Tina awoke with a start; the kicking from deep within her abdomen, competing with hunger pains, was pulling her unwillingly out of a deep sleep. She stretched her arms and moved her warm body over to revel in the coolness of the sheets left vacant by Bette some time ago. Her hand touched something–a note card left on Bettes pillow. Tina smiled as she saw that Bettes unmistakable confident pen strokes had filled the cream colored paper with words written just for her.

My Darling Tina,

I didnt want to wake you but I had to leave for an important meeting this morning. Youve had a long night and I want you to sleep as long as you can. Know that I am wrapping you in my thoughts, if not in my arms right now.

There are a few things I want to say to you. First, I am so sorry if I pushed you in any way last night. This is all a bit new to me and I guess I dont have a full appreciation of what is and is not appropriate for a woman in the late stages of pregnancy. Please forgive me.

Second, I will wait forever if I have to for the privilege of being with you again. I need you to know, however, the depths of my longing for you. Last night I only had the chance to show you a minute expression of the love and desire I have for you. When the time is right I hope you will let me love you as completely as humanly possible. Making love is like a trust fall exercise. You have to be certain that I will be there to catch you. My beautiful Tina, I will always be here to catch you when you are ready to let go.

I know that I have been given a chance that was difficult for you to extend. I also know that all has not been resolved and forgotten, but I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and want to continue this journey with you.

Loving you endlessly,

Bette

Tina sat with tears streaming down her face. This new, expressive Bette was more than she had dreamed possible. But can I really trust her that completely again? she thought to herself.

***

Bette darling, please dont hate me for being late, breathed Peggy nearly tripping over the leash of one of her little dogs. I just cannot bear the dreadfully boring aspects of these things.

I cant say that I find incorporating a $145 million dollar foundation boring, replied Bette.

Well Mrs. Peabody, weve worked out the details of the MFP Foundation for the Arts. Ms. Porter has agreed to assume the position of chair of the Board of Directors, said Graham Fairmont, Peggys personal counsel. The confidentiality agreement has been signed and everything is in order. Oh, we did have some quibbling over the salary, he continued.

What! Bette Porter, I never would have taken you for a gold exclaimed Peggy.

But Mrs. Peabody, Graham interrupted quickly, Ms. Porter thought the salary a bit too generous and wanted the opportunity to redirect some of it back into the capital investment.

Oh Bette, dont be such a *****, said Peggy, clearly looking pleased. You are going to take that salary and I dont want to hear another word about it.

But Peggy, started Bette.

Spare me! Peggy retorted. What the ***** is it with you lesbians and money? I just gave Winnie some money for my grandchildren and you think I got gratitude? ***** no. Youd think I sold my grandson into slavery the way she acted. Graham do you have any adult beverages here?

Um, no, Mrs. Peabody.

Come with me Bette, we need to have a celebratory drink, commanded Peggy.

I cant Peggy, but let me walk you to your car, answered Bette diplomatically.

Bette explained to Peggy that Tina was experiencing some complications of her pregnancy and that she had to get home to her as soon as possible.

My good lord, what we women go through! If men got pregnant natural childbirth would be against the law, Peggy opined.

Peggy, could I ask you something? What does MFP stand for? asked Bette.

Two things really, my initials, Margarethe Frances Peabody and, started Peggy.

But wouldnt Helena be able to guess that? questioned Bette.

Normally one would think that, but I have never acknowledged the hideous name Frances to anyone, including my own daughter, come to think of it I doubt she even knows my given first name.

You said there were two things, prompted Bette.

Oh yes, right. MFP also stands for My Final Project, Peggy said with a half-smile on her face.

***

Bette came into the house carrying a dozen long-stemmed lilac roses in one hand and a large Chinese food take out package in the other.

Baby, she called, while heading for the kitchen, Im home.

She quickly put the roses in a vase, the food in the refrigerator, and went to locate Tina. Expecting to find Tina napping in the bed, Bette gasped when she opened the bedroom door. The blinds had been drawn blocking out the bright late-afternoon sunshine. Candles covered every solid surface in the room, casting long flickering shadows and blurring the images like an impressionistic painting brought to life. When Tina approached Bette, her long blond hair flowing loosely around her shoulders similar to the light silk night gown flowing loosely over her body, Bette thought for a moment that she was delirious from a lack of sleep the previous night. Tina looked like an angel, a very pregnant angel, but an angel nonetheless.

Hi babe, Tina greeted Bette and put her arms around the taller woman. Bette inhaled deeply the intoxicating scent of Tinas perfume and freshly washed hair.

Mmmmm, she murmured into Tinas ear.

Could you remind me of something? Tina asked softly.

What darling?

Where were we last night when we were so rudely interrupted by our daughter? questioned Tina with a sly grin on her face.

I think you know exactly where we were, and you know very well that we cant go there again until this little one has safely entered the world, said Bette, laying a protective hand on the baby.

Apparently we were mistaken, Tina teased.

