Ok, so, what was it about that one that you didnt like? asked Tina, a mild irritation present in her voice.

Huh? asked Bette as she followed Tina into the house.

The house she stated. What was it about that house that you didnt like?

Why do you say that I didnt like it? she asked.

Bette, the expression on your face as Steve was taking us through the house could not have shown less interest had you tried she explained as she plopped down onto the sofa.

That bad? asked Bette sheepishly.

That bad she answered, and not unlike the others she added.

Oh cmon, T teased Bette joining Tina on the sofa. I havent been like that with all of the other houses, a few perhaps, but certainly not all.

Tina looked at Bette and seeing the smile on her face, knew exactly what she was trying to do, and this time, was not going to let her get away with it.

Bette she said seriously, how many houses have we looked at?

Taking a moment to think back she said, I dont know, five or six, maybe seven.

Thirteen corrected Tina.

Thirteen? Are you sure? asked Bette incredulously.

Yes, Im sure said Tina, not a single trace of humor present in her response.

Wow, more than I thought was all Bette said as she leaned forward to pick up a magazine that was on the table in front of them.

Tina continued to watch Bette, irritation beginning to rise.

Reaching for the real estate folder that had been on top of the magazine that Bette had just picked up, she opened it and grabbed the legal pad of paper that they had been using to take notes on each property that they had seen.

Flipping through the notes, she scanned them all and then got to a blank page. Grabbing a pen, she reached over for the magazine that Bette was looking at and taking it from her hands, tossed it back on the coffee table.

Hey Bette said indignantly. I was reading that!

Well, not any more Tina calmly responded.

Now, I would like to go through a little exercise she said as she turned her body so that she was now facing Bette.

What? Bette asked skeptically.

We are going to go through each of the houses that we have seen over the last couple of weeks and I am going to ask you to tell me exactly what you didnt like about each one. Ok?

T she whined. Why?

Why? she repeated. Because I think that Steve is beginning to wonder if we are serious about buying a house and quite frankly Bette, so am I.

Wha-? I mean, why would you say that? she asked, totally thrown off guard.

Ok, house number one said Tina, ignoring Bettes question as she got ready to take notes.

After going through each and every house that they had seen and pulling responses out of Bette, Tina looked down at the list in front of her.

Ok, lets recap she said, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to make an appearance. The following are your comments on the houses that we have seen so far.

Too small, too big, cabinets were a wreck, did you see the tub in that one?, think that the refrigerator was installed in 1948, bad view from the bathroom, that one had all those weeds in the front yard.

Tina paused and looking up, saw that Bette appeared to be paying attention and so continued.

Lets see, where were we? Oh yeah, here we are. Didnt like the street name, 2nd step up squeaked, didnt like the feel, oh she smiled, you didnt like the feel of this one either and lastly she said looking up at Bette.

Saying nothing, Bette just sat there.

Babe, this ones gotta be my favorite. Was too square she chuckled. Too square? she asked with a raised brow turning her head to look at Bette.

T, youre totally taking all of those comments out of context she said trying to defend her choice of words. You know I said more than that. Pausing for a moment, she added under her breath, And that one did feel too square.

Throwing the pad of paper back onto the coffee table, Tina looked at Bette and waited for her to see what she was trying to point out.

Well? she said, resting her hand on Bettes shoulder.

Well what? she stubbornly responded, arms crossed in front of her.

Do you see a common thread here?

Yeah. All the houses sucked she answered.

Not exactly the common thread that I was hoping for she patiently said.

T? What do you want me to say? Do you want me to lie and tell you I like a house, even if I dont?

Bette she said exhaling in exasperation. You know that I want you to be totally honest with me and that I would never want you to lie about something-

Thats what I thought, and- Bette quickly interrupted.

BUT said Tina, continuing her sentence, I dont think that youre being totally honest with yourself.

What do you mean? asked Bette skeptically.

Baby, I think that you are looking for excuses to not like these places. There is not one thing on your list that could not be fixed, and fixed easily I might add. I dont think that you are going into this process with an open mind she gently explained.

I do have an open mind she said defensively.

Really? she asked, eyebrow raised in disbelief.

Well, yeah was all she said but with some of her previous conviction missing.

Both women sat there for a minute waiting to see what the other would say.

Babe? Wanna know what I think?

I think youre gonna tell me regardless of how I answer your question, so sure, lay it on me.

Tina smiled at Bette and ran her finger across her cheek. She sometimes forgot how negotiating with Bette could be like trying to broker a deal with a third grader.

I think that even though you have agreed to our moving in together, you still have reservations about it and therefore, intentionally or not, are trying to slow the process down by coming up with reasons to not like the houses that we are seeing.

Ti- she began.

