Reconnecting

Bette & Tina.eight years later.


Bette and Tina have bought a house using the money Melvin gave them for a ceremony gift, for a down payment. They have lived there five years. They have three bedrooms, two baths, pool and hot tub.

Bette is running her own gallery with a major contributor being Peggy Peabody. She has James as her right hand and assistant. There are two others that work for her. There is Elaine who is basically Jamess assistant, and Dyan who is the secretary for them all.
Bette is happier career wise, but still very busy. The Porter gallery is gaining popularity and is know in art circles as the new place to be featured in. Her hard work is finally paying off.

Tina is just as busy, her medical practice has grown in the last eight years. She still has Sara and Angie as her nurses and the same doctors as partners. She is busier than ever. Plus she is volunteering at the childrens hospital more. She and Bette are still together.

Todays date was a special one. It was Bette and Tinas eighth anniversary. Eight years together. The anniversary of them exchanging rings and committing themselves to one another.

Bette thought of the special day and wondered if Tina was remembering it too. She had left the house this morning without waking her and had not talked to her yet today.

Things between them had been strained lately. Work schedules and commitments had them barely seeing each other these days. There had been a rift also because of the discussion of having a family. They both wanted children desperately but as busy as they were neither thought it was fair to the child. They couldnt take time for each other how could they take time for a child. They had barely spoken in the last few days and neither had mentioned any kind of plans for the special day today.

But Bette had some plans. She wanted her partner back. She wanted the intimacy they once shared and as only Bette Porter could she was determined to fix her love life.

Bette decided to call home and test the waters so to speak. She knew Tina was off work today. Damn the answering machine..Hi this is Bette and Tina were not at homeblah, blah, blah. Bette was trying to think where Tina was today, she felt uneasy not knowing if they had discussed each others schedules lately. They used to know everything about each others daily stuff. Bette talked into the machine.

Bette: Hey T, just called to say Hi, maybe we could meet up for dinner later, call me.
Bette then called Tinas cell and left the same message. Well she thought she was going to get this relationship in gear, jump start it, whatever it takes. I love her and I wont let it go.

Bette called James into her office.
Bette: James Im leaving for a couple of hours, Ill be back this afternoon to check in. Oh and I want the rest of my week cancelled. Im leaving by five today and Ill be out until Tuesday.
James: amazed. Youre taking time off? Is everything okay?
Bette: Sure its Tinas and my anniversary today and I want to surprise her with a weekend getaway.
James: Ill take care of it boss lady. See you later.
Bette: Oh James if Tina calls dont say anything just have her call my cell.
Bette left the gallery to get the things she needed for a special evening with Tina.

Tina was in the grocery trying to decide on fruit. She was making a feast for Bette tonight. It was going to be a surprise to Bette. They had been on such a rocky road lately. She was determined to relight the fire, she still loved her so much, but they hadnt been taking care of each other lately. She wanted to feel the flutters and skipped heart beats again, like eight years ago. She reached for her cell phone and listened to her messages. She needed to call Bette anyway to find out what time she might get home. Everything was going to be perfect. She called Bettes office.

James: Porter gallery.
Tina: Hi James, its Tina is Bette in?
James: No, she said if you called to have you call her cell.
Tina: Okay, thanks James. Oh James do you know what time Bettes leaving today?
James: Yeah she said she wanted out of here by five.
Tina: Great. James please dont mention I called its our anniversary and I want to surprise her. Bye.
James: Sure Tina Bye. He smiled.

Tina called Bettes cell.
Bette: Hello Bette Porter.
Tina: Hey you.
Bette: Hi whats going on?
Tina: Nothing just called to say hi, and about dinner tonight, can we just stay in? A quiet evening at home alone.
Bette: Sure if thats what you want. You want me to pick us up some dinner?
Tina: No I want to cook. Lets relax, just us.
Bette: Sounds great. Ill be home around 5:30 or so you?
Tina: Ill be there, see you later.
Bette: Oh Tina?
Tina: Yeah?
Bette: Love you. She says smiling.
Tina: smiling. Love you too.

Neither mentions the anniversary.

Tina gets back to her list of things to do to make tonight special. She was making Bettes favorite meal. She stopped to get flowers and stopped at the jewelry store to pick up the bracelet she had ordered last month. Then her last stop was for herself some evening wear. Mm, something to make Bette drool. She found just he right thing. She went home to get things ready. She was going to vow they would rekindle what they had eight years ago. She loved Bette she had to save their love. She had some news to share with Bette and lots of love. Tonight was about reconnecting, relighting the fire between them.

Bette was in the jewelry store picking up the bracelet she ordered a couple of weeks ago. She looked at it and smiled. It was beautiful just like Tina, simple, but perfect for her.
When they had exchanged vows eight years ago their favorite lines they said were: My lust, my love, my life. When they signed cards or left notes for one another they used these words. Bette had them engraved inside the bracelet along with their ceremony date and her name.

She left the store and went to get champagne, flowers and something new in the way of lingerie for her self tonight. She was excited. The thought of the evening waiting ahead made her giddy. Like the first time she had met Tina. The excitement was back, for her at least, she just hoped Tina would feel the same.