“Damn, how much for renting that for two days?” She asked first.

“Well, I didn’t exactly go for the cheapest car… but I need comfort when I drive. It’s a little above average.” Bette says, hoping Tina would let it go.

“How much Bette?” Tina asked again.

“950 dollars.” Bette says. “But look at it. It’s a beauty.” Bette added.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a beautiful car. Do you always spend more than you need on stuff just because it looks better, when the more ‘ugly’ car or things works just as perfect?” Tina asks with her hands on her hips.

“Well, yeah, I’ve been known to do that.” Bette admits.

“Okay, but that has to stop. When we move in together we’re gonna set some ground rules.” Tina says firmly.

“Okay….?” Bette says silently.

“Yeah.” Tina replies.

“So, you want to move in together?” Bette asks.

“Off course I do, but not yet. I want to be on my own for a while.” Tina says as she walks inside again.

Bette is suddenly panickstricken. She doesn’t move. ‘what did she mean by that?’ She thinks.

When Bette doesn’t follow Tina inside, she walks back out and sees the panic in Bette’s face.

“Babe?” She says as she walks up in front of her. “I didn’t mean alone, alone. I just meant that I want to live alone for now, but off course I want you over here often. But I feel like I need to get my autonomy back.” Tina explains.

“Oh okay. I suddenly thought you wanted to be alone and not see me for a while.” Bette says.

“No, never.” Tina says as she leans in for a kiss.

“Oh good.” Bette whispers, releasing her breath.

Tina takes her hand and pulls her with her inside.

“But you do understand don’t you?” Tina says once they get inside.

“I do.” Bette replies. “It was just a moment.” Bette says with a soft smile.

“Good.” Tina says.

***

The new little family was well on their way down to Chapel Hill. They’ve been driving for about 5 hours now. Tina had packed a picnic basket that they had eaten on a trucker stop along the way. Bette had wanted to just make it easy and stop at diners during the drive down, but Tina insisted on making the basket, saving money. Also there Bette had tried to get Tina to give in but, she wouldn’t.

“Why can’t we stop at the diners?” Bette had asked.

“Bette, you use way too much money on unnecessary stuff. The food I’ve prepared is just as good as the one we would get in a diner. Besides, it’s more romantic and family-ish to have a picnic.” Tina had answered.

“Family-ish?” Bette asked curiously.

It was time for a stop again and Bette turned off to a truck stop and parked the car beside a picnic table. They exited the car and continued the conversation as they laid everything out on the table.

“Yeah, we’re a family now, or we will be as we move along. I would only hope that we would do stuff together, like take picnics in the park, take small day trips to god knows where, but that we would do stuff together, and not let ourselves get into a boring kind of existence along side each other.” Tina says. “You know?” She adds.

“I know, and I see what you mean. Tina this is all new to me, being in a relationship where the other part loves me back. Previous relationships has kind of made me feel less valued in a way. I’ve given my heart to the relationships only to have it stumped on time and time again. All the effort I made was just pushed away or not appreciated at all and as time moved along, I guess I just stopped caring. I just started to not care about certain things and that evolved to other things and so the ball started rolling. I need time to get myself back to the way I was before and with your help I’m certain I will… I hope that didn’t put you off.” Bette says.

“No, it didn’t. It’s new for me too Bette. We’ll embark on this journey together and if we help each other, support each other and don’t forget each other, we’ll be okay, well more than okay, we’ll be great.” Tina says as she leans in for a kiss.

“Yeah, great.” Bette agrees and kisses her back.