And thats ok she smiled. I totally understand your nervousness. I do she said, smiling at Bette.

But baby, either were doing this or were not. And I dont think its fair to waste Steves time, especially if you are unsure as to what you want to do.

Bette took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to formulate her response. After a moment, she softly asked, How is it that youre so sure that this is the right thing for us? Our moving in together?

Tina smiled at Bette, taking her hand in her own and simply said, Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I knew that you were my future and this is just a part of that. Its a natural step towards the inevitable.

Bette allowed Tinas response to sink in and knew that ultimately, all that she had said was true. She was dragging her feet, without consciously trying.

Why is this so hard for me? she said out loud.

Because youre allowing it to be Tina simply answered.

Are you getting frustrated with me?

Tina paused a second, wanting to be careful how she responded to this question.

Bette, my frustrations stem from the lack of time that we are spending with each other. Obviously, my solution to that is for us to move in together. Do I need for you to get on board with that notion? Of course I do, but do I also understand that you are nervous about a step of this magnitude? Yes, I understand that as well.

But baby she continued, I cant continue to pull you along in this. I need for you to at least meet me half way. If every step forward that I try to take us is met with a step back from you, were moving no where. And I dont think that either of us wants that she patiently explained to Bette, a soft smile present on her face.

Bette thought for a minute, realizing that as usual, Tina was spot on.

Ok, T.

Ok what, babe?

I dont know, just ok. I get it she said, smiling back at Tina.

Good, I knew you would she chuckled as she stood to leave.

Where are you going? asked Bette as she watched Tina stand and grab her bag.

I gotta meet the girls, remember?

Well, what about me? she pouted.

What about you? she smiled as she looked down at Bette, recognizing the pout on her face.

I thought we were going to hang out?

Babe, I asked you earlier in the week if you wanted to go with me to meet up with them and you said that you had to work. Is that still the case?

Well, yeah, but I thought that you could hang out here with me while I work.

Tina leaned down, resting her hands on either side of Bettes head on the back of the sofa and with her face just inches from Bettes said, As much fun as it sounds to sit here and watch you work, babe, I think that Im gonna keep my date with the girls and go have a drink.

You dont know what kinda fun youll be missing here she said suggestively, a ***** smile landing on her face. You ever seen me really get going typing an e-mail, fingers flying across the keyboard?

Really? giggled Tina as she leaned in further to kiss her girlfriend.

Oh yeah laughed Bette as she kissed Tina back. Or flipping through an artists portfolio. I am talking h-o-t.

With one last kiss, Tina pulled back up and said, Sorry babe, I guess Im just gonna have to take my chances.

Your loss, T chuckled Bette as she watched her walk away.

Am I going to see you later? she asked just as Tina opened the front door.

Dunno, babe. Probably depends on how much I think of you typing that e-mail she laughed as she winked at Bette and closed the door behind her.

Humph said Bette to the empty house. Well, I dont care what anyone says, it was too square.




Hey, were over here!

Tina looked in the direction of the voice that she heard and waved to Alice as she made her way through the crowded bar to join their friends.

Solo? asked Alice as she stood up to hug Tina hello.

Returning the hug, Tina said, Shes working.

Again?

What? Me solo or her working? she smiled as she greeted Shane and Dana as well.

Well, dont they kinda come hand in hand? asked Alice as they all took their seats.

I guess they do she smiled. But, I gave her a break this time cause I pulled her away from the gallery early so that we could go look at a house she explained.

Oooohhhh chimed in Dana excitedly. Thats so exciting! How did it go?

Much like the others said Tina, no smile on her face.

What does that mean? asked Shane.

Well, if I remember what you have said her comments were on the previous houses, it means that she didnt like it answered Alice.

Exactly said Tina, looking around for a server to get a glass of wine.

Wanna a drink, T? asked Shane.

Id love one she answered. Any kind of white wine, but a decent white please she specified.

Got it said Shane as she made her way to the bar.

So, whats up with Porter? asked Alice as the conversation turned back to what they had been talking about.

Well, do you want the long or the short answer? smiled Tina.

Hows medium work for you? asked Alice.

First of all, this is to stay between us. You know how Bette hates it when we get together and discuss our relationship. Fair?

Fair both Dana and Alice said in unison.

Al?

I said fair! she replied indignantly.

Looking at Alice for an additional moment she said, Its pretty simple actually. Shes scared.

Of what? asked Alice. With you there in the house with her 24/7, she now has someone who can chase away all of the scary things from the closet and underneath the bed she chuckled, as usual, finding herself quite humorous.

Her response was met by a raised eyebrow from Tina that conveyed her lack of approval.

Geez, just kiddin said Alice. Ok, I bite. If its not the monsters hiding under the bed and in the closet, whats she scared of then?

