A/N: Thank you for choosing this story to read and a special thanks to all those kind souls who took the time to send a review….extremely appreciated.
Part One: The Accident
"Mum, you blinked. Then you're alright. God Mum you're alright. Please Mum if you can hear me blink again or better still Mum open your eyes." His mum does not respond to his pleas.
The sight of green lights; red lights; blue lights; yellow lights; sounds of a loud crash; screaming; cursing; sirens; feelings of helplessness; fear; regret; the pandemonium of it all overtake William's mind concurrently and without warning. He sees Kate being taken away in an ambulance and then his mother on a stretcher being lifted into an ambulance. He hears the Paramedic tell him- "You're just fine now lad, off you go."
He's not just fine. He's standing there at the scene of the accident a pathetic wreck watching as the two people he loves most in the world are being carried away in an ambulance.
"Open my eyes?" William hears his mother say. The swell and deflate of his chest which is responsible for the long out flow of breath is physical evidence of the relief he feels. William takes hold of Caroline's hand and clutches it with all his might.
"William? What…what are you doing here? God I feel…terrible. Why am I in this bed? Where's Kate?"
"You're in the hospital Mum. You…me…Kate… We were in an accident. We got hit by a car… the Jeep I mean got hit by a car. The driver…he must have been drunk or something…he didn't stop. He hit…he hit us on the side where Kate was sitting. I didn't get hurt-only shook up a bit. They think you have a concussion and some other stuff- cracked ribs or something. Not too serious or anything like that- but you have to stay here- in bed…in the hospital."
Even in her half cognizant state of mind the only thing that Caroline can think of is - first the nightmare she experienced mere hours ago and now a bloody automobile accident. What's the likelihood of that?
"Kate…Kate where is she. Jesus William. What happened to Kate? Why didn't I see…how could I not have seen the car coming at us?"
"Mum you where in the backseat with Kate. I volunteered to drive you to the hospital. Oh Mum. I thought if you were in the back with Kate you could…you know be with her- calm her on the journey to the hospital. She was a bit anxious- about the baby. I thought….I didn't know…Oh Mum what have I done? I am so very sorry." It was an abject apology that William offered.
William forgets about all the medical equipment that Caroline is attached to and her weakened state, he flings himself onto his mother's battered body. There he weeps like a newborn baby as Caroline holds him in her arms. William has jolted her to full cognizance - she remembers now. In silence she too weeps while tears freely roll down her face. The rise and fall of her chest is the only telltale sign that she is crying, full blown.
Collecting herself she has to ask the question that's begging to be asked, though she's longing to hear but only one answer. She pulls William up to position him to look face to face at her. "William…tell me…is…is Kate…is she…umm…Kate- is she alright, William? Tell me she's not…Oh God…no she's not hurt is she? She's not. Right William?"
"Mum…I don't know. They took her away in a separate ambulance. And then when I arrived here they ushered me to you. They would only tell me about you. Granny is here now and she's gone to see if she can find out about Kate. Will you ever forgive me Mum?"
"There's nothing to forgive, love. Nothing at all." Caroline pulls her first born son into a motherly embrace. Her brilliant William, such a gentle soul. There is no circumstance where she could not love him unconditionally, none whatsoever. She needs him as much as he needs her.
"And the baby? William what about the baby?"
Before William can answer Celia strolls through the door. "Well sleepy head you're awake. Gave us quite the scare you did. How you feeling, love?"
"The baby what about the baby, Mother? Do you know anything about the baby? About Kate?"
"I'm afraid love I don't have any news for you. The doctors are still with her. But you shouldn't worry-I'm sure she's in good hands- her and the baby. They'll be well taken care of, Caroline." Celia is doing her best attempt at cheerleading.
"Lawrence…where's Lawrence? Does he know?" Caroline is in semi-headmistress mode, for a brief moment.
"Alan's with him. He's fine. Alan's got everything under control." A reassuring response but it's doubtful if Caroline was listening to all what was said.
