"Don't I have any say in this?"

"What more do you need to say?" Julia asked. "I might not be as smart as you, Bette, but the problem wasn't in what you said. It's what you can't say."

Bette sighed.

"I know you weren't using me. And, okay, I know you mean it when you tell me you love me." Julia smiled weakly. "But not the way I want you to. And our marriage can't just be on your terms, Bette. You have to work on it, too."

Bette's expression didn't even register that she heard Julia's exposition. She kept her gaze on her girlfriend. Her lover. Her fucking fiancee. A fiancee who was deciding that, no, she couldn't marry her.

"But you have to want it first." Julia finally said. She looked at Bette. "Do you want it?"

"I love you." Bette said hoarsely.

"I know." Julia nodded. "But it's not enough."

"And I don't get to decide what's enough for me." Bette noted.

Julia sighed. "This is breaking my heart, too, Bette."

"I'm sure." Bette said coldly, her emotions having been shut away when she realized Julia was not taking her statements back. "What am I supposed to tell everybody?"

"I'll tell them."

"Fine."

Julia had known Bette long enough and well enough to recognize what Bette's harsh tone meant. "I'll go."

"Yeah." Bette said simply.

Julia turned, paused, then turned back to Bette. "I'm sorry."

"Me too." Bette replied.

*******

Tina stared out to the water, watching the waves, aware of the dropping temperature as day turned to night, but unable to find the energy to go inside and find warmth, or at least a blanket.

So she was where she'd started.

Alone.

Tina found herself laughing at the maudlin sentiment, chiding herself for even thinking that way.

After all, it wasn't completely true. She had Angelica, even if Bette had their daughter for the night.

She'd endured a breakup where she did not burn her bridges, which she guessed was entirely due to Helena's approach.

And, well, that left the Bette part of the equation.

Tina turned to Oliver. "This would be so much easier if I could just not love her."

Oliver ignored her.

"Low tolerance for maudlin sentiment, huh?" Tina noted, scratching the dog's ears. "Okay, I'll try to stop."

As she said that, a pair of caramel-toned arms wrapped around her, hugging her from behind. "Why are you talking to a dog?"

Tina turned, and grinned at the head of curly hair beside her. "Honey."

Angelica grinned back, releasing her embrace, before sitting down beside her mother. "Mom said you might like the company."

"I do," Tina agreed, kissing the top of the girl's head. "Where's Mom?"

Angelica motioned behind her. "We brought food."

"Ah," Tina nodded, and turning back to the ocean for more of her introspection.

Angelica glanced at her mom, then paused as she continued to watch her.

"Stop staring." Tina told her.

"Are you sad?" Angelica asked.

"A little."

"Can I make you feel better?" Angelica asked.

Tina smiled at her. "Honey, you always do."

Angelica smiled back. "What can I do?"

"Sit here with me and Oliver?" Tina suggested.

Angelica nodded. "I can do that."

"Okay," Tina replied, smiling at Angelica. "Let's do that."

Angelica paused, then turned back to Tina. "Aunt Helena told Mom that you might need us."

"Aunt Helena won't be staying with us anymore," Tina told her.

Angelica glanced at her. "Are we okay with that?"

"Sure, hon. We're going to be okay with that."

Angelica smiled at her mother, moving closer and cuddling up to Tina. "I still love you."

"I still love you, too, sweetie."

"Is this seat taken?"