“T, I made a mistake. I don’t want to do that again. Ever.”

            Bette pulls Tina into an embrace. She can feel Tina shaking. Tina’s arms wrap around Bette like a frightened child. She begins to sob. The fear that she had felt escapes and Tina breaks down in her partners arms.

            With her hand on the back of Tina’s head, Bette gently strokes her hair.

            “It is okay, baby. I am here. No one is going to hurt you. I won’t let it happen. You mean everything to me.”

            Tina is sobbing uncontrollably now. Bette guides her to the sofa and sits down and pulls Tina down beside her. Tina lays down and puts her head in Bette’s lap. Tina lets the flood gates open. All the walls that she has been building come crashing down. All the pent up anger, resentment, love, desire floods Tina’s soul. She can no longer hide the hurt, the anger, the fears that tonight as well as the past year have given her.

            Bette continues to stroke her hair. Feeling Tina regain control after what appears like an eternity. Finally, Tina sits up, wipes her eyes.

            “Bette, we almost lost each other tonight. I am sorry. So sorry. I had no idea that I had buried so much anger and fear deep inside me.”

            “Tina, I think for tonight, we should just go pick up our baby and go home. We have the rest of our life to talk about this. There is no need to try to solve it all in one day. It took more than a day to get to here.”

            “Bette, have I told you lately just how much I do love you?”

            “No, but I would love to hear it. So please tell me.”

            “I love you Bette. I love you so very much. You make me feel safe. You make me feel desirable. You make me feel happy. Thank you for making me feel so many ways.”

            With those words, Bette pulled Tina close to her. She gave Tina a soft, feathery kiss. One that would send chills down your arms and make your heart do flip flops. The soft kiss gradually grew into one of passion. Both women hunger for each other. For all they had been through and all they would go through in the future. Bette could tell that Tina was getting slightly aroused. She wanted her more than anything, but given the circumstances, she decided to forgo the desire to make love to Tina. She knew that Tina had gone through an excruciating experience. She softly pulls away and stands up and holds her hand out for Tina to take.

            “Bette?”

            “T, we have the rest of our lives together, let’s just go home and snuggle. I want you right now more than anything, but I think it is best for us to pick up Angelica and go home. One big happy family.”

            “I love you Bette.”

            “I love you, too, T.”

TBC