Fan Fiction
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Chapter 25 – THOUGHTS

“No.” Bette crossed her arms over her chest in refusal. “Absolutely not. I’m not going down that road. Tina has her own life and once Ashley’s health improves with the correct treatment, she’ll forget all about me once again and move on with her life.”
“Bette, you know that’s not true.” James pursed his lips into a fine line. Lord, this woman could be obstinate. “I don’t think Tina ever forgot about you. She’s never been in a serious, long term relationship in all these years.”
“James.” Bette closed her eyes and hung her head. “You’re forgetting that I have nothing to offer Tina. Not now or . . . ever.”
“Jesus, Bette. Don’t say that.” James sprung up and almost ran over to stand in front of the brunette that he loved like a sister. “You don’t know that for certain.”
“I, we, can’t be blind to that possibility.” Bette pointed out to him. She clenched her jaw to hold off her emotions. “I can’t allow Tina to get entangled with me again on . . . on any level. Not with the uncertainty about . . . my future.”
“Then tell her the damn truth.” James beseeched her. “The truth about the past, what happened all those years ago with your father, brother, the company and the kids. Explain to her what’s going on with you now.”
“There’s no point in dragging up the past. And I don’t want to burden her with my current problem.” Bette finally looked at her friend. Her mind was set. “So, no, James.”
“You are so damn stubborn about this.” James smacked his hands together in frustration.
“James, we’ve been over this before.” Bette was determined to avoid any entanglement with her former lover. “Numerous times. Why open old wounds? It serves no purpose. It’s not going to solve anything.”
“Yes, it could.” James took hold of Bette’s arms and stood facing her. He wanted to shake some sense into her. “For both of you to finally heal and for Tina to get answers to the questions she’s probably had all these years.”
“I can’t go back and change any of it. I would if I could, but . . . I can’t.” Bette stated regretfully. She looked away, hesitant to look James in the eye. Afraid that he would see the desperation in her eyes. “I . . . I did what I thought I had to do. I . . . I wanted Tina to have a chance at a normal life without having to deal with all the Porter family drama and problems and then wait more years to be together. I . . . I just couldn’t ask her to do that any longer. I couldn’t ask her to sacrifice more for me. To put a future together on hold once again. It wasn’t fair to her then and certainly not now.”
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(12 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
OMG – you finally posted an update!!
Yay!!
I can’t wait to read this tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
Hey,
No rush – take your time.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
I reread this again this morning – it was that good.
Just wanted to get it clear in my head where they both are in their minds! Ha!
I also read the other comments and for the most part, I agree with them. But I do see a way for reconciliation, especially if they both want it. Shit happens in life and it doesn’t always go the way we want, but if two people are willing and love each other as much as these two do,anything is possible.
Loved how Bette and Tina thought back to seeing the other the night before and how it affected each of them. They’re still so deeply in love with each other.
So, Nicole’s out of the way and I’m thinking Tina has or will shortly, send her captain on her merry way and onto the rest of her life without the lovely TK. So, they’re both be single, available, yearning for each other and horny as hell after all these years! Seriously time to rejoin!
Looking forward to more great chapters from you.
I’ll probably read this again before the end of the night. And now I’m thinking that I might go back to the beginning and read it all all over again!
I know what you mean about trying to keep things aligned in your mind – I’ve got this story, a rewrite of FMF that I’m posting on AO3 & I’m also working on another novel for possible publication – so I always have to go back & refresh my own mind as to where I am with what story!!
Thanks for the support – it means so much to me.
TK will be sending the captain – Lynn – on her merry way very soon. No worries there.
Thanks too for the kind words – I personally have reread all of Largo’s, allyemerson’s, BK’s & a few other writers postings several times. They’re all so good.
Until next time!
Hola me encanta esta historia que buen capitulo me encanto pero siempre me dejas con ganas de leer más espero el siguiente capítulo con ansias y con mas páginas .Gracias.
Hi Escorpion,
Me alegra ver que recordó la historia y se tomó el tiempo de leer esta actualización.
Sé a qué te refieres con eso de querer siempre más al final del capítulo. A mí me pasa lo mismo. ¡¡¡Quiero MÁS!!!
Prometo publicar pronto.
Muchas gracias.
So Bette is sick and dying also? I can’t wait for them to really have the long awaited talk. Am glad you posted again.
Hi Vivian,
Great to hear from you.
So, yes, Bette’s ill & the prognosis isn’t good. But there are medical breakthroughs every day – so there’s still hope.
I’m glad to be back & very appreciative of the support.
Collins, it was fantastic to get the notification that you had posted an update. I absolutely love everything that you write because it speaks from your heart. You obviously adore these two characters and your appreciation of them rings true in every chapter and story. I’ve read all your stories and cherish them all. I often reread them when I need a Tibette fix!
Kudos to you for sticking to your original plan for this story and to hell with what others many have disliked about it. I agree that you have presented both Bette and Tina as equals- they both have flaws and traits to appreciate and admure. It’s a testament to your vision and a demonstration that no matter how life unfolds, true love can endure and thrive once it’s ignited again.
So, Bette’s trying to be noble again and doesn’t want to burdern Tina with her medical issue whuch seems to be pretty serious. ‘m sure as they interact together in the near future, Tina’s going to see right thru that and press Bette for answers.
