Set after Series 2 Episode 6 . The morning after the wedding. My fictional interpretation of what happened to Kate and Caroline after the dance. I like to think positively! As usual no copyright infringement. The charachters do not belong to me...
The Morning After the Night Before.
Kate wakes and sighs with content as she feels the warmth of the body next to her radiating heat along the length of her back. She slowly opens her eyes and carefully turns to face Caroline lying next to her. Awkwardly turning, trying not to disturb her partner, but it isn't as easy to roll over in bed, not when you are nearly 6 months pregnant.
At her stirring, Caroline slowly opens her eyes asking groggily "what? Are you ok?" slowly focussing her eyes, slowly coming awake, she smiles as she focuses on Kate who has managed to orient herself round to face Caroline.
"Good Morning my love", Caroline says as she brings her hand to stroke Kates' cheek. Did you sleep well?
Kate; smiling back at Caroline; slips her hand round her lover's waist pulling her body closer. Moving her leg to cross over Carolines' legs, drawing her in."I had the best nights' sleep in months. I wonder why" She grins.
Oh, Caroline giggles slightly. We can't get as close as we used to, can we. Slipping her hand under the covers she places her hand on Kates pregnant form stroking the side of her belly and looking down below the covers, she says "and Good Morning to you my other love".
They both face each other again and share a tender kiss. Content in each other's arms no words needed to convey what they are feeling.
Kate breaks the silence asking "Is that what I am?"
"What?" Caroline says puzzled.
"Your love?" Kate asks raising her eyebrows slightly.
Carolines' eyes search every part of Kates face taking in the beautiful skin, the warmest, most intelligent, honest eyes, and the sensuous lips.
"Yes, it is "Caroline says definitely. "You are my love, the love of my life, my world. I... Love... You".
No hint of a smirk, clear eyes giving Kate a clear and profound message. "I have never told you that before and I should have, I have done a lot of things that I shouldn't, and I have not been the best at showing my true feelings. If we are going to make a life together, to be strong and secure for our children," Caroline passes her hand once more over Kates' baby bump "then I need to tell you, you mean the world to me and I love you with every fibre of my body, with my entire being and I always will …forever. And… I will never let you walk away from me ever again."
"Wow, Caroline I have never heard you so...so... "Kate struggles to find the words.
"Open? Truthful? This is the new me, the new and improved, out, lady who loves you with all her heart and that is the way it is going to be. I don't care what anyone else thinks or says anymore. Gillian told me some time ago to that I should be like 'sod 'em, let them get on with it' and that is my mantra now. I know what I want and nothing comes in the way of that…." Caroline looks thoughtful for a second and then says
"Well that is, supposing you'll have me, I mean, that you have forgiven me for all that I've not got right and it is forever?"
Kate takes Carolines face and gently kisses her lips.
"Yes Caroline I'll have you, the new and improved Caroline Elliot, mmhmm I like the sound of that. And I... Love... You too, for all you faults. I always have, from the first moment I saw you striding down the halls of the school. It was love at first sight for me, but you knew that didn't you, well perhaps a bit of lust at first sight" Kate laughs along with Caroline.
"Oh really" says Caroline suggestively "lusting after me were you?" she snuggles closer enfolding Kate in her arms.
"Yes, Caroline, I do love you too...but"
Caroline loosens her grip ever so slightly "oh oh ... But what ".
Kate gives a quick shake of her head then continues "But…. our situation has change since we were last together."
Caroline opens the gap between them ever so slightly and Kate feels the Caroline withdraw slightly. Caroline is backing away, she has opened up to Kate fully completely, laid her feelings bare in front of Kate for the first time and she thinks Kate is going to reject her and is frightened and backing off.
Kate takes control and pulls Caroline back in towards her.
"No Caroline, don't worry or freak out, I told you I love you and I want it all too, I want our family together, safe and secure, for the rest of our lives. I just don't want to go into this again blindfolded, ignoring the hard facts, listening only to my heart and not my head, without thinking things through and considering all parties."
