Tina interrupted softly. "I’m just sorry I couldn’t get back your deer print. It took me awhile before I finally noticed it was gone. Guess that was pretty dense of me, huh?"

Bette shook her head vehemently. "No, no, we needed the money. And I’m the queen of obtuse, thank you very much. Come here."

Bette sat next to Tina and gave her a hug; they lingered for a long moment before disengaging. Bette took her hand and kissed it.

"Thank you. Thank you for my gift. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for our daughter."

Bette gazed at her with such adoration that Tina had to look away. They both stared at their hands, still clasped tightly together.

"I miss this," Bette whispered.

"Me, too."

"I miss being together with our friends. I miss our adventures."

"I miss everyone coming to us for advice." Tina smiled. "I liked being Ann and Abby."

"In my quietest moments, I still think of you," Bette said suddenly.

Tina stared at Bette, taken aback. "What about Jodi?"

"We broke up," she answered simply.

Tina let go of Bette’s hand and turned away, unsure of what to say. Bette withdrew apologetically.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed – " To cover her embarrassment, she babbled on hurriedly. "There’s too much history, too many memories. I mean, if we got back together, everybody would think it was some kind of – "

"Cosmological joke?" Tina finished, looking up bemusedly.

Bette turned to Tina with a small gasp. After a few moments, the confusion in her eyes went away, replaced by hope.

Overhead, the music changed from deep house to a trip-hop song. Tina caressed Bette’s cheek lovingly, then stood up and held out her hand. Bette took it and they came together for a long, deep kiss.

Leaving the dance floor, Shane took a break and ordered a fresh drink; she leaned on the counter and surveyed the crowd through the mirror behind the bar. She spotted Bette and Tina and studied them for a few moments, watching as they embraced and began dancing slowly. With growing realization, a smile spread across Shane’s face and she raised her glass to their reflection.

Bette and Tina looked at one another, truly seeing the other with open eyes, lost and found in happiness.

~~~~~

~~~~~

"Forgiveness is the final form of love." – Reinhold Niebuhr, American theologian

[Note: Lyrics are from the song "Love Show" from the 2006 LP "Mind How You Go" by Skye]

 ~~~~~

Well, I’m a sucker for happy (if not cheesy) endings, what can I say?  Thank you for letting me post here; I truly appreciate everyone’s kindness and instructive comments.  I thought I got this out of my system, but a few suggestions from readers got the ol’ hamster wheel turning again; I haven’t decided if I’ll keep the same lame-o format, but the focus will still be an inside perspective on their past.

If you have any requests/ideas, please feel free to send me a private message via this website.  Again, I hope you liked my take on TiBette; it’s been my pleasure.  My best to you. — LMG