SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

Chapter 19

Bette had just got off a night shift – she had worked an extra couple of hours to finish the task she had started at about 3am. It was a bright and pleasant morning in New York – and it was only 9am – she had the rest of the day ahead of her – well she would what was closer to the truth was she had a lot of sleep to get and then she would do some chores and hopefully get a trip to the gym as well as see Tina. Tina – Bette sighed with a smile – there was no doubt in her mind that she was falling in love with the blonde again.
She was just thinking about Tina when she remembered that her phone was switched off – as she always did when she was in the crime lab. She removed it from her bag and switched it on. She walked towards the subway and stopped to buy a coffee on her way. As she waited for the coffee she checked her messages – she had several messages from Tina – obviously Tina had been on the night before – there were several drunken texts – sexually suggestive and badly spelt which made Bette chuckle. She reached a text that had been sent only half an hour earlier
“Dad got the restaurant he wants – I am going over to take another look at it – if you are awake come along and see it “ she had texted the address. Bette took her coffee and looked at the address – close to Broadway which was only a few stops on the subway.
Well – she could change her day around – she would sleep after seeing Tina and it would be interesting to see the place where Tina was probably going to end up living. Well one point in its favour was it was only 10 minutes on the subway away from Bette’s place of work – Bette liked the idea of being close enough to Tina’s place to slip around for some quality naked time early in the morning – and maybe during her one hour break some private time wouldn’t be impossible.
Such fantasies helped Bette pass time on the brief journey up to Broadway -she found the address easily and stood for a few minutes looking at the restaurant -it was a four storey building – if Tina had the top apartment they would have plenty of privacy and this was a decent area. Well what was she saying ? – it was a great area to live – somewhere that Tina wouldn’t be able to afford for several years. On the downside it was just across Central Park from Emma. Mind you – Bette would only consider them to be safe from Emma if they were living in a log cabin half way up a mountain in New Zealand. She tried the door and it was unlocked. She walked inside – Matthew was sitting at  what was the bar writing in a notebook
“Any chance of a piece of pizza ?  “ Bette said in her best harsh New York accent. Matthew looked up and beamed when he saw that it was Bette. He got up and walked across to the door to greet her
“Tina told me that you were more beautiful and I just thought it was lust talking – but it isn’t – hello Bette”
“Hello Matt – I do not feel that beautiful as I have just got off nightshift “
“Well take it from me – you more than make up for sleep in natural good looks”
Matthew took Bette by the hands and looked at the brunette
“It is so good to see you again “
They embraced – Bette adored Tina’s two dads and they had always been so supportive of them as a couple – and he had kept in touch with Bette while she was at college and he remembered her birthday which really touched her.
He looked at her – yes – she was definitely just as lovely as he always remembered her. Tall, her long brown hair tied back in a ponytail that made her look younger but as Tina had said – her face had changed slightly and that made her look mature.
“Its good to see you “ Bette said “ Tina invited me over to see the restaurant and the apartment – where is she by the way ?”
“She’s gone to get coffee and some doughnuts – also I need a tape measure -so she’s found a hardware store -she should only be half an hour “
“This is one hell of a first restaurant Matt “
“I know “ he looked round  the building “its on two stories – I might just open this level first – see how it goes – nothing worse than empty tables – take a look around”
Bette smiled and took the opportunity – she wandered around for a few minutes before coming back to Matthew
“Are you open to ideas ?” she asked
“Of course – I just signed the lease last night – I have some plans but I am open to changing them “
“Well this would be perfect for a coffee and sandwich and doughnut operation during the day. How far has she had to go to get the coffee ? If she’s walked some distance that rather says that there is an opportunity  – just start small  – and if it works you can expand it  – run it as a second business to the restaurant which I assume will be good quality stuff “
Matthew listened and nodded “ it’s a possibility “
He gestured for her to sit down at a table “Are you going to change these tables ?”
