"Angelica was here."

Bette watched in wonder as Tina placed her hand in the crook of her neck. "I felt her in my arms."

Astonished, all Bette could do was silently nod.

"She was cradling up against me, sleeping, with her little head on my neck. I felt it."

Bette saw the emotion that swept across Tina's face when she spoke of their daughter.

Tina continued to move her fingers up, across her neck and shoulder. Moving them silently across her chin, up over her nose and eyes, gently touching her forehead. The only sound heard was the occasional whimper of pain, when her fingers swept across her injuries.

Suddenly Tina stopped what she was doing and blinked her eyes open. She still wasn't used to the light, the excessive blinking and frowning was still ever-present. She turned and faced Bette.

"I heard you. Talking, I mean. I heard your voice."

Bette stood glued to her spot.

"You said you wanted to tell me something". Tina shyly looked up at Bette.

This was the moment she had been waiting for. This was it. Damn it, it shouldn't be this hard.

Bette took a deep breath before speaking.

"I wanted to tell you that-."

"Bette?"

"- that I love you".

Tina couldn't respond. She shook her head, willing the tears to go away, but they weren't.

Bette, was in turn, beginning to tear up again. "I'm in love with you."

She had taken a step towards the crying Tina. She didn't even know she was doing it, or how; someone else was making her walk towards her. Before she knew it she was standing right there, right beside her.

"You're the love of my life."

Bette sat down on the bed, taking hold of Tina's hand.

"I can't live without you."

Bette was smiling and crying. She didn't know what to expect. She was finally saying what she felt, her deepest truest emotions.

"You're the only person I wanted to tell."

Bette cupped Tina's cheeks with both her hands ever so slightly, gently rubbing her thumb against the smoothness of her skin. She leaned in and rested her forehead against Tina's. Tears were silently falling from their eyes. Time seemed to stand still, neither one knowing how long it would last.

Tina broke her long silence and softly whispered.

"I've never stopped loving you."

A sudden intake of breath followed. Tina felt Bette's body stiffen and felt her hot tears fall against her chest. Bette's crying was so silent you almost couldn't hear her, but Tina knew; she felt Bette tremble against her body.  

"With all my heart."

Bette opened her eyes and stared straight into Tina's.

"I'm still yours."

Tina's eyes were alive and sparkling. She was smiling. The look. That look. Bette knew. She saw it. Her heart was soaring. The emptiness she had felt was leaving her. The love she once had felt was finding its way back in. They were home. They were back. They were together.

As if she knew what she was thinking, Tina looked into Bette's eyes, speaking softly.

"Always and forever".

And with one silent breath Tina leaned in and whispered.

"Come here".

THE END