Relationships have their ups and downs. There are battles to be fought and won, and battles that oft-time end before a foot is placed on the field. Seven years, Bette thought to herself. Taking a brief moment to once again read the invitation that arrived in the mail Friday afternoon, Bette was transported back to the day she met Tina.

The Bette Porter Gallery had made a splash a few months prior to the day she met the one that would later become her wife. The memory was still fresh and vivid of the day she met the cheeky blonde after rescuing her earring. Looking back, she was able to conjure up a mental picture of an instant that had developed into a seven-year committed relationship. It was a vivid memory of lust, or love, at first sight.

After that day at the gallery it had taken Bette six months to use the l word with Tee. She first had to overcome her initial fear of rejection. It was a childhood rooted internal fear that had developed into a false sense of bravado.

Following the kiss that told a thousand stories, Tina had continued her relationship with Eric for three months before ending their relationship by refusing his hand in marriage. It took Bette three additional months before she felt safe about sharing her feelings with Tina. Seven years, Bette sighed. Bette placed the invite back into the recently opened envelope and returned her thoughts to the present.

A fresh smile splayed across her face, Bette smiled thinking about the love of her life. She had risen early with plans to surprise her true love with breakfast in bed. Bette adjusted her robe which had the habit sliding off her shoulders, and focused on the task at hand. Placing the envelope on the counter she walked over the refrigerator searching for the ingredients to make an omelet.

She’ll love this, Bette thought to herself. Bette looked forward to surprising her lady love with a treat. While hunched over browsing the refrigerator, Bette jumped slightly as she felt two arms enclose her from behind. Bette turned around in her lover’s arms and sighed pleasantly before pouting and stating, “What are you doing up? I wanted to surprise you.”

“I woke up ten minutes ago, and when you didn’t return I came searching for you,” her lover responded. “If I had known you were making breakfast, I would have stayed in bed. Now what am I going to eat,” she said before place a smoldering kiss on Bette’s lips.

Bette moaned into her lover’s mouth before breaking away. “Are you sure you don’t need anything a little more filling”, Bette inquired with a grin and one eyebrow raise. She heard the woman she loved moan the words, “You’re all I need.”

In less than a millisecond Bette felt herself being backed against the kitchen table. Her robe had somehow come undone and she was slightly lifted to a sitting position on the table when she felt her lover’s mouth upon her left breast. A gasp escaped Bette’s mouth before she moaned, “Mmmmmm, C. Please don’t stop.”