Chapter 18

Tina woke up and took a moment to take in her surroundings. She then looked to her right and found Bette lying beside her. She traced her fingertip along her girlfriend’s arm. It was soft to touch but looks strong. A smile crept on Tina’s face when Bette started to stir.

Bette felt Tina’s feather-like touch and her senses started to come alive. She opened her eyes and she was greeted by her girlfriend’s beautiful face. Bette has never felt so happy and at peace like she did right at this moment.

“G’morning, gorgeous!” Tina cooed.

“Morning, beautiful!” Bette replied.

Tina leaned over and gave Bette a light kiss on the lips. “I love you.” She whispered.

“I love you more. Come here.”

Tina scooted and fitted herself over Bette’s embrace. She felt so happy and secure.

“What do you want to do today, baby?” Bette asked Tina.

“Hmmm… I’m ok with anything as long as I get to spend today with you.” Tina replied taking Bette’s hand and placing a soft kiss on it.

“How about we eat breakfast then get some supplies and hang around the house. Does that sound ok?”

“That would’ve sounded boring if it came from somebody else but not when it comes from you.”

“Smooth talker.”

“I try.” Tina chuckled.

“How are you?” Bette asked Tina.

“I am great! I am happy, fulfilled, secure, in-love and hungry.”

“In that order?” Bette asked tickling Tina.

Tina was trying to shoo Bette’s tickling hand away. “Not necessarily.” Tina said while suppressing a laugh.

A tickling battle has ensued…

At the supermarket

“Babe, what do you want for lunch?” Tina asked Bette.

“Didn’t we just eat? I thought that was brunch already?”

“Ok. So what do you want for lunner?”

“What’s lunner?” Bette asked confused as to what Tina has just said.

“Lunch slash dinner, you wanted to be specific with the brunch thingy so I figured we’d be eating at a time when it is aptly called as “lunner”.” Tina gave Bette a wide smile.

“You’re really keeping that up huh? Sticking with that weird word of yours.” Bette chuckled.

“Yep. Look it up on the net, you’ll find a definition for it.”

“Whatever you say, honey. Salmon?”

“Salmon sounds great. Are you cooking, good looking?” Tina was already laughing.

Bette looked at Tina while trying to suppress a laugh. “Not funny but I’ll take it. I’ll cook, smooth talker.”

Back at Bette’s house

Bette was busily preparing the food while Tina was on the table browsing the Internet when an IM popped up.

Jlerner329: hey! How are you?

“Uhm, babe. An IM from Jlerner329 came up.” Tina said.

Bette tensed up a bit before replying. “You can just close it. I can’t IM right now. I am being put to work by my girlfriend.”

Another message came up before Tina can do anything.

Jlerner329: you there? I just wanted to tell you that I am going back to the US. I got a job in LA. I’ll see you around!

**Jlerner329 signs off**

“She signed off.” Tina told Bette.

“Oh, ok.”

“That was before she said that she’s going back to the US and got a job here in LA.”

And then there was silence.