Chapter Two

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Caroline woke to the sound of persistent but not quite coherent conversation going on beside her. She turned over to see Flora sitting between her and Kate in the bed chatting away to Fuzzy, "Mummy and Mama sleep, shush Fuzzy" Caroline wrapped her arm around her little one and kissed her. As she lay with Flora in her arms she looked across at her still sleeping wife and was yet again filled with the sense that her life was almost more perfect than she deserved.

There was a discrete knock at the door and Ginika crept in and swept Flora up out of the bed enticing her away with the prospect of pancakes for her breakfast. Caroline nodded to her mother in law and willingly let Flora go. Both mothers lay in bed naked, except for a light sheet covering them, but for some reason Caroline was not embarrassed, which she knew for sure she would be if her own mother ever walked in on them. Kate's mother was their biggest supporter and seemed to find great joy knowing that her daughter was loved so much and so passionately.

Kate woke and rolled over into Caroline's arms and after several good morning kisses, turned on to her back and put her hand protectively over the rather large scar on her tummy. "I'm going to have to buy some new swimming gear, I have always worn a bikini at the beach but now I won't be able to." Caroline put her own hand over Kate's as if to protect her. The scar was rather large and not as neat as a normal caesarean would be. The doctors had no time to worry about the aesthetics, they had to work quickly to remove the baby and then Kate's spleen which was bleeding so badly that it was endangering her life. "This might sound crazy Kate, but, this scar is a constant reminder that you loved Flora and me so much that you fought with everything you had to stay with us. You should wear whatever you want on the beach never mind what other people think." Caroline moved down the bed and kissed the scar several times which only served to ignite the passion they had experienced the night before and it was some time before they emerged for breakfast.

The family sat around the table feasting on Ginika's pancakes and discussing what they were all going to do for the day. William sidled up to his mother, "Mum can I take you out for coffee this morning, I'd like to have a chat." Caroline had agreed with no hesitation as she would relish some time alone with her son. Kate and Ginika were going to take Flora to the beach for a couple of hours and Lawrence, Ruth and Roxy decided to try their hand at windsurfing. They agreed they would all meet back at the house for lunch.

An hour later everyone had gone their separate ways and Caroline and William were sitting in a coffee shop overlooking the beach. "Mum, you are really happy and in love with Kate aren't you?" Her eyes filled with tears as she put her hand over her son's and nodded. "I think I'm in love with Roxy but you know she is my first proper girlfriend and I don't really have anything to compare it to. I look at other girls at college and they are attractive and some of them, great friends of mine, but they don't match Roxy."

Caroline sat for a moment digesting what Will had just said. "You know, when I met your father, I was confused about my sexuality, but my mum had encouraged me to try to put my feelings aside and be open to a 'normal' relationship with a man. I'd already had a brief relationship with another woman and I thought I was in love and that it was going to be forever. It wasn't and it didn't last long. Your father was an interesting man and he knew how to romance me then. I felt enough for him to marry him and hope that it would grow into something passionate and lasting. I had you two boys and you were the greatest gift your father gave me. Our marriage was good enough and steady until he went off with Judith. After the initial hurt and shock, I realised I didn't really care that much. Then Kate came along and it was like someone switched a light on inside me."

Caroline then explained that because it had been hard for her to 'come out' publicly, she and Kate had been through a lot of soul searching and to some extent great heartache. They had both hurt each other but beneath the hurt was the knowledge that this was it and life would not be right for either of them without the other.

"So William, I suggest you take it slowly. Spend time getting to know Roxy and her family. Don't confuse love with youthful lust. Try to become good friends as well as lovers and just see where it takes you. There's nothing wrong with finding your soul mate at an early age, but you both have a lot of living to do before you get tied down and may I say it, err ...don't get pregnant!"

William laughed and hugged his mother. "We won't don't worry mum. Thanks for the advice and can I just tell you how good it feels to see you so happy. I am growing to love Kate so much because of who she is but also because she makes you so happy. In case I don't get another chance to tell you this, I promise you and Kate that I will always look after Flora."

Everyone arrived back at the house for lunch and there was great excitement hearing all about the windsurfing. Lawrence was a little reluctant to admit that Roxy was a natural and had out-surfed the other two. They had decided it was something they would definitely try again. Flora and Fuzzy had arrived back covered in sand, and both had to be washed and Fuzzy was hung out by his ears on the deck to dry much to the baby's distress. "Poor Fuzzy Mummy, I not like it" After lunch everyone had disappeared either for a nap or to attack their electronic devices. Caroline had shared her conversation with William and Kate thought it was magical that he had said such lovely things.

