ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Chapter 32

Bette stirred and opened her eyes - ouch - God how could it be 7am? She had only just fallen asleep - actually what time had she fallen asleep? Her mind was slowly waking up leaving her lying staring at Tina’s naked back while the events of the night before came back to her. After a few minutes she sat up - yes she remembered the incidents of last night -like Hannah’s party and the way Ollie had spoken with such venom and loathing to Tina - then how she had shut her out - the obvious hurt in Tina’s hazel eyes and finally how they had come together and made love - Tina’s passion had been overwhelming -- she had been almost impossible to satisfy and insatiable in her desire to quench Bette’s desires. Tina had finally fallen asleep just after 5am.

Bette groaned - two hours sleep - oh God. But the night before had given her a worrying insight into Tina’s demons. Sex had felt like she was trying desperately to reach out and show Bette how much she loved her - the passion had been so intense - there had been few words and no times for jokes and moments of laughter and gentleness - instead there had been raw sex. Bette stroked the blonde’s hair and kissed her neck. Tina stirred but didn’t move - Bette decided to leave her sleeping. They would have enough time later in the day. She eased out of bed and headed to the shower. After washing the smell of sex from her body she dressed careful not to wake her lover. By the time she emerged the rest of the house was beginning to stir - Zak was playing in Josh’s room, Dan was waking up in stages as usual.

“What do you fancy for breakfast? “ Bette asked Dan

“Bacon and waffles “

Bette nodded “Yeah that would work - will you keep an eye on Zak for me? “
“Sure mommy - is Tina alright after her headache? “

“Yes - she is sleeping “
“Can we wake her up? “
“We’ll see - we’ve got some pineapple juice- you want that? “
“Oh yeah “

The promise of pineapple juice was enough to get Danny to roll onto the floor with a thud - Bette chuckled and headed downstairs. She could hear that Lara was awake so there would be three adults and three kids for breakfast.

She was grilled the bacon when Lara came in wearing shorts and a running vest

“You are not planning a run are you? “
“Yes but you’re cooking bacon “
“And waffles and I might do a few eggs as well “
“Oh God - that’s not fair”

“You hate running “
“I do but I need to lose some weight “
“There isn’t an extra gram of fat on you - sit your ass down and I’ll fed you before the hoards descend “

“Thanks - I’ll wash up for you - what are you planning for the day? “
“Not sure - it might be just Zak, Tina and me - Dan has soccer training and he’s going to Matthew’s house for a party - it might be 6 before he gets home. Josh wants to go and see Greg “
“How’s Tina? “

Bette handed Lara glass of pineapple juice and went back to watching the bacon

“Still asleep “
“Is she alright? “
“Yeah - she had a migraine “

“That’s not what Jodie thought “
“What about Jodie? “ Bette frowned

“Jodie thinks that Tina had a fight with her ex “
Bette turned the bacon over and slipped it back under the grill

“She did - its complex “
“You were worried sick. I don’t know Tina that well - well only what I see when she is with all of us but I do know you. You were fight to kill last night and you were hurt “

Bette nodded “ I was “
“She loves you Bette - that much is so clear “
“I love her - I don’t always know how to reach out to her though “

“Bette - you have to work that out for yourself but I do know that what you two have is very special. Instead of telling her - show her - show her how you love her and that regardless of whatever pain in the arse her ex is it isn’t going to stop you loving her and wanting her and needing to share your life with her. You know - and its not my place to say this but - she seems to me that she would like you to be romantic and ever soppy “

Bette smiled - that had been a long speech from the pretty red haired nanny

“You mean unlike Emily “
“I didn’t mention your ex but now that you do “ she raised her eyebrows at Bette.

