“Always?” Shane asked.

“Every time.” Carmen said as she saw that tears had once again started to fall from Shane’s eyes. “I love you.” She whispered

Shane’s tears shone in her eyes again as she felt her heart relax at the three words that she had been waiting to believe her whole life. Shane swallowed. “I’m sorry.” She said with as much feeling as she could put into it. And then she leaned in and kissed Carmen as deep and as long as she could without coming up for air. When they both pulled away they were breathless.

“Don’t be sorry, just come back and we’ll try again.” Shane looked at Carmen overwhelmed at the honesty and emotion that was present in the beautiful eyes that looked back into her own and she hoped that when Carmen was looking into her eyes she was able to see the exact same thing reflected in her own eyes.

“You’re amazing you know that.” Shane said as she pulled the other woman close and wrapped her arms around her again. Shane felt Carmen’s lips turn into a smile against her neck and then pulled away from her slightly only to lean back in and kiss her again until they were both breathless all over again. Shane couldn’t tell how long they actually stood there holding each other and kissing until they had to pull away for air, but it felt like a lifetime. And even though Shane could have stayed there forever she remembered that she had left Dana and Mark inside. “*****!” Shane said as she lifted her head from it’s resting position on Carmen’s shoulder. “I better go and check on Dane.” Carmen smiled and nodded in understanding. Somewhat reluctantly she pulled away from her girlfriend and laced their fingers together so that they could re-enter the bar.

Dana squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again trying to focus on the glass that was sitting in front of her on the bar. She giggled as she grabbed at the wrong glass for the third time.

“I think she’s had enough.” Mark said to Carmen and Shane. Who Mark was happy to see had entered the bar together holding hands. Dana had been happy for her friend too and had walked, only slightly crookedly, over and gave her friend a hug. Now though Mark didn’t think that Dana could have stood up by herself.