Perhaps for the first time in her life, Caroline was gloriously oblivious to the stares and smirks of those around her. She truly didn't care as in this moment she had everything she wanted. She was thrilled Kate was back in her arms and she had no intention of letting her go again. She had resolved that if Kate ever gave her another chance she would try harder to not hide her feelings for her from anyone. As the song ended she knew what she needed to do to prove herself to Kate. Wordlessly, she lead Kate off the dance floor and over to Lawrence and Angus.

"Boys, I'll see you in the morning. Breakfast is at 9. Behave yourselves and if you need anything, call William as my phone will be off. " Kate noticed Lawrence couldn't seem to make eye contract with them, which told her he got Caroline's subtext. Angus, on the other hand elbowed his mate and tried to stifle a laugh at his friend's discomfort.

Before Lawrence or Angus had a chance to say anything in response, William, leading Roxy by the hand, approached the table. He handed his mother her black satin clutch and cell phone before offering her an escape route. "Go. We've got this." He gave his mum a kiss on the cheek and turned to give one to Kate as well. "Glad to see you came back Kate. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Not needing any further prompting, Caroline, who hadn't released Kate's hand, gave it a squeeze and asked, "Shall we?" It wasn't so much a question as a hopeful suggestion. She wasn't able to verbalize how much she wanted Kate to stay over so she opted for the few words she could get out over the lump in her throat.

"I thought you'd never ask," Kate responded, as the enormity of the moment suddenly struck her as well. Once she made the decision to return to the wedding reception, she was nervous about how the evening would end. She knew that with those two simple words Caroline was inviting her to do more than just go find a cup of tea and discuss the way forward. The glint in the soft baby blue bedroom eyes let her know there would not be much talking when they finally got to be alone. Kate's heart skipped a beat in anticipation.

As they made their way toward the exit, Caroline saw Muriel and Harry had cornered Celia and Alan and they appeared to be deep in conversation. Knowing full well what they were discussing, she said to Kate, "Let's begin as we mean to go on. Let's go say good night to them and make it clear you'll be at breakfast. Is that okay?"

Kate, who was shocked at how magnificently Caroline was exceeding her expectations, nodded her head in consent. She marveled at how different and assertive with her family Caroline had become since the last time they were in this hotel together.

"Kate, was the snow the reason you came back? I suspect that little car of yours isn't too good in the snow," Celia said in the hope that she could prevent Muriel from instantly taking control of the conversation.

Before Kate could answer, Caroline took charge. "Kate, this is my Aunt Muriel and this is Harry. And this is my partner, Kate. It's been a long day for both of us so we're going to head up to our room now. We'll see you all at breakfast. Sleep tight."

Kate instantly felt supported by Caroline in a way she never had before. Trying to hide the smile she was having a hard time containing, she demurely said good night to everyone as Caroline lead her to the reception desk.

"Good evening," Caroline said as she considered the wedding coordinator who was talking with the testosterone-stacked jock behind the desk.

"Good evening, Dr. Dawson. How was everything?" The wedding coordinator was anxious for the wedding reception to end so she could get home to her family.

"Wonderful. Your staff exceeded my expectations. Thank you for everything you've done for my mother and her husband."

"Glad to hear it. What can we do for you?"

"This is my partner, Kate McKenzie. I'd like to add her to my room reservation for tonight and to the list of attendees for the breakfast tomorrow."

"Consider it done. Is there anything else you require?"

"I think I have all I need, thank you," Caroline said as she gave Kate a lustful look before turning back to the attendant. "Enjoy what's left of your Christmas Eve."

"Good night ladies. You do the same."

"Oh we shall," Kate said over her shoulder as Caroline lead her toward the elevator.

As soon as the doors to the elevator closed, Caroline took advantage of having Kate all to herself for the first time in months and pulled her into her arms. She intended to give her a chaste kiss but after months of no contact with the woman of her dreams, her excitement overcame her. They only came up for air when they heard the ding of the elevator signaling they had arrived at the second floor.

Caroline's room was at the far end of the hallway. Although her emotions were swirling around like a pinball machine about to reach full tilt, she managed to get her door unlocked and held it open for Kate to enter the room before her. Flicking on the lights as they entered, she paused to set down her key card and purse as Kate tossed her sweater and bag on a chair by the window.

Wordlessly, they slowly walked toward each other, savoring the anticipation of coming together at the foot of the bed. After about a dozen kisses, each one more deep than the one before, they finally came up for air. It was Kate who spoke first. "I know we should talk and I should apologize for giving you the cold shoulder all these months. But can we short hand the conversation and progress to the make up sex before the last of my energy is gone for the night?"

"I've often thought talking was overrated," Caroline deadpanned. In truth, she was afraid that if they talked she'd say the wrong thing and blow this second chance Kate was giving her.

"Just tell me you forgive me," Kate said.

"Only if you forgive me…for everything," Caroline said as tears formed in her eyes. "I love you and the baby so much. All I want to spend the rest of my life with both of you." Caroline reached over and wiped a tear from Kate's cheek. Kate reached up and took Caroline's hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and kissed it before looking back up to meet Caroline's eyes. "Don't cry Kate. We have forever to talk but right now I'll take that make up sex, please."

"I thought you'd never ask," Kate said as she pulled at the tie holding her dress closed and let it fall open. Caroline stepped closer to her and slid her hands inside the dress, caressing Kate's baby bump for the first time and leaving goose bumps on Kate's skin in her wake. With a simple upward sweep of her hands, she slipped Kate's dress off and unhooked her bra, freeing Kate's generous breasts. She stepped back for a second to take in the full effect of the changes to Kate's body before bringing her hands back to Kate's front to feel the increased weight of her breasts.

Caroline took a great deal of satisfaction at the sight of Kate's nipples darkening and hardening on contact. "You're even more stunning than before your pregnancy," she said in a worshipful hushed tone as she lowered her mouth to capture a pert nipple she teased with her tongue just before closing her lips around it.

Because Kate had not been with anyone since becoming pregnant, she didn't realize how much more sensitive her breasts had become. She felt her arousal flood between her legs as she tried to hold on to Caroline to maintain her balance. She let out a magical sigh that was like music to Caroline's ears.

Sensing the passion she felt for Kate quickly growing uncontainable and fearing that recklessly tumbling onto the bed together could be dangerous for the baby, Caroline drew her as deep into her arms as the baby bump would allow and whispered the same suggestion she said to Kate in her office all those months ago.

Kate had to clear the thickness from her throat before responding, "Then we'd better make use of the bed. I think we've proven from experience that is even more technically difficult if we're standing up."