Tina sat on the plane waiting for it to make its descent into LAX. Her mind had been wandering all day and she couldnt shake the fight she had with Bette the night before out of her head. Why is she so blind when it comes to her father? I guess its trueonce youre Daddys little girl youre stuck for life. Tina knew that Bette was just being protective of her father but it still irritated Tina that Bette would let him treat her that way. Tina also knew she had overreacted a little and felt dumb for picking a fight with Bette like that. We were supposed to be moving forward, meeting the parents etc. why did I let this come between us? Tina sighed to herself as she got off the plane. She felt tired and wanted to just go home and crawl into bed, but after glancing at her watch she decided that could wait. It was only a little past nine and Tina could use some good advice about how to handle Bette. She grabbed her suitcase from the luggage carousel and headed outside to her car. She got in and dug through her bag to find her cell phone. She quickly dialed Alices number and after telling Alice what happened she agreed to meet Tina for drinks. Twenty minutes later they were seated at a small pub just outside LA and Alice was giving Tina some advice about how to deal with Bettes quirks.

So what happened again?

Well, we went to meet her father and after he treated me like ***** I went upstairs while she finished having drinks with him. She came up a little while later and we proceeded to yell at each other for stupid things. I told her he was close-minded and she said well at least you met my father. I think shes going to hold it against me that I havent introduced her to my family yet.

Alice was laughing at Tinas predicament and it was making Tina slightly annoyed. She gave Alice an impatient look and Alice finally regained control of herself and tried to explain to Tina how Bettes mind works when it comes to her father.

Look Tina, there is one thing you have to understand about Bette Porter. She may be hot ***** when it comes to work and handling her own life, but when it comes to her fatherwellshe is and will always be a daddys girl. Everyone has their Achilles heel Tina, and you just found hers. Her father is the one weakness she will always have and no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to come between them. She just values his opinion too much and she works so damn hard to make him proud. Its a flaw I know, but it just comes with who she is.

I dont get it Alice. I mean Bette is such an amazing person, why does she feel like she needs validation in life? She is a grown woman for crying out loudI cant believe she needs the approval of her father to make herself feel good.

Its like Skinners theory on conditioning. Bette has been conditioned all her life to believe that his praise is the ultimate goal, so its kind of become an involuntary reaction. Positive action results in positive reinforcement, negative action results in negative reinforcement. Its simple psychology. But somewhere along the line Bette has learned to fear the negative reinforcement, thus making her work even harder to gain the positive one. Skinners theory on operant conditioning.

Since when did you become the know it all psychologist? I thought you were a Lit major in college.

I wasbut after dealing with Bette after all these years its just one of those things I learned.

Tina laughed at Alices last statement. She made Bette sound like a science experiment gone wrong and Tina couldnt help but see the humor in Alices metaphor.

Seriously though Tina, I meant what I said about Bette and her father. He is the one person in her life who she will always put on a pedestal. I dont get it, but I get why she does it. Shes the type of person who is always striving for perfection. And if you are constantly striving for something, you need something to measure it against. He is her bar. He is the ruler by which she measures her accomplishments in life. So dont take it personally if she doesnt defend you to him or if it seems like she is brushing you off when hes around. Bette was taught a lot of things when she was growing up, but managing emotions was not one of them. So go easy on her.

But you dont understand Alice. I mean he was going on and on about some lawyer in his firm who would be perfect for Bette. I mean did he not understand we are in love?

He understands but he wont ever admit it. Melvin Porter is as old fashioned and bigoted as they come. He lives in a black and white world where men and women marry and have babies. He doesnt understand the gray areas.

I wonder how he dealt with it when Bette told him she was ***** then?

Oh thats a whole other story. Bette told him one day in collegeover the phone. She didnt even have the guts to tell him to his face. Anywaysapparently he didnt take it so well and Bette supposedly spent like three days crying because he wouldnt talk to her. Bullshit right? Yeah thats what I thought until I asked Kit about it and she said it was true. Bette even went so far as to call her and ask for advice. You know it was bad then.

Wow. I never thought she would break down over something like that. It kind of makes sense though.

How so?

Well Bette is such an over focused perfectionist that anything not going according to plan must kill her inside. I do feel kind of bad though.

Why?

I was kind of mean to her when we were in Philly. I guess I was just reacting to her NOT reacting about the situation. And she was kind of right.

About what, not meeting your parents? Dont let Bette push you into doing anything you dont want to do. If youre not ready to have them meet her then just tell her so. Dont let her control your life.

I know, but I do want her to meet them, its just that I havent exactly told my mom that I was seeing a woman. I told her I was dating someone and that it was serious, I just kind of left that part out.

