Previously~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dark-haired beauty continued to cry as she pulled back and looked into a pair of amber eyes that were bursting with love and comfort. T.thats just it. I need you with me. I need you to hold me and tell me its going to be okay. And.you cant do that here. I need you T and I cant have you with my family around.

Now Tina wanted to cry. She struggled to contain the liquid sympathy that threatened to spill over her eyelids. Bette, you can do this. Even though I cant hold you like you want me to, Ill still be there.

Bette shook her head slowly and wiped at her tears. Its not the same. Its not the same, T. I hate this. Is this how its gonna be? Hiding out all the time? Walking around on egg shells around everybody. My life is falling apart and I need you, T. I need my partner in all this and we have to pretend like were just friends.

Tina stared into her lovers dark brown eyes, the word partner resounding loudly in her mind. The usage of the term seemed to bring with it a promise of longevity, a life shared together, children, a home, a family. Feelings of love surged through the blondes heart and she didnt want to interpret Bettes referring to her as her partner as anything more than it was intended to be. She couldnt stop the question that spilled gently over her soft pink lips. Your partner?, she asked.

Bette realized what shed said and let her conscious thoughts submit to her subconscious longing. She smiled weakly and gazed intently into her lovers curious amber pools. Yeah, T. You are my partner. I feel almost like the word girlfriend isnt enough to convey what you really are to me. I know were young, T. I know that were probably too young for me to even think what Im thinking, but I know what I feel.

I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to live together, to raise children together, to grow old together. I know that I want you to be my wife someday. I know that you mean the world to me. That you really are the half of me Ive been searching for my whole life. You are.youre my family, Tina. And I dont know how I would make it through this without you by my side. I just wish that I could walk into the room with your hand in mine and feel your arms around my waist as I say goodbye to my grandfather. I wish you could hold me and wipe away my tears and tell me that you love me.

Wanting to at least partially meet her lovers needs, Tina slid arms around her girlfriends waist and pulled her close. I love you, Bette. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are my partner and Im not going anywhere. Well get through this and we have the rest of our lives to be out and open. We are family. You and me. And no matter what happens when we leave this little room, our family is going to be just fine. Even if your mom is sitting there in your grandfathers room or your dad realizes what we really mean to each other. Even when you watch your grandpa leave this earth. Through all of that, we will be okay. You trust me?

Bette swallowed with difficulty and replied. I trust you, T.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rays of sunshine streaming in through Robert Jennings private hospital room brought with them an air of hope; the brilliant, golden streams coursing through a bank of large, rectangular windows and falling gently across the dying mans wilted frame, helping to diffuse the dark cloud of fear and despair that hovered around his pallid form.

With the white bed sheet pulled up to the middle of his chest and his ashen arms resting palm-side up on top of the sheet, Robert looked as though he might simply be taking a nap. Bette timidly stepped into the room with her girlfriend following closely at her heels. She absently sighed in relief at the absence of her mother, noting that her father and aunt were seated at the green couch that rested against the wall.

Her shiny brown eyes followed her grandfathers slumbering form to the classy 71-year old mother of two that was sitting in a chair beside her husbands hospital bed, holding his limp left hand in her own. Deborah Jennings heard her granddaughters soft steps and turned to the left, her warm blue eyes greeting her daughters only child.

The grieving wife inhaled in awe, her dark blue eyes filling with tears, and smiled as she said, There she is. Theres my baby girl.

On hearing those words, the tension Bette thought she would feel at this moment faded away and she smiled; a single word escaping her sultry lips. Grandma, she said, before walking briskly to her grandmother, hugging her tightly.

Im so glad youre here. Weve been waiting for you, Sweetheart., said Deborah.

Bette pulled back from their embrace and said, Yeah. Daddy told me. Thank you for waiting.

Its what your grandfather would want. He adores you., said Deborah.

The bronzed young woman gazed at Robert before looking down at her feet as she tried desperately not to cry. Deborah took Bettes hands in hers and her soft blue eyes admired the beautiful woman her grandchild was becoming. Its okay, Tinker Bell. Its okay to cry., she said, her voice filled with love and comfort.

