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“Do you love me Tina?”

The blonde touched Bette’s face.  It was dark but she knew by heart the unique features of the person who shared her bed.  The beauty of this woman whose breath gently caressed her face as she patiently waited for the answer that came silently moments before. 

With a fingertip Tina traced her partner’s eyebrow then moved down slightly to continue this soulful contact by touching Bette’s lower lip.  It was moist and so soft.  So very soft.  She was inclined to stay quiet just so the time dedicated to this sensitive touch lengthened.  Knowing that they had a lifetime to share and somehow she would prove the answer’s truth consistently throughout.

Did she love her?

Utterly.

“So much…” Tina answered softly but clearly.  “Bette you can’t imagine how much.”

The one laying on her left side inhaled deeply.  Although obscured in shadows her eyes shimmered with wonder and joy.  She was overwhelmed by the admission that confirmed everything was going to be all right. 

Bette needed to hear it and her lover responded.  The blonde wouldn’t hesitate between now and forever to say it aloud though she was first to admit having been engulfed at times therefore overlooked verbal assurances in the past.

The brunette held her partner at the waist and moved closer.  Brushing her lips onto her companion’s, Bette’s mouth pressed onto Tina’s as delicately as a parent held one’s first newborn.

“Do you love me T?” she repeated softly. 

Gently Bette kissed her again before an answer came.  Indeed she had been somewhat intoxicated earlier, dulling the uncertainty that released an acrid doubt.  A self-induced haze effectively coated unpleasant thoughts transforming doubt to a bearable form. 

But now…now she was perfectly whole.  The art instructor held everything that meant anything to her closely and she felt complete.

Again Bette asked, “Do you love me?”

She pulled Tina nearer still and the brunette held her with an unparalleled affection.  The emotion was immensely poignant and it seemed like she was drowning. 

Bette kissed the familiar face she loved.  By the blonde’s temple, her right cheekbone, along the jaw, lips, forehead and anywhere her mouth could reach.

‘Do you love me?’ the darker eyed woman repeated quietly.  Bette asked as she moved even closer. 

So close because Tina was pulling her in, the blonde’s hold tender yet firm as if she never intended to let go. 

It felt good. 

It felt so pure. 

Anyone watching would have shared the same observation.  It was as if the women were partnered in dance given the way they moved.  The two were so perfectly attuned to each other that when one shifted in a particular direction the other accommodated seamlessly. 

They kissed and everything felt so true.  So right and absolutely…faultless.

With her lips resting close to Bette’s right ear Tina whispered her answer. “I love you Bette.”

How many times did she miss the chance to tell her? 

It was Bette who said it initially.  That first time she blushed and was overcome.

It was her more experienced lover that said it constantly when they were dating.  Who declared to anyone that cared to look or comment on their relationship.   With words and in the way she held her hand or how she looked at her girlfriend when they stood together in personal and professional settings.  Overtly and covertly Bette always expressed how much she felt for her.

Yes she loved Bette.  She loved her with everything within and wished there were words to help her express how much.

“I do Bette.”  Tina’s voice was strong and sure, “I do.”

The blonde touched and held her partner.  She caressed Bette wholly – breast to breast and limb to limb.  She pressed into her companion who meant so much and wanted nothing more than for this woman to know how she felt.  The situation they had lived through was almost impossible and neither of them came through it unscathed.  Scars weren’t necessarily visible but they were marked nonetheless.

Now, Tina would consciously fight the inclination to stay silent.  She would say it however often Bette needed to hear it.  So although sleep was on the brink of claiming the emotionally exhausted couple she reiterated, “I love you.”

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