Tina ran into Bette’s arms as her lover came through the gate and into the Denver airport lounge.

Bette returned her kiss unaware of the appreciative glances being cast in their direction, her eyes focussed only on this woman that she’d not seen for a week, 5 exquisitely painful days where she’d relived their lovemaking over and over again in her mind.

Bette dropped her carry on luggage and they stood pressed together, staring into each others eyes, murmuring loving words to each other as the remaining passengers swarmed around them, the steady tide gradually slowing to a trickle.

The pilot walked out, cleared his throat, nodded in their direction calling it to the attention of his co-pilot who raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement.

But they saw and heard none of it.

“You’re more beautiful than you were a week ago” Bette said softly brushing her hands through Tina’s silky hair “how is that possible?”

Tina smiled. She knew the three days she’d spent with Bette had eclipsed much of the painful past and she was starting to feel whole again.

As they drove towards Boulder, Bette’s eyes traced the sharp angles of the Flatirons mountain range and she sighed happily “They accepted our offer for the house..”.

Tina nodded, she’d known they would. They were back together, the world was spinning back on its axis and magic was bound to happen.

Amanda was welcoming but cautious “You’re not going to break her heart again are you Bette?” she asked, but she could see that there was something different this time. That Bette was ready to accept and return the all-encompassing love that her daughter had to offer.

When Bette looked back on that weekend it seemed like a dream. They spent the weekend alternatively wrapped in each other’s arms or playing happy families. Amanda happily obliging by going out for long walks or taking Emily with her on ‘urgent’ errands.

They wandered the Pearl St Mall together hand-in-hand, ducking in and out of the shops and galleries looking for small treasures that could fill their new home or browsing through the bookstores casting appreciative glances at each other while they pretended to be reading the latest best sellers

And Sunday they lingered over breakfast at a cosy-caf that specialised in all-day breakfasts for those that had more important things to do with their mornings.

Three days later they stood at the same gate at Denver airport, clinging desperately to each other; not wanting the time together to end.

“When will I see you again?” Bette whispered in her ear.

“Two weeks?” said Tina “I could come to LA..”

“That long..” said Bette, her kiss lingering on Tina’s lips.

“Next week?” Tina weakened.

“If I kiss you again will you join me on the plane?” Bette smiled into Tina’s eyes.

“Next week’s my best offer..I have to pack sometime” but she softened the news with another kiss.

“Will it be just you?”

“Probably..Why?”

“I’m just wondering how lucky I’m going to be” Bette smiled.

“Oh..” said Tina smiling with her “I’d say very lucky”.