Two weeks had passed since Tina had given Bette the ultimatum, and Bette had been living up to the promise she made Tina. They started talking on the phone every day and they had the most amazing conversations. These conversations would last for hours and they would talk about almost everything. They both had forgotten what it was like to really talk to each other and Tina was so proud of Bette for being able to open up to her. They also had managed to see each other a couple of times without the rest of the group around and these conversations flowed just as easily.

Between phone calls, Tina did a lot of thinking and soul searching about what she wanted from this relationship. She had already established that she loved Bette and wanted her in her life, but something was holding her back from letting this relationship fully develop. Every time they were in a position to kiss each other, Tina would pull away. She wasnt ready for the physical aspect of their relationship and Tina was surprised that Bette was being so patient. Tina knew something was bothering her, but she couldnt put her finger on what it was exactly.

Bette had also done some thinking and she realized a couple of things. Number one on the list was how much she truly loved Tina and needed her in her life. Bette had come to see how hard life could be without Tina and it was not something she ever wanted to do again, but she wondered if they could ever fully get there. Although she enjoyed talking to Tina and seeing her on occasion, it was killing her to not be able to hold Tina as they talked or kiss her goodnight. Bette knew that Tina needed time and she was ready and willing to give it, but it was eating her up inside. She felt that Tina was holding back because she had not fully forgiven her for the Candace thing, and sometimes Bette felt like bringing it up, but then she always thought better or it.

Bette sighed as she set the table waiting for Tina to come over. They were going to have a relaxing evening and Bette hoped that tonight they could discuss their future and if Tina would consider moving back into the house. Bette had ordered out since her cooking skills were severely sub par, and she had taken the boxes of Chinese food and put their contents into different plates. She had ordered all of Tinas favorite foods and she had a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge. She wasnt a big drinker, but she figured it might help lighten the mood.

Tina arrived at the house five minutes later and she greeted Bette with a quick kiss on the cheek. Before long they were seated at the table enjoying the food and each others company. They talked about Tinas volunteering and her latest project, and Bette filled Tina in on the latest from the CAC. Tina felt like it was they were in the beginning stages of their relationship all over again and she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. After dinner Bette cleaned up the table and told Tina to make her self-comfortable in the living room.

Bette knew they had more important things to discuss so she decided the wine would be a good idea. She grabbed the bottle of wine from the fridge and two wine glasses and headed to the living room. She looked around and when she didnt see Tina anywhere she was confused. Just then she felt a light breeze from the backyard and she knew Tina had gone outside.

It was a warm LA night and Bette smiled to herself as she saw Tina sitting on one of the lounge chairs near the pool. Tina looked like she was deep in thought and Bette took this opportunity to just stand there and drink in the sight of Tina. My God she is beautiful, thought Bette as she looked at Tinas soft features and noticed how her golden blonde hair seemed to glow in the moonlight. Bette walked over to where Tina sat and set the wine and the glasses down on the table next to her. Tina still hadnt noticed Bette and Bette was starting to get worried. She didnt know why Tina was acting like this and she felt an all to familiar sense of panic run through her body.

Bette slowly reached out and put her hand on top of Tinas. When Tina felt the contact Bette saw tears begin to flow down her cheeks. Bette gently reached up and wiped away the tears and she was glad when she felt Tina turn her face towards Bettes touch. Bette felt tears forming in her own eyes as she sat there totally helpless and unable to take away Tinas pain. Bette didnt know what was wrong and she wanted to know so that she could fix it, but she realized Tina was not her problem to fix anymore and it broke her heart.

Bette stood up to go and get some tissues from the house, but when she started to pull her hand away from Tina she felt Tina grab it tighter and pull her back down. Bette sat next to Tina on the lounge chair and after a few minutes Tina leaned her body into Bettes causing Bette to lie back with Tina in her arms. Bette felt tears of joy forming in her eyes as she sat there in total silence just holding Tina. It was a feeling Bette thought she might never feel again and she memorized the feeling of Tinas warm embrace.

Tina sat there with Bettes strong arms around her and she knew that she wanted to stay here forever. She wanted nothing more than to move home and be with Bette again, but something was preventing that from happening. Tina realized that it was Candace. No matter how much her and Bette had been really talking lately and Bette finally realized she could open up to Tina, they had yet to talk about Candace. Tina knew it was because she didnt want to hear what Bette had to say about her, but if they were going to move forward it was something they would need to discuss. Tina shifted slightly so that her head was resting on Bettes shoulder and when she looked up at Bette she saw Bette staring down at her with a look of complete contentment on her face. Tina knew this conversation was going to be hard but it was necessary if they were going to try and build any kind of life together.

Bette, I have to ask you a question.

What baby?

Tina paused before continuing. She could feel the jealousy and the pain coming back up as she thought about Bette and Candace together and it was killing her not to know how Bette truly felt about the situation.

