Simone: Bette thanks to you I think Ive become inspired to paint again.
Bette: Well Im glad I could help. Im glad youre here. Heres my better half.
Tina stood and extended her hand towards the beautiful woman
Bette: Simone this Tina Kennard my beautiful wife
Tina: Nice to meet you (Tina couldnt take her eyes off the woman.)
Simone: (shaking her hand) Likewise you are one very lucky woman. You two make a beautiful couple.

With that Simone left. Tina turned to look to Bette.
Tina: You are going to be working with her
Bette: Yeah. Tina please dont tell me you have a problem with that.
Tina: No, why should I shes only the most beautiful woman in the world.

********************

Bette: Wow T I remember when you used to think I was the most beautiful woman in the world. Well youre wrong about that anyway. Cause I happen to think youre the most beautiful woman in the world.

Tina furrowed her brow realizing what she had just said and how insensitive it was and how her insecurities seem to keep resurfacing Damn, Im beginning to get on My own nerves I know Bette is getting tired of this too. Tina thought.

Tina: Babe Im sorry. You know you are the most beautiful woman on the planet and Im lucky to have you. Im sorry. I know lately all I seem to do is apologize for being insecure and baby that isnt fair to you. I really am sorry though Bette.

Bette looked lovingly into Tinas brown eyes and gently held her hands she walked her over to the sofa in the corner of her office. Bette kept staring at their intertwined fingers she finally spoke.
Bette: Tina did I do this to you? You never used to behave this way now whenever there is a woman anywhere around you seem overly concerned that Im ready to step out.

Tina: Bette I dont know how to answer that. Since weve been together Ive noticed you get a lot of attention and Ive always been uncomfortable with that but I always knew your policy on cheating. I mean youd always been totally faithful “until.

Bette: Until I wasnt. Tina I really messed up and I learned my lesson. Cant you see Im better now than I was before? The best thing I used to be able to say was I was faithful, and yeah thats good but now Tina”Tina now I can say I see you and appreciate you and love you completely for who you are. I dont expect you to be an extension of me but my equal in every sense and thats why I know Im truly ready to have a family with you but only if you can really see the new me Tina and trust it”trust me. T”Tina you said you trusted me, do you really?

Tina looked at Bette and she saw her”the new her, the open her, she understood finally, a tear escaped her eye and she pulled Bette into a loving gentle kiss.

Tina: I trust you with my love, my heart, and my life. I love you Bette and hopefully this will be the last time Ill goof up with the little insecurity vibes.

Bette: I dont know T, maybe not the last time, hopefully well have a whole lot of years together– a lifetime and a little jealously every now and again is cute”just not everyday.

Tina: Cute Bette”cute. Im starving, lets go to dinner before they give our reservation away.


Bette and Tina did make their dinner and enjoyed themselves they even had their baby talk. Tina decided she wanted to use Marcus Allenwoods sperm because she knew it was viable and she reassured Bette that she was ready today to try again. They agreed to begin monitoring Tinas ovulation and to see Dr. Wilson as soon as the doctors schedule permitted.

Bette: Tina I want to be involved with every single aspect of this pregnancy. I dont want to miss an appointment. I refuse to meet you for any of the appointments. Well go together or well reschedule. This is our child– our pregnancy. I want to be there for the insemination, for the results, for the ultrasounds, for the morning sickness, when the little girl -or guy gets here for the early morning feedings and of course the Diapers.

Tina: (smiling) Elizabeth Porter I didnt think it was possible to fall more in love with you”but youve proven me completely wrong, thank you. When we get home tonight Ill have to properly thank you.

With that Bette looked down at her barely touched plate and decided maybe she wasnt hungry and as if Tina read her mind when the waiter came by Tina asked him if they could get the check and have their meals boxed to go.

