Chapter 33

”John. What are you doing here this late?” He asks his brother.
”I left her. I actually left her. I packed a few bags and then left. I left while she was in the bathroom taking a bath. Can I stay here?” He pleads with his brother.
”Come in.” Pauls says as he gestures with his arm to enter.
”Paul, who was it?” Joanne calls out.
He enters with John behind him seconds later.
”It was John. He left the devil.” Paul says as he turn towards his brother. ”Sorry, that´s her name here these days.” Paul says.
”I understand. And I don´t care. I´m beginning to see that too now. Sorry it took so long.” John says as he gives them a small smile.
Tina slowly takes Bette´s hand in hers, wanting support for what may come or not come. Bette gives a gentle squeeze in return.
He walks past Joanne and stops in front of Tina and Bette and Megan.
”Christina, most of all I´m sorry about everything I´ve put you through. I am so sorry for hurting you. I was just wipped by” he looks at his brothers and says ”the devil, that I didn´t think on my own. It took an ultimatum and a huge fight to realize that I was wrong, totally wrong. I hope with time you can forgive me. I´m sorry, I´m not so good with words, I am a guy after all.” He says, giving a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood a little. Tina takes his hand and squeeze it. 
”I forgive you uncle John.” She says.
”You do?” He asks, wanting to make sure.
”Yeah. Promise me you won´t og back to her.” Tina says.
”I don´t think I ever will. I promise.” He says and turns towards Bette.
”Hi, I´m John Kennard. It´s nice to meet you.” He says, holding out his hand.
”I´m Bette Porter, nice to meet you too.” Bette says and takes his hand with a smile.
He stands up and walks over to Paul.
”I´m sorry for intruding on you like this.” He says once more.
”Nonsense, you´re family, you´re welcomed here anytime.” Joanne says.
”Who´s up for a little evening food?” Joanne asks. Everyone calls out yes.
After another few hours, sitting at the table, talking it was time to get some sleep.
”I´m tired, I think I´ll head up.” Tina says as she stands up.
”Yeah, sounds like a plan. I´ll come with you.” Bette says and stands up to, she takes Tina´s hand to help steady her a little.
”Thanks for today, we´ll see you in the morning.” Bette says and smiles to everyone.
”You´re welcome honey. Sleep tight.” Joanne says and smiles back.
”Night mom and dad.” Tina says as she exits the kitchen with Bette right behind her. They make their way outside and up to the apartment.
”Today was a good day.” Tina says as she stands in the bathroom brushing her teeth
”It was. I had fun.” Bette says as she slides her arms around Tina´s waist, looking at her through the mirror. You have a really great family. You´re lucky.” Bette says.
”Yeah I am. They had some starting problems, but they are great now. I love them, and I think they are starting to really care for you babe. I can see it in their eyes and their whole attitude.” Tina says as she turns slightly which earn her a soft kiss from Bette.
”I love you.” Bette whispers.
”And I love you too. Forever.” Tina replies.
”When are you Kennards up and about on Christmas morning to open up presents?” Bette asks.
”Early.” Tina says chuckling. ”So we should og to bed really soon, like now.” She adds,moving from the bathroom into the bedroom.
”Okay, I´ll be right there.” Bette says as she also brushes her teeth.
Minutes later they are both in bed, holding each other.
Bette leans in for a soft goodnight kiss.
”Good night Tee. See you in the morning.” Bette says and smiles.
”Night babe.” Tina says and steals one last kiss before they both close their eyes and falls asleep.
At 6 in the morning Tina is up. She quickly goes to the bathroom and she gets dressed in training pants and a Nike sweatshirt. Then she walks back to bed and wakes Bette.
”Bette? Babe, it´s time to wake up, it´s presents time.” Tina says as she shakes Bette a little, then she leans down and kisses her cheek.
”Babe, come on, wake up.” She adds. After a few moments Bette slowly opens her eyes.
”What time is it?” Bette asks.
”It´s 6.05, it´s time to get up.” Tina says.
”That is sooo early, come back to bed baby.” Bette tries.
”Nope, not gonna happen, I want to open presents. Come on, please?” Tina says in a pleading voice.
”Okay. Give me a kiss then I´ll get up.” Bette says.
Tina smiles as she leans down again, this time kissing Bette passionately on the mouth.
”Hey, have you been up long?” Bette asks as she rises up into a sitting position.
”Nah, only about 10 minutes or so now. Come on hurry.” Tina urges Bette to hurry up.
