Role Reversal
Chapter Twenty-Nine



As the morning began to creep up in their room, Tina had to slide from next to her wife and start her day, even if she didnt want to. Though Bettes work was off for know, hers wasnt and she still had meetings to go, things to build, and people to see.

So kissing her softly on her head as she turned over, she then took off to the restroom.

Bette then decided to open her eyes and see the last of the view before Tina closed the door. Having nowhere to rush off to felt wonderful, but it would have been better if she had done this along time ago when Tina had nowhere to be.

Voicing to herself, let it go Bette. Shes here and you just go from here.

She knew she had waited for this moment the very moment Tina walked out that night, but now that she had it, she was too over whelmed to take it all in just yet.

Now sitting on her side of the bed with her legs resting on the floor, she remembered the events of the last few days that found her world turning once again, but this time in the right direction. Her kissing Tina, letting it all come back to her, leaving Tina to only drink her memory away, and last of all Tina coming to rescue her when she in fact wanted to turn around and rescue Tina. She tried once, but Tina refused her and that hurt. And she knew Tina wanted her too, but couldnt just yet. Then as she started to replay their conversation Tina walked back in.

Babe youre up. Turning around with a smile for her wife, Yeah, I cant seem to sleep without you.

You should really rest Bette.

How can she just love me so simple knowing what I did, flashed through Bettes mind. She turned around at the thought of her question not being able to face her knowing she was not completely confident that Tina still wanted her to be the one.

Walking towards Bette, then reaching her and kneeling, tell me Bette, what is it?
Wondering herself if Bette would be able to let her in.

II, how can I tell her and not fail again. Pushing the wet strands from her face, I wondered how could youhow could you love me so simple after

Tina looking away searching for an answer to make Bettes insecurities leave her heart and head, Loving you comes so naturally even after all this its just what I do Bette. Loving you makes me complete.

Now standing cause this next part had to be said with both feet on the floor. Now Bette, I love you, but where is my strong, dont take ***** from anyone except me, power suit wearing wife.

Bette taking both her hands that were full of Tinas and put them against Tinas heart, Here shes right here. Shes just still on vacation. As Tina smiled and Bettes worries went away for now.

Well hopefully shell be back for lunch because I want to take my wife out for lunch. Whaddya think?

I think she wouldnt miss it for the world.

Good now go get ready and well go get Libby and then go get some coffee.


You guys do you have to do that every five seconds? Shane just pushed her shades up more and tried to concentrate on her cup of coffee.

Alice and Dana, kissing and doing who knows what under that table, just ignored her.

You guys seriously,

Shane, Alice wanted to say something but knew she was still hurting over her heartbreak, um sorry, can I get you another cup?

Im good, thanks.

Just then the happy family walked in.

Good timing you guys, Al and Dane were fixing to do and stopped as Libby came in view, nevermind.

Huh hmm, morning girls, as Alices lips left Danas.

Um yeah hi, Alice fumbled. Dana only blushed because thats what Dana did. Libby sat followed by Bette, but then Marina handed Tina her usual and as her morning greetings were over with, her goodbyes came just as quick.

Babe, Ill call you. Try to take it easy ok, kissing her on the lips longer than she had meant to in front of them. It was Alices turn, huh hmm. They laughed as this time Bette blushed.

Tina leaving and Bette staying for the talk was just to out from the Twilight Zone for the girls. What a role reversal they thought. Of course Alice was the first to start,

So Porter, was all she could get out.

So, Alice, she shot back. It was weird even for Bette. This was Tinas place and the only reason Bette knew of the conversations was because Tina had repeated them to her.

Finding a way to break the silence, So hows work?

Good, its good.

Looking at Dana, Tennis?

Okay I guess.

Eyeballing Shane, You.

You know. Coming and going.

Libby was all that was left, and you young lady?

Mom.

I know I couldnt resist.

But I got all my books ready. And my classes are good.

Good Im glad. As their conversation continued, Alice, Shane, and Dana kept looking from one another to the other and decided it was just too weird having Bette here instead of Tina.

Sorry Bette but Dana and I we, um we having things to do and, Shane piped up, and I have an appointment, yeah an appointment.

All right you guys, well see you later.

Now that they were alone, Bette could finally tell Libby all about her life, now that she was right in the middle of it. Bette was so engrossed with her story telling that at first she didnt hear her phone ring,

Used to answering her phone like she always had,

Bette Porter,

There she is, there is my wife.

Tina, sorry. Im just so used to

Dont be babe, so whatcha doing?

Talking with Libby, the girls left us so we had time to kill.

Good. So you ready for lunch or what?

Of course, I have a hot date.

Is that right?

Yes it is, as Tinas laughter filled her ears. Babe I do love you very much.

I know Bette, I know. Babe?

Yeah

I completely forgot I left you with out a car. And the girls are gone and Libby is on foot as you, but Im worried about you walking.

T, I can call Kit. Shell give us a ride.

Are you sure, I can come and get you.

No baby, you work and finish so that way I can see you sooner that later okay.

Good idea, all right babe, Ill see you when
I get home k.

Yeah, bye T.

Bye babe.

Turning back to Libby so where were we,

Mom you have a lunch date, how fantastic is that? Knowing her mom should be smiling from ear to ear and she wasnt, worried her.

Libby can I tell you something, Knowing her mother wasnt the type to come out and say anything at all this had to be something. Of course momma.

Im scared, as her tears threatened to fall.

I dont understand.

Im scared of not being enough for her. That shell realize my minor changes were only for a little while and well go back to the old us and shell leave me.

