“Tina, I’m late.”

Tina shushed Helena by raising her hand.

“Who did this drawing?” Tina asked.

“My sister, actually.” Kit replied.

“What’s the name of your sister?”

“Bette Porter. Do you know her?”

“Yeah.” Tina smiled despite herself while tracing the outline of her drawing with her index finger. “Yeah, I know her. Where do you think can I find her? Get in touch with her maybe.” Tina hopefully asked.

“I’m sorry.” Kit stutters. “She died.” She choked.

Tina’s heart broke and tears fell from her eyes as Kit continued to speak. She hid a sob before asking when.

“A year ago from today, actually… There was an accident… At the Daley Plaza.” Kit explained.

Tina ran out of the office with Helena not far behind. Helena kept calling her name but Tina ran. She ran as if her life depended on it until she got in her car. And she drove to the lake house where she ran to the mailbox with a pen and notebook in hand.

Bette, I know why you didn’t show up that night. It was you at the Daley Plaza that day. It was you. Please don’t go. Just wait. If you are reading this please do not go. Do not look for me. I love you. And I know it has taken me so long before I realized it but if you still care for me please do not search for me. Wait for me. Wait with me. I am at the lake house. I will meet you here. Today, February 14, 2012.

Tina placed her letter inside the mailbox and started crying. She felt as if her heart was breaking into million pieces knowing what she stood to lose yet she waited. She waited for what was to come. She waited for destiny to decide. She waited for love. She waited for Bette as she gently fell on her knees and sobbed.

February 14, 2010

Bette was on her way to her car when she noticed that the red flag was raised on the mailbox. Hoping against hope she went and retrieved the letter. She saw Tina’s letter and did as Tina asked her to do. Despite the need to see Tina, Bette decided to wait. She pushed the red flag down. It was her way of telling Tina that she read her letter.

So Bette waited. Two more years. She waited until it was time for her to meet Tina. She waited until destiny decided that they were ready. She waited until fate allowed them to meet. She waited because she knew Tina was worth waiting for. She waited because the years are nothing compared to waiting for Tina her entire life.

February 14, 2012

Tina heard it before she saw the red flag going down. A moment later she heard a car pull up and saw it park. She stood up and went to the car.

Bette got out of the car and made her way to Tina.

“You waited.” Tina said standing face to face with Bette.

Bette cupped Tina’s face with her hands and wiped away the remnants of her tears before kissing Tina.

Tina encircled her arms into Bette’s neck.

Bette pulled back. “I love you too.” Bette said before kissing Tina again.

“You waited.” Tina repeated.

“I’ll wait for forever for you, Tee. I told you. I would come. I promised. And I would never break a promise I made to the woman I love.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Tee. Between your first letter and somewhere else you had me. Come. Let me show you what I did with the house.” Bette said while taking Tina’s hand in hers before proceeding to the lake house. “I’ll have you know, I rebuilt it thinking of you and what you would like. I hope you like it.” Bette whispered to Tina before kissing her temple.

“I’m sure I will.” Tina replied with a smile.

“And by the way, I made reservations for tonight at Il Mare. I did promise to bring you there.”