“Bette, that’s stupid.” Helena said. She was annoyed now and sat up quickly, still keeping her distance. “Tell me the truth…if you weren’t planning on sleeping with her, why didn’t you just tell me you were coming back here? Why sleep somewhere else?”

“I don’t know.” Bette said, confused. “I just didn’t want to assume…maybe I needed space.” She thought about it. “I guess this is all kind of confusing. Not that long ago, I thought Jodi and I were going to make a go of it. But as soon as I saw you, in London, that was all over.”

“And seeing Jodi again brought back your feelings for her?” Helena asked quietly.

“Yes and no.” Bette shrugged. “but those feelings aren’t as intense, or as pressing. I care about her and seeing her made me realize what I was about to do—hurt someone who had been really good to me, after promising that I wouldn’t.”

Helena nodded. “That makes sense.” She paused and added, “do you need some space now, from me?”

Bette was quiet, before letting out a loud sigh. “Can we just sleep? And talk again tomorrow?” She asked finally.

Helena tried not to watch as Bette undressed—she felt too many mixed emotions as it was. When Bette climbed into bed, Helena rolled over.

“Good night.” She said quietly.

“night.” Bette whispered.

A few minutes passed with neither woman feeling remotely tired. Helena thought she could actually hear Bette smiling in the darkness.

“I love you.” Bette said happily.

“Did it take you all this time to figure it out again?” Helena asked, pouting slightly.

“No.” Bette grinned. “I just need a few minutes to myself, you know?”

“Only a few minutes.” Helena smiled finally. “I guess that’s ok. Though I wish you had come home earlier. The children will be up in four hours.”

“Sorry.” Bette murmured, rolling over to wrap her arms around Helena. She let out a small sound as she felt Helena’s warmth and smelled her familiar scent. Helena turned over and faced Bette, cupping her cheeks and kissing her forehead softly.

“That upset me.” She said quietly. “I was jealous, thinking about you with her…I hate being jealous, it’s so…out of control.”