“You smell good,” Bette remembered Tina saying, as she kept Bette from breaking their embrace.  This memory brought a huge grin to Bette’s face as she again buried her face in Tina’s hair, pressing even closer to her sleeping wife.  Bette would never forget the look on Tina’s face when they finally, slowly and reluctantly stepped out of their hug.  It was a look that Bette had thought she would never see again.  It was a look of absolute, unconditional love.  But, something was still missing from that familiar gaze.  Bette could see that Tina still did not completely trust her with her heart, to keep it safe and protected as Bette had done for the seven years before. 

Bette was completely stunned when Tina leaned in to kiss her.  Before she knew what had happened, Tina had led her to the bedroom where they made love for what seemed like forever and only a second.  Bette was so shaken by the experience that she went running right to Dan Foxworthy’s office.  Another huge smile spread across Bette’s face, prompting her to plant a soft kiss on the back of Tina’s neck.  Tina moaned again, and stirred just a little, but still did not wake up.  That was okay with Bette.  She was perfectly at peace, lying next to her Tee, in their bed.  Bette needed to replay these memories over and over, both the good and bad.  It was the only way she knew to make sure she never took Tina for granted again, and to make sure her mistakes would not be repeated.

Bette’s mind drifted back to their afternoon together at Tina’s apartment.  It was that evening in Dan Foxworthy’s office when Bette started thinking that things were looking up.  Still, she was reluctant to get her hopes up.  When she next saw Tee, she was striking.  They couldn’t take their eyes off of each other, even as that Dragon and Monster, Helena, was dragging Tina away from Bette.  The look in Tina’s expressive hazel eyes as Helena led her away told her everything Bette needed to know.  That she still loved Bette, and would be home soon.  Bette brimmed with pride watching her Tee called up to accept her award.  Then the phone call came.  Bette could barely remember the days that followed that call.