Tina woke up in her bed alone. She must have been asleep for a few hours cause it was now early afternoon. She coudnt believe her had slept with Candace. Didnt they talk about going slow. How could she have allowed this to happen. She was making love to Candace thinking about Bette. Poor Bette. She just sent her away without an explanation or an apology. She new Bette was going to be leaving in 2 days so she should go to her and have a talk. Tina got up and took a shower and put on clean clothes. She went downstairs where Canadace and Lauren where watching tv.

“Hey you two.”

“Hi mama. Did you have a nice nap?”

“Yes baby I did. Did you eat lunch.?”

“Ya mama C made me lunch. It was good.” Candace stood up and kissed Tina on the cheek.

“I didnt want to wake you.”

“Thanks i needed a little rest. Um i need to go into town. I have a few errons to run, but i will be back for dinner. Will you be here when i get back.?”

“Yeah if you want me to stay i will. I need to go and get a change of clothes.” That was a lie. She wanted to bring all her clothes in from her rental car, because she didnt rent a house. She planned on walking right in and reclaiming her place in her home, and it worked.

“Yeah go ahead. We have plenty of extra space here, so why dont you just stay here. Im going to be working all this week and if you want to stay here to be closer to lauren that is fine.”

“You want me to stay here, in another room?”

“Yes in another room.”

“If those are my only choices then i will do that. Ill go and get my stuff later today. Do you need me to go into town with you.” She had wanted to bring up Bette Porter, but figured Tina was going to go and cut her lose if she was going into town. There would be no way Tina would choose Bette over her. Right?

“No its work errons. I wont be too long. Bye” Tina got in her car and left for Bette’s hotel. She had no idea what she was going to tell Bette. She didnt want to lose her, but she had everything against her. Bette was leaving in two days, she herself was leaving in two weeks and Candace had come home to be with their daughter.

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Bette had woken up from her nap in a sour mood. Tina hadnt called her yet, and she had resorted to telling the girls all that happned. Alice had tried to reassure Bette that Tina would make the right decision, but Bette didnt believe her. Lilo had told her something confusing, but how could Bette make her choose between her and the family she always wanted to have with Candace. Bette was started by a knock at her door.

‘Bette its Tina. Can you open the door. We need to talk!”
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Candace had just brought in all her stuff from the car into the spare bedroom next to Tina’s. She had to be close to Tina from now on. She didnt know how close Bette and Tina where, but she was going to do everything she could to keep her family. If she was around all the time there would be no way Tina would be able to not fall in love with her all over again.
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Bette invited Tina in and they both sat in chairs next to each other. They sat in silence before Tina came up with the courage to speak.

“Bette im so sorry about what happned today. Candace decided she wants to be part of our family again and Lauren is so excited to have her around. She missed Candace so much. Even though she was only a baby she still remembers her.”

“Its ok Tina you dont have to explain anything to me. She is making an effort and i think that takes a lot of courage to come home and start all over again.”

“I know this is difficult for you Bette, but I think if we try we can work through this. I know your going home in 2 days, but im going to be leaving here too. I have lots of ways of communicating while im gone, and im willing to try that way. Its only six months, and after that we can see what will happen after that.”

“What? Your not here to tell me we have no chance?”

“No im here to tell you that i’ve fallen in love with you Bette Porter. Things are not going to be easy and allready i’ve gotten myself into a little mess, but for you i think its worth it.’

“You do? Tina thats the most beautiful thing i’ve ever heard. I love you too.” Bette got up and took Tina into her arms. They held each other for a few minutes, before Tina began to speak again.

“Theres one more thing i have to tell you. Candace will be staying at the house with Lauren and me. She going to be here for two weeks and after that she is going to go back to LA. If things go good I may even have Lauren stay with her for a few weeks.”

“Oh well thats ok i guess. I think Lauren is very smart and she will be able to tell if Candace is for real or not. She reminds me of you.”

“Yeah she is my little girl.” Tina didnt have the heart to tell Bette that she had slept with Candace. She would bring it up later.”

“Well if Lauren is in La with Candace maybe she can stop by and see me. I mean if she wants.”

“Oh Bette im sure she would love too. I havnt told Candace about us yet. Im going to tell her tonight. I dont know how she will react, but i think if everything is ok I dont see why Lauren cant come and see you.”
Tina was so happy. She hadnt felt this way in a very long time. Bette had proved to her that she was willing to go the extra effort for Tina.

“Come on and lay with me. Just let me hold you. I want to remember holding you for a long time. Could i keep your shirt.”

“What. You want to keep my shirt.”

“Yeah so i can have your sent. Your gonna be gone 6 months Tee.”

“Well if you have one for me too, then we can trade. I guess i should have your shirt too.”
Tina stayed with Bette for about an hour, and then said her goodbye’s. She got all of Bette info so they would be able to say in contact. She kissed Bette soflty on the lips and shut the door.
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When Tina arrived home Candace had cooked dinner and she and Lauren where just about to start eating.

“Mama, come have dinner with us. Mama C made a good dinner.” Candace came up and took her hand to join them for dinner.

“Did you get everything taken care of Tee.”

“Yes. This looks amazing. I hope you plan on cooking for the next 2 weeks cause im going to miss this while im gone.”

“What. Gone where are you going.”


“Oh i forgot to tell you. Im shipping out for six months. Lauren is going to stay with Lilo while im gone. You know since your here, not to put you on the spot or anything, but she could go and visit with you.”

“No i dont want her to visit.”

“Oh”

“She can come and stay with me the whole time. Six motbs isnt long, and since i have my own business i can make my own hours. I have plenty of friends that can help out if i need.”

“Well if your willing to do that, i dont think there is a problem.”

“Mama” Lauren interupted. “Can i go and visit Bette, Shane, Dana and Alice. They live in LA too.”

“Bette.”

“Yeah. You know Bette Porter. She said she knew you. Well I met her on the plane a few days ago, and we are kind of seeing each other now.”

“Oh, well i guess since we are going to be in the same town. No harm in seeing her right.?” Candace was pissed off. There was no way she was going to help Bette and Tina by letting her daughter spend time with her. No way at all. “Yeah well have to go and talk with Bette once where in LA”

Tina thought she saw Candace smirk, but she wasnt sure. She hoped Candace was sincere about letting Lauren see Bette. She seemed to take the news good.”

“So Tina if where taking it slow where does that leave Bette?

“Well You and I are taking it slow about you being part of this family. Im not saying no to either or you, but im going to be gone for six months, and it isnt going to hurt anyone if i talk to both of you. You are the other mother to our child right?”

“If thats how i get you then thats what ill take. Six months is a long time, and if your gonna be gone, you need to keep me on your mind too. Thats all I ask.”

“Thats fair.”

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Two weeks had come and passed. She saw Lauren off to the airport with Candace and they both seemed excited to be going home to LA. The first day on the ship seemed to drag on, but she did make time to call Lauren. She had also sent an email to Bette, and Candace. Letting them both know she was thinking of them. She hoped by the end of six months she would be able to be with Bette in a relationship, and in a working relationship with Candace. She realized she is going to have them both in her life, but she had to be sure who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She had given her heart to Candace a long time ago, but Cancade had given in back when she left. She had met Bette, and she was ready to give her, her heart, but Candace still had a piece of it, that she was not going to let go without a fight.