LOVING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE -

"From now on you don't mention your mistake, my mistake or either of us dying. This is the start of the rest of a long, happy and precious life together - promise me"

"I promise - I promise you everything and anything Tina "

We kiss again - long and slow. Finally, she eases away and touches my face.

"Come on then babe - lets see what else you've got planned "

Narration of Bette Porter.

Tina and I enter the party holding hands - everyone is milling around. I lead her to a round table where her mum and sister are sitting with Kit, Alice, Shane, Carmen, Dana and Lara. They all rise when they see us.

Emma is the first to embrace Tina - I how much this means to all three of the Kennard's - and I am so proud that I have made this happen. As Tina is talking, laughing, and hugging all the others, Lucy gestures me to step away for a few seconds.

"You okay ? " I ask.

"This is wonderful Bette - thank you so much for bringing her back to us. I never thought I would see my sister again"

"I did it for Tina - there is nothing I would not do for my darling wife"

" I wanted to ask you about my dad - do you think if he rung one of us she would talk to him ? "

I grin " You Kennard's are just too good at reading my mind " I say.

I move back to Tina who is sitting talking to her mother. I drop into the seat beside her and stroke her back lovingly. She turns to me and kisses me softly before turning back to her mother.

"Did that upset you ? " she asks directly.

"Not after the way the two of you kissed after the ceremony "

Emma replies "I'm not a idiot Tina - I know the two of you must have a very intense physical relationship. If Bette satisfies your most basic needs then who am I to criticize ? - I love you Tina - you are my daughter . I swear all I want is for you to be happy and its obvious that no man could make you as content as Bette obviously does"

Tina looks at me with devotion in her eyes.

" You have no idea how many ways Bette satisfies me " she says with a grin at me.

The meal is soon served - Lara has planned and supervised an amazing feast for us - I smile at her as I watch everyone tuck into the food.

An hour passes and soon it is time for the two of us to start the dancing. After a lot of thought and discussion with Kit it can only be the same song we danced to when we got married - Something by the Beatles.

I take Tina's hand and we move to the dance floor - the change this time is the song is going to be done by my all time favourite singer - Kit Porter.

The music starts and we take hold of each other.

" Are you happy babe ? " I ask softly kissing her hair.

" Very -are you ? "

" Never been happier Tina - I have my wife and my friends and my wife's family here - I couldn't want any more than this. I love you so much"

" I love you too - you are my whole being - you have made today oen of the best days of my life "

"Well it's a reward for walking into my office three and half months ago and giving me your heart again"

" you always had my heart Bette - that went nowhere while we were apart - lets not talk about it today - or ever again if it comes to that - lets concentrate on the future - our future."

"When are you going to tell me where we are going on our honeymoon? "

" Tonight - when I've got you alone - and preferable when you're naked and sweaty and I'm straddling you and your clit is throbbing with your need for me "

" My clit just started throbbing when you even mention it " I reply honestly.

"That is the effect I'm aiming for - I cannot wait until I get you to myself -alone - naked and alone "

I kiss her softly as we move to the music - - totally lost in our own world.

Narration of Alice.

I am sitting beside Lara for some unknown reason - well okay so that isn't fair. I like Lara - I just don't like it when she's draped around Dana. Not that I mind so much now that Nikki and I are getting some serious horizontal jogging but it still hurts to see Dana so happy with some one else.

We are watching Kit doing a brilliant version of When I fall in love - the Nat King Cole classic - Bette and Tina cannot keep their eyes off one another - it's wonderful to see.

"Al - did you ever think you would see this day happen? "

I shrug "I hoped I'd see them together - but now that they are they have even taken my breath away "

"Have they always looked such a perfect fit? "

"Are you kidding? the first time I saw them together I couldn't believe how suddenly Bette had mellowed - Tina is the best thing that ever happened to Bette and she knows that"

"But Bette is good for Tina too "

"Oh yes - she's developed a lot of the Porter power personality lately. But with Tina it's an act - she really longs to be a full time mother - it's a coping strategy "

The song ends and I exchange smiles - I look across to where Shane and Carmen are talking to Tina's mum and sister - they smile at us and I look to see the next surprise unfold.

