Tina awoke the next morning to the sound of a shower. She slowly opened her eyes while reaching her hand across the bed to feel for Bette. As she started to come to, she realized that it was Bette in the shower and that Monday morning must have finally arrived.

She had slept really well, her body falling back into a familiar pattern of allowing itself to shut down given the knowledge that Bette was in the bed with her. For the almost 8 months that they had been apart, she had never felt completely rested any given morning after waking up. She and Bette, from their first night together, had always slept extremely well together, their bodies and minds melding during the night, allowing each woman the ability to just let go and give them the relaxation needed to equip them for what was required the next day. She had missed that and the sense of relief at getting it back again was, well, words could not explain.

She heard the shower turn off and turned her head towards the closed bathroom door. She heard Bette getting out and imagined that she was going through her daily morning ritual of preparing for the day.

She looked at the clock and saw that it was 7:15am. As she swung her legs around to the side of the bed to get up, the door to the bathroom opened. Bette, clad only in a robe, looked surprisingly at Tina and said, Hey, youre up!

And a good morning to you said Tina smiling at Bette.

Howd you sleep? asked Bette.

Really well, and you?

Same said Bette as she walked over to the side of the bed where Tina was still sitting.

Bette stood in front of her, resting her hand on Tinas head. Tina looked up at her and waited for Bette to speak, loving the feel of Bettes hand running through her hair.

T? said Bette.

Uh huh? came the reply.

Thanks for the massage last night. It felt really incredible. I think that I actually forgot how much I love you working on me like that.

Tina placed both of her hands on either side of Bettes hips, pulling her in between her legs.

Im glad you enjoyed it baby Tina replied, continuing to smile back up at her.

I dont really remember falling asleep trailed off Bette somewhat sheepishly.

Uh huh was all Tina said.

I guess that I must have been pretty tired, huh? asked Bette almost shyly.

I would have to say so agreed Tina, gently rubbing her hips through the material of the robe.

Tina knew that even though she was not about to admit it, Bette was slightly embarrassed for having fallen asleep. That is not to say that ***** had been the intention, but she very rarely fell asleep when Tina was working on her body in that way.

Yeah, I guess so Bette continued.

Tina just continued to look up at her, smiling as she finished her train of thought.

Bette leaned down and after taking both sides of Tinas face in her hands, gently placed her lips on Tinas, kissing her softly.

Tina, not having expected this, eagerly returned the kiss.

Bette pulled away slightly, her face still within inches of Tinas, and said, Good morning.

With that, she bent back down to kiss her one more time, allowing herself to revel in the amazing experience that was kissing Tina.

Bette stood back up in front of Tina and looked down at her.

Tina, with a huge smile plastered on her face, replied, Good morning, baby.

Bette backed away from her in order to choose something to wear for the day. Tina stood up, and said, Babe, how bout some coffee?

Sounds great! came Bettes reply from deep within the walk-in closet.

After a quick stop in the bathroom, Tina made her way to the kitchen in order to make the coffee. As she did so, she could not help but think that this could have been any day in LA when she would send Bette off to work, just to stay behind and try and fill the day until she got home, while focusing on getting pregnant.

Well, things are going to be different this time round she said to herself in a determined manner.

After the coffee was made, she returned with two cups to the bedroom where she saw Bette buttoning the shirt that she had chosen to wear.

Wow! commented Tina.

Bette looked up at her and said, What?

Nothing, I mean, you just look amazing!

Bette walked up to her, taking the coffee cup from her, gave her a kiss on the cheek and just said, Thanks.

So, whats on your agenda today? asked Bette.

Well started Tina, as she sat back down on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, I need to make that call to Chris Moore and see whats up with that.

Uh huh said Bette.

And then, I guess based on what comes out of that, I am going to have to figure out the trip back to LA.

Bette finished getting ready and came into the bedroom from the bathroom. Tina just looked at her, always amazed at how stunning she looked, always amazed that she was actually hers.

Well, like I said replied Bette, if you need James help with the arrangements, just let him know. I will also tell him that you may be calling.

Ok, thanks said Tina.

And you? Whats on your schedule for the day?

I dont really know actually. Every day presents new challenges with construction issues, dealing with the city for certain permits, trying to get artists lined up for interviews she trailed off.

