Bette breathed in a sigh of relief upon hearing Tina say yes. She was going to get her chance to try and convince Tina that they needed to be together for the rest of their lives.

Are you sure? Bette asked.

Yes Tina said. I still need to talk to my Mom and tell her everything.

Do you want me to do that for you, with you? Bette asked.

No Tina said. I need to do that on my own.

Tina Bette said. Ive been thinking about where we could go, you know just in case you said yes, and Ive come up with a plan that might work for all of us.

What is it? Tina said.

I was thinking that maybe we could rent a cabin in the mountains in Colorado Bette said. That way we could fly to Denver with Julie, rent a car and drive on up to the cabin. That way if you decided you couldnt stay the week with me youd at least be not too far from your mom.

Tina was touched by Bettes thoughtfulness, not only about her making sure she would be close to her mother but knowing that it would also make her mother feel as if they werent just kicking her out of their lives because they needed to be alone.

Thank you for trying to make things easier for all of us Tina said as a feeling of love filled her heart. So when do you want to leave?

As soon as I can make all of the arrangements Bette said.

Okay Tina said. I am going to go and talk to my mom.

I am going to go get some dinner for all of us Bette said. That way you can have some privacy.

Bette left and Tina went in search of Julie. Julie had taken to spending the late afternoon out in the garden or lounging by the pool so Tina knew where to search for her.

Hey Tina said.

Hi honey Julie said. How are you feeling?

Better Tina said. I still have a slight headache but it is so much better than last night. Too much stress I think.

You need to just relax and let things come back to you in their own time Julie said.

Actually Mom things have come back Tina said softly. I remember everything.

Oh honey that is so wonderful Julie said as she went up and put her arms around Tina. I am so happy for you.

Tina smiled at her mothers words and she hugged her tightly. We should have been closer all of these years Tina thought.

Mom Tina said.

What honey? Julie said.

Im sorry, you know that we havent been close Tina said her voice filled with regret.

Im sorry too Julie said. We just let stupid things get in the way but never again at least on my part. I love you and I want to have my daughter in my life more than a phone call every once in a while. Maybe I should say daughters and include Bette in that.

I dont know if you should do that just yet Tina said as tears filled her eyes. Im not sure whether Bette and I are still going to be together.

Oh honey I am sorry that you are hurting Julie said.

Bette told me that you know what happened Tina said.

Yes Julie said. I happened to walk up when your friend Shane jumped all over Bette for what she had done.

Shane did that? Tina asked.

Yes Julie said. They had just arrived at the hospital in Las Vegas.

What did Bette say to you? Tina asked.

She made no excuses for what she had done Julie said. She told me that she loves you and that you were her life. She said that if you would let her, she would make it up to you for the rest of your lives.

And you believed her? Tina asked.

I have no doubt that she loves you Julie said. I have seen it her eyes, in the way she looks at you and in her actions. I dont know the details of why things happened the way they did but I do believe she is sorry for her actions. You know she blames her self for the accident.

She does? Tina asked.

Yes Julie said.

Why would she do that? Tina asked.

Because of her actions you left LA Julie said. To be honest I was angry with her at first over it, but your friend Alice was the voice of reason. She made all of us see that it wasnt Bettes fault that a guy ran a red light and hit your car.

Im glad you told me Tina said. Mom I need to talk to you about something and I hope that I dont upset you.

What is it honey? Julie said.

Bette has asked me to go away with her for a week to talk things out Tina said. To try and decide if we can stay together or if I need to walk away. I told her I would go but

Dont worry about me honey Julie interrupted. I need to get back home anyway.

Mom I dont want you to think we are kicking you out Tina said. Bette has actually come up with a plan that might make things easy on all of us. We are going to fly to Denver with you. Bette is going to rent a cabin in the mountains and we will rent a car at the airport. We can drop you off at home and head on to the mountains.

I dont feel as if you are kicking me out Julie said. I know the two of you need time to deal with everything has happened. I am happy that Bette was thoughtful enough to consider my feelings. She is a very caring person.

Mom I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me since the accident Tina said. I love you

I love you too Julie said. I wouldnt have been anywhere else. I hate it that it took the accident to make me realize how much I missed you being a close part of my life.