What? But Dr. Wilson said that the contractions were caused by

Yes, they were caused by the touching, but it doesnt mean that we have to stop, explained Tina. Dr. Wilson called this afternoon to check up on me and I asked her what else I should be doing to stop the Braxton-Hicks contractions from happening. She told me that there is no need to stop them, they are normal and even beneficial.

So? Bette looked at Tina in astonishment.

So the doc gave us the green light to continue having an intimate relationship for as long as I feel like it, Tina continued grinning at Bette. And I feel like it, baby, she whispered sexily into Bettes ear.

Tina, Im afraid, Bette admitted with a pained expression on her face. What if I do something wrong, or you go into labor, or Bette grabbed Tinas hands and told her deepest fears, or I hurt her.

Come here babe, said Tina bringing Bette as close to her as possible. You wont hurt her, or me. Well take it slow and I promise Ill tell you the second something doesnt feel right.

They paused and looked deeply into each others eyes. The look went from fear and uncertainty to passion and desire in the space of a moment.

I love you Bette, Tina said softly, reaching up to caress Bettes smooth cheek.

I love you so much it hurts sometimes, Bette replied, running her hand through Tinas hair and drawing her head closer.

Their mouths met in a slow, sensuous way, very little pressure interfering with the skimming of lips over lips. It was an intimate kiss, a kiss born of love and loss, a kiss of hope and trust. Bette parted her lips to invite Tina to explore her mouth more deeply, her body tingling with anticipation. She needed no foreplay, but understood that Tina would. Tina continued kissing the lips only, drawing moans of lust from her partner.

It hurts now, said Bette.

What hurts, Tina asked looking alarmed.

How much I want you.

Tina answered Bette with a deep kiss, her tongue entering her lover again and again, stroking the sensitive membranes in a forceful, demanding fashion. Bettes body was on fire, an ache spreading through her pelvis at an astonishing rate. Bette could hold back her desire no longer and kissed Tina so passionately that Tina threw her head back and moaned from the depths of her soul. Their hands touched each other greedily, unable to feel enough.

You are so beautiful. I need to see you, gasped Bette. She began to disrobe Tina while Tina panted for air, her recovery from the kisses taking some time. Bette reached down to lift the gown over Tinas head, dragging her hands along the sides of Tinas trunk and moving upward to the outside of her up-stretched arms. Tina was nude underneath and the sight caused Bette to become momentarily dizzy. Her hands glided from Tinas neck, to her shoulders, to her *****, to her extended belly, to her hips and finally resting just at the swell of her bottom. Bette followed the journey of her hands with her mouth, turning Tina around to finish kissing each cheek. Bette held her lover from behind and the caresses became more insistent, gentle touches replaced by purposeful kneading, until Tina could no longer stand.

Bette guided Tina to the bed and continued her exquisite torture. She laid Tina on her side and slowly touched every inch of her skin, starting at her feet and working her way up Tinas legs, which were parting with need. She skipped over the places that Tina needed her touches the most and spent a long time worshipping the belly, her fingers delighting in the outy belly-button and then tracing the patterns made by the stretched skin. Finally her hands reached Tinas *****. Bette had always loved the firm fullness of her lovers *****, but now they were remarkable. Bettes hands skimmed over the warm flesh, causing the large pink nipples to harden at the touch.

Oh God, Bette, Tina breathed.

Can I use my mouth on your *****? Bette asked hesitantly.

Yes, yes, now! Tina replied.

Bette continued using just her hands until she reached Tinas face. She then pulled herself up against Tinas body and moved her mouth to the ample ***** directly in front of her face. Tina arched her entire body in reaction to the exquisite mouth tugging on her.

Tina impatiently began removing Bettes clothing, a much harder task than Bette experienced. The crisp white blouse lost a button or two in the battle for flesh that Tina waged. Unable to manage the hooks of her lovers bra, Tina ripped it over her head. Bette had to momentarily suspend the loving of Tinas ***** as Tina was frantically failing in her attempt to rid her of the tailored trousers and hi-cut bikini underwear. Bette quickly removed the offending material and the two now nude bodies reveled in the sensation of skin touching skin.

Tina turned the tables on Bette, pinning her down on the bed and insistently touching her body, demonstrating her desire to make love to the dark-haired beauty. Bette shivered as Tinas hair caressed her abdomen while Tina lowered her head to Bettes waiting breast.

The need to possess, to love, and to surrender consumed both of the women. The love poured out from one and was accepted by the other in a sensual dance of fingers, lips and tongues. The first ***** hit them simultaneously as they rode the wave and crashed into the shore, holding each other tightly and looking deeply into each others eyes.

Bette barely waited to recover her breath. She leaned over Tina and whispered in her ear, Im desperate to taste you.

Tina moaned with renewed desire and welcomed her lover. With each touch, with each tender stroke of Bettes tongue, she felt the depth of the connection, the unbearable truth of love entering her body. And she finally let go of her doubt, of her fear, of the hurt, and the pain and the unspeakable agony of loss. Tina let go and trusted that Bette would catch her. And Bette was there, her arms a refuge, a safety net, an anchor; her new skin healed and ready to face the elements.

They were finally home.


The END.