Tina and Bette arrived back to their home hand in hand neither in a rush for the first time in a long time Bette felt at ease because the dream she was always afraid to have was finally becoming a reality. She had finally stopped being what she thought she should be, what she ought to be, what was right, and through her mistakes she became what she was meant to be, what was real, and that allowed her to see everything; even Tina for the very first time. Tonight she took her time and lovingly made love to her wife and with each kiss, each caress, each touch she fulfilled a new promise of tenderness and adoration. This night, Tina knew that as far as other people were concerned temptation was a word”a concept that didnt exist”how could it? On this night, making love existed for them, and them alone. Bette did things to Tina that drove her over the edge with such complete uncontainable passion she didnt think shed recover. Furthermore, she didnt think shed want to. Their bodies pleasured one another time and again until they finally succumb to the pull of slumber. Bettes cries of pleasure slowly gave way to whimpers of sleep as she held onto Tina tightly as they slept.

They next morning they were both happy walking around the house singing and winking at one another unable to refrain from rubbing or touching the other as they walked pass during their morning routine.

Tina: (smiling) Bette last night was wonderful and I cant stop smiling.
Bette: (smiling) I know T. I cant either. I feel like I dont know. Im so happy baby.
Tina: (still smiling) I know you make me happy baby. Its good to be in this place again.
Bette: (still smiling) Tina”T no offense but have we ever been here in this place before? I feel so happy I dont think Ive ever been quite this happy in my life T”seriously.
Tina: Aw Babe well whatever it is lets just keep doing what were doing to keep it like this. You know talking and being open.
Bette: Youre right. Well we should get to the Planet I want to see when Shane is going to make it in for her official tour of the CAC.
Tina: Is she going to try to impress Megan with her new found knowledge of art?
Bette: I doubt if shell be able to impress her. But it will give them more to talk about. I wonder what they talk about. I cant imagine they have a whole lot in common.
Tina: Well babe look at you and Shane. You guys get along well and you two dont have anything in common. Shane is just a sweetheart and when someone gets to know her or when she lets them in its evident you know shes just a sweetie. And so are you but thats our secret okay?
Bette: (smiling) Yeah T”we cant ruin my rep.

Tina and Bette leave and head to the Planet when they arrive Alice, Dana, and Shane are already there.

Alice: Hello you two you guys are glowing. I guess things are going blissfully well.
Tina: Things couldnt be better.
Bette: Hey Al, Dana, Shane. Shane when are you coming by the CAC for your tour?
Shane: Do you have time today? Id love to do it today if you are free. Im actually pretty excited. Its funny Ive been there quite a few times and never paid any real attention so this should be fun. Oh and Id like to see the pictures too if thats okay.
Bette: Todays a good day for the tour. T, the pictures?
Tina: Sure babe Im fine with it.
Bette: How is 1:00?
Shane: Perfect.
Bette: Dana”Tonya update?
Dana: Its looking kind of rough she knows Ive broken the engagement. Lets just say its getting ugly”but thanks to your advice I have my ducks in a row. Ill keep you posted. Ive gotta go training.

As Dana gets up to leave Simone walks into the Planet accompanied by James.

Alice: Oh my God who the ***** is that? She is HOT?
Dana who had been standing lost her legs and her ability to speak falls back to her chair pointing at Simone. Saying some incoherent babble.
Dana: Whoa naaame whoa wow
Shane whos normally cool suddenly ISNT. She spurts her espresso from her mouth in an effort not to choke. Of course this ends ups landing on Tina.
Shane: Whos the hot Angelina Jolie look alike? Where did she come from? Oh man sorry Tina.

Tina was of course too pissed and wondering why Simone was here anyway. None of the artists Bette worked with in the past ever hung out around with them. Why was James bringing her here?

Simone walked towards Bette and Tina she noticed the commotion she started and she loved every second of it but she wasnt there for the peanut gallery she wanted an innocent cup of coffee.

Simone: (never taking her eyes off Bette) Good Morning to the happy couple. I hope you dont mind Bette but I bugged James early this morning to help me to find a decent cup of coffee.

TBC