Emma’s eyes held Bette’s – this was a critical moment. Whoever “ blinked “ would have given advantage to the other woman. Bette had no intention of losing – Emma was going to get the message that she was in Tina’s corner and that meant taking on all comers. Normally Emma was very good at this but what she hadn’t expected was the force of Bette’s personality
“I wouldn’t want anyone to hurt my baby girl “ Emma said
“Good “ Bette beamed “ I am glad that the two of us are in agreement about that – because should anyone hurt her – I would do whatever it took to protect her “
“You would ? that’s good to hear “
Emma looked away from Bette – there was something about her dark eyes that made her realise that she was a very formidable woman who her daughter was now involved with.
“Tina is the woman for me – I know its early days but we both know how we feel and I swear that NO ONE will hurt Tina “
For the first time since she had been humiliated in court on only her third case Emma Kennard suddenly saw that this opponent was one that she could only lose to – this woman was more than a match for her.

***

IS THIS LOVE
CHAPTER 60
Rosemary opened the door of the café and watched inside. She removed her jacket and hung it up on a peg. The café was half full and she couldn’t see Bette and Tina. After a couple of minutes she spotted them sitting in a booth in a corner. She watched them under the pretence of looking around for a table. Bette was holding Tina’s hands and they were gazing into each other’s eyes. Rosemary always leapt at any chance she got to spend time with her daughter and her partner. It was so obvious that they were utterly besotted with one another. She walked slowly across to join them watching them as she got closer. Tina said something that made Bette laugh, the blonde reacted by kissing Bette who was still laughing.
“Hello “
“Mom “
“Hello Rosemary “
Bette got up and greeted her mother with a hug.
“Don’t I get a hug for my favourite daughter in law ?”
Tina laughed and got up
“Sorry Rosemary “
They hugged before the older woman sat down
“I hope you don’t mind me teasing you Tina “
“Not at all”
“I am just so amazed at the change you have brought about in my little girl “
“Mom “ Bette looked embarrassed
“Well you have a smile on your face and its just very good for a mother to see “
“I hardly went around with a rain cloud hanging over my head “ Bette retorted
“I know that –and I know that you are a fairly happy and positive person but Tina has really brought out the happiness that I know is so much a part of my little girl “
“Will you quit with the little girl comments ?” Bette said pulling a face
“No – because you are my little girl – I still remember her in pig tails and her school uniform on the first day that she went to kindergarten “
“Shoot me and do it now “ Bette said quietly
“I do hope that you have photographs of that event Rosemary “ Tina joined in the teasing
“Oh God “ Bette muttered
“Well – there are some photographs lying around “
Bette snorted
“You grunted my darling ?” Tina said
“Its just that my mother has a photograph album for virtually every year of my life. There are school programs of concerts, cuttings from college newspapers and everything “
“I think that’s sweet “
“It won’t be when you have to sit through the complete month by month account of my life “ Bette said
“I would like that – why would Bette think that I wouldn’t love to see pictures of her in diapers ?”
Bette closed her eyes “God “
“Bette is just being a grouch “
“Is it surprising when you are trying to take away what small fraction of coolness I had left in the eyes of my girlfriend ?”
“Two words Porter “ Tina fired back like missiles “David Cassidy “
Bette put her head on the table and gently banged it
“Why is my daughter hitting her head on the table Tina?” Rosemary asked with great reasonableness
“I found out that she is a closet David Cassidy fan “
“And you are still dating her ?”
