The Ceremony

Bette was in one of the dressing rooms the gardens provided. Bette and Tina had agreed not to see each other until the ceremony. Kit, Alice, and Katherine were helping her get ready.

Alice: You nervous Porter? Your hands are sweating.
Bette: Yea, Im a little nervous.
Kit: Not having second thoughts are you?
Bette: No, not at all, just nerves, hoping all goes well.

Theres a knock at the door. Kit opens the door.
Kit: Hello Melvin.
Melvin: Hello Kit. He awkwardly hugs her. Is Bette in here?
Kit: Yeah, sure come in.
Melvin saw Bette, and then he saw Katherine.
Bette: gets up to greet him. Daddy, Im glad you came.
Melvin: Hello Bette, Katherine.
Katherine: Melvin, nice to see you could make it. Sarcastically.
Melvin: You look good Katherine.
Katherine: Thank you, well let you and Bette chat. Come on Alice, Kit. She kissed Bette. Ill be back in a little while.
Bette: Okay.

Melvin: looking at Bette. You look beautiful Bette.
Bette: Thank you.
Melvin handed her an envelope.
Bette: Whats this?
Melvin: Its just something for you and Dr. Kennard.
Bette: Daddy I wanted you here, you didnt need to give us anything.
Melvin: I know but I wanted to. Open it later please. So Bette Ive thought a lot about what you said to me in our last conversation.
Bette: Yes?
Melvin: Bette are you happy?
Bette: Extremely.
Melvin: Then Ill support your decision to start a life with Dr. Kennard.
Bette: Her name is Tina dad.
Melvin: Well until I meet her its Dr. Kennard.
Bette: Very well, Ill introduce you after the ceremony.
Melvin: Ill let you finish getting ready. Ill see you afterwards.
Bette: Okay. As he was leaving. Daddy?
Melvin: Yes?
Bette: Thank you for coming. He kissed her cheek and left.

Alice and Vanessa came in then.
Alice: Are you ok? Tina knows hes here and wanted us to check on you.
Vanessas cell rings.
Vanessa: Hello? Yeah just a minute. Bette its Tina. She hands her the phone.

Tina: Baby are you okay? Your father didnt upset you did he?
Bette: No T, Im fine. Stunned at his behavior but fine. Ill tell you later. Why are you calling? You need to get ready for this thing were doing today remember?
Tina: Laughing. Yes I remember.
Bette: Ok then, see you in thirty minutes.
Tina: thirty minutes, oh ***** Ive got to finish getting ready.
Bette laughed and hung up.

Vanessa: Tinas such a worrier, so really Bette everything cool?
Bette: Yes, Van everything is great.
Vanessa: Well I must say you look beautiful Bette. Bette hugged her.
Bette: Thanks.
Alice: Well you do look hot Porter. So well be going now, were scoping the crowd, there is potential out there. Did you see the blonde with the thing?
Vanessa: Yea the guy?
Alice: No the girl.
Vanessa: Did you see the Latin looker?
Alice: Girl?
Vanessa: No the guy.
Bette: laughing, Get out of here you two, good luck. See you soon.

Tina was getting ready with the help of Maggie, Van and Shane.
Erin was taking pictures of everyone and everything.

Maggie: Are you ready Tina?
Tina: Yes mom, Ive never been so ready for anything.
Maggie: I love you and I love Bette. Just be happy and take time for each other.
Tina: Thank you mom. They hugged.

It was time.

Bette went out to stand in her place. Music was playing a simple violin and harp, just for back ground music. Kit and Alice were standing on Bettes side. Shane and Dana stood on the other side waiting for Tina..

Bette looked at the doorway and saw Tina, at that instant Tina saw Bette. Their eyes locked.
Tinas POV: My god she looks amazing, so beautiful, so Bette. Bette smiles at her. God that smile melts me. Bette is wearing a white suit; the jacket was longer cut than her usual making her look even taller. But she looked stunning. Her hair in the mass of curls that Tina loved. God I love her.

Bettes POV: Bette smiled at Tina because Tina looked nervous; she hoped her smile would put her at ease. It did. Tina looked so beautiful. Her dress was white with a pale pink trim, sleeveless, it hit her mid calve, it was V neck and showed just a tad of cleavage. Her hair was perfect, she looked wonderful. God she is amazing.

