A/N: What could be more stressful than planning a wedding while also preparing for the birth of a baby? Doing both of those things while trying to understand why Celia is being even more of a handful than usual. Caroline already knows it's hard to be part of the sandwich generation but now it looks like she's not just the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich but in a panini-that's a sandwich that is grilled and pressed. Carpe Diem, Dis-Moi/Nolathree

"Hiyee," Caroline said into her mobile phone. She was in the kitchen, fixing breakfast for Kate as Gillian called. They were planning a quiet day since Kate was so close to her due date and Lawrence was with John for the weekend. "You're calling awfully early. What's up?"

"Yeah. Sorry to call so early but I think there's a problem with Celia. Something isn't right," Gillian began.

"What now? " asked an exasperated Caroline. "She's been nothing but a ball of complaints lately when she's here. Is she the same over there?" Caroline let out a deep sigh, thankful that Celia had been in Halifax for the past few days as she needed a break from her constant negative chatter.

"Have you noticed something's different with her lately?" Gillian was biting the skin around her thumbnail, concerned about how this conversation was going to go down with Caroline.

"Honestly, I've been too busy to see much of anything between work, and the prep for the baby and the wedding. Why?"

"It seems to me that she isn't quite herself. She's been saying things and on deeper reflection, most of it just isn't right."

"I don't know what you mean." Caroline decided to switch from making tea to a pot of coffee. If she had to unravel the mystery that was the inner workings of Celia's mind, she knew she was going to need the strongest cup of coffee possible.

"She told me a few days ago that she thinks Kate hates her because she didn't give her a Christmas gift. But I remember her giving her your silver baby rattle and I remember watching Kate open it and thinking how great it was."

"I remember. I heard her complaining on the dance floor that Kate came back to the reception so I had some sharp words with her over the phone as we headed back to the house on Christmas Day. I made it very clear that if she didn't make Kate feel welcome, she'd lose out. I think that's why she made that gesture. Actually, I know that's why," Caroline explained.

"So you agree, something doesn't add up," Gillian asked.

"No, it doesn't as I know she got the message loud and clear that day and promised to accept Kate and the baby. What exactly did she say about Kate?"

"That she isn't going to let her see the baby because she didn't buy her a nice present for Christmas. None of it made sense and we couldn't reason with her. After she went upstairs to change I asked me dad where that came from and he said he had no idea but that the other day she started accusing him of being no better than your dad and running around on my mum and now her."

"That's insane."

"Precisely. I haven't heard her accuse him of running around but you know those two are always together, unless he's down the pub with Harry. And since Harry is an original member of the He-Man Woman Hater's Club I know they're not out catting about."

"Wow. This is all so strange, even for her. Can you get your dad to have them come over here for a few days so I can see what's what?"

"Will do. Sorry to drop this on you but I thought you should know. Something's just not right." Gillian was relieved to have an excuse to get them out from under her feet for a few days. She was worn out from having to walk on eggshells around Celia and was more than a little concerned about what the daft woman would come out with next.

Kate entered the kitchen right as the call was ending. Her robe was flapping behind her as she moved because she hadn't tied it closed. "Hey there, you look lost in your thoughts. Everything okay? I thought you were going to rejoin me upstairs."

"That was Gillian, just now. She called about Mum. Said she's talking nonsense," Caroline said as she moved to wipe down the counter.

"Like what?" Kate inquired as she brushed past her to put her water glass she brought down from her nightstand into the sink.

"I'm not sure exactly. Gillian just said that she's accusing Alan of running around on her. And, I'm sorry, I don't mean for this to sound the way it will, and I certainly don't believe it and neither does Gillian, but she's been saying you won't let her see the baby when she's born because she didn't give you a Christmas gift. This is just crazy."

"I never said any such thing! She really is a piece of work!" After noticing how concerned Caroline looked, Kate softened her words. "Alan, with other women? I don't know how he has the stamina for her with his heart condition."

"No, something's clearly wrong with all this. I suggested Gillian get them to come over for a few days so we can see for ourselves. How about we make dinner for them tonight and just see how she behaves? If I know my mum, we can't confront her on any of this, but in time it may reveal itself."

"Why don't you call her and tell her we want them to come for dinner tonight. That'll give us a chance to see how she is," suggested Kate. "I'll defrost a couple pork tenderloins to make tonight and we can have the leftovers for sandwiches this week."

Caroline wrung out the dishrag and placed it in a spot to dry before moving to Kate and putting her hands inside her robe to embrace her. As she held her close, she whispered in her ear, "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you but I adore you more than words can say. Let's go back upstairs and enjoy our last few hours of peace before the Buttershaws descend."