Tina: (smiling with a tear rolling down her cheek) I cant move in with youuntil you meet my work mates.

Bette looked at Tina, relief washing over her face.

Tina looked back at Bette, wrapping her arms tightly around Bettes waist. Tina just then realized Bettes immediate reactionseeing the glimpse of disappointment, then the relief in Bettes eyes, See babe, thats why you need to hear all of a conversation before you jump to the wrong conclusion. So how would you feel about meeting my work mates?

Bette: (hesitantly) Are you sure thats what you want Tee?

Tina: (seriously) Babe, I would love nothing more than to move in with you. I love you more than you could even imagine. The last 3 months have been the best of my life, and thats because of you!!! I dont want to go even one day without seeing you. Deep down you know that, look into my eyes Bette.YOU KNOW THAT. I am so elated that you would even ask me to share a home with youI just have to come out to the station, and my team I havent done that yet Its not that I have been putting it off; its just that we have been so busy since the accident; none of us have had time to discuss our social lives. It is vitally important in our job that we totally trust each other, babe its time for you to meet them

Tina could see Bettes mind processing the information that Tina had just told her.

Bette had tears in her eyes, I would be more than happy to meet anyone that is a part of your life Tee, anyone.

Bettes face went from a frown, to a smile, (hesitantly) So..what are you saying Tina? not realizing but she was holding her breath.

Tina: (looking deep into Bettes eyes, smiling from within her soul) Im saying Id love nothing more than move in with you, babe!!

Bette: (excitedly, letting out a deep breath) Really? Bringing Tina back into a tight embrace.

Tina: (playfully) Yes, Really, and the sooner the better I think otherwise youre going to squash me. (Bette eased up on the hug, but Tina pulled her back in). How about we stay here temporarily, this place is much bigger than your apartment. And when we can, we will look for a place that is ours?

Bette: Sure baby, that sounds great, what ever you want I am up for. My rent is month to month so I only need to give a couple weeks notice. I am just elated that you are willing to share your home with me

Tina: (in a serious tone) No Bette, it was just my house before, now itll be our home. yours and mine, Ok?

Bette: (smiling) Yes, Tee. Our homeI like the sound of that. Bette brought her lips to Tinas for a tender kiss. I love you baby, thank you for following your heart.

Tina: It would always lead me to you, babe.

A tear trickled down Bettes cheek, she was happy, and very much in love.

Tina gazed into Bettes eyes, rubbing her hands up and down Bettes arms: Babe, tomorrow I need to pick up my roster from the station. How would you like to come with me? We can grab some lunch from that great little deli near the station and Ill introduce you to my team, thats if you want to? Then we can start moving you this weekend? Absolutely nothing will be stopping us. What do you think? Tina looked over at Bette who was deep in thought, smiling. Maybe this weekends too soon??? Bette?

Bette and Tina took a moment to silently stare into each others eyes. They could always see what the other was thinking looking into their eyes, and now was no exception. The love and happiness emitting from the two of them was… infinite

Bette: No, the sooner the better as far as Im, concerned Tee. I was just thinking we got to let the gang know too baby, and Kit.

Tina: How about we invite them over for dinner tomorrow night babe, and well tell them together.. Ill cook Of course I will, seeing as youre not allowed in the kitchen..to cook anyway. Joked Tina.

Bette gave Tina a ***** look, slapping her softly on the ***** for her kitchen remark.

Bette: Andgod what about our parents, you know what baby, we will need tell the folks too.. Tee I would be honored to introduce you to my parents, they arent as bad as yours, about our lifestyle but they still dont accept it. They do tolerate it though; by now they know Im not going to change my mind!!! They have never met one of my girlfriends before; they didnt even met Alice, only after we broke up.

Tina: (grinning in Bettes arms) Of course babe, anytime you want Ill meet them.

Bette radiated a smile that lit up her whole face. She tenderly, lovingly kissed Tina.

Tina: Ok babe, I guess theres only one thing left to do. Tina turned off the dinner again, ran to the fridge and got out an opened bottle of red wine, got two wine glasses from the cupboard and returned to Bette.

