– 

“Look at this T,” Bette held her laptop level with a single hand as she continued, “He’s a fucking genius.”

It was a quiet afternoon.  The art gallery owner sat at one end of the sofa, her side against a cushioned arm rest.  A computer partially held her attention as it lay on her right thigh while also resting against the same comfortable furniture she shared with Tina. 

The blonde was stretched out, head resting on Bette’s free leg.  Her eyes were closed.  Contented and entirely happy.  It was ridiculous how everything felt so perfect.

“Actually,” Tina paused between key words for effect, “I think you … are … the … fucking … genius.”

Bette was quite interested and focused in her review but upon hearing Tina’s remark smiled then laughed out loud.  As only Bette could.  With a head angled upwards her throat moved as an amused laughter bubbled forth.

Still grinning she said, “Honey, you’re not too bad yourself.  Even if it took you over two and a half decades to find me after practicing in a different ‘league’ so to speak.”

“Oooh, sports metaphor,” the resting blonde teased her girlfriend who held little interest in that area.  “Just imagine how much better I’ll be after decades with you…”

Bette sighed, releasing a happy breath.  So did Tina.

Decades.

Certainly, that sounded like a long time.  Yet when each thought of the life they wanted and everything left to share, it didn’t seem enough.  Multiplied by a hundred plus forever was still too brief.

Tina looked down at their joined hands.  Her right one, Bette’s left.  At fingers that noticeably contrasted while laced in union.  For her, it was so incredibly beautiful.  So telling of how they were a part of each other in visible ways and more.

She pulled Bette closer to kiss the skin between wrist and knuckles.  The tip of her tongue moistened her path as her lower lip moved over the back of Bette’s hand seductively.

The seated woman leaned down then carefully turned Tina’s face to her so they could kiss.  Bette pressed their lips together and kissed Tina with all her emotions.  With all she knew and hoped for she spoke through this touch.

Tina’s free hand urged Bette closer, pulling her down and reaching up at the same time.  They kissed.  With open mouths and eager tongues.  To overcome how words would fail to express how much both sensed a strength in their connection.  To show how much each wanted the other.  To say how everything else faded to nothing compared to what they had.

They moved into each other as if they had been apart for too long.

With want.  They kissed.      

With love.  Deeply, they kissed.

Slowly, they pulled apart.  Tina looked up into Bette’s eyes and she knew there was nothing more she would ever want.  Except maybe…more time plus forever, to be with her genius.

 –