Bette asked
“The restaurant can wait – Tina is very happy with the way that things are going”
Bette smiled “Its only been five weeks but its working nicely “
“She’s falling for you – you do know that ?”
Bette nodded “ Is this the point when you play the concerned father and you ask if my intentions towards your daughter are honourable ?”
He laughed “ Yes – so I suck at this – I know that but I am her father “
Bette smiled “I think you are the only person other than Tina who can ask me that and I wouldn’t tell you to mind your own business “
“I am your side – I always was. don’t tar me with the same brush as Emma”
Bette sighed and looked at Tina’s father
“I adore her – I always have and I probably always will. there is a way to go – we’re not ready to move in together or anything drastic. But for now we care really deeply for one another and we are finding our way again.. Four years is a long time for us to be apart and we need time and privacy to find each other again – is that a explanation you accept?”
“I am just concerned for both of you “
Bette smiled “I know that and as I said – you can ask me and I will tell you “
Matthew glanced at his phone before looking at Bette
“Emma cannot stop the two of you “ he said
“Emma will find a way to try and stop us – you also know that. She won’t stop until Tina never wants to see me again. She made both of us miserable four years ago and I am sorry Matthew but I am not going to forgive and forget”
“You don’t have to forgive her – I do know how I would feel if I was stopped seeing the person I loved. But play it smart Bette “
“How do you mean ?”
“You think the sledgehammer approach will work with her ? It won’t. She is intelligent but then I think that if there is anyone around who is cleverer than Emma its you – she didn’t get a First”
“Its just a number “ Bette said dismissing her degree classification
“No – they don’t give 1st in Ivy League Universities unless you are clever to a degree that most normal people cannot hope to match.  You get a 1st if you are logical and can  think so many steps ahead that you are a very good strategist – I assume you are a good chess player and you excel at all those games that require you to think out what the consequences of a move – yes ?”
Bette nodded
“So – all I am going to say to you is that you need to play Emma without your emotions leading you. I know how Tina feels and she’s  not one to keep her emotions in check . You have to be the smart one – don’t let her do anything she will regret and don’t do anything that hurts Tina “
“I wouldn’t hurt Tina”
“I know that Bette – what I am saying is that you have to be the smart one – don’t let Tina or you do or say anything that cannot be unsaid. You have a strong hand – Tina loves you “
Bette blushed – love was a word they hadn’t used yet  – it was far too soon for them regardless of their feelings. It would take time but they were getting there.
“Don’t let the past dominate what could be a wonderful future for the two of you. Bette – success is the best revenge – you do know that right ?”
“You could write greetings cards” Bette said dryly but she grinned and let out a laugh “I know Matt I really do. But I don’t trust myself at the moment – its too raw”
He nodded “She wants a confrontation – that’s her bread and butter – don’t give her what she wants “
“You should always do what your enemy doesn’t want you to “ Bette said
Matthew nodded “Look – I know you can tell me to butt out and you are perfectly entitled to – you are 23 but just think things through. At the end of the day its down to the two of you – just “ he sighed and looked at the brunette who was looking at him with keen attention “Emma is not as important as she likes to think she is in the long run. Whatever else you think – she loves Tina and she will not want to lose her daughter from her life – just remember that. She might threaten and bluster but she’s not got any power”
“I keep thinking what she might do “
“What do you think ?”
“She controlled Tina’s college fund – that was why Tina didn’t have a choice but to do what she wanted – money is all she has”
“You think she will try and buy you or Tina off ?”
Bette pulled a face “ What else can she do ?”
“Is that all you think she will do ?”
Bette looked behind her to make sure Tina was not about to walk into the restaurant
“I have stuff I need to tell Tina – things that happened at college. I will tell her – but I need to build up to it  – if Emma was to find out – well she could tell Tina”
The door opened and Tina came in carrying coffee and doughnuts and a couple of other items. Matthew stood up
“Don’t let her win – I don’t think you will but my advice is simple – use your head. don’t let your anger cloud what the two of you do “