A/N. Again i must say thank you for your views and reviews. It is such a pleasure to write for you, and I am continually blown away by your responses to my story line. You all sure do make my day.
The usual disclaimers applied.
Enjoy...
Kind regards...
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Chapter 12
It was late Monday afternoon before Caroline arrived home, not remembering that she had arranged to meet with John after work. The man had been waiting a while as she had completely forgotten about him. Surely her days were now filled with more pleasurable thoughts, more entertaining ways of spending her leisurely time.
She had listened quietly to everything he had to say however for some reason he couldn't get the picture she had been trying to paint, they had been over this already. She had made it quite lucid the reasons why they couldn't get back together.
1st. That he was a cheating jerk and
2nd. Because she is seeing someone.
Not to mention the last encounter he had with her mother as well to be added to the list.
They were quite simple as well really and shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. However he seemed to lack the ability to comprehend the conclusion of a good drama. Some writer he was, perhaps he should take a page from life's experiences for his next novel.
He hadn't taken the news very well and went on a short rampage about how disturbing this will be for the boys and how they deserve a stable environment, especially William, doing his finals and heading off to University soon. It had taken all her will power not to explode in his face, pointing out how he should have thought about that before he went off shagging god knows how many loose whores.
For surely he wasn't worth it and she didn't want to re-enact her reaction of throwing half the upstairs downstairs attempting to remodel the house on his insipid face again, she certainly never had to react as she did when she initially heard about his philandering.
She had changed and the boys didn't deserve to witness anything like that between them again so she had left him standing downstairs shouting, curious to discover now who she was seeing, to uncover the mystery behind her unruffled deportment.
She had over heard him questioning William, but she was certain there would be no details to give. There were more important people who needed to know before him.
Her mum and the boys, clearly it would take some getting used to. She would talk to her mum when she got back on Wednesday from the farm, surely this wasn't a conversation to be had over the phone. And sometime between now and the weekend she would have to have a proper sit down with the boys. They would be curious as to why Ms. McKenzie was with them on Saturday otherwise and she had to get all that out the way before the weekend.
Kate would be with her for her birthday, Kate would be with her and her family. She smiled as she laid in bed, running her hands along the side of the bed Kate slept, Tracing Circles on the fabric she visualized taking on the form of Kate's body, getting lost into the touch as she drifted away into sleep.
...
Kate stepped through the door exhausted from another long afternoon of choir practice, she was having difficulties with one of her lead singers and had to spend a few extra hours in the afternoon to try and perfect their piece.
She had thought about the invitation Caroline extended to her the whole ride home, for sure this was a prolonged dream she would soon awake from.
The woman of her dreams inviting her to have dinner with her family to share her birthday. This was surely too good to be true.
The woman contemplated as she started undressing heading upstairs, muttering beneath her breath. Preparation for this weekend would come with more nerves. Caroline's mum, her sons and extended family under one roof, what would she talk about, how would she act? What would she be introduced as? They hadn't even discussed what they were.
They had only spent their first weekend together and already this weekend she would be introduced to the family. Although she was already acquainted with her boys, these were different circumstances now, surely they would have the upper hand, and the roles would be reversed.
She hoped she wasn't blinded by her love for Caroline. She didn't want to get hurt. The recovery would be impossible with Caroline, clearly there could be no getting over her. She knew she would never hurt Caroline, the blonde was too adorable for her to ever do any hurtful act towards her.
She smiled as she entered her bedroom and saw the bag that still laid on the floor, hardly anything used from her romantic weekend with Caroline.
She made a mental note to pack lighter next time or simply not at all.
...
The Governors had arrived as scheduled on Wednesday, filling the day with meetings, tours of the grounds and assessments of individual departments. And though everything went smoothly Caroline was so exhausted, the constant back and forth, the repetition of questions in departments, the staff sharing individual concerns about minor changes that would be introduced in the next curriculum.
She loved her job but this annual bit tested her every time.
She exhaled as she slumped into her chair, the day had not come soon enough to a close for her. She smiled as she looked at the clock, everything was attended to. The Governors were pleased with their evaluations and had commended Caroline on her excellent accomplishments in her tenure as Headmistress, her work had been outstanding and worthy of the commendations.
