Ummhmm Tina said I liked feeling I was twenty again, that I didnt have any other responsibilitiesjust you and me..

But its not true is it? Bettes hand dropped over Tinas stomach, caressed their growing baby And I dont want it to be like that this life Im living now ..its more Bette didnt know what to say next, it was more in so many ways, how did she put them all into words?

Tina moved her head to so it rested in the hollow of Bettes shoulder.

Bette stretched her left arm around Tina, cradled her body, pulled her closer, ran her hand gently down Tinas back and rested it at the base of her spine; gestures of comfort and familiarity not foreplay for urgent *****, just part of a slow build up that would release between them tonight or tomorrow night or maybe next week.

Thats OK Tina said but she felt that wasnt enough its more than OK..its perfect that way..were not those people any more but it doesnt mean were less in love

Bette felt a warmth start within her; Tina understood.

In reality, Bette suspected, Tinad always understood. Shed always been content to let them move into this less frantic pace of loving and it was Bette whod fought it the first time around.

This time they were moving into that phase more quickly. It was partly because theyd found a way to continue what theyd started and maybe also because they were a little bit older and she wanted Tina to know that it was OK with her too this time. More than OK, as Tina had said, it was perfect.

Bette Tina paused, she loved saying her name; it felt like a caress. Shed never shorten it or alter it in any way. It fitted her perfectly, its French origin seeming to infuse it with romance in the same way that Bette herself was. She pulled her errant thoughts back into line.

The other day I read this article about love and how it changes. How when we first meet, our hearts beat wildly, its exciting, exhilarating. But you cant keep that pace up, were not meant to live like that wed go into cardiac arrest. Gradually it slows and the steadying beat is comforting, its always there. You cant live without it. But the trouble is because its always there we stop listening for it, and its only when we strain it in some way that its called to out attention. Tina moved her hand over Bettes heart and held it there But its always there, you just need to stop sometimes and focus on it, to hear its slow constant beat, to feel the comfort of it.

A tear ran down Bettes cheek and slid into Tinas hair.

She pulled Tina into her arms, felt Tina wriggle a little until their bodies were moulded perfectly together. And with all the words said they drifted peacefully off to sleep.