Tina watched her lovers pain and longed to place her hand on the small of her girlfriends back and kiss her smooth brown cheek. In this room, amidst 3 pairs of watchful eyes, the intimate touch she desired to initiate was not possible and this reality weighed down the young womans spirit. She watched the love of her life start to crumble as Bette bent down and fell into her grandmothers embrace.

Im so sorry, Bette mumbled.

Shh. Its okay., Deborah returned, rubbing Bettes back gently.

I didnt get to say I was sorry., Bette moaned.

Grandpa knows, Tinker Bell. He knows., said Deborah, holding on tightly.

At this moment of loving reconciliation, all eyes were on Bette and Tina took the time to study the members of her partners family. Melvin sat stiffly on the couch, his neatly pressed slacks and starched, blue, button down shirt seeming to match the intensity of the mans rigid posture. There was a line of wrinkles in his brown forehead as he watched his youngest child interact with his former mother-in-law and Tina was a bit surprised to see the hint of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

Karen sat on the other half of the couch, wiping at her tears, her eyes flitting between her father and niece. Even with the disheveled look only the imminent death of loved one can bring, Tina could still see Karens beauty. And despite the tears and the grief, there was a softness in the lawyers soft blue eyes that Tina hadnt noticed before. She was studying the sapphire orbs of the woman across the room, wondering just what secrets her lovers aunt was holding onto, when Karen caught her gaze.

The two women locked eyes and Karen smiled gently. Hey there. Why dont you come and sit down?, she said.

Tina couldnt fight the redness rushing to her cheeks and she smiled weakly in return before mumbling, Okay, and making her way over to the big green couch. She sat in between Melvin and his sister-in-law, nervously eyeing her girlfriend.

Melvin extended a strong hand in her direction. Ms. Kennard, its good to see you again.

He and Tina shook as she replied, Its good to see you, too.

So, you decided to keep Bette company on her journey?, he asked.

Swallowing thickly over the lump in her throat, Tina answered. Yeah, I..didnt want her to travel alone. I thought she mightneed a friend.

She felt Karen gently squeeze her shoulder and say, Shes lucky to have you, Tina. The tone of her voice caused goosebumps to rise along the young blondes exposed arms and Tina turned slightly to her left to meet Karens eyes. The questions and confusion swirling around the soft amber pools were not lost on the sharp tax attorney and she found Tinas bewildered look slightly amusing. The moment was lost as Melvin re-entered the conversation.

She is. Shes very lucky to have found a friend like you., he said.

Tina turned back in his direction and smiled weakly. Luckily, she was rescued from her quickly escalating discomfort by Deborahs welcoming voice.

Tinker Bell, you want to introduce me to your friend?, she asked.

Tina turned in the direction of the voice. Deborah and Bette we no longer hugging and the caramel skinned young woman wiped at her salty tears before smiling into her girlfriends eyes Oh, Im sorry. Grandma, this my friend, Tina.

Tina, Im so glad you came with my Tinker Bell.

It was no problem, really. I was a little worried about her., said Tina.

Youre a sweet girl, Tina., said Deborah.

The sun-kissed blonde blushed at this remark and said, Thanks.

Deborah Jennings stood near her post at Roberts beside and began to organize the death of her husband. As she spoke, Bettes teary eyes studied her grandfathers body, her mind struggling to come to terms with his impending demise. It was decided that theyd each get the chance to speak with him privately and then the staff would remove the tubes and machines keeping him alive.

The family members had moved to the family consultation room down the hall, visiting Robert one at a time. When it was her turn at bat, Bette took a deep breath and gave her partner a sideways glance, chewing on her lower lip as she stood. On this day of death, the connection between her niece and the pretty blonde girl at her side stood out to Karen as one of the most beautiful things shed ever seen. Fighting the urge to gush and expose Bettes true relationship to One Ms. Tina Kennard, Karen spoke softly as she stood and rubbed Bettes back.

Sweetheart, are you going to be okay? Or do you want Tina to go with you?, she asked.

Bette met her aunts eyes and smiled slightly, her dark brown pools filled with questions. Karen smiled in return, before winking slyly at her sisters only child.

Bette turned to her girlfriend, T..do you mind?, she asked.