Things couldn't have gone more satisfactory.
...
She had arrived home to see her mum's car parked outside. She inhaled needing the extra equilibrium as she took the long path around to her mum's flat at the back.
'It's now or never.'
She muttered beneath her breath as she knocked, as nerves built, waiting for the door to be opened.
She had rehearsed the conversation in her head many times but the nerves overcame her as the door opened.
"Hello love, how are you?"
Alan said smiling at Caroline, as the blonde woman was gestured inside.
"Celia's just gone to put the kettle on to fetch some tea."
"How is she?"
The slightly feeble man plunked himself in the settee, Caroline noticed his tired features, anyone having to be at her mum's beck and call would acquire nothing less than exhaustion, he exhaled as he brought his gaze back to her then spoke.
"Better love, moving 'bout like the Queen again, you know Celia."
he raised his eyes sarcastically.
"You best watch you tongue, speaking mi behind mi back, remember who makes your tea young man."
The limping figure entered the room without her crutch, as Caroline strolled over to greet her, chuckling beneath her breath slightly at the comment from Alan.
"How was your journey?"
She asked as she pecked her mum on the cheek and relieving her of the tray she held with tea.
They had all sat with a cup of steaming tea in hand, Alan and Caroline listened to her mum's ranting of the past few days and the difficulties she had moving around the farm limping to get to everywhere. It made it more difficult having to deal with the many stairs. Quite different from being at the house as she had little to no stairs to deal with if not absolutely necessary.
After the woman had felt satisfied with the grumbling episode, she took a sip from her tea which Caroline suspected by now had gotten cold.
Spotting her opportunity to interject Caroline quickly spoke.
"Well mum, I just pop round as well to let you know."
She inhaled, biting back the words, but she knew they had to be released. She would have to be brave if she wanted to venture into a relationship with Kate. She wouldn't want it to be a secret, she had attempted that and it never worked out in her favor. she proceeded.
"To let you know, both of you really, that I'll be having a guest with me this Saturday by the farm, for my birthday."
Celia hadn't hesitated in her response as her eyes widened with curiosity.
"That's lovely dear, who is he? Is he someone from school?"
She knew her mum would be predictable in her assumptions so she wouldn't allow her to mislead herself. She cleared her throat as she spoke.
"Yes it's someone from school."
She stuttered as the words to complete the sentence poured out.
"But... um... it's... not... a he."
She knew Celia had sensed the connection she had towards this person and it wasn't just a colleague. Her mum was able to read her emotional attachments like an open book.
Caroline looked on into the open room, noticing for the first time her mum had a potted plant in her sitting room. How had she not observed that before? Perhaps everyone entertained other life forms in their house except her.
Her gaze still lingered away from her mother and Alan, waiting for her words to sink in. Waiting for the outburst she had so well known her mum for. She had replayed the conversation her mum had with her when she came home from university and knew what every moment would entail.
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Celia's face looked like she had seen a ghost, a familiar image she thought she had chased away, a demon, she thought she had killed and buried. Perhaps the saying was after all true.
'The past is never where you think you left it.'
She had always known this day would come, as much as she denied the reality of it after Caroline had gotten married to that nit-wit of a husband John. She knew Caroline wasn't happy and she was partly if not entirely to be blamed.
For imposing her stereotypical intentions onto her, she knew the day would come but surely she wished it wouldn't, but she wanted her daughter to finally be happy. After she had finally found true love be it all of 60 years she had to wait for it, Caroline deserved that too.
Caroline had been very supportive of her and Alan's relationship ever since the beginning. Surely it would only be fair if she was just as sympathetic. It couldn't have been easy for her to do this again. With the fears of what had happened before.
She wouldn't want to be the one to prevent her happiness this time. So she would try, try to finally accept her daughter for who she is.
She refused the replay of the words so many years ago that had her daughter in tears. She refused the repetition of the hurt she had caused her. She looked at the innocent scared blonde that sat before her, mirroring her youth, hands clasped in her lap, she could sense the familiar discomfort in her little girl.
