Bette continued, seeing Kristies hurt, berating herself for doing it again, for hurting another woman she loved, Maybe I dont deserve either of them Bette sadly thought to herself. But she continued, she wanted to make sure that Kristie knew she was loved, .The thing is I love you too, very much Kris. and I want to be completely unselfish hereIf my loving you is enough for you to think we will work, I will stay and be committed to you and our family and not see Tina again, everlike you want. I will not hurt you any further!!. After the distribution of our assets proceeding on Wednesday I will let her just go back to San Francisco on Saturday and thats it!!.(looking into Kristies sorrowful eyes) What do you want Kristie? Is my love enough for you?.

Tbc..

Chapter 25

Kristie looked at Bette in disbelief, her heart was aching and she didnt believe what she was about to do. Kristie sadly extracted her hands from Bettes, a look of complete sorrow washed over her face.

She cast her eyes to the floor, speaking sombrely, quietly, so much so that Bette could hardly hear her, Are you serious babe? .You are the love of my life.I wish you were mine forever but.. the heart wants what it wantsBette, if you are going to be happier with Tina Kennard, how could I possibly deny you that? Kristie looked up at Bette, tears were streaming down both womens faces.

Bette: Its not about that KristieI am happy with you, its just.. Bette was at a lost for words to explain, and she didnt want to cause Kristie any further hurt.

Kristie: I know baby, and I suppose if there were no Tina Kennard we would spend our lives happily together, but there is and she is (uncontrollably sobbing) who you really want!

Bette got up and went straight over to Kristie; she engulfed Kristies body in her own and held on tight until Kristie sobbing subsided. Its ok babyI understand, you tell me what you want me to do Kris and Ill do itThe last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt youThe last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt anyone!! Bette was filled with remorse for all the lives she had managed to ***** up!

Kristie somewhat composed herself and looked straight into Bettes eyes, she was thankful that Bette was at least honest with her. This situation was tearing her heart out, but she couldnt think of anything worse than living a lie. At least she knew where she stood, she had said all along she wouldnt play second to anyone and she wasnt going to start now!

How would I be if I got a second chance with Bette Kristie thought about that and knew what she had to do. How could she deny her one true love a second chance at her own true love. She was going to have to make maybe the biggest sacrifice of her life.

Kristie composed herself and broke from Bettes embrace, pushing her away, (teary eyed, her voice cracking with emotion) BetteI never thought Id love anyone as much as I love you, and I do love you, enough..(sighing) to let you go. Go and take your second chance baby and dont feel guilty about it, ever, about being happy and in loveUltimately I only want you and Jack to be happy.

Bette couldnt believe what she was hearing. She knew Kristie wouldnt really want her once she made her admission but she expected yelling and screaming and cursing and crying. Ok so there was crying, but Kristie seemed too crushed to even fight.

That tore Bette up, she wished at that moment that she couldve been in love with Dr Kristie Phelps, and this last week couldve been just a figment of her imagination. But she also knew a second chance with Tina. with her Tee, was what she had been daring to dream of for 5 whole, long years. and Kristie was giving her that chance. What an incredible woman, Bette thought.

She was so lost in thought that she didnt hear Kristie quietly speak, between her tears, Bette.. I would like to come by later and say good-bye to Jack if thats ok? a look of total resignation on her face.

Bette: (sorrowfully) Sorry Kriswhat was that?

Kristie: (a little louder) I would like to say good-bye to Jack Bettewhen I come by later to collect my things, if thats alright with you?

Bette: Of course you can, but collecting your things,. that wont be necessary Kris, you stay we will move.

Bette was thinking she would move back into her old house. hers and Tinas old house. She could never bring herself to stay there without Tina, but now things were different. She didnt dare voice that thought though, that wouldve cause Kristie even more sorrow.

Kristie looked at Bette almost with a look of disgust, No Bette I cannot stay there without you.that iswas our home!

Bette: (sombrely) Ok whatever you want KrisI will move all our belongings in the next few days, and Ill leave it up to you what you want to doYou just let me know!

Kristies feelings were still so raw, and now they were talking about moving, it was getting to be too much too soon for her, (anxiously) Ok fine. I will let you knownow if you dont mind I need to be alone(sadly) goodbye Bette!! outstretching her arm, trying to prompt Bette to leave.

Bette stood up and took one last look at the woman she had loved for the last 12 months, and with sorrow and regret she turned around walking straight out of the room and straight out of the hospital, her cheeks stained with tears.

Bette got in her car with a heavy heart, feeling so sorry for hurting such a wonderful woman, but at the same time, she felt like an incredible weight had been lifted from her shouldersShe really couldnt help being in love with TinaWhat Kristie had said to Bette was spot on, the heart wants what it wants, and an unfortunate part of life was that someone always seems to get hurt.

