“I don’t know what to say” Bette finally said

Tina joined Bette, wrapping her arms around her waist, resting her chin on Bette’s shoulder “A yes would be nice”

Bette turned her head confused by Tina’s words “What”

As they looked at the other it dawned on Tina that Bette had not seen the subtle written words that she had asked Roger to include, as faint as they where, she could clearly see the words marry me etched into the calm waters shown on the painting. Ok she thought maybe they are obvious to me because I know they are there, she silently reasoned “Take a closer look” Tina urged turning Bette’s head back towards the painting.

The following ten minutes did not go as Tina had planned, finally losing all patience she considered just pointing it out to Bette, before driving her directly to get her eyes tested, however she had imagined this little scenario a million times over the last month or so, and she was determined to get her moment as she had envisioned it. Leaving Bette with a what the fuck on her tongue when she suddenly announced she was going for a shower, she grabbed the small box from the breakfast tray containing their supposed engagement rings before closing the bathroom door behind her.

It was early evening when Al arrived to find Tina in the kitchen huffily preparing what should have been a double celebration dinner.

“Hey, so where’s the birthday girl” Al asked

“Probably got lost on her way home” Tina replied sarcastically

“What”

“Come with me” Tina demanded grabbing Al by the wrist and dragging her into her bedroom and standing her in front of the contentious painting “Tell me what you see”

Al studied the painting because she dare not do anything less, Tina was obviously pissed about something. She immediately recognized it as Bette’s much boasted sunrise picture, it didn’t take her much longer to see the written message, judging Tina’s mood, she quickly put two and two together and in usual Al style came up with five.

“Whoa, she said no, well blow me down and spank me senseless”

“No, she didn’t say no” Tina quickly responded “She didn’t see it”