I know you will, Bette. I couldnt ask for anyone more loving or attentive to raise this child with.

Me neither, T. I love you and this little girl more than I can tell you. They walked on in silence for a few minutes more. Ive been thinking about our future, the life I want to build for the three of us. And whoever else may join us, Bette added impishly.

Tina laughed. Lets stick to three for now, okay?

Anyway Bette chuckled. Ive been thinking of quitting the CAC.

Tina stopped in her tracks. Really?

Bette smiled. Yeah, really. My priorities have shifted these past few months, and the CAC is getting in the way.

Pulling Bette over to sit on a convenient boulder, Tina kept hold of Bettes hand and turned to look into her eyes. Talk to me, babe. Whats going on?

Bette leaned forward and gave Tin a soft kiss on the lips. Ive done a lot of thinking about what went wrong last year, and I think a lot of it was the culmination of years of decisions I made that put you and us second to my career. I have always been hungry for recognition, for success. For the longest time, that was the only really positive reinforcement I ever got. I know I became dependent on that kind of approval. It wasintoxicating to be recognized, adulated, respected.

Bette paused at that point. Reaching out and tucking a strand of hair behind Tinas ear, she looked into the blondes eyes. The mistake I made was in not realizing that the only approval that mattered was yours. I put my own pride and the worlds honors ahead of your happiness, and I prostituted the best parts of myself for money and fame instead of saving them for you.

Bettes eyes brimmed with tears. I am so sorry, Tina. I am sorry for being so blind, for taking you so much for granted, for not honoring you as much as you deserve.

Tina placed a finger against Bettes lips in a gesture for silence. Shhh, baby. Its okay. You have always made me feel important and loved. Especially now. I feel so safe in your love.

Thank you, whispered Bette, wiping away tears. With a smile, she continued. What I am trying to say is that I want to change all that. I know now that I am only happy when you are happy, and I need to change my life to ensure that we can grow in thathappiness, she finished with a laugh at her own inability to come up with a different word.

So I would like to quit the CAC and open my own gallery. Only this time, it will be a small gallery, more casual than my first one. I want to be able to spend much more time with you and our daughter, and I think that this is the way to do it. Ill be able to set my own hours, my schedule will be infinitely flexible, and with much less ambitious goals than before, I will be able to live a more normal life. We all will.

It means Ill be able to support you in your career, for a change, too. If you want one, that is. I want you to know that we have enough investments to keep us comfortable for a good long while. The lump sum that the CAC will pay to buy out my contract will cover the gallerys startup costs. And Daddy also left us a fair amount of money, which gives us a cushion. That means you can work if you want to, but you dont have to. Its your decision, T. I want you to do what you feel comfortable with.

Finally done, Bette looked at Tina expectantly. Sowhat do you think?

Tina reflected a good minute, wanting to give an honest answer to all these revelations and plans Bette had just shared. Looking up at last, a smile on her face, she replied, I think you are the most wonderful wife in the world, and I thank God every day that you are mine.

Bette released the breath shed been holding, and then swept Tina into her arms. Oh, T. Thank you.

Tina held Bette tightly to her and whispered, No, babe, thank You. Thank you for everything.