A/N: Thank you all so much for the many kind reviews of my first Last Tango fic! Since so many requested I continue on I've written this and I have a few ideas for additional one shots in the future. Thanks again. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Caroline groaned slightly as she opened her eyes to see the alarm clock on her bedside table reflecting that it was almost seven am. She could feel the slight soreness in her feet and legs from being in heels the night before and dancing the night away at their anniversary party, of course their late night activities had caused a bit of soreness as well but it was a good soreness. She rolled over and smiled as she could see Kate was already awake and sitting up in bed "Mmm, good morning."
"Oh hello." Kate smiled. Both briefly flashed back a year to their wedding day and how they had greeted one another in the same manor. She watched as Caroline slowly stretched and then yawned. "Surely you're not still sleepy Doctor McKenzie-Dawson?"
Caroline chuckled as she snuggled closer to her wife "Well it's not like we got to sleep at a descent hour Mrs. McKenzie-Dawson."
"And just whose fault is that?" Kate asked teasingly.
"I'm seem to remember saying stop." Caroline replied sleepily.
Kate rolled her eyes as she wrapped an arm around the blonde "Yes, but did you forget you put the word don't in front of the word stop?"
"Yeah well." Caroline said as she rested her head on Kate's chest.
"Surely you're not going back to sleep?" Kate asked after a few moments of quiet.
"We're not working today and from the sounds of it Flora is still asleep." Caroline mumbled.
"Yes but we are going to have a house full of family and friends later this afternoon." She watched as Caroline lay contently with her eyes closed "Are you getting to old to stay up late Caroline?"
At that Caroline's eyes popped open as she began to sit up "Just what are you insinuating?" Kate grinned and shrugged her shoulders. Caroline leaned in close to her wife's face "I am certainly still young enough to keep you with you Kate." Their lips were now almost touching "In case you forgot I was more than able to keep up with you last night." She said just before pressing their lips together in a soft good morning kiss.
As they parted Kate smiled slowly "You are magnificent."
"You're not so bad yourself." Caroline replied with a wink.
Both settled back into a contented silence and enjoyed simply being in one another's company.
"I can't believe our baby is a year old." Caroline whispered with a smile.
"I know!" Kate responded excitedly. "Where has the time gone? It seems like it was only yesterday I found out I was pregnant with her." the mood suddenly shifted as they both flashed back to a less than pleasant time in their relationship. She quickly looked her wife in the eye "Oh Caroline I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."
"It's alright."
"No, it's not. I-"
Caroline silenced her by gently placing a finger to her lips "Kate we are past that. Like I've told you before, the day you told me you were pregnant I realized how wrong I was to try and talk you out of it. I also realized that I wanted to be part of yours and the baby's life." she smiled as a few tears came to her eyes "And then came the day you went to the hospital." her voice cracking a bit with emotion "I fell in love with that wonderful little creature the minute I saw her on the monitor. She was part of you and in that moment that was all that mattered to me. I wanted her, as well as you, in my life so desperately I couldn't stand it."
"Oh Caroline." Kate sighed as she pulled her wife to her for a loving kiss.
The moment was broken though when a familiar mumbling was heard over the baby monitor. They pulled apart laughing "She has terrific timing." Caroline said as they listened to see if Flora was ready to get up.
"MumMum! MumMum!" Flora called out.
Kate grinned as Caroline rolled onto her back and sighed "Well Mummy, that wonderful little creature is requesting your presence."
Caroline huffed playfully "I guess her majesty is ready to start her day." The blonde climbed from bed and pulled her robe on before leaving their bedroom and heading down the hall to their daughter's. As she entered the room she couldn't help but smile when she saw Flora standing up in her crib and smiling at her "Good morning sweetheart!"
"MumMum!" Flora shouted. She thrust her arms in the air to be picked up but lost her balance and fell back in her crib. She stared at her blonde mother for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Caroline leaned in and picked the curly haired girl up and joined in on the laughter "You silly girl." She held her daughter close, inhaling her scent that always calmed her and reveling in her warmth. "Happy Birthday darling." She said as she kissed the little girl on the cheek. She sighed as Flora snuggled close and buried her face against her neck. Caroline had never imagined she could love another child like she loved her boys, but the moment she held Flora for the first time she knew she could. Flora was the child she thought she didn't want but now she couldn't imagine life without her.
After a quick diaper change they headed downstairs to start their day. In the kitchen Caroline swapped her daughter for the mug of tea that Kate was holding out for her.
"Happy Birthday baby girl!" Kate cooed as she received a hug from her daughter.
Caroline began preparing Flora's breakfast while Kate got the girl settled in her chair. After fixing toast for them Caroline joined her wife and daughter at the table to eat. They discussed the party from the night before as well as the birthday party that afternoon.
