CHAPTER 34
A couple of days later Tina and Bette are ready to go home to Philadephia and celebrate the new year with each other. 

Bette is carrying the bags out into the car while Tina is in with her family saying goodbye. Once done, Bette joins her inside.
”There all ready.” She says as she enters the livingroom. 
”Oh I wish you could stay for a few more days.” Joanne says.
”Yeah, well, maybe next year.” Tina says and gives Bette a smile.
”We should og babe.” Bette says softly.
”Yeah I know.” Tina says as she gets tears in her eyes.
Joanne walks over to Bette and pulls her into a big comforting hug.
”Thank you for loving my daughter. I couldn´t ask for a better daughter in-law.” Joanne whispers to Bette, who is very surprised to hear that, it makes her cry and hug Joanne one more time.
”Thank you for saying that.” Bette whispers back.
Tina looks on and hears it all. She gives her mother another hug.
”Thank you mom, for making Bette feel welcomed and loved. It means the world to me.” Tina says. She walks over to her father, Bette notice that her limp is more noticable then earlier and is concerned. She have to ask Tina about that once they get into the car. Tina hugs her father too and then Michael and Megan.
”Love you guys, come and visit okay? Maybe during spring break?” Tina suggests as she looks on Michael.
”Hey, don´t look at me, I plan to get laid then.” He says with a serious face. The facial expression on his parents faces was hilarious. Tina and Bette also dropped their jaws to the floor.
”Guys, I´m kidding, man you should see your faces, priceless.” Michael laughs and Tina joins him.
Joanne is still serious.
”Michael Kennard, you are not to joke about things like that. You almost gave me a heartattack.” She says strictly.
”Okay, sorry…” He looks at Tina. ”It was funny though, right?” He asks her silently.
”Yeah, it was. High five.” She says as they high five each other. ”Well, we should get going. Long drive ahead.” She says and walks over to Bette. Everyone follows them outside and watch them get into the car and eventually drive away.
”Thank you for bringing me here, it was the best christmas I`ve had in a few years.” Bette says as she takes Tina´s hand in hers.
”I´m glad. It´s been my best too, since ever.” Tina replied.
They stay silent for a little while until Bette spoke.
”Babe? I need to ask you something, and I need for you to be honest with me, okay?” She asks.
”Okay? What is it?” Tina asks.
”Your leg, is it hurting more again?” Bette asks.
Tina stay silent for a few moments.
”It´s fine Bette, nothing to worry ab….” Tina says, before Bette cuts in.
”Not to worry Tina? I see how you walk, your limp is worse, and I´ve noticed the slightly facial expressions when you move too fast, or sit down to fast or… Don´t lie to me Tina. Are you in pain?” Bette asks one more time.
”Yes, it´s gotten a little worse the last 2 days or so.” Tina says as she looks down on her lap, where she has Bette´s hand in hers.
”Damnit.” Bette says and pulls her hand to her again, putting it back on the steeringwheel.
”Bette, I don´t think it´s serious. I´m sure it´s just healing pains.” Tina says, trying to convince Bette, and probably herself too.
”Wether you think it´s serious or not Tina, you should´ve told me. It can be serious. We are driving straight to the hospital when we get to Philly. I´m not taking any chances.” Bette says.
”Don´t I get a say in this? I´m okay Bette.” Tina says.
”No, you don´t get a say in this. I will not take any chances with you Tina.” Bette says as she starts getting emotional.
”Hey, okay, okay, we´ll go straight to the hospital. I´m sorry. I know you´re worried.” Tina says as she takes Bettes hand back into her lap.
”I love you Tina, I want… no I need to make sure you´re okay.” Bette says as she glances briefly to the side, one tear find its way down her cheek.
”Okay, okay. I´m sorry.” Tina says and reach over and wipes away the tear.
A few hours later they entered the citylimit of Philadelphia. Bette did as promised, she drove straight to the hospital, they walked in together and stopped in front of the receptiondesk.
”Hello, I was wondering if Dr. Trager is in?” Bette asks.
”And who may I say is asking?” The lady behind the glass asks.
”Tina Kennard. I was in the bombing at the City Hall station last month. He knows who I am.” Tina says.
The lady checks her computer, then she dials the phone.
”Hello Dr. Trager, I have a Tina Kennard down here with me, she´s asking if you´re available now.” She asks. She listens and then says. ”Okay, thank you.” She says and hangs up.
”You can og up to the fourth floor. Take a left down to the end of the hall. He has his office there. He was free now for a little while.” The lady says.
”Thank you very much.” Tina and Bette says as they make their way over to the elevators.
A few minutes later they´re knocking on Dr. Tragers officedoor.
”Come in.” He calls from the inside.
”Hey, Dr. Trager.” Tina says as she enters the office with Bette close behind.