Caroline visibly relaxes and moves slightly closer to Kate. "Ok, yes you're right. We do need to sort out a few practicalities"
"Yes, a few things," Kate says rolling her eyes "so for starters there is Lawrence and your mother, and where we will set up home, together… and John and the baby and school. Caroline I want us, no I need us, to be settled. I can't have upheaval and bad feelings and dramas going on. I have to look out and protect my baby…our baby. I need a settled contented home, where we are both equals in this partnership."
"Right" Caroline frowning "Yes you are right, we will get these things sorted. I'm half way there already Kate. Honestly I have been doing a lot of growing up recently. The divorce is almost through and the house is for sale. I hope it goes quickly in the New Year…so that is a couple of things semi sorted. We can start to look for a place together after that. For us all."
"Good it's a good start" agrees Kate.
"Now can we put this very serious conversation off until later today, when I promise, we will sit down and discuss this whole thing through like adults, and give me time to wish my lovely lady a happy Christmas and give her a Christmas kiss?
Without saying another word Kate leans over and pushing Caroline back onto the pillows answers Carolines question with actions instead of words.
Xxxxxxx
After showering and dressing Kate led Caroline by the hand, out of their room and down the stairs to breakfast. Caroline's half-hearted objections at holding hands as they went down stairs, silenced by just a look from Kate. "Oh I quite like this new assertive Kate, I told you, you had the potential to make a good headmistress one day". Caroline said grinning mischievously at Kate.
"Caroline, if I am going to go into a room full of guests from last night, still wearing the same outfit that I came in yesterday, like a walk of shame, then the least you can do is hold my hand, to prove to them that the only reason I stayed, was you." Kate stated with a straight matronly face. "OK?"
"Yes miss" Caroline replied and for good measure planted a kiss on her girlfriends' lips before the both of them strolled into the breakfast room hand in hand, saying cheery good mornings to the assembled groups.
"Good morning Mum, Alan" Caroline greeted her mother, "can we join you?"
Celia and Alan both looked up at Kate and Caroline, Celia noticing the enfolded hands and smiled cheerily at them both. "Of course you can dears, here sit down".
Alan chivalrously moving the chair so Kate could sit down next to him. "Thank you" Kate said.
"Merry Christmas everyone" Caroline said
"Oh yes so it is Caroline, Merry Christmas to you both" Alan said
Christmas wishes and greetings were spread around the table.
"Caroline just grab the young lad and ask for another pot and there is a buffet breakfast, you just help your selves." Celia said.
"Are you ok in the mornings now Kate "asked Celia nodding at her bump.
"Oh god yes, I didn't have a bad time at all with morning sickness, just a bit at the beginning….now heartburn, that's a different story "she said laughing.
"Oh I had that bad too with our Caroline, no matter what I tried, after every meal I suffered, it goes eventually. So you'll be ok for something to eat at breakfast?" Celia said
"Yes, I'm fine in the mornings now." Kate replied.
"Good, Caroline, why don't you get Kate and yourself some breakfast and I'll ask the boy when he comes back to get you and extra pot?" Celia said
"Oh right, that's me got my orders then." Said Caroline" Kate? What would you like? Cereal? Toast? Croissant?"
"Yes please "Kate replied. "What all 3?" Caroline said stunned. "Yes thanks "Kate answered "well I am eating for 2 you know."
Caroline nodded smiling "Right, your wish is my command".
Whilst Caroline was away. Celia leaned in to Kate conspiratorially "Kate, I didn't tell Caroline everything I told you when I phoned you to ask you to play the piano. I just told her I had invited you to stay afterwards. I don't think she would be too pleased at me telling you how miserable she has been since she stopped seeing you. She can be very proud you know, never wanting to show any chink in her armour. So please, don't say anything will you? We can just keep that between us ok? I don't want her to think I have been interfering. That's her job, organising people, sorting things out. She's always at it, but can't sort herself out sometimes. "
Kate nodded in agreement "Sure Celia, I know first-hand how guarded she can be with her true feelings and I won't say anything. That wasn't the only reason I came back last night anyway "
"No, why then? "questioned Celia.
