”I want to feel that moment, too, Bette,” Diane said quietly, weeping softly into her hands. ”I want to pledge myself to her forever in a moment like that.”

”You will, honey,” Bette said in soothing tones as she drew Diane into another embrace. ”Maybe sooner than you think!”

They embraced for a minute longer, thinking separately about their loves, and grateful, also, that they’d had this kind of friendship between them that they each could draw comfort from, knowing they would each find the support they’d need when their lives depended on it.

Diane had been a rock for Bette earlier that year, especially when it looked like Bette was heading into danger when she’d decided to go with Spencer to retrieve what the first group that had gone after her was asking from her. That group had been seeking clues in the art that she’d stored in Luxembourg. Bette had entrusted everything to Diane before she’d embarked on the dangerous mission. And Diane had validated that trust in spades, particularly in the aftermath of the incident with the semi.

They drew apart after a while, with Diane having calmed down. Bette was right. I’ll know when it’s time, and I shouldn’t twist myself in knots anxiously waiting for it. I just have to believe that it’s waiting out there for us.

The blonde hooked her arm around Bette’s and leaned on her friend’s shoulder. They were each smiling as they resumed walking to the front door. When they were a couple of feet from the door, it swung open suddenly, and Tina stepped through it. ”Here you are finally!” she exclaimed with a big smile.

Diane unhooked her arm from around Bette’s and stepped to the side to allow Tina to come closer to them and to give the other blonde space to wrap her arms around the brunette. ”Yes, Diane got me out of bed,” Bette answered with a chuckle. She squeezed Diane’s hand before returning her wife’s hug.

Bette and Tina exchanged a deep kiss as Diane stepped around Tina and opened the door. They heard Jules exclaim her own greeting when their auburn-haired friend saw Diane emerge out of the door.

Tina was explaining to Bette that Tom was swinging by the Upperville estate to get Jenna, who’d been negotiating the sale of a Rothko painting on behalf of her client, Richard Yu, ahead of the planned auction of various art owned by that estate. Tom said he and Jenna would drive to the lunch spot Peter had recommended they all go to.