If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
If you pardon, we will mend.
~William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
"Kaaate."
She heard it, or at least she thought she did, but it sounded so far away, like it had come from the other end of a tunnel. No, perhaps she just imagined it. Her mind began to drift again, sinking back down into the darkness that surrounded her.
"Kaaate….no!"
No, she definitely heard it this time; the urgent, agonized tone pulling her consciousness from the obscurity it floated in. Suddenly it hit her, the recognition…
Caroline.
Her eyes flew open with a start, frantically searching her surroundings, seeking out the vision of her lover. In that first second her heart was racing, until her brain caught up and she realized what was going on.
Caroline lay beside her, on her back, her left arm at her side and her right gripped tightly across her stomach. She was sweating profusely and tears were falling from her tightly shut eyes.
Kate sat up and instantly began trying to soothe the fretful woman next to her, running tender hands across clammy pale skin, gently shaking in an attempt to bring her round.
"Caroline, Caroline. Wake up, you're having a dream. Caroline…wake up darling."
Suddenly Caroline awoke, bolting up with a gasp and nearly hitting Kate in the process.
"Caroline, it's alright, it's alright. You were having a dream, it was only a dream. Shhhh." Kate cooed as she brushed the damp golden locks from Caroline's face.
Caroline sat still, blinking hard as she tried to pull her mind into focus and steady her breathing. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair, stopping behind her neck to massage it as she struggled to calm down her racing heart. Kate sat silent beside her, softly rubbing her back to soothe her.
After a few moments, Caroline lifted her head, finally turning her gaze to Kate. A surge of tears fell from her eyes as she leaned forward, wrapping Kate into a tight embrace, burying her face snuggly in Kate's neck, desperate to make contact and feel the life coursing through Kate's body.
Kate eased them back against the head board for support and gently stroked Caroline's hair while whispering reassuring phrases in her ear. They sat this way for a few minutes before Caroline finally began to grow more subdued.
"It's alright darling, it's alright, I'm here and it was only a dream."
Caroline sniffles loudly and lifts her head, pulling away just enough to make eye contact with Kate. Kate reaches up and gently wipes the tears from the soft freckled cheeks she loves so much, her tender coffee eyes conveying love and concern.
"I thought you were dead. I dreamed you were dead." Caroline confesses in a feeble whisper.
Kate reaches up, brushing a strand of hair from Caroline's face and kisses her forehead lovingly, again wiping away the silent tears that have eased, but are still continuing to fall.
"Oh Caroline, I'm here. I'm fine." Kate whispers reassuringly.
"I know, but it felt so real. God, it was bloody awful. You died and I was left to care for our daughter all alone." Caroline says through sniffles, wiping her nose with her forearm as she speaks.
"Oh sweetheart, here, give me your hand."
Caroline offers her right hand and Kate takes it into her own, pulling it to her mouth for an affectionate kiss before placing it palm down over her heart, keeping it warmly covered with her own.
"See, I'm here, it's me, alive and well. I'm right here darling, with you."
Caroline leans in and kisses Kate, cherishing the warmness of her lips and the smell and feel of her skin. She finally pulls away, her somber gaze meeting Kate's calm coffee eyes.
"Kate, I don't think I could live without you…or her." Her azure eyes trail down to Kate's protruding bump, the current home of their already spoiled with love daughter. She leans over and places a sweet kiss on Kate's belly, then begins tracing soft circles across it with her finger tips. Kate watches her, amazed at how much her heart swells with love, more love than she ever thought possible for a human heart to contain.
"Caroline, you're magnificent." Kate whispers as her eyes begin to mist over. Caroline looks up from her gentle work, smiling softly at Kate, the anxiety having finally dwindled.
"And you are very pretty."
Kate laughs as the phrase recalls a memory.
"Oh, do you remember that day? In your office, when you said that to me."
"How could I ever forget?" Caroline replies, eyes beaming.
"That was bonkers! We were snogging…in your office, like two teenagers."
"That was more than a snog pal, I had me hand inside your bra."
The two women erupt in a peal of laughter, clearing any lingering melancholy from the room. When the laughter finally abates, they are inches apart, their eyes locked in an intense and loving stare.
"Caroline."
"Hmm."
"We're getting married today."
"Are we? Is that today?" There's a devilish twinkle in those sapphire eyes as Kate plants a playful smack on Caroline's arm.
"It bloody better be!" Kate replies in mock indignation.
They exchange playful smiles and another kiss, this one lingering and decidedly more passionate. They eventually separate moments later, a healthy flush in their cheeks.
"Kate…thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything. For loving me, despite my faults, for always being here for me; for loving the boys and for being so strong. For being patient, for coming back. For giving me strength and the courage to stop hiding. You rescued me. I am forever grateful and I know I don't say it often enough, so thank you."
"Oh Caroline."
Kate is deeply moved by the words, that she knows don't come as easily to Caroline, not for her lack of feeling them, but for her usual awkwardness at verbalizing them. The sincerity and impact of those words send tears of joy tumbling down Kate's cheeks. Caroline cups her face and gently begins kissing them away.
"Kate, my darling Kate…I love you, with all of my heart, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you…and our daughter, as a family."
Caroline is crying now, gentle silent tears of serenity.
"I love you Caroline, and can imagine no one else I'd rather spend my life beside than you. I can't wait to watch you be a wonderful mother to our very lucky daughter."
Kate kisses Caroline tenderly on the forehead before placing a lengthy, sensual kiss on her soon to be wife's delicious lips.
"Think we have time for a shower before we part ways to get dressed? I'm not ready to leave you just yet." Caroline asks with a crafty smile.
"Oh, I think so, so long as you behave yourself." Kate replies with a knowing gaze.
"Humpf…fine." Caroline pouts with protruding lip.
"Oh, don't you worry. I've got plans for you later." Kate says with a saucy wink before stealing a quick kiss and jumping out of bed.
"Mmm, do tell." Caroline replies as she jumps out of bed chasing after her. Even 8 months pregnant Kate is still faster and manages to escape Caroline's attempts at entrapment.
"Nope, you'll just have to wait and see." Kate teases with a laugh as she turns on the shower and begins taking off her clothes.
Caroline watches her undress, the sight of Kate's naked form always sending her pulse racing, even more so nowadays with the added curves from pregnancy. Kate sees the lustful look in her eye and slows, languidly slipping her hands into her pajama pants, pushing them down leisurely before letting them fall to the floor.
"Christ, how am I supposed to be good when I'm looking at that." Caroline says in exasperation.
Kate chuckles seductively as she wiggles free from her underwear, letting those too slip down her legs to the floor.
Caroline clears her throat loudly and crosses to the sink, grabbing her toothpaste and toothbrush.
"Right, and on that note, I've got to go…otherwise we're not leaving this room until this evening."
Kate gives a wicked smile and wink as she sees the expression on Caroline's face.
"God woman, you are incredible…and trouble! Seriously, I'm getting ready in the guest room. Your mum will just have to use the bathroom when I'm done."
"I love you Caroline." Kate calls with a laugh as Caroline walks out of the room.
"I love you too, you wicked tease." Caroline shouts over her shoulder as she leaves.