And you love every minute of it said Tina while smiling at Bette.

I guess I do Bette smiled back at her.

And are you going to see Ashley today?

Ansley Bette corrected.

Whatever Tina said slightly irritated. Is she coming by?

Baby, I dont have a copy of her schedule, but I would imagine that she will stop by she patiently replied.

Does she know about me?

I have not gone into great detail about my personal life with her, but yes, she does know that I have been recovering from a difficult time in my life.

What does that mean? asked Tina guardedly.

Just that. said Bette. When she asked me out, I told her that as flattering as it was, I was not prepared to enter that world and without further explanation, she seemed to get it and just said that she was a good listener also.

Tina sat there on the bed, trying to figure out what to do with this information. She knew that she had no right to continue to be irritated with this, but after everything that had happened between the two of them, found it difficult to let go.

Bette stood there patiently, wondering where Tina was going to take this, wondering if she should have ever mentioned Ansley in the first place. She saw Tina look up at her, and with a slight smile on her face said, Ok baby. I guess that I can not be mad at you for someone asking you out, but she paused, just so that you know, it still irritates the ***** out of me.

I get it T Bette softly said.

Both women just looked at each other until they realized that it was time for Bette to leave.

Let me walk you out Tina said to Bette as they moved towards the bedroom door.

Bette deposited her coffee cup in the kitchen sink and after grabbing her bag, walked towards the front door.

As she neared it, she stopped and turned towards Tina. Tina looked at her, waiting for whatever it was that Bette wished to say.

T she started.

Yes? replied Tina, looking directly into her eyes.

I want you to know that I am questioning my decision to go back to work so soon after your getting here.

Baby started Tina.

No, just listen to me said Bette forcefully.

Tina looked at her and waited.

I want you to know something and to be very clear about what it is that I wish to say.” She paused for a moment and then continued. “I want you to know that I am here for you, regardless if I am here in this apartment, at the gallery, or wherever I may be.

I know that baby said Tina gently.

No, I dont know that you do, T, simply because that has not always been the case she sadly said.

I may have told you that I would be available for you, but I dont feel that my actions exhibited that.

Tina just continued to listen, knowing that Bette was right.

I want you to know that no matter where I am, no matter who I am with, absolutely no matter what I am doing, you are my priority and I will do everything in my power for you to come to realize that to be the case she passionately said.

You are the only person that truly matters to me and I dont know if I ever made that clear, but it is the truth, and always has been. In losing you, I came to understand that living daily without you was not a possibility, functioning maybe, but not truly living she weakly said.

Tina reached for Bette, pulling her into her arms and whispered, Thank you baby. Thank you for that. And I hope that you know that you will no longer have to just function, I am here and so we can both start living again.

I do know that Bette softly spoke back.

They held each other until Tina pulled back, gently wiping the tears that had fallen down Bettes cheeks. You ok? she asked her.

Yeah said Bette. I should probably head on though.

Ok baby Tina said while leaning in to kiss her good bye. Tina put her hand on the back of Bettes neck, pulling her into her. As Tinas lips met Bettes, there was a little more determination in this kiss versus the ones that they had shared before.

Tina allowed her lips to slightly part, encouraging Bette to do the same. She slowly slid her tongue over Bette’s bottom lip and heard her sigh. The sigh was the only sign that she needed as she slowly slid her tongue into Bettes mouth, finally tasting what she had so missed. She explored the inside of Bettes mouth, twisting her tongue slowly and torturously around Bettes.

As much as she didn’t want to, she knew that she was going to have to end this, and so she slowly started to pull back, going back in for one last taste before fully releasing her hold on Bette.

Tina looked at Bette, waiting for her response to the brief but passion filled kiss. Bettes eyes were glazed over with what Tina knew to be desire.

She smiled at Bette who weakly returned the smile.

I guess that I should be leaving now said Bette, while trying to catch her breath.

Ok, baby. Have a good day replied Tina, very pleased with the effect that she had had on Bette. She had always been aware of the physical power that she had over Bette, but was extremely pleased to see that it was still there.

As the door closed behind Bette, she muttered, Dear God.

Tina, Tina, Tina was all thought.