Tina studied her wife. Bette’s eyes were red rimmed with dark circles underneath. She looked scared, worried. Her eyes were heavy. They looked back at Tina and spoke of doubt, insecurity, concern.

Tina got up and sat on Bette’s lap, wrapping one arm around her neck tenderly. With her free hand she pulled Bette’s head gently to rest on her chest under her chin as she stroked her hair and cheek. She smelled good, fresh from the shower and her cheek was soft, her hair too. Bette put her arms around Tina’s waist. She sighed. It felt good to be held, safe. Tina’s arms felt comforting, reassuring.

They were silent for several long minutes, enjoying the closeness. Tina kissed the top of Bette’s head, her hand now wandering down to take Bette’s hand in her own. “Yes, I will go with you to therapy Honey. Of course, I will go with you. You would tell me if you thought something was wrong with us though, right?” she asked quietly, concerned that Bette wasn’t telling her something.

Bette’s head came off Tina’s chest and she looked up at her wife earnestly. “Nothing is wrong with us Baby. But there is some residual hurt, there are lingering communication issues that I think we could talk over but … mostly…I want you to hear why this is hard for me sometimes.”

Tina kissed her softly, she couldn’t resist. Her lips looked so red, plump and they beckoned. “We have come so far Bette. So far. (Kiss). I would love to hear anything you have to say about why it is hard for you to talk to me.” She brought her hand back up to move the hair out of Bette’s eyes, her fingers lingering on her face then down to feel her wife’s neck, tucking her hand under the robe to feel the length of it.

Bette searched Tina’s eyes for hints of disinterest or annoyance. There was nothing there but patience and love. She spoke quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t have a hard time talking to you, Tee. I have a hard time talking about what I feel, inside. My heart knows I can tell you anything, but my head gets afraid…and the words…they jumble up”. They maintained eye contact, both realizing this was a pivotal moment in their relationship.