“Dinner at Mastro’s on the ocean, then we have a night at the Waldorf. Maybe some champagne, maybe more flowers… but definitely late check out…”

“I love Mastro’s…”

“I know.”

“The Chocolate Sin Cake…is to die for…”

Tina grinned; Bette was practically wiggling in her seat she was so excited. “The Chocolate Sin Cake is your favorite…” she agreed, nodding.

“I love the Waldorf…”

“I know that too”

“Late checkout means early loving. Babe, I love you.”

“I love you too, Baby…”

Bette studied Tina from across the table as they waited for the server to finish pouring their wine. She looked simply stunning, her deep blue dress was sexy, low cut and hugged her in all the right places. Her hair was up but soft tendrils framed her face, and her cheeks were slightly pink from the blush that was forming under Bette’s gaze.

“What are you thinking about, Babe?” Tina asked quietly, when the waiter left. “You’re looking at me like I belong on the menu…” It was making her heart turn to mush, the thumping getting louder and louder as the blood rushed to her ears. When Bette Porter shined her light on you, the whole world was aglow.

“You should be on the menu, but my menu only. I’m thinking about how lucky I am. You look beautiful, Tee. Stunning really. I have something for you.”

“I am the lucky one. Kiss me first Bette…”

Bette did. She had been wanting to kiss Tina since the moment they sat down. And she was not disappointed, the lips soft under hers, Tina’s eyes closing right before they made contact, the taste of her. The little sigh Tina gave when Bette pulled away, like she was missing something precious.

“The whole time we were apart, Tee… was so difficult in so many ways. And yet so necessary. It was so important for us to take the time to rediscover what we want out of life, what we need. I wrote those letters because it kept you close to me in a tangible way. Because it was easier for me to put my thoughts down on paper than say them out loud when you returned. So, for this day, this overly cheesy, commercialized, fake, pushy, nauseatingly hyped day… I wrote a letter for you.”