Finally, unable to muster the strength to keep herself awake, Bette fell into a deep sleep.

At some point she recalled waking, barely, and glanced next to her in the bed. There was Tina, asleep.

In her half-fevered state, Bette could almost make herself believe it was a dream. But it was far better, for it was real.

She watched Tina’s open face as the other woman slept for as long as she could, and then let herself drift back into sleep.

When Bette woke up the next time, she felt different. The room was a lot cooler, for one thing. Thinking wasn’t quite as difficult, for another. And there was someone beside her in the bed.

“Hi,” said Tina, softly. Her hand felt Bette’s forehead. “Your fever’s broke, or at least it’s down this morning.”

Bette noticed that Tina was wearing one of her pajama tops. Silk. Gold. The fabric clung to Tina in ways that Bette quite appreciated.

Tina noticed Bette’s gaze. “I hope you don’t mind.”

As if she could mind seeing a vision like this. Of course, an alternative of Tina finding nothing to sleep in would have been good, but good for another time.

“Not at all,” Bette replied, still letting herself gaze at Tina. “I should have offered.”

“It’s understandable.”

Bette hoped she didn’t look too disappointed as Tina slid from between the covers.

For Bette, that was the moment when it all became clear that this was the person she was meant to wake up next to each morning. There was far more between them than just the initial attraction and ongoing infatuation. Bette felt a stirring of deep within. This was how mornings were supposed to be. She knew she had to find a way to convey this message to Tina, without doing it in a way that might scare Tina away.

That meant not here. It certainly meant not now. Regardless of her desire, Bette knew that she would not be presenting herself at her best. But she also knew that Tina understood that, and accepted that things weren’t always going to be as they were in the earliest days of dating.

“You know, I did mean it?”

Alice’s voice brought Bette back to the present. “Hmm?”

“I am totally your friend.”

Bette gave a wistful smile. “I know.” She turned to meet Alice’s gaze. “I know,” she confirmed.

Unfortunately, Bette also knew that her friend wasn’t what she truly needed. She needed her wife.

(the end)