Walking slowly back to the couch, she sat next to Bette and took her hand in hers. Surprised and relieved that she didn’t pull her hand away. “I don’t expect for you to forgive me but I hope you will. Maybe not today or tomorrow but maybe one day. I am so sorry for all the pain and heartache you may have suffered because of me.” Helena’s voice was starting to crack and she didn’t try to stop her tears from falling. “If I could go back and do it over again I would, but I can’t. So if you decide you wish to disassociate yourself with me I’ll understand. And I’ll do my best to stay out of your way.” Helena tried to get up from the sofa but Bette refused to let her hand go. Helena refused to look at Bette. She didn’t want to see the disgust that she would surly be on that beautiful face. Again caused by her.

“Helena look at me.”

“I can’t.”

“Please”

“No, don’t make me Bette, I couldn’t bear to see the hate this time. It would hurt to much.”

“I don’t hate you Helena. I never did. Yes I will admit I didn’t like you I thought you were a spoil rich brat with to much time on your hand. But hate is such s strong word and trust me when I say this I don’t have enough energy to practice it. For one thing it’s to damn draining. And second I like you to much.” Bette pulled Helena back down beside her, but this time physically turn her to face her. “Listen I can see why you may have felt the way you did, hell I can even understand you doing some of the things that you did but I won’t believe that the last couple of years or so wasn’t real. You are a good person and I’m so happy I had this opportunity in this life to know you. Even the bad. They both knew she was talking about her jail time. Just like you I’m not so proud of my own behavior that day. And I know marching in your office the way I did, didn’t help my cause. I rather learn from my past than to live in it and you should to. We have become good friends I think and I know it will only get stronger. Believe that.” Resting her forehead against Helena’s. “Now I have a question for you.”

“What is it.” Helena couldn’t contain the grin on her face.

“What’s for dinner? I know you didn’t invite me over to starve me did you?”

“You are a nut, you know that don’t you?”

“Yeah, but only you know that. By the way I do accept your apology but only if you accept mine for my arrogant behavior as well.”

“Always”

“Now can I have something to eat?”

“Come on my hungry child let’s get you something to eat.” As she pulled Bette up from the sofa. She was still amazed that Bette still wanted her to be a part of her family. Why she was afraid to began with she really didn’t know. But she was happy to have this certain group of people in her life. But for now she had a very hungry one walking beside her that wanted to be fed. This wasn’t a bad night after all.

TBC?