They took the plane to Belgium the next day and were greeted by Bette’s mother, grandfather and stepfather at the airport. Bette had called both her mother and father to tell them that her girlfriend was coming with her. Bette’s mother was sat in a wheel chair and Bette hugged her mother very tight. She then gave her grandfather and Jason a hug.
Bette: “Mom, grandpa, Jason, this is Tina.”
Cathy: “So, you’re the girl that stole my daughter’s heart.”
Tina: “Guilty as charged. It’s nice to meet you madam.”
Cathy: “Just call me Cathy. This is my husband Jason and my father Peter.”
They shook hands and talked a little bit while Bette talked to her mother.
Bette: “So mom, how is everything here?”
Cathy: “Everything is fine, we just missed you a lot Bette. I’m glad you’re here.”
Bette: “Me too mom.”
Jason: “Shall we go?”
Peter pushed the wheel chair, while Jason helped Bette and Tina with their bags. They drove home and after resting a bit, Bette and Tina joined the rest for dinner.
Cathy: “So Tina, what do you do for a living?”
Bette squeezed Tina’s hand and looked at her, telling her everything was okay without speaking. Tina squeezed Bette’s hand back and looked at Cathy.
Tina: “Well Cathy, I’m a pediatrician, I have my own practice in LA.”
Jason: “Very impressive. Did you choose your job for the children or did you just wanted to be a doctor?”
Tina: “I’ve always wanted to help people, especially children. They’re our future, you know?”
Bette could tell that Tina was truly accepted by this part of her family and could only hope that the other part would love her just as much.

Friday afternoon Bette’s father came to pick them up. The funeral had gone well and Bette loved the time she had spent with her family. Yes, Tina was also a part of her family. Tina was also accepted by Bette’s other family and this made Bette very happy. She cared a lot about the opinions of her parents, they had always supported her. Even when she told them she was *****, they didn’t abandon her, no, they kept loving her unconditionally. Now they also loved Tina unconditionally. She realized how truly lucky she was to have such a great family. Her father told her that David was put away in an institution. A heavy weight fell of Bette’s shoulders now that she knew she and her family were safe. She told this to Tina and a weight also fell of her shoulders. Her Bette was finally safe. Matty was so glad to see Bette, he didn’t want to leave her side. When it was time to leave, he begged her to stay.
Matty: “Please Bette, don’t go. You and Tina are too much fun. I would miss you so much.”
For a five-year-old boy, Matty sure knew how to make a girl melt.
Bette: “I’ll miss you to Matty, but Tina and I have to go back. There are little boys and girls waiting for her to cure them. They need her. We have to help those kids, don’t we Matty?”
Matty: “Yes you do. But I’ll still miss you Bette and you to Tina. Will you come back for Christmas?”
Tina: “Yes we will Matty, now you be a good boy and take good care of your parents while we’re gone, okay?”
Matty: “I will. Bye Tina, bye Bette.”
Tina: “Bye sweetheart.”
Bette and Tina gave Thomas, Samantha and Matty one final hug before leaving.
Bette: “Bye dad. I’ll miss you dad.”
Thomas: “I’ll miss you to baby girl. Bye Tina, it was nice meeting you.”
Tina: “It was nice meeting you too.”
Bette: “Bye Sam, I’ll call you when we arrive.”
Sam: “Bye Bette. Bye Tina. Take good care of Bette, will you?”
Tina: “I will, don’t worry.”
Tina squeezed Bette’s hand and they left.

The plain ride went well and soon they were back in LA.
Tina: “I really loved meeting your family Bette.”
Bette: “I loved spending time with you and the rest of my family.”
Tina: “So I’m part of your family now?”
Bette: “You bet.”
They both smiled and shared a passionate and loving kiss.
Bette: “Hey T?”
Tina: “Yeah?”
Bette: “Wanna move in with me?”
Tina: “There’s nothing I’d rather do.”

To be continued…