A/N Sorry, for the break, work hindered the LTiH obsession!

Just a bit of fluff really (soppy fluff on Valentine's Day!). I'm happy for any suggestions as to what direction to take it all…or I'll just continue to write silly, light-hearted fluff! Let me know what you think…

"I'm just saying, I'd much rather be getting bits sorted at the house, than driving all the way out here."

"Caroline, it's fine! Everything's unpacked. The house is far from being a mess. And besides, it's Raff's eighteenth, we can't miss that."

"Yes…but, everything doesn't feel right yet"

"She means the books aren't alphabetised," chirped Lawrence.

"Oh god, what were we thinking? Leaving the house in that state! Quick Caroline, turn the car around!" Kate's cheeky wit made Lawrence snort with laughter.

Caroline took in the sight of Kate sat between her two sons in the rear view mirror and smiled, "you two are turning into quite the double act, aren't you!" Kate and Lawrence high fived and Caroline's attention turned to her eldest "William, how're you feeling? There's a plastic bag in the pocket at the back of the seat."

"And I've got one in my handbag if you need" offered Kate, rubbing William's arm affectionately.

Caroline smiled adoringly at her girlfriend in the mirror.

Kate caught Caroline's eye in the mirror, "…what? I always carry a bag…you never know when you might need one."

Caroline allowed herself a moment to think about how lucky she was. The first time she had made this journey, with two grumpy teenagers, her infuriatingly stuck up mother and her nitwit of a husband, all John could do was antagonise the situation, but not Kate. Kind, caring Kate alleviated her of all her stresses and worries. She made things okay. More than okay. Bloody brilliant in fact. Caroline was happier than she could ever imagine being.

She put her eyes back on the country road and quickly took a left, "oo shit", too late for any indication protocols.

"Mum! Concentrate on the road!" demanded William, holding his stomach tighter.

"Mum, the sat nav you should have carried on going straight"

"Oh, bugger what the sat nav's telling me. I think I know the journey by now!"

"Can we have some music on?" asked Lawrence.

"Yes, I don't see why not," Caroline played with the Jeep's radio panel and settled on the first available station.

In her contentment, Caroline began to hum along to the tune and in a breathy whisper sang along with the lyrics, "…I've got sunshine in a bag…"

A small, happy gurgle emanated from the seat beside her.

"Ah, you like this do you little one?" She took one hand off the steering wheel and placed her index finger in her daughter's hand. "It's one of my favourites too."

Xxxx

"Haaaappy Birthday to yooooou" whoops and cheers, mainly from Gillian and Lawrence, finished off Raff's birthday song.

"Yes, yes. Thanks Lawrence, mate. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone really. All of you. Thanks to me Uncle Robbie for the awesomely cool new bike."

"Bloody death trap more like" muttered Gillian into her wine glass loud enough for all to hear.

"I'll have to get Granddad building a little side car for Calamity first thing tomorrow."

"You shalln't" scoffed Celia.

"I'm just playing with you Celia…he can make a start tonight!" laughter from everyone filled the room.

"Offt, you cheeky beggar"

"Thanks to you and Grandad for the money, that'll really help towards…well, everything really."

Celia and Alan held hands and gave a loving smile to the eighteen year old.

"Thank you to Mrs…Miss…I mean, Doctor…"

Caroline flapped her hand in protest, "I think you can just call me Caroline now".

"Oooo" Gillian gulped down her wine "...or, Auntie Caroline" she suggested.

"Shut it, Granny." retorted Caroline.

"Thank you Caroline" said Raff searching Caroline's face for approval, of which he received by a nod of her head "…and Kate, William and Lawrence…oh, not forgetting little Lilly. Thanks for trekking out here so soon after moving house and for the cufflinks."

"Oh, no bother," said Caroline which made Kate, Lawrence and William shared an amusing look, "and you're more than welcome. Happy Eighteenth."

"And thanks to me Mam," smiled Raff. "We may not have seen eye to eye over a lot of things in the last couple of years…"

With tears of pride welling in her eyes Gillian piped up, "no, that's because you grew so tall so bloody quickly and I'm only a short arse." She signalled with her hands to indicate the height and eye line difference, just in case anyone in the room hadn't cottoned onto her joke.

"Ha ha, mother! It's a good job I love you despite your terrible sense of humour." Raff took a moment to compose himself, "you've never steered me in any direction. You let me make my own mistakes…and I let you make yours. Although, my mistakes resulted in this beautiful baby girl" he said bouncing his daughter in his arms, "and yours left us with a stinking twit of a lodger for a couple of mouths."

The room once again was filled with laughter, all except Kate who looked a little lost. "I'll tell you later," whispered Caroline into her ear as she placed a protective arm around her girlfriend's waist.

"We've been through some horrible…" Raff paused weary of the two young girls in the room "s. h. i. t., but we battled through it together. Hopefully I've done you proud and I know that we'll continue to take care of each other" Gillian wrapped her arms around her sons waist and sobbed into his chest. "Well…until you get old and smelly, then I'll put you in that home you talked about for Granddad."

Both Gillian and Alan playfully smacked Raff on the arm and the family shared an emotional embrace.

Caroline led Kate into the kitchen by her hand. She turned to face the younger woman pulled her hips towards her and stole a tender kiss from Kate's lips.

"I've been wanting to do that for ages."

"Mmm, one track mind Elliot" Kate beamed at Caroline.

"Do you want a drink?" offered Caroline.

"No you have one, I'll drive us home"

"I've got school tomorrow."

"Even more reason for you to have a drink"

"No, I don't mind. You switch off, you've been amazing this weekend."

"Just this weekend?" teased Kate.

"You know what I meant" Caroline tapped Kate's nose with her finger and then caressed her cheek. "I'm so happy, Kate"

"Excuse me whilst I vomit," came Gillian's voice from the doorway.

"Sorry Gillian" Kate sheepishly apologised, but didn't step out of her embrace with Caroline.

"Oh, no, love…you knock yourself out" she waved her hand in her tipsy state one to many times sending her off balance. She steadied herself against the kitchen table "This single pringle is happy for you both. Why don't you go take a nice walk in't fields, spend some time together and I'll take care of your bunch."

"Thanks, Gillian" Caroline squeezed her stepsister's shoulder.

Xxxx

"It's lovely out here" Kate broke the comfortable silence as they walked hand in hand through Gillian's fields.

"Isn't it?" Caroline stopped in her tracks to take it all in. "I couldn't see myself living here though."

"No, I can't see you milking cows…"

"Ah, well…she's hasn't got any cows...only sheep…"

"Oh well, in that case, I can definitely see you herding sheep," giggled Kate.

Caroline pulled the taller woman into her embrace and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Thank you"

"I don't think the ability to herd sheep is a compliment, but okay…" toyed Kate playing with her hair.

Caroline rolled her eyes, "for being you. You…" Caroline took the younger woman's lips with her own, "are", she placed another peck on Kate's lips, Caroline searched for the most fitting words "…the one."

Kate let out a soft whimper. Caroline's declaration took her slightly by surprise.

"You complete me, Caroline."

Brown eyes stared into blue. The love and emotion was almost palpable.

"Come on, let's head back. The sooner we get back the sooner we can go home" Caroline's eyes sparkled with desired.

"Yes, those books won't sort themselves will they?" teased Kate as she patted Caroline on the backside and skipped on ahead.