Is this love

Chapter 33

Tina looked around her apartment just to make sure that there were no clues about Bette’s presence in her apartment. Her new I-phone was on the coffee table along with the gift bag that Bette had handed it to her in. she grabbed both and hurriedly put them behind her DVD cabinet – unless her mother started a forensic analysis of her apartment it should be well hidden there. Tina pulled her robe around herself and opened the front door. Her mother looked like hell – Tina somehow managed to stifle a grin
“Morning mother – come in “
“Thank you “
Emma swept into Tina’s apartment and looked around. Tina was annoyed that her mother was messing up a very special moment with Bette but it was almost worth it because her mother looked like she was suffering from the hangover from hell.
“And how was your evening at the library benefit ?” Tina asked strolling over to a chair and sitting down
“Very nice “ Emma said
“Mother – you look as if there is a team of rhinos in army boots marching about inside your skull – would you like some coffee – I could do you a bacon roll “
Emma winched – much to Tina’s great amusement
“Thank you but no – why are you not getting ready for work ?”
Tina was pretty sure that her mother never kept up with what days she worked and which ones that she didn’t
“Day off – much deserved after I cycled 30km last night at the gym “
“Very commendable “ Emma commented
“Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you – especially when you so obviously have a hangover but is there a reason for this call ?”
“Helena Peabody was at the benefit last night “
“Really ?”
“She’s a lesbian “
“I know – it’s a fairly well known fact “
“She is also single “
Tina sighed “ Mother – is this going somewhere ?”
“She was telling me how much she liked you “
“Are you trying to set me up with her ?” Tina asked – that makes a change from how secretive you are being about Bette she thought to herself
“She has invited me to a fashion show next week – it would be a good time for you to show her how pretty you are – I am sure that she wants to ask you out. Do not let me down Tina – you will be there next Friday “
Tina frowned – God – why the hell was she so hell bent on getting her a rich girlfriend ? Why was she suddenly changing her horse – what had happened to her being so hell bent on getting her fixed up with Bette ?
“Mother – I am not going to let you dictate my life “
“Its about time you stopped mopping around the apartment pining for that pathetic loser Jane and tried to make the most of how pretty you are “ Emma snapped
“I assure you that I am totally over Jane – I do not waste my time thinking about her and I am really sick of you interfering in my life. It is my life and I will lead it how I want – mind your own business mother “
“You are so ungrateful Tina – I am glad your mother cannot see you like this “
To use her mother against her in an argument was a dirty tactic from Emma and as soon as she said it she regretted it – she saw the look of horror and pain on Tina’s face.
“I think you should go “ Tina said quietly as she did her best to keep control of her anger. Using her mother as just another weapon to beat her with was a low blow even from Emma.
“Tina “
“Just leave “ Tina repeated. Emma’s headache was crashing into her skull and even through the pain she knew that visiting Tina in this state had been just a rank stupid action. She turned and left the apartment. Tina followed her mother to the door and as soon as she was at the other side of it Tina closed and locked the door. She was shaking – what the hell was her mother playing at ?
Tina walked back to her bedroom and opened the door. Bette had climbed into bed and was sitting up against a pillow – she looked very content
“Bette “
Bette opened her eyes and immediately saw that Tina was upset
“Come to bed sweetheart “ Bette said throwing the cover back and inviting Tina to join her. Tina couldn’t get her robe off and leap into bed quick enough. She took hold of Bette and started crying
“Hey – come on -its okay “ Bette held her – she could feel that Tina was shaking “You want to tell me about it ?”
Tina looked up “Having failed so fantastically to get you and I together she has decided that she is going to try with someone else “
“Helena ?”
“Yes – did I know that Helena was not only a lesbian but single and apparently she really likes me “
“Well we were just saying that she is going to try and fix the two of you up. That was the impression that Helena got – well it was more than an impression wasn’t it ? So what – she’s not going to succeed is she ? So why are you crying ? – come on Ti “
Tina rubbed her eyes – she was trying not to look like she was an emotional mess and so far she wasn’t doing that well. But Bette knew that she got emotional easily and it didn’t seem to bother her.
