

Tina: (laughs) “I don’t know about that, but I can cook. You?”

Bette: (furrows her brow) “For those I love”

Tina: “Ah, you only cook for those you love?”

Bette: (laughs) “Uh…no. My rule is if I love you, I won’t cook for you. I treasure my loved ones and wouldn’t put them through my disastrous culinary skills.”

Tina: (trying not to laugh) “Okaythen I guess I look forward towell, not having you cook for me.”

Bette: (realizing what Tina just said she squeezed Tina’s hand and winked) “Me too…but hey I can work a microwave oven and squeeze fresh fruit juice like nobody you’ve ever known!”

Tina: (laughs) “Okay, Bette. It’s a start.”

Bette begins to pull into Le Beau Ocean Suite entrance and parks her car in the valet area. The hotel staff opens their doors and Bette is popping open the trunk of her car.

Tina sits frozen in the car. Her thoughts are racing, as she recalls what she told Bette over the phone before their date, “I’m easy and I am game for anything.” Tina looks first at the hotel and then at Bette.

She thinks to herself ‘Oh *****! Oh my God, is that what she’s expecting that from me? ***** me! Oh my God, is that what she’ll be saying to me? *****!”

Bette: (she instructs the bellhop) “Bette Porter. Penthouse Suite.” (Bette slips a generous tip into his hand)

Tina: (slowly getting out of the car, gulping as she looked up into Bette’s eyes) “BetteI don’t think I’mthis is”

Bette: (glancing at Tina, who has that ‘deer in the headlights’ expression) “Tinawhat’s wrong?”

Tina: “We’re at Le Beau Ocean Suite and(looking down at the ground) “BetteI’m not ready for”

Bette: (gently places two fingers over Tina’s lips, then lightly tips Tina’s chin upwards) “Look at me, Tina.”

Tina: (Tina is shyly making eye contact with Bette) “It’s justI.”

Bette: “I promise you that I expect nothing except for you to share a nice evening with meif I’m lucky maybe it will end with a kiss. If not, I’ll make sure the next date is deserving of one.”

Tina: (releasing a small sigh of relief) “Okay.”

Bette: (she leans into Tina, whispering) “You spent the night at my house over the weekend and nothing happened. I will be patient and nothing you feel uncomfortable with will happen. Tinado you trust me?”

Tina: (swallowing hard, she looks directly into Bette’s eyes and thinks ‘I trust you completely. It’s what you do to me, Bette Porterit’s myself I don’t trust) “yes, I do”

Bette: (smiles warmly and places her hand on Tina’s back) “Then come with me, T.”

The two make their way through the grand lobby and check in. Bette has the keycard in her hand and they walk through the lobby.

Bette: (looks at Tina) “This hotel offers some outstanding amenities and cuisine.”

Tina: (recalling articles about the numerous awards it has received) “I’ve read all about this place!”

Bette: (smiling) “We’ll do whatever your heart desires. We can enjoy dining on their five star rated food tonight.”

Tina: (places a hand on her stomach) “That sounds goodI actually have an appetite right about now and could eat.”

Bette: “We’ve had a long drive. Would you like to eat now?”

Tina: “Sounds like a plan.”

Bette: (leading Tina to the elevators) “Alrightwell let’s go.”

Tina: (glancing back at the restaurant and then to Bette) “WellI thought you said we were”

Bette: (gently places a finger over Tina’s lips as they enter the elevator) “Just trust me, Tina. I promise we’re going to eat.”

Tina: (taking Bette’s hand and clutching it tightly) “okay.”

The elevator ascends to the Penthouse Suite. When Bette opens the doors to their room, Tina is greeted by her awaited promised surpriseand once again, Bette Porter manages to take her breath away.

Tina releases her hand from Bette’s and gradually walks into the suite trying to take in the beauty that surrounds her. The entire room was bursting with various arrangements of colorful flowers and sweet smells.

A small table for two, complete with candlelight as well as one pink rose and one red rose, had been set up in the corner of the room and soft music was playing in the background.

Tina made her way around the room, stopping along the way to enjoy each of the bouquets of flowers, as the aroma of scented candles and rose petals wafted through the air. She could not believe that Bette that had gone to so much trouble and with that belief she fell a little harder for the woman who had brought her there.

Tina: (taking one last look around the room, then turning to Bette) “Thisis amazing.”

Bette: (smiling) “I’m happy you approve of the surprise.”

Tina: (teasing) “Well Bette, I think I’ve come to realize that you can surprise me any time.”

Bette: “Oh, I intend to, Tina.”

Tina made her way over to the table and picked up the roses and breathed in their fragrance.

Tina: (noticing a bottle of red wine and several bottles of water) “This is an interesting sight.”

Bette: (teasing) “I didn’t want you to get me drunk and take advantage of me.”

Tina: (laughing) “Hmmmgood thinking.”

Bette: (laughing) “Well, I do like to plan things. Must be the girl scout in me.”

Tina: (trying to hide her shocked expression) “Bette Porter was a girl scout?”

