Chapter 37

They ended up back at the house after the caketrip to Marge, but decided to take a walk down the beach.
“There´s not a lot to do here in this town.” Bette says as they get out of the car.
“That´s okay, I will take a walk with you on a beach any day over almost everything else.” Tina says as she walks around the car and takes Bette´s hand in hers.
“Almost everything?” Bette asks with a raised brow.
“Yeah, almost everything.” Tina replies with a giggle.
They walk out on the beach. It was a bit chilly, so they were dressed properly. Bette reached for Tina´s hand imediatley as they started their slow walk down the beach.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, stealing glances at each other every now and then, smiling.
“So, what are your wishes for the new year?” Bette asks, breaking the silence.
“I don´t have a special wish or something, other than loving you.” Tina says as she smiles and squeezes Bette´s hand softly.
“You don´t have a new year resolutuon?” Bette asks a little surprised.
“No, I don´t, I wish for a good school year, good health to my family, and stuff like that.” Tina says.
“Oh okay.” Bette replies a little dissapointed in the answer.
“What?” Tina asks, seeing the sad look on Bette´s face.
“Never mind, it´s not important.” Bette says.
“Everything is important. Please tell me? Why the sad look?” Tina asks.
“I gonna sound like a big baby or something.” Bette says,
“No you won´t.” Tina says as she stops and pulls Bette in front of her. “So come on, share with me.” She adds.
“I just… I just thought that one of your wishes for the next year, would be to move in with me.” Bette says.
Tina is silent, and looks into Bette´s eyes. She sees the insecurity that is there.
“See I toid you it was silly.” Bette adds as she turns to leave, but Tina holds onto her hand and pulls her back.
“It´s not silly. I would love to move in with you sometime next year. I just thought that was a given, that´s why I didn´t wish for it.” Tina says.
“Oh, okay. I´m sorry I brought it up then.” Bette says.
“Don´t be. Come here.” Tina says and pulls Bette even closer as she leans in and gives her a loving kiss. “I love you.” She adds with a smile.
“I love you too.” Bette replies.
“It´s getting a little chilly, can we go back?” Tina asks.
“Off course, come on.” Bette says as she put her arm around Tina´s shoulder, to keep her warm.
Once they got back to the house, Bette got the fireplace started, while Tina went and took a hot shower. After getting the fireplace going, she went in to the kitchen, to make some hot chocolate for them.
After about 10 minutes, Tina walked in, newly refreshed from the shower, dressed in one of Bette´s sweatshirts and a sweatpant.
“Ready for an evening in front of the fireplace in my arms?” Bette asks smiling as she walks over to Tina and pulls her into her embrace.
“I am.” Tina replies with a soft smile. She moves her arms over Bette´s shoulders and starts playing with her hair. “I love you so much, this christmas has been my best ever, thanks to you.” Tina says as she leans in an gives Bette a soft loving kiss.
“It´s been one of my best too, and I love you too, more than I can put into words.” Bette says as she leans her forehead onto Tina´s. “I think the hot chocolate is ready, why don´t you go into the livingroom and get us a few blankets and maybe choose a movie for us to see?” Bette suggests.
“Yeah, sure. Hurry back.” Tina says as she walk with a slight limp into the livingroom.
Bette hurries into the kitchen to get the drinks and she also brings a little for them to snack on. Soon after they are both comfortable on the couch, with Tina leaning into Bette. They choose to watch a movie that was on TV tonight a christmas movie.
“When do you have to be back at school?” Bette asks while she softly runs her fingers up and down Tina´s arm.
“I think our first class is on January 3rd.” Tina replies. “It will be hard to start the semester missing one of us… Wow… I haven´t thought much about that at all, I´ve been dealing with my own stuff.” Tina says as she starts breathing heavier. Bette feels that Tina is about to cry. She tightens her embrace, trying to calm her down.
“I´m here, and she´s not. I could´ve died.” She says as is it´s the first time she says it out loud. Tears starts streaming down her cheeks.
“Baby, calm down shhh.” Bette says, trying to comfort her the best she can.
“I can´t… I can´t… I can´t breathe, let go of me.” Tina says as she wiggles her way out of Bette´s embrace and stands up. Bette remains seated and watches Tina pace the floor. She was told by one of the doctors that this might happened a while after the accident, when it´s finally dawns on them, after they´ve had time to put a distance between themselves and the bad thing that happened. Bette gathered that this was that time for Tina and all she could really do, is be there for her, support her, comfort her. She slowly stands up and walks carefully over to her. She softly places her hand on her shoulder. Tina turns around and almost falls into Bette´s arms.
“Shhh, it´s okay, breakdown, I´m here, I´m here to help you back up. But baby, you need to let it all go. Just let it all go.” Bette whispers the last part. She hears Tina sobbing increases and her shaking body gets heavier as they both slides down to the floor. “There, let it all go baby.” Bette whispers as she softly kisses her temple.
They remains on the floor for several minutes, until the sobbing slows down a little and Bette is able to bring Tina back to the couch.
“I´m sorry.” Tina says softly after another few minutes.
“Hey, don´t ever be sorry for feeling, okay? Never hold anything back. Whenever you need to let go, come to me and I will hold you.” Bette replies as she pulls her a little closer.
“I will.” Tina replies ass eh turns in Bette´s arms and lays her head on Bette´s chest.
“Why don´t you close your eyes for a few minutes.” Bette suggests and before she knows it, Tina is asleep in her arms.