IS THIS LOVE
CHAPTER 83
Bette cursed herself as she raced around the house – she totally blamed her father. He had been the one who had started them out on beer and shots meaning that by 9pm they had both been roaring drunk and it had been the most logical thing to help him home and then have a few brandies with him and her mother before crashing out in her old room. Which would have been fine had today not been her anniversary with Tina. which was why when she had woken up at 7am with a crashing hangover she had not rolled over and gone back to sleep as much as she had wanted to. Instead she had somehow dragged herself up and taken a cab back to her apartment. She was desperately trying to shake off her hangover so she could go and see Tina and tell her how much she loved her and how her life had changed for the best in the six months since they had become lovers.
So far this was not going according to plan – especially as Bette had promised Tina that they would wake up together on this special day. So she had broken her promise to her partner at the worst possible time. She was furious with herself for being so weak – but a hangover was what she always got when she went out with her father. Bette was just trying to force a coffee down her throat when the door bell sounded. She split the coffee on her white blouse and cursed trying to rub the stain off while knowing that she would have to change her blouse – thus making her later still to reach Tina.
“Tina ! “
“Bette “
Bette stared – damn and blast – she looked a mess and felt even worse –this was NOT supposed to happen.
“Hi”
“Hello “
Tina couldn’t remember the last time Bette looked as rough as she did at the moment. She had been cross the night before when it had become obvious that Bette was not going to come over for supper and spend the night with her. Rosemary had called her at 10pm to give her chapter and verse about her drunken family. She had even sent Tina a photograph of Melvin and Bette both utterly drunk. It had made Tina laugh until she realised the state Bette would be in on their anniversary. Bette had been talking a lot about their six month anniversary – it was the first anniversary they would have as a couple and that was why it mattered. Tina knew Bette well enough to know that she would be feeling wretched and not just because of the hangover. So she had decided to go over and see the brunette and give her some special TLC. It was just as well they were both taking the rest of the week off – Bette was in no state to do much.
“Can I come in ?” Tina asked
“What ? on eh – sure – sorry “
Tina picked up the holdall she had brought with her and walked inside.
“You don’t look well- are you coming down with something ?”
Tina asked wondering if Bette would try and cover up her drunken evening with her father
“I have the worst hangover in the history of the universe “
“Bad ?”
“Worse than bad – its horrendous “
“Poor babe “
“Ugh “
Tina closed the door and dropped the lock – they weren’t going to be needing the outside world the way Bette was looking. Tina saw the coffee stain on Bette’s blouse
“Why don’t you get changed babe “
“Eh ?”
“Coffee ?”
Bette looked down – she didn’t even have the strength to swear – she just looked at it dumbly. She looked back at Tina
“I am sorry “
“Its okay – we will blame Melvin “
“Good idea “
“Go and get changed – just put something casual on eh – something that you cannot mess up. “
“I wanted to take you out “
“Bette – I am not sure that you can walk without assistance at the moment – lets just hang out here this morning. See how you feel this afternoon – or tomorrow – we have the rest of the week and all of the weekend to do what we want “
Bette nodded.
“You up to eating something ?”
“Not sure “
“Okay – I will get us some juice “
Bette nodded again and went upstairs. Tina smiled – Bette was cute when she was ill. There was something so helpless about her that really made Tina realise how maternal she could get about her partner.
When Bette came downstairs 20 minutes later she did look a little bit better. She was wearing baggy dark grey jogging trousers and a black tee-shirt. Tina was in the main living room finding some music for them to listen to.
“How do you feel ?”
