Tina looked into Bettes eyes as their breathing slowed.

Bette: Tina, please tell me that you will still want this in the morning.

Tina: in the morning, evening and forever Betteas long as it is with you..

Bette; honey, my heart is yours, as is every part of me

Tina: hold me Bette

Bette: my pleasure.
TBC



The next morning the 2 women awoke to two children jumping on them. Tina was in Bettes arms and Bette was resting her head on Tinas pillow. Emma and Lucy were laughing as they told Bette that she should have brought her jimmies. Tina sat up and looked around the room and noticed all of hers and Bettes clothes lying around the floor. She almost died and wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. Her face didnt go unnoticed by Bette. Bette gently touched Tinas hand and looked into her eyes. Bette was asking Tina if she was ok. Tina gave her a smile back that said yes but what about the girls. Bette leaned over.

Bette: ( with a quiet voice), the girls will be fine, relax baby..

Tina;..(Equally as quietly), do you think? God Bette I didnt plan for anything like this..

Bette knew that last night may have been too soon. But to Bettes credit she did ask a few times if Tina wanted them to be together and she let Tina set the pace.

Bette; Come on lets get up and get organized for the school visit.

Tina: bloody ***** I forgot about that.Bettewill you still comewith us?

Bette: baby, of course I will now come on get up..

Tina just sat where she was.

Bette: (looking at her with a gentle smile), Tina, are you shy.after..are you

Tina blushed and was not going to move out of the bed. Emma and Lucy were watching TV in another room. Bette stood up and walked around the bed. Tina tried not to look at her but she caught glimpses of her legs as she stood before her. wow, thought Tina, did I really.

Tina was interrupted by Bette

Bette: ( holding out a t shirt for Tina), hey you, come on and put this on. I didnt bite you last night and wont this morning either.

Tina lifted her head and looked at Bette. She knew that once again she was causing Bette some hurt and once again she hated it. She extended a hand to Bette but didnt take the t shirt. Bette was confused. Tina held Bettes hand and pulled herself up allowing the bed cover to slip down to the floor. They stood eye to eye, once again. Tinas heart was racing and she knew that last night was no accident. Bette was a little nervous as she was guessing what Tina was thinking.

Tina: you know what Bette

Bette( Gasping), no

Tina: ( looking shyly at Bette), you are so pretty..

Bette: (blushing)thanks.heretake this shirt.before the girls come back

Tina; (smiling and thanking Bette with her eyes), ta..

Tina walked round her bed and picked up her robe. She walked back to Bette and placed it on her shoulders and held it for Bette to put her arms into. She turned Bette around and closed it over with a lovely bow. Bette appreciated the time Tina took with her and smiled the whole time. When she was finished Bette leaned in and gently kissed Tina on the forehead. Tina pushed into Bette and placed her arms around her. Bette felt Tina hold on tight and could feel Tinas chest heave.

BetteTina..Im not going anywhere..and if last night is now a little regretful for you..then its time to slow down again.rememberyou set the pace..

Tina: Betteyour amazing..last night.*****.yes it happenedyes I wanted it.but could we..slow things down a little.I am so scared right now.and dont want to hurt you or be hurt..

Bette:Tina you will hurt me only if you start running againif we talk there cant be hurt..not if we both talk and listen..

They hugged again until Tina broke it at the sound of laughing in the TV room.

Tina; do you want to shower first?

Bette: eh..maybe I should go home and shower as my things are there

Tina: oh..

Bette: hey .im not walking out.and nothis isnt a one night thing.i just dont have any clean stuffand (giggling)after last night.i need clean stuff..

Tina( blushing for the whole wide world), oh..ok.will you come back

Bette: (pulling Tina close), yes I willand remember I am going no where

Bette headed home for a shower and in 30 mins they were all outside Tinas house. Tina locked up and opened her BMW .

Bette: Tina come on, lets take mineyou said that you were unsure of the roads..

Tina: yes but I have to learncome on control freak..let me drive.

Bette: (whispering to herself and getting into Tinas car), control freak, who is she kidding

Tina set off and Bette reminded her a million times to stay on the right of the road. Tina rolled her a smile and said that she had driven in France and Italy so LA should be no problem. Tina came to a set of traffic lights and Bette told her to turn right. As she did she almost crossed to the far away side of the road. A horn blasted at her.

Tina: dear methere was no need for that..

Bette; (holding onto the dash)…dear me(laughing).what the ***** does that meandear mecome on youpull over and let me drivethat way you can watch the way

Tina: (reluctantly pulling over)control freakI can drive you know…

Bette: (pinching Tina on the bottom as she got out).I know my little shortbreadbut dear mewe are all hungry..that right girls..

Emma and Lucy: AAAYYYEEEE

Tina; oh so we have a gang or a mutiny here.

Bette began to drive and Tina leaned back and looked out of the window at the lovely LA Monday morning.

Bette; (quietly)you okwe were just having a wee joke

Tina( smiling)look Yankcut the shortbread and Rabbie Burns voice..

Bette; (looking shocked)..Rabbie Burns.I thought I was more like.Mary Queen of Scots

Tina: aye and you know what happened to her.headless after the English got her..so keep it upim sure that there are a few Englanders here in the USA

Everyone laughed as they rolled up at the Planet. They had just sat down when Alice, Dana and Shane arrived.

