A/N: Here's the second installment, enjoy! Thank you so much for reading my story and I truly appreciate all of your reviews. :)
The final performances were scheduled to begin at 9am so after a quick breakfast and meet up in the atrium, the Sulgrave group was ushered backstage to wait, since there were only 4 groups performing and they were third in the lineup. Caroline had wished them luck before they were carted off and then went to the auditorium to find a seat.
The first two performances were rather good, one being a classic choral piece by a school from Leeds and one a mashup of three "hippie songs" from the 60s by a group from Manchester. As Sulgrave took the stage, Caroline could feel the buzz of anticipation in her chest. She had no idea what they would be performing, but knowing Kate, she assumed it would be something special.
As Kate rose her arms to begin she saw William step out from the group and her heart went racing with pride, and nerves, for her oldest son. With the slightest nod of Kate's head, then William's, the choir began, singing the musical notes that would start the song. After a few measures William joined in with his solo and so the choir began "Somebody that I used to know" by Gotye. There were audible gasps and small cheers as they sang. Each verse a different student would step forward, singing their solo before being rejoined by the choir for the chorus.
Half way through the song the choir stopped. The whispers continued in the audience as confusion set in. The pause only lasted about five seconds before the choir began singing a new musical score and this time, one of the girls in the group came forward. She quickly launched into "Call Me Maybe" and the auditorium erupted with cheers from all the other student groups.
In that instant the Sulgrave group really came alive and the students on stage began dancing and singing, moving from the risers to spread across the stage, singing to all sections of the crowd. Kate stood before them, swaying a little to the beat as she kept time and lead over the solos.
Caroline sat in her seat tapping her foot along with them, a huge smile on her face. The enthusiasm in the auditorium was like a lightning bolt, sending an electric charge to everyone in the room.
She was full to bursting with pride for the students and….Kate. Kate. Her eyes made their way back to the woman, who over the past few months had become such a close friend, perhaps closer than any friend she had ever had. She watched as she swayed happily to the rhythm and despite her back being to the audience, Caroline could envision the gorgeous, bright smile that would undoubtedly be across her face. She certainly was a special woman, and she certainly was quite pretty, especially when she moved like that.
A flush of embarrassment spread across Caroline's neck and cheeks as that thought registered in her mind. She hadn't felt feelings for a woman like this in…decades really and although she was frightened by their sudden appearance, her attraction to Kate overpowered those fears.
But what was she thinking? There would never be anything but friendship between them. Her rational mind quickly ran through all the reasons why nothing more would ever work.
She was still married.
Kate wasn't attracted to women.
She was Kate's boss.
The boys, John…her mother.
No, no. They would just be friends and she was confident that she could deal with that.
She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she had completely missed the last performance. She was pulled back to reality by the wild buzz in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out her mobile to see there were two messages from Kate.
Where are you?
We're seated stage left, up front. I saved you a seat.
Caroline shot off a quickly reply before making her way down the aisle to join them. She found the group in the front two rows, nervously chatting with each other as they awaited the return of the MC.
Kate looked up and saw her, flashing the brightest smile Caroline had ever seen, instantly making the butterfly in her stomach go absolutely wild. She smiled back radiantly, her azure eyes dancing in sheer enchantment. She took the seat next to Kate and grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly and leaning in to whisper.
"I knew I made the right decision giving you this job. That was extraordinary Ms. McKenzie, and you are quite a good dancer too." Caroline said as she tilted her head back to wink at Kate.
Kate felt her stomach do a backflip and her cheeks flush and was, in that instant, grateful for the darkened room, despite it hiding some of Caroline's beauty.
Just as the two women release their hands, William looks back and sees his mother. He thought it momentarily odd that his mother would be so familiar with Ms. McKenzie, but quickly determined it was out of excitement for the choir.
Caroline looks up and sees him, her heart racing to a gallop at the thought that she's been caught out. She too is grateful for the darkness that can hide her vibrantly red chest. William smiles broadly at her, sending a wave of relief through her body. She gives him the thumbs up with the sunny crooked smile she so often used with her boys.
The MC takes the stage and quiets the crowd. After a lengthy speech about the quality of performances and how difficult the decision was for the judges he finally begins announcing the winners. Third place is called and the group makes their way to the stage to accept their trophy before being ushered backstage for photos.
