Chapter 26

It never failed that when Tina heard Bette utter those words, those three simple words of I love you, everyone and everything ceased to exist in the world with the exception of them. That feeling was one of the many things that Tina missed during her time apart from Bette. She had never felt that with anyone else, that sense of completion in receiving a verbal expression of love.

“I love you too Babe,” Tina said as she gently brushed her lips over Bette’s. “I’ve waited so long to hear those words from you again.”

“I know,” Bette gently nipped at Tina’s lips, both women talking quietly to preserve the privacy of their moment.

“I never thought I’d hear them again and the sadness of accepting that was awful,” Tina said as she tried to push aside her pain associated with the process she went through that led her to acknowledge that their relationship, romantically speaking, was over. Tina was thankful that although years had passed, she was getting another chance.

“I…love….you,” Bette said slowly as she kissed Tina’s lips between each word. With each kiss, her desire to show Tina how much she loved her grew.

Tina began to take control of the tension brewing between them. As Bette’s tongue licked all the areas that she had just kissed, Tina grabbed onto Bette’s shirt attempting to yank her toward the bed. Bette’s feet were rooted to the spot she was standing, causing Tina to fall forward into her arms for support. Bette’s nose nuzzled Tina’s neck, she allowed her head to fall to one side to give Bette the access she was requesting. Bette’s mouth began to suck and tease the sensitive skin on Tina’s neck, the few spots that only she had discovered over years of making love to Tina that were bound to elicit a reaction.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Bette said whispering against Tina’s neck. “There are so many things I never thought I would ever be able to share with you again.”

Tina remained silent as she ran her hands up and down Bette’s back.

“I never thought I’d be kissing you again in this lifetime,” Bette’s voice was harboring strong emotions as she worked to blink back tears. “I feel like such a fool for taking so much for granted.”

“We both did.”

“I know you’re saying that to attempt to make me feel better, but I honestly don’t remember a time where you weren’t attentive or took me for granted.”

“What about the one and only show Annie hung for you?”

“Which one is that?” Bette asked as she pulled back and looked into Tina’s eyes. She swept stray hair out of Tina’s face and smiled as she looked into her eyes.

“The one before Provocations where you came home early to spend time with me and I bolted like the house was on fire to exercise my demons,” Tina said smiling.

“Did I frighten you that I came home early?” Bette said chuckling.

“I was frightened at my own behavior to be honest, it was deplorable for me to walk out on you like that.”

“Consider it paybacks for the numerous times I didn’t recognize you, or take the time needed to tell you or show you how much I love you,” Bette said with emotion beginning to spill over in the form of tears. “That ends now Tina.”

Bette grabbed Tina’s hand and walked her into the adjoining bathroom to her master suite. She opened the shower doors, turned the water to hot in an effort to have warmer water, and turned to face a stunned Tina that had sat down on the toilet seat cover.

“Let me do some of the things I never thought I’d be able to do again.”

Tina answered her plea with a silent nod of her head.

The bathroom began to fill with steam as Bette unbuttoned and threw to the side her remaining shirt accompanied by her bra. Tina sat very still, admiring the beautiful and sculpted body Bette had. It hasn’t changed hardly at all over the years she had not seen it naked, which made Tina smile in appreciation.

“You look as stunning as the first time I saw you naked,” Tina said in awe. She extended her hand out to touch Bette’s flat stomach as she stood in front of her, looking down and smiling. Tina traced a few patterns on Bette’s bare skin with her nail, urged on through Bette’s sharp intake of breath indicating her arousal.

Bette stepped out of Tina’s reach and shook her head while smiling at her lover.

“This is about you, about me taking the time to appreciate what I never thought I’d be blessed with again.”

Tina felt tears form in her eyes, she had never heard Bette speak so passionately or emotionally about their relationship or the time they spent apart. Bette got on her knees between Tina’s feet and removed her boots and socks underneath. She pushed them into the corner and then stood up, extending her hand to assist Tina in doing the same. Bette and Tina stood face-to-face, Tina’s eyes fixed straight ahead of her where she could see the pounding of Bette’s pulse in her neck. Bette stared deep into Tina’s eyes, as if her gaze could see Tina’s innermost thoughts, as her hands snaked between them and unbuttoned Tina’s pants. She slid the zipper down and pushed both the pants and Tina’s underwear past her hips, over her thighs, and down to the floor. She held her arms out for Tina to use as support as she encouraged her to kick the clothing to the side. Tina removed her own shirt, throwing in the same direction she kicked her pants, and allowed Bette to remove her last article of clothing, her bra.