Tina was walking towards Bette, but Bette couldnt wait for her to get there so she went and met her half way, took her hand and kissed it, then went to the front.

Sue is the ceremony guide and performer.
Sue: We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two lives. Bette and Tina.
They are starting a future together as one. A future full of expectations, full of promise and full of love. We are here to support them, help them as their friends and family in every aspect of their adventure together. Bette and Tina have asked some of their friends to speak today.

Alice: stepping forward. Our friends are joining their lives together today and forever. But to us they are our family. We wish them the happiness they deserve always and may they be together always. We support you both in your life together and we love you.

Shane: stepping forward. Love is a treasure thats hard to find. Its not easy to find someone that you want to be with the rest of your life, But Bette and Tina have found that in each other and its magic. Bette, Tina be kind to each other, respect one another and keep loving each other.

Dana: stepping forward. These two people are my inspiration. They are a blend of things that when together make a perfect match. They prove love conquers all; they make us believe in love. Congratulations.

Kit: stepping forward. Baby sis, Tina, I couldnt be prouder of a sister and I welcome my new sister in law with open arms. You two are meant to be, the love we see in your eyes for each other inspires us all. We wish you love and many years of happiness together. I love you.

Sue: Now Bette and Tina would like to exchange their feelings to one another. Bette and Tina turn towards each other holding hands.

Tina: Bette you are the most amazing woman and person Ive ever known. I thought I knew what love was, but until I met you, I had no idea. You make me whole, you make everyday brighter and more wonderful. I am a better person because of you, you make my life complete. Youve shown me what true love is. From this day forward you are my happiness, my heart, my home. I love you.

Bette had tears in her eyes. Tina wiped them away. Kit handed Tina the ring and Tina placed it on Bettes finger as she said these words.
Tina: Bette you are my lust, my love, my life. I love you today and always.

Bette looking at Tina still holding her hand.
Bette: Tina, where do I begin? I have so many feelings for you, but love is the truest of them all. You have made me believe in love, in a future, in a family. You make me so happy everyday. The days are magic when I can hold you in my arms, I feel like the luckiest person alive. My life is so complete with you in it. From this day forward you are my happiness, my heart, my home. I love you.

She takes the ring from Kit and places it on Tinas finger. T you are my lust, my love, my life. I love you today and always.

Sue: Ladies and gentlemen. Together in love Bette and Tina.
They kissed and walked hand in hand out of the garden. Once past everyone they ran to the dressing room.

Kit addressed the crowd.
Please join Bette and Tina at a reception in their honor at Amanadamgs. Its a few miles from here if you need directions there are maps on your way out.
Please come celebrate with us.

Bette pulled Tina close and they kissed deeply and as if it were their first kiss.
Bette: We did it.
Tina: Its over.
Bette pushed her to the sofa, Tinas hand were under Bettes shirt.
Tina: Oh god baby lets do it now.
Bette: Jesus T cant you wait?
Tina: No I need you now. Ive been waiting for a week.
Bette: And whose fault is that? She smiled.
Tina: I know it was a stupid moment.
Bette: kissing her. Moaning. Oh baby I want to so bad butshe stood abruptly. No Tina we have to go to the reception. I dont want us to spoil something weve been waiting for and dreaming of.
Tina: I guess youre right. Lets get to the reception.
Bette: We have to leave to get to the airport by six. We have to tell everyone thank you and you have to meet my father. So we can control our selves a little while longer. Okay?
Tina: Mmm, kissing her again. Okay.

They went to the reception.
Everyone clapped and hollered as they came in.

Alice: taking the microphone from Kit. First of all everyone needs to know there are accommodations for anyone not able to drive tonight, please stay here we have room, dont be stupid only designated drivers can leave tonight. So feel free to party. And thank you to Amandamg, BTluver, aaTnB, BTaddict, and islandgirl for the booze, the food, the whole damn party. You guys ROCK!!!! Now heres our loving couple.

Bette: We would like to first thank you all for coming. And thank you for being our friends and family.
Tina: Thank you for supporting us and helping us. Thank you for making this ceremony and the party possible.
Bette: So enjoy yourselves tonight. Be safe.
Tina: Let the party begin!

