Tina couldnt believe that she slept for another three hours as Bette stroked her face. When she woke up Bette was not in the room. She panicked but soon realized that she was in their home. She felt her swelling had come down and got up to find Bette. It was not only the last nights incidence that made her look for Bette. She had missed Bette for a long time now. She had been angry and mad but she had never, for a moment, stopped loving, craving, and missing Bette. And when she found her, Bette was so tender and affectionate and so loving. As she walked out to the kitchen she noticed Bette sitting on the porch door facing the pool, looking very still. It was very quiet and bright outside but Tina suddenly grew worried for Bette. She wondered if Bette had sat there.alone in past months looking like that. Bette had not showered, changed or eaten anything. The tray and kitchen looked untouched. She knew Bette hadnt slept. She took a few moments to notice how thin had Bette become. She looked frail and famished. With feather steps Tina gently snaked her arms around Bette. Bette didnt look around. She kissed Tinas arms. Tina was trying to read Bettes eyes as Bette pulled Tina in her lap.Bette had been crying.

Tina pulled Bette into a hug, as close as possible. Tina, almost whispering: Bette, Hey..I am okay nowI am with you. Tina knew Bette was already spentshe was calm and had soaked in grief while Tina slept. Bette: It all started because I didnt care enough.enough to not hurt you.enough to not let you goenough to protect you from such insane people. It is killing me T..how dare she touch you to hurt youbaby, I am so sorry. Tina basked in Bettes love. The word baby ringed in her ears. It was love.pure and nakedShe brushed Bettes tears with her lips and held Bettes face in her hands thinkinghow she longed to do thisTina: Bette, you love me enough to feel guiltyenough to cry for my painenough to make me want to love you back. I know I still hurt from the mistake you made, butit was a mistake. You hurt me Bette and it is only you who can heal me. I dont need anyone but you to hold me right now. Build me up BetteHold me.

After they held each-other for a while, Tina: Bette, I am hungry. Bette broke the embrace and stroked Tinas hair: Do you want to shower while I order in something. Tina had been hungry for Bettes care for so long now.she was soaking herself in it. Tina nodded – No. Before Bette put words to go with her questioning expression, Tina kissed her very lightly. It felt so good. How she had longed to taste those lips. It felt so damn right. Tina: I am hungry for you Bette. Bette smiled and kissed her back. The kiss was gentler that Tinas. Of what Tina could rememberthe gentlest kiss ever. Bette: You need to eat before anything else. Let me order some foodand then well let you decide what do you what to eat first.

Bette ordered foodeverything Tina liked and exited kitchen to look for Tina. Tina was in bathroom checking her battered face in the mirror. She looked horrible. I just got lucky, she thought. The nights horror almost chilled her when she saw Bette studying her. Bette slid her arms around Tinas waist, looked her in the eye in mirror.you are so beautiful and she kissed her shoulder and the back of her neck. Tinas eyes filled with tears.ONLY Bette could say this to her right now. She looked anything but beautiful. Bette held her hand and led her to the shower. She started to undress Tina and was shocked to see Tinas bruises on her legs and her thighs. Bette broke down as she kissed Tinas wounds. There was hardly any sexual tension.Bette cried and soothed and held Tina, as she revealed Tinas wounds to herself and to Tina. Bette came up as Tina started to shiver: I am so sorry T, I love you. I am here. She led Tina to the shower and let the warm water wash Tinas body. Tina was amazed at how gentle Bette could be. Bette didnt even take her shirt off. She knew Tina was not ready even though she said she was. For many reasons. She just gently rinsed Tina, dried her and put her in a robe. Bette then changed quickly into a dry shirt and shorts.

As the food arrived, Tina realized she was so hungry. They ate at the table of their home and as Bette cleaned Tina changed to Bettes clean clothes. She had always loved to wear Bettes clothes. She felt as if Bette was wrapped on her, around her. It was already four in the evening and Bette was preoccupied thinking of ways to keep Tina relaxed. Tina came into the living room and sat on the sofalooking at Bette. After a while Bette realized that Tina was staring at her. Bette: Whatcha thinkin? Tina shrugged. Bette stopped to look again with a questioning, squinting glance. Tina: Bette, can I ask you something? Bette dropped the tissue on table and walked to Tina. Kneeling again in front of her and taking hands she whispered: Anything.