Tina woke up early.  She had been lying quietly for almost an hour listening to the children playing outside. Every now and again, Bette would stir in her sleep, but she was resting so soundly, Tina couldn’t bring herself to wake her. Again, as always when she was close like this to Bette, she felt the urge to be even closer. This is where the battle would begin. ‘I could just push it all aside and forget about what happened,’ she thought. ‘I could just let it be.  Bette and I are family, we have a child.  I haven’t stopped loving her.’ These were all positive thoughts running through her head, but a chill would enter her mind, the one that always seemed to stop her in her tracks. Would Bette ever cheat on her again? That caused her to doubt the trust she once had. She remembered the way she felt the night she realized Bette had been with another woman. And now, after almost two years, saying it still made her feel a sadness she never felt before. Tina finally stopped the thoughts and made her way into the bathroom. Turning on the hot water and watching it fill the tub was helping her to relax. She slipped out of her night clothes and into the warmth of the water. As she immersed herself in, she allowed it to wash away her fear for now. She began to think of her little one back at home. How she missed her daughter. Tina thought about Angelica and how she had instantly become the love of her life. No matter what had happened or what would happen, they would always have each other.

Bette opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. Then over to Tina’s side of the bed, it was empty. She put her hand on the spot where she knew Tina had slept all night so close to her, but still so far away. Now, she thought to herself, wasn’t the time for that. She didn’t want to think this early in the morning about the distance that remained between them. Tina had come this far and Bette was grateful for that. Maybe she wasn’t here the way she wanted or need to be, nonetheless she was here.  And for now that was enough for Bette.