Im going to go and see if Bette made it back with dinner and tell her to make all of the arrangements for our trip Tina said.

Bette spent the evening on her computer and on the phone making the arrangements for the trip. It seemed as if everything was going her way because she was able to rent a cabin on short notice because of a cancellation and she managed to book the three of them on a flight for the next day. She called Franklin at home and told him that she needed to take off a week of emergency leave. Considering all the ***** Franklin had given her in the past, he had been kind and understanding about her having to take off since Tinas accident.

The three of them left the house early the next morning to board their flight to Denver and in no time at all they were dropping Julie off at home. Tina promised her she would call her soon or see her soon depending on the outcome of the week. The drive up to the cabin was relatively quiet because both Bette and Tina were lost in their own thoughts and nervous about what the week ahead would mean for them. Before they found the main lodge and got checked in, they stopped to buy groceries and soon they were unloading their bags and heading in to the cabin. It was a fully furnished beautiful 2 bedroom log cabin, with a huge wood burning fire place, a kitchen and all the amenities of home.

This is beautiful Tina said.

Yes Bette said. We were lucky to get it. Lets get our bags in to our rooms so I can unload the groceries.

They decided on which bedroom each of them would take and they unloaded the groceries and put them away. When they finished there was an awkward silence in the room. Both of them were reluctant to start the conversation that was going to be so painful for them, but Bette decided she had made the mess so she would try to clean it up.

Do you want something to eat before we talk? Bette asked.

No Tina said as she walked over and sat down on the leather sofa. I dont think I could eat anything right now.

This feels weird to have this awkwardness between us Bette said.

Yes it does Tina said.

Tina, I am not even sure where to begin Bette said. I have so much I want to say.

Bette I have some things I want to say before we talk about what happened Tina said.

Okay Bette said.

I need to talk about the accident Tina said. My mom told me that you have been blaming your self for me being in the accident. You shouldnt blame your self because I dont. It was just an accident.

I know but if it wasnt for me and what I did you wouldnt have left Bette said.

It was my choice to leave Tina said. The guy ran a red light Bette. It was his fault. Please dont blame your self anymore. Besides, some good did come from the accident.

What is that? Bette asked.

For one thing, my mother and I are closer than we have been in many years Tina said. For another, it put me in a situation that made it so I could even be in the same room with you. When I left that day I didnt know if I ever wanted to see you again. I was so hurt and so angry with you that I knew I could not deal with seeing you. The accident and the time since, has given me an opportunity to calm down enough to be able to listen to you and to see that you love me.

I love you more than you will ever know Bette said emotion filling her voice.

I love you too, but like I told you before sometimes love is not enough Tina said sadly.We have had seven wonderful years together. They werent all perfect, but I never once thought of us not being together for the rest of our lives. Tina paused and then continued on. This is so hard for me and I am trying to be as honest with you and my self about how I feel. I have done so much thinking in the last few days since my memory has returned and I honestly dont know if I can live with what you have done no matter why it happened.

Tina, please Bette said as tears ran down her face after hearing Tinas words.

Bette please let me finish Tina said. I am going to ask you for something and you are going to think I am crazy or think that maybe the accident really did some brain damage but it is what I want. It is a selfish act on my part, but I want you to at least consider it.

What is it? Bette asked.

I want you to make love to me Tina said. Now, before I hear the whys.

Tina I dont understand why you would want that given the situation Bette said surprise reflected in her voice.

Bette, as much as I dont want to believe this, there is a possibility that this could be the last time that we are ever together Tina said sadly. That last night that we were together is burned in to my memory and I dont want what is possibly our last time together to be that memory. If it has to end, I want our last time to be about love and not anger.

Why not wait and see how you feel after we talk? Bette asked.

I told you that I want it be about love and not anger Tina said.

Bette sat there trying to deal with her emotional reaction to Tinas request. She didnt know if she could honor her request. She looked in to Tinas eyes and saw all the hurt and pain she had inflicted on her and she knew she had to honor her request even if it haunted her forever.

Okay Bette said. If you are sure it is what you want.

It is Tina said.

TBC