Were you ever like this with Candace?

Tina felt Bettes body stiffen at the sound of Candaces name and for a second she thought Bette might revert to form and put up the walls she had worked so hard to break down. But then she felt Bettes body relax and Tina breathed a sigh of relief.

No. It was never like this.

What did you see in her Bette?

Tina, honey, why are you doing this? Is it really going to make you feel better to know?

No, but its something I have to know.

Bette looked up at the stars as she thought about how to explain Candace to Tina. One part of her was happy that Tina seemed to accept and forgive what had happened with Candace, but the other part of her knew she was on thin ice. While Tina may be okay asking the questions, she didnt know if Tina really wanted to hear the answers.

She was just different. With her things were so new and everything was like a new discovery. I guess I just missed that part of the relationship. But no matter what, it made me realize how much you mean to me and how much love I have for you.

Tina didnt know if she was happy with Bettes answer so she decided since they had already begun the conversation, she might as well get all her questions answered.

So is that why you did it? Because you missed the spark in our relationship?

No Tina, with Candace it was completely different. It would never amount to what we have.

Bette you didnt answer my question.

I dont know Tina, we were having our problems and I just felt like there was something missing. Didnt you feel it too?

Yeah I did, but thats why I wanted to go to Dan Foxworthy. I thought maybe we could talk about things and figure out what was going wrong. Then after we lost the baby I felt like you were shutting me out and thats why it hurt so much to see you with Candace. I couldnt figure out why you couldnt be like that with me.

Bette could feel Tinas tears on her shoulder and Bette knew that Tina was extremely vulnerable right now. She didnt know what to say to make Tina feel safe and secure so she just held Tina tighter hoping she got the message. Bette felt terrible for causing Tina so much pain and she prayed that Tina would let it go and move on to something else. But of course she didnt, and what Tina had to say shocked Bette.

Bette, Im sorry for everything that happened. Im sorry that I pulled away after we lost the baby and Im sorry that I let out relationship become so stagnant. I guess after I quit my job I forgot who I was and I was trying to figure out while still trying to be everything you needed. I know that for a while things were really hard on you and I tried to be supportive as possible, but I knew that sometimes at the end of the day, you wished things were different.

Bette felt her own tears forming as she listened to Tina and she thought about everything they had been to in the last seven years. She thought about all the fights and all the good times. She thought about the memories theyve shared and she couldnt believe she almost gave it all up for Candace.

Baby, you shouldnt be apologizing. Im the one who cheated okay? Tina, we could both go on and on about the various things that went wrong in our relationship, but I dont think we have to. I can see now exactly what was going wrong and I think we are doing our best to fix it. I think we should be thinking about the future and being sure to not make those same mistakes again.

Tina took a deep breath as she thought about what Bette was saying. Tina could see that Bette was trying to get past the worst parts of the relationship and she wanted to do it together. Tina was glad that Bette wasnt dwelling on everything that had gone wrong and she too wanted to move forward as long as she was sure Bette felt the same way. Tina sat up and looked Bette in the eye. Tina saw the warmth and the love in Bettes stare and she finally figured out what had been bothering her. She had been afraid that while Bette was doing all she could to fix this relationship, that some part of her didnt wish that it was Candace instead. But tonight Tina saw for herself that she was the only one on Bettes mind and in her heart.

Tina leaned in and kissed Bette slowly on the lips. She felt Bette respond to her kiss and Tina smiled to herself knowing that this caught Bette by surprise. Tina relaxed her body against Bette and this time when Bette wrapped her arms around her she didnt pull away. Bette slowly ran her tongue over Tinas bottom lip before lightly sucking on it. A small moan escaped Tinas lips and when Bette finally pushed her tongue into Tinas mouth she felt herself grow wet with anticipation. It had been so long since they had made love and Tina wanted it so badly. Tina ran her hands along Bettes face tracing her jawbone and letting her hands trail down lower to Bettes *****. Tina felt Bettes nipple stiffen under her touch and she had forgotten how much she could turn Bette on.

As quickly as it had started it stopped. Bette was the one who pulled away this time and when she broke the kiss she could see the flush in Tinas face. They were both breathing hard and looking at each other, not knowing what to do next. When Bette spoke her voice was ragged and deep from arousal.

Tina, I dont think we should do this tonight.

Tina just nodded knowing what Bette meant. It had been such a trying two weeks for them and tonight had been filled with emotion and resolution and Bette didnt want to push it by having them take the final step tonight. Tina smiled at Bette and gave her one more kiss on the lips before standing up to leave. Bette looked at her with love and admiration and Tina felt her heart exploding in her chest. As Tina was driving back to Alice’s she couldnt help but wear the goofiest smile on her face. She felt like a teenager in love and she knew that she had done the right thing in making Bette be patient. As she drifted off to sleep thoughts of Bette clouded her mind and she fell into the deepest sleep she had had in weeks.