Chapter 45 - Finale Part 1

Tee and I boarded the yacht, we were leaning on the railing looking out. The sun was still in the sky and the warm still in the air, although the sun had begun to set. From where we were you could see all sides of the bay. Id had the yacht anchored, this was one time I didnt want either of us going anywhere. Tee looked radiant, pregnant and perhaps for the first time since shed been here with me, she looked content. On one side we could see the open sea, on the other the national park, and if we turned to the side we could see the shack. In fact we were not more than a few hundred meters from it. This would be the night, the night both of us knew whether our future was together, whether we would be going home together. Wed expressed our anger at our transgressions against each other and talked about our sorrow at letting things get to where to they did, wed talked about our hopes and made promises to each other. But the cold hard truth was this, I wanted Tina back as my wife, for her to want that and if tonight she could not return my wedding ring, how could I go home with her ? I must have lost in thought.

Tina : hey baby as Tee wrapped her arms around me whatcha thinking about

Bette : how beautiful it is here, how lucky we are to be here together.

Tee just leaned into me, somehow managing to nuzzle her nose into the back of neck. Unknown to her I closed my eyes, feeling hopeful and comforted. Tee always knew when I was thinking more than I was saying. I had deliberately made sure we had no help on the yacht tonight. I wanted to do it all, for Tee, for me, for our child, for our future. How will I find a way to express those sentiments to Tee, does she know how I feel ? I reached behind and gently enclosed Tees hand, I turned around, looking into those searching eyes, she was searching, searching for what I was not telling her, maybe she could sense my fear. I lead her to the table that set just a few steps behind us. Classically romantic, Id chosen it all myself. A pristine white table cloth, silver cutlery, white plates with a silver trim, champagne flutes, linen napkins and one single red rose. The rose was beautiful, young and vibrant in color, just beginning to open, in the days to come it would be magnificent. I hope it conveyed all the things I struggled to tell Tee. She was staring at the rose, looking confused. I didnt understand.

Bette : Tee, whats wrong ? I leant forward to her as I asked.

Tee : Its, its just Bette, the rose is beautiful but the last one you left me was the one on the table at home with your wedding ring in. I understood that because you always bought a single red rose when you were truly sorry about something. Im not sure I understand now. Bette, are you trying to tell me something ?

Bette : I smiled, and she looked more confused Tee, yes, I am trying to tell you something, but not anything like that. Come look at the rose, so strong but so delicate, so rich in color but almost transparent, just beginning to open, it needs nurturing but will find its way. I could see Tee was beginning to understand. She squeezed my hand and pulled me in for a hug. Plus the other eleven are down in the cabin I struggled to get it out because I was laughing. Tee poked me hard in the ribs.

Tina Bette Porter, that is not funny !

Tee didnt look at me. I pulled the seat out and she sat down at the table. I said I would be back in two minutes. I hurried to get the entre, a prawn and crab dish I had selected, with dry champagne (non alcoholic of course). I rushed up onto the deck.

Bette : For Madame I placed it carefully in front of Tina and sat down.

This was going to be the most romantic night of our lives. Tee was thrilled with my choice of entre, we ate and laughed and an outsider looking in would never have known the pain wed been through. I asked about the girls back home, they were after all our family too. I spoke of my new found respect for Kit, how much I missed her. I didnt think about work, there were more important things now.

Bette : Tee, you look beautiful

Tina : So do you Bette

I could tell Tee really meant that she thought I looked beautiful. We finished our entre and since we had the whole night decided not to hurry the main course, I secretly hoped wed eat it in the dark, as romantic as it would be to eat with the sun setting, I had my reasons. One the last sun set Id see like this, the only things I wanted to be concentrating on were Tee and the magnificent colours in the sunset. I also hoped the dark might conceal my disappointment at not being Tinas wife again. We walked around the outside of the yacht, admiring its size and slickness.

Tina : Hey Bette, want to show me the bed ? as Tee was swiftly make her way into the cabin. Guess the days of shy, demure Tina are over ! I stood outside looking out. I wanted to show her a few things but not yet. I wanted to make love under the stars, on the rug, outside, not in the cabin. I start to make my way inside, Tee is lying on the bed, patting the bed, waiting for me to join her.

Tina : You know Bette, you have some good ideas

Bette : I do huh ? I ask playfully, warming up to the idea of making love down here. After all, a girl can do it more than once in a night, right ? We can do it again under the stars.

Tina : Yeah, you do as she gently places her hand under my top. I have an idea, lets make love between course, except dessert.

Bette : Why not dessert ?

Tina : If I know you Bette, dessert has chocolate and strawberries

Bette : Oh you know me well, as I gently push Tina back and begin to make love to her.