Bette opened the shower doors and helped Tina inside. There wasn’t a sense of urgency in Bette, rather a sense of contentment to familiarize herself with Tina’s body, her desires, and her pleasures all over again.

Bette faced Tina in the shower, the water from the massaging head pelting down on Tina’s back as she smiled at Bette. No words were exchanged, Bette merely grabbed the designer soap and lathered up her hands. She started at Tina’s arm, asking her to hold it up and outward so her hands could thoroughly wash it. She ran her soapy hands over Tina’s skin slowly, and focused in on Tina’s hand. She kneaded the tired muscles in her palm and then massaged each individual finger slowly. Tina allowed her eyes to close, becoming increasingly aroused at watching Bette watch her own movements, taking in what Tina reacted to.

“You always loved to have your hands massaged.”

“Only by you,” Tina whispered back.

Bette moved to the other arm and repeated the same exact motion, both women fighting their desire as Bette’s need to rediscover Tina’s body won out.

Bette lathered her hands once again, this time, staring deep into Tina’s eyes as her hands moved to around Tina’s neck. She massaged the back of her neck, the water now hitting Bette’s hands as she worked the tired muscles that always tensed in the presence of stress. Bette’s strong fingers massaging the tired muscles began to produce moans of approval from Tina.

“God that feels so good Bette.”

“I’m glad,” Bette answered smiling and never breaking eye contact.

Bette moved her hands down to Tina’s shoulders, now massaging them with vigor given how tense they were. Tina moaned once again, this time she allowed her head to drop forward onto Bette’s shoulder as she lost herself in the pleasure of Bette’s fingers touching her.

“Now this is sweet torture,” Tina mumbled as her body relaxed.

Bette allowed her lips to follow the same path on Tina’s shoulders. Tina’s breathing began to escalate, her desire building inside to have Bette make love to her.

“Babe,” Tina whispered as Bette’s lips made it to the other shoulder. “I want you so badly.”

It appeared Tina’s plea fell of deaf ears as Bette lathered the soap, once again, in her hands and moved down Tina’s body to her breasts. She worked her hands around Tina’s nipples, careful not to touch where Tina so desperately craved. Finally, Bette granted Tina’s plea’s by running her palms over Tina’s hardened nipples. Tina threw her head back, her body now demanding more from Bette, but Bette trying to take her time.

“I love the way your body reacts to me,” Bette said in Tina’s ear as her hands continued to massage Tina’s breasts harder. In response, Tina spread her legs slightly further trying to rub herself against Bette’s wet body.

“I promise, soon,” Bette said, her words barely registering in Tina’s ears.

Bette worked the bubbles down Tina’s stomach, watching as her breasts rose and fell quickly now, the point of being able to control her breathing well past her. Bette took a single finger and ran it gently over the faint scar just above Tina’s pubic hair.

“I hate that,” Tina said breathless.

“I love it, it’s a constant reminder of our daughter, it’s so beautiful,” Bette squatted down on her knees and gently placed soft kisses across Tina’s scar. Tina intertwined her hands in Bette’s damp hair, once again opening her legs wider in a silent plea.

Tina leaned against the shower wall, desperate for Bette’s touch and needing some additional support. Bette grabbed the soap once more, lathering her hands with it and letting it drop to the shower floor. She nudged Tina’s legs further apart, as Tina put her hands on Bette’s shoulders to steady herself. She massaged Tina’s thigh, starting near her kneecap and slowly kneading the muscles as her hands ventured upward toward Tina’s wet center. She repeated the same motion on the other thigh, causing Tina to grasp handfuls of Bette’s hair and yank her head up to meet her gaze.

“Please Bette.”

Bette answered Tina’s plea by leaving soft kisses on the tops of Tina’s thighs, allowing her hands to snake behind Tina’s body and massage her behind. She kneaded each cheek in time with the gentle kisses she placed on Tina’s wet skin.

“I love you Tina.”

