Tina gasped in awe of the beauty. Not just the flowers and the lights but Bette. She looked as beautiful as the day they first met.

Bette: Will you sit?

Bette pointed to lounge chair just beside the pool. Tina did as she was asked. She took Bette’s hand and pulled her down onto the chair as well.

Bette: Tina, I love you. I have loved you since before I knew you. I’m not perfect although at times I have tried very hard to be. What I didn’t realize then was that I was trying to be perfect at everything. A perfect wife, a perfect provider, perfect at work, with our friends, with my father, and even complete strangers. I know now that I don’t need to be perfect for all of them. Just you. I want to be perfect for you. And for OUR family when we are ready to have one. So, ( Bette took a deep breath), I have stepped down from the CAC.

Tina: Bette no, you didn’t have to do that. You have waited your whole life for a chance there

Bette: T, please let me finish.

Tina shut her mouth and tried to hold back the tears in her eyes.

Bette: I have stepped down and I am looking into starting my own gallery again. Money will be tighter but at least I can make my own hours and the only person I’ll have to answer to is you. I have also decided that I want you involved at my gallery. So I am going to make internship and volunteer positions available for any kids from your center who are interested.

Tina: Aww babe

Bette: T.

Tina: OK, sorry.

Bette: I will do anything and everything that needs to be done to keep our relationship where it should be. I promise that I will open up to you more. I promise that we will see our friends more often so at least we won’t be boring.

The two laughed a little remembering the intervention just a few months back.

Bette: But more importantly I promise that it is you and only you Tina that I wish to share my life with. So now, if you will have me ( Bette reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a black box) I would like you to marry me again.