Seated at her desk Tina looked up at the clock, it was almost 4:30 in the afternoon and she missed Bette terribly. The work week had been busy for both of them and Tina had gotten to see very little of her wife since Bette was busy getting everything on track for tomorrow nights opening of the new exhibit. Tina knew that this was how it had always been during the week of a new art opening, but it was something she didnt like but had gotten used to. She wanted to make Bette a nice dinner and spend time with her before the opening gala tomorrow night. As she picked up the phone, she hoped that by some miracle that Bette would be able to come home at a decent hour tonight.

Bette Porters office.
Hi James. Its Tina. Is Bette around?
Yes, shes right here, hold on a second.

Bette was just passing by James desk when the call had come in and she shot him a menacing glance when she had heard him say that she was right there. Not knowing that James had simply covered the mouthpiece of the phone and not put the call on hold Bette began to berate the unsuspecting assistant.

James what in the *****?! I told you that I was not to be disturbed this afternoon. Did you not understand what I meant when I said to hold my calls? Do you know how much ***** has to be done before tomorrow night? Do you think that this opening is gonna be pulled off by itself? Well do you?!
But
But what James?! But what?
Its Tina.
Well why in the ***** didnt you say so?

With that Bette walked into her office and slammed the door behind her. She took a deep breath and leaned against the door for a moment before walking to her desk to pick up the phone.

Hi T.
Hey baby. Hard day huh?
Yeah. Im not sure well be ready for tomorrow nights opening.
Bette, Im sure everything will be fine and tomorrow nights opening will be great. I cant say the same for James though.
Huh? James?
Yeah, if you keep yelling at him like that Im not sure ***** make it to tomorrow.
You heard that?
Yup. Dont you think you were being a bit hard on him?
I know T. Ive just been so stressed out trying to get everything done for tomorrow. Ill be sure to apologize to him as soon as I see him. And since hes had to put up with me this past week I think Ill give him a few days off, just for sticking it out.again.
That sounds great babe. So what time do you think youll be home tonight?
Hopefully some time before the sun comes up tomorrow.
Babe youve been working yourself so hard this week, Ive barely gotten to see you. Can you please try to at least come home at a decent hour tonight? Im worried about youyou need to get some rest before tomorrows opening.
Ill try T, Ill try my best. I do want to come home and spend time with you.
Okay good. Then Ill see you at home later tonight.
Okay.
And Bette?
Yes T?
I love you.
I love you too.

Bette hung up the phone, leaned back in her chair and sighed heavily. She had been working extremely long hours this week and missed Tina terribly. She wanted nothing more than to spend sometime with her wife instead of just crawling into bed exhausted after a long day at work. Bette shut her eyes and let her mind wander for a few minutes, not wanting to think about all the work that still needed to be done. Their 10-year anniversary was coming up soon and her thoughts drifted through all the wonderful memories that she and Tina had shared over the years. A smile began to cut through the stress of the day and slowly spread itself across her lips. Bette hears a light knock on her door, jogging her out of her thoughts.

Come in.

The door opens a bit and James timidly sticks his head in to look at Bette.

Um, Bette. I know that youve been having a rough week. And well you havent eaten yet today, would you like me to run out and pick something up for you?

Bette began to shake her head and smiled at James.

James, James, James. Come in and take a seat.
Did I do something wrong Bette?
No James. You didnt do anything wrong. I want to umI want to apologize for yelling at you earlier. Youre a hard worker, a real friend and through all these years working together you have been nothing but sweeteven during the ***** you have to put up with during the week of an opening. So thank you James, thank you for everything.

James just sat there in front of Bette with a look of shock on his face. In all his years there, he knew that Bette appreciated what he did for her, but this was the closest she had ever come to actually telling him so. He tried to form words in reply to his boss whom he admired and looked up to but found none.

Its okay James. I know this must be a shock to you, its actually a bit of a shock to me too. But I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything youve ever done for me. Okay look, heres the deal okay. After tomorrow nights opening I want you to take a week off of work, youve earned it.
But
No buts James. I want you to relax a little. Youre always so worried about me relaxing and all that you forget to relax yourself, so I insistand if you must you can consider it a direct order from your boss.
Thanks Bette, I dont know what to say.
You dont have to say a thing. But I was wondering if you could do me one favor before you leave today?
Sure anything Bette.
Well I wanted to take Tina on a cruise, you know for our 10th anniversary, and I was wondering if you could do a little research for me on different cruises.
Ill get right on it.
Thanks James. I wanted to spend some time with Tina tonight so Ill be leaving shortly. You can just leave whatever information you find on my desk.and oh if you see Franklin can you
No problem, Ill tell him youre out running last minute errands.
Thanks James, youre the best.

James left Bettes office with a smile plastered across his face as Bette began to gather her things. Part of Bette felt that she was acting completely crazygoing home now, this early, before the sun had even set. And the day before a big opening no less, she must be losing her mindshe must be, she thought to herself. As if to add to her stresses, the other part of her mind began battling back saying that she was not crazy, that she was just in dire need to see her wife. As if to make a compromise,

Yes you are crazy Portercrazy in love.

Bette finished up packing up her things, grabbed her keys and headed out the door. Not wanting to doubt her decision to leave the office early, she rushes past James, giving a hurried good bye, and practically sprints toward the parking garage and to her car. Hopping into her car, she begins to feel the doubt and guilt she was feeling about leaving early turn to longing and a need to be with Tina.

Just as Bette was pulling out of the parking garage, Tina called the CAC to speak with her.

Bette Porters office.
Hi James, its Tina again. Is Bette around?
Actually Tina, you just missed her. Shes gone for the day.
What? Do you know where she went?
Yeah, I was surprised too, but she said something about spending some time with you.
Unbelievable. Okay thanks James.

Upon hanging up the phone a huge grin spread across Tinas face as a feeling of pure love ran through her body. She couldnt believe it, the night before an opening, Bette, her Bette, was coming home to spend time with her. Tina mind began to race, thinking of all the things that she needed to get done before Bette arrived home. If Bette was willing to leave the office this early the eve of an exhibit opening, then Tina wanted to do everything she could to make tonight a special, worthwhile night for both of them, but especially for Bette.

You deserve to be pampered Porter, you deserve to be pampered



TBC