Tina turned around and couldnt help the squeal that escaped her throat. Alice!!! She started to run towards the woman she had been so close to for so long, but whom she hadnt seen in years. However, before she reached her, Tina stopped in her tracks, seeing for the first time the other women, who were standing with Alice. Dana…Shane?!!!! Oh my God!!!

Tina started toward them again, her high heels clicking on the marble floor, her eyesight blurred with tears, and uncontrollable giggles escaping her throat. As she reached the three women, she launched herself into Alices arms, as she was the closest, but was immediately engulfed in a group hug, as Shane and Dana joined them. All four women were laughing and bouncing up and down with sheer glee, totally oblivious to the looks they were getting from the guests who had started to arrive. I cant believe you are all here! You have no idea how much Ive missed you over the years. Tina could barely get the words out through her excitement.

Tina…my God you look fabulous! Alice couldnt help her own tears from falling, she was so happy to see her good friend again. As she let go of Tina she exclaimed, Dang Girl, if this is what your complection looks like after living in Seattle, maybe I need to buy a little getaway up there for myself!

Tina laughed and playfully pinched Alices cheek. Forget it Al…you dont need it. You are absolutely glowing with that California tan of yours!

She turned to Dana, and leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Dana…God, you look incredible! Returning Tinas kiss, Dana gushed, Thanks Tina…its so good to see you.

This is such a wonderful surprise, Tina still couldnt believe this amazing gift that Bette had given her. She let go of Dana just enough to look her up and down. Good God Dana, they should put your picture on the cover of the tour guide book for California. You are the epitome of the healthy, tan, and gorgeous California woman! People would be falling all over themselves to vacation in a place where they might meet you, or have a chance to look like you!

Both women giggled, Dana rolling her eyes and shrugging her shoulders in an ah shucks kind of look. She let out a little scoff. Well, I dont know about that, but I do have to continuously work out, so I can still be competitive on the doubles tour. Tina leaned in and whispered, Well, its working! Dana, always the shy one, just looked down at the floor. Thanks Tina.

Tina then allowed her body to ease into the embrace of the woman who would always have a special place in her heart. Not only had Shane been so supportive after Tina and Bette broke up, but she was the one who had given her one of her most treasured possessions. Shane, she whispered as she felt two strong arms wrapping her up, making her feel safe and protected. I dont know what to say…how to tell you how much it means to me that you are here.

Are you kidding, Tina? I wouldnt have miss this for the world. Shane reached out and gently held Tinas locket in her hand. I know that you and Bette have both been happy with other people, and that so much good came from those relationships, but… She softly laid the locket back on Tinas chest, rubbing it one last time with her fingers… the two of you together again, is like a dream come true, for all of us.

Tinas eyes filled will tears again, remembering back to the day that Shane had given her the beautiful locket. It was fourteen years and nine months ago, and it was Shane and Janeys wedding day. Tina had to smile at the memory of Shane, West Hollywoods resident Casanova, agreeing to marry Janey after only dating for a couple of months. The group of friends had all been in shock that she agreed so soon, and Tina had to admit that at first, she thought they should wait a little longer, even though they all adored Janey, and loved how Shane was when they were together.

It was just that they had all seen it happen with so many friends before…you meet someone, feel an mutual attraction, and start dating…only its really not dating. With so many lesbians, there is no testing of the water to see if the temperature is just right. They have a tendency to jump in first, and then cant understand why the temperature is not what they wanted it to be. With lesbians, they get so excited about actually meeting someone where there is a mutual attraction, that they consider themselves off the market, after the second date. They then move in together so quickly, without truly taking the time to get to know what each other is like after the head spinning, stomach churning phase wears off, that they are totally confused as to why they arent happy a year or two down the road, when they find themselves wondering, what am I doing in this relationship…we have absolutely nothing in common!!