“Breakfast “ Josh demanded running into the kitchen. Dan and Zak followed him into the kitchen and the next ten minutes was taken up feeding three very hungry boys. Bette always marvelled that there were few meals that took longer to eat than it did to prepare. All three of her sons has seconds - Zak demanded extra toast leaving Bette wondering if all three had bottomless pits. Finally they were full and went off to watch a movie

“I’ll wash up - why don’t you take some food up to Tina ?”
Bette was already loading up a tray with coffee and fruit juice for Tina

“Miracle that there is anything left - gee what a bunch of gannets “
“You worry sick if any of them even leave a crust off a sandwich “
“That’s true - they are such strong kids “

“Speaking as their nanny - far too much damn energy “
“Speaking as their mother - far too much damn energy “ Bette agreed taking a fresh pack of bacon from the fridge and making a start on feeding Tina.

“Just have a lazy day with her today - I know you treat her well Bette”
“I haven’t felt this way before Lara “
“Does that include ? “ Lara raised her eyebrows

“Yes “

“So tell her - you can see your enemy - he makes an ass of himself often enough. She competes with a ghost “
“Helena says that “
“She’s right - and never tell her I said that “

Bette chuckled

“You go and make a fuss of Tina - I’ll drop Dan and Josh off when its time “

Bette finished preparing the plate for Tina and added two cups of coffee before carrying the tray upstairs with the advice of her nanny in her head.

Tina was still sleeping when Bette walked into the room. She placed the tray on the pine ottoman at the foot of her bed and went across to open the curtains. Tina grunted and rolled over - Bette sat on the edge of the bed and stroked the blonde’s hair

“You awake ? “
“Hell no “
“I think you are “
“No - asleep “
“You talk in your sleep do you ? “
“Yeah that’s it “
“So I should take the bacon and eggs plus juice and coffee and toast and feed it to the cats “

Tina opened her eyes and regarded Bette

“Don’t even THINK it Porter “

Bette chuckled and kissed Tina “ Hey sexy “
Tina pulled herself up giving Bette a gorgeous view of her full breasts.

“How are you feeling ? “

“Okay - feeling that I made an ass of myself “
“Its okay - its allowed. Why don’t we just have a quiet day with just the two of us and Zak - the other two are going out “
Tina nodded “ I would like that a lot “
“Good - come on -”

Bette retrieved the tray and placed it in front of Tina

“Thank you - I should be making you breakfast “
“You can do it in the morning “
“I could -that would be fun “
“And make sure you pick up the papers as well “

“Okay -that might be fun “

Bette picked her coffee up and sat and watched Tina tucking into her food. She smiled - amazed that the night before she had seen this beautiful and loving woman in so much pain. Bette had thought of several strategies to deal with the pond life that Tina had once been married to but most of them she had sadly rejected. What she did know was that he would only win if he divided them like he had the night before. That must not be allowed to happen - they had to stay solid. She had to get Tina to let her in. After she had cleared her plate Tina went into the shower and emerged wearing Bette’s spare robe. Bette had changed the sheets and was sitting on her bed playing with Zak who had come into the room in search of his mommy and Tina - he ran to Tina who lifted him up and hugged him

“Thank you for the party Tina “ he said kissing her

“I am glad you liked it “
“Can I take Lara out to play on it please ?”
Tina chuckled “ Well you may as well - it’s not going back until after lunch “
“Yeh - thanks Tina - I love you “

Tina swallowed and looked at Bette who was smiling

“I love you too Zak “

He leapt down and went running into Lara’s room. Lara put her head round the door.

“Dan is almost ready for soccer - Garry’s mom is picking him up in ten minutes, Josh is waiting for Greg to appear with his dad “
“ When Tina is ready we are going out for a few hours - you may as well go and see Alice. Where is she anyway - I thought she would have stayed the night “
Lara grinned “ SOMEONE ate too much cake washed down with wine and she went home because I didn’t want her throwing up in my bed. You two have a good day - I thought I would pick up stuff for a BBQ tonight - just the six of us - eight if I invite Alice of course “

“Fine Lara “
“You two have a nice day “ she smiled at both of them before disappearing with Zak in tow. Bette lent back and looked at Tina

“We are blessed with our children and our friends “

“We are “ Tina folded her clothes up “ So - we’re going out are we ? “
“I thought an hour shopping and grab some juice and sandwiches and the three of us can have a little picnic in the park. What do you want to do ?”
“Not be alone - be with you - know that you love me “ Tina sighed

Bette took hold of Tina and brought her onto the bed so they were holding hands and facing each other.

