Chapter 15

 Tina had gotten the answer she wanted. It had been a long time coming and in her heart she felt loving Bette and marrying her, spending the rest of their days together was all she ever wanted. That evening after she proposed Tina took Bette in her arms. She expressed how much love she felt for her, how much love she had always felt. And Bette drank it all in. For the first time in their relationship, Bette wasn’t calling the shots. The tables had turned and it felt right. It was Tina all along that had to be the strong one. The one who had lost trust, though she never lost love she in the process found herself. She found the strength to trust again. Allowing everything to wash away and just stay in the moment. In just a few hours she and Bette would be leaving Italy. Going back to the one place she had for the most part of nine years been the happiest. If Doctor Chambers gave Bette the go ahead, they were finally going home. Bette sat with great anticipation in Doctor Chamber’s office. She was fidgeting like a little child. Tina held her hand squeezing it ever now and then. Finally when she could hardly take any more waiting, the good Doctor walked in.

“Good-morning ladies, she smiled at Bette and Tina as she took her seat. She fumbled a second with some papers. And then casually she said, “Well Miss Porter, I see no reason for you to stay here in Italy any longer.” She grinned at Bette, “Unless you just want to of course.”

 Bette’s smile could have lit up the entire country. “Well, with all due respect Doctor, Bette said eagerly. “I’m ready to go home.”

 Tina kissed her hand as they stood thanking Doctor Chamber’s. “You have a safe trip back to the states. I’ll be checking in on you once your home.”

 “Thank you,” Bette said. “Thanks for everything.” And after a few more minutes of pleasantry’s they left the office.

 Tina and Bette were extremely happy to finally be going home. But, as they stood in front of the villa saying their goodbyes to Maria, Anthony and their children, a little sadness immersed. They had invited Maria and Anthony to their wedding and without hesitation they graciously accepted. Maria had even suggested she come a few days before, to help Tina prepare things. And with Maria’s help, Tina knew things would run smooth. The taxi arrived around ten am and in less then an hour the girls were on their flight home. Tina read Bette’s poetry book, while Bette rested. She had called Kit just before their take off. And she and Angelica were at home anxiously waiting for them to arrive. Kit wanted so badly to tell the girls there was going to be a wedding, but Tina made her promise not to say a word. She wanted everyone to hear it form them. So, zipping her lip and gritting her teeth, Kit promised. Bette seemed to be handling the flight just fine. Though she still couldn’t completely remember everything that had happen, bits and pieces would come back in flashes. While she lay sleeping, her dreams became rattled with imagines that felt real. Doctor Chambers had explained to her that ever person with a brain injury experiences things differently. That she may or may not ever get back everything that had happened up to that point. However, Bette being the fighter she is was determined to remember it all. Tina held Bette’s had and gazed at the ring on her finger. Bette stirred then looked up at her.