Tina was standing at the stove cooking an omelet when she felt Bette gently nuzzle her neck and put her arms around her. She leaned into Bette welcoming her embrace.

Tina: Morning.

Bette: Good Morning. Youre up early.

Tina: I was hungry. We skipped another dinner last night in case you didnt notice. I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed and thought we might spend the morning in bed reading the paper and talking.

Bette: Im sorry I spoiled your surprise. Should I go back to bed and pretend I am sleeping? You could wake me up with a kiss.

Tina (laughs): I dont think that will be necessary but the kiss sounds like a good idea.

Tina turned and started to gently kiss Bette. When her lips touched Bettes the gentle kiss quickly flamed into a passionate one. The kiss went on until the smell of something burning brought them back to reality.

Tina: Oh damn. I forgot about the omelet.

Bette (laughs): Looks like I better start figuring out an alternate plan for breakfast.

Tina (pretending to be angry): Its your fault Porter. You started it.

Bette (playing along): Oh yeah I started it. I forced you to kiss me! I guess I better make it up to you. You think strawberry crepes and a latte from the Planet will suffice?

Tina: Well that would be a good start, but only if you get it to go. I dont want to share you with anyone this morning.

Tina started to kiss Bette again but she pulled away.

Bette: No kissing. That just got me in trouble. Besides if you start kissing me we might wind up skipping another meal.

Tina: Okay for now, but all bets are off when you get back from the Planet.

Bette got dressed while Tina called the Planet to order their food. Bette left to pick up the food and Tina utilized the time to clean up the mess she made in the kitchen and to grab the newspaper. She was waiting in the bedroom when Bette returned home. Bette walked in and found Tina lying on the bed waiting for her. She was wearing only her robe with nothing under it and the top part of the robe was purposely gaped open to reveal Tinas *****. When Bette saw Tina laying there like that she nearly dropped the food and Tina laughed.

Tina: I told you all bets were off when you got back.

Bette walked over and safely set the food down on the night stand and then reached over and gently pulled the sides of Tinas robe together to cover her. Tina looked up as if to ask her why.

Bette (shaking her head): I cant believe I am saying this. Breakfast first. It wont be fit to eat if we dont eat it now. (She leans over and softly kisses Tina)After breakfast you are mine.

Bette opened the sack that she had set on the night stand and pulled out the carton of strawberry crepes and handed it to Tina. She was looking in the sack for forks but found only one so she started to head to the kitchen to get another fork when Tina stopped her.

Tina: We dont need another fork. We can share.

Bette crawled on to the bed with Tina. Tina opened the box of crepes, picked up the fork and started to feed Bette. She was alternating bites between her self and Bette and she was getting aroused by the mere act of feeding Bette. By the time one half of the crepes were gone she had told Bette that she was wearing too many clothes and by the time there were only a few bites left, Bettes clothes were lying in the floor. Bette took the carton from Tina, picked up one of the few remaining bites in her hand and placed it in Tinas mouth. Tina reached up and held Bettes hand there while she ate the bite of crepe and then she licked every crumb from Bettes fingers while Bette watched her. Bette had reached the point where she could no longer control her desire for Tina so she turned and put the carton on the floor and reached out to pull Tina under her. She kissed Tina passionately, nibbling at her lips and sliding her tongue in and out of her mouth. Her hands were now on Tinas *****, her fingers circling and pinching her nipples while she kissed her way down her body and back up and soon she was devouring her mouth again. She finally had to break the kiss to allow them to breathe. Tina took that opportunity to move so that she was sitting astride Bette. She started gently placing kisses on Bettes face starting with her chin and working her way over until she reached her earlobe and then she kissed her way back across her face until she was close to her mouth where she kissed her with everything she had. She moved her hands down Bettes arms and shifted her body so that she could put her hand in between them to touch Bette intimately and Bette responded by doing the same. They soon were matching each others rhythm and they climaxed together. Tina collapsed on Bette and lay there trying to catch her breathe. When her breathing returned to normal she started to move off of Bette but Bette held her there.

Tina (looking up at Bette): Baby is everything alright?

Bette (gently kissing Tina): Everything is great. I just want to hold you here for a few minutes because I love you being here in my arms. I think I am making up for 3 years when I should have been making love to you and holding you instead of letting us drift apart.

Tina (taking Bettes hand in hers): We both were responsible for us drifting apart but I am glad that we are together.

Bette: T. were you serious last night about us having a recommitment ceremony?

Tina: Yes I was.

Bette: Good! Do you mind me asking what changed your mind so quickly?

Tina: Remember I told you last night about the friend I made that convinced me that I had to come home and talk to you about what happened?