After a couple of hours, the door to Caroline and Kate's bedroom was flung open and the four young ones rushed out on to the balcony where they were sitting. "OK you two, up you get and into swimming gear. Look what we've got for you" Lawrence shouted excitedly. He held up two tickets for windsurfing lessons. Caroline laughed and said,"No chance." Humiliation was something she would not embrace unless she deserved it. Kate laughed and encouraging her wife said' C'mon, it will be fun, they've done this especially for us."

A few minutes later the whole family was trudging down the beach towards the windsurfing area. Caroline was most reluctant, she wasn't at all sporty and hadn't really spent much time in the water as a younger mum, she was happy to paddle at the edges. Kate on the other hand was quite a fitness fan and a strong swimmer. Earlier in the morning she had found a bikini with 'boy shorts' which had adequately covered her scar but were brightly coloured, showing off her beautiful dusky skin.

Two rather handsome and tightly muscled young men stepped forward and introduced themselves to the two women, explaining how the lesson would go. One of them spent rather too long looking at Kate for Caroline's liking which was made worse by the fact that he swiftly chose Kate to tutor. The rest of the family had found a spot on the beach where they could watch the two women. Flora kept trying to run into the water to get to them and so eventually William had to wade out with her on his shoulders so that she could see them.

Within minutes Kate was up and surfing like a pro; the rehabilitation exercises she had done gave her a lot of upper body strength. Caroline on the other hand was finding it almost impossible just to stay upright on the board. The kids were really having a laugh at her expense. Even Kate couldn't resist flashing past her and making fun of her efforts to get back on the board "If only Sulgrave staff could see you now!'

Caroline was very grateful when the half hour was up but in a way she was glad that the family had pushed her out of her comfort zone. Being an older mum meant that she was going to have to get used to this sort of stuff again for Flora's sake. The young ones all went off to do their second session of surfing while Caroline, Kate, Flora and Ginika walked back to the house.

About an hour later, Ruth came rushing into the house shouting "quick, Caroline, Kate you need to come to the beach, Lawrence has hurt himself!" Both women were up in a flash, running down to the beach. Caroline's heart was in her mouth as she was taken back to the last time she had been called to an accident. Lawrence lay on the beach with a paramedic beside him. He was fully conscious but moaning in pain. "Lawrence what's happened?" his mother cried out. "Are you his mother?"The paramedic asked. Caroline nodded, "Your son fell of his board; he dislocated his shoulder but I have been able to put it back. He'll be sore and in pain for the next two days and will need to keep in a sling but he'll be OK." The guy explained.

As Caroline was busy pulling Lawrence up off the ground Kate turned to the paramedic and thanked him, asking if anymore treatment was needed. "Who are you?" the fellow asked. Kate said without a second thought, "I'm his other mother." The guy looked puzzled for a moment and then he realised what she meant. He shook his head, looked at Kate with disdain, and said, "Poor kid that's just not right." Kate replied with equal disdain, "Yeah whatever, this is 2015 grow up." She was glad Caroline hadn't heard the remarks as she would most certainly have caused a scene.

They walked slowly back to the house with Lawrence nursing his shoulder and for the next couple of days he was confined to sitting on the beach quietly which turned out OK for him as Ruth was happy to sit beside him and read or chat. The rest of the family went about enjoying the holiday, reading swimming and just generally hanging out with each other. Flora was delighted to have so many people to play with and entertain her. It certainly gave Caroline and Kate a good break.

Time moved on and it was the night before the two women were off on their honeymoon. Kate had been meticulous about choosing where to go and had settled for a secluded resort on a small outer island about twenty minutes by speedboat. It had a swimming pool, a couple of restaurants and the usual beach equipment. However what caught Kate's attention was that the villas were quite secluded from each other and it advertised itself to be 'gay friendly'. She thought Caroline in particular would feel more comfortable in such surroundings. As they lay in bed, their bags packed ready for an early start, Caroline gently began to kiss Kate's neck and stroke her warm and inviting skin. Kate stopped her saying,"not tonight my love!" Caroline raised herself up on her elbow and enquired as to why her advances were being brushed aside. "Ah, our honeymoon starts tomorrow darling and I have a program of events that I think you will like. You just have to be patient. It will be worth the wait." Feigning misery and pouting just like she had taught her daughter to do, Caroline lack back down beside her wife and within a few minutes they were both asleep.