Bette continued in a soft voice, “I told Dan that I was worried that no matter what we did, we would never be able to put our lover’s world completely back together.  That that gap would always be there, like a stark reminder of a painful memory.  And it hurt that this crack was ruining the smooth, beautiful face of this perfect relationship.”

Tina swallowed drily, whispering, “I love you, Bette.  I love you so, so much …”

“And I love you, Tina.”

She smiled, kissing Tina deeply before continuing, “But just before we found the duplex, I finally realized what Dan was trying to tell me when we talked about this subject.”

She smiled at Tina.  “He was trying to advise me that the crack was nothing to be scared of.  And I saw he was right.  I understood that ironically, it only made us stronger, just as a muscle gets stronger when it’s torn when you exercise, and then it rebuilds and recovers.  Because, despite the odds, and a long separation, we were back in our lover’s world, T.  Better and stronger than ever.  And that’s something nobody can ever take from us.”

Tina gave her a small smile, shaking her head slightly from side to side, as she wrapped her arms around Bette’s waist, “I don’t know what I did to deserve having you in my life… what am I saying?  Not just having you in my life.  You are my life…”

Bette returned Tina’s half smile, kissing her softly, “And you are my dream, Tina.   So beautiful … sexy … smart … kind … and mine …”

Tina’s voice cracked as she answered, “Bette, you know that that report is not true.  That that picture is not real…”

Bette kissed her again, and whispered, “I know, baby.  They must have bought an old picture of you in bed with one of your boyfriends befo…”

Tina cut in, “No, no, Bette.  Honey … everything in that picture is a fake!”

Bette drew her into another embrace, just relieved to be able to wrap her arms around her beloved.

After a minute, Tina framed Bette’s face carefully between two hands. “Why’d you beat up that padded dummy?”

Bette blew out a breath, leaning her forehead on Tina’s, admitting as she shut her eyes, “I was jealous, T.  Jealous of every man who’d made you look like that.  Who’d made you feel that way …”