When second place is announced and it's not Sulgrave, the students become visibly nervous. Once that group is ushered off stage Kate unconsciously grips Caroline's hand, anxiously awaiting the first place reveal.
Sulgrave's name is called and the students jump to their feet, hooting and hollering at their victory. Kate and Caroline stand together and Kate quickly wraps Caroline into a hug, surprising her, but making her laugh. She hugs her tightly and pushes her back, urging her to guide the students to the stage.
The group is presented with the trophy and Kate is given a beautiful bouquet of peonies and roses as the winning director. Kate looks down to Caroline, raising her eyebrows and biting her lip to stifle the cheesy grin on her face. Caroline smiles brilliantly and winks, clapping the whole time with the auditorium, who has given them a standing ovation. The group is finally ushered backstage and Caroline quickly exits the auditorium to meet them in the atrium once they are done with photos.
The group bounds out from the stage door, talking a mile a minute and giving an ample amount of high fives. William rushes to his mum, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She wraps him into a bear hug and kisses his cheek in return, pulling him back to look directly in his face.
"I am so proud of you." She says, her eyes slightly misting over with tears.
"Thanks mum. I'm glad you came with us." He replies before leaning in for another kiss on her cheek.
"Mum, would it be alright if I rode back on the bus. I'd like to celebrate with my friends."
"Of course." She smiles and nods her head. He squeezes her hand and rushes back to the group.
Kate finally emerges from the stage door and the kids quickly begin chanting "McKenzie" to greet her. She shakes her head in disbelief and comes to the center of the group, raising her hands to quiet them down and handing her bouquet to William, who stands behind her.
"Alright, alright, you lot. You better stop that or you're going to make me cry!" The group responds with a cheer, but quickly quiets down again.
"I am so incredibly proud of you all right now. You worked so hard for me and for each other, and it has paid off. We now have this beautiful trophy to show off with pride, and it's because of all of you. Now, can we please never, ever sing "Call Me Maybe" again? I am well and truly done with that song!" The group claps and cheers, all sharing a laugh and resounding "Yes".
oOo
After a quick lunch in the hotel café and checking out, the group boards the bus and prepares to head for home. As Kate is standing at the front of the bus, preparing the students to take off, Caroline steps in, followed by two mothers from the group.
"Ms. McKenzie, these ladies have something for you." Caroline says as she taps Kate on the shoulder. Kate turns to face them with a smile, but a slightly confused look on her face.
"Ms. McKenzie, as a token of our appreciation for all of the hard work you have put in with the students, we would like to offer our services on the bus ride home, so that you may ride with Dr. Elliot and enjoy the peace and quiet. You've earned it," says one of the mothers with a smile.
Kate looks to Caroline with a look of amused shock and Caroline lifts her hands in defeat with a shrug.
"You see Ms. McKenzie, we won't take no for an answer, so grab your things and enjoy your ride home," says the other with a sly smile.
Kate lifts her arms in defeat and collects her things, waving to the students as they clap her off the bus.
"Caroline, are you responsible for that?" Kate asks as they walk to the Jeep.
"No, I am not. They came to me while we were gathering in the lobby. I just offered to bring you with me after they told me their plan."
Caroline walks around to the boot, opening it and helping Kate put away her bags. The two women climb into the Jeep and set off behind the bus on the drive home.
"Thank you Caroline. Don't tell anyone, but I'm actually quite glad for the quiet." Kate confides with a sigh as they pull out of the hotel car park.
"I thought you might be." Caroline replies with a smirk as she looks to Kate through her periphery.
"And thank you for coming with us. It made me feel quite special knowing you where there, even if it was mostly to support William."
"I was happy to come, and it wasn't just to support William. I came for you…and the choir too." Caroline replies a bit shyly.
There's a slightly awkward silence between them as each over-thinks what to say next.
"So, the performances were all brilliant Kate, but what on Earth made you pick the last songs? I mean, I'm not saying they were bad, I actually loved them, but it's not your traditional choir music." Caroline finally says, honestly interested in the response.
"It was the kids actually. They were struggling a bit in the beginning with the songs I had chosen and so, as a sort of carrot on a string, I told them I'd let them pick the last piece if they promised to work just as hard on the two I selected. The vote was even between the two songs, so we decided we would combine them. I love how it turned out, but if I never hear either of those songs again in my life, I'd be one happy woman."
