**
Inside Helena was considering her scotch on the rocks while Emma looked at the menu.
“You okay ?” Helena asked her
Emma looked up and smiled “Yes “
“Its not been easy for you today “
Emma sighed and took Helena’s hand “It was made easier by you – thanks for being there for me”
“It meant a lot that you asked “
“I wasn’t going to – all week I have been so determined to handle it on my own – and I realised that I didn’t have to – I have someone who I could ask to just be there for me”
“I was in a panic about it myself – when Bette told me at the party what was coming up and how you were likely to be feeling I just didn’t know what to do. I wanted to be there for you but on the other hand –I didn’t want you to feel awkward”
“I worried that you might think it was unreasonable “
“I didn’t – I know how Bette was so determined to be there for Tina and I couldn’t fathom out why I would be worried about offering to be there for you”
“Maybe it harder when the person we are mourning is my wife “
“Well you and I are a lot of things and conventional isn’t one of them “
“True – its good to be back with you – I have missed you “
Helena nodded and squeezed Emma’s hand – she had missed Emma with an ache that she hadn’t expected. It had only proved to her that the two of them did have something that was worth fighting for.
“We are together now – that’s all that matters”
“You know “ Emma said putting the menu down and picking her drink up” Seeing Tina with Bette at the cemetery made me realise how much she has changed in the last 9 months and how its not every daughter who would be so accepting of her mothers less than conventional choice of girlfriend”
“I am pretty sure that she is a lot more enlightened than I would be or how Bette would be”
“That’s what I mean – can you imagine how Bette would react if anything happened to Melvin and Rosemary started seeing someone ?”
Helena laughed “That’s a good point – she was upset enough when we started”
Emma grinned “I know – I think it just showed that as crazy as the two of them are they still have a lot to learn about one another”
“Did you expect Tina to react the way that she did ?”
“I was anxious – correction – I was terrified telling her but she took it so well and I actually walked away from the bar where I had told her and I started crying”
“Why ? ?”
“Because of how much she does and probably will always remind me of Kate. I wasn’t around enough for her to take on a lot of my traits which is my own fault but – she is the fantastic person that she is because of Kate. There is also a side to her that is me coming out “
“She has proved in her job that she has a side to her that doesn’t bear messing with – I like that – so does my mother”
“And will I find out about her job ?”
“I am sure that you will “
“I think its mean you not telling me when I know that you know “
“I don’t know the whole thing – I have discussed it with my mother and I am fairly sure I know what she has lined up for her but Peggy is Peggy as we know to our costs – she could have changed the job description by the time she made the offer to Tina”
“But it’s a good job ?” Emma had been struggling to contain her excitement at what Tina’s new job was going to be
“It will be – mom thinks a lot of Tina. Mom has always wanted to hire Bette because she thinks so highly of her but Bette wanted to set up her own gallery. A few years ago mom had a contingency plan for a specific job just in case she could persuade Bette but the gallery is doing well”
“Is it doing well Helena ?- I know nothing about art as my disastrous trip into buying the painting of the yacht proved – I do worry that galleries are not the most financially stable enterprise “
“You are worrying for no reason. Bette’s gallery is doing fine. She is excellent at what she does and the antiques side of the business is a gold mine. She took a risk setting it up but she repaid the loan that she got from the bank earlier than the agreement and all the money she makes is hers. Plus I don’t think you really have to be concerned that Bette cannot look after Tina”
“I know its old fashioned of me but I do care about them as a couple “
“Why for heavens sake ?”
“They are both dreamers”
“True – and that’s probably why it works as well as it does. But as you just said – Tina has a side to her that she inherited from you and Bette has a very good business brain. Bette respects Tina – they do talk about the gallery Bette told me so”
“Do they ?” Emma smiled
“You are very sweet for worrying but they are fine – speaking of which – here they are”
Bette and Tina were being escorted across the dining room. Emma watched them. Tina was wearing a white dress that really showed up how fair she was. Bette was in darker colours and they flattered her as well.
“Hello “
After everyone greeted everyone else with a hug they sat down and Helena had snapped her fingers and summoned the waiter
“Could I have champagne that I asked to be put on ice ?”
