This made her smile, “Finding invisible dust again, Sweetheart?”

“Invisible my ass, this looks like a scratch in my custom paint job.” Tina answered not bothering to look up at Bette as she was now relieved that the small piece of dirt came off under her nail. Bette came and stood next to her taking in the complete structure of the car, she had to admit this was damn fine automobile.

“Do we have time for a ride before Momma and Daddy get here?”

Tina smiled at Bette’s question as she walked over to the passenger side door and held it open for her. Bette smiled like a two year old as she climbed in and watched as Tina sauntered over to the driver’s side. Tina got in and started up the engine, she drove it out onto the road and revved up the engine. She smiled as she did it and loved the burst of laughter it produced in Bette. She burned the tires for a while and then sped off down the road and loved the way it felt to have complete control of this powerful engine. She drove to the lake that was always Bette’s turnaround point when she went for a run. They always had fun out here, they would always be laughing and enjoying the careless nature this place always brought out of them.

Tina parked the car and asked Bette if she wanted to take a walk with her.

“I’d love to.” she replied loving the way Tina was so tender with her intent, it was almost as if she were courting Bette, she found the whole gesture to be incredibly adorable. They walked holding hands and reminiscing over the numerous memories they shared here and the funny situations they always created for everyone’s entertainment. They found themselves at the top of the ridge, where the large oak tree overlooked the lake and held the rope swing.

They both sat down with their legs dangling over the edge and swinging leisurely as they both laughed at the memory of Miah slipping sideways into the lake. “That was when he twisted his ankle, right?”

“Yup.” Tina replied nodding her head still laughing at the mental picture of his facial expressions. The laughter was starting to come down, and Tina looked over at Bette whose eyes were following the soft ripples of the lake down below.

“Thank you” she said with her eyes closed. Even though she did not see the look from Tina she could tell there was a spark of a smile and the penetrating eyes were still locked onto her.

“For what Sweetheart?”

“For coming with me to L.A., For making your way back to me, For being so unbelievably sweet to me when I seem locked in my own world. I know it seems sometimes that I’m not all there.”

“Please,” Tina said swatting Bette’s arm, “I’m not there all the way yet, I still have a long way to go. And I know how you get when you’re creating something new. It scares you half to death and you push further into it just to see where it can take you.” Tina said smiling at Bette whose head was down blushing at Tina’s blunt interpretation of her “I love that about you.” Tina said leaning into her. Bette lifted her head up to see Tina leaning on her arm and smiling up at her. Those hazel eyes truly held a significant part of her heart, Bette leant down and softly kissed her lips. Tina closed her eyes as she felt her heart speed up and her hand softly captured the curve of Bette’s jaw. Tina pulled back and opened her eyes to see Bette’s eye’s slowly come back and the light that danced with them caused her heart to sputter. She softly ran her thumb across her structured and full lips. She was captivated with the gentle way Bette poised her lips and kissed her thumb. Tina leaned forward and kissed her again softly, and she kissed her again this time with more vigor. She pulled Bette further into her and felt as she was beginning to lay her body back and pull Bette on top of her.

TBC…………………………………………………