“One more push, Honey. You are almost there… that’s it…I am so proud of you…” Tina’s voice was soft, encouraging as she spoke in Bette’s ear, one hand holding Bette’s tightly palm to palm, while the other moved sweaty curls off the brunette’s forehead. “You can do this, Baby… we are so close to meeting our daughter…and I love you, I love you…one more…”

“Tee…” it was a whisper, a lifeline, a prayer. Bette was holding on to every word her wife spoke like each syllable was a life preserver in a stormy sea. The contractions were coming fast and furious and Bette was using every last reserve of energy she had.

This was a brief moment in time, a minute, maybe two, where the pain was manageable and it was just them, the beeping of the monitor fading in the background as Tina pressed her forehead to Bette’s to whisper more encouragement, wishing that her own strength could be transferred to the brunette somehow. Nothing else mattered but the two of them, the air between them mixing, the sweat from Bette coating Tina, the trust that shone in Bette’s eyes making Tina fall in love with her all over again.

“I love you, Babe…I love you so much Sweet Bette…” she whispered again, seeing how her words impacted the brunette, empowered her, loving the soft smile and the way Bette squared her shoulders as she listened to Tina’s words.

It had been a long labor and Tina knew Bette was exhausted and uncomfortable, and she smiled at her wife when Bette reached up to cup her cheek, both waiting for the next contraction so Bette could push, the doctor ready, it was time.

“Get ready…” Dr. Wilson warned, saying something to the nurse, who pulled a cart over with delivery supplies.

Slow elephant tears trickled down Bette’s cheeks, tears of pain and fatigue and excitement in the anticipation of finally seeing their baby. She was overcome with the emotion of the snapshot of this day… a baby… she was about to give birth to a newborn baby… and dear God all her dreams were coming true. And it all started with the pretty blonde forever at her side, wiping her face with a cool washcloth and coating her heart with love.

Four years have passed – let’s check in –

The sunlight crept into the bedroom, sneaking in between the blinds to make stripes on the wall that inched their way closer to the couple on the bed. Tina was tucked against the warm back of her wife, seeking the heat even in her sleep. Between the two, she was more cold natured, whereas Bette radiated heat, at times like a furnace. With her forehead on the back of Bette’s neck, Tina had one arm casually slung over the swollen belly.

Bette was seven months pregnant, and any blanket made her hot, so she was almost entirely uncovered, whereas the blonde was under a thicker blanket.

Only Bette’s feet were hidden as she lay with her top leg over a large body pillow, wearing only a thin t-shirt and boxer briefs, her breathing deep and even. One nice result of the third trimester was that her sleeping issues were almost nonexistent and she was even a huge fan of napping in the middle of the day. The fatigue in the last trimester took her by surprise but Tina encouraged, and sometimes mandated that Bette rest, unplug and listen to her body.

Tina woke first, moving her nose slowly over Bette’s skin, breathing in the wonderful smell of citrus blended with more than a hint of sandalwood. Dependable, sexy, intoxicating. She stretched slightly, pressing on Bette’s body with her own, gauging how awake or asleep the brunette was by her response. Bette grunted, her hand finding Tina’s near her belly… but it went limp again once it was held. Tina smiled. Gotta love the third trimester, she knew Bette was almost always tired.

God, she thought…must I? Must I get up? I must.

She carefully untangled herself and went into the bathroom so she would be ready to intercept Angie when their three year old woke up. Being Bette’s partner through pregnancy had been a lovely dream, motherhood enhancing Bette’s softer side, honing her drive and ambition to ensuring only the best for her child and unborn baby. She handled the last seven months with her usual grace and dignity, unless something real or imagined threatened her family, then she became a fierce defender of all things Kennard or Porter.

Tina never really bought into the idea of Valentines Day.

Too sappy, too forced, too commercialized. A made-up holiday. A marketing scheme that sold millions of dollars of cards and flowers and chocolate.

Being told to schedule a day for showing your beloved that you love them was silly in her mind, unnecessary. But this year, this Valentines, she was definitely caught up in the moment, swept away in the tide of romance, so in love with Bette that she didn’t care if it was foolish.

She even found herself doodling hearts on her legal pad during a staff meeting for fucks sake. Writing her name out in the margins. Christina Kennard Porter.

God, it was heavenly.

She promised to woo the heck out of Bette Porter when she came back at Thanksgiving and she would keep that promise for the rest of their lives. Even if it meant candy hearts and mushy cards and forced flower purchases.

Being back with Bette brought such sweet joy, such unbridled happiness that half the time she felt like she was wandering around with her head in the clouds and the other half with a permanent smile on her face.

