.
The Key
Tina moves in with Bette and they live a happy, normal life once again. Learning from their mistakes, they've become more understanding and considerate towards each other. Tina is no longer the dominant type. She listens to Bette's suggestions and opinion, and respects it. Likewise, Bette is not dominating Tina, but she remains firm with her principles in terms of family, relationship and work. Both of them see to it that they have a give-and-take kind of relationship, neither is the boss.
One day, Bette has a dentist's appointment. Before going to the dentist, she brings Angie to her play group and plans to pick her up after her prophylaxis. While inside the dental clinic, a large delivery truck smashes her car which is parked on the street side. She is so mad. However, she's thankful that when the accident happened, she wasn't inside the car. Bette calls Kit asking her to pick up Angie from play group then pick her up too after her dental procedure. She purposely not call Tina because she doesn't want her to worry. Before going home, they drop by The Planet and lets Angie eat her meal. Later on, they head back home.
While Angie is watching cartoons inside the room, Bette sits on the couch, still upset about what happened to her car. When Tina arrives home, she's surprised as she sees Bette.
Tina: Oh, you're here now! I thought you haven't arrived yet. I didn't see your car. What happened Baby, why is your face like that?
She stares as Tina approaches and kisses her on the cheeks. Tina sits beside her, looking curiously.
Tina: What happened Baby?
Bette: My car is wrecked!
Tina: What?! How? Where's Angie?
Bette: She's inside the room, watching..
She tells Tina everything that happened.
Tina: Why didn't you call me?
Bette: I didn't want you to worry cuz you might think I'm with Angie when that happened. So I decided to just tell you when you arrive home.
Tina: Well, did you call your car insurance company?
Bette: I did. They'll work on it.
Tina: Did they say how long?
Bette: They'll do the estimate tomorrow and let me know.
Tina can sense that Bette is feeling so down from the way she responds.
Tina: Well, that's okay Baby. Let's just be thankful that you and Angie were not inside that car when it happened. You can take a cab temporarily while your insurance company settles it.
Bette: It's too much a hassle for me riding a cab Tina.
Tina: It's just temporary Baby...
Bette: Do you think I should just get a new one?
Tina: Well, you can wait first for your insurance company to tell you how long it will take.
Bette: What if it takes several weeks? I can't go on like this without a car.
Tina: Baby, patience... Don't buy right away. You wait first until they tell you how long it will take.
Bette: How about Angie, will you bring her and pick her up every time she goes to the play group?
Tina: It's okay Baby, I can do that. I can also drop you off to your art gallery if you don't want to take a cab then I'll pick you up in the afternoon. Anyway for the next 2 weeks I'll be working from home most of the times so you can use my car. Don't worry too much Baby.
Bette: Fuck! I shouldn't have given up my other car! I shouldn't have sold it. Damn! It's too inconvenient!
Tina: Baby, chill out. That's okay. Come on, I'll cook dinner so we can eat already. Did Angie eat?
Bette: I brought dinner. It's from Kit. Angie already ate.
Tina: Alright! I'll fix the table then. Come on, you smile now sweetheart. Don't stress yourself. That's okay...
Tina kisses and caresses Bette, trying to mollify her. In a little while, she stands up and proceeds to Angie inside the room.
∞∞o0o∞∞
A couple of weeks later, Bette and Tina are hosting a small party in their house for their closest friends.
A day before the party, Bette is so busy in her art gallery. Feeling so exhausted, she decides to go home; she doesn't have the energy to stay longer in her gallery; she needs rest and sleep.
As she arrives the house, Tina and Angie are not yet around. Immediately, she changes her clothes and retires; she's too tired and can't wait for them anymore.
When Tina and Angie arrive at 8pm, they make sure they don't disturb her, knowing that she's too tired.
The following day, Tina wakes up very early. After her hygiene routine, she leaves Bette and Angie in the bedroom, still sounding asleep. She makes her morning coffee and cooks breakfast for the family. Later on, she prepares to bake some brownies and cookies. While waiting for Bette to wake up, she keeps herself busy in the kitchen.
Finally, after a couple of hours, Bette wakes up. When she looks on the bed, she doesn't see Tina. She instantly frowns but as she sees Angie sleeping on the other bed, she assumes that Tina left early. Shortly, she gets up, washes up, and puts on her clothes. As soon as she goes out of the bedroom, she smells the cookies that Tina is baking, it's mouth-watering. She proceeds to the kitchen but she's still groggy. She pulls a face as she walks then goes directly to the coffee maker.
Tina: Hey Baby, why the frown? Having a bad day?
Bette doesn't respond and pours coffee in her mug.
Tina: Is Angie awake?
Bette: She's still asleep.
She walks toward Tina and greets her with her morning kiss, but she lacks energy and enthusiasm.
Tina: You slept early last night, did you not eat dinner?
Bette: No. I was too tired. But I ate snacks in the afternoon so I'm still full when I came home.
Tina continues to prepare the cookies, transferring the baked ones into some empty containers. Bette leans on the wall, not saying anything. For several minutes, she just watches Tina from behind.
