Thank you all for the lovely reviews received so far, they make writing a little rewarding.

Caroline in her usual formal fitted suit and black and red gown strutted down the centre of the partitioned students. At the front the grand organ played out the familiar tune as her students sang on her arrival to the front of the hall. Lawrence watched from where he was stood; a sense of pride and immense love as always washed over him as his mother came into his line of vision. The boy had always taken such pleasure in telling people what his mum did for a living, watching her carry out the job she was so very good at. William was the same; he respected his mother for everything she did and all she achieved.

'Good morning!' she echoed as the voices faded and she came to a halt in front of the hundreds of students and her staff.

'Good morning' they all repeated in unison.

'Please be seated' they did as they were told with minimal noise 'Now, I won't keep you for too long before Mr Campbell takes over with his chosen presentation. Firstly, I'd like to welcome Mrs Elliott-McKenzie back from maternity leave; I assume you will be all pleased to see her back earlier than anticipated.' The whole room turned to look at Kate who stood on the right hand side. The married couple tried their best to keep the marriage separate from the school. Of course, everybody was more than aware of their relationship but it was rarely talked about. 'Secondly, I would like to congratulate the girl's football team on winning their league tournament at the weekend. You will all be appropriately awarded at the up and coming awards ceremony on Wednesday evening, I hope you and all your parents will all be able to join us to celebrate' the focus left Kate and was now fully back on the headmistress.

Caroline carried on for several minutes longer. Her role on a Monday morning was to welcome the students back from their weekend and outline any outstanding matters that she felt the students should be made aware of. Although she was a teacher to some of the students, it was also an ideal way of keeping in contact with the wider Sulgrave community. She felt it important to not just be the scary woman in the big office, she wanted to be approachable.

'It's good to see Kate back' started Gavin as he sat on the other side of Caroline's desk during their 1:1 Monday morning meeting. 'I was a little taken a back at how quickly you managed to sort out your personal arrangements, although I expected nothing less from Dr Elliott-McKenzie'

As he stopped to take a drink from his coffee Beverley had dropped off Caroline took over the conversation 'That was all down to Kate' she assured him, refusing to take the credit for the families successes and planning 'And she knows I'll support any decisions she makes. You should know Gavin that together we only want what is best for our family and Sulgrave'

'Absolutely, and that's the very reason why you're in charge here. We as a board can't think of anybody we would rather have leading Sulgrave to its successes'

'You make it sound as if you've been discussing my role-my job here?' she questioned, staring harshly at the man in front of her looking for answers.

'Only in the sense that for as long as you want to lead this school you will always have a job-' his explanation was broken as a knock at the door stopped them.

'Come in!' called Caroline from her high backed chair

'Ah, Caroline' Beverley entered carrying a boquet of flowers 'These have just been delivered for Kate, as she's teaching I thought you may want to look after them for her?' Caroline rose from where she was seated and met Beverley to take the flowers off her.

'Thanks, Beverley. I'll make sure she gets them' she took a look at the card that accompanied them; it read 'Kate, all the best on your first day back at Sulgrave. See you all soon. Love William x'

'Is somebody fighting for Kate's attention?' the male joked.

'Only William' she replied, smiling.

'Yes, she's in her office' Caroline listened to Bev directing somebody towards her office. She recognised the familiar footsteps and they reached her door and then entered.

'Busy?' asked Kate, popping her head around the door and then shutting it behind her as Caroline shook her head.

'Never too busy for you, my darling.' The headmistress relaxed into her chair smiling. On noticing Kate had eyed up the bouquet of flowers and was looking at her questioningly 'From my secret woman' she joked 'No-no, they're yours.'

'Mine? Who from?'

'You'll have to read the card!' On her wife's instructions Kate picked out the card from inside the bouquet and took a moment to read it.

'William? William sent these for me?' her cheeks pinked up a little, overcome with emotion 'I'll give him a call later and thank him. How thoughtful of him'

'And no, I didn't tell him to send them. In fact, I'm just as surprised as you are'

'Oh come on Caroline, did you really expect anything less?' The blonde haired woman realised she didn't. It was just in her beloved son's nature to remember such occasions and celebrate them in loving ways. Kate took a seat in the chair opposite her wife and the pair sat in silence for several moments.

'Is-is everything okay, Kate?' broke in Caroline, aware her partner looked somewhat troubled.

'Do you think Florence is okay?' she asked, looking her directly in the eyes; her own eyes watering a little as she clasped her hands together.