Tina is sitting leaning against Bette's arm - Bette kisses her brow and says something to excuse herself. I watch her walk across to the stage and talk to Kit for a few minutes. Lara nudges me and we join Tina at our table - she is looking at her commitment ring with joy.

"Hey TK - how's your second wedding day? "

 "Perfect Al - and having my mother and sister here just "she trails off obviously emotional at everything that has happened.

 Shane has come across with Emma and Lucy who join us at the round table. Dana soon comes to join us with Carmen - the only people missing from the gang are Bette and Kit. Tina is chatting to her mother when Kit speaks into her microphone.

"Hey there - we hope you are enjoying the party to celebrate Bette and Tina's recommitment. I would like to introduce the special guest singer that I am thrilled wants to sing today - ladies and gentlemen - Bette Kennard-Porter "

I don't know what I want to see the most - Bette walking onto stage or Tina's reaction. I look to Bette who has discarded her jacket and is walking onto the stage - I look at the rest of the gang.

We get up and start shouting and cheering for her.

"Go Bette "

"Yeah Bette "

I look at Tina who looks stunned - she looks at Shane, Carmen who are standing cheering, and whistling for Bette and across at me.

The rest of the crowd clap and cheer but not as loudly as the five of us.

Bette told us six weeks ago, she wanted to sing at their wedding and since then she has been terrified. I have never seen Porter so afraid - but it turns out she gets stage fright and is very insecure about her singing. Which is insane because I did not think BP did fear and her singing voice is actually beautiful. So it has taken coaxing and coaching to get her to this point.

I actually don't know which of the six songs she has been practicing that she's actually going to do - she said she would decide on the day. She was obviously telling Kit a few minutes ago. I so hope she has taken my strongly worded advice about one of the songs.

The cheering dies down and I see the Porter smile - she speaks into the mike.

"Thank you to my fan club back there - the $100 bills are in the post. I wanted to do something unusual for the most important person in my life "

I look at Tina who actually looks scared -I see that Shane has also seen the reaction and she gestures to me to move into the seat that Bette has vacated. I move next to Tina and touch her arm.

"She cannot do this Al - she always said it was the one thing she couldn't do" Tina looks at Shane "You have to stop her Shane - I don't want today ruined for her "

Shane and I both put our arms round the anxious blonde.

"Relax T - she's going to be fine. We've seen her and she's amazing"

Back on the stage, Bette is looking across at Tina with such utter devotion.

"So this song was written by Cole Porter so that I, Bette Porter can dedicate it to my wife - my beautiful and amazing wife Tina".

Yes - I knew she would go with that one - typical Porter because it is the hardest one to sing. Kit's band strike up and Bette takes the mike in her hand.

Strange dear, but true dear when I am close to you dear

The stars fill the sky

So in love with you am I

Even without you- my arms fold about you

You know, darling why, so in love with you am I

I look at Tina who is crying with no thought to her make up or the fact that half the room are looking at her - but mostly everyone is watching Bette - she has an amazing voice. As good as Kit's in many ways - dark and sultry in equal amounts.

In love with the night mysterious, the night when you first were there

In love with my joy delirious the thought that you might care

I look at the others and see that everyone is a little moist eyed - Carmen and Lara are crying - letting the tears just run down their faces. Tina's mum is also crying - she is looking at her daughter's wife with obvious devotion. Tina is smiling and crying at the same time - she must be so proud of Bette.

So taunt me, and hurt me, deceive me, desert me

I'm yours till I die, so in love with you am I,

In love with my joy delirious the thought that you might care

So taunt me ,and hurt me, deceive me, desert me.

Okay high note coming next - the note she hasn't hit once when I've watched her rehearse. Please relax Bette and you can so do it.

I'm your til I die so in love, so in love, so in love with you

 my love am I.