“I’ll help you. But I have conditions.” Bette spoke up

“Anything.” The desperatation palpable in Tina’s voice

“First, you get your shit together. You get up, you shower, you eat, and you take care of Carson. That little boy needs his mother, and right now, you’re failing him.”

Tina nodded, shame washing over her face. “You’re right. I’ve been selfish.”

“Second, I’m not the same person I was ten years ago either, Tina. I’ve built a life in New York. I have a career, responsibilities. I can’t just drop everything and pretend like nothing happened. I don’t know what relationship I want with you if at all. There’s too much hurt and pain here”. Bette says pointing at her heart

“I understand.” Tina said her heart breaking even more knowing she was the reason she completely ruined the best thing she ever had in her life. Deep down she knew Bette was in love with her but she ignored it. If she hadn’t of been so scared of facing her own feelings as well she wouldn’t have gone running to Darren and breaking the woman she loved most in the world. She knew she didn’t deserve Bette. Bette was too good for her but she had to try. She had to try repairing their friendship first and maybe that love would grow along the way.

“Third, you need to be honest with me. About everything. About Darren, about what happened in your marriage, No more lies, no more pretending. No more running”

“I can do that.”

“And fourth…” Bette paused, her voice softening. “You need to forgive yourself. For all of it. Because if you don’t, you’ll never be able to move forward.”

Tina reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing against Bette’s hand. “Will you stay? While I figure this out?”

Bette looked down at their hands, at the familiar touch she’d missed more than she’d ever admitted and she didn’t pull away. “I’ll stay for a week. That’s all I can promise right now.”

“A week is more than I deserve.”

“No,” Bette said, squeezing her hand gently. “A week is exactly what you need to prove to me that you’re serious about coming back to your son, to your life. Show me that my being here was what you needed. Otherwise I came in vain”

For the first time in days, Tina smiled. It was small and fragile, but it was real. “I will. I won’t waste it.”

“Good. Now come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. Your son is worried about you, and Lauren’s probably cooking enough food to feed an army.”

As Tina slowly got out of bed, Bette felt something shift inside her chest. It wasn’t forgiveness, not yet. But it was as if some of the pain had subsided. And for now, that was enough.