A month had passed since the William Allard opening at the Bette Porter gallery. The gallery had gone from strength to strength, so much so that Bette had complete creative control and was able to pick and choose her own exhibitions. Bette kept telling Tina, she was her good luck charm, because ever since they had met, Bettes gallery had just taken off.

It was Saturday morning and Tina was in the back yard doing some light gardening, relaxing. Bette had gone into the gallery for the morning, but assured Tina she would be home by noon, with lunch, so they could spend the day together.

Tina and Sarahs relationship had progressed also over the last month. They had become like real sisters, they were very comfortable discussing anything really, with each other and found they had a lot in common. Sarah had become the big sister Tina had always wanted, and Sarah felt the same way!

It looked as if Sarah was sticking around for a while, too. Sarah and Shane were seeing each other, taking it one day at a time, neither one really knowing what was going on between them, but both liking it. They came to a mutual understanding that they would not sleep with other people until they explored this connection that existed between them!


At about 11am Tina was sitting on the lounge chair out back, taking a breather, when a loud knocking at the front door startled her. She got up, went inside and answered the door. Surprisingly finding Sarah standing in front of her, with a lost look on her face. Tina pulled Sarah in for a light hug, Hey siswhat are you doing here? (jokingly) I thought Shane didnt get up till after noon!

Sarah: (smiling at Tinas humor, rolling her eyes) Shane had a few appointments this morning so weve been up for hours actually!!

Sarah: (seriously) Are you busy Tina? I could goI just wanted to have a chat? Is that ok?

Tina: (grabbing Sarahs hand pulling her inside) Of course you dont even have to ask silly!!

Tina: Ill grab some juice and meet you out back. Its a beautiful day we shouldnt waste it! You want some?

Sarah: Yeah, thanks.

Tina grabbed two glasses of juice and wandered back outside, finding Sarah sitting on one of the lounge chairs; handing a glass to Sarah and sitting back down comfortably on the other chair, Ok Sarah. Im all ears.

Sarah: (nervously) Well its about Shane.. Sarahs voice trailed off.

Tina: (grinning) Well I kind of figured that. go on?

Sarah: (apprehensively) Tina, how do you know?..about love? How do you know if.I dont think Ive ever been in love before?.but I can see you are just by looking at you and Bette together, I can see.So how do you know (Sarah took a big breath) if you are in love?

Tina: (looking Sarah in the eyes, seeing her inner turmoil) Youll feel it sis…… right here!!! (placing the palm of her hand over her heart) .Do you think youre in love with Shane?

Sarah: (dejectedly) I dont know Tina..she is the only woman Ive ever been with.. But shes amazing!! Im so scared that she doesnt feel the same way? I dont want to stuff this up?

Tina: (looked Sarah in the eyes)Listen to me Sarah!! Ive known Shane for quite a while now. Every night she would to take home a different girl. Now you both have agreed to explore this connection you haveyour words, not mine… and so Shane is not sleeping with anyone else, only with you!!!!

Sarah: (thoughtfully) Yep, thats right!

Tina: (advisedly) Well sis. I think Shane at least thinks this relationship you have going is worth a shot or else she wouldnt give up her single ways, now would she?

Sarah: (looking at Tina, thinking about what she had just said, slowly grinning) Youre probably right, and well.Shane didnt get her reputation for nothing you knowbest ***** Ive ever had, by far!!!!.But how would I know, I dont really have any other experience to compare with aye?.(seriously) But I do know we have something much deeper than just *****. We get each other, and that is a rare thing.

Tina: (sincerely) Sarah, sounds to me, that you have some thinking to do?.do it with your heart though, and not your mind ok, and talk to Shane.She is a sweetie and shell understand if youre honest with her!!Be careful with the l word but, only say it if you mean it!!! I wouldn’t want either of you to get hurt!


Sarah pondered Tinas advice, (inquisitively) Tina. How about you and Bette? We all know you two are in love but what about the future?Do you want to like, get married one day and have a family?. Coz I know how important your family is to you?

Bette arrived home from the gallery a little early, walking through the front door wanting to surprise Tina. She heard familiar voices out back and was about to walk out and greet Tina when she overheard Tina and Sarahs conversation, she stopped dead in her tracks and curiously listened.

Tina: Sarah, Bette is already my family..God I dont want to get married.I dont need a piece of paper to define our relationship.I dont even think thats something Bette would want anywayI dont want to push her into anything like that. Im in love with Bette..I will take her any way I can get herand for as long as I can get her. no more no less

Sarah: (realizing just how much her sister loves Bette) Really??

Tina: (seriously) Yes really.Sure, I want to have my own family one day, in quite a few years!!..And if that is something we would want together, Bette and me thatd be great, but if she doesnt well I guess I wont.We havent discussed that far yet, but you sometimes got to make sacrifices for the one you love. Besides weve only been a couple for less than a year and I wouldnt want to scare Bette with talk of kids this early on!!

Tina paused and her mind wandered for a moment, I couldnt imagine my life without her, Sarah What good is it to bring a child into this world anyway without sharing it with the one you love? Bette is my true love, the only person I will ever love enough to have kids with. but that may not be something she would want . And I would certainly not run off and find someone else so I could have a child because for me there is no one else(letting out a breath)and thats basically it sis I love Bette that much.I am in love with one Ms Bette Porter that much.She is my soul mate Sarah!!!!!

Sarah: (smiling at her sister, seeing the happiness in her face) Wow, Tina, Bette is a very lucky woman.

Tina: (intently) No Sarah, Im the lucky one.

Bette shook her head thinking, No Im definitely the lucky one Tee. She had overheard the whole conversation and didnt know what to think.

