Lost – part 10

Tina hiked down the mountain with a much lighter heart than she had ascended with. She knew what she wanted, and the clarity buoyed her spirits. She and Bette had a long road ahead of them, but at least they would be traveling it together.

It was too late, and she was too tired, to drive back to LA that evening, so Tina settled into the historic B&B for the night. The room was truly charming, decorated with comfortable Victorian-era antiques. The bathroom was spectacular: it boasted a roomy old-fashioned tub in the center, with a modern shower in the corner. As she relaxed in a tub full of warm water, Tina smiled at the thought of a sharing a romantic bubble bath here with Bette. Mmmm

As comfortable as the surroundings were, and as weary as Tina felt, she slept fitfully. By 1 oclock, she was wide awake again and anxious to return to LA. Having settled her bill the previous evening, Tina quietly left her key and a note on the dining room table downstairs. She promised to return, and thanked the owners for their hospitality. Silently closing the heavy oak door, Tina emerged into the cool high desert night and started her journey home.

Traffic was nonexistent through the mountains, and light down the San Fernando Valley and into LA. Tina pulled into her driveway a little before eight. She hesitated on the front step, not quite sure what she would find inside. She knew Bette was home because her car was under the car port, but who knew her state of mind. With a deep breath, Tina unlocked the front door and entered. All was quiet. She slipped off her shoes and silently made her way down the hall to the bedroom.

The sight she beheld when she looked through the doorway made her heart stop with tenderness. There lay Bette curled up on Tinas side of the bed, wearing one of Tinas pajama tops. Her laptop occupied the other side of the bed, so Tina gently picked it up to set it on a bedside table. As she lifted the computer, Tina accidentally activated the touch pad, waking the machine from its sleep mode. She was surprised to see a simple Word document appear instead of the spreadsheets and graphics programs Bette usually worked with. With almost idle curiosity, Tina started to read the screen.

She was soon engrossed in what she found. Lowering herself into the chair by the window, Tina scrolled to the top of the document and began reading again. As she came to the end of the journal entry, Tina felt tears fall from her chin. She hadnt realized shed been weeping, but in that moment knew that she was crying for Bettes pain and for her own regret. She mourned the intimacy theyd missed, and the pain theyd caused one another this past year.

Setting aside the computer, carefully saving the document first, Tina approached the bed where Bette still slept. Her heart swelled as she observed how peacefully Bette slept. Stripping down to her skivvies, Tina crawled in beside her wife. Snuggling up behind Bette, who still slept like the dead, Tina finally relaxed. She was home.

After about thirty minutes, just as Tina was drifting off, Bette stirred. Murmuring, Tina, Bette snuggled into her wifes arms. As she woke further, it dawned on her that she couldnt possible be in Tinas arms, since Tina wasnt there, so she must have been dreaming. The thought brought tears to her eyes, which in turn fully woke her. It was then that she realized that the arm draped across her waist was real.

Tina? whispered Bette in disbelief. Carefully turning, she found herself looking into familiar eyes. Tina, she breathed in relief, in wonder, in love. They smiled at each other, happy to be together. Bette started to ask Tina where she had gone, what had happened, but Tina placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. Shh well talk later. Just know that I love you with all my heart, and I have no plans to leave you. Ever. With that, Tina brought her lips to Bettes, gently emphasizing her intentions to remain where she was, in every way.

Bette succumbed to Tinas will and setting aside her questions, she melted into her wifes kiss.