More Tina thought taking a deep breath.  She looked at Bette as she took the bag from Bette’s hands.  Tina desperately wanted to be held.  Her legs were shaking and she was overwhelmed by the emotions that were swirling between her and Bette.   She reached out for Bette who took her in her arms to steady her. 

Bette held her for a few seconds giving Tina time to steady herself so her world could snap back into focus.  She then kissed the top of Tina’s head slowly releasing her, so Tina could stand on her own. 

Tina stood staring at Bette for a long second.  She then took another deep breath pulling her gaze from Bette and slid her hand deep in the bag and felt around until she touched a velvet pouch and the weight of what was snugged inside it.

Bette smiled as she watch Tina. ”This is the other half of the piece,” Bette said with a glint in her eye as she looked over at the sculpture.

Tina looked up at Bette, not knowing how to respond to what was being given to her. She looked over at the sculpture of the two women once more holding her breath as she drew out the content very carefully. With what she thought was reverence, she untied the pouch and slid content into the cup of her palm. The sculpture surprised her, but this awed her. The gleam of it, the regal glint even in the very bright artificially lit room, held a sumptuous power. The gem moved in the palm of her hand that had begun to shake. It’s facets clean and sharp enough to catch even the faintest of flicker of light and shoot into the air in bright burning lances. ”I have never seen a sapphire like this.” Tina said staring at the gem and feeling what she thought was heat emanating from it.

”It’s not a sapphire.” Bette said as she watched Tina roll it around in the palm of her hand. ”It’s a Blue Diamond, just shy of 2 carats. Brilliant cut, with no inclusions. Bette’s smile grew as she slowly reached out and took it from Tina’s hand.

Tina followed Bette with her eyes as she placed the gem in the the hand of the sculptured woman. Bette then looked over at Tina. ”Do you remember this moment?”

Tina stared at the sculpture and then back at Bette. The room became quiet as if they were the only two in the room. Tears began to fall again as the impact of the meaning of the gift hit her.  She slowly nodded her head.

”I wanted to capture that moment between us forever.  It was the blooming of our love and it was that love I held onto during the most trying times of our relationship.”  Bette paused, ”I love you, Tina, I always have and I always will.”  She smiled, ”Happy Valentine’s Day.”