Edwin smiled. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart. For being brave.”

“I should have been brave a long time ago.”

“You’re being brave now,” Lauren said. “That’s what matters.”

“Are you upset? About us moving so far away?”

“Of course we’re upset,” Lauren said. “We’re going to miss you both terribly. But Tina, we want you to be happy. We want you to find love.”

“We always hoped you and Bette would figure it out,” Edwin added. “Even when you were teenagers.”

“You did?”

Lauren smiled. “Honey, it was obvious to everyone but the two of you. The way you looked at each other, the way you lit up when she walked in the room…”

“I was that obvious?”

“You were both that obvious. I remember the night you both were getting ready for Prom…”

Flashback – Tina’s Bedroom, 16 years ago Prom Night

Lauren was walking down the hallway when she heard laughter coming from Tina’s room. The door was slightly ajar, and she could see Tina standing behind Bette, who was seated at the vanity mirror.

“Hold still,” Tina said softly, a makeup brush in her hand. “I’m almost done with your eyeshadow.”

“You don’t have to do this, T. I could have just done it myself.”

“Are you kidding? This is the fun part. Besides, you have the most beautiful skin. You barely need any makeup at all.”

Lauren watched as Bette’s eyes met Tina’s in the mirror, something tender and unspoken passing between them.

“You’re just saying that,” Bette said quietly.

“I never just say anything.” Tina’s voice was gentle as she continued working. “You’re naturally gorgeous, Bette. Sarah is so lucky to have you and should be proud to call you her girlfriend.”

Bette’s gaze intensified as she looked at Tina through the mirror. “You say that like you really mean it.”

Tina’s hand stilled, the mascara wand hovering near Bette’s eyelashes. “I do mean it.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Well,” Bette said, her voice warm, “Josh is extremely lucky to have my beautiful best friend as his date tonight.”

Tina chuckled, but Lauren caught her turning away from the mirror for a moment, and in that brief instant, she saw a flash of sadness cross her daughter’s face before Tina composed herself and reached for the lip gloss.

“Well then,” Tina said, turning back around with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “let’s hope they both know how lucky they are to have two gorgeous girls by their sides tonight.”

As Tina carefully applied the lip gloss, Bette reached up and gently grabbed her hand, stilling her movements.

“I’m lucky to have you,” Bette said softly, her eyes never leaving Tina’s face.

“Of course,” Tina replied, her smile becoming more genuine but carefully casual. “We’re best friends.”

Lauren noticed how Bette’s smile faltered slightly at those words, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features as Tina turned away to get the hand mirror.

“There,” Tina said, holding up the mirror for Bette to see her reflection. “Perfection.”

Lauren quietly moved away from the door, her heart aching for both girls. They were both so young, so scared, so completely in love with each other and too afraid to admit it. Even on prom night, with their dates waiting downstairs, all they could see was each other

(End Flashback)

“I always knew,” Lauren said softly, coming back to the present. “I always knew you both felt more than friendship. I just hoped you’d figure it out before you both got hurt.”

“We got hurt anyway.”

“But now you have a chance to fix it. To be brave enough to try again.”

“I hope so,” Tina said. “I really hope so.”

“Then make it happen,” Edwin said firmly. “Show her that you’re worth the risk.”

“I’m going to try. As soon as this legal mess is over, I’m going to New York, and I’m going to fight for her.”

“Good,” Lauren said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “It’s about time.”

As they sat there, three generations of love and support, Tina felt more certain than ever that she was making the right choice.

She was going to New York.

She was going to fight for Bette.

And this time, she wasn’t going to let fear win.