“Honey, I…”

“Listen, it’s true my Darling…my One and Only…my Greatest Love, for so long in my personal life I played it safe, Bette. I always did what my parents, my mother demanded of me. I did what she said. And with Eric it was the same. I faked the orgasms, cried myself to sleep afterwards. I gave head, spread my legs and pretended to like it…”

“Baby…” Bette interjected tenderly, concerned…she pulled away to look at her wife.

Tina shook her head, continuing. “You saw me Beloved; you saw something different in me that no one else ever saw. You were so brave Bette, that first kiss…”

“Oh Tee. I like it when you call me that. You’re too hard on yourself. I don’t think brave is the right word. I have been scared most of my life. I am scared all the time, if anything you make me brave…” Bette chuckled, and ran her hands through Tina’s hair. “I was so tired of being alone, the one-night stands, the clubs. You awakened change in me too, don’t you realize that? You were so beautiful, so sweet and sincere. It was the way you looked at me, like I was special… like I could do anything. You were so authentic and warm, I wanted that in my life…I wanted you more than anything I ever wanted before… you came along just when I needed you most…”

Tina watched as her fingers moved softly across her wife’s chest, listening to Bette. Her heart glowed at Bette’s words, even though she had heard them all before. Bette used to tell her these things all the time, but they had both gotten away from talking like this. She felt warmed from the inside out to hear Bette talk about how she gave her strength.

“I love you Bette. I love hearing how I make you feel. How I make you brave. I love it…” she leaned in for a soft kiss, barely touching her, running her lips over Bette’s, slowly moving from one side of her mouth to the other and back again. It was extremely intimate, and Bette moaned…one hand holding the front of Tina’s neck, the other reaching for her hand.