“No –you just relax Emma “
“How is the world of law going?” Bette asked Emma politely
“Busy as always – how is your gallery?”
“My gallery is doing well – you should come and see it sometime “Bette said making her own private dig about the first time Emma had tried to bring Bette and Tina together.
They chatted for a few more minutes – Emma was looking at her watch a lot. Bette felt her phone vibrate –she removed it and looked at it
“Excuse me – work “
“I hope you are not going to be busy all evening “Melvin said
“I promise “Bette said grinning as she left the room. She hurried to the front door of the apartment and opened the door. Tina was standing leaning against the wall opposite the apartment
“Hi “Bette said easing the door shut behind her
“Hi “
Bette smiled as she looked Tina over. The blonde was wearing a beautiful black cocktail dress that showed off her long pale legs. She was wearing high heels which added to her usual height. Her long blonde hair was hanging in curls around her shoulder. Bette had never seen her lover looking like this before. There was a gift bag at her feet
“Wow “Bette finally said “You look utterly gorgeous “
Tina blushed. It had been a long time since she had dressed up as smartly as she was now. It had been a trip down memory lane to look over her dresses and decide what shoes would go best with the dress she wanted to wear. It had been a long afternoon in picking out the right accessories and even down to having to go and treat herself to some new lacy underwear. When she had finished and looked at herself in the mirror, she had realised that she was a beautiful and desirable young woman – one who had been lost for so long. Seeing herself looking so good had made her cry – how long had she just been existing in a drab existence? How lost and alone had she been when Bette had suddenly shown up looking so stylish and acting with so much love. Tina realised that in three months her whole life had been changed by just having someone in her life who was so positive and who just believed in her.
Bette walked across to Tina and took hold of her hands
“You are beautiful “
“Thank you – you look great too “
Bette grinned “I was going to wear a dress but I decided I would be more comfortable. You – wow “
“Why don’t we go somewhere at the weekend where we can both dress up “
Bette smiled “I have a feeling that you and I will be summed to various meals with our parents this weekend. We have some explaining to do “
Tina nodded “Well at some point the two of us are going to get dressed in our Sunday best and hit the town “
“You have a deal – how do you feel?”
“Anxious but excited – you ?”
“The same – your mother doesn’t look a happy woman. I want to ask you something “
“What ?”
“I don’t want her saying anything about you and Helena – I think that would make my parents really worried if they thought that Helena and I were fighting over you “
“As you have spent most of the last week telling me – that is all in her head – there is no proof that Helena and I are involved. She might wish we were but that’s got to be just because you and I have been too good at evading letting them getting us together “
Bette nodded “I know – I guess I just have the jitters “
“Then let’s get it over with “
Bette kissed Tina on her lips – the kiss was loving and full of emotion from both women. When the kiss ended, they looked into one another’s eyes
“Let’s do it “
Tina followed Bette into the sitting room of the apartment. It was a nice room – well decorated and there were lots of pictures of family members around the walls.
“Tina – how lovely of you to make it “Rosemary got up and greeted Tina
“Thank you for inviting me Mrs Porter “
“Now dear as I keep telling you – its Rosemary “
“Thank you “
“You look lovely Tina – you have met my daughter Bette – this is Melvin my husband “
Tina shook hands with Melvin – he looked jolly and he was handsome.
“Hello Tina – pleased to meet you “
“And you sir “
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Not yet thanks “
Tina looked at her mother who was giving her what she knew was a look that indicated that she was on “trial “Tina smiled
“Hello mom – you look very nice “
“Thank you “
Bette caught Tina’s eye and smiled.
“Eh – can I just say something before the food and wine start flowing?” Bette said
“Certainly “Rosemary looked at Melvin who shrugged and picked up his wine glass again
“I would like to tell you about the strange case of the Conspiring Parents “
Melvin smirked – he knew it – Bette had figured it out. Rosemary and Emma looked less certain
“This case came to my attention a few months ago – it involved three old friends getting their heads together with a single aim –that was to get their daughters hooked up “
“Do you have proof?” Melvin asked raising an eyebrow at her daughter
“Well –funny you should mention that Mr Porter – I would like to use as my first exhibit the single theatre ticket to see the marvellous Pam Grier on Broadway. It was odd to be given one ticket by my father who looked a little sheepish about his part in the conspiracy and that sheepishness will be taken into account when the plea bargaining takes place “
“Noted – carry on Ms Porter “Melvin was now enjoying Bette’s speech – she would have gone far if she had taken up a career in the law.
“What was just as odd was arriving at the theatre and find that there was a single seat beside me “
Bette looked at Tina – this was good fun. The blonde winked at her – and Tina was really bad at winking which was something that tickled Bette.
“Since then there have been other events such as the exhibition that my mother insisted in attending at a specific time – I could go on but I will only ask for other offences to be taken into account if any of the defenders tries to plead innocent on the current charges “
Bette looked at her parents
“How would you like to plead?”
“Guilty but under cohesion “Melvin replied
“Mother?”
Rosemary smiled “You have always been too smart for your own good – guilty “
Bette looked at Emma
“Ms Kennard – would you like to enter a plea?”
“I think that I would advise any client not to enter a plea as it might incriminate themselves “
Emma smiled realising that the game was well and truly up
Bette looked at Tina – this was it – this was the moment. She looked at her parents
“How long have you known?” Melvin asked
“The single theatre ticket was just too weird for words “Bette explained
“You three should try a life of crime because you are all pretty cunning “Tina said speaking
“Thank you darling “Emma replied
“However, I think that on this occasion – this is a case of the two of us being too much chips off the old blocks “Tina said
“That said “Bette added “There is something that should be taken as mitigation for your crimes before we come up with a punishment “
“What’s that?” Rosemary asked
“This “
Bette took hold of Tina and in a move, they had greatly enjoyed practising the night before they began kissing as passionately as possible.