There were people everywhere. Tinas co-workers and partners. Bettes staff. All the fan fic writers. There were lesbians, straights, and bis. Any type and every type.
Lots of booze, food and god only knows what else was being passed around. And since Alice made the announcement about staying over, everyone was cutting loose.

Bette and Tina were making the rounds thanking everyone, blah, blah, blah.
Erin was taking pictures of everything and getting her eyes full of interesting behavior.

Melvin finally came up to Bette and Tina.
Bette: hugging him. Dad this is Tina, Dr. Tina Kennard. Tina this is my father Melvin Porter.
Melvin: taking Tinas offered hand. Its nice to meet you Dr. Kennard.
Tina: Thank you, its good to finally meet you, and you can call me Tina, please.
Melvin: Okay, Tina and you may call me Melvin. He actually smiled. I must say it was a lovely ceremony. And this reception is..interesting.
Bette: laughing. Yes well our friends are sometimes wild, and they planned this part.
Melvin: I just wanted to tell you I have to leave now, my plane leaves in an hour.
Bette: Ok. Well when you come back to town lets have dinner.
Tina: Yes, please that would be nice.
Melvin: of course. I enjoyed today Bette and Dr or Tina its good to see my daughter so happy. I assume you are the reason for that. Thank you and its been good meeting you.
Tina hugged him and whispered in his ear.
Tina: Thank you for coming, she needed you here.
Melvin stepped back and then kissed and hugged Bette.
Melvin: Good bye, Ill call you later. Congratulations, be happy Bette.
He left.

Bette just stood there in awe.
Tina: You ok?
Bette: Stunned. Who was that man?
Tina: I thought her was very nice.
Bette: I know its very out of character of him.
Tina: Dont worry about it now. Lets get this over with so we can leave. She kissed her.

They mingled and made sure to thank everyone, they found the gang one by one and hugged them goodbye, thanking them and promise to call later.
Bette found her mom.
Bette: Mom, thank you for everything. Im so glad you were part of this. Im so thankful for you. She hugged her. I love you mom.
Katherine: Bette I want you to be happy. I love Tina shes wonderful. You two are meant to be together. Be happy and I love you. Have fun, call me okay?
Bette: Ok. She hugged her goodbye.

Tina: Erin thanks for taking the photos.
Erin: I love it sis, its fun and wild.
Tina: I expect to see them when we get back. Thanks for everything sis I love you.
Erin: I love you and Bette. Have fun.

Tina: Mom, I cant thank you enough for helping with everything, youre the best. I love you.
Maggie: Tina my pleasure, I love you and Bette; you guys have fun and call me. Well take care of everything here. Dont worry. Have a wonderful time. They hugged goodbye.

Alice took the mic from Kit again.
Alice: Ladies and gentlemen. Bette and Tina are leaving us to go on their hornymoon, I mean honeymoon, and lets all toast them. She raised her glass.
Bette and Tina be happy, enjoy your trip and ***** each others brains out. We love you guys.
Bette and Tina laughed and made their exit.

Bette parked the car in extended parking. They went in and Bette led the way.
Tina: Where are we headed? You have to tell me now.
Bette: yeah, I guess I do. They went to check their bags and Bette handed Tina her ticket. Tina opened it and looked at it.

Tina: Oh My God! Bette! Oh My God!
Bette: smiling at her. What?
Tina: she was so excited. Italy? Were going to Italy?
Bette: Yep, is that okay? We can go some where else if you want.
Tina: grabbing Bette and kissing her. Bette this is incredible. Youre so great! I love this its perfect.
Bette: Well not really, one minor set back. We wont arrive until 7:00 p.m. tomorrow evening.
Tina: So?
Bette: One more day of frustration, sorry.
Tina: But so worth it, Right?
Bette: Right, I do have plans for us.
Tina: God thank you for this Bette, I love it. I love you. God were going to ***** Italy! I can wait one more day.

Tina held Bette close. Bette laughed she love watching Tina so excited she was like a little kid.

This was worth everything.
This was the perfect day, the most wonderful day in their lives.