Chapter 15 

Bette was awaken by the feel of light touches on her face,  as she opened her eyes she saw the face of an angel a face that had been in her dreams for the last 4 weeks, the face that had occupied every free thought she has had in last  weeks.

Bette smiled as Tina continued to trace Bette’s eye brows, nose and mouth.

“Hey” Bette said looking into hazel eyes.

“Hey” Tina smiled

“What are you doing?” Bette asked

Tina shook her head as if to say nothing

“You’re so beautiful” Tina whispered

Bette smiled and pulled Tina closer, so now Tina was lying in Bette’s chest.

Bette was playing with Tina’s hair. They laid there for a while just enjoying the feel of each other.

“Tina, what are we doing?’

“I thought we were just relaxing” Tina smiled as she got up and rested her head on her hand, she looked at Bette

Bette looked at Tina, and Tina recognized that look the look that told her she was serious.

Tina fell back on her back on to the bed and looked at the ceiling.

“God Bette, I don’t know all I know is that I had to see you, I was lost, I was so mad at you how can you treat me that way, us, how could you just ignore what we have what we’ve shared” Tina was getting irate

Bette just laid there staring at the ceiling as tears started to fall. She knew everything Tina was saying was true and she knew that Tina had every right to be mad at her.

 Tina got up and started pacing Bette’s bedroom.

“I was so mad at you Bette, then I saw you and I forgot about all of the reasons I was mad, I was just so happy to see you”

Bette got up from the bed and walked over to Tina, grabbed her and held her in a tight embrace

“Tina, I’m sorry please believe me I freaked out I was scared, I just reacted I know it was all wrong but I was scared”

“Scared? Scared of what?” Tina asked

“Of you, of us, of the feelings I was having” Bette said

“Bette, it’s just me”

“It’s because it’s YOU that’s what scares me the most.

“Bette, what do you want to do? Do you want and pretend it never happened? Do you want to ignore what we’re feeling?”

Bette placed her forehead on Tina’s and placed her hands on Tina’s waist.

“I don’t think I can” Bette whispered

“Tina placed her hands on Bette’s face placed a gentle kiss on Bette’s lips.

“Good, because I KNOW I can’t”

Tina placed her hand behind Bette’s neck and drew her in for another kiss this time the kiss was full of passion need and want. Bette’s tongue played with Tina’s lips as Tina opened her mouth and let it in. They broke the kiss for the only reason they both needed to catch their breaths and breathe.

“Fuck Tina what you do to me” Bette managed to say.

Tina had now wrapped her arms around Bette’s waist and buried her face in Bette’s neck.

“Tina, we still need to talk” Bette said

“I know”

“Bette” Tina whispered into Bette’s neck

“mmm” was all Bette could say enjoying the feel of Tina’s warm breath on her neck.

“I’m hungry” Tina said as she pulled back and looked into Bette’s eyes.

Bette let out a laugh

“Ok, you want to eat here or do you want to go out? There’s this nice little café about a block away it’s not too cold today, we can walk and clear our heads a bit”

“Ok, that sounds good maybe we can walk around a bit, you’re always talking about how great New York is maybe you could show me around a bit”

“I would love too, give me 15 minutes to change and make myself look presentable”

“I think you’re gonna need more than 15 minutes for that, you need A LOT of work” Tina teased

“You’re so bad Tina, let me go get ready why don’t you look around I’ll give you a proper tour when we get back ok?”

“Sure” Tina said as Bette gave her a quick kiss on the lips and headed towards the bathroom.

Tina walked out of the master bedroom and walked around Bette’s apartment/ loft it was a great space it really was just two giant rooms the living area which Bette had decorated in neutral tones white couches, white walls that showcased Bette art collection Tina noticed a few pieces she had never seen before usually Bette would brag about her latest acquisitions. On one side of the room was a very small but modern looking kitchen with stainless steel appliances Tina let out a small chuckle she wondered if Bette even knew how to turn any of the gadgets on, since Tina knew Bette was pretty much useless in the kitchen.

On the other side of the room was a small desk and balcony doors, Tina opened the doors and walked out she wrapped her hands around herself since it was a chilly day in New York and walked out to the rail the view was amazing Tina could see for miles it was still early on a Saturday but New York was already in full swing. She stood there for a while lost in her own thoughts when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, Tina closed her eyes enjoying the sensation of Bette’s body pressed up against hers, it felt so right, to Tina it was where she belonged right here with Bette.

“I see you discovered my sanctuary” Bette said

“Bette, this view is amazing”

“I know that’s why I choose this place, I could have got something bigger, but I fell in love with this view, I like to come out here at night and enjoy the lights of the city and stare out into the sky, it relaxes me after a long day at work”

“I know what you mean, I’ve spent some time at the beach house and I’ve found it to be very relaxing I sit outside close my eyes and listen to the roar of the ocean, I forget about everything else around me”

“You’ve always loved the ocean even when you were younger, Kit and I had to practically drag you away”

“Come on grab your coat, let’s get some food in you” Bette tugged at Tina’s hand.

They walked down the street, both with their hands in their coat pockets, they were both quiet after a few minutes Bette finally broke the silence.

“You know I always pictured this”

“What?” Tina asked

“You here in New York with me, us walking the streets, me showing you all the great shops and the fantastic museums eating at all the great places”

“Yeah?”  Tina replied not looking up, a smile on her face.

“Yeah” Bette simply said

“You really like New York don’t you?” Tina asked feeling a little afraid of what Bette’s answer would be.

“I love New York, but”

“But, what?” Tina turned her face to look at Bette

Bette shrugged her shoulders.

“I guess I’ve always known New York was just a temporary place for me, it was where my career took me.  I’ve learned to love this city and I’ve learned so much just being here I just never pictured myself living here forever.” Bette paused

 “This place is not my home, my home is back in California, where my family, my friends, and you are, I know one day I’ll end up back home, its where I belong.”

Bette’s admission made Tina feel better, knowing that one day Bette would find her way back to California, one day Bette would be back to stay. That made Tina happy.

“Ok, were here”

Tina looked around the café had a very cozy feel, she could picture Bette enjoying coffee and a croissant here it was so her.