Bette finally got out of the Saab and walked up the driveway preparing to ring the bell, but the door was ajar. Unbeknownst to Bette, Tina had been watching her for the past 10 minutes just sitting in the car. At first, she thought Bette might have been on her cell phone but it didn’t look like she was having a conversation, at least not out loud. Whatever was going on was in her head as Bette’s features were very expressive and Tina could almost see the emotional turmoil. Whatever had Bette distracted had to be major. She just hoped it wouldn’t ruin their evening.

“Tee” Bette called out. It wasn’t like Tina to leave the door open and Bette immediately panicked thinking something was wrong.

“I’m right here babe. It’s about time you decided to come in. What were you doing in your car for so long.” Tina asked as she appeared in the doorway.

Bette smiled brightly when she saw what Tina was wearing. “You look like a million bucks.” Bette said and laughed out loud when Tina responded with one of her signature looks; crooked smile and raised eyebrow. “You know she’s going to be royally pissed.”

“Probably, but I don’t really care. I need to be comfortable in my own skin.”

“Well your skin is glowing. You look amazing.” Bette moved closer to kiss Tina on the cheek as was their customary greeting as friends. However, Tina had decided that tonight she didn’t want just Bette’s friendship. She wanted her wife and lover back. It was time to stop playing games with their hearts. She knew they belonged together, and prolonging the inevitable on principle was just torture for both.

She’d forgiven Bette. She believed her when she swore that she would never hurt Tina in that way again. She would die first. Bette’s remorse, her pain, and self recriminations were real. Bette had broken Tina’s heart but she was gaining back her trust with every act of love, kindness and devotion that she’d shown since Tina had given her the chance. Even putting up with having Helena Peabody between them was proof that Bette was putting Tina’s needs before her own.

When Bette stepped back from the embrace she noticed the look in Tina’s eyes. Before her senses fully registered its meaning, Tina pulled her in. With their lips pressed together, mouths opened and tongues seeking to taste and devour their kiss deepened. Tina kissed her with a hunger that made Bette go weak at the knees. After several minutes, Tina could feel Bette faltering when her brain caught up with her body’s response. She would never reject Tina’s advances but it was too easy to get carried away with satisfying a physical need when it didn’t change anything. Little did she know, this time it changed everything. Tina wasn’t playing games but she was teasing Bette when she broke the contact and said, “You look amazing too, and I’m not the only one glowing.” Bette felt her cheeks heat up. Tina smiled with the knowledge that she still had the power to unhinge her wife.

“We better go. Don’t want to be late for your big night.” Bette tried to be upbeat but there was an undercurrent of sadness in her tone. Tina would be in the spotlight with Helena tonight and she would be in the background. She was sort of glad to know Kit would be there to support her but she didn’t relish the idea of Melvin seeing Tina with another woman. She had decided not to tell Tina that he would be there. It would only upset her and cause undue stress. She didn’t care what transformation Kit experienced with their father, Bette had promised to protect Tina from his venom and she meant it.

“It is a big deal, isn’t it?” Tina said as if the enormousness of this achievement just dawned on her.

“It’s huge baby. You’ve done great work. I’m so proud of you, and humbled that I’ll be there to see you on that stage getting the recognition you deserve. I will be cheering the loudest when they call your name. Just look for me in the crowd.”

“In the crowd. No baby. You will be sitting front and center at the honoree table as my guest.”

“Sweetie I would love nothing more, but really I can’t be at the same table with Helena tonight. I’m really sorry.”

“Bette, I wouldn’t ask you to. I don’t know where she will be sitting, but she won’t be at my table. I’m with you tonight, tomorrow and forever if you’ll have me. I want to come home.”

Bette’s heart almost leaped out of her chest. Kit had said that tonight might be full of surprises and this certainly was unexpected. Bette couldn’t help but think that maybe miracles did happen.