Bette: (laughing) “NoI never had the desire to be onebut back then, I did think they looked awfully cute in those uniforms.”

Bette led Tina to her seat and sat across from her. There was a large array of dishes spread in front of them, all equally delicious looking and tempting. As they sampled the food that Bette had ordered, Tina watched the beautiful woman sitting across from her.

Tina: “God Bettedid you order everything on the menu?”

Bette: “I just wanted to be sure you found what you wanted here.”

Tina: (her heart told her she did, she found exactly what she wantedBette Porter) “I think you accomplished that.”

As they sat down to enjoy their dinner, Tina could not help but smile at the thought of all the trouble that Bette had gone through to set this up for her. As their evening continued, both women enjoyed the delicious food and ongoing conversation and as they were finishing up, Bette excused herself to make a call. She asked the staff to come and clear their dishes and advised them to go ahead and set up their dessert as well.

Bette: (sitting back down at the table) “I hope you saved room for dessert.”

Tina: “Oh my god! I can’t even think about that right now.”

Bette: “You always have to squeeze in a little dessert.”

Tina: “You have stuffed me.”

Bette: “Good. I wanted you to have meal to give you sustenance for”

Tina: (looking nervous) “for what?”

Bette: (standing up, holding out her hand) “Why, some dancing of course.”

Tina: (laughing and accepting Bette’s hand) “Always up for a little dancing.”

Bette: (leading Tina out to the balcony) “Very good.”

The two are standing on the balcony suite, listening to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing unto the shore. A full moon, twinkling stars, and several flickering candles illuminate the night sky.

Tina: “This view is breathtaking. Absolutely beautiful.”

Bette: (staring at Tina and not at the view) “Yesbreathtakingabsolutely beautiful.”

Tina: (realizing that Bette is staring at her turns and looks up into Bette’s eyes. Her breath catches in her throat at the sight of what she sees there and she feels the urge to kiss her) “Bette, I really want to…”

Bette: (afraid that Tina might think things are moving too fast) “Shh. Please don’t say anything. I just want to dance with you.”

Bette: (letting go of Tina’s hand) “Will you wait for one minute, Tina?”

Tina: “Of course.” (thinking to herself ‘For you, I’d wait as long as you asked.’)

Bette: (exiting back into the room) “Okaybe right back.”

Tina thinks to herself ‘God this night is incredibleshe is incredible.’ Suddenly, her thoughts are brought to an end as she hears music filtering unto the balcony.

Bette: (smiling, holding out her hand) “May I have this dance, Ms. Kennard?”

Tina: (taking Bette’s hand) “I’d love to Ms. Porter.”

Bette pulls Tina close to her, as the music floats around them.

You think I’d leave your side baby?
You know me better than that
You think I’d leave you down when you’re down on your knees?
I wouldn’t do that.
I’ll tell you you’re right when you want…
Oh Oh oh-oh-oh-oh

Tina is intoxicated by being so close to Bette, absorbing her touch, her scent. Tina tries to regain her sense, as her hands gently caress Bette’s bare back. Bette was such a contradictionso soft, so warm, yet in her arms, Tina had never felt so protected.

And if only you could see into me…
Oh when you’re cold I’ll be there to hold you tight to me
When you’re on the outside baby and you can’t get in
I will show you, you’re so much better than you know
When you’re lost, and you’re alone and can’t get back again
I will find you darling, and I’ll bring you home
And if you want to cry I am here to dry your eyes,
and in no time you’ll be fine…..

Bette gently removed her hands that were resting on Tina’s hips, and brushed the fallen strands of hair from her eyes. She lightly ran her fingertips along Tina’s cheeks and down to her lips. Tina closed her eyes and her mouth partedwith desire and anticipation. Bette leaned into her and gently kissed her lips. Bette moved away and smiled, in seeing Tina’s eyes still closed.

You think I’d leave your side baby?
You know me better than that.
Think I’d leave you down when you’re down on your knees?
I wouldn’t do that
I’ll tell you you’re right when you want
Oh, oh

Tina opens her eyes to find Bette smiling at her. She can’t help but form a shy smile on her face in return. Their bodies continued to sway to the music and mold together. It was incredible how the two seemed to be two missing piece puzzles – fitting together and making something complete.

If only you could see into me….
Oh when you’re cold I’ll be there to hold you tight to me, baby.
Ohh when you’re alone I’ll be there by your side baby, by your side baby.
Oh when your cold I’ll be there to hold you tight to me, to me baby.
Ohh when you’re alone I’ll be there by your side baby.

The music ended, but they remained holding on to one another.

Bette: (running her fingers through Tina’s golden hair) “God, you are so beautiful, Tina.”

Tina: (feeling the pink rise to her cheeks) “Bettethis evening has been incredible. Youyou’re incredible.”

Bette: (smiling) “Oh T, it’s just begun.” (Bette glances into the room and then back to Tina) “I think its time.”

Tina: (trying to control her breathing, her racing heart) “Time for what?”

Bette: (smiling, as she takes Tina’s hand and leads her back into the room) “The best part of the evening”