Chapter Text
THE L WORD: NYC
The alarm clock goes off. It’s 7am. The sound of cars honking outside, and a cool breeze blows through the slightly cracked window in their bedroom. It’s been five years since the move to New York and the sound of Manhattan never ceases to amaze Tina. It’s truly the city that never sleeps.
She reaches over to the nightstand to turn off the alarm. Feels like we just went to sleep she thinks to herself with one hand over her forehead. She smiles and turns over to face the gorgeous being that is her wife. Lying there next to her all wrapped in their satin sheets draped loosely over her sculpted body. No matter how many mornings she wakes up next to her, Bette still takes her breath away. With her immaculate physic and her perfect mocha skin soft as ever. She looks so peaceful. Tina lets her sleep a few more moments while she takes it all in. Thinking to herself God, how did we get so lucky?
After all these years together this, what they have right now is the most incredible life they never thought possible. A loving home, both thriving in their respective career paths, a daughter just finishing college and soon to be surrounded by all their loved ones again. Through all the ups and downs, they finally let go of all the pain and truly learned how to love each other the right way and it was so much better than it had ever been before.
Tina runs her hand up the brunette’s arm and reaches for a loose curl hanging over her eye and tucks it behind her ear before pressing a sweet soft kiss to her forehead. She whispers, “It’s time to get up sleepy head” and presses another soft kiss this time on her cheek. One after another until she reaches full lips. She lingers there for a minute before Bette smiles into the kiss pulling her close.
“Good morning wife” Bette playfully bites at Tina’s bottom lip before she deepens the kiss. After a few heartbeats Tina pulls away.
“Don’t start something we can’t finish; we have to meet the girls for breakfast at 9 and we still have to shower.” She says playfully. Bette pulls Tina closer to her and wraps her arm around her belly, intertwines their legs and nuzzles her head right underneath her chin. It’s her favorite place to be. It’s her comfort, her … home. The only place Bette ever feels completely at peace is wrapped up in Tina.
“Just a few more minutes” she says. Tina chuckles and plants a kiss to the top of Bette’s head. “Ok baby, just a few more minutes.” Tina allows herself to melt under the touch of her wife. There is no other place she would rather be in this moment.
It was surreal knowing Alice had finally made her way to New York. She got a job offer out here that was going to give her the opportunity to host her own show again and run it the way she wanted to. The show in LA did well. Very well actually, until it didn’t. She was in a stagnant position for the last year or so and was ready for change. Not to mention after Shane moved out here, Alice felt lost in a city she had known so well. The two of them have always been close but the quick weekend trips back and forth to visit and the facetime calls just never seemed to be enough.
Shane moved out here a couple years ago when things fell apart with Tess. She wasn’t doing well in LA and was desperate for something different. It was like the band was getting back together. Only took five years but it finally happened. Bette and Tina had moved out here after the wedding. They spent some time in Toronto but once Tina’s show got cancelled, they relocated to the big city. Bette was eager to dive back into the art world taking a part time position at NYU for a couple years before opening up her own gallery again. Tina had picked up a gig editing scripts for this small production company. She loved it really, for her it was the perfect balance. She was over the heavy load of managing all the big personalities and drama that comes with TV but she always loved a good script. So, the job was perfect for her, and it also left time for her to focus on her main passion, which was painting.
Tina was a bit nervous for Bette to get back into the art world at first, but when Helena approached Bette 3 years ago with a proposal and Tina saw her face light up, she knew this had to at least be a discussion. The two of them had relentless conversations about how things would go if she was really going to do this. That was one thing Bette had always struggled with was keeping a healthy balance between work and home life. The art had always taken control because she was extremely passionate about it. It’s one of the things Tina loves the most about her is her passion. She puts 1000% into whatever she does. So, they decided together that Bette would accept. This time however, things were different. Bette was more attentive to Tina and made sure that the work never superseded her family. They always came first. Not one decision was made without discussing it with Tina and for that Tina was extremely grateful. She knew Bette was trying every day to love her better than the day before and she loved her more and more for it. This was not something she was ever going to mess up again.
Bette’s ruffles underneath Tina and raises her head to look at her smirks and says, “Ya know T, we could save water and shower together.” She says in a deep tone still a little hoarse from just waking up.
“BETTE PORTER it’s too early for you.” Tina laughs and swats her arm.
“I’m just trying to kill two birds with one stone T, if you think you’re getting away with leaving this house without letting me properly make up for last night you’re delusional.”
Tina lets out a heavy laugh. “Oh, Stella got her grove back this morning huh?” she says sarcastically.
Bette’s brow furrowed “Listen if someone didn’t take ten years to wash their face every night, I might have been able to stay awake.”
It was true, the two had got in late last night. Bette and Helena had put together a meet and greet for all the new artists that were eager to be on display at the one and only Bette Porter gallery. Something about watching Bette own a room just always got Tina riled up. All the artist begging for her attention. After all these years watching Bette in her element, Tina still couldn’t help but want to devour the woman she now has the pleasure of calling her wife. Again. Bette however was completely spent by the time the night ended. While Tina took to the bathroom to complete her nightly routine, Bette found her way to the bed and fell asleep before Tina could even finish. She didn’t dare to wake her. She knew she was exhausted. Work has been intense with putting together the next show. It always got so hectic but each and every time it was worth it. The shows were always a success. But both women were very aware that they were no longer 35 anymore. So, they understood and respected each other when the other just needed some rest. She just removed Bette’s glasses off her face carefully not to disturb her and cuddled up next to her to sleep.
Tina places her index finger under Bette’s chin lifting it to look at her, smirks and says, “Whatever you say grandma!” Bette makes a playful pouting face.
“GRANDMA!?” She squeals.
Tina just smiles and places a kiss to the top of the brunette’s head. It’s these playful moments she loves the most.
“It was a long night. I’d be surprised if you weren’t tired, baby. That room last night was filled with so much talent I can’t wait to see how the next show turns out. You guys have some tough decisions to make. How do you choose just one? I truly don’t know how you do it sometimes, but watching you move about that room last night. I’ve never been more proud of you.” Tina meant it.
“I love you T.” Bette speaks softly tears filling her eyes. More than I’m able to express in words.” And with that she places a slow passionate kiss on Tina’s perfectly pink lips. Tina slightly parts them and allows Bette entrance. They begin to slowly battle with their tongues, getting completely lost in the moment. Bette reaches up and tangles her hand in Tina’s beautiful blonde waves and nips at that spot right below her ear that she knows drives her crazy causing Tina to moan into Bette’s mouth. Bette halts the kiss and looks deep into Tina’s eyes, “I’ll go start the shower” she whispers and gives her one last peck before she gets up from the bed.
Tina watches as Bette attempts to dart to the bathroom at lightning speed but is stopped when she stubs her toe on the dresser. “Son of a bitch!” She screams Tina can’t help but laugh.
“Careful Grandma.” She says jokingly.
“Yea, why don’t you come in here and let me show you how this grandma can still make your legs shake!” Bette yells back. Tina chuckles and lays there for another moment before going to join her wife in the bathroom.