“Hi you” said Bette tenderly as she caressed Tina’s cheek.

“Hey” Tina replied looking into Bette eyes.

They stood, toe-to-toe, staring at each other.

The LAX passengers, being more impatient than those disembarking in Denver, pushed roughly past, keen to join the endless traffic on the freeways so they could get to their destinations a few minutes earlier.

If they’d stopped for a moment they would have clearly seen that these two women were head-over-heels in love with each other, it was in their eyes and their appreciative smiles and their bodies which leaned towards each other even though it was only their hands and then their lips which touched.

“I missed you” said Tina.

Bette’s eyes watered and her smile was so dazzling it was unquestionably drawn from a deep well of love.

Bette slid her hand up Tina’s arm, along her collarbone, under her honey-blond hair. She cupped Tina’s neck and pulled her slowly forward into a long tender kiss “Welcome home”.

Her hands glided down Tina’s arms until she had Tina’s hands in hers “Do you have everything?”

Tina nodded, unable to speak.

Bette kept hold of one hand and they walked together through the airport, hands swinging, taking appreciative glances at each other, unaware of everything but the most superficial details of their surroundings.

Bette started the car “Where would you like to go?”

“Your place?” Tina smiled back.

“Good” Bette said.

She focussed on her driving until they reached the freeway then her hand snaked across the seat and rested on Tina’s leg. Tina slid her hand over Bette’s and lightly embraced it.

They sat in a companionable silence enjoying each the other’s presence without needing to fill the void with pointless chatter.

They continued to hold hands as they walked along the corridor to Bette’s apartment; the sexual tension between them almost tangible.

Bette took out her key, fumbled it as she put it to the lock and then she dropped it.

They both leaned over to pick it up and their eyes met and in that moment time seemed to suspend and the world shrink to contain only these two women who were staring into each other’s eyes.