Chapter 22

Bette didn’t hesitate. The ‘I love you’ was the only she needed. She put her hand behind Tina’s neck dipped her and placed a scorching kiss on her lips. She almost pompously pushed in tongue into Tina’s mouth so intensely that Tina thought she was going to faint from all the passion. Bette hands didn’t move. One was placed on Tina’s lower back, and the other on the back of her neck. She pulled her tongue out Tina’s mouth having just explored every space inside it. She only then pulled Tina’s bottom lip and sucked on it knowing that was one of the many things Tina loved oh so much. It’d been 18 years, and Bette could still remember everything she loved, and she knew she was doing good when Tina elicited a moan. The need for oxygen became overwhelming so she pulled back and stood Tina back up. She put her head down awaiting Tina’s response. Tina just stood there starring at her.

“Bette.”

“I’m sorry Tina, I just-I just…”

Tina just put her index finger over Bette’s lips. The throbbing between her legs was beginning to be too much, but she knew that if they did anything right now she would in the end regretting and pushing Bette away. She needed to talk to Bette, and she needed to talk to her now.

“Take me somewhere Bette, NOW!”

Bette only nodded her head. She gave Dana and Alice a look to take care of Ashley and Spencer until they returned. Alice and Dana nodded their heads. They got into Tina’s car and drove. The drive was silent. It wasn’t a long one because Bette was taking Tina to the one spot they shared. They went to the beach and walked for awhile before talking. Tina sighed.

“It’s so peaceful, I missed this the most when I was in New York.”

“Yah, I know what you mean.”

Tina looked at Bette with a quizzical look. She furrowed her eye brows and shook her head not understanding Bette’s statement.

“Tina you didn’t honestly think I’d come here with out you did you?”

Tina shrugged her shoulders. Bette inhaled, and exhaled while biting her cheek.

“Tina this is our spot, not mine anymore.”

“But it was yours first, and I know how much you love the beach.”

“I do, but it doesn’t feel the same with out you. You are the one who made me conquer my fear of coming back here after my dad died.”

“Bette I do you love.”

The confession was blunt. Tina had to say it out loud. She had to let Bette know exactly how she was feeling in words, out loud.

“Tina I love you too, I never quit.”

“Neither did I, but after Candace I pushed, I couldn’t take the pain. I was feeling so much grief for the baby, and you didn’t want me anymore; so I blamed myself.”

“Tina I always wanted you.”

“You wouldn’t touch me though.”

“Tina, you didn’t want me to. I’d come home from work early some days just to see you, and you wouldn’t even talk to me. I wanted to talk about the baby, but you wouldn’t open up. And I understand that I had my fair share of faults too, I didn’t try enough, I gave up too quickly, and the affair. That-that…”

“Bette I couldn’t talk about it. I thought I was a disappoint in this perfect world of yours. I hated seeing that look in your eyes. That look of disappointment.”

“Tina I was disappointed with the fact. Not with you. It wasn’t your fault. Your body couldn’t take it. That wasn’t your fault. I just wanted to be the rock that you could look to for support, but you never did.”

Tears began to fall from both of their eyes.

“I’m sorry Bette I really am, but like I said the look was just too much for me. I just wanted you to be proud of me.”

Bette pulled Tina into her arms. Tina buried her head in Bette’s chest. She inhaled the scent that was purely Bette Porter. She cried silently while Bette soothed her hair.

“Tina I’ve always been proud of you.”