Bette: “I want you”

Tina: I heard Bette and do not stop but only shake my head in response, indicating that this morning I will have her.

Bette: “Tee?”

Tina: I shake my head and Bette gives up her insistence. I touch Bette with my hand and kiss her breast ever so gently and slowly. Bette groans and I know she is not far off reaching an orgasm. She was always easily aroused in the mornings. Out of nowhere Bette grabs my hand and stops me, she is too strong for me, she always has been but I feel no malice in her actions.

Tina: “what?” I whisper, desperate to bring Bette pleasure.

Bette: “I want you tonight” and I hold Tina’s gaze.

Tina: I try to move my hand but Bette just smiles. And I marvel at her inner strength, it must be killing her to wait. I give a small nod, knowing it is the only way to get my way and Bette lets go of my hand. Moments later I hear Bette calling my name and I snuggle in, both of us feeling very satisfied.

Bette: I always did like sex in the morning. I start to pay with Tina’s breasts, indicating that I do not wish to wait until tonight.

Tina: “we had a deal” I say not hiding the playfulness in my voice.

Bette: “deal, smeal………” as I make my move and at that moment Laurel comes running in and jumps on the bed.

Tina: “morning baby” and I kiss Laurel on the head. She scoots over to Bette and gives her the biggest hug. I mouth to Bette “guess it’s tonight” and Bette roles her eyes half serious, half unconcerned, knowing her turn will come tonight.

Bette: The day passes easily, much like any of the days we have had in recent weeks. We stay inside for most of the day because the weather has definitely turned cool, the clouds are grey and black and we have put the fire on. We play cards with Laurel and I am perpetually beaten at Snap. We eat a light and late lunch, reflective of our relaxed moods. After lunch I head out to the dam and sit under the big tree watching the occasional raindrop fall into the very still and dark water, as I do I realise I feel truly relaxed. Laurel runs around with Choco, all rugged up and I keep a close eye on her because the dam has no fence and that is always a hazard to children. She seems so happy and care free. I take her hand and Choco runs beside us.

Laurel: “Bette?”

Bette: And Laurel looks up at me. Something makes me stop and bend down and meet her eyes. “When are we going home?”

Bette: I am a little taken aback, I know both Tina and I have separately been thinking about that exact same question but nobody has wanted to raise the topic. I take a second. “Soon, honey, we are going home soon.”

Laurel: “Oh”

Bette: And I am somewhat alarmed. “Don’t you like it here?”

Laurel: just looks down.

Bette: “come one you can tell me.”

Laurel: “you might tell mommy.”

Bette: “I promise I won’t tell mommy” and I won’t. Laurel eyes me suspiciously.

Laurel: “OK, mommy seems happier here.”

Bette: I don’t know what to say, I guess I’d assumed Tina would want to go back to LA. I pick Laurel up and walk her back to the dam and sit her on my knee.

Bette: “You know honey, mommy and I had lots and lots of problems at home and we came here to see if we could work them out.”

Laurel: “I know”

Bette: “You know?” I say as a reflex response.

Laurel: Nods. “Mommy told me that you had lots of problems and you needed to work out if you could keep living together.”

Bette: “Oh. Well, yes, that’s true because you wouldn’t want mommy or me to be unhappy.”

Laurel: “Where would me and Jennifer live if you couldn’t live together?”

Bette: I snuggled into Laurel and realized that this who mess had a huge impact on her. “Well, mommy and I are going to stay living together, so you and Jen can live with both of us.”

Laurel: “But will you and mommy be happy when we get back to LA?”

Bette: Tears welled up in Laurel’s eyes. I wrapped her in my arms. “We will, I promise.” Unsure if that is a promise I can make come true. One thing I do know is I need to talk to Tina about it. “Come on, it’s getting cold.” And we head back to the house.