Tina looked at him with a frown. “You always skip that, you always dive straight to the sports and entertainment section.”

“I know.” Ken chuckled lightly. He had zero patience for politics and business. He never got any of it. “But since I spoke to Porter last week and I heard his concerns about Bette, I started reading anything that mentioned the PGC. Do you know that they had to lay-off nearly a thousand employees just to cut back on losses during the past months?”

“I heard Bette talking about it in passing.” Tina nodded slowly, squeezing her stuffed animal. Her girlfriend tried to downplay it, but she knew that it bothered her a lot.

“They’re still standing, but the company got hit hard by the economic crisis. Those economists think that it might take some time before it recovers completely. A little shaky and unstable, that’s the state the PGC might be in when Bette inherits it in a few years.”

That really didn’t sound good. Actually, it sounded awful. Tina chewed on her lower lip, suddenly feeling anxious for her love. “So, you’re saying that you agree with Melvin?”

“Yes, I really see his point now. I understand why Bette needs to go to Yale. Not only will they prepare her better over there, but she’ll be able to make useful connections too.”

“Mm-hmm.” Tina muttered softly, a faraway look on her face. She knew he had a point, and she was beginning to acknowledge that their arguments and fears had basis.

“Tina?” Ken spoke up after more than a few minutes of relative silence. He followed her line of vision and saw that she was staring at the USC acceptance letter pinned on her cork board and the one from Yale, Princeton and Columbia right beside it.

“Yeah?”

“Honey, what are you so afraid of?”

Tina pressed her lips to Oliver’s cute head and spoke in the tiniest voice, her answer muffled by the toy. “That I’d end up choosing the wrong one.”

The man placed a comforting arm around his child’s shoulder and gently squeezed the girl. “Tina, if you think like that, you’d end up bitter and full of regrets in the long run. Don’t just decide using this..” He gently tapped the side of her forehead. “Listen to this one as well.” He pointed to her chest. “Weigh out your options, decide what’s best for you, stick with it and don’t look back.” He kissed her head lovingly.

“Thanks daddy.” Tina managed a weak smile, her mind going over the things that he had just said.

“Don’t rush. Just,” Ken sighed as he stood up and made his way to the door. “Think hard about it, okay?” He said softly as he left Tina alone with her thoughts.

God, that was draining. For both of them. Lifting a hand to her forehead, she laid herself down on her bed, burrowing under the covers to try and soak in its warmth. She was feeling so cold and alone.

A while later, a soft knock echoed from the door. Tina had her eyes closed when she heard it opening and she kept it that way when she felt a weight shifting on the other side of her small bed. She had her back turned from her visitor, and she had no intention of facing her – if only to hide the silent tears that were making its way down her cheeks, soaking her pillow.

The blanket was slowly lifted up and a warm body scooted closer and pressed itself against her back. “Stay with me?” Tina whispered.

“Sure.”

She closed her eyes and held back a sob as she felt a pair of soft lips lightly kissing her shoulder.

Tina slowly exhaled and steadied herself. “Hold me?”

Bette smiled and snuggled even closer, wrapping her arms protectively around the blonde. “As long as you want me to, baby.”

As long as you want me to.

tbc..