Tina slowing opened her eyes to see Bette staring back at her.

“Merry Christmas.” Bette said with a beaming smile that was only Bette’s.

“Good morning baby and Merry Christmas to you too.” Tina said as she scooted towards Bette who had rolled on her back and lifted her arm. Tina wiggled in finding just the right spot and then sighed. “Have you heard Angie yet?” Tina said lazily as she moved her arm across Bette’s taunt mocha stomach. Even over 50, Bette was in great shape and she could easily be mistaken for much younger.

“No, not yet,” Bette said turning her head to get a look at the clock on the end table. “Thank God she doesn’t get up at dawn anymore and come jumping into our bed,” Bette gave a reminiscent chuckle.

“Right! I mean I miss the magic and wonder of Angie’s young perspective during the Holidays, but those days were brutal to us both.”

Bette laughed, “Yeah, I remember a few times both of us scrambling to get our clothes on before the door swung open and falling asleep in front of the TV early because we never got a wink of sleep the night before.” Bette smiled again. Those were good memories, but I can’t imagine doing that now.” Bette paused, “We are just getting too old my love.”

As Bette talked, Tina became more and more aroused. Not only by the beautiful woman that laid beside her, but also by the memories that Bette evoked as she casually spoke of Christmas’ past. Tina was grateful that they managed to find each other again and still be able to touch each other’s souls. They were different yes, but also the same in so many ways. She thought this as she shifted ever so slightly allowing her to lay her hand on the inside of Bette’s thigh. Bette looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Tina shifts her gaze to reach Bette’s eyes and smiled. Bette kissed the top of Tina’s head as she ran her hand down Tina’s back causing her to wiggle and moan and this is how it began on this Christmas morning.

As a light rain began to fall, Tina and Angie ducked into an Antique store just as the rain began to drip off of them. Mother and daughter laughed as they shook the water from their hair. They knew this was California’s version of bad weather for Christmas. They had been shopping all day picking up last minute items and spending their annual Mother – Daughter Christmas Eve time together. They had been doing this ritual since Angie was very young, but this year it took on special significance. Tina had been absent for most of the important celebrations over the last few years due to the divorce. Bette’s breakdown last year had left the future of their relationship up in the air, even though Tina was making efforts at a reconciliation. Christmas last year was a sad casualty of that breakdown as it happened just before Christmas. But now was different, Bette and Tina were solidly a couple living in the same home, a family reunited. Today was a way to connect, renew this ritual and share in the finding of the perfect gift for Bette. A little know secret about Bette was a sentimental side to her personality. Over the years, Tina would pick out special little gifts that would hold significance, several ornaments, a Christmas box that now held pictures of Christmas’ past, a decoration that could sit on the mantle all gifts that Bette cherished. Angie had said during their hunt, that Bette had not put out any of those items while Tina was gone. Angie said sadly that Bette would take them in her room on Christmas Eve and the next morning Bette would have puffy eyes from the obvious crying. This year was different. All the gifts had been carefully placed around the house and on the tree by Bette herself. Both Angie and Tina had offered to help. They got a firm no, so they sat with cocoa and watched her thoughtfully place each item around the house. As both women collected themself, the storekeeper appeared out of nowhere.

“Don’t worry,” she said smiling as it was obvious why neither had moved from the front entry. “It’s only water.”