Bette was silent – that had been a very perceptive analysis. She had never thought of her and Tina as being like Melvin and Rosemary but Tina was right. There was a calmness about Tina that was like Rosemary.
“I have never thought of that but – yeah – yeah I can see that “
“I want you and I to have the best chance of succeeding. I love you Bette – I don’t think I always show you just how much. But – you have totally changed how I look at life and I want to spend my life with you “
Bette swallowed “I feel the same about you Ti – I always have you know “
“I do know that. All the crap with my mom and Helena has got in the way of the two of us being so wrapped up in one another. I can see how they are and I know that was how we were until about six weeks ago and it was only getting mixed up in their crazy relationship that brought us back to reality. I think that in a warped way – their relationship has made us stronger. We both saw the ways in which they could get between us and neither of us have let that happen. If we can survive my mom sleeping with your oldest friend – then – we can survive just about anything “
Bette was close to tears – why the hell had someone not told her years ago that this woman existed. That there was a woman for her who was so sweet and loving and sexy and smart. That knowledge would have sustained her through some of her darkest days and it might have stopped her sleeping with some women she really shouldn’t have. But she hadn’t known – all she had known was the deep ache that existed inside her that always failed to be soothed by yet another model, actresses or artist. But now here was this blonde who Bette knew she wanted to be with until the day she died. Two tears dropped from her eyes as she looked at Tina
“Hey – why the tears ?”
“I don’t ever want to lose you “
“You will not lose me Bette”
“There have been times when thing have been crazy with Emma and Helena that I have been worried “
“Why ? – you are not responsible for your crazy best friend – no more than I am responsible for the old bat who happens to be my mom “
“Because Emma is your mom and Helena is my best friend. Its going to be hard not to take sides “
“If Helena cheated on mom – yes I would be pissed with Helena – I suspect that you would as well “
Bette sighed “We suck at not talking about them “
Tina shook her head “Fuck – I keep saying that as well – they are driving me crazy and I am sitting here and its getting dusk and I am alone with the woman I worship and we are talking about my bloody mother – God !! “
Bette laughed and threw her head backwards “ As you say – crazy – we should fine one another a dollar if we talk about them after a certain time “
“We would be able to afford one of these cabins in a few weeks if we do “
Bette chuckled “Would you like to live here ?”
“it’s a bit of a hike for work and my priority is for Peggy to offer me a proper job”
“Matter of time “
“Hope so – I am ready to settle down and put down some roots and go domestic and dull “
Bette raised an eyebrow “ Yeah ?”
“Yeah “
Bette was about to ask Tina to explain that remark but she stopped herself . She was a smart woman, she really didn’t need Tina to explain that comment.
“You want someone to be dull and domestic with ?”
“Only one candidate “ Tina replied
Bette’s grinned “I love you “
Tina touched Bette’s face and kissed her fully on the lips. The kiss was passionate and full of love and desire. Tina sighed
“I love you so much Bette “
Bette still had tears in her eyes as she stroked Tina’s face
“I had convinced myself that the right woman didn’t exist for me. I was trying to get used to always having the life that I had – I would try and tell people that I wasn’t looking for anyone serious because I was working so hard at making my gallery work but in truth “ she shook her head sadly “In truth I was sure the right woman didn’t exist. And God – you walked into The Paramount and” Bette swallowed “I just knew. I wanted you “
“Did you expect us to fall in love ?”
“I do my best not to pile that amount of pressure on a relationship so soon. But – well there was something different about you and us. You were different”
“I was insecure and so sure that you were way out of my league “
“And now ?” Bette smiled
“Now “ Tina smiled “You and I are just right. We fit, we compliment each other – you drive me crazy – I drive you nuts with how untidy I am and your bad singing makes me laugh until I can barely move but “ Tina squeezed Bette’s hand “ I wouldn’t change you for anything on this earth Bette – I love you “
“When the time is right- I really think that us living together would take our relationship to another level – a level that will seal what we have “
“I know – I know we talked about this a few weeks ago “
“You are not ready – I know that – I am not going to try and push you. The one thing I will never do is try and bully you “
“I have had enough of that to last a life time and not just mom but my exes as well. And I don’t deal well with it – you have never tried to make me do anything “ Tina paused “well not unless we are talking about you trying to get your hands into my pants “
Bette tried to look offended but just laughed instead
“Be fair – if the contents of your pants were not so fascinating to me I might not try so many times “
“My bra seems to be just as fascinating to you “
“And mine isn’t ? I don’t mind you telling me that I am sex crazed for you but do not pretend that it’s a one way deal Tina “
“I never said it was one way “ Tina looked at Bette – the growing dusk was creeping in more “Come on – lets head back – I am hungry and not just for the food we bought”
Holding hands they headed back – all they could hear was the sound of their footsteps as they walked over twigs and leaves. There were also distinctive cries from the birds and the odd noise from other creatures. They had been walking for a few minutes when Tina spoke again
“I used to get really scared because you were so out of my league and I worried that maybe you didn’t find me as desirable as I found you. But the more self confidence I got – – the more I saw that you look at me with such raw sexual longing – that is a look and a desire that cannot be faked. And – well Peggy pointed out to me that you set up our meeting knowing what I looked like so you weren’t in the dark “
“Lets get back to the cabin and I will take the greatest pleasure of showing you just how much longing I have for you Tina Kennard “