"I can't believe the others aren't up yet." Kate said as she fed Flora another bite of cereal. Lawrence was sent to school that day since the party wouldn't be until the afternoon but William and Roxy had decided wait until the evening to take the train back to Oxford.
"I'm sure they are enjoying not having to get up early and go to class on a weekday."
After breakfast Flora was happily playing in the dining room while her mothers' straightened the kitchen. Kate noticed her wife was standing at the counter barley wiping it down with a faraway look in her eyes. "Caroline?" when she didn't receive a response she tried again "Caroline?" she walked over and lightly kissed the blonde on the cheek.
Caroline startled suddenly "I'm sorry?"
Kate smiled as she pushed a stray strand that had fallen from Caroline's clip behind her ear. "Where were you? It seemed you were a million miles away."
Caroline smiled brightly "I was just thinking, can you believe it's been a year?" she looked to where Flora was playing "It's been an entire year since she was born. Where does the time go?"
"I know." Kate said as she wrapped her arms around the blonde from behind and they continued to watch their daughter play. "I was just thinking this morning that exactly one year ago we were going about our morning and then suddenly she was on her way. I was surprised to say the least. I mean she wasn't due for another few weeks."
Caroline smiled at the memory and pulled Kate's arms tighter around her. "I think we both were. I remember when I went into labor with the boys I was so calm, but of course I had John with me so I had no choice but to remain calm. When you went into labor though…I was so excited and nervous, I didn't know what to do." then grinning as she turned and draped her arms around Kate's neck "You do realize though that it's your fault you went into labor then instead of your due date."
"My fault?"
"Yes," Caroline said as she leaned in closer "If you hadn't been so amorous that morning in the shower you might not have gone into labor." Pressing their lips together.
"Right, so, I'll just pretend I didn't hear that." William said as he and Roxy entered the kitchen.
Caroline pulled back blushing furiously "Good morning love." She hugged her son then his girlfriend. Kate following along behind blushing as well.
After spending a little time with her oldest Caroline took a little time to call Beverly and see how things were going at school that day before finishing up a little paperwork so she would have the rest of the day free.
That afternoon William and Roxy were just returning after having offered to go out to pick up the cake that had been ordered as well as the balloons. Roxy tied a couple to the front gate and a few more to the front of the house. Inside Caroline had put up pink streamers and a banner she had ordered that said 'Happy Birthday Flora!'. She had always tried to make her boys' birthdays special and she was going to do the same for her daughter. She also knew how excited Kate was for Flora's first birthday. Her wife had wanted a child so desperately, and now she savored every moment of the little girl's life.
Kate and Caroline, who had been upstairs wrapping Flora's gifts, headed back down when they heard the pair return. "Oh my goodness, thank you!" Kate exclaimed as she saw the pink balloons that had been let go, their strings hanging down throughout the house. William had also purchased some without helium and had left them on the floor of the dining room for the little ones to play with.
"It's perfect!" Caroline exclaimed.
Celia and Alan finally came round to help with the preparations. Alan and William took to keeping Flora occupied while Caroline, Kate, Celia and Roxy prepared the food. It wasn't anything big, appetizers, a fruit tray and some things they knew the little ones would eat. The pink and white cake taking center stage on the table.
"Mum," William said as he entered the kitchen "Gillian just arrived."
The house quickly became alive as Gillian, Raph, Ellie and Calamity entered. Gillian had also been kind enough to stop and pick Lawrence up from school. Flora became excited when she saw Calamity enter but slightly less enthused when Alan picked his great-granddaughter up for a cuddle. Flora was very attached to her Granddad Alan and wasn't overly excited at sharing him. Her mood quickly changed though when Calamity climbed from the older man's lap and began playing with her.
"So how are things?" Caroline asked her step-sister while arranging plates and cups on the counter.
"Good, good. Robbie sends his apologies but they called him into work today."
Caroline waved her hand signaling it was okay "I'll sit aside a piece of cake for you to take to him." Part of her wanted to hear how things really were between the couple but knowing Gillian and Robbie's history she probably didn't want to know either. It was a happy occasion and she didn't want her daughter's birthday ruined by a slip of the tongue from Gillian.
Soon after the Halifax gang's arrival several of Flora's little playmates arrived, two little girls and two little boys. The boys were twins and Caroline had met their mother at a Mummy and Me class Kate had signed them up for. Since she got to be at home with Flora almost every day she wanted to make sure Caroline and Flora had special bonding time as well. So for an hour every Saturday morning Caroline and Flora attended the class together. One of the little girls they had met because she went to the same doctor as Flora, and the other Kate met her mother from taking Flora to the park. All four children either lived in the neighborhood or fairly close which made playdates much easier.