Bette moved on leg over her shoulder to give her the needed access to Tina’s throbbing center. She first nuzzled her nose against Tina, smelling her unique scent and enjoying the slow pace she was beginning to set. Bette looked up at Tina, seeing her head thrown back, she gently blew cold air against Tina’s most intimate parts. Bette tried to offer additional support by helping to support some of Tina’s weight and holding her still.

“God Bette,” Tina said in a husky tone.

Bette sucked hard on the inside of Tina’s thigh, leaving a mark to reclaim her wife that only they would be able to see in their intimate moments. Bette spread Tina’s lips, seeing her clit fully aroused, taking it in her mouth and sucking gently where Tina was most sensitive.

“God please,” Tina said throwing her head back. “Please Bette, I’m so close…I need…”

“What?” Bette said breathless as well.

“Inside.”

It was a simple request, one made in desperation for release, one that only Bette could quench. She easily slipped two fingers inside Tina as she leaned forward, once again taking Tina in her mouth.

“Fuck,” Tina grabbed onto Bette’s hair harder. She pulled her head into her more, desperate for Bette to take her over the edge.

Bette felt Tina tighten against the movements of her hand, hearing her moans, and her pleas was exciting Bette as well, her arousal seeping from her swollen lips. She raked her teeth over Tina’s clit just once, causing Tina’s body to spasm, her grunt louder then she intended it to be.

Bette held her still while her body calmed down. The sensation of the hot water cascading down her body was unique, erotic, and added to the feeling of contentment. Bette got up off her knees and gently kissed Tina’s lips, pulling back slightly and smiling at Tina.

“I love you,” Bette said again.

“I love you even though you’re a prune.”

“Me?” Bette let a sexy chuckle begin the playfulness. “You’re pretty much a prune yourself in all the right areas too!”

Tina answered Bette’s joke with a smack on her naked behind eliciting a slight yelp.

“You’re bad!”

“Moi?” Tina tried to sound innocent but the smile on her face indicated otherwise. “We need to get out before we both shrivel up.”

Bette reached over and shut the water off, opening the doors to the steamy room, and handing Tina a towel before taking one of her own. She wrapped the towel around Tina, pausing to take in the sight before her, her eyes full of love. Both Bette and Tina looked at one another in what was now shock given the knock at the bathroom door.

“Angelica?” Tina called out wondering why their daughter was up.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure Honey, let me get my robe on and I’ll be right out,” Tina said as she scrambled for her robe. “Lay in my bed I’ll be right there.”

“Do you think she heard?” Bette whispered in a panic.

Tina just shook her head no and signaled for Bette to stay in the bathroom, and remain silent. Tina walked out of the bathroom and wrapped her wet hair in a towel as she sat on the bed.

“What’s going on? I thought you were in bed?”

“I was but I can’t sleep.”

“My guess is you want to talk about it,” Tina said as she rubbed Angelica’s thigh lovingly.

“I guess.”

“Here,” Tina pulled back the covers. “Lay down under the covers and let’s talk.”

Tina laid next to her, propping herself up against the headboard, and putting Angelica’s head on her lap.

“Talk.”

“It’s Mama B.”

“Still mad?”

“No,” Angelica said. “Sad that we argued and that I was mad at her.”

“You know she loves you right?”

“I know,” Angelica’s eyes teared up and Tina held her closer. “I don’t want her to be mad.”

“She’s not.”

“You don’t know that Mom.”

“I do, she told me so.”

“I just hate that she hurt you but I also don’t want her to hurt either.”

“You can tell her that when you see her tomorrow,” Tina said as she wiped Angie’s tears from her face that were now free flowing.

“It’ll be too late by then,” Angelica said as her tears. “She’ll go to bed thinking I am mad at her!”

Tina tried to calm her down to no avail.

“She was going to bed early Honey or we could call, but I just don’t know that she’ll hear the phone.”

Angelica’s tears fell faster as Tina held her close and played with her hair in an effort to calm her down.

“Honey, please take it easy.”

“I can’t, she’ll hate me!”

“I could never hate you Boo,” Bette said from the doorway, dressed in Tina’s clothes, her hair still wet from the shower. “I love you and your mom too much for that.”

Tina and Angelica laid there in shock at seeing Bette standing there, both of them with a lighter heart now that Bette was there, out of hiding, and claiming her family.