"I realised, last night that as you said, Caroline can organise everyone around her but she doesn't always make the right decisions. She always likes to be in control, her role is always to lead, but she doesn't have anyone she can turn to for support in return. She came to be with me in hospital when I had a bit of scare with the baby. Did she tell you?" Kate asked
"No! " Celia replied shaking her head with a worried look on her face. "You're both alright aren't you?"
"Yes," Kate replied placing her hand over Celia's reassuringly "don't worry, we are both fighting fit and healthy, but it was a bit of scare and Caroline came to be by my side in my time of need, even though I had pushed her away, twice. She left work responsibilities, meetings or whatever, with no thought for anything else other than to be with me. It was after that, when I realised that she was changing, she was putting the interests of others before herself. She probably always did, I just took her actions the wrong way soemtimes. Anyway, I had to think and your invitation was a catalyst. It gave me a chance to see Caroline again, to show me again what I was missing. She made such a lovely speech".
"She did and here was me worrying she was going to tell some awful tales about me…. Well at least my invitation was a spark at least, even if it didn't start the whole fire. I am so pleased that you did come back Kate. I have never seen Caroline happier than when she is with you and that is all I want for her. For you both".
"What is all you want mother? " Caroline interrupted placing a bowl of cereal and a plate of toast, croissants, and a selection of jams in from of Kate.
"Me want? I don't need another thing Caroline. I now have everything I could ever ask for. I have Alan, you, Kate, Gillian, Raff, Ellie and little Calamity and the boys …oh not forgetting my handsome grandsons." Celia replied laughing.
"Well mother you will soon have a new beautiful …" she paused looking at Kate for approval, Kate nodded smiling, "granddaughter in a couple of months' time whether you need one or not!" Caroline laughed.
"Oh, another granddaughter! " Both Celia and Alan said in unison laughing happily reaching to hug one another.
"What name have you chosen?" asked Celia.
"Well if I had to choose" said Kate and burst out laughing…. Remembering the day she sat in the kitchen with Celia, rhyming off name after name of baby girl names she would like if they had to choose one….."but of course I will have to ask what Caroline thinks" Looking lovingly over at Caroline, Kate took her hand and said "just one of the many things we have to sort out in the near future."
"Yes" agreed Caroline and we will get right down to that once we have Christmas over with.
After breakfast was finished Caroline did the rounds of the tables making sure Lawrence and Angus had eaten, they were sitting with William and Roxy and for once acting like adults, not winding each other up as they usually did. Checking on Gillian and Robbie, (she was making a distinct effort not to judge Gillian, and she had enough on her own plate to get more involved with that). She went round the room wishing everyone Merry Christmas and started to make arrangements for returning home, once in a while glancing over to check on how Kate was getting on with her mother and Alan. They were laughing a lot, which was a good sign and she was relaxing more believing that soon everything would settle down and wishing she hadn't volunteered to do Christmas dinner back at her place. Really all she wanted to do, once she had made sure the boys were settled, was return home and be with Kate. Just get today over with and then they would have the time to sort everything else out.
Half an hour later, arrangements made, who was going in whose car etc, they were setting off. Kate was going to return home to her own house to get changed and bring some things over to stay for a few days. Caroline was already planning what they would do over the holidays and she stopped herself, saying to herself, 'no I will check with Kate first'. She was pleased with herself; she really was a changed woman. To think that just 24hrs previously all she had to look forward to was spending Christmas night, alone. Now she was the happiest person on earth or that is how she felt.
Christmas dinner was well on the way to being served, the table laid, her mum had helped prepare the food, when the doorbell rang. 'That'll be Kate' Caroline thought and overtook Lawrence in the hall to get to the door. "I'll get it thank you Lawrence". Lawrence shrugged and went back into the lounge.