The women share a laugh and the awkwardness from a moment ago is dissolved. They ride on in silence for a while, both comfortable in the quiet company of the other.
"Kate…" Caroline says, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
"Hmm?" Kate responds, turning to face Caroline.
"Thank you for being there for me last night. I'm sorry for always bringing down the mood with my drama."
"Caroline, you never bring down the mood. If I didn't want to be there for you, I wouldn't offer." Kate replies sincerely, placing a tender hand on Caroline's knee. The contact makes each woman buzz with excitement and Kate eventually moves her hand, fearing it gives away her desire.
"Kate, you said you dated someone after Richard. How did you get there? How were you able to finally move on from the divorce? I still don't know what's going to happen with John and I, but if it ends I would have no idea how to begin again. I haven't dated in 18 years and I don't know if I even want to start, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone." Caroline confides, her voice barely more than a whisper. She's nervous to admit that, but she knows there's no one else she trusts more than Kate.
Kate sits quietly for a moment as she tries to formulate a response. She hadn't really thought about it at the time, it had just sort of happened. Janet had waltzed into her life and practically swept her off her feet, like a tornado, and quickly deposited her in shambles, just the same.
"Well, I don't really know Caroline. My last relationship just kind of happened. It felt good, in the beginning, so I just followed my feelings and went with it, despite this little voice in my head that said I should slow down. It wasn't until months later that I realized it was all wrong and that voice in my head had been right."
"So, what happened, do you mind me asking?"
"In short, I was used. They needed things that I could provide, and I was naïve enough to believe they wanted more, so I let it happen. Once they got what they wanted, it was over."
There's a long pause as Caroline processes Kate's answer. All that stuck out to her was Kate's use of "they" instead of "he". Why would she do that? The idea suddenly strikes her like lightning in the sand, leaving a newly formed idea behind….it was a woman! Caroline desperately wants to know for sure, but can't quite bring herself to bluntly ask.
"I'm so sorry Kate, that sounds awful," is all she can bring herself to reply before falling back into silence.
The silence is now awkward again, each woman feeling the elephant that has now taken a seat behind them. Kate decides it's time to come clean, it's better to get the truth out so they can deal with it.
"Caroline, I need to tell you something," she begins, an almost ominous tone in her voice.
Caroline sits quietly waiting for her to continue, sensing this may be her confession. The thought excites her and feels her with fear, all at once.
"That last relationship was with a woman. I'm a lesbian. Ultimately that's why Richard and I divorced."
The confession provides her with relief and fear. What if Caroline shuts her off now, what if she refuses to be friends? It wouldn't be the first time it happened in Kate's life, but this time would crush her. Her feelings for Caroline had grown exponentially over the last few months, to what she had been very apprehensive at identifying, but if she were honest she would say it was the beginnings of love.
Caroline sits silent, her eyes never leaving the road. Even though she had expected this might be the revelation, it still caught her off guard actually hearing Kate say the words. She wanted to run because she didn't trust herself, but she wanted to stay, because she was inexplicably drawn to Kate. The dichotomy in her mind made her want to cry, but she held fast to the wheel, forcing herself to retain composure.
"Caroline, are you alright? Does that make you uncomfortable?" Kate finally questions, her heart desperate for a response.
"I'm sorry, yes I'm fine, just…a bit surprised. It doesn't make me uncomfortable at all. That would be very childish and silly. I'm not a prude or homophobe, you know." Caroline replies lightly, placing a hand on Kate's knee to calm her nerves.
"I'm so glad Caroline because I wouldn't want to lose your friendship," Kate says nervously.
"Not gonna happen. You're stuck with me, I'm afraid." Caroline replies warmly with a smile, momentarily taking her eyes off the road to look at Kate and gently squeezing her knee for reassurance.
Kate smiles softly in return, her brown eyes dancing with joy. She takes Caroline's hand from her knee and holds it, squeezing gently in a display of gratitude and relief. Her beauty nearly takes Caroline's breath away and she quickly diverts her eyes back to the road, but their hands remain clasped.
The warmth and softness of Kate's hand in hers captivates her and she decides not to let it go, allowing Kate to break the contact when she desires. To her surprise, and elation, Kate holds her hand fast, eventually pulling it to her knee where it remains for the next half hour until they pull into Sulgrave Heath.