Recognising Kate's sadness, Caroline removed herself from her executive chair and walked around the desk to kneel besides where the darker woman sat. She placed her hands on top of Kate's 'She will be absolutely fine, trust me Kate. Madeline is more than qualified for the job' pausing slightly to think and look at her watch 'We'll pick her up in eight hours and little Flo will be pleased to see her dear mummy' the new mother's concerns were more than justified though. It was her first born, her longed for miracle child. Caroline had cancelled a meeting so she could be with Kate when she picked their daughter up from her first day at the child minders. The pair, along with Lawrence, had also dropped her off earlier that morning. Caroline reached up and kissed Kate on the cheek trying her hardest to put the woman's worries at ease.

'Anyway' carried on Kate as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye 'I best get back, 9f are sure to be early for their lesson' she joked 'See you later?'

'See you later'

The married couple pulled up on the driveway of a small four-bedroom detached house, half an hour away from their own property. They each got out of their respective doors and walked up the pathway to the front door. Caroline knocked with her steady and self-assured hand and then waited for their call to be answered. The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with a sleepy baby in her arms. Kate pushed to the front and instantly scooped her daughter in her arms, covering her head in longed for kisses. Caroline stood behind stroking Florence's head.

'Has she been okay? Behaved herself?' asked Caroline.

Madeline smiled at the sight whilst replying 'Yes-yes, good as gold. She ate all the lunch you left for her, had three naps- it's all in the book.' The book was a clever way on keeping the parents up to date on their child's day.

'Thank you. Same time tomorrow then? Goodnight' finished Caroline, taking the bag from the woman and heading to the car, opening the rear door for Kate to put Florence in her carseat.

'Thank you, Madeline' Kate was a little more friendly with the woman, having spent more time with her before deciding on who to give the job to. 'Night.' She eased her tired daughter into the seat before strapping her in and placing a pink blanket over her chubby legs.

After getting in and being greeted by Lawrence who had got a lift home from Angus, Kate set up camp on the sofa with her sleeping daughter on her lap. Caroline busied around the kitchen and the office, multi-tasking to cook supper for them all and finish writing up a letter. From the other side of the wall, the blonde haired woman could hear Kate and Lawrence talking to one another. Since Florence's birth, her son had spent far more time with the family as oppose to gaming online with friends.

'Did she enjoy it?' asked Lawrence, stroking her small head as Kate nursed her. He had become used to the practice of breastfeeding taking place in the house and no longer shied away from it.

'I think she did Lawrence, although she's worn out now. Would you like to read her a bedtime story before we eat?' replied Kate, smiling at her step-son.

'You bet! How was your first day back?'

'As if I'd never been away! And William sent me some flowers-'

'He said he was going to when I was talking to him at the weekend'

The conversation carried on for a while longer as they each talked about their days and catching up on any news either of them had. It surprised the growing boy at just how much he enjoyed his step-mothers presence.

'Is it hard-hard being married to another woman, Kate?' asked Lawrence warily, unsure if he was okay to broach the topic.

'No- no it's not' she started 'It was a little difficult coming to terms with my sexuality in the beginning but it was much harder for your mum'

'She's brave for doing what she did, and I'm a fool for reacting in the way I did'

'I imagine it was a shock' they had rarely talked about the sexuality of his parents. They were aware that if the children wanted to talk about it then they would raise it in conversation first. 'She appeared to be happily married to your dad and had two growing sons, a school to manage'

'I'm so glad you and Flo are in our lives' he smiled before kissing Kate's cheek and then running out of the room to see how long his food was going to be. The woman stay sat with her daughter, musing at the family she loved she dearly.

Feet away Kate could hear Caroline instructing her son 'Set the table for the three of us and pour us all a drink please Lawrence, and then I'll tell you how long it us until we eat' then the footsteps became louder as she entered the living room. She loved seeing Kate so at home with their daughter. Leaning over the sofa she kissed her wife on the cheek and watched Florence nursing happily.

'There's something incredibly sexy about Dr Elliott-McKenzie strutting down the assembly hall' the younger woman whispered to which Caroline couldn't help but laugh.

Tuesday evening found Kate stood on the sidelines of the rugby pitch as Lawrence played a match. His mother had had to say no on this particular occasion; he understood, she was busy and her presence wasn't necessary. Caroline tried to attend as many matches as possible, and occasionally John picked up the slack when he could be bothered to. However eager Kate had been to pick her daughter up from the childminders she had happily jumped in and offered to watch him play.

She stood along with all the other parents in her slim fitting denim jeans, white polo shirt, black body warmer and boots. When she got the chance she took out her phone and took pictures of her step-son in action, texting a few to her wife and William. Kate felt she owed Lawrence a couple of hours of 1:1 attention, with no baby to take centre stage.

