After dinner everyone sat in comfortable chairs and Melvin got out a very old bottle of brandy
“I was given this a couple of months ago – I thought we might try some tonight”
He handed the bottle to Bette who assessed it
“Samalens 8 year old VSOP – this is an impressive vintage dad “
“Oh God “ Rosemary said “ Have you seen this side of your partner ?”
“Not sure “ Tina wasn’t too sure what was going on
“Bette inherited from Melvin a Brandy snobbery”
“Its not snobbery “ Melvin and Bette said together. Tina laughed
“You don’t have brandy that often “ Tina said to Bette
“I think you will find that’s because she is a snob and wont drink just any brandy”
Rosemary grinned
“I have merely brought up Bette to have a very fine palette when it comes to brandy and scotch “
“Now the scotch thing I can understand – I got that from my mom “
“Emma ?” Rosemary asked
“Yeah – one of the last holidays she had with my other mom before she was ill was a trip to Scotland to see the distilleries “
“It must be a genetic thing because its champagne with Helena and Peggy “ Tina was laughing
“That is a lovely bottle of brandy dad “
“I will get the glasses “
“This means that you and Bette will be staying tonight “
Bette raised an eyebrow “Sorry ?”
“You two will demolish three or four of those then Melvin will get another bottle out that he bought six months ago and he had been dying to get you to try.. This is going to be a drinking spree “
“Well in my defence – we were at dinner last night and we bumped into Peggy at the same time as Tina got the phone call about the course. Plus Peggy was looking to be brought in out of the dog house – so they made their peace with help of the cocktail menu – lets just say that the love of my life was drunk as a Lord last night. I stayed sober which one of us had to be as I had to undress her and put her to bed “
“Well this may be the night when you have to put Bette to bed “
Bette looked at Tina “ Do you mind staying here tonight ?”
“Not at all – if your mom doesn’t mind “
“Of course not – I will cook a proper breakfast in the morning for anyone not suffering from a storming hangover “
“There are pyjamas in Bette’s room “ Rosemary said
Bette looked to Tina for her approval – the blonde nodded “I am happy to go along with anything that you usually do at Thanksgiving “
“Well at least once in the run up to Christmas Bette and Melvin get together and drink too much “ Rosemary said
Tina guessed that Melvin probably missed having Bette coming over for supper once a week or so. Bette still saw a lot of her family but the majority of her time was spent with Tina. Tina was determined that she would encourage Bette to spend some solo time with her parents.
“Excellent “ Melvin’s happiness could not be hidden “Would you like to try this brandy Tina ?”
“As I am now a part of the family I think you should start giving me lessons – that stuff might be a little beyond my limited appreciation “
Melvin smiled “ I have just the brandy for you Tina “
“Do you know I don’t think I have even see your room “ Tina said looking at Bette
“Give the girl a tour “ Rosemary urged
Bette looked at Tina “Yes – lets see your room “
Bette got up and Tina took her hand. They went out of the sitting room
“Dad likes his brandy “
“So do you “
“I do – thanks “
Tina pulled Bette round to face her “ You don’t have to thank me – I love being part of your family. I love your parents – they have been nothing but kind to me. Your dad missing drinking with you “
“I guess I have been so wrapped up with you and the business”
“And plying piggy in the middle with Helena and my mom “
“That too “
Bette opened the door “My bedroom”
Tina walked inside – the room was very Bette like. The room was decorated with grey and white walls, posters were tastefully placed -an Italian landscape, some pieces of art and some black and white prints of New York. There was a long desk in front of the window with books and trays of papers to the left of the centre of the desk. Opposite the bed was a big bookcase – there were lots of classic novels and art books. On a shelf just inside the door were two shelves containing Bette’s sporting trophies.
“You were the sporting success “ Tina said. Bette put her arms around Tina’s waist and kissed her neck
“Thank you for being so lovely to my mom and dad “
“I just told you Bette – they are wonderful and they have always supported us”
“Dad’s just loves having company when he drinks brandy “
“And you like being the company for him”
“I always used to “
“He’s missed you “
“I see them both a lot”
“All the same – they haven’t tried to guilt you out – they are such wonderful people. I shouldn’t be surprised given what an amazingly loving daughter they have “
Bette kissed Tina’s neck again “I have never made out in that bed – how about we fix that tonight or tomorrow ?”
“Does brandy make you randy ?” Tina joked
“You will find out soon enough “