The other girls turned to look at them, just as Shane was saying, “And I know I have Tina to thank for helping you see your way to all the good that’s happened in your life.  And as your friend, I will always be grateful to her for that.  But I just want to say, also, that I have never been prouder of anyone, as I am of you today.”  Bette pulled Shane into a tight embrace, tears flowing freely, just as she’d done in the Maldives, when Shane had surprised her by tracking her down, and finding her in the resort.

She was thinking that apart from Tina and Kit, it was probably Shane who could appreciate the most the arduous journey she’d gone through to become who she was today, from whom she had been when she’d left New York after Tina’s revelation about Scott, roaming the world seeking answers to her questions and deep anguish.  The fact that those answers lay in the life she now had with Tina took a long time for her to realize, and she had many people to thank for helping her realize it at all.  Not the least being Shane.

Tina knew it was a private moment between the two friends, and did not want to interfere, but was grateful as Dana, Alice, Helena, and Carmen similarly embraced her, as she shed her own tears.

“Shh, Tina….shh…”Alice was saying, as she stroked the blonde’s hair.  “We know you love Bette.  Love her deeply.  You took a risk, but you were always meant to be together.  I, personally, am in awe of the strength it must have taken for you to admit to her what you’d done, go through that whole pregnancy by yourself, then the really difficult birth, and raising Angelica those first critical first few months.  Never heard a complaint from you that whole time, never heard you curse or express any bitterness… you are a strong woman, sister.  Better than anyone I know.  I would have cursed everyone around me!”

Dana hugged Tina from the other side, picking up from where Alice left off, “And now… helping Bette come back to us.  We love you so much as a friend, and deeply respect you for all that you’ve managed to do.”