Tina didnt know why so many lesbians felt the need to move so deeply into a relationship so quickly. Maybe it was because there was a smaller pool to choose from, and it was so much harder to meet someone. As a straight person, your chances of meeting a potential partner at any given moment are much greater than they are for a *****… well, she smiled to herself, unless of course, you take into consideration art galleries. She chuckled, thinking how lucky art galleries had been for her. Maybe it was because women are much more nurturing than men, so when you get two of them together, their nesting instincts just take over and pull them along at a breakneck speed.

Tina smiled into Shanes eyes, again grateful that she and Janey had beaten the odds, and that they were still together and very much in love, even after all these years. She also thought back to their ceremony, remembering that it was the last time she had been together with these three women. They had all been there together…well, all but Bette……..

Bette had apologized profusely to Shane, telling her she had to fly to London for a meeting with an artist that she just couldnt get out of. However, Shane knew the real reason for Bettes absence was really because she didnt want to cause Tina any further heart ache by being there. That, and the fact that Bette didnt think she could handle watching one of their close friends make a lifetime commitment to someone, with her and Tina being in the same room, but not together. Bette knew she would lose any amount of progress she had made in those first three months away from her beautiful ex-lover, if she had to sit and watch her, while Tina was watching Shane and Janey profess their love for each other. Bette knew she did not possess enough strength to handle that scene. Besides, Tina had been very clear about not wanting Bette to know about her life, so Bette respected her enough to stay away…and Shane respected Bette, and understood her pain enough to let her think that she believed her excuse.




Bette just stood quietly watching the scene unfold in front of her. This had been the hardest secret of all to keep from Tina. She knew how much these women meant to her partner, and even though they had somewhat kept in touch over the years, Bette knew that Tina was craving their company, hoping these women would forgive her for her absence from their lives.

As Bette watched, she suddenly felt a profound sense of sadness and fear go through her body. What the ***** is that? she questioned. There shouldnt be any negative feelings about tonight. This is supposed to be a happy and festive reunion for them all. Yet, try as she might, Bette couldnt shake the fear coursing through her body, as she watched the four women in front of her reconnecting.

She wondered when the last time was that the five of them were all together like this…she closed her eyes. Oh God…it was the night of Provocations. She remembered back to the night that was supposed to be the crowning achievement of her career up to that point. Instead, it had marked the violent and heartbreaking end of her relationship with Tina…and had changed all their lives forever.

Bette thought about the gallery…about Victoria running the gallery for her…about why she was digging her heels in so deep when it came to moving out to Seattle. And, as Bette watched the four friends continuing to hug and laugh and cry together, she started to understand…she was afraid…she was terrified that no matter how much she had changed over the years, that the last time she was Tina Kennards partner, she had been both her best self and most definitely her worst. What if she became that latter person again? What if…….Bette knew that no matter what, she loved Tina with all her heart, wanted to be with her night and day…but, Bette was also starting to realize that she was feeling some resentment in having to leave her life in New York, and that scared her to death. Would her resentment bring out all those bad, horrible qualities that had destroyed them in the first place? Please God….NO!!!!!

Hey Bette…Baby, come join us! Tinas happy voice brought Bette out of her reverie. She put on, what she hoped was a warm and inviting smile, and started towards the group. However, she didnt get the smile on her face quite fast enough, because Tina had noticed the faraway look…and also noticed the fear. Whats going on with her? But, before she could think about it anymore, Bette had joined their little circle and was hugging their friends.

They all stood there for a moment, arms wrapped around each other, standing in a circle…no one saying a word, all feeling a bit overwhelmed by the intense reconnecting that was taking place, just by holding each other. Finally, Alice started to speak, slowly and softly, tears forming once again in the corners of her eyes. Thank you Bette. Thank you for finally bringing my core four back to me.

Bette looked at Alice with confusion. Your core four?

Alice smiled. You, Tina, Shane and Dana…my core four…my group of friends who know me to my very core…my four friends who will be with me for life, no matter what. So many things change during our lifetime, jobs, homes, partners…lots of people coming into and out of our lives…but from the moment that Dana came into our group and completed us…I have known that you would always be my core four…So, thank you for bringing us together again.