Bette had tears welling in her eyes; a little hurt that Tina was making assumptions about what she wanted without speaking to her about it first, but so happy that she was able to overhear just how much she meant to Tina.

Bette thought to herself, Wow!!.. Do I want kids? Maybe with Tina I do? Ive never thought about it before? Maybe in years to come, sure!!!We certainly love each other enough to raise children together and Tina would be a great mother Bette was becoming lost in her thoughts.

So Tina doesnt want to get married, Bette was a little disappointed at that comment, her thoughts becoming jumbled, Tina will end up resenting me, or worst still us, if we dont talk about all this. Bette prepared herself to walk out the back and announce her return from work, when the phone rang.

The ringing snapped Bette out of her thoughts and she picked up the receiver. It was the fire station requesting Tinas assistance.

Tina had walked inside; hearing the phone ring, not realizing Bette was home yet. She noticed Bette on the phone and walked up to her, Bette motioning the call was for her.

Tina took the phone, placing her free hand around Bettes waist smiling into Bettes eyes.

Tina gave Bette a quick kiss, mouthing to Bette, Hi babe. Before taking the call. Bette just smiled and looked intently at Tina.

Tina listened to what the Captain had to say, Sure Ill be right there Captain. looking back at Bette a bit disheartened, that they couldnt spend the day together.

Tina hung up the phone and wrapped her arms around Bettes waist.

Tina: (running her hands up and down Bettes back) Sorry babe, I got to go. Sarahs out back, could you let her know? .. Maybe if youre not too tired you could have a chat with her? Shes having a hard time about what shes feeling for ShaneShe really respects you babe. I would appreciate if you could help her out?

Bette: (looking lovingly at Tina) Of course baby. Anything for you Tee!!

Tina gave Bette a smoldering kiss, leaving them both a little breathless, grabbed her keys, I love you babe, and Ill make it up to you tonight, ok!! winked at Bette, and was out the door!

______________________________________________


A few hours later Sarah had left and Bette was relaxing on the couch, wondering how long Tina would be, reading an art magazine she had bought home from the gallery. She was lost in thoughts of what Tina had said earlier, and trying to figure out how she could broach the subject with her, when the phone rang.

Ring, Ring, Ring,

Bette: Hello?

Caller: Hello, Is this Bette Porter?

Bette: YesIt is can I help you?

Caller: This is Chief Brett Sanderson, the Captain asked me to call you Bette. Tina had a minor mishap on the job, and is in L.A. hospital.

Bette panicked, she didnt wait for the conversation to continue, she was already preparing to head out the door, Thanks Brett, Im on my way! hanging up the phone.

Bette didnt know how but she got to L.A. hospital in record time, running through the E.R. doors, beside herself with worry about Tina.

She approached the desk to ascertain where Tina was and after answering what seemed like 100 questions, but was more like 10, she was given Tinas whereabouts.

Bette walked into the E.R. looking for bed 12. She spotted Tina out of the corner of her eye and immediately went to her.

Tina didnt see Bette approach her until she was mere inches away. Bettes eyes met Tinas and the immense worry in Bettes face, began to recede in Tinas loving, reassuring gaze.

Tina moved her left arm out of the way and held out her right arm for Bette to embrace her. Bette closed the distance between them and quickly obliged, not hugging Tina too tightly, not knowing what had happened to Tina just yet!

Tina was the first to speak, (surprised) What are you doing here babe?

Bette: (concerned) Chief Brett. someone called me, are you Ok Tee?

Tina: Its only some minor burns babe, on my left hand and lower arm. I just had a bit of a mishapbut Im fine!! I didnt want them to call youI knew youd worrydamn bloody proceduressorry babeIll be out of here in an hour or soI just.


Bette stopped Tina, (in a serious tone) Tee Im glad they called me! I dont care how worried I get, I just want to make sure youre ok!!

Tina bought her lips to Bettes in a tender kiss, pulling away to look into Bettes eyes, Im fine.. really babe I am it just looks.. yuck.

Bette: Nothing that belongs to you could ever look yuck. Give me a look baby?

Tina showed her left arm to Bette. It had been cleaned and treated; Tina was just waiting on it getting dressed and she was able to go home. Her left hand and wrist was all bruised, black and bloody. Bette looked at the wound, winching, thinking to herself how painful it looked.

Bette: Are you sure its Ok Tee. That looks pretty sore!

Tina: It looks worse than it is babe. Dont worry ok. Itll be fine in a couple of weeks.until then youll have to help me out with a few things, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at Bette

Bette had to laugh, pulling Tina close to her, YepYou are ok, arent you babe? What few things did you have in mind for me to help you out with?

Tina: (smiling, scratching her temple with her right index finger) Well, for one thing Im going to need some assistance dressing and undressing, and then theres showering and..

Bette cut Tina off with a kiss, Ok baby, I get it. I will help you with whatever you need me to Tee!

The nurse entered and dressed Tinas wound while Bette held her hand, watching the nurse do her thing, grimacing in sympathy when she saw Tina grit her teeth during the process.

The nurse finished up a short time later and informed Tina that she just had to sign herself out and she was free to go home.

Tina looked at Bette and smiled, (playfully) Ok babe, lets go home! Do you think you can handle taking care of me for the next few days?

Bette: (appreciatively) Ill take care of you forever if you want me to Tee! I love you!! talking Tinas hand, Come on, lets go home!!!

The earlier, overheard, conversation a distant thought, for Bette, for the time being anyway. She was more concerned with getting her Tee home, and taking care of the woman she was determined to spend the rest of her life with

tbc