The blonde wanted to come home she said.  After Bette betrayed her Tina truly wanted another chance.  To love her partner again.  To learn to trust.  To be with her.  To parent their child.  To have their family. 

She did love Bette.  Then they were blessed with the perfect child in Angelica.  And for a while, they did have their family.  The trust however…never fully mended.

Besides the brunette herself suggested Tina explore.  In some way, thankful for the honesty that scalded their fragile hearts.  One painfully admitting that perhaps they were after all, not meant to be.  The other not wanting her partner to be with her just because it was expected. 

There was no sense in that.  People deserved to be with the one they desired.  With the one who would make life complete and meaningful.  Who wanted to be that person for them in return.  They both deserved to be happy. 

‘I’m having these feelings’ she confessed. 

Bette’s chest tightened.  Shutting her eyes she prayed that the nightmare would end.  At the same time she felt her partner’s pain.  The internal conflict weighed so heavily on her shoulders that she crouched forward as she sat on their bed and sobbed. 

Feelings for men. 

If it were only that simple.  The want encompassed so much more.  The doubt prompted by the silent passive acceptance of their being together again.  Together but so far apart they never felt more alone in their relationship.  The lack of understanding as to why they found themselves where they were; serving as a wedge that kept them distant in more ways than one.

Bette knew it was self-defeating to focus on what was past.  The attention was better directed to working their way to rebuild the future they ultimately believed should be.  After all, as she herself had done, Tina had assured her of the return of feelings that purportedly meant everything. 

Saying she missed and needed her.  Purposely using the same words that Bette uttered to communicate the intensity of her resolution. 

Much time had passed.  Tina had not been with Henry for months.  The women were cordial.  Friendly.  Partners as parents.  Yet anyone who saw them together knew there had been more.  That still there was more.  It was evident in shared looks.  Obvious in one sided surveillances that made the heart beat faster and silent sighs of longing kept secret.