A gentle breeze floated through the air and crickets chirped melodically from all directions. It was a perfect indian summer evening, rather, early morning, when Tina and Bette returned home from Milk. Bette walked over to the passenger side of the car to open the door for Tina. Normally, Tina wasnt much into the chivalry stuff, but tonight it seemed nice, and she appreciated Bettes gestures. She smiled a thank you. As she stepped out of the car, she glanced up at the faade of the house. Slowly, it was beginning to feel like home again. She closed her eyes momentarily, breathing in the air as a breeze rustled through the leaves of the nearby shrubs. She felt soft, familiar fingers trace along her jawline and opened her eyes to see Bette, her eyes full of nothing but pure happiness and love.

“You look absolutely beautiful tonight Tina.” She said in a low voice, continuing to lightly caress Tinas soft cheek. Tina blushed, glancing down at her silky green blouse, jeans, and pointy black stilettos.

“Oh, thanks. I didnt really get too fancy, but I did think that you might like shoes.”

“No, Im not talking about the clothes Tina, Im talking about youYOU look beautiful.” Bette moved her head to recapture Tinas gaze, before leaning in, lightly brushing her lips against Tinas. Both of the womens pulses quickened at the gentle, momentary contact. Tinas blush deepened and she smiled sheepishly.

Bette laughed softly, pulling her into a hug.
“You are too modest T, I really wish you knew how amazing you are. Come on, lets go inside.”

Once in the living room, Tina saw the remnants of their earlier afternoon together. The wine glasses on the coffee table, some cds scattered nearby. Bette politely took her coat, hanging it in the nearby closet.

“Want some thing to eat or drink? Theres still some of that Chardonnay left over from earlier.” Bette asked.

“Yea, sure.” Tina answered a bit absent mindedly. At the moment she was distracted by a surprising sense of nervousness, and it caught her off guard. Her heart was thudding heavily, and she felt slight perspiration on her brow. She sat on the couch, waiting for Bette to return from the kitchen, twiddling her thumbs. She took off her shoes and squished her toes into the carpet hoping to relive some of her tension. A few minutes later Bette sat down next to her, handing her a frosty glass.

“I made sure to put away the mail this time.” Bette smiled, elbowing Tina lightly in the side. Tina rolled her eyes, and couldnt help but crack a small smile. She partly smiled because she knew that although she might not let on, Bette was just as nervous as she was right now. Tina took a sip of the cool wine, then leaned over, resting her head on Bettes shoulder. Bette closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of Tinas soft hair, a mix of floral and citrus.

She smiled inwardly, realizing that it was these little things that she had been missing the most. The smell of Tinas hair, the sound of her breathing when she slept, even the serious, intense look she got on her face when she did chores around the house. Bette had not realized how much she loved these little nuances, and how much she would miss them until Tina had walked out. To have her back in her arms now felt like she had been given the greatest gift in the world, it was like a chance at new life.

Slowly, Bette guided Tinas face to hers. The look in Bettes loving eyes immediately eased the fears and reservations that Tina had been feeling, and she closed her eyes, moving in towards Bette. Bette covered Tinas mouth with her own, simply letting them rest there for a few moments. Gently, she began sucking on Tinas bottom lip, before grazing her tongue lightly over it. Tinas tongue soon met with it, and their mouths began to slowly move against the familiar territory. Both Tina and Bette placed their full glasses of wine on the table, next to the empty ones from earlier, as Bette carefully eased Tina back into the sofa.

She maneuvered herself so that she lay over Tina, holding her weight up off of her on her arms and bent knees. Her hands moved up, tenderly stroking the hair off of Tinas forehead. She kissed the corners of Tinas mouth, moving up to Tinas eyes, kissing each closed lid softly. She made sure her every movement was slow and lingering. She wanted to make sure that every sensation was felt, and that she didnt rush this process. She wanted tonight to be special, it was her goal to make sure that it was.

Tina lay with her head resting on a couch pillow, her eyes closed, her heart racing in her chest, trying to absorb the feeling of Bettes every contact against her. She felt her thighs against her own, gentle fingers running through her hair, over her brow, and she felt velvety lips brush over her cheeks and eyelids, down the bridge of her nose. Tina moved her hands to Bettes back, pulling her shirt up a few inches, grazing her fingers over the smooth, warm skin. She inhaled deeply when she felt Bettes wandering lips travel to her neck, light kissing and grazing her teeth over her pulse point.

“Bette.” She whispered.

“Yes baby.” Bettes voice was muffled into Tinas neck.

“Lets go to the bedroom.” Bette moved her eyes up, and she kissed Tina deeply before easing up off of her, and off the couch. She took Tinas hand bringing her up as well. Before moving towards the hall though, Tina looked down at the coffee table, reaching to quickly grab a familiar mixed cd.

When they had reached the bedroom, both Tina and Bette took a deep breath. It was such familiar, yet at the same time, unfamiliar territory. At the moment the room had a bluish hue, moonlight sifting through the transparent window drapes, casting wispy shadows throughout the room.

Bette was surprised when she felt Tina make the first move and wrap her arms around her waist, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. It left her at the same time gasping for breath and aching for more. Instinctively she began to maneuver them over towards the bed. Again Tina caught Bette off guard when she felt eager fingers creep under blouse, grazing over her silk bra.

“Tina, baby, slow down.” Bette whispered, her words a bit shaky. “I want this to be perfect.” She felt Tinas hands slip out from under her shirt, and she watched her step back.

*****, what have I done now. Bette thought.

“Wait here.” Tina whispered, pointing to the bed and walking across the room. She opened the small cd player that was on the dresser, placing in the cd she had brought from the living room. She pressed play and walked back over to Bette, who was now sitting, as instructed. She stood close, reaching out a hand to caress the soft, wavy brown hair.

