“What do you say when she asks you about dinner.” Tina asked Bette.

“I bow to your judgment.” Bette replied. “Will you lock up?”

“Sure. I can do that. You have a safe flight. Call me when you land.” Tina said.

“Thank you, Tee.” Bette said while bending and giving Tina a kiss goodbye.

The kiss lasted than it should have been and the girls pulled apart a bit awkwardly.

“I’ll call you.” And with that Bette headed out the door and left for NY to get Jodi back.

===

NY. Night. Bette was in bed.

Bette grabbed her phone and dialed Tina’s number.

“Hey.” Tina greeted.

“Hi Tee. I’m sorry for disturbing you but I just wanted to ask you.” Bette trailed off.

“It’s OK.”

Bette heard the waves crashing nearby. “Are you at the beach?”

“Yeah. Kate and I snuck out of the party to get some fresh air.” Tina explained.

Bette felt a familiar pain in her heart. “Oh. So… uhm… Are you dating her?”

“Bette, is that what you called to ask me?” Tina slowly asked.

“Uhm… No. I’m sorry. Tee, what do I say?”

“What?”

“What do I tell her when I give her the sign?”

“Tell her: I never should have let you go. I would do anything for another chance. I am not afraid to make a fool of myself.” Tina sincerely said.

“Thanks Tee. Good night!” Bette whispered.

“Good night!” Tina replied her tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

Bette took out a pen and a paper and started writing.

Tina looked at Kate and knew that at this point in time her heart was not hers to give. It once again found its way home back to the only woman she ever loved. Her heart found its way back to Bette Porter where it rightfully belongs.

When Kate heard Tina on the phone she knew that she meant every word she said. And she meant it for the other woman on the line. With a sad smile she took Tina’s hand and led her back to the party.

Tina smiled back with a sadder smile as if saying “I’m sorry.”

===

Tina heard a soft knock on the door. She looked at the time and noticed that it was 7AM. It was a Saturday for goodness sake, she thought. Who would come into her house on a very early Saturday morning? Do people have no concept of “sleeping in on weekends”? She grumpily got out of bed and went to get the door. She opened it and she saw Bette obviously jet lagged with flowers on her hand and a smile on her face.

Bette heard the door being opened and her heartbeat quickened. She has never been so nervous in her entire life. When the door opened she saw Tina standing in front of her obviously fresh out of bed and she has never felt calmer.

“Bette?”

“Tee, I never should have let you go. I would give anything for another chance. I am not afraid to make a fool of myself. Please take me back. I have often wondered why I kept looking for more and that was when I realized that I wasn’t complete when I’m not with you.” Bette declared.

“Bette…”

“I wrote something last night and I want to read it to you.” Bette took a paper from her back pocket and started reading it not allowing Tina to respond.

“Seventeen reasons why:

1. She’s my best friend.

2. She’s my soul mate.

3. We like the same people.

4. We dislike the same people.

5. We both like to stay in on New Year’s eve.

6. She makes everything around her beautiful.

7. She has one of the kindest heart I’ve ever known.

8. She’s my light.

9. She taught me how to love.

10. She gave me everything I need and what I thought I didn’t.

11. She grounds me.

12. Nothing compares to her and what we had.

13. She completes me.

14. She’s my first, last and forever Love.

15. She’s the mother of my child.

16. She’s the love of my life.

17. She’s my Tina.” Bette finished with a whisper.

Tina couldn’t stop the tears that were falling from her eyes. How many times had she wished to have Bette back over the past couple of weeks? She had played it in her mind again and again but she never knew that it can be this simple yet grand.

“Oh Bette!” She exclaimed and hugged Bette tightly.

Bette accepted Tina in her arms and the moment that she felt her in her arms she knew that she was home. This was what she was looking for all along. “Tee, please say yes. I mean what I said. I will do anything.”

Tina sobbed. “Yes, Bette. Yes. It has always been yes.”