Bette slid off the bed and slowly walked up to Tina and took her in her arms. Their naked skin allowing them to connect in a manner that touched their souls. “There is something I should tell you. I guess I really didn’t want to admit it to anyone especially myself.” Bette paused as she stepped back and looked sadly into Tina’s eyes. “I gave up. I let you go, because that is what you wanted. I didn’t want to believe our story was over, but I honestly never thought you would find your way back to me,” she said looking down at their hands that were entwined. “All those weeks in therapy. All the discussions about me and us. There has just been so much. But…” Bette hesitated not sure if she should continue, but the look in Tina’s eyes encouraged her. “I have learned there is no simple love story. If it was simple, it wouldn’t be love. If it’s truly love, the deep real soul wrenching when it’s gone kind of love, it’ll be complicated.”

Tina smiled, “We are definitely complicated.” She leaned in and kissed Bette. The kind of kiss that says I’ll love you forever.

Bette pulled from the kiss slowly and held Tina close, answering the kiss with the connection of their bodies. “We had better get downstairs.” Bette said into Tina’s ear. Tina shook her head and gave Bette one last squeeze and then let her go with a smile.

A few hours later, the Porter-Kennards were walking in from outside after saying good-bye to their framily. The Christmas meal had been completed with Alice, Nat and Shane present. The laughs were plentiful and the rituals of past had been renewed.

“That was fun.” Angie said as she shut the door. “I’m gonna go call Cheryl. She just got back in town and we are making plans for New Years.”

Tina saw Bette raise an eyebrow. She put her arm around Bette’s waist and pulled her towards the living room. Bette gave Tina a thin smile and rolled her eyes giving into Tina’s unspoken words of let it alone for now.