Chapter 100

“She’s completely out for the count “Bette reported when she came back into the living room after taking Angie to bed and reading to her for 20 minutes. It had been a good day – Angie loved having her grandparents around and being the center of attention was something that she had grown up with so she had naturally enjoyed her day.
“I checked my emails – the school’s heating has broken down so there will be no school for the rest of the week probably”
“I am sure she will handle that without too much upset“
“I might take her to see Bella tomorrow – maybe we can burn some energy off her tomorrow like we have today. What are you planning tomorrow?”
“Well I don’t imagine there will be much casual footfall but there has been an increase in email enquiries. So I might go in for a few hours and just work there – are you going to be okay with Angie?”
Tina smiled “I think we will be fine “
Tina let out a long yawn – Bette smiled and sat down beside her partner
“You okay?”
“I don’t feel pregnant if that’s what you are getting at?”
Bette smiled “Well it wasn’t what I meant but it’s not an unreasonable question”
“It’s too soon Bette”
“I know – I don’t think time has helped me become any more patient when it comes to you and being pregnant “
“I promise you – when I even suspect I will tell you – no delays “
Bette took Tina’s hand and kissed it
“I know “
Tina yawned again and laughed
“My folks got home safe – she rang me while you were reading to Angie “
“Once Thanksgiving is over next week we are going to have to start seriously making plans for the wedding and Christmas.” Bette said “And we have to decide what role your folks are going to take – how do you feel for instance about your dad giving you away?”
Tina looked over at Bette “Giving me away?”
Bette smiled at the tone of Tina’s voice “He mentioned it – he said how he had given up on the dream of walking his daughter down the aisle “
“I assume he was not talking about shit crazy Louise?”
“I think he was talking about his sane daughter “
Tina sighed “Well I have not thought about it but – I cannot say it’s something that I have thought about – being given away”
“I thought I would mention it – it’s something we are going to have to talk about. I want this to be the wedding that we want. No one else – I know everything is so new and fresh and fragile with your parents but this is our wedding – the only other person whose opinion I will even consider taking into account is our daughter”
Tina shook her head “I know you are right but mom was talking when we were walking in the Park about what I was going to wear “
“I hope she didn’t suggest white “
“She did – a nice white dress with something more formal and maybe a suit for you “
“Did you tell her what we wore when we got married in LA?”
“I did tell her you wore a white suit and looked stunning and I wore a dress”
“Maybe that’s how she sees us – me being the alpha in the suit “
“Well maybe that’s how we were back in the past – I don’t think you feel comfortable with that label now “
“No – no I don’t – what do you want to wear?”
“Well I do want to get married in a dress but not a white one – the weather is going to be considerably different this time – by about 25 degrees. Winter in New York is not the same as spring in LA”
Bette sighed “What is it about weddings that gives everyone the right to have an opinion? I have never had an opinion about other people’s weddings. When James got married he kept asking me about shirts and menus. I just didn’t have an opinion because it was there ceremony “
“So we have to decide what we want to wear – it’s up to me to organize all of this while you are working “
“We can both share the tasks – I want that. But your parents are an extra complication to our plans. They had both written off any chance of seeing their daughters getting married. They are going to spoil Angie at Christmas and her birthday because she is the grand-daughter they never thought they would have. I am delighted that they have taken so well to us as a couple and Angie but we do have to be aware that they are going to go crazy if we don’t just tell them that we are trying to bring her up differently. I know you will say that I spoil her “
“You do but like this morning when you took her outside in the snow to let her find out first hand that she needed to be well wrapped up. At first it was hard for you to discipline her but you are just the most awesome mom to her. She loves you and she respects you – that can only be good for her and for us”
“It’s hard to know when we have to put a line in the sand – maybe we have to let this Christmas and her birthday go because it is the first for them. 12 months ago they had no idea where I was and what I was doing “
Bette moved and put her arm around Tina – the blonde snuggled up to her and for a few gentle moments they kissed and enjoyed one another’s lips.
“Mm – now that tastes nice “
“It does – your lips always have and always will “
Bette stroked Tina’s long blonde hair and kissed her neck
“Good – really good “
Tina immediately began to want to make out with Bette. She wrapped her arms around the brunette as Bette continued to kiss her neck and work her way around the very sensitive skin. After several minutes Bette eased away and looked at Tina. They didn’t need words – Tina had started to breathe deeply.
“Fuck Bette – how the hell you can still turn me to mush so easily “
Bette smiled – she could always stand to hear remarks like that.
“I am just kissing you “she said trying to sound innocent
“You never JUST kiss me – you wouldn’t know how to JUST kiss me. You are so freaking good at it “
Bette smiled “And are you complaining or something?”
“I didn’t say that “Tina replied taking Bette’s hand and squeezing it “I am saying that you are incredibly good at kissing – I am so lucky “
“We both are – you and I are always going to be better and happier when we are together and us being together is good for all action Angie “
Tina laughed “I know kids change and grow at a different rate but hell Bette – she has totally changed in the last 12 months – she is so happy and so much surer of herself. You take the pressure off me which means I don’t yell at her as much. I couldn’t be happier with how she is progressing – your love has been so important”
“What about my love for you?” Bette said smiling “I hope that is important as well”
“Mind blowing – wonderful. I love you “
Bette lent forward and kissed Tina “And I love you as well “
Tina took Bette’s other hand and for a few minutes they just looked at one another.
“Fuck this – we are wasting time – lets go and run a long hot bath and then we can go to bed. We wasted too many years apart – I don’t want to waste any more time. Let’s go and fuck one another senseless. We can talk about the wedding another time “