Bette woke up to soft rain drops splattering against the bedroom window. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and when she did, she smiled a smile as wide as her cheeks would allow. She looked over at Tina, who was sleeping just as she always did, on her stomach, with her hand laying across some part of Bette’s body. This morning it was on her shoulder. While still smiling, Bette’s eyes filled with tears, thinking about how many nights she woke up next to Candace, dreaming about waking up next to Tina. She didn’t want to take anything away from Candace, she was an incredible woman…she just wasn’t Tina. And waking up next to Tina was literally Bette’s dream come true.

Tina slowly woke up, sensing she was being watched. Then she remembered who was in bed with her, and without opening her eyes, she smiled…a big goofy wide-***** smile. She popped her eyes open to see a tearful, but smiling Bette staring at her. “Baby…” Tina moved onto her side and pulled Bette into her embrace. “Morning…how did you sleep?”

Bette was saying something, but Tina was holding her so tight she couldn’t understand what she was saying. “What Baby?”

Bette lifted her head a little. “I said, I slept better last night than I have in well over a year. I think I finally succeeded in wearing myself down.”

Tina reached out and ran her finger along the outline of Bette’s cheek. “I think that over the last several weeks, you have finally succeeded in letting go of so many pent up emotions that you’ve been…what did you call it…shelving…since…well, since before I quit my job, and now your body just needs to rest a little. Now, come back here, cause I have the perfect spot for you to rest your, oh so weary body.” With that, Tina pulled Bette close and they laid there quietly, until they both drifted off to sleep again.

A couple of hours later, they were woken by a loud ringing. It took Tina a second to understand what the noise was, but then she reached over and grabbed the phone. “Ahhhh huhhhh.”

“Tina?”

“Yea,” Tina mumbled into the phone.

“Hey, it’s Sandi. Huh…are you Ok?”

Tina untangled herself from Bette and sat up, rubbing her face. “Yea, I’m fine. I was sleeping…why?”

“Well…it’s almost eleven o’clock and when you didn’t show up for work, and we hadn’t heard from you, we got a little worried. With all the photographers hanging around, we just wanted to make sure you are Ok.”

Tina smiled into the phone. “Sandi, that is sweet of you. I appreciate that you are watching out for me, but I am fine.” She looked over at Bette, who was laying there, calmly looking at Tina, just taking her all in. “In fact, I am more than fine. Sorry about worrying you. I will stop by a little later for just a bit, but other than that, I won’t be working today. Ok?”

“Ok, sure Tina. I’ll let everyone know. Later.”

“Bye Sandi, and thanks again for the call.”

Tina hung up the phone and turned to Bette, who this time had her arms open for Tina to snuggle down into. “That was Sandi, one of the women I work with. They were worried about me since I’m not at work.”

Bette looked around for a clock. “What time is it?”

“Sandi said it was 11:00. I guess we should get out of bed and start the day. What do you think?”

Bette smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of Tina’s head. “Well, as much as I would like to lay in bed with you all day, we probably should get up. We have been horizontal now for about 13 hours, and I need to stretch my back.” Bette looked down at Tina to see her reaction. “Do you mind if we don’t stay in bed?”

Tina understood what Bette was saying. She knew Bette was holding back, not quite ready to make love. That was Ok with Tina…for now. Their sexual relationship had always been so fulfilling, well…except for that last year or two. She was just so excited about how their emotional connection was coming along, that she was willing to wait for Bette to be comfortable. But knowing her like she did, Tina knew that Bette wouldn’t want to wait too much longer. Tina smiled to herself. ‘I mean, she hasn’t changed that much!’
“No, I don’t mind at all. Why don’t we get up, have leftover Thai food for breakfast, and then I want to stop off at the studio for a bit. I want you to meet Elaine…I mean, I know you saw her, but I want you two to actually meet and speak in person. Besides, I want to introduce you to Jennifer Beals. You two actually look a lot alike, although I think you are so much prettier!” Tina giggled.

Bette reached over and tickled Tina in the ribs. “You think I look like Jennifer Beals huh? Well, thank you for the compliment, but I have seen some recent pictures of her, the woman is absolutely gorgeous. I doubt that I come even close to looking anything like her.” She kissed the top of Tina’s head again. “But I’m glad you like the way I look, cause your opinion is the only one that matters.”

They got out of bed and while Tina was heating up the food, Bette took a quick shower. After eating, Tina jumped in for her shower, while Bette took the opportunity to make calls to Kit, as well as James.

They left Tina’s apartment, and as they walked out the door of her building, they saw the same two photographers standing there waiting. Bette took one look at them and started walking towards them, with her fists clenched, growling. The two men snapped a quick shot and then turned and quickly walked away. (Later, they both realized that they wouldn’t be able use the picture, because most of the picture was of that angry woman coming toward them, with only part of Tina showing in the background…laughing.)

On the way to the studio, Tina looked over at Bette. “So…remember how I asked you if you liked margaritas, and taking walks on the beach?”

Bette smiled at Tina and reached over, laying her hand on Tina’s thigh. “How could I forget. That was so sweet T.”

“Well, I was thinking that maybe you would like to do that with me today.”

Bette looked at Tina a bit confused. “T, in case you didn’t notice, we aren’t by the beach…and it’s raining.”

Tina just looked at her and raised her eyebrows. “Well…I thought that maybe we could substitute hot chocolate for the margaritas, and instead of a cocktail umbrella, we could use an umbrella built for two, and take a walk along the waterfront.”

Bette’s eyes filled with tears for the umpteenth time in the last twenty-four hours. She smiled at the woman she adored, and softly sang one sentence, “…getting caught in the rain.” “I’d love to Baby.”