“I decided that one flaw does not take away how much I love her”
“Your double act is coming on well “ Bette said dryly” You should think about starting in small comedy clubs and maybe aiming higher as you hone it “
Rosemary and Tina started laughing. Tina stroked Bette’s hair
“Oh honey – we love you so much “
“Leave me alone “
“We can’t – we love you “ Rosemary added
Bette lifted her head up and looked at her mother and lover
“Can you two not pick on someone else ?“
“Well we could but this is what we have decided to specialise in”
Tina winked at Rosemary
“We are sorry darling – to make it up for you I will pay for lunch – even down to three slices of chocolate cake “
“That should work eh Bette “
“I will consider it “ Bette said looking suitably miffed
“Thank you Rosemary – that is very kind of you “
“Well it’s the least I can do – its not dinner at The Carlyle “
“Well to be honest “ Tina said “I enjoyed your cooking better Rosemary – I felt so comfortable at your apartment. And I didn’t feel at ease at The Carlyle “
Rosemary smiled “That is such a nice thing to say “
“Well its true Rosemary – you are a truly fantastic cook and I really enjoyed being a part of your family “
Bette watched the exchange with amusement. Tina had hated the meal with her mom for so many reasons
“And how did it go with Emma ?” Rosemary asked
Tina looked across at Bette and smiled
“I would say that Bette won by a knock down “
Bette smiled shyly.
“Is this true ?”
“I just wanted her to know where I stood on things “
Rosemary raised an eyebrow at her daughter
“I have seen you verbally disarm some pretty tough characters – you certainly have a velvet tongue “
Tina snorted and managed to turn it into a cough “Sorry “
“I think on that note I better go and order us some food – what do the two of you want – something to keep your strength up obviously”
When Rosemary had left their booth Bette looked at Tina
“Did you really dislike the other night so much ?”
Tina sighed “I hate places like that – I know it was beautiful décor and the service was first class but I really wasn’t comfortable and I wanted to be anywhere but there. There was an atmosphere “
“I think I did my best to be charming “
“You did “ Tina assured her “ You were utterly charming and no one could have faulted you for the way that you were. Maybe because I knew how annoyed you get about my mom and that she was trying to show off by taking us there and hoping to blow you out of the water. I thought that you were awesome babe – I just love it when you are so strong but polite. I think that something happened when I went to the bathroom “
“Nothing really happened – there was some verbal circling and I made it plain that no one was going to hurt you “
“Why didn’t we have this conversation the other night ?”
Tina grinned as Bette raised an eyebrow “Oh yeah – that’s why “
“Exactly – we got very carried away and didn’t say much of anything for a few hours”
“Great “ Tina grinned broadly at the memory “Where was I ? oh yeah – its just that when I came back and the food was being served there was something about my mother that had changed. I don’t think you did anything as crass as insult her or anything but I do think that you established your big cat credentials “
Bette smiled “I think the cat analogy is a good one – we were kind of sussing each other out. I am not going to take any one hurting you . I know she is your mom and everything but “
“Thanks “ Tina said “Its great to have you in my corner “
“If I get you in a corner you know what I will do to you “ Bette said seductively
“Bette – your mom is coming back “
“Damn – she gangs up with you against me and now she cannot even stay away long enough for me to tell you how hot I am for you “
“She’s a terrible mom “ Tina said mockingly
Rosemary returned and sat down and regarded the two girls.
“Tina I have an offer for you “
“Yes ?”
“Do you know the bookshop near the City University – it’s a big old building “
“I do “ Bette said
“Do you Tina ?”
“Yes – I think I have been in there a few times – why ?”
“I happen to know the manager – she is married to a friend of mine at the library Bobby Ryan”
“Okay “
“I know that when I spoke to you the last time Tina you were saying that you were not really happy in your job “
“I am not – I have a couple of different resumes and I am studying the papers “
“Well Jules Ryan is a sweet, sweet woman and she was telling me how hard it was to get really smart staff and I asked her what she was looking for. “
Tina smiled
“A daydreaming blonde with luck ?”
“Well yes actually – its only part time but it permanent “
“You have got me a job ?”
“No – sadly my charms didn’t manage to pull that off but she is prepared to see you BEFORE she puts the ad in the paper . would you be interested Tina ?”
Tina leapt up and hugged and kissed Rosemary
“Oh wow – you are just a rock star “ Tina said “That’s just fantastic “
“Its not in the bag “ Rosemary warned wishing that it had be – that would have been a fantastic gift to give to Tina
“It will be when they see her “ Bette said beaming “Thanks mom “