Bette grinned “So tell me about our new home “
Bette had sold her house in San Francisco before she had embarked on her world trip but she did have a studio apartment there. When they had talked about practicalities it had been a no brainer that the live in LA. Tina wanted her house to be the home she shared with Bette – it meant a lot to her that Bette had called the house “ our home “ – that was what Tina wanted as well.

“About ten minutes from the beach – I really fell in love with it because it has these huge high rooms with massive oak beams, the most drop dead gorgeous bathroom, nice private garden that you and I are going to REALLY enjoy “
“How long have you lived there?”
“A year – I still have a property in West Hollywood that I just haven’t sold yet – one of my friends Shane lives there”
“And you are okay with having me move in?” Bette asked diffidently
“You are my wife – where else would you live?” Tina asked sharply
“Sorry”
Tina shook her head “ I know it is going to be weird because the mundane stuff that we skipped that most couples find out about one another really early on “ she sighed “ But we want this to work – we want this – we want one another “
Bette nodded “if I seem negative it is because I am tired babe “
Tina nodded “Yeah – which coffee really didn’t do the trick of waking either of us up and all the sleeping on the plane seems to have done is make me crave some proper sleep in an actual bed”
Bette yawned “ Tell me about the bed I am going to get used to sleep in”
“There will be precious little sleep” Tina replied – she knew they were both tired – luckily they were only 20 minutes away from the house.
“Humour me “Bette replied
Tina smiled
“It’s a big room – with high beams and a sky light so we can lie in bed and watch the stars. There is a fireplace so when it gets cold we can have a nice fire, the biggest TV on the wall above the fireplace – its cosy. If there are any changes you want – it is my style – it needs to be our style “
“I am sure I will like it”
“I don’t want you to like it – I want you to love it “
“I think the thing you and I are going to need is patience Tina”
“I know – but you are coming into my world – it is huge for me that you are so committed to use that you are willing to do that”
“I want our marriage to work – and San Francisco isn’t an option with your job and as I don’t have a job – well it’s obvious Tina “
“It might seem obvious but I do appreciate it “she picked a bottle of water from her driver’s side door cup holder and took a sip “We need to get all your stuff from San Francisco “
“I know – sweetheart – lets have that long sleep we have promised ourselves – then we will take it from there. “ she sighed “ We have forever”
Tina swallowed and looked at Bette “Yes – yes we do – wow – you and I are married “
“The gold rings are a give-away”
Tina looked at the ring on her left hand and grinned “God “
“God good – or oh shit what the hell have I done God? “ Bette asked smiling at Tina
“It’s more – oh God I really am married to this most perfect woman ever – how the hell did I get to be that bloody lucky – that kind of oh God “
“Thank you “
“It’s true – I have dated some utter nightmares. If the woman is crazy or just plain bloody horrible – you can almost guarantee that Tina will think she can change her and get her heartbroken in the crossfire “
“I am not crazy – I have been horrible in the past but my six months abroad and two months with you – well I have re-evaluated my life and I know what I want – one woman and I don’t want to own my own gallery. I have seen so much beauty – so much so that I don’t think art will fulfil me anymore. Nature means more to me – nature and people. You – wow – you just make me realise how much I want what you and I can share “
Tina nodded “We know what we want – and we know we want this to work – and it will”