“Go” Bette commanded, her ride didn’t budge, “Giddy up” she suggested, still rooted to the spot, Bette double clicked her tongue, “Oh for fucks sake that works in the movies” Leaning over she coaxingly talked into her horse’s ear “Listen buster this little romantic gesture of mine isn’t going to work if you insist on making me look like an ass…..now do us both a favour and move yours” Bette inadvertently tapped her heels against her horse as she raised herself back up and was delighted at her own powers of persuasion when her horse took steps forward and caught up with Tina who had stopped a little further ahead.

Apart from Tina relenting and issuing instructions to Bette as and when required their trek up the Santa Monica mountains passed without much discussion both lost in their own thoughts.

An hour or so in, reaching a clearing Bette suggested they take a rest the truth untold that her ass was beginning to feel the pain.

Tina secured the horses while Bette removed the blanket and laid it flat on the grassy ground. Resting on her elbows she opted to lay on her front “You can see for miles from here”

Tina followed suit “Yeah” She agreed and you can’t see what’s right in front of your nose she thought, sighed and turned to lay on her back clasping her hands behind her head she glanced in Bette’s direction briefly and forced her eyes closed in an effort to curb her instant desire.

Bette knew if she dared to glance down it would be her complete undoing, she was acutely aware of their proximity as much as she was aware Tina wasn’t herself “I know this is a stupid question but I have to ask…… what’s wrong you have been so quiet all morning”

Tina slowly opened her eyes and responded honestly “I don’t know what to say”

“You can tell me anything what is it”

“No I meant I have been quiet because I don’t know what to say….I don’t know what to do…..I want so badly to be able to do what you asked of me…I want to look you straight in the eyes and tell you I don’t want it all but….but….” Tina started to get up knowing she had already said too much.

Bette grabbed her arm “Don’t go…please”

“You want to know why I didn’t call you yesterday…..I spent half of the day trying to convince myself that I could live happily without children but you know what the more I thought about it…..the more I thought about what you told me about you and Ella….I realized that not only did I want children but I want OUR children no one else will ever be good enough…..oh I know you don’t get it that’s why I spent the rest of the day and night trying to figure out a way how I could make you see that a child would be so lucky to have you as their mother…..” Tina would have continued with her persuasion if Bette hadn’t turned away from her and stared aimlessly out into the distance.

“Too much too soon….I know and I’m sorry I really need to work on this patience thing but I can’t do that while we’re stuck in limbo land” Tina attempted to keep the frustration at bay however Bette’s lack of response was killing her. “Damn it Bette say something…..anything”

Bette turned to look at the woman that she loved more than she ever thought possible, the woman who had systematically broke through her barriers, the woman who loved her back despite her faults, despite of her burden but more than that loved her more because of them, she was still some distance from a definite yes as far committing to a baby was concerned but that definite no was closer to a definite maybe. Sitting up just long enough to push Tina flat on the blanket she let her lips do the talking, any thoughts of the slow lingering kiss she had intended where quickly forgotten as Tina responded by grasping the back of her neck and explored her lips, her mouth with complete abandonment.

“Oh god Bette…..does that mean we are….we are……” Tina’s voice wavering grasping for air

Grasping for the same air Bette smiled “Meant to be”

Tina returned the smile “Yes we are”