Tina looked at her and her eyes burned with passion. “Let’s go inside baby” she softly spoke in Bette’s ear. She opened the door and stepped in. The room was filled with candles and a large bouquet of purple roses sat next to the fireplace. Bette looked at Tina with astonishment. She noticed there was a card with her name on it setting with the roses. She walked over and picked up the card and then looked back at Tina.

 “Read it,” Tina said sounding tearful.

Bette opened the card and as she read the words tears began to fall.

         The candles reflect the warmth I feel whenever I’m near you

        The roses are for the beauty you make me feel

        Purple is for the passion you bring out of me

        The warmth, the beauty, the passion is so real.

        I’m giving you my heart again forever

        This time for the rest of my days

         I long to spend my life with only you

         For I love you my darling in many, many ways.

With the card was a small flat box. Bette opened it and the heart shaped card read:

            This is the second part to your gift, my love

           On the patio you will find more

           There awaits something special for you

           From my heart to yours

Bette walked out to the patio she was surprised by the display of lights that sparkled everywhere. On the table sat a bottle of wine and two glasses and more roses.

“Sit here baby,” Tina said pulling out the chair for her. Bette sat down and Tina reached for the wine bottle. She handed Bette her glass and began to pour. Bette looked surprised again as piece of paper rolled tightly with a red ribbon around it fell into her glass. Tina sat the bottle down. She looked at Bette who was completely mesmerized.

“Are you going to read it Tina asked?”

Bette opened it and this one read:

  My hope is that this letter will be as precious to you-as

you are to me. In this letter you have my heart; you have

my soul; you have my trust. With you I have traveled,

not only into your world, but deeper into my own. I have

learned who I am; who I want to be; who I aspire to

be; and what I may dare to dream. Ours is a love that has

endured hardships and joys; for these have been the worst

of times, and the best if times. With honor and humility,

             you stand silently but strong beside me.

 For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the

most difficult of our task; the ultimate, the last test and

proof, the work for which all other work is but

          preparation—Rainer Maria Rilke

    Bette, to the world you may be one person, but to me

  you are the world. Today I promise that I will love you always, as

  I stand here to ask you a very simple question..

      Bette, will you marry me?

         I love you,

                 Tina

Tears fell from Bette’s eyes like a waterfall as Tina reached in her pocket and took out the green velvet box that held the ring. She handed the box to Bette. She opened it and marveled at its beauty.

“Oh my God baby it’s beautiful.”

Tina took the ring from it resting place and as she put it on Bette’s finger, she asked again.

“Bette will you marry me?”

 And Bette’s simple answer was like music to her ears when she heard…. 

  “Yes, Tina I will marry you.”

Coming soon…B&T go home.