“Better – I threw up “
“Well its better to get rid of it than keep it in your stomach making you sick”
Bette nodded
Tina finished putting the CD’s in the player, pressed play and turned to face her lover. Bette did look a little better but still sheepish
“I am going to have words with your father “
“I am sorry “
“Its okay its good for you to go crazy now and again “
“I said that I wouldn’t “
“Yeah but you did – guess what you are human and not super controlled like you are most of the time “Tina put her hands on Bette’s hips and pulled her closer. She brushed her hair back behind her ears and looked at her for several minutes
“I love you “ she said gently touching Bette’s face “I love you very much Bette “
“I love you “ Bette replied “I am sorry for messing this up”
“You haven’t messed this up – I would have loved to wake up with you this morning but its no big deal. We wake up together most mornings and tonight we will get into the same bed and that is a thrill that hasn’t abated in 6 months “
“It hasn’t ?” Bette smiled for the first time
“No – you are a dream come true. I can’t believe how lucky I am. I can forgive you a lot of drunken nights with your father given the perfect six months you have given me. I did not know that ANYTHING could feel this right “
Bette swallowed “ Wow “
“I mean it – I love you and I know what you and I have is something very special. Its just going to get better”
“You are amazing “ Bette said “ I just love to be with you “
“Regardless of how hung-over you look today you are still the most fuck-able woman in the world. I cannot believe how often I simply HAVE to have you “ Its awesome our sex life is wonderful – thank you “
The flattery was certainly making Bette feel better. She pulled Tina into a hug “You have changed my life – thank you Ti “
Tina eased away first and look another look at Bette “
“You aren’t going to throw up again are you ?”
“No – my stomach has settled down – I had chilli in the sports bar “
“You want something to make you feel better ?”
“Yes “
Tina kissed Bette on the lips. The kiss was tender and full of love. Bette sighed – that was GOOD. She returned the kiss – Tina had been the best kisser from the very first kiss – nothing had happened to change that opinion. When Bette ended the kiss she smiled at Tina
“Thank you “
“No problem – do you want to sit down ?”
“I would rather lie down “
“Not until I am certain you are not going to throw up again “
Bette chuckled “That would be a passion killer – you are right – lets just relax “
“We’ve got four days together “
“I know – isn’t that going to be awesome ?”
“It is – so we don’t have to tear off one another’s clothes straight away”
Tina led Bette to the sofa and they flopped down together. Bette rested her head against Tina’s shoulder
“You just rest honey “
“Thanks – I will “
Tina smiled as she stroked Bette’s long dark curls. This felt right – utterly right. At first she had been afraid that the intensity of their initial passion would burn out. But it hadn’t – it had settled into a deep and meaningful love affair. After all the hurt and betrayal Tina had endured in the past – she trusted Bette. She simply trusted Bette – she had no reason to not trust her. Tina lost herself reliving the last six months – there had been difficult times but most of all her memories were all about love.
“What are you thinking about ?” Bette asked after a few minutes
“Us – the last six months “
“What stands out ?”
“The little moments – the simple things – cuddling up watching movies, cooking together, you meeting me from work and the way you just smile when you see me “
“Nothing bad ?”
“Well you are stubborn and proud and you go off the handle for no obvious reason “
“Thanks “
“But that’s who you are – I never want to change you – yes you do things that drive me freaking crazy but “ Tina sighed “The thing that I have learnt in the last six months is that I just have to accept you as you are – for all the irritations and all the times you wake me up in the middle of the night and all the times you dig your heels in. For all that – you are wonderful – kind and gentle and so loving. Don’t change Porter “
“I won’t “
“And do I annoy you ?” Tina asked grinning
“No – never “
“And did I add that you are a hopeless liar ?”
Bette snorted and looked up and kissed Tina on the lips
“You taste good “
“So do you “
Bette closed her eyes again and Tina eased her round so she was lying on the sofa. It took about five minutes but Bette soon fell asleep. Tina stayed and held Bette until someone tapped on the front door. Tina was careful to ease away from Bette so she didn’t disturb her. She went to the front door – she was surprised to see Helena standing on the step
“Hello “
“Hi – happy six month anniversary “
“Thank you – come in “
“You two busy ?” Helena asked grinning
“Bette went out with her dad last night “
“Ouch – I have been out with the two of them before and while its not as bad as going out with my mother it comes close “
“I can believe it “
Helena stepped into the house and she looked round the door at Bette who was asleep. She laughed and followed Tina into the kitchen
“Want a coffee ?”
“I don’t have time – I just wanted to see you really “
“Yes ?”
“Has my mother spoken to you about your mom and I ?”
“She came by the other day with a piece of cake – we talked a bit about the grant proposals but I mentioned that we had dinner with the two of you “
“Thanks for trying to bat for us “
“I am not sure if she will think about what I said but I did back the two of you “
“Thanks for the effort – what did you say ?”
“Simple – I said that the two of you care for one another and that while she doesn’t have to embrace the relationship she might like to try a little diplomacy “
“Did you have to give her a dictionary so she could look the word up ?”