After her shower and changing, Tina came out of the bedroom heading straight for the living room. Bette was reading the paper while drinking coffee, Tinas words apparently followed as the food appeared to be untouched.

Bette looked up as Tina entered the room and gave her a smile. Tina returned the expression and joined Bette on the sofa.

I see that you heeded my words of warning, huh? asked Tina, still with the smile on her face.

I determined it to be wise to do just that answered Bette with a chuckle.

Uh huh was all Tina said.

They had their breakfast in relative quiet as both were reading different sections of the paper. Occasionally, one would offer a comment particular to what they were reading, but conversation was kept to a minimum.

The morning passed on in this relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, neither wanting to alter just the ease of being with the other. Independently, each thought how this morning was not unlike what their Sunday morning ritual in LA had been. It was incredibly easy to fall back into something that at one time had been so normal.

Tina put down the last section, looked at Bette, waiting for her to notice that she was done reading.

Bette finally looked up from the paper and said What?

Im done she said.

Ok, thanks for the update Bette smiled.

So said Tina.

So replied Bette.

What should we do now? asked Tina in a patient manner.

Well, this is New York. There are a couple of things that I would imagine might interest us.

How bout a walk in the park? asked Tina. It is beautiful outside and I think that we need to get some fresh air.

Sounds good said Bette, while putting the paper down. Im just about done anyhow. I tell you what, she continued, let me just take a quick shower, change and then we can head out. Sound ok?

Perfect said Tina while smiling. Why dont I clean this stuff up while you are getting ready.

Alright then, a shower, change of clothes and a walk in the park it is. said Bette as she stood to head to the bedroom.

As she rose and walked by a still seated Tina, she reached down and cupped her chin turning Tinas face up towards her, as if to kiss her. She continued to hold her chin, rubbing her thumb lightly across her bottom lip, while smiling at her, her eyes never leaving Tinas. A soft sigh escaped her lips and with that, she slowly lowered her hand continuing on to the bedroom.

As she watched Bette walk away, she realized that she had not taken a breath the entire time that Bette had held her face. She now allowed her body to breath and waited for her heart to slow down.

What the ***** was that? she asked herself.

For a split second, she had thought that Bette was going to lean down and kiss her. Her body had reacted in a manner that was expecting to be kissed, hoping to finally get what it had wanted all of this time.

***** she whispered quietly.

The sound of the shower being turned on brought her back to reality and she stood to clear the breakfast dishes.

As she straightened the kitchen, she thought to herself, I really wish I knew what was going through her mind sometimes. I wish I knew where she was in terms of all of this and then after a pause, or maybe I dont. she wryly thought.

As promised, Bette had been quick in getting ready and as she came into the kitchen, Tina turned around to greet her. No words came out of her mouth though as she could only look at Bette.

The outfit that Bette had chosen to wear literally took Tinas breath away. Where did those jeans come from? she asked.

Bette looked down and said Oh, I just picked these up last week at Barneys. Why? Do you not like them?

Whats not to like said Tina in a breathy manner.

The jeans were a low rise cut that hugged her hips in a way that accented Bettes amazing body. The look screamed to be touched and Tina was finding it difficult to not walk over and do just that.

When Tina said nothing else, Bette said, So, shall we head on?

Yes said Tina, finally peeling her eyes off of Bette.

God, Ive got to get this under control Tina chided herself. This is ridiculous. I feel like a ***** 15 year old boy, walking around with a constant hard on.

Bette continued to watch Tina and wondered what the mental volleyball was about. I guess that shell just tell me when shes ready she thought.

They left the apartment after locking it up and headed to the elevator, neither speaking. When it arrived, Tina entered first, holding the door for Bette and pushed the lobby floor button. The close proximity of Bette was excruciating for Tina and the ride seemed to take an eternity.

You doing ok? asked Bette. You look a little flushed. Youre not getting sick are you?

No, Im fine Bette. Im not getting sick. she said staring at something on the wall of the elevator that appeared to be of fascination.

They finally arrived at the lobby level and walked to the front door. As they got outside, Tina took a deep breath and allowed the fresh air to help clear her head from all of her thoughts.

Bette continued to watch her, but didnt figure that she should ask again what was bothering her.

