Title:From Afar Author: Jwet [ Send a Private Message ]
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Copyright: To all Content Rating: PG Disclaimer: Well I don't own them I'm just taking them for one last dance around the floor Author's Note: Well it's finally here the end. Thanks so much to all of you the read and commented on this story. It's been long and you have all hung in there with me. I have so loved the back and forth with the comment. I wanted to tie up the loose ends I hope you approave. Enjoy and thanks
Summary: Chapter 160 - Our Family Total Views: 3108 times.
"I promised " Bette whispers so softly Tina almost missed it."She went so far out on a limb for I promised Dr. Wilson after what she did for me I had to keep this promise to her."Bette catches her breath as the emotions are almost overcoming her."She asked me if I was capable of staying in the background.This thought 'staying in the background' changed my life."At this confession Bette became overcome with her emotions.Her shoulders sagged from the weight of her confession.Tears running down her cheeks when she finally gains the nerve to look into Tina's face.What she sees makes her cry harder.
Tina eyes where full of love and compassion.With the burden that Bette has been carrying lifted from her shoulders 'Oh my God I've want so many times to tell you." Bette says as she lunges for Tina grabbing her and holding her tight.
Tina wraps her arms around Bette never to let her go."Babe having Anna was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life the only thing that makes it better is that I shared it with you."This had been her biggest regret.The one missing link that Tina felt she could never go back and fix."I knew you were there.I just felt it.I knew it but I didn't see you."
Realizing that Bette had actually been there lifted her own weight.Tina herself was just as emotional, tears that barely let her get out "Don't you know how much of my universe revolves around you?I screamed your name I wanted you there so bad.Having you with me makes it all the more rewarding." Tina whispers in Bette's ear not wanting to pull away even a fraction from Bette to talk."Now we're complete."
Chapter 160 - Our Family
Six Months Later
Each year the Council of Foundations has their annual awards dinner where they honor the best of achievements and professional contributions in philanthropy.The awards are meant to be special recognitions by the Council to enhance the personal growth and accomplishment of its members, providing members with role models and real life examples that strengthen the image of philanthropy.The award dinner rotates around the country but this year's dinner is being held in Los Angeles.Taking advantage of the situation Jackie encouraged the girls to all come.It would be a great last get together before life changed and besides Tina was getting one of the awards.With that in mind Grace, Jackie, Samantha, Shane, Alice, Dana, Kit, Tina and Bette sit around a table as they wait for the dinner to begin.
Jackie feeling a little nostalgic looks at the women around the table with her.She has recently returned to the Rockefeller Foundation, her year leave of absence coming to an end.To her great delight Tina had agreed to step in as the Director of the MYV.To Jackie's credit it didn't take her long to realize that life was too short to idly let is slip away.She now knew what life is about thanks to her friend in Los Angles and to that end she decided to leave the Rockefeller Foundation and go home.She made the initial overture to her ex-husband and to her pleasant surprise he was receptive.She planned on returning to Chicago and giving her new found passion another chance.
"You know this will be my last function for the Rockefeller Foundation and as such I want to toast to all of you glorious women that helped me get my priorities straight and value the real important issues of life." Jackie says with a wistful sigh.
"Here Here to our family." Bette says smiling at Tina knowing they both consider all these women part of their family.
"Oh come on you know that you won't be able to stay out of the game for long." Grace fires back having come to know Jackie too well.
Jackie turn to Samantha on her left "How did you ever work together with this woman in San Francisco?Was she always this much of a smart ass to you?"
"Hey don't answer that Sam I know your new boss and I still have strings I can pull." Grace says laughing at the look of apprehension on Samantha's face.
"Hey Hey Hey you two don't pick on my best employee.I need her doing just what she does." Tina says jumping into the fray in defense of Samantha.
"Hey Jackie do you have any plans now that you will be free?" Bette asks diverting the conversation to more neutral waters.
"Actually my husband and I are leaving for a cruise in the next two weeks.We plan on visiting all the Saints." Jackie offers.
"The Saints?Does that mean your going to visit chapels?" Alice asks a little confused where there were chapels on the water.
Laughing "No but you never know.We are going to St. Croix, St. Thomas and any other Sts. we can find." Jackie jokes.
"Oh I see" Shane offers "You know on Sundays I always call my bed St. Mattress."
"Well when you're back I expect you to look me up for dinner.You know I love having people over that I can cook for and you and that beau of yours are no exception." Grace offers."Hey Tina how is Samantha working out for you?"
"Oh she's a gold mine you wouldn't believe how much initiative she has.What makes it real nice is having her live next door." Tina offers.
"Yeah we car pool, which means Tina kicks me out of the office way before I'm ready to come home." Samantha gets in before Tina can say otherwise.
"Wow I bet those are interesting rides on a Monday morning.Do you guys compare notes on your weekend activities?" Alice asks with her eyebrows going up and down enough for Dana to kick her under the table."Ouch"
"Alice we are at a nice dinner." Dana says under her breath and then smiles for the rest of the table.
This just makes the whole table break out laughing.
Jackie finishes laughing "A gold mine huh, like someone else we brought along?"
"What?" Tina asks confused.
"Oh I remember someone else we thought was a gold mine that just needed a little guidance." Jackie continues.
Bette just laughs putting her hands up in the air in mock surrender."I didn't put her up to it."
This friendly banter continues throughout the dinner until the award presentations began.There were four major awards tonight and a fifth, The Wilmer Shield Rich Awards which had numerous winners.They started with the multiple awards first.As they ran down the list of winners either Grace or Jackie would comment on the winner who obviously was someone they knew.At one point Alice couldn't take it anymore and started randomly giving her own comments on winners just to keep up with the two of them.
Finally it came to the Robert Scrivner Award for Creative Grant making.This award was established to recognize a grantmaker who has demonstrated outstanding creativity.It honors grantmakers who, with a combination of vision, principle and personal commitment, are making a critical difference in a creative way.The award was created as a memorial to the late Robert Winston Scrivner, former staff associate of the Rockefeller Fund and first executive director of the Rockefeller Foundation. "It seems particularly appropriate that tonight's award winner was mentored by the current director of the Rockefeller Foundation. This newcomer has lived up to every idea this award encompasses.