Opening the door wide, Caroline felt her heart skip a beat as there in front of her was Kate, her beautiful Kate, glowing, gorgeous Kate. Pregnancy certainly agreed with her she was blooming. 'How can anyone get more beautiful' she thought.
"Hi "Kate said.
"Hi to you too" Caroline replied. "Come in; here let me take your bag." Caroline took the bag Kate proffered and took it in into the hall. Dropping it at the coat stand she said "I'll take it up in a minute, just let me welcome you home" Caroline stepped over to Kate, pulling her close and softly kissing Kate.
When they parted Caroline took Kate's hand and led her down the hall into the lounge. "Kate's here" she said to the room, "dinner will be served in 10 minutes, Mum can you give me a hand serving?", Everyone in the room chorused 'Hi Kate' 'Hello love' Alan and Celia said in unison.
"I can help you serve" Kate answered.
"No you can sit and watch while mum and I serve up, you're the only pregnant lady in this house so you get special treatment. " Celia patted Kates' arm on the way past smiling and said "take the easy way out while you can". Caroline led Kate into the kitchen and sat her down at the island whilst she and Celia loaded the serving dishes. William took the turkey down to the table.
"So have you spoken to your mum today Kate? Caroline asked.
"Yes I rang her when I got in, she goes round to my aunts for Christmas dinner, after Christmas service. So I gave her a call to make sure everything was alright. I told her I was coming over here and would be staying for a few days. I'll pop over to see her maybe tomorrow afternoon. I'd like you to come with me if you're free Caroline?"
Caroline looked up and said "Yes I would like that, meeting your mum for the first time"
"How does your mum feel about becoming a granny for the first time then Kate?" Celia asked.
"Oh she's over the moon, Celia; she never thought it would happen". Kate replied
"Well it is" Caroline said as she passed Kate on the way to the table, leaning over and kissing Kate lightly on the cheek. "Before Easter she'll be here".
"Right everyone can take a seat at the table now. William give them a shout." Caroline asked as she laid the last dish of food on the table. "Kate you sit beside me ".
Dinner long over, dishes loaded in the dishwasher, the table cleared, everyone settled in the lounge , party games had been played and Kate had even played the piano while Alan danced with Celia, showing the young ones how dancing used to be done.
"I'm glad you're playing the piano Kate "Lawrence said "means you can't dance with mum like you did last night" sniggering.
"Hey you "Caroline said "I was just sending out the 'right' message to anyone who was watching. Anyway when you lot go I might even have a slow dance with Kate when we are finally alone."
At that there was laughter from all around as Angus nudged the groaning Lawrence who rolled his eyes and covered his face with his hands.
"I don't know if I will have the energy left tonight Caroline" Kate said. "Pregnant lady here you know, one who has had quite a busy 24hrs".
"Oh are you tired Kate, I'm sorry I should have realised" Caroline hugged Kate as she sat at the piano.
"Well I'm glad someone has broached the subject" Celia declared because I am pretty pooped myself. "Shall we retire love?" Celia asked Alan "You look ready for bed too".
"Yes I think it's time" Alan said. "A good end to another lovely day. Thank you Caroline, you've made Christmas one to remember ".
Celia and Alan made their way back to their flat, hugging and kissing everyone as they left.
"Right boys do you mind if we leave you to it?" Caroline asked William and Lawrence. "Lawrence have you got Angus's bed ready?"
"Yes mum it's all done" Lawrence replied.
"Good, ok well don't stay up too late, and try to keep the noise to a minimum."
"We will mum don't worry". William said. "Roxy can handle Angus and Lawrence, she's got their measure, she has younger brothers herself".
"Good. Glad to hear it. Right goodnight everyone" Caroline said "Night everyone" Kate said rising and standing with Caroline. The two of them holding hands as they left the room headed for the stairs.