Tina smiled seeing her girlfriend smile. “Did something happen?” she asked curiously.

“No, it’s just… on the way home, I was thinking about how totally awesome it is to come home to you and know I don’t have to go back to my dorm. Not that I didn’t like Louise, but I like you a whole lot more.”

“That’s good then, cause I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?” Bette asked as she put her stuff away. Tina motioned to the couch and Bette sat down, feeling a bit of dread.

Tina took a deep breath. “I sent my mom an e-mail about us a while ago. I didn’t call her because then she would want me to explain everything on the phone. She’s quite the open-minded person, but I don’t exactly know how she’d take me declaring my love to a student and making this big move for said student. I wanted her to be able to process everything before she could react. Anyone, she mailed me back to say that she had been very surprised and bit sceptic when she had read it at first, but when she had got back to it again and again she noticed how strong this love was just by the way I desribed it, by the words I used. Now, here comes the big thing. She invited us to come over for Thanksgiving and spend the weekend there.”

Bette was silent and Tina was afraid that she’d go back to her old self for a moment – panicky and insecure about meeting The Mother. The silence continued and Bette looked deep in thought, Tina was fidgeting in her seat.

Bette exhaled loudly. “Okay. Your mom. She knows I am sleeping with her daughter?”

“Yes.”

“The baby she gave birth to, the girl she protected with every part of her being, her own flesh and blood?”

“Yes.”

“And she’s okay with me having been your student?”

“Yes.”

“She knows that we practically live together and now actually do?”

“Yes.”

“And she doesn’t mind?”

“Not a bit – not anymore. She’ll welcome you with open arms. You make her daughter, the baby she gave birth to, the girl she protected with every part of her being, her own flesh and blood incredibly happy, like she’s never been before.”

“Okay then. Let’s do that.”

Tina jumped up and wrapped her arms around Bette. “Thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll get along so well!”

Bette smiled and pressed her lips on Tina’s cheeks. “Anything that makes you happy, honey.”