Tina dropped her hands to her lap, still holding on to the one piece of paper, that represented an opportunity for them to reconnect in every way as a couple. An opportunity for them to be just that…a couple madly in love…not a mother, or a business owner…but Bette and Tina, celebrating their love for each other…their commitment to each other. “Bette,” she whispered. “I can’t believe you arranged all of this…that you thought of this.”

Bette smiled through her tears, comforted in the knowledge that her beautiful Tina still shared the same memories of their vacation as she. A vacation that had truly been a dream come true. She turned her head just enough to make sure that they were out of earshot of Dan, not wanting to hurt his feelings, then turning back she reached out and laid both of her palms on Tina’s cheeks, wiping her tears away with her thumbs…and whispered…

“Happy anniversary, T.”

Tina closed her eyes, letting the last of her tears fall onto the soft pads of Betts’s thumbs. Then she opened them, and gazed at Bette with such intensity, that it caused her breath to get caught in her throat. “Oh Bette,” Tina whispered. “I can’t believe that I actually get to say this to you, but…happy anniversary, Baby!” Tina immediately started to stand, reaching down and grabbing Bette’s hand, pulling her up with her. “Come on, let’s go upstairs. I need to be alone with you.” Between that statement, and the look that was in Tina’s eyes, Bette could barely get her legs to work, as wave after wave of desire flowed through her body. She couldn’t help the low, throaty grunt, that was full of desire, from escaping her mouth as she stood, finally reaching her full height.

However, before they could get to the bottom of the stairs, Dan and Kathy came out of Dani’s room, and started down, hand in hand. “Hey Tina,” Dan said, as they continued down the stairs. “I know that the plan was for us to spend the day with the kids tomorrow, but now that you are all going to be in New York for the next week, why don’t we just take them now? I’ll bring them back tomorrow night, leaving plenty of time for them to pack. Besides, we’re on our way over to Kathy’s Mom’s house for dinner, and you know how much she loves to feed anyone who walks in the door!” He winked at Tina, and smiled at both of them. “Plus, that will give you two some alone time.”

Tina was aching to be alone with Bette. She couldn’t wait to feel the skin of her beautiful lover next to hers. So, because of the overwhelming surges making their way through her body, she agreed wholeheartedly with Dan. She reached down and held onto Bette’s left hand with both of hers. “Thanks you guys, that would be great!” Then Tina cocked her head to the side, looking like she just realized something. “Wait…I need to talk to you about something. One of Bette’s presents to me is a two week…”

“Trip to Paris and St. Barths,” Dan interrupted. “Yea Tina, we know. Who do you think is going to be watching the kids while your gone?”

Tina’s eyes grew wide, and she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She just looked from Bette to Dan, and back to Bette. Finally finding her voice, she raised her eyebrows at Bette and asked incredulously, “You arranged all this with Dan and Kathy first?”

Bette had prayed that Tina wouldn’t be upset with her for going behind her back to Tina’s ex-husband, but Bette really had no choice. She had to make sure the kids would be taken care of while they were gone, and when she spoke with Dan, he and Kathy had jumped at the chance to have his three children with them for two whole weeks. She smiled at Tina, hoping it was the same smile that had always melted Tina’s resolve in the past. “Yes, I did. I hope that is all right.”

Tina just shook her head back and forth, then let a slow smile build, until she was beaming at the three people holding their collective breath in front of her. “You know, I was wrong earlier when I said that having the two of you conspiring behind my back could not be a good thing for me, cause right now, all I see is a whole lot of good stuff coming my way!” She couldn’t help the little girl giggle from bubbling out of her throat, and leaned her body into the side of Bette’s, laying her head on her shoulder. Bette and the others, each let out a sigh of relief, trying to be as subtle about it as possible.

Bette was so grateful that Dan was being as gracious as he was, and remembering that she had a little something for them as well, she walked over to the Christmas tree, grabbed an envelope, and walked back, leaning back into Tina so she could once again lay her head on her shoulder. “Hey, before you all leave, I have a Christmas present for the two of you…well, actually it’s a little thank you for helping me with all the arrangements, and the other things.

Dan and Kathy looked at Bette with surprise. “Bette, you didn’t have to get us anything. We’re going to love having the kids full time for two weeks. It will be fun for all of us.”

“I know that, but I still wanted to get you something, just to say thanks. This next week in New York, and then the two with Tina, mean so much to me.” She handed them the other envelope that she had brought with her, and as Dan reached for it, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She then gave Kathy one as well, along with a quick hug. Dan opened the envelope and handed the card that was inside to Kathy, for her to read. Kathy opened the card, and then put her free hand over her mouth. “Oh Bette. This is so kind of you!” Dan’s eyes brightened and he gave Bette a lopsided grin. “Wow Bette…thank you so much. We will definitely enjoy this!”

Bette laughed at their response, and raised her right eye brow. “Well, I figured that you both would like to have some alone time as well!”

Tina, impatient to know what was in the card, leaned forward trying to read it upside down. “What is it?”

Kathy turned the card so Tina could read it. “It’s a gift certificate for dinner for two at The Wild Ginger, and for a suite facing the water at The Edgewater Inn…all for New Year’s Eve.” Kathy looked back at Bette. “This is so great! You know that they put on a wonderful fireworks display from a barge out in the middle of Puget Sound. And now we will have front row seats, right from our room!” Dan and Kathy both gave Bette another hug, with more thank yous, then Dan yelled up to the kids that it was time to go.

“Ok you guys,” Tina said as they stood on the front porch, watching the children get into their father’s car. “We’ll see you back here tomorrow night…Bye!”

Both she and Bette waved to the departing car, then turned and walked back into the house. As soon as the door closed behind them, they slowly turned to each other, unable to contain the giddiness that had taken over both their bodies. Tina squealed and grabbed Bette by the hand. “Race you to the bedroom, Beautiful…” Her words bubbling out of her.

Bette started for the stairs, her voice bursting with joy…”Last one there has to be on the bottom first!!” Both women stopped in their tracks, and stared at each other, trying to decide if that was a good thing, or a punishment…then both burst out laughing and started running for the stairs again…knowing that bottom or top; side by side; sitting, standing, or laying down…it didn’t matter, cause they were both in for an all night sexual romp that was sure to satisfy every physical craving…every physical ache, that they had been suppressing all afternoon.

And, because it was unexpected, that just made the anticipation all the more delicious.

Tbc