>>>

It had been another great day, Peggy had hired a car and driver to take the three girls sight-seeing and shopping. It was now almost 7pm and Bette and Tina had an hour to kill before dinner.
“You fancy a walk along the beach ?” Tina asked Bette who was lying reading.
Bette glanced up and smiled
“Yeah – it might be a little cooler – its been such a hot day “
“It has got cooler “
“How was the pool ?”
“Just great “
“I didn’t know you were such a water baby “
Tina shrugged “Its one of those things that I got out of the habit of doing – its been wonderful to have this opportunity “
Bette put her book down and glanced around for her flip-flops.
“Well you are really enjoying yourself “
“I am – pity tomorrow is the last full day “
“I am sure that we have an open invitation to come and spend time with Peggy again – where are they ?”
“What ?”
“Sandals or flip flops ?”
Tina smiled and retrieved Bette’s cheap flip flops from underneath the bed and handed them to Bette
“How did they end up there ?”
“You kicked them there when we were getting a little physical earlier “
Bette smiled at the memory
“Oh yes “
Tina handed Bette her sun glasses
“Come on then “

>>

“This is just fantastic “ Tina said as they walked together in silence both taking in the sight of the perfectly clear sea and the slowly setting sun.
“It is – she’s got a place in Bermuda but this is much nicer “
“I like Peggy a lot “
Bette smiled “She likes you “
“I take it that’s not always a given ?”
“She has the mother disease of high expectations. She would love Helena to be married with kids “
“You don’t think it will happen ?”
Bette shrugged “I am sure the right woman is out there for Helena but their paths just have not crossed yet “
“And she has high expectations for you as well “
Bette looked at Tina – was this going to be a problem ? Had Peggy put some inadvertent pressure on Tina ?
“Peggy cares about people and she cares about me “
“I have heard a lot about how your past relationships have not been the greatest and some less than subtle hints from Helena and Peggy that I should not consider hurting you less I put a price on my head “
Bette was used to Peggy and Helena putting the fear of God into her girlfriends
“Dating me comes with a number of drawbacks “ Bette said lightly “On the one hand you have the Peabody Mafia warning women what will happen to them if they hurt me and then if you survive that cross questioning you will get my mother who will want to fatten you up – regardless of what your wishes are and will be planning the wedding “
She really was unsure how Tina would react – especially given the pressure her own mother put her under. Tina laughed and shook her head
“It sounds familiar “
“I hope that you are okay babe – Peggy really doesn’t mean any harm and “
Tina stopped her by kissing her on the lips
“I have Peggy’s approval “
Bette knew that but she didn’t know if Tina knew that.
“She likes you a lot “ Bette added
Tina kissed Bette again “Last night I couldn’t sleep and neither could Peggy – we talked for a couple of hours. She approves of me and we talked about all sorts of things “ Tina sighed
“In a way it was the conversation I would like to have had with my mother but she makes it impossible what with her being a pain in the ass “
Bette was relieved “Good – I am glad “
“It helped – it really did. Its always interesting to see a situation through someone else’s eyes. It helped me to clarify a few things in my own mind. “ Tina touched Bette’s face “I want to be the best possible girlfriend to you “
“You are “ Bette replied
Tina smiled “You are so sweet Bette – I don’t know what I expected when I agreed to date you but you are the complete works – kind and loving and just the sweetest thing “
Bette smiled shyly. Tina kissed Bette’s lips
“I love you in ways that I am pretty sure I haven’t loved any other woman. This was so unexpected – maybe that’s why I feel that I have been ambushed in the nicest way possible. You are so lovely Bette. I don’t mind having to pass some test your friends deem necessary – I am sure of my love for you and I am sure that you love me a lot too “
“I do “
“If I meet with Helena and Peggy’s approval how much more will I have to step up the plate to get Rosemary’s vote of confidence ?”
Bette removed her sunglasses and looked at Tina who pushed hers down her nose so they could look into one another’s eyes
“Are you saying ?” Bette asked
Tina nodded “Its going to come out sooner or later and I would rather that it was on our terms not theirs like we have managed to do all along. But I am proud of you Bette Porter and I do want to open about our relationship. “
“What about your mom ?” the permanent stumbling block
Tina shrugged “I can wear ear-plugs”
Bette laughed
“Anyway – it has to be worth it just to see the look on her face when we walk in holding hands and looking utterly loved up. Do you think that we can fix it so that we pull just one last trick on them ?”
“If its what you want “
Tina nodded “I think its what we both want and that means its important. I love you – none of my doubts have ever had anything to do with you – I swear that to you babe “
“I know “
“I just don’t want you to think that I am ashamed of you or anything – if anything I am ashamed of what a snobby old bat my mother is “
Bette put her sunglasses back and put her arm around Tina’s waist as they started walking along the beach again
“I have never thought that it was because of me. I know – well I think I know what she is like and it was probably right for the two of us to find our way without it becoming a public spectacle. We will have to be careful that the two of them don’t make things complicated for us “
“I won’t let her I swear” Tina said “She winds me up but I am not going to let her damage us”
“Do you think that at the moment she really could ?”
Tina placed a peck on Bette’s cheek “No – at the moment the two of us are blissfully content and cannot get enough of one another and its sexual heaven “
“You noticed “ Bette replied dryly
“Just a bit – if we are going to have a long term relationship “
“We are “
“if we are going to stay as a couple and grow together then there is going to be shit that happens and probably my mother is going to feature in interfering and upsetting one or both of us. We have to deal with that and I have to have faith in what I feel for you and what you tell me you feel for me “
Bette was delighted with this more positive attitude from Tina. Gradually this mood change had been coming with the blonde but she suspected that either Helena or Peggy had given Tina the push that had been needed to verbalise her feelings.
“I told Peggy how much I loved you yesterday – how I hadn’t felt the things that I feel for you before. It scares me Tina – I can’t say that it doesn’t but at the same time its such a high and such a wonderful experience that I wouldn’t do anything to damage it “
“Really ?” Tina asked
“Yeah – I have never felt anything like this – its so all consuming “
“Shit “”
“What ?”
“I thought I was just me who was feeling so wrapped in the two of us “
“You cannot claim exclusivity Ti – I am utterly besotted by you – you are so sexy and your personality blows me away. I love you very much babe”
Tina stopped and hugged Bette. Bette held onto Tina “You really thought I wasn’t feeling the same as you “
“I didn’t dare “ Tina began
“Well it seems that I am going to have to tell you these things “
“I hoped “ Tina said
“Well its true – I am so in love with you and I want to be with you all the time and you brighten my day just by sending me a text or hearing your voice – as for what you do to me when you show up at my house or the gallery “
Tina eased away and looked at Bette
“You don’t talk about your feelings easily do you ?”
“No “