Alice: hey shortbread familyhow are we all this morning(Alice winked at Bette but noticed that she was changed and wore her own clothes).

Bette: ( glaring at her ) fine, my blabber mouth friend, just fine.

Bette walked over to Marina to order and Alice followed.

Alice; ( laughing), so did you get any haggis last night, eh, wink wink

Bette: ( smirking but also glaring), not everyone dishes out like you do buddy..

Alice ( smirking), so, no bed notch for you Porter, youre slipping,

Bette: ( frowning), Alice, a notch is for a shag, and yes you were an alright one, but some people are more than just a notch..you know what Im saying

Both women laughed and Alice gave Bette the dont kid a kidder look. Tina watched most of the banter from afar and smiled at Shane

Tina; are they always like that.

Shane; only where ***** is involved.Alice is very.keen to know everything

Tina blushed and looked a little shocked. She was worried about what Bette may tell Alice. Shane leaned over to Tina.

Shane: dont worry your in safe hands with Bette

Tina: oh.thanks (again Tina blushed).

As they ate Lucy worked her way onto Bettes knee. Bette was a little startled but received a beaming smile from Tina so she let Lucy work her way in. Then Lucy announced

Lucy; mum, are we still going to the Disney park on Friday for the weekend with Bette. Bette told us about it this morning when you were in the shower.

Everyone looked at Tina and Bette. Alice had the gotcha look.

Tina: ehyes I suppose we areeat your breakfastplease

Tina looked at Bette and Bette could see the cringe look in her eyes.

Alice; so you told them this morning that you were going away, did you Bette?

Bette: .alice, it only takes a second to walk from next door.

Emma: Bette, you stayed with us last night, remember in mums bed..

Alice; oh so you did get some haggis

Tina: (standing up), come on girls.

Tina got the girls up and walked towards the door. She didnt look at anyone especially Bette. Bette got up and looked at Alice with contempt

Bette; Alice, for once could you please keep out of my life..

As Alice tried to answer she caught the look on Tinas face.

Alice: Tina Im sorry, just a wee joke between Bette and me..

Tina: (looking flushed and sad), Alice I understand that, but when it involves the girls it isnt funny. I havent mentioned anything to them about Bette staying over so please dont fish for information from them. Its not fair.

Alice: hey Tina sorry. Lucy and Emma offered it up themselves..

Tina; yes Alice, thats because they are children and dont understand the games we play, especially the ones you and Bette play.

Bette: Tina, Alice is sorry, arent you AL (Bette punched Al in the back)

Alice (coughing), yeah, Tina, please, dont go.

Tina (turning to AL), hey, I have to go to visit the girls school, its ok, im just a little touchy about the girls being played for information, its a trick my dad uses.no harm done.honest(Tina gave Al a weak hug and walked out).

Bette; look Al, Ill call you later, but please go easy around her and the kidsplease..

Al: ok, ok, ..

Bette got into the drivers seat of the car and asked Tina if she was ok. Tina gave her a smile that said yes, just!!!!!!!!!!

They drove to the school and on the way Bette gave them a geography lesson of the sites and shops they passed. As Bette drove she became aware of Tinas hand gently touching her leg. She smiled to herself and placed her own hand down on top of hers. Tina curled her fingers gently around Bettes and no further words were spoken until reaching the school gate.

They entered and were in the Principals office within 5 mins. He filled them in and then looked at Tina

Principal: Mrs Kennard, you know that this is a catholic school. (He then glanced at Tinas wedding ring and then at Bette).

Tina (noticing what had happened), yes I do. I choose you

Principal: well..where is your husband?

Tina: (maintaining eye contact with him). Could my girls step outside please?

P: why yes. (He took the girls outside to sit in the waiting area.)

When he was away Bette looked at Tina and saw the hurt and anger there in her eyes. Tina looked at Bette and mouthed the word, *****, just before he came back in.

Tina( waiting for him to sit). Mr.

P : Hughes

Tina: Mr Hughesmy girls and I have moved her to try a new country. My husband did not come with us

P; Oh..

Tina: oh?……..Mr Hughes as far as I can remember that is not a crime within the catholic church..

P: ( leaning over his desk), yes Mrs Kennard you are right, but to start another relationship is( he looked straight at Bette)..

Tina ( feeling angry and hurt.) Mr Hughes, lets get one thing straight.you know nothing about me or my life, and thats a blessing. Emma and Lucy WILL be starting this school next Monday. On that you can be sure. However, if you feel the need to make an issue over a friend coming with me to visit your school then that is a separate matter. Oh and also, if you feel the need to mention their father to them again, make sure you clear it with me first.

P: eh.Mrs Kennard

Tina: never mind Mrs Kennard..if you cant keep your thoughts to yourself or mindless gossip then I suggest that you should not be Principal in a catholic schoolyou know.he who lives in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.

Tina gave him eye contact whist Bette sat in awe of a woman whom she thought would have ran a mile from such questions.

P: Mrs Kennard, I was not hinting about anythingI am sure your friend

Tina; her name is Bette, Bette Porter..

Bette looked him in the eye. She was nervous but also smirking at Tinas boldness.

P: Hello Miss Porter. Mrs Kennard I never thought anything except that you wear a ring and your husband is not in the room.Porter.from the CAC?

Bette: ( looking confused at the change in chat from Mr Hughes),eh yes the very one

P: (clearing his throat)Mrs Kennard, may I have a word with you..alone

TBC