"I need to speak to the doctors. I need to know about Kate." Said in a staccato voice.
"I think it's best you just relax now. Get some rest. You were right banged up, love? They should be here, the doctors, before long, to let us know-what's happened. I know it's hard, love but you've just got to try and be patient, Caroline."
"Mother my wife needs me…I need her even more." Understandably, Caroline is becoming testy and needs to direct her anger at someone- who better than her mother?
"And who, Lady Muck is going to be silly enough to drag you from this bed?" Celia's cheerleading days have come to an end.
Caroline only tuts, rolls her eyes and turns her head away from her mother. Her eyes tear up.
William is steadfastly clutching his mother's hand which is his way to convey he knows completely how much his mother needs Kate in her life but after listening to Celia he is of two minds whether to be loyal or sensible.
William is saved from choosing sides as finally a nurse and doctor walk briskly into Caroline's hospital room. Caroline readies herself. She's both reluctant and eager to hear the news that awaits her. The Doctor is the first to speak and introduces himself while the nurse looks on with an encouraging look- as nurses often do no matter the situation.
"Well how are you feeling? I think we can all heave a sigh of relief now that everyone's been attended to."
"What are you saying?" Caroline's not quite ready as yet to exhale.
"What I am saying is baby and mother are doing perfectly well. Your wife delivered a healthy baby girl. We've given both mother and baby a thorough examination and I don't think you'll have to worry about either one of them. Thanks in part to you, your wife tells me."
"To me?"
"Yes, to you Dr. Dawson. You used your body to shield Kate and the baby from harm; draping yourself over them like a protective blanket. I'm told. Which is why Dr. Dawson you've got the brunt of the injuries from the accident. Though given the extent of the injuries sustained by everyone the impact of the collision doesn't appear to have been that serious. I'm sure you may have a different opinion Dr. Dawson, considering it was your family that was involved and you that experienced the broken bones. But trust me I've seen worse-a whole lot worse." His temperament was reassuring- even charismatic to the point one couldn't help but like his beside manner.
"Dr. McKenzie Dawson…I got married…my name now is Dr. McKenzie Dawson."
"Okay, Dr. McKenzie Dawson except for your son here, we're keeping the rest of your family in the hospital for a couple of days or so. Just a precaution to make sure everyone is alright and then you all can go home, together as one big happy family. Sound good to you?"
Now is the time- both Caroline and William can exhale, together. The worse is over. Caroline's family is safe and sound. Every inch of her body is hurting like bloody hell but she's feels so very damn good. All she cares about: Lady Luck usurped the fickle hand of fate and she gets to take her family home.
Owing to a kind nurse and a borrowed wheel chair Kate is able to carry out a visit to Caroline the morning after the accident. The nurse positions the wheel chair next to Caroline's bed; gives a friendly nod and takes off leaving the two of them to their privacy.
"Well, hello you." Kate is first to acknowledge. The two women are quick to greet each other with heartfelt smiles. Every inch of their faces express the pleasure they find in seeing each other.
"Good Morning to you too." Caroline, not being quite yet mobile enough to jump out of bed and sweep Kate into her arms instead extends her hand. Kate takes it into hers and holds it firmly to her lips. A plethora of thoughts surface but Kate chooses not to speak them. She instead holds them in a heart swelled with love.
"What's this all about? You okay?" Caroline asks as she indicates the question relates to the wheel chair Kate is occupying.
"Oh, you mean the wheel chair- mainly for show. Just a sprained ankle. That's all. Never mind me look at you. Quite the shiner you got there. Bet you're black and blue all over."
"A reminder to never sit in the back seat." Caroline's witticism never takes a rest.
"Hope it was worth it- being a lifesaver and all." Kate takes and gives back in kind.