Commitment answered Shane as she placed Tinas glass of wine in front of her. Am I right? she gently smiled.

Closer than Al said Tina as she reached for her glass to take a sip. But of course you could have said flying to the moon and you would have been closer than Al she chuckled.

Wheres the love, man? You know Im just kidding! Ok she said turning serious. So, youre saying that Porters afraid of commitment?

Tina paused for a moment, considering the question.

I dont think that its really that simple she said as she took another sip of wine. I am pretty sure, no, I am more than sure that she wants a future with me. I just think that saying that and doing that are two totally different things.

Put up or shut up, huh? asked Alice.

Well, not in so many words, but yeah, thats the idea agreed Tina.

So, what are you going to do? asked Dana.

Nothing said Tina nonchalantly.

Nothing? they all asked incredulously.

Yep, nothing said Tina, proud of her decision. Bettes a big girl and she needs to take this step all by herself. The last thing that I want to do is to drag her kicking and screaming into this arrangement just to have her resent me down the line. No, if we are going to do this, I want her to meet me half way and if she cant do that, well just wait til the time is right.

And are you ok with that? Waiting I mean? asked Alice.

Well, it would not be my first choice, but if that is the way that this has to play out, than so be it. I know that Bette is the only person for me and that our living together is the right thing to do. If I need to wait a couple of extra months for her to catch up with me, than Ill do it.

And if its more than a couple of months? asked Alice.

Well cross that bridge when and if we get there was all she said.

The rest of the evening was spent with the four friends hanging out and drinking, catching up with the other.

Looking down at her watch, Tina was surprised to see that it was already 10:30.

Oh ***** she said.

What? Gotta be somewhere? laughed a slightly drunk Alice.

Yes she laughed, at work at a decent hour tomorrow morning.

Work shmerk said Alice. Itll be there regardless of what time you get there.

Al, as much as I would love to do nothing but follow your example, I am actually going to call it a night she smiled as she stood and gathered her things.

Hugging everyone good night and promising to call over the weekend, she made her way out of the still crowded bar to her car in the parking lot.

Taking a left would get her back to her house while a right would take her to Bette.

Who am I kiddin’? she whispered as she turned right out of the parking lot.

Pulling into Bettes driveway and parking next to her car, she noticed that most of the lights seemed to be out.

Using her key, she let herself in and quietly closed and locked the door behind her. She heard nothing but saw a light coming from the bedroom.

Removing her shoes so she would make no noise, she made her way to Bettes bedroom and stopped in the doorway. She could not help the huge grin that plastered itself across her face as she took in the sight of the love of her life, lying across the bed, papers strewn across her body as well as around her and her laptop precariously positioned close to the edge of the bed looking as if it would fall off at any moment.

Tip toeing across the floor to the bed, she reached for the laptop, closing it and placed it on the dresser.

Turning back to the bed, it was just then that she noticed what all of the papers were that were all over the bed.

Reaching down, she smiled as she picked up all of the sheets from the realtor on the houses that they had seen. She noticed that Bette had written a number in the top right corner of each page, ranging from 1-5.

Looking around for a clue as to what her numbering system could possibly mean, she saw the legal pad of paper that they had been working on earlier, lying on Bettes chest.

And what have we here, baby? she whispered as she sat on the side of the bed closest to Bette and reached for the pad of paper, careful not to disturb her.

There, written in Bettes determined handwriting, was what she was looking for.

5.) OK, if you really like it, lets talk
4.) If you want to see it again, we can
3.) If we have nothing else to do, and I do mean nothing, we can see it again
2.) T, cmon, youre kiddin right?
1.) Absolutely not, T, I dont care what you say, we will not live here

Tina quickly placed a hand over her mouth to quiet the giggle that was escaping her lips. Flipping through the sheets of houses, she saw that there were 2 fives, a couple of fours, a handful of threes, 2 twos and 1 one.

Reaching over to softly push some hair off of Bettes face, she said, Still sticking to your guns on that one, huh baby? she smiled as she looked at the picture of the house that Bette had deemed too square, the number one written in huge bold strokes in the corner.

Placing all of the papers and the pad of paper onto the dresser with the laptop, Tina quickly took her clothes off and nudged the still sleeping Bette so that she was now lying with her head against the pillow.

Dragging the covers down beneath her body, she turned off the bedside light and crawled into bed with Bette, pulling the covers up over the two of them.

Draping her arm protectively across Bettes abdomen and resting her head upon her shoulder she whispered, Baby, you make all of my dreams come true. You’re my everything and I hope that you know that. I love you.

Closing her eyes she finally allowed herself to dream of what their life was going to be like, living together, starting a family and being everything that the other needed just to get through the day.

Thank you she whispered right before she finally fell asleep.