Pouring the wine into the glasses and handing one to Bette, A toast, welcome to our temporary new home babe, may we only know happy times while we are here. Both women smiled and took a sip, placing the glasses back on the counter. Tina jumped into Bettes arms, Lets christen every room, isnt that tradition?

Bette: (flabbergasted by Tinas sudden movement) Tee I think thats only if you move into a new home, (realizing what she was passing up) But what would I know, lets go. Bette started to carry Tina to the back study, May as well work our way from the back to the front, Ok baby? Tina had her arms wrapped around Bettes neck and she began kissing Bette, exploring her mouth with her tongue. Just as the kiss was becoming heated, Tinas tummy grumbled, again.

Bette: Ok, lets eat first! Carrying Tina back to the kitchen

Tina served up the barely edible dinner, while Bette made a quick phone call to Alice.

RING, RING, RING.

Alice: Hello.

Bette: Hey Al, how are you?

Alice: Well Miss Porter, to what do I owe this privilege? You only call me these days when youve got nothing better to do. And when I say to do, I mean Tina!!!!

Bette: Sorry Al, Tina and I just need to spend some quality time together. We will make more of an effort, I promise.

Alice: Alright then, now whats this call all about to interrupt my possible pick up time. It is Friday night Bette and you do know where I am.

Bette rolled her eyes, Al, have you and Shane got any plans for tomorrow night, just dinner if you want? You can both go out afterwards if you have to!! Tinas cooking and we want to see our friends, who we havent seen in a while. Could you ask Kit too, she’s there isn’t she? Bette wasnt going to tell Alice they had an announcement, Alice wouldve hassled her until she spilled.

Alice: Yes she is. Why do you want us all there? Whats going on? Bette, I know you, youre not telling me something. Come on, you know you want to???

Bette: Look Al, I got to go. Are you two going to be here or not?

Alice: Hang on(Alice turned around and asked Shane). Ok Porter, Well be there. Can I bring Dana too; you remember her right, she hangs out with Shane and me now?

Bette yelled out asking Tina, Yes thatd be cool Al, we can get to know Dana too.

Bette: Alright then, Tinas place at 7pm Ok, Well see you then? Al,Don’t forget to tell Kit as well Ok?

Alice: Ok, bye Bette

Bette hung up the phone and by that time Tina had dished up the food. They both ate, staring lovingly. happily, at each other, talking, enjoying each others company. A short time later they finished up dinner. Looking at each other mischievously, Tina got up and ran to the study, shedding her clothes along the way with Bette immediately following, doing the same thing. They decided tonight they would in fact, christen every room.after all 10 days is a long time to make up for and they had every intention of trying.


———————————————-


The next morning Tina woke up first. She felt exhausted, but a happy exhaustion as she lay next to the woman she loved. She stared lovingly at Bette peacefully sleeping, reminiscing the previous night. Tina felt a little flustered as she recalled how they had been up practically all night showing each other how much they meant to the other. Bette always had the ability in their acts of making love to make Tina feel like she was the only woman in the world. The way Bette made her feel was.amazing. She was her lover, her best friend, her confidantbut most importantly Tina believed Bette was her soul mate.

Tina just lay there, looking at Bette, thinking about this next faze of their relationship they were entering. Tina was excited and scared at the same time. She knew that Bette was the love of her life, that she wanted to spend every day for the rest of her life with her.

Tina also knew how she got after work sometimes, although she knew Bette was strong enough to handle it, she didnt know if it was fair to subject Bette to that. Neither of them had lived with another person before either But Tina was going to give it everythingas long as they talked to each other they would make it. Tina knew no matter how scared she wasor how many uncertainties there were, their love for each other was strong enough for them to make it!!!!

Bette began to stir. She sleepily opened her eyes to Tinas smiling face.

Tina leant over and gave Bette a tender kiss, Good morning babe, Are you ready to meet some of L.As finest fire fighters?

Bette grabbed Tina by the waist and pulled her in close, whispering in her ear, First I would love some time with the finest one of all. …………………………