Melanie laid awake watching Tina sleep for what felt like the hundredth time. She watched Tinas back rise and fall softly as she lightly traced her fingertips down Tinas bare back. It was Saturday night and they had just spent all night making up for lost time. Melanie had been so busy during the week that she didnt get a chance to see Tina until today. As soon as she had arrived at Tinas house Tina pulled her inside and she hasnt left since. Tina made her lunch and dinner and gave Melanie a nice backrub after a soothing bubble bath before they made love. Melanie was in heaven and she knew that she had fallen hard for this woman. Tina stirred lightly under Melanies touch and she instinctively shifted so that they were spooning. Melanie snaked her arm around Tinas firm stomach and lightly traced the smooth skin she found there. She looks so peaceful, thought Melanie as she watched her girlfriend sleep. Melanie bent down and kissed the outline of Tinas earlobe softly and Tina turned her head towards the contact. Melanie continued to suck on Tinas earlobe softly while running her hand along Tinas body.

Mmmm.

Melanie smiled to herself when she heard Tina unconsciously moan. She continued what she was doing and tried to see how much it would take to wake Tina up. Melanie moved her head a little bit lower and lightly kissed Tinas neck and shoulder. Tina moaned softly and Melanie was pretty sure she was at least somewhat awake. She lifted her head to try and see if Tinas eyes were open but they were still shut and her breathing had returned to normal. Damn what does it take to wake this woman up? Melanie decided to get a little bolder and ran her fingertips lightly over Tinas *****. Melanie lowered her head and when her lips made contact with Tinas neck she heard Tina giggle softly. Melanie continued gently sucking on Tinas neck when she heard Tina say something.

Mmmm. Bette stop.

Melanie froze out of pure shock. She lifted herself up and looked down at Tina trying to figure out if Tina was aware of what she just said. Melanie watched her like a hawk and after a few minutes she was sure that Tina had said it in her sleep. Melanie gently untangled herself from Tina and sat up next to her. She sat there for a long time watching her sleep before throwing on some clothes and going downstairs. Melanie sat down on Tinas couch and stared blankly at the TV.

Okay, what was that? I could have sworn she called me Bette. But why now? After all this time? I thought she was over thatI thought they were just friends. Melanie didnt know if she was more hurt or angry. But she did say it in her sleep, maybe she was dreaming about Bette. Okay why is she having THOSE kinds of dreams about Bette? Melanie didnt know what to do. Anger, frustration and sadness exploded through her system at the same time. I guess shes been thinking about her a lot latelybut Bette wasnt here for Sunday night dinner last week. I wonder what happened. Melanie hadnt asked Tina why Bette didnt join her for dinner last week because she knew better than to pick a fight with Tina over anything that involved Bette and their history together. What the ***** Tina, what is going on? This is the first time she has ever done that and I wonder if shes having second thoughts about getting back together with her. Melanie let these thoughts wander through her mind as she fell asleep right there on the couch.

Melanie was woken up the following morning by Tina softly kissing her cheek and neck. Melanie tried to get up quickly but her head and neck hurt from the position that she fell asleep in. Tina saw that Melanie was in pain and she started to softly rub Melanies neck. Melanie relaxed at Tinas gentle touch and she let her body completely surrender to Tina. Tina continued to massage Melanies neck while using her other hand to pull Melanie in close to her.

Why did you come down here last night babe?

Melanie didnt know what to say and she didnt want to pick a fight with Tina over nothing. She decided to let this go for now, but if she saw anything else that made her believe that Tina was confused as to what she wanted then she would say something. Melanie snuggled in deeper against Tina and let out a soft sigh.

Couldnt sleep.

Babe?

Melanie turned her head slowly towards Tina and looked up at her. She saw the love and concern in Tinas eyes and Melanie felt a little better knowing that while Tina might have some doubts, her love for Melanie was true. Tina leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Melanies lips and Melanie smiled into the kiss. Tina rubbed her neck for a little while longer before jumping up to make breakfast. At that moment her phone rang and Melanie just watched her lazily from the couch.

Hello?

Oh hi Alice. Umyeahno we just woke upokay let me ask, hold on.

Alice wants to know if we want to meet her and Dana for breakfast?

Sure baby.

Okay Alicewhere do you want us toohoh okay. Yeahan hourokay bye.

Tina hung up and walked back over to Melanie. She pushed Melanie back on the couch and straddled her hips. Tina smiled lovingly down at her as she bent down to give Melanie another soft kiss.

They want us to meet them at the Planet in an hour. She said Shane and Bette might join us too.

Okay.

Melanie had never been the jealous type and she was not about to start now. She knew what Tina and Bette once had and she understood that love like that was special. But she also knew that Tina had been hurt badly and she was the first person Tina had been with since Bette and that being that person came with a lot of baggage. Melanie could comprehend the fact that Bette would always be a part of Tinas life but she wouldnt tolerate Tina lying to her about her true feelings. If Tina said that she loved her then Melanie believed her, but not without caution. While Melanie might not be a jealous person she also didnt believe in playing games. She hoped that Tina was sure of where her heart was because Melanie knew in situations like this, she was the only one who stood to get hurt.

Melanie looked up at Tina and searched her eyes for the truth. Tina looked back at her adoringly and Melanie was satisfied that what happened last night was purely by accident. She let her jealous feelings go as she pulled Tina down for another kiss. Ten minutes later Tina was dragging her upstairs to take a shower before they left. As they got into the shower together Melanie laughed because she knew at this rate, they would be late for breakfast.

An hour and a half later Tina and Melanie walked into the Planet hand in hand. They spotted Alice, Dana, Shane and Bette sitting at a table near the patio and walked over to join them. Melanie watched as Tina said hi to everyone and gave them each a hug and kiss on the cheek in turn. Including Bette. Melanie watched them trying to see if anything was different between them but it was the same friendly banter she had seen for the past couple of weeks in Tinas house. Im going crazy, she thought as she went to go buy her and Tina coffee and breakfast. Alice jumped up to help Melanie with the food and while they were waiting they had an interesting conversation.

So Melyou guys running late when you shower together?

Melanie looked at Alice in surprise but then realized that both her and Tinas hair were still wet. She smiled sheepishly as she answered her.

Nopenot usually.

Well its no big. So how are things going between you two?

Good. At least I think so.

Oh nowhat happened?

Melanie looked at Alice with an affectionate gleam in her eye. Alice was the first one to welcome Melanie into the group and Melanie was sure that Alice genuinely liked seeing her and Tina together. Melanie kind of got the feeling that she was the only one however and she actually thought that Shane outright didnt like her. Alice and Tina had both repeatedly told her that was just how Shane was and not to worry, but she always felt like she was getting a cold stare from Shane.

No nothing. I mean were good.

Good. Seriously, I cant deal with trying to help another friend get through anything for at least the next six months. The doctor has left the building.

Melanie laughed at Alices friendly joking and she handed Alice the cups of coffee and grabbed the food before following her back to the table. She gave Tina her food and coffee before sitting down between Tina and Dana. They were all eating and talking and continued to do so until sometime late into the afternoon. As they were driving back to Tinas Melanie still couldnt shake what happened the night before. She decided she wanted to talk to Tina about it, but before she did there was one other person she had to talk to first. She dropped Tina off at her house saying that she had some stuff to do and she would see her later that night. Tina gave her a long kiss before getting out of the car and Melanie watched her walk away with a sparkle in her eye. Melanie sighed softly to herself as she started her car again and turned back onto the freeway heading back to West Hollywood.