I am sorry for the delay in responding to the awards that were given out last Sunday. I found out this week that there will be many changes in my life during the next month and a half. And, even though I have confidence that all will end up well…it kind of threw me for a loop, and I haven’t been able to concentrate enough to write. It is nothing bad…just lots, and lots of changes. I am mentioning this because, I will be running around like crazy for the next month and a half, which means that new chapters will be posted sporadically at best. Please be patient with me.

However, now that I am here, I would like to say that I was really, really surprised to receive this award…but at the same time, incredibly flattered and honored. Thank you to both Jacky and Devo, and especially to the judges. I am shaking my head in amazement that you are even able to see, given all the reading you had to do. I would not have wanted to be in your position, and have to choose between all the wonderful stories that have been written during the last nine or so months. Thank you for taking so much time out of your lives to participate in this. The L Word Fan Site has been an absolute gift for me. I can’t remember how I came upon it, but remember feeling so excited when I did. I had never heard of fan fiction before…had no clue this world even existed.

I came to this site as a 44 year old woman, who had never found that thing…you know, that thing that everyone talks about finding. That thing that makes your heart beat faster…makes you want to rush through your daily routines, just so you can get back to it. That thing that takes you out of your head, and into a world where everything is possible…knowing once you start, you cannot stop. Well, you get the idea. I found that thing, the moment I started writing the first chapter of my first story…and I’m telling you, this feeling is overwhelming. And for as much as I moan about struggling and not feeling worthy…I can’t stop…and I love THAT feeling!

All your words of encouragement are taken in, and truly help prop me up when I am faltering. And the personal stories that some of you have shared with me, have left me so inspired, that I just want to write more, try harder, dig deeper…to try and convey to you the intense emotions and thoughts that constantly roll around in my brain. I know that I am rambling, but truthfully, I am trying in my own simplistic way, to not only thank you for the acknowledgment, but to thank you for your willing participation in helping me discover and experience my “thing.”

Again, a major thank you to all the writers on this site. There is so much talent out there, and for the most part it would be shared by only a precious few, if it wasn’t for places like fan fiction. For this, I am truly grateful to be allowed to sneak a peak into all of your imaginations. And, just a reminder…I still have my checkbook out, and will happily pay to read a book by several women contributing to this forum. You know who you are. Now, hurry up…I’m ready!!!!

Peace,
Seahurst


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Chapter 60


“Dad’s here!” Paul ran to the front door to greet his father and Kathy as they were walking up the front steps. “Hey Dad! Happy Thanksgiving!”

Dan grinned and grabbed Paul, wrapping him into a bear hug. “Right back at ya, Bud.” He released his son, who then turned and smiled at Kathy, giving her a hug as well. “Hi Kathy! Come on in. Everyone else is here.”

The three walked into the house, stopping in the doorway for a moment to allow the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen, to float through their senses. However, Dan didn’t have time to enjoy it for long, as Alex and the rest of the gang had heard Paul, and had come out from different rooms of the house to say hi.

Tina walked out of the kitchen just as Alex and Dani had exchanged hugs with their father. She walked over and hugged Dan and then Kathy, taking from her, the dish that she hoped was filled with Kathy’s specialty…oyster stuffing. Next, Bette stepped forward and shook hands with Tina’s ex-husband and his new wife, trying not to feel too weird about the fact that she was welcoming this man into what use to be his own home, while trying not to act like she was one of the hostesses. She put on, what she hoped was a warm and sincere smile.

“Hi Dan…Kathy. Happy Thanksgiving. It’s so nice to see you both again.”

Dan couldn’t help it. Any twinge of jealousy, or awkwardness he might have felt in this situation, disappeared as soon as Bette smiled at him. She was so stunningly beautiful, and so warm and nice…and…when Dan snuck a look at Tina and saw that she was absolutely glowing…he knew that everything was now, as it should be. He was with the woman who was meant for him, and now Tina was back with the one meant for her. So, as far as Dan was concern, the only thing left to do, was to sit back and have a good time.

Milaine, Leslie and Kit had all walked out of the kitchen to meet the father of Tina’s children, and his wife. Tina decided to make the introductions, rather than having Bette do it. She smiled to herself, knowing that there would be a certain reaction to these introductions, and she was looking forward to watching them.

