Bette looked at the stacks of paper that had piled up on her desk and realized how little work she had gotten done during the day. As she turned to face her computer, the 48 unread e-mails were not decreasing in number either.

For the entire day, she could get her mind off neither Tina nor her invitation. This was definitely the initialization of the next stage to their reconciliation, and she tried to break down how she felt about that.

Since Tinas arrival in New York, deep down, Bette knew that they would reconcile. Of course, at times, that knowledge was shakier during certain periods than others, but still knew that Tina was the only one for her and, she truly believed, she the only one for Tina.

They had managed to rebuild some of the lines of communication that had been so terribly damaged during the latter stages of their relationship. Bette honestly now knew that she could talk to Tina about anything, a feeling that she had not had in she didnt know how long. She knew that the fears that she had, whether they be about the two of them, work or just life in general could be openly discussed with Tina and that knowledge alone, was enough to send them down the path to reclaiming what it was that they had once had.

This side of Tina that she was seeing right now with this planned dinner was the side that she had fallen in love with. In the beginning of their relationship, even though it had been Bette that had openly courted and pursued Tina, Bette knew that had Tina not actively wished for a future for the two of them, she would have easily squashed Bettes attempts from the get go. There was a hidden strength to Tina that not all people saw. Bette was at times appreciative of that strength, other times bending to that strength, and certainly depending on the situation, aroused by her strength.

She knew that from the outside, people automatically assumed that she was the might behind the two of them, but Tina and Bette both knew this not to be the case. Tina was strong as ***** and it had never taken much assertion from her to let her opinions and intentions to be known and understood by Bette.

She also knew that that the loss to their relationship of Tinas strength was one of the reasons for its deterioration. An imbalance was caused. It was as dangerous and harmful as if one of the two people on a see saw were to suddenly jump off just to leave the other person to come crashing to the ground. There was nothing graceful about this action and their relationship had responded just as that one person left on a plank that could no longer be balanced had, it had come crashing down.

She knew that the feelings that she had had about her skin closing in on her and in effect, causing a sensation of strangulation, was born by this imbalance. She had felt that everything that came along with Tinas strength; her drive, her fortitude, her forwardness, her willingness to lead and take control, once all of these things left their relationship, Bette could no longer have the resistance to her push, the pull from her reticence, the up to her down. She no longer had the partner that could take the lead for the two of them, offering Bette the yearned for break from trying to balance what as it turned out, could not be balanced at all.

But that was then, and this is now. She picked up the card that was sitting on the desk right in front of her that had come with her flowers. She didnt know why she bothered to pick it up as by now, she had memorized every letter on it.

She allowed her eyes to scan the words and tried to determine all of the emotions that were brought forth by them. Encouragement was a given as was happiness, but what else? She tapped the corner of the card on her desk, looking at some indistinguishable spot on the far wall, and came to the realization that perhaps it was gratitude. Even though she had known that reconciliation was in their future, she had not concretely witnessed nor formulated how that next step was going to take place. She had opted for letting things just happen as they did, sitting back and watching it all unfold, all the while, allowing the two of them the space, time and acceptance each needed to come back to the other.

And here it was. This was the jolt that they needed. It was the concrete step that Bette had been hoping and waiting for, and best yet, she had not been the one to initiate it. This was all Tina. This was Tina going after what she wanted and Bette knew that she was squarely in Tinas sights. This was the Tina of old, the Tina that would have never allowed anything to come in between her and something that she desired. Bette may have wanted Tina in the beginning, but it was Tina that had led them through the maze and myriad of a blossoming relationship and gotten them to the place where they realized that they were made to spend their lives together.

No, that was all Tina, and that was what Bette was seeing here. She placed the card back down on her desk and knew that that was what it was, thankfulness. Thankfulness for not just another chance with the love of her life, but for allowing the love of her life to recoup the qualities that Bette had so loved and to use those strengths to help rebuild the two of them, not just to where they were, but to a place that was better, happier, stronger and more balanced. She knew that Tina was reclaiming her seat at the other end of the see saw and that she would never jump off again just to leave Bette to come crashing down.

Right at that time, Bette heard a knock on her open door.

Hey she said, looking up at James.

Hey he said in return. Wow, you look like you are a hundred miles away.

Further than that I suppose she chuckled.

Everything ok? he asked.

Better than ok I’d say she smiled up at him without elaborating

Oh good he smiled in relief. “Oh yeah, are you gonna need the car tonight? Jimmy is on the phone and thought that he would check in.

Oh, Im glad that he did said Bette. I meant to call him and ask him to come get me at 5:45 to meet Tina for dinner.

Uh, the same 5:45 thats in 15 minutes? laughed James while looking at his watch.

That would be the one smiled Bette, realizing that she needed to get herself together in order to get ready.

Ok, Ill tell him to be here in 15 then.

Perfect and thanks said Bette.

Not a problem he said while ducking out of her office.

Bette grabbed her bag and walked down the hall to the bathroom to freshen up. It wasnt until she got to the bathroom that she realized that she was softly whistling.

Wait, when did I start whistling? she chuckled to herself as she closed the door behind her.

Its all about the changes, right? she asked herself as she looked in the mirror.

Lets hope so came her reflection’s only reply.