Bette looked at Alice, smiling and crying at the same time. I love you too Alice, and I am proud to part of your core group. Then she arched her eyebrow. And thanks for not breaking down and calling Tina! I know your fingers were itching to dial her number and tell her all about tonight!!

Alice put her hand to her chest is mock indignation. Hey, watch it Porter…I resemble that remark! They all shared in the laughter, all feeling even closer after Alices tender revelation.

~ ~ ~

Bette and Milaine stood on the stage that had been erected for the band, and looked out at the several hundred people milling around…some eating, others dancing, lots of different conversations being shared…all enjoying themselves at their favorite party of the year. For so many years, it was the three of them together on the stage, ready to make the all important toast as a family. Bette felt a twinge of sadness at Nicas absence, but then looked down and saw Tinas loving smile caressing her, as she stood next to the stage, with her three children beside her. Bette smiled back at her, feeling a rush of warmth surround her heart, as she held onto the microphone and took a deep breath.

In her ***** alto voice, she said. May I have your attention. The crowd quieted somewhat, but it wasnt until she repeated herself for a second time that they stopped what they were doing and gave all their attention to their hostess.

I cant believe that the time is going by so fast this evening. It is already fifteen minutes until midnight, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for coming…for choosing to share your celebration with my family.

She stopped for a moment, looking again at Tina. And at that moment, Bette could feel all her fear retreating to the back of her mind…at least for now. This night was about introducing them as a couple, and any fear that Bette was harboring was just going to have to take a back seat to the endless amounts of love she knew that she and Tina shared with each other.

She continued in a voice laced with love and tenderness. I have been extraordinarily lucky in my life to have experienced true love not only once, but twice. The first time was twenty-two years ago, when during an opening night at my gallery in LA, a woman was introduced to me. As I heard her name, she smiled at me…and in that instant, I knew my life would be forever changed. We had seven wonderful years together, before unfortunate circumstances caused us to part. It was the loss of that relationship that brought me to New York, where the fates smiled on me once again, and brought Veronica Thompson into my life.

The crowd nodded and smiled, both surprised and mesmerized by the loving words coming out of the mouth of their gorgeous and articulate friend/colleague. It wasnt Bettes openness that surprised them, it was what she was saying that caught them off guard, as most of the people in attendance didnt know about Bettes personal life before she had moved to New York. With a few exceptions, most of the crowd only knew Bette with Nica.

Bette stopped for a moment and looked up at the far wall, not focusing on anything. As most of you know, Nica and I were very happy here in New York. Both her and our daughter, Milaine were instrumental in opening this gallery. Their little touches are still all around. She laughed and squeezed Milaines hand. In fact, I think if you look close, you can still see Milaines hand and foot prints in places you wouldnt expect, as she was very curious during the whole construction process! Bette turned to Milaine and kissed both her cheeks, as she heard the desired laughter filtering up from the crowd. Turning back to the microphone, she smiled. Nica loved these New Years Eve parties…always looked forward to having everyone she loved all in one room. Bette hesitated, her voice catching just a bit. I know she is looking down on us tonight, rejoicing in the fact that we are all together once again.

Bette stopped again, thinking she better wrap this up, or the midnight bells will be tolling before she finished!

After Nicas death, I had resigned myself to the fact that I had already used up my love quota for one lifetime. But I was Ok with that, because I have so many memories from my two great loves to take with me through my life……………..however, the fates had different plans for me.

Again Bette stopped and looked down at Tina, this time her eyes filled with tears. A little over four months ago, once again a woman walked into my gallery and smiled at me…and just like twenty-two years earlier, I knew in that instant that my life would never be the same. Bette’s face was overflowing with love as she gazed into Tinas eyes.

It was twenty-two years later…the same woman…the same reaction. Bette reached her hand down for Tina to take hold of, and helped her step up onto the stage.

Id like you to welcome the woman who captured my heart…twice…my partner, my love, Tina Kennard.