Bette: Are those pants new?
Tina: No. Why?
Bette: It looks good on you...
She puts down her mug on the table, and then slowly moves toward Tina. From behind, she presses her front body against Tina's back, wrapping her hands around her waist, and then she starts kissing her from her nape going to the neck and her cheeks.
Tina: Baby…
She continues to kiss her while inserting her hands in Tina's loose shirt and then, she caresses her breasts passionately.
Tina: Baby, I'm doing something here.
Bette: I know.
Tina: So what are you doing to me?
Bette: Kissing and caressing...
Tina: Yeah, but I'm preparing, and I can't move here…
Bette: Then put it down and make love to me.
Tina: What?!
Bette: You heard me. Put it down and make love to me.
Tina: What?!
Bette: I miss you. I was too exhausted yesterday and I fell asleep right away.
Tina: Yeah, I know you're tired that's why I didn't disturb your sleep.
Bette continues to kiss Tina as she stands behind, caressing her breasts, her tummy and then, she slowly inserts her hand in Tina's pants. She wants to make love to her in the morning and she's feeling aroused.
Tina: Hey, stop it!
Bette: Why?
Tina: Angie will be waking up anytime soon.
Bette: So?!
Bette is feeling the urge. She doesn't stop caressing and kissing her. Likewise, Tina is getting aroused with Bette's touches and kisses; she's getting wet but she's trying to resist.
Tina: What do you mean, so? Do you want our daughter to see us making out here?
Bette: No. It'll just be quick Baby. The bathroom is right there. Let's make out inside the bathroom.
Tina: What?! Are you crazy?!
Bette: Yeah, I'm so crazy for you Baby...
She quickly drags Tina to the bathroom beside the kitchen and slightly closes the door. Tina could not complain anymore. Bette quickly undresses her and undresses herself too. She grabs Tina's hand, inserts Tina's finger in her slit, and likewise, Bette inserts her fingers in Tina's slit. Both of them are so aroused and wet. They rub each other, thrust and grind while they kiss and their tongues inside each other's mouth, exchanging breaths, fluids mingling, pleasuring each other. They do it fast, avoiding Angie from catching them making out. The more they feel the thrill, the more they get aroused. In just a little while, they both reach orgasms, exploding hard. They rest for a little while as they breathe heavily. Then they quickly wash up, put on their clothes and go out of the bathroom.
Bette sits on the chair; Tina walks toward her and sits on her lap. While her right arm is on Bette's shoulder, her left hand caresses Bette's face. Bette gazes at her intimately, wrapping her arms around Tina's body.
Tina: Your spontaneity when it comes to sex is one of the things I love about you.
Bette doesn't respond in words, she just looks at her intently. Tina gives her a smack on the lips. Bette continues to caresses Tina's back who's comfortably sitting on her lap. Tina puts her arms around Bette's neck and stares lovingly at her.
Tina: Thank you.
Bette: For what?
Tina: For taking me back. For understanding all my craziness, my inconsistencies and for accepting my imperfections.
Bette intently looks at her, directly in the eyes as she softly speaks.
Bette: Thank you.
Tina: For what?
Bette: For coming back to me.
Tina: Yeah. Even if it took me so long to come back...
There's silence for a little while, and they continue to gaze intimately at each other.
Bette: Tee, I don't want us to be apart again. I don't want to live without you.
Tina: No. I promise. We won't be apart, ever again.
She caresses Tina's body, her eyes are fixed on her face then she whispers on her ear.
Bette: I want another round. I want to fuck you hard and rough.
Tina chuckles and looks at Bette in disbelief.
Tina: Ha! Baby, save it for later. I need to finish the brownies first.
She gives Bette a smack on the lips. Bette sighs in disappointment and buries her face on Tina's chest.
Bette: Baby, it's been 3 weeks and I don't have my car yet. I need to buy a new one. Can you accompany me to buy one? This fucking car insurance company sucks! Until now, they haven't settled it.
Tina: Okay, when do you plan to get one?
Tina gets off Bette's lap and goes back to the cookies and brownies she's preparing. Bette sits steadily as she watches Tina.
Bette: Tomorrow.
Tina: Huh! Have you decided yet on what model to buy?
Bette: Yeah, still the one I told you before.
Tina: The Lexus one?
Bette: Yeah.
Tina: Okay Baby, just set the time.
Bette: Maybe in the morning at 10AM?
Tina: Okay, sure! Oh, shoot! I forgot!
Bette: What, what did you forget?!
Tina: Baby, you need to hurry and go to Alice's apartment. We left Angie's toys and new coloring books. You have to get it before Angie wakes up. Otherwise she'll have tantrums again if she doesn't see those new toys. It's hard when she starts the day like that...
Bette: What?! Noooo! Tina, I can't!
Tina: Why not?
Bette: I'll call Alice and ask her to bring those things here.
Tina: I already called Alice earlier, but she said she won't be here till after lunchtime. Well...it's up to you if you want Angie to be grumpy and have tantrums all day.
