Then…

Bette looked up at Kim and the red head saw right away that Bette hadn’t needed help. Bette nodded her head and turned to look back at the professor.

“Well I will see you in class in two weeks Professor. Have a nice Spring Break.” Bette replied and walked out of class. Smiling at Kim as the two girls walked to Jessica’s car.

“I thought we were picking you up at the dorm?” Bette asked. Kim smirked.

“I thought you might need some help.” Kim replied.

“Thanks” Bette stated giving her R.A. a quick hug then they got to Jessica’s car.

NOW:

The entire backyard was silent, staring at Bette. Sarah’s face had an expression on it that Tina couldn’t place when she looked at her mother. Helena, who had already moved closer to Bette, quickly got up and brought Bette into her arms, not caring that Tina would be uncomfortable. Tina seeing the easy intimacy stared at the brunette comforting the woman she loved. Her jaw clenched and she looked down. She was pushing her tears down, fighting them so they wouldn’t come out. Suddenly the quiet was broken by a shout.

“Are you fucking me kidding me?” Sarah shouted quietly. “She actually was sleeping with many students and left you out for the vultures then AFTER Alexander finds her in bed with not YOU but another student and leaves her she tries to get back together with you? You didn’t laugh at her, telling her she was a fool to leave her husband? You didn’t tell her…Christ, Bette! This is outrageous. You should have…I mean…I wished…” Sarah trailed off, feeling like a prize fool for never asking Bette about it and helpless for Bette’s pain. Bill placed a comforting hand on his wife’s back, rubbing soothing circles.

Bette smiled softly at Sarah, “Thank you for being so concerned, but I’m over it now. I just …don’t like talking about it. I’m actually pretty beat, I think I’m should go to bed.” The entire group quickly responded by jumping up and cleaning up quickly. Tina had told Bette that she would just leave Angelica, but her parents, sensing from Helena and Bette that the two of them need time together, stated it wouldn’t be too much of a hardship to try and get Angelica without disturbing her. Meanwhile, Helena was having a brief talk with her mother, who stated she was taking the children so her and Bette would have some time to themselves. Helena thanked her mother and quickly helped her carry her children out to her mother’s limo which waited for her apparently. Alice, Shane and Jenny left together, figuring they would hit Milk. Bill had Angelica in his arms trying to transfer into the car seat. Bette assisted him, kissing Angelica on her head while the little girl peacefully slept.

“Thank you Bill.” Bette quietly stated. Bill gave Bette a quick but comforting hug.

“No problem, Bette. We’ll have to get together sometime this week again for dinner, ok?” Bill questioned. Bette nodded her head and walked him and Sarah to the door with Tina in tow. Before Sarah stepped over the threshold, she grabbed Bette by the shoulders and stared at Bette hard.

“No one should ever feel like how you felt and I wish to God there was something I can do, but I can’t. I’m sorry I never questioned you about it earlier when you were with Tina. So much animosity could have been prevented. Get some rest Bette.” Sarah whispered to the brunette then pulling her into a hug. Tina looked at Bette and all she wanted to do was take Bette into her arms and comfort her. She knew that was what Helena was going to do, once everyone left. Tina swallowed the limp in her throat and softly gazed at Bette.

“Bette..I..fuck..I’m sorry about how things happened for you. I..I..” Tina was hesitating and stuttering. “Thank you, for being such a fantastic coming out story for me. I wish you would have had half the woman I had.” Tina softly stated as she leaned forward and quickly pecked Bette’s cheek, before walking down the stairs. Helena had been returning from her mother’s limo to see the peck. Helena watched Tina get in her parents car, as she walked on to the porch. Both the limo and car left, leaving the couple on the porch. Bette quickly went into Helena’s arms and buried her head into the Brit’s neck.

“Ready for bed, love?” Helena softly asked, dragging her hands up and down Bette’s arms. She felt Bette’s head shake no. Bette dragged her lips up Helena’s neck causing Helena to take a quick inhalation of breath. Bette sucked Helena’s ear lobe into her mouth before pulling away and looking her lover in the eyes.

“No, I need you to make love to me.” Bette huskily stated.