Two weeks had passed since the night Tina and Bette stayed up all night talking at the Observatory. Two weeks since Eric asked Tina to marry him and she turned him down to be with Bette. Two weeks since Tina could remember what her life was like before Bette.

Bette. Tina sighed to herself as she let her mind wander. Things are going so well right now I cant believe it. Bette makes me so happy and excited and confused and scared and everything in between. But can I really have a long-term relationship with a woman? Can I BE with a woman? Can I make love to a woman? What is it about Bette that makes me feel so strongly about her? Tina didnt have any answers, but she did know how she felt. It was as if her mind and heart were pulling her body in opposite directions and she was completely mystified.

She knew that she loved spending time with Bette and that Bette made her feel things she never thought possible. She knew that she could talk to Bette about anything and Bette never made her feel silly or embarrassed for sharing her deepest feelings or experiences. She knew that Bette made her feel safe and secure and this was something she never felt, even with Eric. She knew being with Bette had opened her eyes to so many things and she felt like Bette knew her better than she knew herself. She knew that she eagerly waited for work to end so that she could go home and talk to Bette or see her smiling face. She knew that when she was with Bette she felt like the most special person on earth and it was as if time stood still when they looked into each others eyes.

But there were things she didnt know. She didnt know why she was so drawn to Bette, it was as if she just couldnt stay away from her. She didnt know why she had been so attracted to her right from the moment she met her, after all she had never had such a strong physical attraction to a woman before. She didnt know why she turned down Erics proposal and then ended things with him a few days later, after all she had only seen Bette a total of three or four times then. She didnt know if she was really in love with Bette, and if she could be in a serious long-term relationship with her, but she wanted to find out. She didnt know how her mom would react to finding out she was dating a woman, and truthfully, she was scared to tell her. She didnt know why she had so many doubts about this relationship, it was the best one she had in her entire life.

Tina sat at her desk thinking about all the ifs and buts about Bette. She was so confused. Confused, but extremely happy. Tina knew deep down inside that Bette was the person she was destined to be with, but Tina had never believed in destiny, until now. Whenever Tina heard her voice or caught her eye she felt a tingle of excitement run up and down her spine. She hoped that none of her nervousness or anxiousness showed when she was around Bette. Tina didnt want Bette to think that this was just a phase or some experiment, but she was too shy to come right out and talk to Bette about these fears. Tina looked at the pile of work in front of her and tried to focus all her attention on the task at hand. She was going to see Bette tonight and she decided that she had avoided this subject long enough.

Bette was driving to the Planet to meet Alice for their usual Friday morning coffee routine. As she drove she thought of Tina and she just couldnt seem to wipe the smile off of her face. It had been two weeks since Tina chose her over Eric and they were the best two weeks of Bettes life. Bette never thought she could feel so strongly about someone, especially someone who had never been with a woman. But Tina made her feel whole, like a part of her had been missing for the past twenty-eight years and she finally found it. Bette got butterflies in her stomach as she thought about that first night they spent at the Observatory. It had been such a stressful few days and Bette thought she would never get her chance with Tina after hearing Eric proposed to her. But then Tina told her that she said no and wanted to be with her and Bette knew she was never going to let her go.

Bette couldnt believe that she had someone like Tina in her life. She was so gentle and kind and she knew how to handle Bette. Although they had only been dating for two weeks, a couple of times Tina had managed to call Bette at the exact moment she was extremely agitated or upset about something going on at work. As soon as Bette heard Tinas voice though, her anger was gone and Tina knew how to make her feel calm and peaceful. Bette shook her head as she remembered one conversation in particular where she mixed up the phone lines at work and ended up yelling at Tina, thinking she was an artist from New York. She picked up the call and didnt even wait for a greeting from the person on the other end. She just started going off on them about how their requests for the upcoming show were impossible and they either needed to change a few things or she just couldnt accommodate them. Tina let her finish and waited a second before she said, Having a good day Bette? Bette laughed as she remembered how embarrassed she was and how she kept apologizing to Tina on the phone and when they saw each other later that night. It amazed her how gentle Tina had been with her and how this somehow managed to calm her down in almost three seconds flat.

Bette arrived at the Planet and when she walked in she saw Alice slam her magazine down and sat there tapping her foot in impatience. Bette felt slightly guilty and she knew why Alice looked so pissed off. Since she had started seeing Tina, she had sort of managed to neglect her friends. When she wasnt working she was either on the phone with Tina or out with her somewhere. She hadnt brought Tina around Alice or Marina or any of her other friends yet because she knew Tina was extremely nervous about being in this relationship. She was taking things slow and giving Tina the time she needed to adjust to this new lifestyle before she bombarded her with the likes of Alice. Bette sat down across from Alice and gave her a brief smile before Alice started her rapid fire questioning.

Okay Porter what the *****. I havent seen you in like two weeks and you dont have any kind of excuse? How are things going with your new lady? I cant believe this one has stuck around this long. So when do we get to meet her? Or are you hiding her because you dont want her to hear about the real you? Come on Bette, Ive never seen you like this before.

Same old Alice, thought Bette as she gave her friend a cool smile. She loved Alice like a sister and sometimes Alice was a pain in her ***** just a sister would be too.

No, great, soon, and no. There, does that answer all your questions Al?

Alice gave Bette a very funny look as she flipped her off. Bette laughed and Alice looked at her and joined in. Bette knew that Alice was almost drooling over how bad she wanted to know about her relationship with Tina, but Bette was still keeping things to herself. Bette thought of Tina as a rare work of art, and to fully appreciate it you have to see it for yourself. Tina was her hidden treasure and Bette knew that she would share her with the rest of the world eventually, but right now she liked having her to herself.

We get to meet her soon huh? When? I know, why dont we all go out to dinner next Saturday that way it gives you time to prep her on the proper ***** dining customs.

