Mary then looked at Bette and Tina and nodded as if she understood. She thought about Paris and Bette and wondered if they had someone in their lives like that. Someday, she would ask them.

Dinner was excellent and the company was good. Marilyn and Mary started what was a new friendship. Marilyn invited Mary to come stay in with her if she was ever in New York City. She would show her the town if she wanted. Even though Marilyn was a little younger, Mary liked her. She did not put on “airs” as Mary said.

Bette and Tina invited Marilyn to come for a couple of days during the holidays when in the area. There would be plenty of food and they would really love to see her from time to time.

The driver had the car at the door when summoned. Marilyn picked up the tab and refused Bette’s offer to pay. Marilyn was very happy with the apartment and the deal and she had already made a deal with Helena on the other apartment. She was financially well off and not very much in the way of expenses. She hoped to see Bette and Tina and Daniel more often once she had a home in Oregon. She planned to spend six months on the west coast and six months on the east coast.

The family thank Marilyn for the delightful evening and went up to the apartment. They decided to have some tea and then retire to their bedrooms. Bette told them to sleep in that they would be going out for the day and told them the plans. Metropolitan Art Museum, then lunch and a little time in the park and then back to the apartment for a snack and a nap then the theatre and then a late dinner. Friday would be decided the next day. But Bette reminded them that it would be an early to bed on Friday evening as they needed to get up about 3:00 am.

Everyone was happy with the upcoming day. They all kissed Bette and Tina goodnight and then went to their bedrooms. Bette and Tina folded the last load of clothes and took them to their room and put them away. They then went through their night time routines and went to bed. They were going to be a little later than they had the previous nights. But they knew they would be able to sleep late as well.

Bette and Tina crawled into their fresh clean bed nude as usual. Bette held Tina close and began to talk.

Bette: You know, lately, I have just begun to realize how incredibly lucky I am. I have you. I have two really great kids, thanks to you. I have found my mom and my sister which I didn’t know even existed. We still have all our friends and they seem to have settled into happy loving lives. We are financially secure and we are now beginning new careers we always wanted but never really had the opportunity to pursue. How much luckier can we get?

Tina:  Well, a lot of our luck is the result of you and I working together to produce those results. A lot has to do with the type people we are. And some of it is purely because you and I found each other and have done the work to be the people we want to be and to do it together. None of this has been a slam dunk Bette. We had to work for it. We had to commit to each other and mean it. And you know, we may have had our problems, but without those problems, we would not be the people we are today. And for that I am thankful. I love you, Bette Porter. What would my life be without you?

Bette:  I love you. Thank you for hanging in there with me. Now it’s on the next adventure.

Tina:  Goodnight sweetheart… sleep well.

Bette: Goodnight, Tee… you sleep well, too.

They snuggled into each other and then fell asleep.