Bette: Yes. The one I owe a big thank you to. So what did he do that convinced you?

Tina: As I told you last night, I was so upset that I just got in my car and drove. Well yesterday morning I just needed somewhere peaceful to try and get my head on straight so I headed for the ocean. I found some cliffs that overlooked the water and soon I was sitting on those cliffs willing the water to calm me and before long I was crying.

Bette: I am sorry baby.

Tina: I hadnt noticed that there was anyone else there and he approached me and asked if I was alright. He introduced himself and asked if I wanted to talk about what was wrong. I thought to myself why would I want to talk to a stranger? But he told me a story about his life that soon had me opening up about what had happened. He lost his wife to cancer a little over a year ago and he told me couldnt openly grieve for her because he felt like he had to be strong for her family and his. He told me that one day he couldnt deal with his grief and he found himself sitting in a park talking to an older woman that he never met before. He said that in a way his life restarted that day because he openly grieved for his wife. His wife was the love of his life and she is gone forever. He made me understand that when you find the love of your life you have to hold on to them because love like that doesnt come along very often and you have to give that love every chance to survive. That is why I came home and why I want a recommitment ceremony. Bette you are the love of my life and he made me realize that we need to cherish every moment we have together and celebrate our love.

Bette: Wow. I really do owe him a thank you although a simple thank you doesnt seem like it would be enough. (She pulls Tina more tightly into her arms) T. you know that even with everything that has happened that you are the love of my life right? That you are my soul mate?

Tina: Yes I know that now. I doubted it for a while but yeah I know it now.

Bette: Remind me that I need to thank that man. (After a few moments of silence) T. have you given any thought to when and where you want to have our recommitment ceremony and if you want it to be just us or do you want to invite the family

Tina: A little bit. I wasnt sure about your schedule since you had said that you were going to have to start putting more hours in at the gallery.

Bette: As far as I am concerned the sooner the better. Things wont be really picking up at the gallery for a few weeks so maybe we could plan something for next weekend unless you think that is too soon.

Tina: I dont think that is too soon. I dont want anything big. I was thinking that maybe it could be a small ceremony with just you and me there and if you want we could have the family over afterwards.

Bette: Baby I just want you to have anything you want.

Tina: I know that but I think it needs to be what we want. I think that I is what got us in trouble before. Do you have any ideas as to where we might have the ceremony?

Bette (thinking and then pretending to be totally serious): Well we could go to Las Vegas and have a ceremony with Elvis presiding over the ceremony.

Tina (looking at Bette as is she has lost her mind): Bette?

Bette: What? I love Elvis. I am just kidding baby. I think the first thing we need to decide is whether or not we want some type of minister or official to perform a ceremony or if you really want it to be just you and me.

Tina: I am thinking just you and me. I dont need anyone else there but you.

Bette: Me too baby. I feel the same way. So how about we take off of work a little early on Friday and catch a flight to some paradise and find a beautiful place to exchange our vows. We could spend the night, sight see on Saturday and fly home on Sunday or we could fly home on Saturday if you wanted to have a party with the family Saturday night.

Tina: Could you manage to get off early?

Bette: I will make it happen. You, I mean, we are a priority.

Tina (Smiled at Bettes correction to we): Okay where can we go?

Bette: Any where you want. San Diego, Portland, Mexico City you name it.

Tina: San Diego is too close, Mexico City to touristy. What does Portland have to offer?

Bette: Beautiful waterfalls, beautiful ocean views and just beautiful peaceful country to see.

Tina: Sounds like the perfect place.

Bette: Okay that is one decision made. You want to fly home on Saturday or Sunday?

Tina: Sunday. I want to just enjoy time with you with no work, no family and no distractions. We can have a party next weekend with the family.

Bette: I will call a travel agent tomorrow and make all the arrangements.

They spent the rest of the morning in bed talking about what they would need to take, whether to buy new outfits and whether to tell anyone that they were going to be gone. They decided that they would call Kit and tell her that they were going out of town but not why.

The next day Bette called the travel agent and made arrangements for their flight, booked a hotel, a rental car and arranged a few surprises for Tina. She intended on making this weekend special for Tina. On Thursday during her lunch hour she made a trip to a local jewelry story to pick up something for her and Tina. Tina had told her that she didnt want new rings but Bette wanted them to have something to symbolize their recommitment. She picked out two matching three stone rings for them to give to one another. They could either wear them on their right hands or on their left with the bands they already wore. By the time Friday afternoon came, everything was in place and they were excited to be heading out to the airport. They called Kit and told her they just needed to get a way for the weekend and they would call when they got back. Their flight to Portland was uneventful and soon they were in their rental car with Tina giving Bette directions to their hotel. They checked in, showered and they were changing into the clothes they had picked out for the ceremony. Bette quickly dressed in to the off white silk suit and peach silk shirt she had chosen. She had started to put her hair up but opted to leave her hair down for the evening because she knew that Tina liked it when she wore her hair down. She patted her pocket to check to make sure she had their rings and sat down on the bed to wait for Tina. Tina came out of the bathroom wearing a beautiful spaghetti strap ivory colored satin dress that had lace and tiny pearls across the bodice.