So, I thought that we could go to the lake in the park and hang there if thats ok?

Perfect said Tina.

As they started the walk to the park, Tina stuffed her hands deep into the pockets of her jeans for fear of them rubbing against Bettes. Conversation was kept light as they focused on winding their way through the streets of New York.

They got to the park, made their way to the lake and chose a spot to just sit and watch the world moving around them.

Bette said Tina.

Hmm? she replied.


Ive been thinking.

Yeah?

I think that I am going to need to go back to LA at some point.

Bette just looked at her, wondering if she had changed her mind about staying here with her in NY. Ok, what did you have in mind? she slowly asked.

Tina saw the confused look on Bettes face and immediately clarified, Oh no baby. I dont mean go back to LA for good. I have not changed my mind about staying with you. Nothing could get me to do that. she said while smiling reassuringly at her.

I just meant that I am going to need to go back, get some things that I accidentally left behind, tie up some loose ends and talk to the girls face to face about what is going on. I mean, I did leave in kind of a hurry she chuckled.

Ok, well do you need anything from me? I mean, do you want me to go with you? asked Bette.

Baby, that is so sweet of you to ask and as much as I would love for you to come to LA with me, I can not ask that of you. Especially when you are trying to get this gallery opened for Peggy. No, Im a big girl, I can handle this on my own.

When were you thinking of heading back? asked Bette.

Well, I need to pursue that opportunity with Chris Moore and Alphaville that I told you about, and since youll be going back to work tomorrow, thought that that would be a good time to start.

Bette continued to watch her, not saying anything, allowing Tina to work this out on her own.

So continued Tina, that means if all of that goes according to plan, I could get back to LA maybe by the end of the week, first of the following maybe? I dont want to be gone over the weekend though since youre free then so would try to schedule for during the week.

How long were you thinking that you need in LA? asked Bette.

I dont know, 2-3 days I would guess.

Ok, well I can have James arrange the ticket for you, so why dont you just plan on giving all of the specifics to him when you are ready.

Thanks baby, that would be great.” After a moment, she continued, “Are you ok with this? she softly asked.

Of course T, whatever you need is fine with me.

I dont like leaving you so quickly after getting here. she continued in a soft voice.

T said Bette, scooting over to rest her hand on Tinas leg, Nothing is going to happen in the 2-3 days that you are in LA. I mean, we were separated for over 6 months, I dont think that a couple of more days will do any significant damage. Right? she asked, raising an eyebrow in Tinas direction.

Yeah, I guess that you are right. she accepted.

T, dont rush it. Go back whenever you are ready. Just in like getting us back to the right place, we both need to not speed through things as we did before. I think that that was one of our problems, never slowing down to just appreciate what we had together as a couple and what we had in each other.

Tina looked at Bette, her words landing right at home. How right she is she thought. She had not wanted to push Bette in terms of starting all of the dialogue that would be needed to help mend them, but she saw that in conversations like this, it would start to flow naturally, without being forced.

I know said Tina. The last couple years of our relationship seem to be a blur. It all seemed to happen so fast, almost difficult to speak about significant moments as they all seem to meld together.

That is exactly what I am talking about T said Bette, emotion rising in her voice. And I dont want that anymore. I am tired of always being in a hurry, always needing to control a situation, never allowing something to just flow. Im just tired of all of it she trailed off in a somewhat defeated tone.

Tina reached over and pulled Bettes head down into her lap. There was a slight resistance at first, but she then succumbed.

Tina rubbed her head, allowing her fingers to play in her hair that she loved so much, and both just watched the toy boats gliding across the lake. They sat there for a while, neither really knowing for how long, neither really caring.

The afternoon was getting late and they both realized that it was time to go. Each stood and just looked at the other. They both knew that it had been a good conversation, a baby step, and yet, a step nonetheless.

As they turned to go home, this time Tina did not put her hands in her pocket. She reached out and held onto Bettes hand, feeling the reassuring grasp returned from her. They walked back the way that they had come, retracing their previous steps.

As Tinas left hand was holding Bettes, she took her right hand, placing it on Bettes upper right arm and gently laid her head on Bettes shoulder. They walked like this the entire way home, each lost in her own thoughts, just happy to be with the other.