“I want you with me and you should have no doubts that I love you “

“After last night “ Tina began

“Last night is over - in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson - nothing external has any power over you. Just because Ollie is a wanker doesn’t mean that we have to react to him. We both failed in that last night - maybe because it was so unexpected. But in the future we will be forearmed about him “
“I let you down “
“No - you didn’t - he let you down by bringing that up at his daughter’s birthday party. What sort of heartless jackass is he ? “

“He was always so supportive of me before I got involved with you “

“So its my fault ? “ Bette chuckled

“No - maybe I was his Plan B - if it failed with Paul he thought he could move back her and play Happy Families “
“And how would you have felt about that ?”

Tina snorted “ Not a cat in hell’s chance - I don’t love him. I care because I know he is good with the girls but that’s as far as it goes for me “
“Does he know that ? “

“I thought that he did but he’s going to know it good and proper when he brings them back tomorrow night. I am not going to be made to feel as bad as I did last night when frankly I thought that I was back to how I was - but I’ve got you. And I love you very much “

“I love you “ Bette kissed Tina gently “Now go home and get dressed, feed the mutts and I’ll get some stuff together - its going to be a beautiful day “
“Okay” Tina lent closer and kissed Bette harder “ Later Porter “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three hours later Bette lifted Zak from the slide and hugged him

“You hungry now ? “
“Yeah - great fun “
“It is great fun - come on “

Bette held his hand as they walked back to under the tree where Tina was sitting watching them play. Zak let go of Tina’s hand and raced to Tina and jumped into her arms and hugged her. There was no doubt that Zak utterly adored Tina - all her sons did - something that Bette was very grateful for - their relationship would be much harder if their children didn’t approve of their love.

Tina took the sandwiches from the bakery bag and handed one to Zak who eagerly began to chew it also accepting the box of juice that she also handed to him. Bette accepted her sandwich from Tina and placed a soft kiss on her lips. They ate together laughing and teasing Zak who was giggling. As soon as he finished eating he curled up between the two women and dozed off.

“Are you okay ?” Bette asked quietly

“Yes - I was foolish not to at least tell you that he could throw it at me “
“I understand but Tina - things are not like they are between you and Ollie. Women - gay women are different - there is a difference about our relationship - not just the physical intimacy. We laugh together and we talk and I swear I could spend the whole night kissing you and not touching your naked skin. We -- we just connect. There is a part of me that just fits with you. I have always felt at ease with you and that we have a connection that is impossible to define. I love you - do you think that you could ever do anything that would make me love you or admire you less ? “

Tina rubbed her eyes

“Sometimes I get so scared that I am not good enough for you “
“Why on earth would you say that ?”
“I don’t know - I can’t define it but I do get scared that you will find someone better than me “
“You should let me be the one who decides that and I “

Bette pulled a gold necklace from her pocket -it had the finest thin chain and two simple hearts joined together - both of the hearts were pink.

“And I would be very touched if you would wear this necklace -two hearts - yours and mine joined together. I love you and nothing is going to come between us. Not my past and not that six foot jackass that you married. We are fine honey “

Bette dropped the necklace into Tina’s hand - Tina was almost speechless. It was the most beautiful gift

“For me ? “
“Yes - for the woman whose heart is joined with mine. “

Tina felt tears forming and let Bette pull her close and kiss her brow

“If we stick together there is nothing that we cannot achieve and that means wiping the floor with your ex “

Tina kissed Bette back “Thank you “ she whispered

Bette carefully took the necklace and fixed it round Tina’s neck softly kissing the sensitive skin beneath her hair

“He isn’t going to hurt you again “ Bette vowed “ Together he can’t “

Tina rested against Bette’s body “I won’t lose you “ she vowed

“You won’t -come on lets lie down “