Bette: You look beautiful. (She got up and went to kiss Tina) God T. you take my breath away.

Tina: You look beautiful too baby.

Bette: We better get out of here or I will be tempted to take that dress off of you and get you naked and in that bed.

Tina (lightly kissing Bette): Later baby. Later.

They left their room and Bette told Tina that she needed to stop by the front desk to pick up some directions. She told Tina that she had asked them to recommend a beautiful scenic area where they could have the ceremony. Bette left Tina waiting at the front door in the lobby of the hotel and went to the front desk. She had made arrangements for them to have a bouquet of wild flowers waiting for her to pick up and to set up a candlelit dinner for two in their room while they were gone. She got the directions she needed and the bouquet of flowers and headed back to a waiting Tina.

Tina (seeing Bette carrying the flowers): Oh baby you are so sweet. I didnt even think about a bouquet.

Bette (lightly kisses Tina): You had to have a bouquet. Besides I want everything to be perfect.

They were soon headed out to find the perfect location for the ceremony. The hotel had given them directions to 3 different locations. Each location offered them a different scenic view. One a beautiful waterfall, the second an ocean view and the third was a rose garden. They decided they wanted to check out the waterfalls first and as soon as they arrived they knew this was the place. They located a place to park the rental car and Bette started to get out of the car when Tina stopped her.

Tina (fingering her ring): Bette.

Bette: What baby?

Tina: I know that it is customary to exchange rings but I dont want to take my ring off again. I dont want to think about the last time I took it off.

Bette (pulling Tina into her arms): Its okay. I understand. I am fine with what ever you want to do.

They got out of the car and walked to an area that once they saw it knew it was a perfect place for them to exchange their vows. They stood there silently for a few minutes taking in the beautiful view and the sound of the waterfall before they turned their attention to each other.

Bette (taking Tinas hand in hers): Tina I want you to know how important this is to me. I made a mess of our lives and I want you to know that I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. You are the love of my life, my soul mate, my lover and my best friend. Without you my life would be incomplete. There are no words to express how thankful I am that you are standing here giving me, giving us this chance to recommit to one another. I love you T forever and always.

Tina (tearing up at Bettes words): I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and being with you. I want us to have a family together when we are both ready. In my heart I know that we are soul mates and I truly believe that we are destined to be together. Our love was tested but it survived and I believe if anything it has grown stronger. You are the most important thing in my life and I am happy to be here recommitting to you and our life together. I love you with every ounce of my being.

Bette (moving her hands so her ring is next to Tinas ring on her left hand and then she touches both of them): These rings are a symbol of our love and commitment. I want you to know how proud I am to wear your ring and proud that you wear mine. (She moves her hands away from Tinas to reach into her pocket) I know you said that you didnt want new rings but I wanted us to have something to signify our recommitment so I got these rings (opens the box to reveal the rings) that we can either wear on our right hands or we can wear them on the left with our bands we already have.

Tina (showing surprise): Baby they are beautiful.

Bette: The jeweler said that the three stones represent the past, the present and the future. I thought they would be appropriate because we have a past, we have the present and this ceremony is about us having a future. (She takes Tinas ring from the box and hands the other box to Tina). Is this okay with you?

Tina: How could it not be? I love it that you care enough to do something like this.

Bette (reaching out to take Tinas left hand and sliding the ring on her finger above her commitment band): Tina I love you. This ring represents our past and our present but most importantly our future. I promise to be your friend and your lover. I promise to take care of you, to remain faithful to you and most importantly to love you.

Tina (reaching out to take Bettes left hand and sliding the ring on her finger about her commitment band): I too promise to be your friend and your lover. I promise to take care of you, to be there for you in times of trouble, to remain faithful to you and to love you. Bette I love you more than you could ever know.

Bette pulled Tina into her arms and gave her a long sensual kiss. When the kiss ended Tina turned so that she was leaning back against Bette with Bettes arms around her waist. They stood for several minutes taking in the view, being one with nature and being happy that they were truly recommitted to each other in every way. With their recommitment their future looked bright but the question still remained. Can love really conquer all?