Bette: Tina, I don't feel like going out... Alice can bring it later.
Tina: Baby… Please?
Bette: I don't have a car Tina!
Tina: Then use my car… Can't you drive my car?
She looks at Bette intently as if giving her an order. Bette haphazardly gets up from her chair, grumpy. She doesn't want to go out but she's also thinking about Angie who might have tantrums later if she doesn't see her new toys. She frowns as she walks away. Tina observes. She gets her car key from her pants then hands it to Bette.
Tina: Hey Baby, here's the key. Alice already knows about Angie's stuff. Just pick it up it's in a black bag.
Bette haphazardly grabs the key from Tina's hand and walks out in a huff. Tina continues to bake the cookies and brownies.
After a while, Bette comes back, frantic.
Bette: Tee, do you have a visitor this early?!
Tina: No. I'm not expecting anyone. Why?
Bette: Well there's someone waiting outside. I can't move your car, he or she is blocking the driveway. Maybe it's one of your flashy actors?
Tina: I don't know. I'm not expecting anyone. Maybe it's your visitor? Did you not invite anyone?
Bette: No! I don't remember inviting anyone to come here! And I don't have a visitor this early! My visitors always call me first!
She's a bit upset, irritated by Tina's remarks. Tina is calm.
Tina: Well, did you ask who it was? Maybe a visitor in the neighborhood and used our driveway for a while? Did you not ask?
Bette: No, I did not ask!
Tina washes her hands, turns off the oven and walks out of the kitchen. She's calm but Bette is a bit infuriated.
Tina: Let's check who it is. Maybe it's Kit's suitor?
Bette: No, that's not Kit's suitor! For God's sake Tina!
Tina: Okay, relax Baby. Don't be mad. Let me check who it is. Yeah, maybe it's my visitor.
Bette and Tina walk towards the car, and it's really blocking the driveway. They approach and wait for the owner to step out or open the window. Bette and Tina stand there for a while but no one's stepping out. Bette is getting impatient, wearing a frown on her face. Tina notices it; she turns to Bette and smiles at her.
Tina: Baby, that's your car.
Bette: What?! What do you mean that's my car?
Tina: I said that's your car. Look at the key you're holding.
Bette looks at the key on her hand and sees that it is a Lexus' key, same as the car in front of them. It's definitely not Tina's car key; Tina's car is not a Lexus. Bette looks at Tina who is nodding and smiling sweetly at her.
Tina: That's yours Baby. That's my gift to you.
Bette is dumbfounded. She sighs and rolls her eyes as she realizes Tina has been tricking her. She stands still, inwardly smiling as she looks at her, then she bites her lower lip. Tina grins while fixedly looking at her. She moves close to Bette but Bette is still in disbelief. She wraps her arms around Bette's neck and Bette moves closer as she wraps her hands around Tina's waist. Standing face to face, close to each other, they exchange intimate glances.
Bette: Thank you. You're so sweet Baby.
She beams at Bette.
Bette: You didn't have to do this. This is grand.
Tina: I've wanted to give you this even before your car was wrecked. I'm sorry Baby, it took me this long. I just can't find time. I asked them to deliver this 2 weeks ago but for some reasons, they only delivered this yesterday.
Bette: It's not my birthday, why are you giving me a gift?
Tina: I don't need to wait for your birthday to give you gifts. I know material gifts are not enough to let you know how much you mean to me, and how thankful I am for all the sacrifices you've made for me, for us, for Angie. For all the achievements I have, for the success I am reaping now in my career, I know you are part of it. And everyday, you inspire me to strive harder. I love you Baby.
Bette: Thank you for this surprise. I love you.
Tina: I love you too.
They passionately kiss on the driveway, their bodies pressed against each other. But they are interrupted by Alice who suddenly arrives.
Alice: Hey! You two should get a room! Not here! Not in your driveway!
Tina chuckles.
Bette: Oh please! Why do you always have to interrupt Alice?!
Bette smiles playfully while Tina grins. They let go of their hugs.
Alice: Wow! Whose silver car is this? This is awesome! It's the newest model of Lexus!
Tina: That's Bette's.
Bette: Tina gave it to me Alice.
Alice: Wow! That's amazing! Yeah, you two should really get a room now.
Tina laughs.
Bette: Hey Alice, did you bring Angie's stuff?
Alice: What stuff? I don't know about that...
Bette is confused. She looks at Tina curiously but Tina playfully smiles at her.
Tina: Yeah, Baby… I was just tricking you, I'm sorry... I wanted you to go out so you'll see this car and so I can give it to you. You can do a test drive later. Let's have some breakfast first.
Bette mischievously smiles back at Tina and kisses her on the lips. Alice walks toward the house; Bette and Tina follow Alice as their arms are wrapped around each other's body.
Alice: Where's Angie?
Tina: She's still asleep. Have you eaten breakfast yet?
Alice: No, I haven't.
Tina: Okay, you're just in time for breakfast. I'll fix the table.
They all go inside the house and eat breakfast.
...
Continuation: On A Regular Day
