Is this love
Chapter 41

Tina woke up and lay listening to the constant sound of rain falling outside Bette’s bedroom window. She opened her eyes and looked across – the rain that had just been light when they had arrived home from dinner and a movie the night before was now coming down hard and it looked like the sort of rain that wasn’t going to go away in a hurry. Tina rolled over to look at Bette but she was missing. Tina yawned – looked at the clock on Bette’s side of the bed and settled back down into the pillow. After a wonderful long weekend in The Bahamas they had both been thrown back into work in a big way so they had not had as much time for one another as they had in the past few weeks. So Friday night had been special and now they had the whole weekend stretching ahead of them and most importantly – no parents to worry about. Emma, Melvin and Rosemary had gone away for the weekend to see a couple of old college pals – leaving their daughters to amuse themselves – something Tina knew they were more than capable of.
“Hey there “
Tina opened her eyes – Bette had come back into the room carrying a tray on which were two cups and a large pot of coffee. The smell instantly awoke Tina and she grinned
“If there is a better sight than that on a wet May morning I am not sure what it is “
“I assume you are talking about me ?”
“You and the coffee “
Bette chuckled and put the tray down and put a cup on the table beside Tina. The coffee smelt wonderful – not too strong but rich and full. Bette made great coffee among her other attributes. Bette poured a tiny bit of milk in Tina’s cup and added the coffee and half a spoonful of brown sugar and smiled at her
“I hope that satisfies you madam “
“I can think of other things but for now that’s great “
Bette walked across to the window allowing Tina to get a glimpse of Bette’s long legs and great figure
“Weather forecast is for this to continue all day “
“Damn – we were going to go out shopping “
“Well we still can – it’s a shame to miss out on all three parents being out of our hair for the weekend “
“Its lashing down B “
“Its great isn’t it “
Tina raised a quizzical eyebrow at Bette
“You are joking aren’t you ?”
Bette laughed as she returned to bed and tidied the duvet before getting in and looking at her girlfriend
“I love rain – its just really refreshing “
“Crazy – its spoiling our Saturday plans “
“If we spend the entire day in bed it is not because we are afraid that we will melt in the rain. Don’t you love the rain ? I love running in the rain – especially if its one of those summer showers really early in the morning “
“what about one of those three day torrential downpours like this – how do you feel about running in that ?”
“It would be great – no one around – cooling me down – fancy a run this morning babe ?”
Tina’s raised eyebrow made Bette laugh – she didn’t even have to speak – that spoke volumes
“I might go out tomorrow morning – its okay – I will let you sleep and I will bring home the papers “
“Now – see – that is something that is wonderful – coming back to bed on a Sunday morning – big pot of coffee and all the papers scattered all over the bed – now you are talking “
“You are not a ray of sunshine this morning are you ?”
“I am – I have just missed you that’s all “
“We didn’t get home until Monday night and we spent last night together “
“That still leaves Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday where we hardly saw one another “
Tina moaned
“You really are in a glass half empty mood aren’t you “ Bette accused smiling
“I missed you “
“I missed you but we both had loads to do – it just wasn’t possible –we are together now aren’t we – in bed with coffee ?”
“Coffee ! “
Tina took her coffee cup and took a long sip
“Ah – that is really good – now a good quality cup of coffee beats running in the damn rain”
Bette put her arm around Tina and pulled her close and kissed her hair
“To stop you being in such a grumpy frame of mind lets talk about the things that make life just light up in Technicolor – for me its running in Central Park in the rain – obviously its not yours – come on Kennard – lets see if we can cheer you up misery guts “
Tina smiled – she knew that she was prone to – as Bette said – seeing the glass being half empty. Bette was the opposite – Tina snuggled close to Bette and sighed
“The sight, sounds and smell of the woman I love and who makes me breathless when I see her “
Bette smiled “If we start talking about each other this conversation could degenerate rapidly “
“Your point ?” Tina turned and looked at Bette and grinned “Okay – point taken – lets keep it away from the sheer gloriousness and excitement of falling in love – but I do just have to say that you are the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. You excite me and ground me and you make me believe in myself again after a long spell of self doubt and loathing – how’s that ?”