Bette swatted at Alice playfully in response. Alice loved knowing that the one person who made Bette Porter melt was a straight woman and she rubbed it in her face every chance she got. Bette knew that Alice was just being funny, but she wrinkled her eyebrows a little at the thought of setting a definite date for Tina to meet her friends. Bette knew that this would make Tina nervous and she didnt want to put any extra pressure on her. She decided to not commit to this dinner until she had a chance to talk to Tina first.

Ill let you know Alice. We might be doing something that night.

Like what? Come on its one week away. What, is she still having issues about being a *****? Its not that hard you know, we do it just like the heteros.

We?

What can I say, I get the best of both worlds. Seriously though Bette, is everything really going well with her?

Yeah Alice they are. She is amazing and we talk about everything. She is smart and funny and she isnt afraid to speak her mind, even if its to completely disagree with what I have to say.

A woman who will stand up to Bette Porter, I like her already. So hows the *****?

None of your business Alice.

Because you havent had it yet right? Trust me Bette, I have known you long enough to know when youre not getting it.

Bette blushed a little at Alices remark. True, it had been about a month since she last had *****, but Alice made it sound like she became a completely different person when she wasnt getting any. Bette knew that being with Tina meant she had to take things slow in the ***** department and she was totally okay with that. Tina was well worth the wait, and when Bette was with Tina she wasnt trying to just get her in to bed. She was in love and she could wait as long as Tina needed to. It just got a little hard at times, like when they would cuddle on the couch while watching a movie and Tina would be laying between her legs, or when they would talk late at night and Tinas voice would drop an octave lower because she was tired. Bette loved the sound of Tinas voice when it was like this and sometimes it just drove her wild. But Bette could contain her hormones and the few times she tried pushing just a little to see if Tina was comfortable she backed off the minute she felt Tina freeze up and just held her in her arms and told her that she loved her.

Well I for one have no idea what you are talking about, but Im just going to let it go. Look I have to get to the gallery a little early today so Ill call you this weekend and well discuss dinner plans for next Saturday okay?

Alright, run along to your little art world. But dont forget to ask Tina about dinner.

I will. Bye.

Bette left the Planet and got into her car. As she drove to the gallery she thought about what Alice had said and she figured it was because Alice was just being nosy. What she didnt like was the fact that she knew it was a little true. Granted, ***** was not the issue when it came to Tina, but Bette couldnt deny that she wanted so badly to make love to her. Bette kicked herself mentally for even thinking about this because now it was going to be on her mind all day. She was not going to force Tina to do something she didnt want to, and Bette knew that like anything else, this too would happen in time. She is the most incredible person Ive ever met. If we never have ***** its fine by me as long as she is with me. Bette couldnt believe she was this head-over-heels about someone and she was scared that Tina would suddenly decide she didnt want to be with her because she was a woman, or worse, she would wake up and realize it was all a dream. Being in love and having the feelings and emotions that come along with it were all new to Bette and she hoped she was doing everything right. Tina Kennard is the best thing that ever happened to me, thought Bette as she pulled into the parking lot of her gallery. She got out and headed inside trying to turn her thoughts away from Tina long enough to get through the day. She was going to see Tina later that night and she couldnt wait to see her. Bette glanced at her watch and decided that for once in her life, she was going to make it a short day.

Promptly at seven oclock Bette was knocking on the door at Tinas town home. Tina opened the door and greeted her with a quick kiss on the lips. Tina felt a shiver run through her when she brushed Bettes lips with hers and she felt her face flush a little. She smiled at her and opened the door wider so that Bette could come in. She followed Bette into her living room and before she could chicken out she decided she would bring up her fears tonight. Yes, tonight I will talk to Bette about everything thats been going through my head in the last two weeks. I just hope it doesnt hurt her feelings or scare her off. Bette handed Tina the bottle of wine she brought with her and Tina motioned for her to sit down on the couch.

Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes.

I really need to learn how to cook so I can do this for you.

Its okay, I saw how your toast turned out. I think we should just let me be the one to do the cooking.

They both laughed as Tina remembered when she cooked breakfast for Bette. All Bette had to do was make the toast and she somehow managed to almost short circuit Tinas entire home. The toaster started smoking and when they finally got the toast out it was charred and crispy. From that point on Bette was not allowed in the kitchen and Tina said she would never try and teach her how to cook because she didnt want to be responsible for Bette injuring herself in any way. After checking on her food, Tina walked back out to the living room and sat down next to Bette. Bette reached out and pulled her into her arms as she gently kissed her on the lips. Tina relaxed into the kiss and she felt a warm sensation build between her legs when Bette slowly slid her tongue in Tinas mouth. Tina pulled away a little and Bette shifted Tina so that she was lying in her lap.

How was your day baby?

It was good. Busy, but good.

Tina sat up and looked at Bette with a small smile on her face. Bette gave her a warm smile and Tina knew she could trust Bette enough to be totally open about her fears.

Listen, Bette, we need to talk about something.

Bette sat up a little straighter and seeing the concern in Tinas face she suddenly felt her heart beating a little faster. Oh no, is she going to break up with me? Bette didnt want Tina to think she was angry about this so she tried to smile at her, but it was obvious that it was a forced smile. Tina grew uneasy when she saw Bettes reaction and she started to get nervous about telling her. Maybe I shouldnt do this, she thought as she looked at Bette. Bette knew she had only been with Tina for two weeks, but she had never felt like this about anyone before and she didnt want to let her go. She reached for Tinas hand and rubbed it gently while she spoke.

Tina, I think I know what youre going to say. I guess I saw it coming, but I really think that if you

Hold on Bette, I dont think you do. Im not trying to break up with you if thats what your thinking. Its just the opposite actually.

Huh?