Normally organized, she was having a hard time finding things, keeping track of her place in scripts and often smiling at nothing in particular. But she had laser focus when it came to Bette, the brunette always on her mind. She felt like she was sixteen again, and it was glorious.

They were different together this time, this she knew. They talked about everything, Bette opening up in ways she never had before. It was more of an intentional love, thoughtful and considerate, neither overpowering the other, equals in the relationship.

James noticed a change in Bette too, she was softer, laughed more and took longer lunches, much longer. Sometimes not coming back at all. It impacted her work, but in a good way, donors and artists lining up to donate and show for the Gallery, her happiness spreading to all those around her. This morning he had actually caught her dancing in the kitchen area while she waited for her expresso.

“Are you… dancing… Bette?” He had asked before he could stop himself, winching a little as he waited for her retort.

Tee
I never knew you bought the turkey frozen. It’s defrosting in the sink, a whooping fifteen pounds that I have no idea what to do with. It’s really heavy. I realize now how blissfully unaware I was of what exactly went into a Thanksgiving meal. You always made it look so easy, food appeared right on schedule, hot and delicious. Just like you. Everyone is coming and it is a little overwhelming honestly. There will be a seat for you. When I told Kit this she gave me That Look. That Time to Move On Look. I don’t like that look. And can we talk about the group texts? I cannot. That was always your forte. I put my phone down for ten minutes and when I pick it back up there are 63 messages in one thread! Why? I don’t care what time people come, they can bring what they want, no I don’t need anything. Except you. I need you. Come home, Tee. It’s time.
Bette

12

Bette groaned, sitting up to put her head in her hands, running her hands through her unruly hair. Tina sat up next to her, rubbed her back.

“What was in that eggnog, Babe?” Bette asked quietly, squinting at the sunlight coming through the blinds.

“The usual, Honey. You were right there when I made it. Add more rum, you said… drink some water. I’ll get you some coffee and more aspirin.”

“It’s not too bad, it’s more my stomach… come here…” Bette laid back down, pulling Tina with her to lay with her head on Tina’s chest, her hand going under the skimpy t-shirt to roam over the flat belly then higher to cup a breast. “You feel good, Tee. I think I’ll be better once I eat and shower.”

“It’s Christmas Eve, Sweet Stuff. Just you and me…”

Bette lifted her head for a second, dazzling Tina with a smile, then rested it on Tina’s shoulder, giving her hand more room to move around under Tina’s shirt. Tina kissed her forehead.

“I think we should go for a walk. Then watch some cheesy Lifetime movie where the city girl goes to Vermont to settle her grandmother’s estate and then meets the carpenter and falls in love…”

Tina
One week before Thanksgiving. Shane came over last night and we drank two bottles of merlot before she left to see Carmen at the club. I don’t know how she does it, I could barely move this morning. I feel like I am 80 years old. Hangovers are not for the weak. The birds are all chirpy, the sun is too loud and even the squirrels are moving too fast. Alice had a million questions at The Planet when I went to get a jolt of coffee to wake up. One day a doctor will dissect her brain and cure Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She never stops moving. Or talking. Or creating. Or asking questions about my love life. There is no love life. She had her hand on Dana’s thigh under the table. She thinks I don’t notice but I do. My yoga instructor told me I should practice mindfulness. She doesn’t understand that my mind is full. Of you. There will be a place for you at the table for Thanksgiving. Come home.
Bette

11

“Wake up… wake up… wakeupwakeupwakeuppppp… Sleeping Beauty…” Tina gently moved the mass of curls away from Bette’s face and neck, planting kisses everywhere she could reach as Bette started to stir, turning into Tina as she woke up.

“Go away. What time is it? Jesus, Tee…”

“It’s six. And you promised. I started the shower for you, on the rainforest setting, your favorite. Here’s your coffee…”

Bette stretched, her eyes still closed then reached for Tina’s pillow, holding it to her, burying her face in the indentation where Tina’s head had been, groaning loudly.

Tina rubbed her back, “Babe. Come on. I will make you a deal. Get up and I will make peach pie. And we will just tell Shane so the two of you can eat it after everyone else leaves…”

Bette’s head lifted. One chocolate eye opened, the other covered by hair. “Really?”

Tina chuckled, God Bette could be so adorable. “Yes, really. With ice cream. But I need your help. Everyone starts arriving at 2, which you know for Alice that means noon….”

“Shower with me”

“Noooo, that will delay cooking for at least two hours.”

“But you look so sexy… and morning sex is my favorite.”