”I’m still in love with you too Bette. I always have been and I never stopped. I have missed you so much and wanted so many times to go back to L.A. and show up on your doorstep but I couldn’t without having to explain Angie and I was scared of your reaction.”

I pull my forehead away from Tina and cup her left cheek with my right hand. I smiled at her when she sighed at my touch.

”I promise to listen as you explain Angelica to me ok. I know I haven’t been a very good listener in the past but after five years of not having you in my life and to have you sitting here in front of me,  I refuse to fly off the handle and promise I will understand.” I say and she smiles at me. I so missed her smile. Even with her tear stained face she is so unbelievably beautiful.

Tina:

I’m shaking right now as the love of my life is holding my cheek in her hand. It feels so right to be with her and I’ve wasted five years of being apart when we could have been together repairing our damaged relationship. I search her eyes and I can see that she will let me explain Angie to her and not turn irate when she finds out. I sigh as I take a minute to gather my thoughts.

”Ok. Do you remember the night of Provocations when I found you sunk down in the shower crying and begging us to start trying again for a baby and I told you to give me some time-that I wasn’t ready yet?”

Bette nods her head ready for me to continue. I can tell the memory pained her because it was also the night I saw them touching hands and knew about them. Then our confrontation that night turned extremely emotional and uncharacteristically physical.

”Well. I had gone back to the sperm bank, got more of Marcus Allenwood’s sperm, and inseminated myself. I didn’t want to tell you until I had gotten through the first trimester because I knew you couldn’t handle another miscarriage and neither could our relationship. I thought if I could get pregnant and it took this time then it would help both of us move forward. I found out I was pregnant two weeks after I left you. I’m so sorry Bette” I say and look at her to see her reaction and I’m shocked.