Love Revisited – Coming Home Part 15


Previously


Shane stood up and both Bette and Tina enveloped her with their arms.

We love you, Shane, Bette said, Thanks for always believing in us.


Hey, Porter, Alice said, so glad you two are on the rocking horse of love again. Was just wondering though – youre a righty and that cast is on your right hand – how did you manage —

ALICE!!, Tina exclaimed.

There will only ever be one Alice Piasecki – just one. And the world sighs a great big thank you for that.

___________________________________________________________


It was getting late and Tina was really tired. She lay her head on Bettes shoulder.

Youre tired, baby. Lets say our goodbyes and Ill take you back to your apartment, k?

UmmI hate to be a party pooper, but I think Id really like to go to bed.

Hey, everyone, were going to take off. Tina needs to get some sleep.

Aw, Dana said, We hate to see you go. Its been so good seeing you two together, but we understand.

Alice came around to Tina and gave her a hug. Hey, cant get too close to you anymore, as she tried to hug Tina around her big belly. Im so happy for you, Tina, I really am. You know that, dont you?

Al, I know that. I love you. It would have been a lot harder to get through this if you hadnt been there for me.

Alice went to Bette and hugged her, too. Sorry, I pulled a Terminator on you.

Thats okay, Al. You were protecting Tina so I can forgive you.

Yeah, its a good thing they pulled me off you because I could have so taken your ***** Alice laughed and hoped Bette would return it.

She did. Listen, *****, itll be a cold day in ***** before you take my *****

Yeah, yeah, been there, done that. Bette smacked her on the back of the head.

I love ya, Porter. Im happy for you.

Love you, too, Al.

Jenny, Shane, Carmen and Dana each said their goodbyes.

Kit had seen them get up so went over to the both of them to say goodbye. She hugged and kissed them both.

Im so happy for the two of you I could cry, Kit said.

Enough crying! Bette and Tina said together. Ill call you tomorrow, Kit. Love you.

Bette and Tina turned and made their way to the door. They were holding hands.

The girls just watched them leave. Shane in her Yoda way said, And thats the way its supposed to be. There was a collective sigh from the others and a unified, Yeah.



Bette and Tina continued holding hands as they walked to the car. They stole short glances at one another on the way, the kind of looks that new lovers give one another.

Simultaneous thoughts were passing between them. It seemed as if a lifetime of events had taken place in the past two days. There was the death of the animosity they held for each other and the rebirthing of their passion and commitment. At the same time they both knew that taking this re-born commitment through its adolescent stage again is bound to have its rough spots, but they would stick to it this time, pay attention and not hold back feelings. After all, thats what commitment is all about, right?


They reached the car, got in, and were on their way. A figure leaning against a storefront across the street watched as their car pulled away, kept watching until the horizon swallowed the Saabs taillights. Then the figure quickly moved and got into a car parked at the curb.


~~~

How about that Alice, eh? Tina said.

Whew, T, if you could have seen the look in her eyes as she was coming towards me – and I didnt even get to use any offensive metaphors with her yet!

Well, you know our Alice. Her mouth is often in motion before her brain is in gear. This time I think her brain was grinding gears. She knew something was going on, couldnt figure it out fast enough and then just grabbed hold of the first crazy assumption and ran with it.

Wish she had run in a different direction! They both laughed.

I feel so blessed to have them as our family, said Tina.

Me, too, T. She leaned over and kissed Tina very passionately – not a kiss filled with lust, but pure passion and love. And I am twice blessed, T. Kit and my family of friends and you in my life again.

Babe, you put your bag with extra clothes in the trunk, didnt you?

Yeah, T, Ive got it. Sorry if that was presumptuous –

No, no. I want you to stay at my apartment with me. Then, if youd like, we can go back to the house over the weekend.

Id like, T. Bettes heart smiled. I am one lucky s.o.b., she thought, yep, I am.


In a few moments Bette was parking her car in front of Tinas apartment building. She got her bag from the trunk, took Tinas hand and they both headed inside.

As they reached the vestibule door, behind them a car pulled into a space and sat there, its motor softly purring; then quickly quieting as the ignition was cut.


Im bushed, Baby. Okay if I just head to bed?

Of course, T. Ive just got to check my cell for messages and Ill be right in.

You better. No more couch sleeping for you, you hear?

I hear, T.

Bette opened her cell, saw there were no messages and exhaled a sigh of relief. She had told James this morning that she wouldnt be coming in for the next couple of days. There had been a family emergency. She knew there wasnt anything that needed her immediate attention or important meetings to be attended, so she told James to only forward urgent messages to her cell. And to tell Franklin shed be in on Monday.

Bette headed for the bathroom, brushed her teeth, then crawled into bed and snuggled right next to her T.

Bette put her arm over Tina, rested her hand on Tinas belly. Tina placed her hand on top of Bettes. Hi, Baby.
Hi, T. You feeling okay? she whispered as she nuzzled in Tinas hair.

Just really tired. This little one with her kick boxing practice sends me for a loop sometimes.

Baby, have you thought of a name for the little angel yet? Bette asked.

No, not really. Is there a name you particularly like?

Havent really thought about it yet. But if its all right with you, T, Id really like her last name to be Porter – Kennard. Then in a much lower voice with timorous tone, Would that be all right, T?

Tina grinned and turned so she could face Bette, putting her hand on her cheek. Its more than all right, babe. Its perfect. They kissed softly and deeply, once again sealing their connection to each other.

Sure wish we both werent so tired, T the breath of the words falling on Tinas lips.

The tingle Tina felt from Bettes breath on her lips made its direct path to her groin. How does she do it? Every time Umm, you know what, baby, theres always tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that. Date?

Oh, yeah, T, its a date, for sure. I love you, Tina Kennard.

And I love you, Bette Porter.

They both settled in, Bette as close to Tina as she could get. Sleep descended and gathered them both in its warm embrace.

~~~~

Outside Tinas apartment the silence of the night was broken with the sounds of an ignition key turning, an engine regaining its life and rubber rolling along macadam taking a car out of the parking lot and into the darkness of the night


TBC