These were much kinder adjectives than she had used in times past. What a difference a couple of days can make. A completely new understanding of the woman. A pity she never imagined she’d have for the woman. How sad. To be rattling around in that big house. Only Richard to keep her company. Richard and the calm, cool, cold ticking of time. Never resting time. Racing time. Elusive fucking time.

Tina soon joined the slumber party already attended by her wife and daughter. A time later the beeping of the oven timer sounded. Bette jerked slightly at the sound. Finding her daughter still sleeping in her arms, she smiled and kissed her head. She smiled wider when she found Tina sleeping on the other end of the sofa. The aroma of the roasting chicken and vegetables filled the house. Bette smirked as she nudged Tina with her heel. "T? Dinner is ready."

Nothing.

"Tina." A little louder. A little harder with the heel. "The food is burning."

Eyes slammed wide open. "Shit!", she said, scrambling to the kitchen.

Bette grinned to herself knowing she was likely going to pay for that little joke later. Tina flew open the door of the oven to find her perfectly roasted chicken and vegetables. "Funny Porter. You almost gave me a heart attack", she laughed.

"Well, at least now I know how to wake you up."

"Don’t sell yourself short. You know plenty of ways", Tina flirted.

"Don’t start with me, Kennard. I have a sleeping child on my chest."

Tina smiled and laughed to herself as she brought the roast out of the oven and set it on the stove. Going back to the living room she lifted Angie from Bette and gave the child a gentle squeeze. "I’ll go put her down. Then we can have dinner. Or do something else", she winked.

"Something else. You mean like Algebra?"

"Keep it up, Porter. You’ll be sleeping outside again tonight."

Bette held up her arms in surrender. "Ok. I give", she laughed.

While Tina took Angie to her room, Bette stood up and leisurely stretched the sleep from her body. The scent of the roast called to her and urged her appetite to come alive. She wandered into the kitchen and snuck her fingers into the pan to grab a piece of carrot. It was hot to the touch and was immediately dropped back into the pan. "Shit", she whispered, sucking on her fingers.

"That’s what you get. What, are you ten years old?", Tina scolded mockingly, coming back to the kitchen.

Bette said nothing, simply continuing to sooth her slightly singed finger tips. Tina opened the freezer door and reached for an ice cube. "Here. Hold this."

"Thanks", Bette smiled, accepting the cold relief. She tilted her head down slightly and looked up at Tina, giving her that look. That look that drove Tina wild. One of the many. Tina leaned in and gave Bette the kiss she was asking for. Soft lips meeting. Soft moans escaping. Arms pulling each other closer. Blonde hair meeting brunette. Mocha skin meeting fair. Lips parting. Tongues meeting. Centers twitching. "God", Bette gasped. "Mmm", Tina agreed. "This is nice. We should play hooky every day."

"That would be nice. Or, as a Plan B, we could keep on paying the bills and not lose the house", Bette countered.

"True. Hmm…", Tina moaned. "Are you hungry?"

"Well, I was. But right now, there’s only one thing I want."

"Mmm. Let me guess."

"If you have to guess T, I’m not doing this right", Bette said, bringing Tina closer and breathing warmly into her ear.

Tina’s skin burned with desire. She breathed heavily. "Oh fuck. You’re definitely doing it right. Come on." Tina led Bette to the bedroom, leaving the roast to fend for itself. It’s only company a slowly melting ice cube left on the floor.

TBC.