Oh geez, thought Tina.

“What a big girl,” Bette smiled.  “Can I come in?”

“Oh, ah, of course.  Absolutely, come in.”  Tina shut the door behind Bette and gazed at her.  They stood for a minute before proceeding into the apartment side-by-side.  They sat together on the couch.  “Bette, what are you doing here?  I mean, I’m thrilled to see you, naturally, I just didn’t expect to see you until we talked Monday,” Tina rambled.  Bette sat and smiled, waiting for her to calm.  When she did, Tina returned the smile and sighed.  “I’m sorry.  I’m just a little… on edge…  Hi.”

“Hi yourself.  Why are you on edge?”

“Nothing major, I guess.  Just, well…”

“Yes?”

“I’m in love with the most beautiful, intelligent, warm, perfect woman.”

“I see.  So, what’s the problem?  Doesn’t she love you back?”

“Of course she does, who wouldn’t?”

“Ego much?” questioned Bette as she lifted her eyebrow.

“Just a little.  But, see, that’s the problem.”

“I don’t see how.”

“I thought I could never have her.  But now it turns out that she loves me too, and everything I’ve ever wanted it possible.”

“I still don’t see what the problem is.”

“I don’t know how to tell her.”

“Well,” Bette pretended to go deep in thought, “why don’t you set up a romantic scenario.  Invite her over for dinner and really do it up, candles, flowers, romantic music, the whole bit.  Then, somewhere after wine and before dessert, tell her, take her in your arms, and sweep her off her feet.”

“That’s a good plan…  But I have another idea, in case it comes up before I get a chance to do that.”

“What’s that?”

“Ask her if she’d like to stay and join me for a glass of wine and a movie.  Then, if that goes well, take her out to lunch the next day, as we always do-“

“Always?  And she didn’t know you love her and vice versa?”

“Ridiculous, isn’t it?  Anyway, we’ll have lunch and keep on like that for, oh, I guess the rest of forever.  And if that proves to not be long enough, I guess we can always explore continuing forever for… forever.”

“Sounds like a beautiful plan.”

“I like it.”  They beamed at each other.  “Come here.”

Bette fell into Tina’s arms.  Tina thought she had just enough liquor for it to make her head spin a little… no, on second thought, she knew it was Bette, her intoxicating scent, her arms that held Tina so tight, her hands that gripped Tina and her kiss that increasingly stole Tina’s breath.  Whatever temporary doubts Tina had were banished, whatever fears Bette may have had refused to surface.  For just that moment, they were lost in each other.  They finally pulled back, resting their foreheads together.

“Is this happening?  Or is it just another of my dreams?”

“No, darling, it’s real this time, it has to be,” Bette answered, still breathing heavily.  “I’ll die if I wake up now.”  Tina hurried to calm her fears, urgently pressing her lips to Bette’s again.  They sat and stared at each other, finally able to openly admire.  Their hands gently explored faces, lips, ran through hair and down arms, resting briefly on legs.  They gently exchanged Eskimo kisses, grinning at the silliness of their affections.

“So, how about it?”

“How about what?”

Bette closed here eyes, Tina’s gentle breath rustling her hair as she said, “Wine.  Movie.”

“Sounds perfect.  Only, could I borrow something to wear?  I came from dinner with some friends.”  For the first time Tina noticed Bette’s dress and heels, her exquisitely curled and set hair.