“Okay, baby,” she nodded, kissing her wife fondly.

“I don’t want us to fight, baby…but… I love you,” Tina said softly.  “And I love you,” Bette responded.

They simultaneously walked quickly to the showers.  As they changed hurriedly after a quick shower, Tina texted Brom about their change in plans.  She got a quick text back from Brom, even though it was around 1:20 am in New York.  “Ok, thanks. Will adjust security,” Brom answered within half a minute.  Wow, Tina thought.  That guy really did have contacts everywhere.   Tina texted in response that she would try to call Kit from Kabul at a decent hour in New York.  But just in case, she asked Brom to visit with Kit and Angie the next day to check in with them. “Of course. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them,” he texted back. “Be safe and just take care of Bette, will you?” he added.

Bette and Tina walked rapidly to the customer service desk of the lounge to check about tickets to Kabul.  As Bette arranged these, Tina began to make rapid calls to the resorts they had been scheduled to go to for their honeymoon, explaining that they would likely push their visits back.  Next, she called Arvind to let him know about the change in plans, and explained they were unlikely to make it to Hyderabad.

“I guess we need to reschedule that honeymoon again, huh?” she asked Bette wryly as she ended her call to Arvind.  The brunette smiled a little sadly at Tina.  “Mike needs our help,” she said.  Tina nodded.  Of course.

As they waited for the customer service agent helping them, Bette thought out loud, “Actually, you’re right, T.  To push back on me about this one.  I’m glad you’re coming with me.  Who knows what’s out there in Kabul, right?,” Bette mused, as she gripped Tina’s hand tightly. I guess this is what they meant by sticking with each other through thick and thin, Bette thought.  They were staring into each other’s eyes when the customer service rep turned to them with a smile on her face.

“Got you seats in the next flight to Kabul.  It leaves in an hour.  I’ve also cancelled your flight to Hyderabad, and will get your bags re-routed to the Kabul flight.”