“Yea baby, Porter is in the building. Let’s go guys.”  They all got up leaving Tina to look at her legs, which had ceased working.

Peggy broke the hug and held onto Bette’s arms gazing at her with a mother’s love.

“My dear, you’re home!  Look at you.  You look absolutely amazing.  I’m so happy to have you home.”

“Oh Pegs, I’m happy to be home.  You look better than ever.  I missed you.”  Bette’s eyes watered with true emotion. Peggy felt her own tears threatening.

“Now, now, none of that.  This is a celebration.  We’re here to eat, drink and enjoy the fact that you are home.  Come on, everyone wants a piece of you sweetheart; go mingle with your friends.  We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Go on now.” In a un-Peabody way, Peggy yelled out, “She’s home everyone!”

“Pegs, you didn’t have to do this you know.  I don’t need a party to know how much you love me.”

“Now Elizabeth Porter, I insist you go and have fun.  I will not have you make my mascara run at this party.  I just won’t have it.”  She gently pushed Bette toward the small crowd that had gathered to have their turn to greet her.

As she walked toward them she turned toward Peggy.  “Love you Pegs,” she said quietly but just loud enough for Peggy to hear.  The older woman smiled.  “My girl is home,” she said to Maggie. 

The party was in full swing after about forty minutes Bette had managed to greet most of the people in the room. Alice, Shane, and Dana were all on queue to have their turn. Tina had purposely stayed at her table and sipped her drink trying to get her trembling hands under control.  She had avoided looking directly at her for fear of how she would react.  She could hear her friends talking to her but still could not quite make out the voice of the soft-spoken brunette.  She took one last gulp of her liquid courage and stood up straightening out her black cocktail dress.  It was short enough to show her gorgeous legs and low cut enough to show off all her other assets.  She braced herself before she turned to where she knew Bette was standing.  The moment that she had been waiting for was finally here.  Bette was within a few feet of her.  Her heart started pumping as she tried to calm herself down.  What is the big deal she thought?  It’s not like they didn’t know each other.  For crap’s sake they had grown up together on the grounds of the estate.  Sure Helena and Bette were older and she often felt like she was just some little kid that was always hanging around but that was no longer the case.  She was all grown up. They were adults; with jobs and …Shit I think I’m going to pass out. 

Suddenly, there it was, the laugh.  It was a sound that was uniquely Bette Porter.  That laugh could make anyone go weak in the knees.  Tina turned slowly as Bette reached her table with the girls standing behind them.  Bette took in the sight before her.  Her mouth opened slightly as she began her inventory of the beautiful blonde.  Tina could feel the brunette’s eyes on her body.  She started to blush and felt her skin start to boil. 

“Tina?”