“Ti – its okay sweetheart – Helena told me everything “
“Did she tell you that she’s invited me and my mom to some fashion event next week and I have to be there under pain of death “
“Are you going ?”
“No “
Bette chuckled “What happened babe ?”
“Why do mother’s know exactly what buttons to press to make their daughters feel like a lump of shit on a shoe ?”
“Maybe it comes with the job – I don’t know “
“first of all she threw Jane at me – and that I was moping around missing her “
“And you assured her that Jane couldn’t be further from your mind”
“I did “
“Good “
“Then she hits me with how ungrateful I am – presumably I am ungrateful of the fact that she is an interfering old cow. I am ungrateful and she is glad that my mother cannot see it “
“Ouch “ Bette understood in an instant why Tina was upset – Bette pulled Tina tighter towards her and kissed her brow
“Sorry honey “
“Its not your fault – fuck – why the hell can she not butt out of my life – and to say that about my mom “
“How did you leave it ?”
“I told her to get out and for once she did “
“That was a low blow “ Bette agreed and stroked Tina’s back. She knew that Tina still missed her mom and to have her thrown at her during a argument would be the worst thing in her eyes. Bette lowered herself back so she was lying down and she brought Tina with her – the blonde sighed and snuggled comfortably against Bette
“To be fair to her Tina – she must have the worst hangover on the planet this morning “
Tina laughed “Good “
“I am sure she will apologise “
Tina looked up at Bette “I am sure she won’t – she will reach about dinner time or tomorrow morning and she will have re-written the whole scene so she was being maternal and trying to do her best for me while I am acting like a spoilt brat “
Bette stroked Tina’s face and lent closer and kissed her on the mouth
“I am not sure if you remember but this morning I told you that I love you “
Tina grinned and dried the remaining few tears from her eyes
“I do remember “ Tina replied
“And I gave you an I-phone “
Tina grinned and kissed Bette on the lips “I know – I am a idiot “
“No- no you are not – you are a fantastic woman who I love and intend to take good care of. Listen- what she said about your mom was well out of order but all this shit about Helena – don’t worry – Helena isn’t fooled by any of it – and she is my best friend- she isn’t going to let anything come between us and she’s not the sort of lesbian who will stab you in the back when a hot woman comes along”
Tina smiled and placed a kiss on Bette’s lips
“I love you “
Bette beamed “ And I love you – you okay ?”
Tina sighed – she looked up at the woman who had come into her life in the most unexpected way and was now just her most fantastic and beautiful lover. Tina nodded
“Yeah – it will give me some peace from the old bag – I am not going to any freaking fashion show “
“I doubt that Helena has even invited her you know “
Tina smiled “Yeah – that is a possibility “
Bette rested her hand on Tina’s face and kissed her softly and with all the love that she was feeling for the blonde. When the kiss ended Tina smiled
“I know I shouldn’t let her wind me up “
“Its easier said than done “ Bette said resting her hand on Tina’s ass and squeezing it. Tina chuckled and returned the kiss.
“It must be driving her crazy not being able to get us together “
Bette frowned “I wonder if my mom knows that she is using Helena “
“She can be unscrupulous “ Tina said coolly “Damn her “
“Maybe your mom would be telling her that she was way out of line interfering like she is rather than taking you to task for your behaviour “
Tina nodded “Mom was the only person who seems to have been able to control her – I know that she has a good heart and I really do know that she loves me but there are times when I just want to strangle her”
“So you were not tempted to tell her who you had hidden in your bedroom ?”
Tina grinned at the image that Bette had conjured up “Oh – oh that would have been so funny”
“Bear it in mind “
“No “ Tina shook her head “You do not deserve to be used as a weapon against my mother – regardless of what an interfering old bag she is being. When we tell our parents its going to be the right way – the way we both want it to – not when I am mad with her and I just want to shut her up “
Bette smiled – that was the most positive that Tina had sounded about their relationship.
“Good – now why don’t we get back to doing what we were just getting into when we were disturbed “