Bette grinned in delight “ Thank you – and for the record and in the spirit of this conversation. You can make any day a good one just by the way you look at me and the way you smile. You have just the hottest and sweetest laugh – if that was possible. I love you and that makes me feel the happiest and luckiest woman in New York “
“Thank you – okay – what makes me happy other than E Porter ?”
“Yeah “
“Losing myself in a movie “ Tina began “ seeing a movie for the first time and being just swept away in the performances and the scenery and the music. I think my love of travelling in Europe was because of all the films that I devoured when I was 14-17. Rome and Paris were just different universes to me and wanting to see them has to be because of films – the same with London and Berlin and Prague. Hearing a new song in a movie and it just reducing me to tears it so captures me. I cannot tell you how many new artists I have got into just because of a film – your turn “
Bette sighed and pulled Tina closer “ So many things – I think simple things are the ones that I most give thanks for – candlelight, sunsets – things that are so fundamental but make me smile every time “
“Music “ Tina said holding onto the hand that was resting on her stomach “ The moment you heard the first two or three chords of a song on the radio and you know it and you love it and maybe it’s a song you haven’t heard in months but suddenly its there and maybe I have been having a rubbish day but there is this 4 minute tune and I know every chord and every lyric and I am just take away by it . The other day at work I was having a foul day and suddenly “God only knows “ by The Beach Boys came on – just those first lines – “I may not always love you but as long as there are stars above you “ – that whole thing. It just made me smile and it made me smile because I was thinking about you. “
“You are deeply romantic Ms Kennard “
“I know – I blame you “
“Fair enough “
Bette was silent for a few minutes
“Come on – this was your idea Bette “
“I love old jeans and boots. I have pairs of boots in the wardrobe that I have had re-cobbled three times and they look worn but they fit me perfectly and I love having an excuse to put them on and go out in them. Maybe at some point we should have a weekend away in Maine or Vermont and we can just walk through the woods kicking leaves and enjoying nature – that is the time for faded jeans and old boots. “
“When I first met you I had you down as a real clothes horse “
“Charming “
“That’s not as bad as it sounded and you know it – I guess in your job you can hardly wear old jeans to work “
“Rarely and that is okay because if I have had a terrible day sometimes all it takes is me getting changed into something really comfortable and I start to feel a little more human. I love art – you know that but its also a business and I have to play a role. I don’t always want to own my own gallery but while its mine and it my livelihood I will play that role and that means the suits and high heels. I like looking good but if it was a matter of choice I would be wearing comfortable old jeans and boots “
“I like that about – you look fantastic whatever you wear “
“Thank you – so do you “
Tina rested closer to Bette and savoured how good it was to be in bed with the rain coming down hard outside and to feel so warm and safe with a beautiful and very loving woman
“I love it when I have nothing that much to do in the afternoon and I find a record shop and I can just spend a whole hour or more in there – browsing and exploring “
“Think I am like that but its probably bookstores for me – god I love the smell and feel of those places. There are a few absolute hidden treasures still in New York and I know most of them – I love old paperbacks – they might only be worth a few cents but they just are so good “
Tina smiled – it might be an idea for them to spend the whole day just touring bookshops and record shops together – it sounded like it would be a winner for both of them.
“What else ?” Tina asked Bette
“Cats “ Bette said “I love cats – one of these days I am going to get a couple and really settle down. I love how they feel and I love that they are so sure that they are superior to the entire human race and they probably are. There is a style about cats that I just love”
Tina smiled “I can see you sitting downstairs with a cat in your lap while you are reading “
“At the moment it just wouldn’t be fair to get one – two would keep each other company. I just am a sucker for any cat I see. Helena used to have three huge hairy Persian cats – more breeding than even she has – they were fantastic things – regardless of how many doors we closed at night they always managed to find a way of ending up asleep under your duvet”
Tina was amused that Bette’s reasons to be happy were all down to earth and simple – that spoke volumes about the woman and made Tina just love her even more.
