Emma smiled- it was nice that Kate was defending her. She kissed her wife’s hand
“I know – I mean this Kate – they must never find out “
“They never will – how did you leave it with Melvin ?”
“I am having lunch with him on Friday – we are both in the same court building so its handy. If Bette wants to stay for a couple of days its fine by him. They need some space to sort out their disagreement “
Kate smiled “That will make them happy –  are you okay with that ?”
“Yes – everyone needs time to calm down and Melvin and Rosie need space to sort out their problems”
Kate smiled “Why don’t you go and tell them – there are some new toothbrushes in our bathroom and she can wear Tina’s clothes until she can go and get a bag”
Emma nodded “I will – I am just going to finish this sandwich because I am really hungry. I shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach “
“Well you eat and I will go and get a towel and a toothbrush and you can take it in for her. If you want to lay down some house rules as well “
“Like keeping the noise down ?” Emma smiled
“Yes “
Emma finished her sandwich and decided that as soon as she finished talking to Bette and Tina she would have to rummage in the fridge to see if there was anything else to eat. She had just finished her sandwich when Kate came back into the room carrying a towel and a brand new toothbrush in its wrapper. Emma stood up and smiled
“I am sorry you are having to relive this all over again “
“Its tough on all of us”  Kate said “ I came to terms with it a long time ago. If I hadn’t been able to deal with it I wouldn’t have been so thrilled to see Rosie again. I understand why it happened and I trust you enough to know it was a one off. I am less worried about the four of us and more concerned about our 17 year old daughter and her girlfriend – they deserve this chance to be happy and to find out what love is. “
“Thank you again “ Emma said “I love you Kate “
“I love you too – how about we order a pizza ?”
“Oh yeah – I could really eat a pizza “
“Okay – so that’s one for you and another one for the girls and me “
“Silly – will you order it ?”
“I will  – I don’t imagine they will refuse more food “
“17 year olds never do – how are they both by the way ?”
“Tina says that Bette is worried but they have been out shopping today”
“Retail therapy – that’s good “
“Bette was given $250 worth of book vouchers when she finished first in her year – she gave $100 worth to Tina “
Emma smiled “That is really nice “
“It is – so they had lunch in town, bought some shirts and spend the whole afternoon in the bookshop”
“And they both loved it ?”
“They did “
“What have they bought ?”
“Some Ellen Hart and a few lesbian novels and some crime stories – Bette bought a couple of Val McDermid “
“They can be nasty “
“I gather she likes crime stories”
“What’s wrong with Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh – that was my start to crime stories “
“I gather Bette has already read all of them and Dorothy L Sayers “
“Well read child “ Emma said dryly
“Nothing childish about her – apart from being scared that she is the reason her parents are mad at one another “
“I will talk to them both – get that Pizza ordered and some garlic bread “
Kate smiled “Go talk to them “
Emma took the towel and toothbrush from Kate and after kissing her softly on the lips she headed towards Tina’s room. She put the towel down on a table in the corridor and tapped on the door of Tina’s room
“Yes “
Emma walked into her daughter’s bedroom. They were both sitting on Tina’s bed – the room was just lit by the TV. She turned on the main light as Tina paused the DVD.
“Evening “
“Hello mom “
“Hello “
Emma sat on the bed and looked at them. They did look very sweet together. It would be so wrong if their relative innocence was spoilt by a very old feud caused by her own stupidity and arrogance.
“I have been talking to your father “ Emma said
Bette looked at Tina who took her hand
“How is he ? What did he say ?”
“He is sorry he didn’t talk to you last night but he would like to take the two of you to lunch later in the week. He doesn’t have a problem with you being gay or you being with Tina – he likes her” she smiled “The issue he has really is between your parents”
“What about the feud between the two of you ?” Bette asked
“We talked about it – its not going to be settled in one meeting – regardless of how much scotch we drank. But we did talk and said things that should have been said a long time ago. I am going to have lunch with him. When all the dust is settled the four of us will have dinner and talk. Its going to be okay – the two of you don’t have anything to worry about “
“He really is okay about Tina and I ?” Bette asked again almost as if she couldn’t believe what Emma was telling her. Emma nodded
“Yes – he will tell you again himself but he told me that he doesn’t have an issue and I believed him. He wants you to be happy and the two of you are certainly happy “
Bette’s smile was one of genuine relief.
“Oh wow – thank you Emma – thank you so much “
“Well I should have gone and talked to him before today. I like your dad – in a lot of ways he’s like me – maybe that was part of the problem but everything is going to be okay”
“Thanks mom – you are the best “ Tina kissed her mother
“Thank you Tina – there is one thing – I don’t think you two will have a problem with this”
Tina looked at Bette and looked back at her mom
“What is it ?”
“They would like a couple of days to talk about their problems and about how your mom didn’t tell him – so we have agreed that you can stay here for a couple of days Bette. I am sure that is not the greatest ordeal in the world “
She got up and went out of the room to get the towel and toothbrush. When she came back and handed Bette the towel and toothbrush both Bette and Tina were grinning
“I take it that the two of you don’t object to sharing a bed ?” Emma asked dryly
“No – eh – thank you Emma – its very kind of you and Kate “ Bette said
Tina’s grin was getting bigger. Emma was trying not to smile at how happy they were. She could remember when the best feeling in the world was knowing she was going to spend a night with Kate  – the novelty made the whole thing so much better. How long had it taken her to get used to sharing a bed with her girlfriend ? Well it was obvious that it was a huge thrill for her daughter. She needed to be the grown up parent for a little longer – just long enough to give them a warning about what was expected of them.
“We know that the two of you have slept together before – but that was at your father’s house and you had the house to yourself. So I will just warn you two once about respecting other people in this apartment  – you know what that means ? Tina ?”
“Not making really obvious noise “ Tina suggested
Emma nodded “That will do as a start – be respectful like I know you will Tina – same goes for you Bette. I know you will leave things clean and tidy Bette but this one here tends to need a few reminders”
“I am incapable of being untidy  “ Bette said smiling
“Or letting me be untidy “ Tina added
“Is that so ? Well that might explain why there have been less wet tea-towels on the floor in the kitchen and she even does her own washing nowadays and doesn’t leave them in the machine waiting for someone else to add the powder and turn it on for her”
Tina smiled “ Bette is a good influence on me “
“It would seem so – well that is me finished laying the law down – you can wear something of Tina’s tomorrow until you can get an over night bag”
“Will my mom and dad be okay ?” Bette asked
Emma nodded “I will just tell you that I know how much they love each other – they did at college and they do now. All couples go through a bad spell and  this one has shaken him up. You know he is a proud man and this has hurt his pride. I am sure he will be okay . It will only help them to have some privacy  and I am sure the two of you have problem with being allowed to sleep together “
“Its an ordeal “ Tina said grinning
“I can tell by the look on your face that you are dreading it “ Emma said and stood up
“Should the two of you still be hungry or you fancy a late night movie session that Tina likes so much  – Kate is ordering a couple of pizzas and some garlic bread – I am sure you will be out like two ravenous wolves when it arrives. “
Tina jumped up and hugged her mom  “You are the best “
“Thank you -would that be because I have told you that you can sleep with your girlfriend or that I have ordered pizza ?”
“Because you are the best “ Tina said kissed her
Emma hugged her daughter and laughed “Find Bette some PJ’s – I am going for a shower and get changed “
“Thanks Emma “ Bette said
Emma looked at the two girls who looked so pleased to be given this good news. She vowed that they would never find out the dark secret between their parents – they were
too young and they wouldn’t understand.