Bette woke with a shiver, with her eyes still closed she reaches out to pull the sheet up over herself and Tina. Lowering her arm with the sheet in hand she finds only the bed where she expected to find her lover. Opening her eyes she focuses on the empty place where Tina was last. Daylight had faded while they slept and she peers around the dark and quiet room. The clock on her bedside table reads 8:47pm, Bette calculated that she must have slept for three maybe four hours. Slowly raising herself from the tangled bedding she crosses to the bathroom for a quick shower after which she intends to locate her wife and their evening meal, in that order.

Ten minutes later Bette saunters into the living room in black cargos and a dark green singlet, her body scrubbed and smelling of her favorite scent, well Tinas favorite scent on her actually. She finds Tina at the kitchen bench trimming the roses and placing them in a tall vase. Tinas head shot up startled by Bettes unannounced presence.

*****, aww! As pain then annoyance cross her features

Whats wrong? Is Bettes anxious response

Tina drops the rose from her right hand onto the bench and begins to suck on her thumb.

Damn thorn got me She mumbles, thumb still in her mouth. Bette moves around the bench and gently slides Tinas thumb from her lips with her left hand as she turns on the tap with her right. Guiding the injured hand to the stream of cold water she holds it there while Tina tries to pull away as the water makes first contact with the wound.

Youre such a girl Bette teases, to which Tina rolls her eyes in reply. Once the tiny wound is rinsed clean Bette turns off the stream of cold water and lifts Tinas hand to allow a closer inspection of the injury Well I dont think youre gonna need stitches She concludes dryly Have we got any band-aids?

In the third drawer Tina nods in the direction of the kitchen drawers. She reclaims her thumb as Bette goes in search of the plasters I want a second opinion She mumbles dejectedly.

Baby I can rush you down to the ER but you know how long we had to sit there when Alice broke her toe Bette continues to focus on the contents of the drawer knowing that she wont be able to keep a straight face if she looks at Tina Found them! Deftly removing a plaster from the cardboard box Bette discards the wrapping and carefully peels off the paper strips as she moves back to Tina.

Show me the injury Bette commands. Tina holds out her thumb, a small amount of blood pools around the tiny cut. Bette skillfully covers the wound and steps a little closer to the patient. Her left hand holding a now recovering thumb, she slips her right around the back of Tinas neck and kisses her gently Poor baby

Whyd you have to go buying such dangerous flowers? Tina was milking this cut for all it was worth

Because they depict beauty and passion and love and I wanted to show my beautiful, passionate wife who I love more than anything on Gods green earth that I was sorry for acting like such an idiot

Well next time you could just say sorry for acting like an idiot, I love you that way there wont be risk of further bodily harm Tina smiles leaning in to kiss Bette once again, her arms wrap around Bettes slender waist and firmly pull her closer as their kiss intensifies.

I think youre going to make a full recovery Bette murmurs, a little short of breath Now get out of the kitchen and let me clean up this mess! She orders, turning Tina around and pointing her in the direction of the lounge. Tina wanders slowly out of the kitchen as Bette turns her attention to the three roses still laying on the bench. She makes short work of the flowers and carries the arrangement out to place it on the dining table. She eyes Tina surfing the channels, seemingly unable to find anything worth watching on their 200+ channel package.

Given your injury I guess Ill have to order something for dinner Bette calls

Take a look in the fridge Tina instructs

Bette follows the simple instruction and is still amazed to find an antipasto platter filled with their favorites laying on the second shelf.

When did you?

Theres a bottle of sauvignon blanc in the freezer. It should be cool enough now, how about you pour us a glass, Babe? Tina smiles to herself, she has a mental picture of the exact look of amazement that is plastered on Bettes face.

Bette pulls the chilled wine from the freezer and sees an unfamiliar label.

Where did we get this bottle from? She calls out

What? Tina yells back, she had finally settled on a VH1 special featuring Sarah McLachlan and was lost in a live version of Ice Cream.

The wine, where did it come from? Bette reiterates

Dana gave it to us, its from New Zealand. She bought it back from her trip down there last year Tina responds

Bette busies herself opening the bottle of wine. She carries it with two glasses out to the lounge and places them on the coffee table, after Tina removed her feet from the surface. Making one final trip back to the kitchen she retrieves the antipasto from the fridge and uses her elbow to turn out the kitchen light before setting the platter down on the coffee table and sitting down beside Tina. She turns her head and watches Tina mouth the words of a song she doesnt recognize


I will be the answer
At the end of the line
I will be there for you
While you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance
If you can’t look down


Bette shifts her gaze back to the platter of food and the wine as she swallows back tears that seem to have come out of nowhere. Looking at the food she shakes her head and asks herself how she got so lucky not once but twice.


If it takes my whole life
I won’t break, I won’t bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You’ll still be burning so bright


You OK? Tina asks, running a hand along Bettes back, her eyes still glued to the TV

Whats this song? Bette hopes Tina doesnt pick up on the strain in her voice

Answer Is the simple reply Its from her latest album

Do we have it?

Nope

Bette makes a mental note to get a copy wondering why Tina hadnt already bought it for herself.

Dont tell me youre finally liking her music?

Shehas a way with words Bette admits as she reaches out to pour the wine. Tina turns her attention to Bette as she is handed a glass. Bette raises her glass to Tinas and the words stick in her throat at the risk of sounding like a broken record I just want to say that I love you so very much Bette drew a deep breath as she struggles to express herself God T, words cant express how truly grateful I am to have you in my life, I never, never want to be without you

And I never, never want to be without you, so it looks like were going to be together for a while Tina raises her hand to touch Bettes cheek, her eyes studying Bettes face I love you. Now before you make me cry can you please subtly change the subject and pass me a cracker with some of that smoked salmon?

Such simple pleasures Bette thinks as she goes to work on Tinas request Did you get a hold of Tim Johnson? She asks

Yep, Ive got a meeting on Monday

TBC