“Yeah that’s it – you guessed “

“Well I will fathom it out – you going to wash my hair for me ?”

“In a bit – I need some water – you want some ? “

“There’s some juice in the fridge — should be nice and cold by now “

“Okay – I’ll get it and join you upstairs. I love you Bette Porter”

“I love you even though you beat me “

“Ass – see you in a bit “

Bette raced up the stairs and Tina walked into the kitchen. She was just drinking a second glass of water when Kit came in.

“Hi “ Tina looked anxious at Bette’s sister – they had barely exchanged a sentence – both wary of the other.

“Hello – you been beating my sister – she isn’t used to that “

“She is as bad a loser as I am “ Tina smiled

“Not in the family make up “

“I saw that by how they all reacted to losing at Monopoly yesterday afternoon “

“We have had many a family battle over Monopoly “

“I gathered that from Bette “

Kit looked at the blonde and saw how nervous she was.

“I have been very awful to you “ Kit began

“I understand “

“No -I don’t know if you do. She isn’t my baby sister any more. The little girl who worships me – she’s never lost it with me like she did the other night – I was really shocked. She has always worshipped me regardless of what I said or did. That has always absolved me of feeling guilty for what I do and say. There can be such a thing as being too forgiving – I haven’t earned Bette’s love lately “

“She adores you “

“And I treat her as badly as I have – I don’t deserve her love “

“You don’t have to deserve love – you just receive it “

“Its been a shock seeing how much she has changed and how she is an adult “

“I can understand that “

“She adores you “

“I adore her “

“I thought when I got the letter when she told me she was gay that it was a phase “

“It isn’t – not for either of us “

“I want the best for her “

“So do I “

Tina poured two glasses of orange squash and closed the fridge door

“Kit – I want for us to get on. But you have to accept that Bette is a young woman – not your baby sister “

Kit smiled “ She told you that she got annoyed ?“

“In fewer words yeah – maybe we are too young and maybe we will break up but we both want the same thing at the moment – which is to spend our lives together. Its tough because everyone tells us we are too young. That’s something that no one can tell – all I can tell you is that Bette and I love each other and we are good for each other and we aren’t hurting anyone “

Kit nodded “ I understand “

“Please be on our side Kit for Bette’s sake “

“I will try “

Tina picked up the glasses “We’ll see you later – I’m off to join her in the shower “

Tina went upstairs and joined Bette in her room. Bette was lying on her bed half naked

“You’ve been a long time “

“Been talking to Kit “

“Has she been mean to you ? “

“No – she’s been fine with me “

“You’d tell me if she wasn’t ? “

“Probably not — juice ?”

Bette sat up and looked at the blonde

“Oh sweetheart I love you “

“I love you too “

Bette pulled Tina down and they began to softly kiss and caress each other. As Tina began to undress her lover and started to arouse each other she realised that this house was now her home and this family was hers. It made her feel safer than she had ever felt before – Bette Porter was her salvation and her joy and soul mate.

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