After about 10 more minutes they were both ready, Tina a little more eager than Bette this early in the morning. When they entered the house, Megan and Michael was up, waiting for the grownups to get up. Paul and Joanne made their way downstairs a few minutes after Bette and Tina arrived. Paul walked into the guestroom to wake John, so a few minutes after that everyone was up. It was time for presents. Megan and Tina seemed to be the most eager ones.
”Are you always like this when presents are involved?” Bette asks chuckling at Tina´s behavior.
”Yeah, I am. I love presents, so get used to it.” Tina replies smiling.
John took on the job as presents announcer. He handed out presents as soon as one was opened. Keeping the flow going.
It was time for Bette´s present for Tina. All though Tina knew what it was, at least she thought she knew, she was still excited about it. John handed her a small package. She glanced at Bette with a curious look. Bette just smiled back. She starts to unwrap it and uncover a small black velvetbox. Tina gets a serious look on her face.
”Bette?” She whispers.
”Just open it.” Bette replies.
Tina slowly opens it and sees a beautiful necklace, white gold band.
”Oh babe, it´s beautiful. Thank you.” Tina says as she leans back and kisses Bette.
”You´re welcome.” Bette smiles back.
It was time for Megan´s present from Bette and Tina. It was a huge package. Megans eyes was big as she looked at it a few moments before opening it. Inside there was a hairdresser model, a pro version. All the accessories that you can think of was in it, and the hair was long and could be colored and cut. When the hair was short and not much could be done further, you could buy new hairpieces to it. Just disconnect the top of the head and put on the new one. Easy. Megan got tears in her eyes as she slowly read the outside of the package, making sure she read correctly. She jumps up and gives Tina and Bette a big hug each.
”Thank you so much. I love it.” She says several times.
”Oh you´re welcome sis. I think you will love the next one we got you too.” Tina says and smiles even more.
”One more?” Megan asks, looking around frantically.
”Here sis.” Michael says after noticing it and gives it to her.
”It´s a big box too, but nt as big as the previous one.
She opens it and sees that it is a whole box with new headpieces. She can now cut and color for months. She has the supplies.
”Thank you.” Megan says as she looks into the box.
”The best part is, that it´s not expensive for new headpieces.” Tina says and looks at her parents.
”Good to know.” Paul says with a smile.
The rest of the morning went on peacefully. Michael got what he wanted too, which was money, he was saving up for something. No one knows yet. But he´s promised that it isn´t anything illegal or bad.
”Why don´t you all og and get dressed while I make us a great christmas breakfast.” Joanne suggests. Everyone agrees and dissapears into their rooms. 
Once Bette and Tina got into the apartment, they made their way into the bedroom to get changed.
”Baby?” Bette says.
”Yeah?” Tina replies, taking of her training pants slowly as feel less pain in her leg.
”The necklace wasn´t the only present I got for you. The other one is here.” Bette says as Tina turns around towards Bette, who holds another small box in her hands.
”What is it?” Tina asks. Bette walks over to her.
”That is for you to find out.” Bette says and smiles softly.
”Okay.” Tina says and takes the box and walks to the bed to take a seat. Bette sits down beside her.
She slowly opens it. First she sees a key and a small note.
She reads it out loud.
”My beautiful Tee,
With this key I´m now giving you, I want you to know that you are welcomed into my ome whenever you want to. I know you probably think it´s too soon to move in together but, I want you to at least know that you can come and og as you like, also when I´m not home. I hope that one day you will move in with me long term, but for now, I hope you will accept this. I love you, more and more for each day.
Love B.”
Tina has tears in her eyes and are crying as she finish the letter.
”It´s not my finest work but…” Bette says with a chuckle.
”It´s perfect. I love it and I love you, so so much.” Tina says and leans in for a loving kiss.
”It´s one more thing in there.” Bette says and points to the box.
”What?” Tina says as she search it. She finds another note, or rather a giftcertificate. It´s for the videocamera she wanted.
”Oh Bette…” Tina starts.
”Before you say anything, let me just say this. I didn´t buy it yet. I only looked at it. I love you and want you to have the best. I´m sorry, but I do. You are a film student, and you need a camera. That way you can do more about it. This is the money for it. I know you wanted to pay for it yourself, but why don´t you use that money on something else. Equipment maybe, or clothes or something. Treat yourself. Or you can save it up for something else. Please don´t be as angry as you were the other day about this?” Bette says, holding her breath a little.
”I´m not getting angry Bette. Thank you.” Tina simply says. She leans in for another kiss.
”Thank you.” Bette says and smiles into the kiss.