Momma, she loves you. After all them times you came back to her only to be turned away each and every time, not breaking your hopes about you guys says a lot. In the end mom, she came to you. She went to you, willingly but you know that. She chose you.

Libby, but

But nothing momma, do you know how hard it was hearing you cry all them nights, you screaming her name in your sleep, you not being able to take them rings away from around your neck?

Grabbing her mothers hand and looking for the strength her eyes had possessed so long ago. You have to forgive your self momma, you have to.

Hoping she didnt push her mother to far to make her tears fall, instead Bette smiled and laughed a laugh she hadnt in a while.

Libby looking like she didnt understand the joke,

Libby, girl that is the same damn thing your mother said to me.

And why is that funny?

This time tears falling because her laughter was uncontrollable and at this point Libbys innocence was making it worse.

I dont know why, but it just is.

Well I suggest you take both our advice and do so, Libby continued with that sharp wit only to come from Bette herself.




The Rings
Chapter Thirty



A knock at the door, tore Bette away from her laptop. She had wanted to take Libby with her to lunch but she had wanted to go the library instead. Bette knew she did really have to go but didnt argue.

Kit picked them up and left Bette to get ready for her lunch date.


At the door, she opened it up to Tina standing with flowers in her hand.

For my baby, as she handed them to Bette.

T, before giving Bette a chance,

Are you ready?

Yeah, let me put them in water first. A role reversal all right.

In a secluded corner in their favorite Italian restaurant they sat like old times.

So how was this morning?

Weird, but okay. You know is that what all those morning really consisted of?

Yes you know the girls.

Yeah but I dont think we have much to talk about.

True since most of the time we talked about you so I can see where that might cause a problem.

T, as Bettes eyebrows did that thing they do.

Just kidding babe. She noticed that as they talked Bette messed with her finger with that ring on it. Bette noticed that Tina would look to it every now and then, and then she would stop. It was just out of habit that she played with her wedding ring when she had it on.

As a few seconds of silence passed,

Its a promise ring.

What, she caught Tina off guard.

I bought it after I had taken yours off. Bette didnt know if she should tell her but they agreed to be truthful right?

When you told me about her.

Tina then sat straight up not really knowing if she liked were this was going.

I bought it to help myself remember to keep the promises I made to myself before I could make promises to others.

Oh.

I bought one for Libby. As a promise to be the best mother and friend that I could.

Taking another sip form her coffee, Tina felt bad about thinking that she had thought someone else had given her the ring when she had worn someone elses not too long ago.
Bette noticing her eyes,

You know I could and would never wear anyone elses besides yours T. Never. And as Bette leaned forward to grab Tinas hand it was then when she saw her very own ring close to Bettes heart.

Im sorry.

For what Tina.

But Bette knew why. Tina didnt have to say it.

Thats the past remember. Besides her ring had nothing on mine. Having Bette laugh made Tina smile. Yeah I do love this woman, she thought as her laughter had filled her heart once again.

Speaking of rings? This time it was Bettes turn to drink from her cup and avert her eyes.

Where is your ring?

Finishing her drink,

Dont you know?

No, and she was scared to.

That night when I came to try for the last time, and when we hugged your shirt tugged at my chain, it broke and both rings fell to the floor.

But Tina didnt understand, she had only seen one.

I only saw mine. Bette felt better because she herself had thought she did see but just didnt want it anymore.

When I had taken it off, I put it on the chain next to yours. So when they fell, I thought you did see but just didnt want it.

Oh Bette. If I did I would have done the same thing you did.

Well anyway I guess Shane

Shane,

Yes Shane had picked it up and put it around her neck.

I didnt know.

I didnt either till one night I hugged her and my shirt tugged at her chain, and it busted and my ring fell to the floor.

She missed you just as much.

Yeah, she told me it was all that she had
left of me.

Did you not get it back when it busted off hers?

No.

Why not.

Going back to playing with her ring once again. I told her I wasnt in a position to be holding on to it.

Why?

Because I didnt have you. Because you didnt have yours on. Because I broke that bond that those rings symbolized for us.

And now?

Im thinking if you wouldnt mind, that I that Id start with a promise ring first?

Id like that.

Me too, baby me too. Not wanting lunch to finish,

T, dont you have to go back to work?

No,

Why, I mean not that I dont want to spend time with you but why.

Because Im going to spend the day with my woman.

Bette couldnt argue and she wasnt going to.


When they got home, the lights were on. Something they werent quite used to.

Shes home.

Yes OUR baby girl is home T.

At her own laptop, on the couch, she looked up to see her parents walk in the door.

Thinking back to what Alice had said about her being Bettes kid made Tina giggle. Alice was right.

Both women just looking at her and wondering if she was crazy. Libby thought about it more because twice today, she had seen her mothers laugh for no reason at all.

Baby what is it?

Kissing the top of Libbys head,

Coming in and seeing you at your laptop just like your mother always was. Alice was right about you.

Im just checking on some stuff for school thats all.

Bette made her way to the kitchen as Tina headed to the bedroom shaking her head, yeah shes her mothers daughter allright.

All right, Libby we had a long day so were turning in. Not to late huh.

Yes mother.


There in the room as Bette sat in the chair rubbing her legs.

Babe, why dont you lay down and I do that for you.

T, you already have done so much for me. Youre, could she finish it?

Im what babe?

Youre spoiling me.

I know. Now come and lie down so I can rub your feet.

Laughing as she strode with her cane, you just wanted to get me naakkked.

I know.

Well then why didnt you just say so, as she tossed the cane aside with the rest of clothes.