They continued to hold each other on the couch after the movie was over until Bette shifted slightly and asked shyly, “Tina…umm…what those girls were doing…in bed…is this how it…should be?”

Tina felt a rush of heat moving through her body when she replied just as shyly, “I…don’t really know Bette.” She squeezed Bette’s hand gently and finished quietly, “I have never been with a woman…before.”

Bette moved her body slightly so she could face Tina and looked at her skeptically.

‘Oh no,’ Tina thought frantically, ‘She doesn’t believe me and she’s going to run. She’s already pulling away from me.”

Suddenly, Bette smiled widely and enveloped her strong arms around Tina, hugging her as tight as she could. She inhaled Tina’s scent again, amazed at how such a little thing could make her feel intoxicated and relaxed at the same time.

She brushed her lips over Tina’s ear and whispered, “Thank you.”

“What for?” Tina asked, a little confused at Bette’s reaction.

“I don’t know,” Bette laughed softly, “Just thank you.”

“Are you laughing at me?” Tina asked, powerless to let go of their embrace.

“No, Tina…I’m actually happy, if you can imagine,” Bette answered, thinking about what Tina said before. She also thought about this morning when Tina told her that she wanted Bette to be her first, last and forever. At that time Bette didn’t fully understand what these words meant…not until now. Tina’s confession finally made the ‘first, last and forever’ statement very meaningful. And for the first time since Tina shared all that dreadful new with her Bette felt hope and glimpse of happiness.

“I’m happy that you’re happy,” Tina kissed Bette’s on a cheek and said with regret, “I have to make us something to eat before we starve ourselves to death.”

“Do you need my help?” Bette asked, immediately missing Tina’s body and her arms around her.

“No, I love to cook for you. You just rest or watch something else. It will take me about an hour or so,” Tina gave Bette one final kiss and went to the kitchen.

Bette fumbled through Tina’s movie collection and found a tape with a handwritten title on it.