Tina gave Alice a sheepish smile and Alice looked at her and playfully shook her head. Tina knew that Alice understood why she hadnt told her mom yet about Bette, but Tina also knew it was something she would have to do sooner or later. Tina looked at her watch again and saw that it was almost eleven oclock so she decided to head home. She thanked Alice for listening to her and for the advice before getting into her car and taking off. Fifteen minutes later she arrived home and grudgingly got her suitcase out of her trunk and walked to her door. She opened the door and when she got inside she was speechless.

There were rose petals all over the house and candles that looked like they had been lit for hours. There was soft music playing from the stereo and a bottle of wine on the table. Tina felt her heart melt as she took in the sight of Bette passed out on her couch. Oh no, she was waiting for me the whole time? Tina felt tears form in her eyes when she realized that Bette wasnt upset with her and that it had just been one of those kinds of fights that ends before it even really begins. Tina set her stuff down and quietly moved over to where Bette was sleeping. Tina gently bent down and placed a soft kiss on Bettes lips before lightly stroking her face and whispering into her ear.

Baby wake up. Bettesweetheartwake up Im home.

Bette didnt stir and Tina smiled to herself knowing this was a good opportunity to surprise Bette so she leaned down and gently started kissing her jaw and neck. Bette was lying on her back so Tina took the chance and slowly moved so that she was straddling Bettes hips. She was careful not to put any pressure on Bette so that she didnt wake up and Tina leaned down and continued what she was doing. After a few minutes Bette finally woke up and when she spoke her voice was rough from sleep.

Tina? Where were you? Ive been waiting here foreverI just wanted to say Im sorry for last night. I know

Bette was cut off by Tina gently putting her mouth over Bettes. Bette was still half asleep and still very much in shock by Tinas presence and she softly moaned as Tinas hands wandered down her body. Bette gently pushed Tina away so that she could sit up and when Tina finally moved off of her Bette sat herself up and looked into Tinas eyes.

Baby Im sorry for what I said back at the hotel. Its just that hes my father and thats just how he is. Hes been like that my whole life and I know you dont understand but he really does mean a lot to me.

I understand Bette.

Bette looked at Tina and saw the love and patience in her eyes. She is so amazing, how does she do it? How does she put up with me? Bette reached out and pulled Tina gently towards her. Bette placed her hand on the back of Tinas head and slowly pulled her in for a kiss. Tina felt the worry and anguish disappear from Bettes kiss and Tina smiled knowing that Bette had surrendered to her feelings. Tina pulled back slowly and looked Bette in the eye.

Baby you dont have to explain. I understand how much parents can influence your life and how hard it is to succeed in their eyes. It makes me proud to know that you have fought so hard and are such a success in his eyes. And Im sorry about what I said too. I didnt mean to accuse you of not seeing him how I do because I know you never will. It just made me a little uncomfortable how he was acting around us and I dont want you to think I dont like him. I may not right now but that doesnt mean that Ill never learn to.

Tina smiled and leaned in for another kiss. When they broke apart she had a smile on her face and a mischievous gleam in her eye.

I meant what I said about knowing where you get your stubbornness from though. But I also see where you get your drive and your pride and those things make me love you even more. For better or worse hes your father and he made you who you are today: the woman that I fell in love with. So in my book that makes him alright.

Bette laughed as she wrapped her arms around Tina. They had survived their first real fight and Bette was glad that it was behind them. She didnt know what other twists and turns the future held for them but she knew one thing for sure, there was nothing they couldnt get through together. Bette held Tina for a few minutes before softly talking to her.

Baby

Yeah?

When do you think we will tell your mother? And your sister? I mean I understand that you are still kind of adjusting to everything, but I just dont want to feel like Im being left out of an important part of your life.

Tina frowned slightly knowing that Bette had a point. No matter how upset Tina had gotten over meeting Melvin, at least Bette had the courage to introduce them. And she did it knowing that her father didnt approve of her lifestyle. Tina sighed as she thought about the conversation she would have with her mom. Tina turned and looked at Bette, searching for the strength and security she always found in Bette. She smiled when she saw the timid look in Bettes eyes and she quickly dissipated any fears Bette might have about Tina never sharing her relationship with Bette to her mother.

Soon babe. Well go visit her and well tell her soon.

Bette smiled and kissed the top of Tinas head. She took in everything about that moment and she knew that she wanted this feeling to last forever. They sat there for hours just talking and when Tina finally told Bette about her conversation with Alice Bette became extremely flustered and threatened to call Alice and chew her out. Tina laughed as Bette playfully pretended to be hurt by Tina going to her ex to get information on her but when Tina pulled her upstairs Bettes anger quickly turned to passion and Tina made her forget all about being mad at Alice. They spent all night and all morning making love and when Tina finally fell asleep shortly after five in the morning she knew that Bette was officially part of her life and she was now ready to share her with the world.