Bette-

Five years ago my career was on the up and up, finally becoming something I was comfortable with. It took me years to carve nothing into a high profile career. Trust me when I say its taken a lot of heart break, many lost relationships, and a whole lot of patience to become the esteemed art director I am today.
I always thought that I had art down to a t, good art anyway. I lived it, loved it, breathed it, but it still wasnt enough. There were so many unnecessary sacrifices I made.
After Tina finally forgave me years ago I realised something about artists that I hadnt realised before. Realised something about life that I didnt know before. The trick is to paint what you know and not what you see. And that is my motto, my mantra.
I still remember our holiday in Barbados like it was just yesterday. It could be because we go back there so often, but the hopeless romantic inside of me likes to believe that its so memorable because it was our fresh start.
I continue to work at my relationship and no matter what my career comes second. Its benefited me remarkably. I find it very satisfying giving Franklin orders now that I own a stake in the art house.
Tina has become more beautiful with age. I love her in ways that I didnt know where capable. She is my heart and my soul and I know without a doubt that I could not live without her. Our relationship now is so much more equal. I look after Tina, and Tina looks after me.
Im so proud of her. She literally runs the youth house, and you should see how amazing she is with the kids. T was made to be somebodys mummy. She just has that magic touch. She talks to them and you can see in their eyes how grateful they all are.
I still cannot believe that its been twelve years. I lie in bed after weve made love and its like that day we met at my gallery opening all over again. Theres still that passion and amazement and love.
Nobody is perfect though and weve remained to have our ups and downs. Tinas difficulty in getting pregnant being the hardest down. My problems in securing the gallery, being another. I almost thought we were going to lose the house at one point. But we didnt and now money just isnt even an issue any longer.
Im happy, and I know without a doubt that T is too.

Tina-

Five years ago everything I thought I knew turned out to be a lie. Everything I thought I liked about myself turned out to be the things I hated most. I had allowed myself to become trapped. Id allowed Bette to become trapped.
Sometimes when things get really bad I still think of Candace, but now I can think her name without flinching. Ive learnt that its just ridiculous to give her that much power. I stuck to the bargain I have with myself, I have never brought Candace up infront of Bette and I never will. I buried the past a long time ago. Plus a part of me feels like I should send Candace a gift basket for waking Bette up. It put everything in perspective, and Bette and I have a much better relationship because of it.
After our holiday I had been expecting Bette to slowly slip back into normality, but Bette has changed. She is still surprising me even now.
I love her so much, and Ive loved her for so long that I just couldnt imagine being with anybody else. Bette has my heart and that is why I forgave her.
Bettes gallery is doing so well, and my youth house has become a home to so many lost teenagers. Bette actually employed some of the kids from my youth house to work in the gallery, and I managed to convince Marina and Alice to take some of them on aswell.
Ive been more than happy working at the youth house, and even though it has made me feel like Ive actually done something worthwhile, actually had a purpose, I feel like its time I eased myself out of it. I work with a strong team who are more than capable of taking over for me while I start my family.
I want to make babies with Bette. I want us to raise beautiful children. I want to hear first words, and see first steps, and watch first days at school and high school. I want Bette and I to grow old together.