Dana opened her front door after hearing the doorbell ring, it was Alice, standing before her in one of her quirky cute “Alice” outfits. She always looks cute, Dana thought. Alice had the same opinion of Dana. She thought that Dana could be her sexiest with her hair messed up, having just sweated out for 3 hours on the tennis court. They kissed hello and got in Alice’s car to drive to the Planet for their ‘coming out’ of sorts to their friends. Dana likened it to facing the firing squad, but Alice did her best to put Dana’s mind at ease.

Alice: Stop worrying okay… God!

Dana: I can’t help it, I just don’t know how they’ll react, it’s weird.

Alice: Oh, so being with me is weird now huh?

Dana: Of course not…

Dana slid her hand onto Alice’s thigh as she drove, slightly distracting her.

At the Planet, Shane was already waiting, on her second coffee for the afternoon. In walked Tina and Bette, Shane smiled at seeing them together again. They had just returned from a session with Dan Foxworthy as they try to piece back the shards of their shattered relationship. While it was going to be hard, it was not impossible. Marriages always have problems, and the dynamics of Bette and Tina’s union was not immune from the everyday struggles, yes even infidelity. After all, there is never just one person at fault, there are a lot of underlying factors that lead up to a shattering event such as this. And Bette and Tina were willing to examine these factors and try to work things out. They loved each other, through everything they endured, and couldn’t imagine being apart.

Shane: Hey guys, good to see ya.

Bette: Hey Shane, you look like *****.

Shane: Thanks, yeah too much coffee, not enough sleep and not enough ***** will do that to a gal.

Bette softly stroked Shane’s arm as she spoke.

Bette: You should come by more often, I’ve… we’ve missed seeing you.

Tina: Yeah, we would never want to lose our friends, ever.

Shane: It’s cool guys, I’m just winding down ya know.

Bette: I understand, it’s been kinda crazy.

Shane: Yeah, now I’m wondering why we’ve been summoned here. Wonder what else has gone wrong.

Tina: Don’t worry Shane, I’m sure its good news for once.

Bette gave a sideways glance to Tina.

Bette: You know don’t you.

Tina couldn’t hide her knowing expression, although she tried to play dumb. Sipping her tea.

Tina: Know what?

Bette: Kennard, don’t even try it.

Shane: Yeah, you never were too good at a poker face.

Tina: I promised I wouldn’t tell.

Bette & Shane: Tell what?

Alice parked her car and they sat there for a moment to gather themselves.

Dana: So we’re really gonna do this huh?

Alice: Yep, no point trying to get out of it now Miss Dee.

Dana: Why do I feel like I’ve been sent to the principals office?

Alice: Because you’re a naughty girl and you need a spanking.

Dana: Al! I’m serious, look at me!

Dana held up her hands, true, she was shaking like a leaf. Alice took her hands and kissed each one. She looked into Dana’s eyes and moved in to kiss her lips.

Alice: We’ll be fine, this is great news we’re about to tell them, they’ll be so happy for us. And believe me, with all the ***** that’s gone down lately, good news is just what they need. So trust me… let’s go.

Dana smiled awkwardly and kissed Alice once more before they got out of the car.

Dana: So wait, how are we gonna do this, who is gonna say it?

Alice: We’ll play it by ear, see how things go.

Alice smiled at Dana as they walked to the door, Dana opened it for her. Alice quickly grabbed her hand and dragged her in, not letting go, figuring this was as good a way as any to start.

Dana: Alice! What are you doing?

Alice: Ummm holding your hand, I told you I would.

Dana: But…

Alice: Shhh behave, or no spanking!

Dana laughed as they got closer to the table, the gang hadn’t noticed them yet. Dana felt like she was walking the green mile… “Dead Goofy ***** Tennis Star Walking!” she thought to herself as she felt her face start to blush with each step.

Shane: Well well… looky what we have here.

Shane looked up and down at Alice and Dana as they approached, she noticed they were holding hands. Shane raised her eyebrows to their direction, causing Bette and Tina to turn around and look.

Bette: Oh my… is that what I think…

Tina stood up and hugged them both, smiling brightly and giggling as she heard the reaction of the others.

Tina: Hi guys, great to see you, sit sit!

Bette and Shane’s eyes were alight as they fed off the glow radiating from Alice and Dana. Alice was grinning madly, Dana was overcome with embarassment, she could barely make eye contact with Shane or Bette. Alice rubbed Dana’s knee in comfort.

Alice: Dana, it’s okay, really, they haven’t exploded… yet.

Dana gave Alice a glare as she glanced at Shane and Bette quickly.

Shane: Well hey there Miss Dana… what have YOU been up to?

Bette: I think we KNOW what…

Dana shifted nervously in her seat, Alice held her hand and squeezed it as she spoke.

Alice: Guys, go easy on her, this is all pretty surreal I guess.

Bette: You could say that, when did this happen?

Shane: Yeah, and exactly WHAT happened?

Alice began explaining the events, with Dana nervously adding a few corrections, and everyone sat quietly taking it all in. Bette smiled at Dana to reassure her that it was all okay, to which Dana shyly smiled back. Alice finished her story and continued with her own comments.

Alice: So there you have it, Dana and I are giving this a try. It’s all very new, and maybe a lil scary, but we’ll see what happens. And well, we just wanted you to know because you’re our closest friends, and we love you all. So hopefully, now that you DO know, Dana can start to feel a little more relaxed about it, right hun?

Dana: Yuh-huh. What she said.

They all laughed softly, trying to put Dana at ease, congratulating them both.

Bette: I’m really happy for you both, I hope it all comes together for you.

Shane: Ditto, good job, kept that quiet long enough.

Shane gave Dana a playful jab on the arm, wiggling her eyebrows up and down at her.

Shane: Way to go Dane-nah!

Dana: Hehe Thanks.

Dana was becoming more at ease, knowing that they were all supportive.

Dana: We just didn’t want you to start treating us differently, ya know. We’re still Alice and Dana, not Danalice the sickly-sweet affection monster.

Tina: We know hun, it’s all good, we just want you to be happy and will support you both 100%.

Bette: It’s wonderful, it really is.

Shane: Seriously guys, congratulations.

Dana & Alice: Thanks!

They giggled, and Dana took a deep breathe and let out a huge sigh of relief.

Alice: See, I told you it wouldn’t be so bad.

Dana: I know, you were right.

Alice: Now… about that spanking…

Dana: Al!

The gals broke into laughter, watching the interaction.

Alice: Sorry, now where are we going for dinner, I’m starving.

Dana: I’ve got a few options in mind.

Alice: Okay, well do you wanna go now?

Dana: Sure, if you want to…

Shane: You two should come to Milk tonight after dinner, we can hang out a bit more. It’s been so long…

Bette: Sounds like fun, huh Tee?

Tina: Yeah, we could do that, will be good to just drink n dance the night away like we used to.

Bette: So what do you say Danalice?

Bette gave them a wink as the others giggled.

Alice: Sure, we’ll be there, right hun?

Dana: Absolutely! See you all later.

Hugs were exchanged all round and Alice and Dana left the Planet hand in hand.

Shane: So ***** cute.

Bette: Yeah, they really are.

Shane: Wonder if they’ve done it yet.

Tina: Don’t think so… I busted them making out last night.

Bette: Oh my… what did they do?

Tina: Well, Dana got all flustered and left.

Bette and Shane smiled at each other and spoke at the same time.

Bette & Shane: Shoulda tied her down.

All three laughed in agreeance, glad to have reconnected and looking forward to tonight.


~ to be continued ~