The adults sat gathered round the dining room while Caroline and Kate sat in the floor with their daughter. The other kids sat watching their little friend as she attempted to open her gifts. Like most little ones Flora was far more interested in the paper and boxes than the actual gift. There came a moment where Calamity, who was older, wanted to open the gifts for the birthday girl but Celia quickly remembered an empty gift bag sitting in the kitchen and threw a couple things in it for Calamity to 'open'.
Celia and William gladly played host and kept up with the drinks and snacks so Caroline and Kate would be able to enjoy every minute of the party, while Roxy manned the video camera and Gillian took pictures.
Soon Flora was surrounded in clothes, books and toys, as if she needed more of any of those things. Her favorite toy by far had been one from her Moms, it was a stuffed pig, Peppa Pig to be exact. Her other favorite toy was a new teddy bear from Lawrence. It had warmed Caroline's heart when she saw the gift from her son. Lawrence had loved the Paddington Bear books as a child and had begun reading them to his sister as she got older, so of course Flora squealed with excitement when she pulled her very own Paddington from a bag.
After the gifts were opened Kate sat Flora in her chair as the guests sang Happy Birthday to her. Kate sat the cake in front of her as they both urged her to blow out the candles. With her best effort Flora blew a puff of air but it wasn't quite enough so Caroline leaned in and blew them out. Upon seeing the flame disappear the little girl burst into a fit of giggles and clapped her hands.
After the party was over Gillian and family left while Celia and Alan took William and Roxy to the train station before also heading to Halifax for a few days.
Lawrence was upstairs doing homework while Caroline started dinner. The blonde walked down the hall in search of her wife but stopped in the doorway of the sitting room and felt tears spring to her eyes at the sight in front of her. Kate was sitting in the floor playing with Flora and one of her many new toys. It was a sight, like so many others, that she treasured being able to experience. "Dinner will be ready in about an hour." She said as she walked in and took a seat on the edge of the sofa.
Kate stood then picked the little girl up "Time for bed little one." She hugged and kissed her daughter before handing her to her wife. "I'll keep an eye on dinner while you put her to bed."
Caroline loved bath time and bed time, typically by the time Flora's bath was over Caroline was in need of dry clothes as well but she wouldn't have it any other way. After bathing her child and allowing her a little time to play Caroline wrapped her in a fluffy towel and carried her to the nursery. She dressed Flora in a favorite pair of pink princess pajamas then settled in with a book and a bottle Kate had brought up and left on the table.
As Caroline slowly rocked back and forth while reading 'Guess How Much I Love You', one of the books she'd received that day, she grinned as she saw Flora drifting off to sleep. She loved how the little girl would begin to drop her bottle then startle and tighten her grip again. Caroline closed the book and carefully took the empty bottle. "Ssh, ssh." She whispered as Flora stirred and snuggled closer to her. She stood and kissed Flora on the head before laying her in her crib. She watched as the toddler moved and twisted until she was in a comfortable position, it wasn't lost on her that Flora slept in a similar position to Kate.
Kate stood in the doorway of the nursery and watched her wife. She knew Caroline hadn't really wanted a baby but had seemed happier about it after their reunion. After watching the blonde over the past year there was no doubt in her mind Caroline loved Flora as much as she did. The dark haired woman crept into the room and gently wrapped her arms around Caroline's waist then pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder where her sweater had slid down. "How did we get such a perfect daughter?"
Caroline sighed as she leaned back into her wife's embrace "She has a perfect mother."
"That she does." Kate replied as she placed another kiss to a pale yet freckled shoulder. One of her favorite games was to try and kiss every freckle she could find, it drove Caroline mad at times.
Caroline tilted her head and drew her lover in for a kiss. When they parted tears were beginning to stream down her face.
Kate quickly began to wipe the tears away "Caroline? What's wrong my love?"
"I love her Kate. God, I love her so much!" Caroline cried as she buried her face in Kate's neck. "She is so perfect and wonderful, and I don't know what I'd do without her." then pulling back to look in soft brown eyes "I don't know what I'd do without either one of you."
Kate gently held Caroline's face in her hands and kissed her lightly "That's something you'll never have to worry about. You're stuck with both of us for the rest of your life."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Caroline whispered before feeling Kate's lips against her own. When she felt the kiss increase in passion she pulled back slightly out of breath. "I can't snog standing over our daughter's crib. Nope, can't do it." she said with a wave of her hand.
Kate laughed and both froze for fear of waking the sleeping child. Once they were sure she was still asleep they stepped into the hall and Kate stepped close and rested her hands on her wife's chest "How about now?"
Caroline kissed her quickly "How about," she said as she took Kate's hand in her own and started toward the stairs "We have dinner, check in on Flora one last time, and then we can turn in a little early?"
Kate smiled as they stopped at the bottom of the stairs "It sounds lovely but won't Lawrence still be awake?"
Caroline smiled, her eyes slightly mischievous "I believe he still has those noise canceling headphones from the colic days."
Kate felt her knees weaken "You are magnificent."