She started with Milaine…and after they had all shook hands, she then introduced Leslie. After that, she looked at Bette and winked at her, knowing she was about to have a little fun. Bette just smiled back at Tina, not understanding the playful look on her partner’s face.

“Dan and Kathy, this is Bette’s sister, Kit Porter…” Dan had already started reaching out to shake Kit’s hand before Tina got her name out, but when he heard Kit Porter, he stop in mid-motion, and just stood there with his mouth and eyes wide open. He finally managed to stutter out, “huh…KKiitt Porter. Oh my God!” His face lit up and he pumped the hand that Kit had offered him. “Wow…what a pleasure to meet you. I have been a huge fan for years!” He looked over at Tina, who was standing there giggling, getting the reaction she was hoping for. “Tina, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you knew Kit Porter! All these years of us listening to her CD’s, and you never said anything!” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, it hit him…as well as the other adults, why Tina had not shared this with him, and he tried to say something to ease the tension that he had just accidentally created.

“I mean…” But before he could continue, Kit came to his rescue. “Well, you know how our Miss Tina is. She doesn’t like to make a big deal out of things. In fact, I bet she never told you that she is friends with a famous tennis player, and a famous author, either.”

Dan laughed, shaking his head, thankful for the diversion. “No, you’re right, she didn’t tell me that.” He turned serious, and looked at Tina. “Of course, part of that was my fault for not showing any interest in your past life in California. I’m sorry about that Tina.” Paul had been standing next to his father, and was oblivious to the tension. All he heard was the part about the famous tennis player, and famous author.

“Who do you know that is famous, Mom?” Tina smiled at Kit, who was standing with a satisfied look on her face, now that she had shifted the attention away from both her and Dan. Tina then looked at Dan. “It’s Ok. I should have shared more of my past without you having to ask.” They smiled at each other, knowing that they had both just acknowledged and apologized for, a part of their past relationship that had always been lacking.

Bette had been standing in back of Tina and slightly to the side. Tina subtly reached behind her, and after just a moment, felt the hand that Bette lovingly offered to her. “Well…when I lived in LA with Bette, we were friends with Dana Fairbanks…”

“Wow Mom! You know her? She’s like really famous and everything!”

Tina laughed at her son’s reaction. She had never told her family about her famous friends, but she had silently followed all of their careers over the years. And when she had talked about Alice, Dana, or Shane, or had talked to any of them on the phone, she just never shared their last names, or given away what they did for a living. Dan had never asked…so, it just didn’t come up. “Yes Honey…we really know her, as well as…”

“Oh my God!” Dani came running back into the room, holding up an older looking CD. “I didn’t get the connection until now! You’re THIS Kit Porter?!” Dani was holding a CD that she had heard her parents play time and time again over the years, knowing it had always been one of their favorites. The title read, “Kit Porter…Creating jazz and blues hits during two different centuries.”

Kit just shook her head at Dani. “Yes Baby…the one and the same. Although, I never did like the title to that album…always made me feel ancient.”

Bette couldn’t resist giving her much older sister a little dig. “Well, maybe you wouldn’t sound so ancient if you didn’t refer to it as an album! I’m sure kids today don’t even know what that is. You’re just confusing them by saying that.” Thinking she was funny, Bette started laughing.

“Hey, watch it Baby Sis. Don’t even talk to me about ancient…you who will be…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “F-i-f-t-y, this year! So, don’t you even go there with me!”

Bette immediately stopped laughing and glared at Kit, causing everyone else to laugh instead. “I want you to know that I am more than Ok with my impending…age change. Turning fifty these days, is like what turning thirty was back in your day. So, laugh all you want. I feel good, and I think I still look good…little Miss Singer of Songs From Two Different Centuries!”

Kit and Bette’s banter was relaxing everyone, easing the tension, as well as helping them feel a part of this bonding ritual between the two sisters. “Baby Girl, don’t even try that with me. Turning fifty, is turning fifty, no matter today, or 15 years ago when Oprah tried to sell that line on her fiftieth birthday!”

Feigning defeat, Bette just shook her head and sighed. “Fine, fine…can we move along now?” She smiled at Tina. “Weren’t you just about ready to tell them about our other friend?”