I absolutely love that you get into their heads and we get to glimpse what they’re thinking. So many of the stories that are writtren currently are all action based and never speak about what motivates the character or their actions. Thanks for giving us that in your writing.
Looking forward with much hope for their upcoming meeting, although the title of the next chapter has me cautious- Confrontation??? I’m sure there’ll be some fireworks and lots of sexual tension. Wonder how long they’ll be able to keep their hands off each other.
Don’t be away too long again. Thanks for the this great treat.
Hi Leigh,
What a lovely comment & tribute – I am so honored by you. Thank you so much.
I do take my writing very seriously & put all my efforts into it. I do my absolute best to make it worth the while of the reader to devote their time to read and hopefully, enjoy.
Thanks too for your support – I appreciate your comment on that.
You guessed right that there will indeed be fireworks when they meet – the question will be – what kind???
And about keeping their hands off each other – well we are talking about Tibette – so not long!!!
Thanks again & see you soon for the next update.
You are most welcome. You’re my favorite writer and I absolutely love your stories.
Looking forward to the part where they can’t keep their hands to themselves!
I’m all in for the fireworks too!
Happy you’re along for the ride & all in!!
I’ll make it the best I can!!
Bette appears to have regretted losing Tina, but is not going to let that stop her from standing by and repeating what she did 15 years ago. From Bette’s s conversation with James, there appears to be no regret for her choices and she intends to continue that path. And now Bette is sick and possibly dying? It is going to be interesting how these two ever get to be a couple again.
Thanks for the chapter….
Hi Martha,
Happy New Year.
Thanks for reading & commenting.
I’ll keep your remarks in mind for future chapters.
Best regards.
Hey there, happy to finally see an update, I missed that story and your writing !
First of all, I don’t know why readers think that you prefer Tina over Bette, for my part, I always found in all your stories that you described the qualities, the flawns and the errors of the two characters with impartiality but everyone is free to think, you know… differently. That said, very good chapter, a little short for my liking !
So Bette intend to not tell Tina about the past ughh … She’s so stubborn, I really want to shake her and set her “straight”. She is convinced that Tina will have a better life without her and her problems, that she has always loved her and that she is doing this for her own good and that Tina will be able to go on with her life, what a brilliant plan genius, Tina is miserable…
Doesn’t she realize that it’s up to Tina to decide what she wants to do with her life knowingly, how can you leave someone in absolute ignorance for her own good and pretend that you love her, Tina doesn’t even know it.
Where is Helena when we need her?
What a mess !
Thank you for expressing your thoughts – they were very kind & I take them all to heart!
Funny that you should mention the divine Ms. Helena. I think you & I are on the same page with her making a reappearance at this point in the story. Bette needs a wakeup call in a monumental way & who better to give it to her than her ole pal???
A bit messy as you say, but it’ll get better – soon!!
Thanks for reaching out.
Best regards.
Great that you are back – I’ve looked forward to an update for months. Happy for this one.
I find your writing refreshing in that you DON”T take sides on what character is ‘better’ than the other. I’ve found all your stories honest and realistic in how you present Tibette and their relationship and characters. Stay true to your beliefs and how YOU want to write. I’ll definitely follow along.
I’m sure hoping you’re planning on someone kicking Bette’s butt soon & get her to talk to Tina about everything. It’s needed.
I’m excited for what comes next in the story and how it will all be pulled together!
Thanks for stating you opinion – it means so much to me! And yes, I will stay true.
Yes, I’ve been thinking that our dear Bette needs a wakeup call or slap on the back of her head to get her to talk to Tina. Time’s a wasting & she needs to get a move on.
There’s still lots of moving pieces, but that will settle down a bit once TK & Ashley get to London. Thanks for sticking around & much more to come.
Love getting an update to this story! I really enjoyed hearing Tina’s POV talking with Shane, and Bette’s talking with James. Very clever writing, Collins.
I can’t wait for them to confess their love for each other still and for Bette to tell Tina everything. I’m thinking it all comes out in “Confrontation”?? That’s gonna be a good chapter…
As always I’m rooting for Ashley.
Thanks for this update!
Hey Lady,
Hope all is going well this new year for you.
Both our gals need their confidants to bare their souls to, so, they got their chance.
Unfortunately, everything won’t get to be discussed in the next chapter – that would be too easy & where would the angst be???
I’ll do my best to make it a great chapter & have a few good moments for them.
Ashley could certainly need a big break!!
Thanks for reaching out & stay safe & healthy.
I’m a sucker for the angst…
I’m so hoping we have NO angst between Tibette in TLWNY – sure want them happy & in love.
The drama can happen all around them, but NOT to them!!
WhoooHoo Collins!!
Thrilled to this post! Even if Bette frustrates me to NO end. Uuughhhh.
So afraid to be fully human
Hey D,
Great to hear from you. Hope all is well in this New Year for you.
Yeah, Bette’s a pistol alright, but the time for the truth is coming soon.
Thanks for reaching out & stay safe & healthy.
I’m so into this story and what’s to come for them.
I’m hooked and happy about it!
Great job.
Hey JW,
Glad I’ve got a fan in you!
Thanks for checking in.
Great post – waiting for them to talk about everything!
Thanks
Thanks for continuing to follow this story.
I’m currently working on editing the next chapter.