“I love you too Bette. And thank you for giving me this chance.” Tina replies, while drying a few tears that keeps coming.

“I think I need to get to bed soon. I’m so tired.” Bette says as she tiredly smiles up at Tina.

“Okay, let’s go.” Tina says standing up and reaching out her hand for Bette to take. Bette slowly raises up from the couch and with Tina’s support, she steadies herself and they walk towards the bedroom. “Don’t forget you have the checkup tomorrow at the hospital. At noon.” Tina says as they walk into the bedroom. She stops right inside the door and let Bette’s hand go. Bette turns around and smiles.

“Yes, I remember.” Bette replies.

“Okay, so you’re good here?” Tina asks.

“Yeah. I’m good.” Bette replies with a smile.

“Okay, I’ll head upstairs. Call me if you need me, okay?” Tina says as she turns to walk outside.

“Tee?” Bette calls after her. Tina turns around, waiting. “Thank you for today. Even though I would like for you to join me tonight, I think I need to be on my own tonight.” Bette says, hoping Tina would understand.

“Off course Bette. I don’t mind. I could use a little solitude myself tonight.” Tina says as she walks back towards Bette.  She puts her arms around Bette’s waist. “I know we have a long way to go. I won’t pressure you to anything you’re not ready for. That we are ready for. But I will continue telling you that I love you.” Tina says with a soft smile as she leans in for a sweet kiss.

“I love you too. I know I’ve asked you to stay several times, and I love it. I love it when you hold me during the night. I feel so safe then. The safest I’ve ever felt is when you hold me.” Bette replies as she leans in for another kiss. The kiss continues for a minute, until Tina pulls out a little.

“I love you Bette. Sweet dreams.” Tina whispers and leans in and kiss her one last time before she walks out of the room and closes the door behind her. She had to admit to herself that she had hoped that she could stay with Bette tonight. They’d had such a great day together the whole family. But she understood Bette’s need to be alone also. She had known all these years that they’ve been apart that Bette was still in love with her. That she was Bette’s true love. She had to figure out what changed or her, what made me walk away? She asks herself while she’s brushing her teeth. A few minutes later, she’s in bed, she took out her laptop to check her emails before she fell asleep. She hadn’t checked those in a few days. There were a few issues that she’d been sent, so she quickly replied to those and then closed the laptop and laid down to sleep. Suddenly her mobile pings for an incoming text. “This late?” She says out loud. She smiles when she sees that it is a text from Bette downstairs.