Bette turned her head and kissed Tinas open palm. She reached up and placed her hands on Tinas waist while leaning in, tenderly kissing her abdomen. Just then the sound of soft guitar playing could be heard. It was followed by the gentle melody of a violin. The tune of glass vase cello case was very familiar, and Bette grinned up at Tina remembering the many times they had listened to this same song in this same room. She reached out, pulling Tina down onto the bed next to her.

The graceful sound of the violin continued as Bette carefully eased Tina onto her back. Her lips were soon on her flushed neck and chest, kissing, sucking lightly. Her expert hand traveled down to Tinas stomach, inching her shirt up, lightly touching the silky soft skin of Tinas stomach. Lips followed, leaving fluttery kisses on Tinas quivering abdomen. Slowly, Bette eased the slippery silk blouse over Tinas head. Quiet lyrics could be heard drifting from across the room.

Breathe into my hands are cupped
and like a glass to drink from

Bette placed her lips on Tinas again, her tongue lightly flickering against Tinas. She sat up, and Tina watched, mesmerized, as Bette pulled her own top over her head.

Tina was left a bit breathless as her eyes wandered over Bettes strong, slender arms, smooth torso and the slight swells of cleavage in her silk bra. She sat up and eagerly placed warm kisses along Bettes collarbone, traveling down and lightly kissing the valley between Bettes *****. She had no control over her hands as they reached behind to undo the clasps of the bra. Bette had at this point lost her will to argue with Tina to slow down, and could do nothing but release a slight gasp when she felt a warm tongue graze over her hardened nipple. The song continued to play in the background.

Are you still,
still breathing.
Are you still,
breathing.
Are you still,
still breathing.
Are you still,
breathing.

Hands began to move rapidly over each others bodies, removing the articles of clothing that remained. Soon there was nothing left to separate them. Bette gently eased herself on top of Tinas body, her body hovering mere centimeters over her.

Her desire to love this woman, to protect her from any harm and to never hurt her ever again was overwhelming, leaving her momentarily choked up. Her lips lingered over Tinas ***** letting out a warm breath and watched her nipples stiffen. She started with soft kisses, her movements gradually becoming more passionate, until she was taking as much of Tinas breast into her mouth as she could. Tinas body arched under her, and Bette could hear her ragged breath and low moans over the soft music, which was now drifting into the background.

Bettes hands traveled down slowly, purposefully lingering to take in the feel of Tinas curves, the dip of her belly button, her hips, the smooth silkiness of her thighs. Kisses soon followed the same path, lingering at the same locations. As she descended towards her final destination she felt Tinas hand reach out and tightly grab her arm.

“Bette, no.” Her voice sounded small, and Bette quickly moved back up her body to look into her eyes.

“What is it baby, are you ok? Do you want me to stop?” She asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

“No, Bette, please, just stay here with me, please.” Tina whispered, holding the sides of Bettes head in her hands. A lone tear trickled from the corner of her eyes, down the side of her face. Bette quickly kissed it away.

“Im right here Tina, Im not going to go anywhere, Im right here.” She felt Tinas arms wrap tightly around her back, as if out of fear that she might disappear into thin air at any moment. Tinas face turned into Bettes hair, breathing deeply. “Im right here” Bette repeated, “Right here.”

Again, Bettes hand traveled down. Tinas body quivered involuntarily beneath her, keenly aware of what was to come. Bette slowly maneuvered her fingers over Tinas hair, and between her legs she pulled her face back slightly and looked into Tinas eyes, silently asking permission. She was answered with a passionate kiss. Tina gasped into Bettes mouth as she felt a single finger slip gently inside of her, and a thumb press down into her *****. She bent her knees, and dug her fingers into Bettes back, holding her tighter. Another finger soon followed the first, and it didnt take long for Bette to feel a rhythmic gripping begin around her fingers. She moved in time with Tinas contractions, making sure that her movements were slow and gentle, not wanting to hurt or rush her.

Just then she felt Tinas hand move down, cover her own and press in deeply, silently asking for more. Bette tentatively pressed one more finger into Tina, while kissing the corners of Tinas semi- open, gasping mouth. She continued to kiss Tinas face as she watched it contort in pleasure, at the same time feeling the increased heat and wetness beneath her hand. She felt a familiar tight grip around her fingers and she knew that Tina was close.

As Tinas body erupted into her *****, Bette held her close, kissing her neck, her mouth, kissing away the tears that trickled helplessly down her cheeks. Slowly, the waves subsided, and Tinas body began to calm. Bettes slick fingers slipped out from between her legs. Tinas eyes were still closed, and her chest was still rising and falling rapidly. Carefully, Bette eased her body off of Tinas and lay down next to her, one of her legs still draped over Tinas. Tina turned to look at her, her face shining with a slight sheen of perspiration.

“Bette.” Her voice was barely audible. “I love you.” Now it was Bettes turn to feel warm tears trail down her face, and Tinas turn to delicately kiss them away.

“I love you too.” Bette whispered as she pulled Tina to her. Her hand grazed lightly down the curve of Tinas spine, up over her arms. Tinas hands were doing the same on Bettes body, until they changed paths, moving instead down her stomach gently coming to rest between her legs. All of her efforts on Tina had excited Bettes body as well, and Tinas eyes widened when she felt Bettes inner thighs, slick with her arousal. Bette shook her head, using one of her hands to try and push Tinas away.

“I want tonight to be just about you T, ok?” Bettes voice was sincere.

“Bette, this IS for me.” Tina said in a husky voice, as she fought away Bettes attempt, instead pressing two fingers into Bette. The look on Bettes face told her she wouldnt be putting up any more resistance, and Tina smiled thankfully.

“Im gonna stay here” she whispered into Bettes ear, nuzzling into her neck. “Right here.”