If Bette couldve, she wouldve taken Kristies pain away in a second, but she knew how it felt, and she knew Kristie had to deal with it on her own.in her own time..in her own way!! Kristie was a smart, beautiful, intelligent womanin time Bette knew she would be ok!

Bette picked up her cell and phoned Alice, letting her know she was on her way to collect Jack. She arrived a short time later to pick up her little man. Bette just breezed in, collected Jack and his stuff and breezed out, thanking Alice on the way out.

Alice saw the look on Bettes face, knowing not to dare ask any questions. She would find out later. .much later, when Bette was more stable.

Bette looked like? Alice hadnt seen her friend look like that, since, just after Tina left and knew something BIG had happened.

Bette left Alices and headed home. She didnt want to see Tina until everything was sorted with Kristie; she was going to wait until Kristie came by later and said goodbye to Jack, then she was going to go and get her Tee.

Bette arrived home with Jack and spent the remainder of the afternoon playing with her boy, eagerly anticipating all the possible outcomes of the evening, when she would finally declare her love and intent for Ms Tina Kennard.




Stephanie called Tina after she had finished up at her conference, and they spend the afternoon together, doing the tourist thing, having a great time. They were out and about in downtown L.A. and it was nearing dinnertime; both women were becoming hungry.

Tinas stomach grumbled, Hey, Stephyou hungry?

Stephanie: Yeah, I could do with some dinner. rubbing her empty stomach.

Tina: (grinning) How about we just go back to Shanes and order in. My feet are killing me. Someone.. has had me traipsing all over L.A.. all afternoon. winking at Stephanie.

Stephanie: (thinking) Ok, that sounds goodNow that you mention it my feet are killing me too! laughing.

Tina and Stephanie went back to Shanes place and decided to order in pizza.Tina couldnt remember the last time she actually had pizza. Bette wasnt too enthusiastic about that particular form of Italian cuisine and Tina hadnt really had a reason to order or enjoy it till now.

Shane had left a note that she would be away for the evening and didnt know if she would in fact be home that night at all.

The two women spent the evening hanging out, eating pizza, watching T.V., chatting about anything and everything. Their relationship was well and truly back to normal, they had the comfort factor back, and Tina was extremely thankful!

It was about 8 oclock in the evening and both women were settled in, snuggled on the couch watching a Buffy marathon when Stephanies cell rang.

Stephanie sighed, having to get up from her comfortable spot on the couch; and answered her phone.

Stephanie: Hello, Dr Hunter. Looking at Tina, rolling her eyes.

Caller: Hello Stephanie, Dr Hunter, this is Dr Stephen James from St Christophers in San Francisco.I am calling you in relation to. Stephanies heart stopped. The jovial expression that graced her face moments earlier was instantaneously gone.

Stephanie: (almost in a whisper) Jason. That was all Stephanie could say.

Stephanie was loosing her composure quickly; tears were trickling down her cheeks in anticipation of the worst. She momentarily took the phone from her ear, bracing herself for the news.

Dr James: (concerned) Steph, Steph are you there?

Tina saw the change in Stephanie and immediately got up and tried to comfort her friend. Tina pulled the doc. into her arms and led her over to sit back down on the couch.

Stephanie took a deep breath and put the cell back up to her ear.

Dr James: (worriedly) Steph, Stephare you there?. Are you ok??

Stephanie: (holding her breath) Yes Im here, Hi Stephen.Ok, please just tell me?

Dr James: Steph. your boy, Jason, he movedhe moved his right handright this minute. Im right next to him in his room. Steph, all indications point to him coming out of his coma.I think hes waking upYou better get back here. ***** want to see his mom when he does

Stephanie couldnt believe what she just heard, (her sorrowful tears, becoming that of joyful ones, and now they were streaming down her face) What did you say Stephen?.Did I hear you right?.My boy. My boy is waking up. Oh My God, Oh My GodIll be there as soon as I can StephenokThankyou so much!!!

Tina heard Stephanies words and couldnt contain her own tears. She knew how much this mean to her friend.

Dr James: OkSteph, be carefulwe want you here in one pieceyour little fella has already lost his dad, we dont want anything to happen to his mom!

Stephanie: Dont worryabsolutely nothing will stop me from seeing my son!!Nothing!!!

Stephanie hung up her cell, tossed it on the coffee table and looked, almost in shock, at Tina. Both women had tears streaming down their cheeks. A smile began to tug at the corner of Stephanies lips, which rapidly became a huge grin. Tina joined Stephanie with a genuinely happy smile and grabbed her by the neck pulling her in for a strong, tight hug.

