As they lay together facing each other on the single lounger they were a breath apart. Tina was looking at Bette so intently that she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable with their closeness.

“We better go check on the food.” Bette said to break the tension.

“Yeah, I’d almost forgotten.” Tina got up from the lounger and gave Bette a hand up. Once Bette is standing Tina doesn’t let go of her hand instead she brings it to her cheek and caresses it. She enjoys the feel as Bette’s soft fingers gently move against her cheek to wipe away the residual tears. Tina doesn’t seem able to move from the spot so Bette urges her.

“Come on Tee. We don’t want the food to burn.”

They go to the kitchen and get the food out of the oven. It was just perfect, nothing burned. Bette set the table while Tina prepared the dishes. After dinner they clear the table and put things in the dishwasher. They’d tabled the conversation about ‘us’ while they ate but now sitting in on the living couch sipping the last of the wine Tina brings it up again wanting to know where they stand.

“What happens now?”

“I say we just let things be. You need time to work things out. I have a baby due in 8 weeks. We’re doing well Tee. Let’s not mess things up by forcing something to happen that neither one of us is ready for.”

“Can I call you?”

“Of course you can call me. I want to spend time together doing all the things we’ve always done. I don’t want our friendship to change. I think it will just get better if we continue to talk like this and be honest with each other.”

“Then can I say something?” Tina asked timidly.

“You can say anything you want.” Bette answered giving Tina her full attention turning herself so her body language conveyed the openness she felt in receiving whatever Tina had to say.

“I’m sorry I didn’t handle hearing about the adoption so well but I just wanted to say that I’m really happy for you Bette. I share your joy of bringing this baby into our lives and into our family. I’ve said it before but I really mean it. Alexander is so lucky to have you. What I wanted to say is if you’ll let me I want to be in his life.”

“I would love that. Thank you Tee.” Now it was Bette’s turn to cry from the overwhelming emotions brought on my Tina’s words. Tina too is overcome with her declaration of wanting to be a part of the family Bette has created with the special people in her life. She offers Bette comfort in the same way Bette just did for her.

”Come here babe.” Tina pulls Bette into an embrace and they hold each other. It takes Bette a minute to realize that Tina just called her babe.

“You called me babe.”

“Did I?” Now it was Tina’s turn to feign innocence but she can’t pull it off anymore than Bette could.

“Maybe I got caught up in the moment too.” She says as she buries her face into Bette’s neck and breathes in her unique scent.