"Is she Scottish?"
Caroline burst into laughter's at the woman's unexpected response. The tension had been broken, she observed the comfortable tone her mum spoke in. She felt at ease, for with Celia, if she wasn't comfortable with something she would sure give her two sense about the issue.
...
She hadn't seen Kate much for the rest of the week as she was always very busy with the choir, they only had a few more weeks before their competition. They had spoken on the phone at nights and exchanged a few text messages during the day, but they had not been able to close the distance between their bodies and they ached and longed for such contact.
Friday had finally arrived and excitement grew in both ladies. Caroline could hear the music as she exited her office and headed down the long corridors towards the car park.
She smiled as she entered the open door, listening to her lover, playing the pieces for the choir selection. She was an artist at whatever she did, everything to perfection and Caroline loved it.
As the final chords were played and the echoes of the notes drifted, Caroline placed her bags on the floor and stepped forward clapping her hands as she approached her lover.
Kate who was slightly startled that she had an audience as she thought she was the only one left at the school, she was quite pleased at who the mystery guest was as she got to her feet however.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"That was beautiful."
Caroline said as both women now faced each other.
"Thank you, I'm getting so nervous as the competition draws closer I just want everything to be perfect."
The headmistress smiled at the commitment of her music teacher.
"It will be, I have no doubt that whatever you put your hands to will be a major success. My money is on you and your choir."
The woman stepped closer smirking.
"And I'm not just bias cause this is my school and I'm sleeping with the music teacher."
Kate held back the smile that was forcing its way at engulfing her face as she spoke.
"Oh I'd hope in spite of all those added perks that you're judgements are still able to be presented in a professional mannerism Dr. Elliott."
Kate's face took on an ironic expression as she continued.
"I would have given it another week though before you start putting your money where your mouth is, a bit early for the pool to have started, don't you think?"
She smiled standing only arms length away from Kate. Their eyes locked as their face mirrored each others expression.
"There's something else I'd like to put where my mouth is."
"Oh is that so?"
The blonde closed the distance between her and her lover as their lips met. It had been too long since she had embraced Kate like this. The days were too long when she was away from Kate. They needed to be able to spend more time together even when their schedules were full. They groaned as the kiss ended.
"So?"
"So?"
Both women echoed as they brought their eyes to meet each other.
"Do you wanna meet me at mine's or should I pick you up tomorrow at yours?"
Caroline's grip tightened around Kate as she inhaled the woman's scent, a familiar scent that still lingered on her pillow and between her sheets. The shirt Kate wore was still inhaled at nights before bed. Preparing her mind for the events that would have her twisting and turning in utter agony for the entire night.
She exhaled desperate to release her hands to roam at will to trace circles where ever they could reach.
"Well it is your birthday, whatever u want?"
The blonde's cheeks now flooded with blushes, desperate to claim the woman as hers.
"Whatever i want huh?"
The woman repeated then continued.
"Well... In that case... I'd love to pick up my girlfriend tomorrow, to spend my birthday with me.
Kate became speechless at the resonation of the words, was this really happening, did Caroline actually feel that way? Was Caroline finally hers? The thought of perfection scared her. She didn't believe in it. Life didn't allow her to. Life had been cruel to her. But now it seemed all that was being wiped away and it scared her.
"Girlfriend huh?"
She said as she finally brought herself to speak, holding back the tears that were ready to march out. The blonde nodded her head with opened eyes in amusement at the uncontrollable smirk on her lovers face.
"Sounds like a lucky woman."
"Oh I am."
Caroline said as she regained the woman's lips on hers again.
Soft and passionate, sweet and savoury.
Caroline's hands had already ventured beneath Kate's shirt, caressing her back, enjoying the brief interaction. Tracing Circles on Kate, she loved the woman's skin, the smooth silkiness. The way it made her body tingled, she melted at every contact.
She loved being with Kate.
The feelings inside her, she wouldn't be able to hide it anymore, she wanted to tell the world, and she wanted them to know that Kate was hers and she was in love with her, in fact she had always loved her and she would start with her family this weekend or the janitor if he wished to interrupt them again.
...