Stephanie was on cloud 9. Her thoughts were everywhere. Her main priority was to get back home, back to San Francisco and her son, OkTina I have to get back to San Francisco NOW!! I need to ring up the airlines and go and grab my stuff from the hotel, could you drop me off at LAX?.I need the soonest possible flightOk now where did I put my cell?

Tina: Steph..take a breathIll help you, whatever you need ok!

Stephanie took a deep calming breath: (a permanent grin plastered on her face) Thanks Tina. Now lets get me home to my son!!




Kristie had arrived home, sadly for the last time at about 7pm. She stood outside the front door of her homeremembering all the happy memories this place.her home, had given her, all the joy Bette and Jack had bought into her life.

You can do this Kris! Kristie thought to herself, taking a breath and knocking on the front door.

Bette answered almost immediately, (sympathetically) Hi Krisyou didnt have to knock, this is still your home too!

Kristie: (conjuring up all her strength to keep her tears in) Please BetteI would just like to talk to Jack, grab a few things, then Ill be out of here. Its too hard to talk to you, to even look at you right now!

Bette understood. She pointed down the hall.

Bette: (sympathetically) Hes in his room bab UmKris! I told him you were going to see him when you got home.

Kristie walked straight past Bette, her eyes fixed to the floor, making her way to Jacks room. She was going to miss Jack just as much as she was Bette; she had come to love the little man over the last 12 months, as if he were her own. He and Bette were her family, and saying goodbye to him was going to be one of the toughest things she would ever have to do!

Kristie walked down the passage of her home, passing by her old bedroomthe room her and Bette once shared.. glancing in, seeing the suitcases stacked neatly at the end of the bed.

It really is the end Kristie sadly thought..

Who was she kidding she couldnt do this just yet. It was too soon..Tears began to spill from her eyes.

She came to Jacks room and just stood at his door watching him play with his toy computer, tears were flowing freely down her cheeks a light sob escaping her lips.before Jack saw her she ran out to Bette, Sorry Bette, Its too soonI have to go!!!!!

Bette just stood there as Kristie practically ran out the door. She was at a complete loss as to what to say or do.

After Kristie left, Bette was unsure of what to do next, her mind was in utter sorrow for what she had done to Kristie, but her heart was yearning to see Tina, to hold her in her arms and tell her she loved her, she had always loved her

That is what Bette was going to do..she didnt want to waste any more time!!

Bette went in and changed, dressing in a pair of navy blue dress pants and baby blue shirt, the smart casual look, she wanted to make a good impression for what she was hoping to be their reconciliationIf all went well she would never be without her Tee again. That thought warmed Bettes heart.

Bette dressed Jack up too, much to his disliking. She had him wearing a pair of cute little blue jeans and a red-stripped shirt with a white t-shirt underneath.

Once they were both changed and ready, Bette grabbed her keys, the anticipation killing her, and they were out the door, going to reclaim the most important part of their family.

Meanwhile at Shanes place.

Tina had phoned and arranged the flight back to San Francisco for Stephanie. Stephanie was walking around more like pacing around the apartment with her head still in the clouds. A permanent grin fixed to her face, she couldnt wait to get homehome to her little boy!!

Tina: (smiling at how happy Stephanie was, she couldnt help it, it was infectious) OkSteph, your flight is in an hour okwed better head off NOW so we can grab your stuff from the hotel and then make it to LAX on time! Tina picked up her handbag and keys and both women walked towards the front door.

Stephanie grabbed Tinas arm lightly and took a moment to thank her friend, (sincerely) Thankyou, I love you Tinayou are a great friendIll promise Ill call you the minute I know anything ok

Bette had just arrived with Jack outside Shanes front door. She was about to knock when she heard voices, just the other side of the door. Bette stood and listened for a minute.

Tina: I love you too Steph!. giving her friend a warm comforting hug.

Bette couldnt believe her ears, she heard Tinas friendly declaration and took it way out of context, what the ***** was thatTina loves the docShe just told her so it took her months to even tell me that She must really have fallen hard, good one Porter, youre too late!!!

Bette was feeling vulnerable already before shed even arrived at Shanes front door, but now heart and mind were in complete disarray.

All she needed to do was remember Tinas words from that morning but she didnt, did she?

NoBette felt like her world was closing in around her, she had to think. she couldnt think there, not where her beloved Tee was declaring her love to another woman. She had to get out of there.

Bette turned around and hurriedly walked away, down the stairs and back to her car, just before Tina and Steph opened the door to leave for the airport.

Tina: Ok Steph. Lets get you home to that beautiful little boy of yours as they walked through the door.

As they left Tina smelt the faintest scent of perfume, a familiar scent, Bettes scent, she glanced around in hope and observing no sign of anyone, Tina dismissed it as a mere coincidence, turning her attention back to the matter at hand, getting her friend home!!!

tbc