”Tina, it´s good to see you up and about. How are you?” He asks.
”Well, that´s why I´m here. I´ve been okay now for a few weeks, had pain yes but, it´s bound to be a little sore right? But these past few days, it´s gotten worse. I was wondering if you could maybe take a little look?” Tina asks.
”Sure, come in here with me, take a seat on the bed. Can you describe the pain?” Dr. Trager asks.
”Not exactly. It´s just there.” Tina explains.
”Okay, could you take of you jeans?” He asks.
”Sure.” She says and slides the jeans off.
He carefully squeezes the leg, trying not to hurt Tina, but she feels it.
”Is it just here?” He asks, when he´s at a specific point.
”Yeah, mostly.” She replies.
”Okay, I´m gonna order an x-ray for you. Are you free now?” He asks.
”We have all day.” Bette shoots in.
”Okay, good. You can get dressed and I´ll go an call it in. You can go up one floor, and take a seat in the waiting room up there. Someone will call for you. I´ll see you after.” Dr Trager says and walks back to his office. He makes the call upstairs, telling them that it´s a possible blood cloth, coming up and to prioritize that.
”I didn´t even get to ask him what he was thinking.” Bette says, wondering.
”I´m sure it´s nothing babe. I´m okay.” Tina says and takes Bette´s hand and holds it all the way up to the 5th floor.
”I know, but I love you Tina, and I hate to see you in pain, and I don´t want to loose you. Not now, not ever.” Bette says.
”You´re not going to loose me babe.” Tina says as she leans in and places a soft kiss on her cheek. ”I love you too.” She adds.
An hour later Tina walks out of the x-ray room to an awaiting Bette.
”So? How did it go?” Bette asks.
”Okay I guess.” Tina says as she tries to give her a comforting smile.
”They found something.” Bette says as a matter of factly, staring blankly at Tina.
Tina looked away for a few moments. Bette backed up and nervously took a seat. Tina did too.
”Yeah, but it isn’t suppose to be critical. It’s a blood cloth, which they most likely need to remove or open up.” Tina says as she takes Bette’s hand in hers. “I’ll be okay.” Tina says as she stands up and pulls Bette with her. “Positive thoughts, okay?” She adds, before leaning in for a kiss.
“Let’s go down to Dr. Trager again.” Tina says and starts walking. Bette hangs a little back for a few moments before she catches up with Tina and takes her hand and squeezes it. 
“I love you.” Bette whispers, as she kisses Tina’s forehead softly as she pulls her closer. Tina smiles and lays her head on Bette’s shoulder as they get back to Dr. Tragers office.
Once there, they are taken in right away. Dr. Trager already has the x-ray pictures with him. 
“Hey again. Please take a seat.” Dr. Trager says. They do and wait for Dr. Trager to start talking. “So, you know what´s causing the pain now, and you know we have to do something about it soon.” He starts.
“Yeah, I do. When?” Tina asks.
“Well, I will schedule a surgery on Tuesday. I have to get back to you on a time. But We can´t wait much longer than that. I will call you as soon as I have a timeslot for you.” He says.
“Okay, sounds good. You´re sure it´s only a blood cloth? Not another major thing?” Tina asks.
“No, the X-rays shows clearly that it´s a blood cloth.” Dr. Trager replies.
“Okay.” Tina says.
“So, you can go home, relax, rest.” He says.
“I will.” Tina replies as she looks over at Bette who listens carefully to what Dr. Trager says.
“I´ll call as soon as I have the time for the surgery.” He says one more time before they leave his office.
Bette is quiet all the way home. Once they park outside the apartment, Tina can´t stand it anymore.
“Babe, please say something?” Tina says.
“Let´s go inside. You need to call your parents.” Bette says, she walks around to Tina´s side and helps her out.
“At least you said something. Babe, I´m okay, and will continue to be okay.” Tina says.
After getting inside, Bette takes a seat on the sofa and sighs.
“I know you´re okay Tee, it´s just that… the hospital brings back a bad memory. I just can´t help it. It shakes me up.” Bette says as she put her head in her hands as she will the tears to stop.
Tina walks over and takes a seat beside her.
“Oh, babe.” Tina says and pulls her close and puts her arms around her. She softly strokes her back.
“I´m sorry.” Bette says.
“Nothing to be sorry for babe.” Tina says softly.
“I´m suppose to be there for you now, not you for me.” Bette says quietly.
“Hey, this is a partnership. We´re there for each other, okay?” Tina says as she lifts Bette´s face so she can look into her eyes.
“Okay.” Bette says with a little smile.
“Okay, I love you, can we maybe get something to eat? I´m starving.” Tina says.
“Sure. What do you want?” Bette asks as she leans in for a soft kiss.
“Pizza.” Tina says with a smile.
“Okay, pizza there is. Let me call and order.” Bette says.