“I picked them. The heart is because you hold my heart, the clock, because you’re worth the wait, the gift because you gave me the biggest gift I could ever want, a family. The angel is obvious and you see there’s room for more to be added on, so next time we’ll fight I’d just have to buy pendants.” Bette laughed.

“What’s the eye and teddy bear?” Tina asked, overwhelmed.

“Well, the eye is because I’ll always look out for you, no matter what happens. And well, the teddy bare is a little tricky. You see I wanted something to remind you I always care. Even if when we fight… so this is not just a bear. It’s one of the care bears!” Bette finished, laughter in her eyes. Tina laughed through the tears. “I love it” She told Bette, kissing her. They sat on Tina’s couch kissing.

“Oh! You won’t believe Sam!” Tina said laughing.

“What did she do?” Bette asked, a deadly look in her eyes.

“No, nothing, she came her and saw I’m upset, god Bette she was so afraid she caused it.” Tina said laughing. “Then she begged me to tell you she wasn’t involved in this.” Tina laughed harder. “I felt so sorry for her.”

“Tee, don’t go feeling sorry for her! It’s a good thing she got it” Bette said pleased. “Jodie on the other hand wasn’t so funny.” Bette dryly said, telling Tina what happened.

“God that bitch!” Tina sighed.

“Yeah, she’s something.” Bette agreed. “But she’s just hurt Tee, I mean she threw in my face all the things I told her when we broke up. She did a fucking piece on it!” Bette said.

“No, she didn’t that piece was to humiliate you. It wasn’t about her expressing her feelings!” Tina argued.

“She’ll calm down.” Bette said trying to pull Tina to her.

“God Bette! You were ready to kill Sam and you’re not even fazed by Jodie! What’s the difference?” Tina said, not letting Bette hug her.

“Well, it’s different. Sam was coming on to you and”

“Oh so when someone comes on to ME you kick his ass but when they’re coming on to you we let it slide?” Tina wanted to ask Bette if being hit on was good for her ego but her last fight taught her to listen before she speak.

“No, it’s just you never dated Sam, you know? Me and Jodie, we have history.” Bette explained.

“You don’t think I know that? She reminds me of that any chance she gets!”

“I really hurt her Tee, she was going to NY and I dragged her here, promising not to break her heart  just to cheat on her.” Bette lowered her eyes.

“Bette, if we weren’t together, do you think you and Jodie would have worked out?” Tina gently asked.

“I… well…no” Bette said, “But that’s not the point. The point is the way I broke up with her was horrible. I owe her this grace period.”

“Babe, her grace period ended with her little ‘core value’ piece.”

Bette took a deep breath. “Look, you’re what’s important to me. If she’s bothering you, I’ll handle her.” Bette said, “But I’m fine, I can take it.”

Tina knew Bette, this was Bette’s way of punishing herself just like when they first broke up and Bette was around her and Helena. “Babe, listen to me. You’ve paid.”

“How did I pay? I have you, I have my daughter I have amazing friends. What does she have?? “ Bette said, getting agitated.

“Babe! It’s not your fault she isn’t moving on. You need to make her stop SO she’ll move on and meet someone! Live her life and leave you alone!” Tina tried to reason.

“So you want me to fix her up?” Bette asked perplexed.

“No, honey I want you to stop taking shit from her. I want… I want five minutes in a room with her.” Tina finished.

Bette laughed, “I’ll see what I can do…”

“You do that.” Tina smiled.

“Tee? What do you say we’ll both take the rest of the day off? Spend some quality time that’s not in a class room?” Bette said, holding Tina tight.

“Lead the way” Tina smiled.