Sure, she was afraid of ending up alone, and those thoughts probably caused her to hang onto the “intangible husband” a little bit too long and little too tightly. She’d spent a lot of time in therapy discussing why she felt guilty at times when she figured that she should be thinking about her husband, but all she could think about was Bette. In talking to her therapist about it she’d come to the conclusion that hanging onto his memory and letting them infringe upon her moments of peace with Bette or thinking about Bette was never really healthy and actually had nothing to do with Rick. It was the secure presence that his memory brought, that comforted her, but it was the guilt of possible betrayal that made her hide the truth from Bette about her thoughts when they were alone. She’d told Bette everything she’d disclosed in therapy and as hard as it was to talk about and watch how it affected Bette, she did it.

She cooked and together once the baby was asleep, they shared a glass of wine and talked. Really explore what made Tina act the way she did with Bette and how her fears were essentially guiding their relationship to a place built on half-truths and hidden fears. All of which would eventually be their demise, she’d come to that realization when the guilt of lying to Bette caused her to decompress and blurt things out without warning or any sense of timing. Their late night talks had transformed into early evening confessions, it was so much more freeing this way for them both.

Once Tina was done, and she’d finally stopped herself to look at what she’d made, she was really pleased with herself. She’d made spicy garlic sweet potato fries and a roasted chicken breast sandwich with a spicy mango chutney. During the meal preparation she’d eventually tuned the girls out, the only person to notice was Bette, she knew it was Tina’s way.

Tina made everyone sit down at the table as she served them all. With their plates set in front of them and Tina and Carmen with a plate of just fries, they all tucked into their food.

“Oh my god Tina,” Kit rolled her eyes shut, “This is so good.”

“Good I’m glad you like it.” Bette was absent mindedly running her fingers over Tina’s on the table. She softly kissed her fingers getting Tina’s complete attention.

Tina leaned into Bette and whispered into her ear, “I see I’ve developed a knack for making Porter women use that exact phrase in this house.”

Bette burst out laughing away from Tina, but she leaned back in to whisper something back making Tina smile and shake her head at Bette. Kit noticed it, the sweet way they shared secrets in one another’s ear, watching as the words’ affects displayed themselves in a smile or blushing cheeks on one of their faces. She was actually witnessing her sister being in love, it was nothing short of amazing to her. Bette had been so closed off and isolated in her own mind and world for so long that she’d started to think that maybe she’d stay that way. Tina was more than a gift to Bette, she was also Kit’s peace of mind, for that she was eternally grateful.

TBC…………………………….