Tina, still giggling from Kit and Bette’s antics, turned her head around and lightly kissed Bette on the cheek, whispering softly so only she could hear, “I don’t care how old you are Baby, I think you look good enough to eat!” Bette’s face turned bright red, and she quickly lowered her head, allowing her hair to hang down hiding her embarrassment. Knowing she got to Bette, Tina laughed and turned back around. “Yes, I was just about to say that we are also friends with Alice Pieszecki, the writer.”

Dani’s eyes opened wide again. “THE WRITER! The one who writes the books about the detective, Susan Bennett?” Dani just stared at her mother. “Mom…I can’t believe that you know all these famous people and never told us.”

Tina looked over at Kit and raised her eyebrows, giving her a ‘thanks for getting me into this mess,’ look. “Well, Honey, they all live in California, and that was a long time ago.” Wanting to change the subject for now, she continued, “Come on…dinner is ready, let’s eat.” With that, they all poured into the dining room.

Tina had set up a separate table for the kids at the end of the dining table, as it wasn’t quite big enough for all of them. Dani saw this and moaned. She wanted so badly to be able to sit with the adults and be apart of the grown-up conversations. She was, after all thirteen and almost an adult herself. “Aw Mom…do I have to sit at the little table?”

“Dani, you know there isn’t enough room at the table for everyone. Please…just sit and enjoy the food.”

Milaine on the other hand, had been truly enjoying talking with Tina’s children. It had been so long since she had been around younger kids, and missed not having any siblings of her own. She looked over at the smaller table and noticed there was room for a fourth. “Tina, if it’s Ok with you, I would love to sit at the other table. Do you mind?”

Tina looked at Milaine with both surprise and delight. “No, of course not. That would be great.” She moved toward where she had put Milaine at the larger table, and moved her place setting to the smaller one. Her three children all looked at Milaine with smiles on their faces, as they had already discussed how much they liked her, even though Paul and Alex had just met her the night before. Milaine smiled back at them. “Is it Ok with you guys if I sit with you?” There were three excited nods, and three murmurs of, “yea, come on…that would be great!” And, there was one very grateful thirteen year old, who felt an immediate bond with the young woman who was now her older sister.

Bette had left the room to go get her camera, wanting to take a picture of their newly formed family, as well as the feast that Tina and her helpers had prepared. However, Bette wasn’t prepared for her reaction to seeing their two families all together, as she walked back into the room. She stopped in her tracks, looking from Leslie to Milaine, both of whom seemed content in their surroundings. And as her eyes connected with them, they filled with tears. Both women nodded to her and smiled back…instinctively knowing what Bette was thinking. She then closed her tear filled eyes, sending a silent message to the heavens above. ‘Happy Thanksgiving Nica…I love you and miss you. I’m trying to make things better for our family. Please watch over us.’

She opened her eyes to the loving image of her partner, Tina…not realizing that everyone had noticed her standing with her eyes closed, tears slowly making their way down her cheeks. And upon seeing her, they had stopped what they were doing…mesmerized by the emotions emanating from her. Now noticing that she had the attention of the room, she smiled to reassure them that she was Ok. Wanting to share with Tina the love that was overwhelming her at that moment, she walked over to her chair and leaned down. She took her free hand and gently lifted Tina’s chin so she could look into those soft brown eyes, that always told her she was home. Bette then lovingly placed a kiss on Tina’s waiting lips and whispered, “I love you T.”

There wasn’t a person in the room who couldn’t feel the love that these two women shared, and they all…including Tina had to struggle to hold back their own tears, as they could not only see the love pouring out of Bette’s eyes, but also a touch of sadness……finally…after so many years of living their lives apart, these two soul mates were at last celebrating a holiday together, with their children and extended family…just like they had always dreamed of doing, all those years ago.

Bette picked up her wine glass and held it up. “I give thanks for love…for family…for having faith that everything happens for a reason…and most especially…I give thanks for my love, Tina…who has brought us all together, and created this incredible feast.” She hesitated for a moment, and smiled. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

They all raised their glasses. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Paul looked over at Dani, and shaking his head, whispered…”Geez, can we eat now? Grown-ups…they’re so mushy!”