'GO ON LAWRENCE!' shouted the woman as the boy pelted forwards with the ball, managing to miss any opponents that attempted to jump on top of him. It was quickly followed by cheering as another try was scored by the skilled teenager. The Nigerian woman loved watching him play; he always seemed so at ease and so comfortable on the pitch- knee deep in mud was where he truly belonged unlike William.

After talking to several of the parents and also saying goodbye to some of the students she taught, Kate climbed into her blue Fiat 500 and waited patiently for the muddy teenager to make his way to the car. As he approached the car she wound down the window 'Boots in a carrier bag and then into the boot please Lawrence!' she instructed. The clever woman had already placed a towel on the seat to stop him smearing mud on the cream leather. She didn't mind of course. She could hardly tell him off for it. Lawrence did as he was told and climbed into the car, trying to insure no mud ended up on the carpet.

'I'll give it a hoover out tomorrow evening' he promised, smiling at Kate.

'Does that mean you'll give it a wash as well?' she teased

'In your dreams!'

'Thought I might have been pushing it' she added 'You played really well this evening, Lawrence. Well done. How about we head off for a drink somewhere- Costa? We haven't go to pick Florence up for another hour yet' the growing lad nodded at a suggestion, rather pleased he would get some more adult time.

The following evening the Elliott-McKenzie family were suited and booted (in some respects) for the Sulgrave awards ceremony. It was a big event in the calendar each year; the turnout was always enormous. Almost every students parents joined them for a three course meal which followed the award giving's.

Lawrence, being the headmistress's son, had the responsibility or ensuring he was properly dressed. Caroline had taken him out several weeks before hand to be measured for a three piece suit along with a black bowtie. He hated to admit it but really he loved dressing up and being so smart.
Caroline wore a long black gown with her hair clipped up whilst Kate went for something a little shorter but equally as stunning. They had left Celia and Alan at home with the baby, promising they would be home as soon as they could. The elderly pair knew how unlikely that was; the very nature of Caroline's job meant she spent long hours away from home.

The evening started by Caroline making a speech to the enormous crowd; rare butterflies present in her tummy. 'Good evening' she started as the clapping died down 'I'd like to welcome you all to Sulgrave Heath's 2014 annual award ceremony. I'm so pleased you could join us all to celebrate your children's hard work over the last twelve months' Kate sat in the audience, at a table with Lawrence besides her, bursting with pride. That radiant and stunning woman stood up there speaking to her audience was her wife; her wife. 'Over the last year the school as continued to progress steadily, and that is all down to the commitment your children show to their work. Behind that of course is you, the ever supportive parents, without you everything we do, achieve and strive towards wouldn't be possible' She talked for a while longer, going through the pre-planned speech she had stashed away in her head.

Following her strong speech the awards ceremony commenced. One by one the each chosen pupil was called up to receive their award, with a description of why they had been nominated. In some cases there were larger groups of students who had received a joint award for activities they had undertaken together. As the sporting awards were called out Lawrence watched and cheered as his friends and team mates were called up for their accolades. The last thing he expected was for his own name to be announced 'Lawrence Elliott-McKenzie' after the wedding he had decided he wanted the same name as his mother, and that too of the baby sister he had yet to meet. Lawrence stood up, taken aback and shocked. He looked at Kate who encouraged him to go forwards to collect his award. Caroline stood near the front, beaming at her son, at the surprise that was so evident on his face. 'Best sportsman of the year' was what he received, and what a privilege it was. Everyone knew how hard he had worked to reach where he was in the sport of rugby.

As the awards came to an end and the food was almost ready to be served to its hungry guests, Gavin took the stage. Caroline hadn't been aware he was to make any sort of speech and so she stood frowning at him, weary of what he was about to say . 'Now, I'm sure you will all be pleased to hear that the food is just moments away but before we all tuck into what will be an incredible meal I have some final words to say' he addressed the people who listened to his every word 'We all know how fantastic our headmistress, Dr Caroline Elliott-McKenzie, is and yet we rarely let her know.' This had been the first time he had the chance to formally congratulate the couple. 'I would like to take a second to congratulate her and teacher Mrs Kate Elliott-McKenzie on their marriage and also the birth of their daughter. So please raise your glasses, to Caroline and Kate!' everybody followed him. He and the rest of the governors had given up on being careful about how they spoke about the marriage. They no longer cared who disagreed with a same sex-relationship. The bottom line was that the couple were blissfully happy, and the school was thriving.

Caroline looked across the room at Kate and smiled. God she loved her.