“Champagne ?” Tina said
“We have things to celebrate “ Emma said
Bette grinned at Tina “I cannot imagine what they might be “
“One or two things “ Emma replied smiling at her daughter. Sometimes it was hard to believe that this vivacious, happy young woman was the same one who could barely raise the desire to get out of bed 12 months earlier. Emma suspected – but hadn’t said that she suspected Shane and Tina spent most of their time high on weed and other substances. Bette liked a drink or three but she also frowned on drugs which had impacted Tina. But the main reasons were that Tina was in love with a woman who treated her with the upmost respect and that had done so much for her self esteem. Emma was happy just to see Tina happy.
The champagne arrived and Helena gestured for the bottle to be given to Emma who liked to open champagne and could usually do it without making a mess – unlike Helena.
“So daughter – anything to tell me ?”
Tina looked at Bette and winked “Bette and I are going on holiday to the West Indies in a weeks time – we just booked it this afternoon”
“That’s great “ Helena grinned – she had been nagging Bette to splash the cash and take Tina away for a proper holiday
“Any reason ?”
“I want a tan and I like drinking exotic cocktails “ Tina said “ And the thought of watching Bette in a bikini all day is priceless“
“Bette – do you have any control over my daughter ?”
“As much as you would expect me to have – none “ Bette replied
“Tell her “ Helena said
“Okay “ Tina summed up in a few sentences what her new job would be and the MBA and she named the basic monthly salary – after tax – that she would be getting. Emma started by smiling which turned into a broad grin and by the time Tina had finished she was crying
“I am so proud you honey “
Emma got up and embraced Tina. Bette caught Helena eye and they smiled at one another. Bette could see that Emma was a lot less stressed than she had been – obviously the two of them had really kissed and made up. Helena looked happy as well. Bette winked and Helena grinned – they would have a chat in the next couple of days when Bette would tell her that Tina was moving in with her.
“Its wonderful – you so deserve this darling “
Tina smiled – she knew her mom would be happy but this reaction had surprised her – maybe it was because of the date and maybe it also had a lot to do with the stunning brunette that her mother was dating. Emma sat down and stroked Tina’s face
“I tell you this a lot but you look so much like your mom”
“I hope that’s a good thing “
“It is – it will always be “
“Any chance of a drink – I am parched “ Bette said
“Good idea Bette”
Emma stood up and with a deft twist of her wrist she had opened the champagne and was filling up the glasses.
“A toast “ she said “To my daughter who I love so much and who deserves all the wonderful things that are in her life right now. I have three beautiful young women in my life and I wouldn’t want any of you to think that I don’t adore each and every one of you – to my glamour girls “
Emma raised her glass and gestured to each of the three young women – her beautiful daughter, her daughter’s partner and her lover.
“I would like to make a toast as well “ Helena said taking the bottle and topping Emma’s glass up.
“I want to propose a toast to a woman I never had the pleasure of meeting. A woman who by everything I have been told was kind and honourable and utterly sweet. I do feel that I do know her through her daughter who has so entrapped my best friend and I didn’t think any woman could do that and I know her through what her wife says about her. I know that I could never match Kate but I hope Emma sweetheart that I do make you happy. I want you to raise your glasses to Kate Kennard “
Everyone touched glasses and took a drink
Emma wiped a tear from her eyes – that was a very sweet and noble thing for Helena to do. Tina smiled – that had been very touching. Bette grinned – there in front of her eyes was her spoilt rich best friend growing up – it was a really heart-warming spectacle.
“I think its only fair that I make a toast “ Bette said “Its your turn next Tina “
“I was planning to “ Tina replied
“I want to propose a toast to love. Helena and I over the years have been consistent in the fact that if one of us is in a relationship the other one isn’t. So for both of us to be happy and in love is a real red letter day. What is even more amazing is the fact that we are in love with a mother and daughter and its not some weird thing for any of us. I can see how happy Helena is Emma and that’s a tribute to you – and my own perfect partner – I love you Tina – to love “
Another drink of champagne and another round of topping up the drinks
“My turn” Tina said “I want to thank Helena for taking care of my mom today. Its been a hard day for her and me but I hope she will agree that this year has been made easier because I know that Kate is looking down on us and smiling at the good fortune that has brought two stunning brunettes into our lives. For me I know that Bette is the woman of my dreams. Mom – I have never seen you looking as lovely as you do at the moment- I know that its unorthodox but you have never been afraid of that and I respect and admire you for that mom– To Helena and Emma – I hope your love is as exhilarating as mine and Bette’s is “