Bette paused deliberately and then said “Tina. I don’t want space from you. I want you and Angie to move back into our house. I want to be with you and Angie. I want us to be a family. We can’t really be a family if we are shuffling back between our house and your apartment. I want you to get rid of your apartment and move back home. I know that you like it there, but our house is our house. I mean we have history there and it is a better fit for a family. And we might even want to grow our family and we can’t do that in your apartment.  I don’t need any space to pause or think. I have missed you since the day you left and I want you back fully. If, however you will need space I will completely respect that. I understand that due to this accident you had to make quick decisions with consequences that you may have not been ready for. I will follow your lead Tina. Tell me what you want to do”.

Tina said “Bette I want to be with you and Angie at our house. I didn’t want you to think I was being a co-dependant lesbian! I am sort of embarrassed that I am talking about this with you now, in a hospital while you are recovering. It was weighing on my mind. I guess I want to know where I stand with you…”

Bette said “Tina, do you honestly not know where you stand with me? I love you wholeheartedly. I have dreamed of the day that we would be back together as a family. I appreciate so much how much you have been there for me during this accident and recovery. I don’t know what I would have done without you.  Please don’t ever be embarrassed to tell me how you feel. Your feelings are important to me. All the planning from here forward will be done the two of us. Deal?”

Bette holds out her hand for an official handshake. Tina smiles really big and meets Bette’s hand halfway with her own and they shake on it to seal the deal.

Just then the hospital room door opens and Dr. Miller steps in. Tina sits up immediately and straightens herself up and pulls down her shirt, since her tummy was showing.  Tina cleared her throat and all three said in unison “Good  Morning.”

Dr Miller said “Bette you will begin your physical therapy tomorrow and I wanted to let you know that since Tina has a hotel room right across the street that after tomorrow if you wanted to do stay at the hotel and do your therapy over here two times daily, that would be ok with me.”

Bette smiled widely and said “really?”

And Dr. Miller said “Yes, you bet!”

Bette said “I would love that. Not that your facility has not been top notch but I got a taste of being outside the hospital with my girlfriend and it was really nice. I think it would be good for me to transition to some normality”.

Dr. Miller said “Let me just take a quick look at you and your progress, so I can make some notes on your chart”.

Tina got out of bed so that it would not be awkward for Dr. Miller to examine Bette.  Dr. Miller does an examination and seems pleased that things were progressing well for Bette. He gives the girls the thumb’s up and leaves the room.

Tina looked at Bette and said “Wow, baby, we could be out of there tomorrow and spending most of our time out of the hotel room. That would be a good transition for us from here to the hotel, don’t you think?”

Bette said “Yes, I can’t wait! That would be great. Better food, great company, nicer atmosphere. And my own private nurse!”.