No baBette. I dont mind., Tina replied, catching herself as the endearing term babe nearly left her soft pink lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bettes tear-filled voice sliced through the shroud of silence filling Roberts room. Her words sounding against the background of the gentle humming and beeping of her grandfathers life-saving equipment.

Hi Grandpa. Its me, Bette..Tinker Bell., she said, standing at Roberts right side, holding on to his hand, starting at his closed eye lids.

Tinker Bell?, asked Tina, sliding her arm around her lovers waist.

The bronzed woman smiled and leaned her head against her girlfriends. Yeah. When I was a kid I had a slight obsession with Tinker Bell and the movie Peter Pan. I guess I should have taken it as a sign. Anyway, after watching the movie, I wanted to be Tinker Bell. Id make Grandpa go with me to catch fireflies in these glass jars. Then Id pull off the glowing parts of the fireflies and stick them all over me. I thought they would give me magical powers like Tinker Bell. So, Grandpa started calling me that.

Tina chuckled. Thats cute, babe.

Yeah. I had a lot of good times with Grandpa., said Bette. Her eyes watered and she stared down at Robert Jennings. Im gonna miss him, T.

I know, babe.

A head of dark curls slowly shook from side to side. I dont want to say good-bye.

Well, dont think of it as good-bye. Think of it as Ill see you later., said Tina.

Yeah?

Yeah. You and I both believe that theres a new life after this one, right?, asked Tina.

Yeah.

Well, youll see him again some day. And he wont be sick and he wont be in pain. Maybe youll even get to catch fireflies together in heaven., said Tina with a slight chuckle.

Bette smiled. You hear that, Grandpa? Tina says well get to catch fireflies together in heaven. The dark-haired beauty was quiet for a moment and when she began to speak, her thoughts were suddenly clearer than theyd been only moments before.

Grandpa.I dont know if you can hear me, but I want you to know Im sorry for blocking you out of my life. You didnt deserve that and now.. our time together is up. I.uh..I hope you know how much I love you and care about you. Im really going to miss you, Grandpa. Im never going to forget you or all the fun we had together when I was growing up. I just wish I would have spent more time with you over the past few years.

To bring you up to speed, things are going really well at school. Im studying Art History and Im getting pretty good grades. Im involved in a few student activities and Ive got some really good friends, Grandpa. I even. have a girlfriend. Shes right here with me. Her names Tina. Shes the one everybody keeps calling my friend. Im scared to tell Daddy. Hed go totally ballistic.

Bette sighed and wiped at her tears. Despite her emotions her voice remained strong and calm.

You know, Grandpa, I have a feeling youd understand me. That youd love me in spite of how I feel and howhow I love. Its been so hard for me, Grandpa. This past year has been crazy. Its really made me realize how much I miss Mom. I gotta tell you. Im mad at her. She abandoned all of us and thats not right. Shes not even here to say goodbye to you. What kind of daughter doesnt say goodbye to her father?, asked Bette.

She sniffled and Tina squeezed her tightly. The loving blonde could tell that Bette was getting upset and her gentle touch was calming to the woman in her arms. When she spoke next, Bette was more centered.

I guess you dont really want to hear that. I mean, we all know how things have been. And I guess what Im trying to say isThank you. Thanks for always loving me and being there for me. Even when I turned away from you, you still made yourself available. You knew I needed you.

Bette cleared her throat and squeezed Roberts limp hand.

Well.I guess this is it, huh? I wont say goodbye. Ill just say..See you later. So, see you later Grandpa. I love you., she said, before bending down and placing a kiss on his forehead.

Tina rubbed her girlfriends back and whispered softly in her ear, You did it, babe. Im so proud of you.

Thanks, T., Bette replied. She kissed her grandfathers hand and placed it gently on his bed before pulling Tina into her arms.

You are more than welcome. I love you, babe., said Tina.

I love you, too., Bette whispered in return.

When all the family members, including Melvin, had said their private goodbyes, the medical staff removed his respirator and monitoring equipment. Forty-three minutes later, surrounded by his loved ones, Robert Jennings exhaled for the final time, and his spirit finally left his wilted body.

TBC (To Be Continued)