“And just think, it’s all for you.”  With that, she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Tina in stunned silence.

When Bette returned, she wore the same worn jeans she had the first night she stayed at Tina’s, coupled with a tight, white tank.  Tina had her back to Bette, putting in a movie, the wine glasses already full and waiting on the coffee table.  She closed the tray and turned, her breath catching as she took in Bette.  Bette grinned knowing there would be many more moments like this, ones when Tina no longer had to hide her attraction and could allow her desire to overpower her as it did now.

Tina dragged her eyes the length of Bette’s body, resting on her face as she finally approached her, smiling her crooked smile as she slid her hands around Bette’s waist, her hands making contact with the skin that peeked through where shirt and pants met.  Bette inhaled sharply.

“Is this ok?”  Worry laced Tina’s voice.  Bette smiled at her, briefly kissing her, her fingers traveling a long Tina’s jaw line.

“Always, darling.  Don’t you know by now what you do to me?”

“Maybe you’ll have to tell me.”

“Later, silly,” chuckled Bette.  “I don’t want to talk.  I want to sit with the woman I’m in love with, preferably with our arms wrapped tightly around each other, and watch a movie.  But first, I need you to tell me something.”

“Anything.”

“You still haven’t told me you love me.”

“I thought I covered that,” teased Tina.

“Humor me.”

“Bette Porter, you’re the most wonderful human being I’ve ever met.  I’m completely unworthy of saying these words to you, but I must or perish,” Tina placed the back of her hand to her forehead melodramatically, causing Bette to emit her low, sexy chuckle.  Wrapping her arms just a bit more securely around Bette, she returned to her serious mission.  “I think I’ve just been in limbo, waiting to find you.  Now I have.  And I never want to hold anyone else, look at anyone else, think about anyone else.  You’re all I want to breathe, live and love for the rest of my life.  I love you.”  Bette smiled through her tears.

“What about Yankee?”  From the corner he perked his ears at the mention of his name, quickly turning over and going back to sleep.

“Well, after all, he was my first love.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

*          *            *            *            *

            Some time later, they sat cuddled together on the couch watching Swing Time.  Bette turned slightly, kissing Tina’s jaw, causing her to look away from the screen.

            “Can I ask you a question?”

            “Of course,” smiled Tina.

            “Why this movie?

            “Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”

            “That’s it?  That’s the whole reason?”

            “Do you really want to know the whole reason or the explanation for the one I gave you?”

“Better make it the latter for now.”

“Notice anything special about them?”

“Other than their uncanny capacity to sing the same song and dance in unison, no.”

“Exactly.  They’re normal people who happen to dance like angels.”

“And?”

“It’s never about the sex.  The tension is there, but you’re really just waiting for the moment when they find each other’s arms and dance, because it’s something otherworldly.  They don’t need to kiss and hardly ever do.  It’s about a pairing created when the stars aligned, about two bodies that move as one, two minds in tune.  It’s something pristine that time can’t touch, something that doesn’t need color or special effects.  It’s something basic and enthralling all at once.  Unparalleled.”  Tina blushed as she realized Bette was just staring at her in silence.  Bette quickly kissed her, grinning as she did.

“That’s one of so many reasons why I love you.”

“What is?”

“Your passion and fire.  How you word it so perfectly.  How alive you come when you’re talking about something you love.  Mostly, and I think this is something only I know, strangely enough, what an old-fashioned, hopeless romantic you are.  It’s beautiful.”

“It’s you.  It’s all because of you.”