Previously…  

Tears ran down Tina’s cheeks as she watched the brunette struggle to find the words. The old Bette would have had an elaborate proposal planned with all of the boxes checked off on her list, but this Bette…this Bette opened her heart and didn’t care that they were in the middle of the bathroom…didn’t care that she was wrapped in bath towel and excess water dripping on the rug. Tina nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes,” she said a little louder. “Yes,” she said louder. “I want to marry you. Soon.”

Bette removed the ring from the box and placed the ring where it belonged…home on Tina’s finger. 

Chapter 25

Tina’s knees quaked and she drew in a shaky breath as Bette slipped the beautiful engagement ring on the third finger of her left hand. She dropped to her knees in front of the brunette. Crying and laughing at the same time, she kissed her. They were soul mates. “I love you so much, Bette. I want to marry you. I want to be with you. I want us to raise our daughter together and whatever children we may have, for now and for always.” She flung her arms around Bette’s neck.

“I love you,” Bette whispered between each kiss and after the seventh kiss she held the blonde tight to her until she felt both of their hearts calm down.

They heard a noise in the bedroom and pressed their foreheads together.

“Mama?” The little girl called out. “Where are you?”

Bette stood and helped Tina off the floor. “In the bathroom Angie.”

Angie was rubbing sleep from her eyes as she made her way to the bathroom. “Mama, can we call Momm…” She stopped in the doorway when she saw Tina inside. She ran and flung her arms tight around her mother’s legs and cried. “Mommy! I was so scared.”

Tina untangled Angie’s arms from around her legs. She picked her daughter up and held her tight. “It’s okay baby. It’s going to be okay. Sshhh…everything is going to be okay.”

Bette watched as Angie began to calm. As much as she tried to explain to her daughter what happened to James was not her fault, the little girl did not believe her. She hoped Tina was more successful. She watched Tina carry the little girl to the bed.