“Cooking “ Tina said announcing her next “thing “
“When I first got my own place my mom bought me every cooking utensil and about a dozen cookbooks. You know what – I have never opened one of them – I like just experimenting and mixing flavours and having to wonder what to do with interesting ingredients. I love cooking and I love the look on someone’s face when they really enjoy something that I make”
“Your chocolate mousse is a work of art “ Bette agreed
“I don’t cook enough – it is one of the things that I lost interest in but its really fun to be with you and to come up with a curry that you ate two helpings of “
“Now that curry was gorgeous “ Bette said “ Anytime you want to experiment I am happy to be your tester “
“I will – its something that is gradually coming back to me “
“You are getting your confidence back aren’t you ?”
“Yes – its fragile but its definitely there “
“Good “ Bette said with feeling – it was a great experience to see Tina getting her self belief back and Bette just hoped that nothing that her mother did when she found out about the two of them would damage it. Bette had thought about Emma Kennard and she had pretty much decided to let her know good and early that she wouldn’t stand for anyone upsetting Tina
“Eh – there is so much – the music of Ella Fitzgerald – any Beatles song – even the terrible ones – lying under a tree in Central Park reading – I love Central Park in any weather and any season – it soothes me “
“Being on the beach with you the other night was fantastic – mainly because of you but also because of how huge that sky was and how clear you could see the stars – I love that –the sea was so calm – that really made being with you all the more special – I will treasure the whole holiday but that hour or so with the two of us just walking and talking was fantastic – that’s what memories should be made of “
“You mean being cross examined by Peggy wasn’t a thrill ?” Bette laughed
“No – but she does really care for you and it was good to talk to her – I think I persuaded her that I am a worthy girlfriend to you “
“You did – she really likes you “
“I liked her – I can see that she can scare people “
“Oh you have no idea — she can be a right old bat – in the nicest way “
Tina sighed and cuddled close to Bette – this was just so nice
“I love ice cold beer on a really hot day – fantastic “
“Yeah – that sounds good “
“Here’s one – lying on my bed with a gorgeous woman by my side and looking at the patterns that candles are making on the walls and ceilings – there is something so safe and comfortable about that. I used to lie in bed when I lived at home with my folks looking at the patterns the candle light would make. There were times when I scared myself senseless – I think it might be at the root of my sometimes rather over active memory “
Tina yawned “Falling asleep with a beautiful woman holding me – that’s a fantastic feeling”
“Tired babe ?”
“A little “
Bette chuckled “I realised at the weekend that one of the things that really and truly make life a joy is my friends – namely Helena and Peggy. I don’t always deserve them but I sure as hell do love them “
“They are both very fond of you – that’s really obvious. It meant a lot that they accepted me – I know that they mean the world to you “
“And my parents will adore you as well “
“I hope so – I will turn the charm on “
“You won’t have to – just be yourself and they will fall for you. I am looking forward to it “
Bette hoped that Tina was as well – Tina drank the rest of her coffee and watched the rain continuing to fall outside the window
“I am looking forward to my mother finding out that I am good enough to win and keep the most wonderful woman who is loving and beautiful and just the best “
“Thanks babe “
“The knowledge that for once I have done something without her help “ Tina continued
Bette smiled “I think telling them how soon we cottoned onto them will be very satisfying “
Tina laughed “Oh yes and that we have been getting the better of them and their cunning plans ever since – pure gold”
“They will point out that if they hadn’t started plotting and planning that we wouldn’t have known the other existed “ Bette said
“We would have met eventually because of how close they all are “
“Probably – but we can take them through various events and show how clever we are “
Tina looked back at Bette
“Lets just hope it doesn’t backfire before your parents anniversary “
“It won’t – but we will have to start plotting so that you get invited to their dinner party “
“Are we going to go along with saying that you have a new girlfriend ?” Tina asked
“I don’t think it’s the best idea – lets allow them to think that they are finally going to get us in the same room – then we could see how long we could ignore one another “
Tina laughed “ How about pretending that we hate the sight of each other ?”
Bette sniffed “ I don’t think I could “
Tina looked at Bette and smiled “No – I know that I couldn’t either – I love you too much “
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