“How many times have I finished swimming to look up and see you sitting in the lounger after a long day, drinking a glass of wine? This is my peace you would say to me…you are my peace…you…” Bette looked up shyly, unable to finish. Her eyes seared into Tina’s… did she understand?

But she didn’t need to worry. Tina knew what she meant; she usually did. “Oh, baby… I…look…you’re right, ok? It’s not entirely true. But it’s not entirely not true either…I needed space from work, yes… but I also needed some time to make sure that when I saw you…. that I…that I was in a place to talk to you.” Bette cocked her head to the side, questioning…

“Honey, I don’t want to respond the way the old me used to. And I did…earlier…earlier today. Yes, I did. I did…listen, I was annoyed. And hurt. Bette? Listen. I came home early…and then I took a minute to make sure that when you walked through that door… I was ready for you, to talk to you. I am learning to do things differently; I am trying Babe… please know I am trying”.

Bette’s hands moved up Tina’s arms to hold her by the wrists, she looked at Tina and sniffed. “I should have checked your schedule. I don’t know why I didn’t…” Whispered, quiet, remorseful.

“You made a mistake. That’s all. I over reacted. And guess what? I rebooked my flight to leave the next morning, ok? I just got the email from Lara ten minutes ago. Ok?”

“You did? Really?” Bette asked, feeling vulnerable and sad and needing reassurance. A smile beginning to break through, to light up her tear stained face. She did? Really?

“I did. I did, I really did. Because I want to stand next to you when those doors open for Our Gallery. Ours, Bette. I want to be by your side when you toast the first dinner, my Love. And guess what else?”

“What, Baby?” More tears…rolling slowly down her cheeks. But the smile, the smile stayed. Tina paused, smiling back at her beautiful, sweet and complicated wife. God, she loved this woman. Loved to see her smile again. Loved to be the one who put the smile there. Loved that they could talk about it, work through and Bette talking was a big part of that.