"Had I not you probably would have haunted me. Don't fancy being Mrs. Muir." The Mrs. Muir that Caroline is referring to is the young widow in the old movie classic (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) who is haunted by the ghost of a dapper sea captain. She eventually falls in love with the ghost who becomes the love of her life for all eternity.
"Good. I wouldn't have wanted to be Ghost Kate either. I look terrible in a beard- he did have a beard, the sea captain. Didn't he?" Kate replies to Caroline's banter with her own brand of light hearted teasing.
"Mhmm" Caroline chuckles before turning serious. "You really alright? That was quite the… adventure."
"Stop your worrying. I'll be just…I am doing just fine…promise."
"Right. And the baby. .. Ten fingers and ten toes."
"Yep… Ten fingers and ten toes. Right as rain. She is- our Flora."
"Good that's good. Nothing pleases me more. You know that I would have given anything to be with you…I…I wanted to be there…beside you…."
"It's okay Caroline. You couldn't have predicted this." Kate's eyes sweep around the hospital room emphasizing her point.
The nurse interrupts Caroline and Kate. "Excuse me Kate…but…sorry." The nurse has to take Kate back to her room sooner than planned.
"I've got to go." Kate says regretting having to say it.
"I know." Caroline is resigned to letting Kate go- but she knows it is only just for the time being. Within minutes after Kate leaves she's already wishing Kate was there with her.
Part Two- Three months after the accident
A habit it once was- after being roused from sleep automatically reaching for Kate; a ritual it would be from this day forward Caroline tells herself as she awakes from the deepest sleep memory could recall. She reaches out to find her Kate to consummate their pairing; to let herself know that Kate is right there beside her- where she belongs- forever.
She touches the space where Kate should be but is not. Instead of being catapulted to a panic state and on to an instant search for her Kate, keeping her eyes closed Caroline only smiles her usual closed mouth smile. She hears the deafening piercing cry of a three month old baby. Unlike what it should be – the cry is pleasing to her ears.
Caroline knows the arms that are out of her reach are wrapped comfortable around their baby. Their baby- wow how beautiful does that sound. And ever the more wondrously their baby has fulfilled so many long held dreams for both her and Kate.
The baby is still crying. Perhaps she should get up and help Kate navigate through the early stages of motherhood. Duty-bound Caroline goes to where Kate and the baby are. Kate is cradling the baby tenderly in her arms and she has finally settled the baby. Caroline wraps her arm around Kate and draws both her and the baby to her. Kate leans her head against the side of Caroline's head. As Caroline whispers to Kate "It's alright," the baby lets out a soft melodic coo as if to agree. The moment is so very perfect- a treasured memory that occurs once in a lifetime. It binds the threesome together as one.
"Do you want to hold her, Caroline?" An unselfish offer to share her dream of motherhood.
"I think she's sleep now. Shouldn't you lay her down? Don't you think?" Sensible but kind.
While still staring with rapt attention at her child Kate reluctantly and ever so attentively places her Flora into her bed. When Kate finishes the task she turns back to Caroline and gazes questioningly into beautiful blue eyes she's grown to adore. She knows Caroline loves her beyond words but now there has to be consideration given to the dynamics of this child in real life.
"You don't regret this do you? You're 47. It's not really what you planned on doing next. Is it- babies?"
"No, not in the beginning. But now…umm…now I feel "lucky." Is that a word?" She questions her language teacher.
"Yes…Yes…it's…it's a very good word, Caroline." Kate's once quizzical expression gives way to a broad contented smile. She's overwhelmed by the certainty of Caroline's unwavering commitment to motherhood the second time around. She feels so very much honored to have Caroline as her child's mother.
Caroline realizes what her answer has meant to Kate. Not wasting a moment, she reaches for Kate's hand so as to lead her to their bedroom. Both women's hearts are bursting with love and every inch of their body is consumed by the anticipation to prove it.
It has taken most of Caroline's life but now she has finally reached the pinnacle of happiness. For all those years, even though she had never known it…. Caroline had always been secretly… looking for Kate.
