Tina cut her off, her hand resting on Bette’s. “Bette, I trust you,” she said quietly. “I know Nyah is important to your work. She’s a part of your life now, and that’s fine. But I also need you to know something. I need to trust us too. No one else comes between what we have. I don’t want to worry about something that’s not there.”

Bette’s chest tightened with both relief and guilt. “It’s not like that, Tina. It never has been. I’m not interested in anyone but you. I just… sometimes, I get caught up in the weight of everything. The job. The stress of it all. But that doesn’t mean… I’m not here with you or that I’m not all in.”

Tina looked at her, her eyes softening, searching for the truth in Bette’s face. “I know you are, Bette. Let’s keep talking, keep checking in with each other. Because, if we don’t… then we’ll lose everything.”

Bette nodded, squeezing Tina’s hand. “I’ll do better, Tina. I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”

Tina took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned in closer, kissing Bette’s cheek gently. “Good. I need you, Bette. And Angelica does too.”

Bette smiled, the weight of their conversation easing a little.

There was a comfortable silence between them, one that felt natural, unforced. Then Tina reached for the honey again, dipping her finger in just slightly before bringing it to her lips. She smiled, a quiet amusement in her eyes. “You ever notice how honey always seems to bring us together?”

Bette tilted her head, watching her. “Our love elixir?” she mused, a teasing edge in her voice, but there was something thoughtful beneath it.

Tina chuckled softly. “Maybe,” she admitted. “It was honey that morning after our first night together… and now here we are again.” She looked at Bette, her expression soft. “Maybe the universe is trying to remind us of something.”

Bette reached out, gently wiping a drop of honey from Tina’s lip with her thumb, letting her fingers linger for just a second longer than necessary. “That some things are worth savouring?” she suggested.

Tina held her gaze, warmth passing between them. “Exactly.”

***

By late morning, they found themselves in the animal enclosures, checking on the baby rhino that had been rescued only days ago. Angelica rested in Bette’s arms, sleepily sucking on her fingers. The rhino was still weak but standing with more confidence today, nuzzling the bottle offered by Jonas.

“He’s doing better,” Bette murmured, shifting Angelica slightly against her hip.

Tina stood beside her, arms crossed loosely, watching the scene unfold. “He’s so small, still.”

Bette nodded, glancing at Tina. “Some things just take time.”

Tina looked back at her then, and for a brief moment, there was something unspoken between them. A recognition. A quiet understanding that they, too, would heal, slowly, but surely.

As the baby rhino wobbled forward, searching for more milk, Angelica let out a tiny squeal of delight, kicking her feet against Bette’s side. Tina laughed, reaching out to stroke their daughter’s back, her hand brushing Bette’s in the process.