“I’m so close. Bette. I’m…ohh, don’t stop.”

Bette could see the sheen of sweat luminous on Tina’s face. She placed her mouth over Tina’s, inhaling every one of Tina’s moans as they moved faster together. Tina looked up at Bette with hooded eyes. “Come with me.”

Bette groaned as Tina’s fingers slipped inside of her. “Oh my god..Tinaaa…”

“Come with me. Plleeaaasee. Oh fuck.”

Bette and Tina rocked fervently against each other, thrusting, clenching, biting. Rolling into intense orgasms that left them both gasping. Bette fell atop Tina, panting and kissing down the sweaty neck, before resting her head on Tina’s chest, her fingers still inside of her. Tina removed her hand first bringing both hands to Bette’s forehead and running her fingers through her hair, playing with the strands that fell along her chest. Bette could hear Tina’s heart under her ear, the rhythm in sync with the rush she felt pulsating through her own body.

“I’ve missed you.” Bette quivered.

“I love you,” Tina replied.

Bette dozed off against Tina’s breasts, the emotional impact of the day finally catching up to her. They awoke a few hours later and made love again and again until the room started to brighten at the first signs of daybreak.

When the sun streamed into the room and over their spooning bodies at 7am, Tina stirred, her arms embracing Bette, her chin nuzzled in the brunette. She brushed soft kisses over Bette’s shoulder, up her neck, and to her ear, whispering, “I’m going to go now.”

Tina got out of the bed and started to get dressed.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to my hotel. I don’t want Angie to see me here when she gets home this morning. And then ask me anything about it when we have dinner tonight after Carrie gets here.”

Tina’s back was to Bette. She hesitated as she buckled the belt on her pants, realizing what she just said.

“Wait. Carrie is coming today?” Bette sat up trying to see if Tina’s expressions were visible in the mirror.

“Yep.” Bette could only see the back of Tina’s sex hair nodding. “Probably already at the airport.”

Bette watched her ex-wife continue to get dressed, walking around the room as if she didn’t leave it years ago. As if she didn’t leave her years ago. But Bette was now waking up to the reality that Tina was not back. She was not hers again. This wasn’t their room. They didn’t make love in their bed. She shuffled the sheets around her, covering herself, suddenly feeling very exposed. And uncharacteristically vulnerable.

“Are you still going to get married?”

Tina turned around to Bette without answering her question. “I’ve got to go. We’ll talk ok?” She leaned over the bed and kissed Bette, a long close-mouthed kiss. She pulled away until Bette grabbed her hand, bringing their lips back together, and flitting her tongue in her mouth. Tina slowly let their soft kisses trail away with her as she rested her forehead against the brunette, again playing with the curls at her shoulder.

“I need some time.”

She started toward the door.

“No! Tina!” Bette jumped up dragging the sheet entangled in her naked legs across the floor. “Tina, wait!” Bette put her hand against the door so Tina couldn’t open it.

“Don’t do this. Don’t leave here telling me you still plan on marrying her when we just made incredibly passionate love to each other all night. You want me to fight for you? I will fight for you. You want me to chase after you? I will run through traffic for you. You want me to climb mountains, swim in deep, cold seas? I will. You want me to love you? I will. I do.” Bette dropped to her knees wrapping her arms around the blonde’s legs. “And yes, I am down on my knees telling you that I love you. I love you, Tina Kennard. I have never loved another woman the way I love you. My soul has never been as enraptured by anyone as it is with you. You are the love of my life and I will do everything in my power to be better at showing you how much I love you, how much I need you.”

Tina’s hands ran through Bette’s hair, pushing it away from the wet cheeks. Both women had tears streaming down their faces. Tina brought Bette’s face to hers, kissing her deeply. She wiped Bette’s tears with her thumbs as she kissed each cheek and her lips one more time.

“Tinaaaa, please,” Bette sobbed.

“I will always love you.” Tina squeezed Bette’s hands in hers and unwrapped the long arms from her legs before she walked out of Bette’s bedroom.