“Oh God.” Tina put her hands on her face and started crying.

“Tina, you have to be strong for your wife. The nurse has the rest of her belongings. I’ll have them bring it in and please do not hesitate to call for me when you have questions or for anything else.” The doctor said while rubbing Tina’s back.

“And by the way, you have visitors outside. I told them to wait and that I wanted to talk to you first. Would you like me to send them in?”

“Yes, please. Thank you Dr. Makavajiev.”

===

The girls slowly made their way inside the room.

“Oh, Tina.” Helena was the first to reach Tina and hugged her. Tina immediately cried again. “Hels, I don’t know what I’ll do without her.”

“Sshhh. Stop talking about such nonsense. What did the doctor say?” Everyone was paying attention when Tina explained Bette’s condition.

“Tina, you need to be strong. Bette will be alright. That baby sis of mine is a fighter by heart.” Kit said solemnly while rubbing Tina’s back.

Alice, Shane and Jodi each gave Tina a hug to comfort her.

Tina made her way beside Bette’s bed and held her hand. She lovingly caressed her wife’s hand. The group found a place for each of them on the room.

“Hey Tina, do you need us to get anything for you from the house?” Alice asked.

“Thanks for asking Alice. I actually do. I don’t plan on leaving her side.”

All knew it would be a lost case to argue with Tina so she let her be.

“You can give us a list of what you want us to pack and Shane and I can get it for you.”

A knock on the room interrupted the conversation the friends were having.

“Hi. I just came by to drop of the patient’s backpack. She had this with her when she was brought in.”

Kit took the bag and said her thanks before handing it to Tina.

Tina took the bag and pulled out the red tulips wrapped in paper. She quietly sobbed. She knew what Bette had planned. Her wife went to their favorite florist to get her flowers and this is what happened.

“She left me a note this morning telling me she had to run an errand. I noticed her bike was missing. She went to the florist to get me this. How can it all turn out to be like this?” Tina asked through her silent tears.

“Perfect love.” Jodi said.

“What?” Kit asked.

“The red tulips, it symbolizes perfect love.”

Despite the tears, Tina smiled. “Perfect love indeed.” Tina whispered.

They were all brought out of their own separate trance when they heard movement from the bed. Bette slowly opened her eyes and looked at the faces staring back at her stopping at Jodi’s and said, “Honey, I am so glad you’re here. I missed you so much.”

Bette reached out her hand to Jodi. Jodi looked at Tina before making her way to Bette.

“Hi Bette, I am so happy to see you awake.” Jodi said taking Bette’s hand. “Uhm, Tina’s also here and so is Kit.”

“Hon, who’s Tina?” Bette asked with a confused look in her face.