As she told the agent, Mike, she couldn’t imagine living, even with the millions that could have arisen out of her efforts in finding the lost art horde, without Tina.  So she had decided to forego that, and had also agreed with the suggestion of the investigators that she sell her gallery, and wind down all her business interests in LA, in order to eventually move elsewhere.

And Mike had understood Bette’s choice, and her desire for continued safety for her and Tina.  He would work to keep them safe.  He promised as much to Bette.

So, now as Bette lay in the dark next to Tina, less than a month after Mike made that promise, and had carried out what Bette had thought wouldn’t be immediately possible, reuniting her with Tina, she reflected.

Perhaps she had been moving to this point, all along, and everything that happened to her, all the failed relationships, like the one with Jodie, and even this crazy case that she helped Mike and his team with, had brought her to love.  After all, without a trace of regret, she was giving everything up to stay with Tina. To take this love where it would lead.  With Tina.

“What are you thinking about?,” Tina’s voice cut into Bette’s reverie.

“I’m sorry, T, did I wake you?”

“No, no, don’t worry you didn’t wake me up,” Tina said, kissing her.  She sat up.

Bette sat up, too. She lifted her arm, to allow Tina to lean into her.  Tina reached out to bring Bette’s arm around her shoulders, then circled her own arms around Bette.  They settled into the warm embrace.

After a few minutes, Bette looked at the clock on the night stand.  It read 3:30 am.

“I was just thinking about love,” Bette answered softly, in the dark.

Tina smiled inwardly and tightened her embrace.

“About the difference between forever and eternal?” she asked.

Bette shook her head.  Their mental and emotional, and physical, connection, were remarkable.  Really remarkable.  She had begun to give up on trying to understand how it was that they could read each other’s thoughts, communicate in subtle ways that remained mysterious, even to both of them.

She nodded in silent response to Tina’s question.  They fell silent.