Final Chapter

Here I leave our lovely couple, happy, contented and ready for all that life will throw at them. Thanks so much for all your kind reviews, PMs and suggestions.

"Caroline, where are you going? You've just passed our turn off."

"There's something I want to show you, be patient."

She drove towards Sulgrave. She'd already phoned Beverley to make sure everything was finished for her surprise. Ten minutes later she pulled into the entrance of the school.

"Caroline, you're not; the day after our wedding and you're coming to the office!"

Caroline stopped the car and turned off the engine. "No I'm not going to my office; this is as far as I need to go today. Just look and see."

It took Kate a few seconds before she noticed the official entrance sign. It was completely new. But the most obvious change was the name of the headmistress.

Dr Caroline E. McKenzie-Dawson.

Kate put her hand on Caroline's thigh, stroking her, "When did this happen?"

"I got it fixed while I was on leave last week. I felt it was like the last thing I needed to do to be proud of who we are."

They pulled into their drive about half an hour later than they had planned. The family were putting on a BBQ brunch for all the guests that were still around and anyone who wanted to come; about thirty people were standing around. Caroline could feel herself starting to blush as she got out of the car; she wondered if their guests would notice the wide smile on her face and speculate why it was there. Check out at the hotel was ten o'clock, they'd only just made it and her body was still revelling in the highs they'd reached.

Seeing the blush, Celia walked up to her daughter with Flora in her arms; "You've got a smirk on your face, honestly Caroline, you're forty six, not twenty six."

"Yep, forty six, madly in love and have just had the most awesome wedding night and I might add, morning." Her mother was not going to rain on her parade today. Celia handed the baby to her and shook her head as she walked off. Caroline looked over to see Ginika go up to Kate and kiss her forehead, she saw her whisper something and her daughter turn very coy. What a contrast. Kate took Gracie from her mother and walked over to Caroline. "What's up with Celia?"

"Sex, in a nutshell. She thinks my smile is broadcasting that we had a wonderful wedding night, which it is; she's embarrassed and concerned because there are school people here. Apparently, my career is in jeopardy because I've married another woman." Kate just shook her head."Well your mother is never boring I'll say that for her. Come on, let's go and mingle, don't let it bother you."

Celia walked over to the other guests. Beverley sidled up to her. "Hello Celia, I don't know if you remember me, I'm Caroline's PA.?"

"Oh yes, I remember you Beverley isn't it?"

Beverley nodded in the direction of the newly married couple. "Aren't they lovely? I've been worried about Caroline, she's dear to me and it's been hard to see her so miserable. Kate's wonderful and she brings out the best in her and now they have these gorgeous babies. They're perfect for each other."

"Aren't you worried that Caroline might have trouble with the Board, being married to another woman and all?" Celia questioned.

"God no! They wouldn't dare. I can't say that there aren't a couple of them that are narrow minded and might kick up a bit of a fuss but Gavin, the Chairman of the Board was at the wedding yesterday. He thinks the world of Caroline and is her greatest supporter. She's too valuable to lose, he knows that." Celia was more and more realising that she was fighting a losing battle and deep down was actually starting not to mind it too much.

Moments later, Lawrence and Angus called out to everyone to come and collect their BBQ and make their way into the marquee.

Caroline walked over to Gillian. "I've been meaning to say sorry to you about my comment the other day."

"What comment?" she knew perfectly well what Caroline was talking about but decided to string her out a little.

"About you inviting John into the house; I was furious with him and I took it out on you."

"Well he just pushed his way in as he does; he used to do that up at farm as well. He rang me you know, the day after. He was pissed off with you and wanted to talk to me about it. He asked if could come to the farm and I said no. After he'd finished ranting, he made another of his stupid comments about you realising you'd made a mistake and he'd need to be there to pick up the pieces. He just wants you back. I don't think he's ever going to give up Caroline."

"Christ, Gillian, he's so misguided! Look at me? Does he seriously think that I'd give up this and go back to him? Anyway it's not really me he wants, it's all the home comforts he's lost."

"Well he's lashing out isn't he? "

"Yes but it disturbs Kate and I won't stand for that; He's really stupid because if he behaved in an adult fashion he could possibly have more contact with us, but he's got both boys off side now with his drinking and ridiculous behaviour."

Unbelievably, just as Caroline was finishing the sentence, a familiar car pulled into the driveway. "Oh God no, please don't let him cause a scene today."

John got out of his car with a bunch of flowers and strode over to Caroline. Gillian made a quick exit. Kate noticed him out of the corner of her eye and felt sick in the stomach, now what.

"Caroline, I just came to say congratulations." He pushed a bunch of chrysanthemums in her face. God, couldn't he even remember that she hated the smell of them.

"Thank you; but what are you doing here. We have guests, many of whom don't know who you are and I would prefer to keep it that way."

"I just thought perhaps we could talk?"

"Today; are you mad? I'm in the middle of my wedding celebrations. You are the last person I want to talk to. Kate and I have family and friends that we need to be with. Now I'd appreciate it if after you have said hello to your sons, you would leave, quietly and without causing a fuss."

Robbie strode over to Caroline," What's this tosser doing here? Is he invited? Shall I get rid of him for you?"

"No it's OK thanks Robbie; John's leaving in a moment."

She then turned back to John, softening a little as she saw the pain in his face. "John, you are really going to have to get it into your head that you and I are completely over. I'm married now and there is absolutely no possibility in any universe that you can contemplate getting me back. All you are doing is upsetting all of us, especially Kate, and the boys are disgusted with your behaviour. Do you really want to keep on like this?"

"I've squandered everything that mattered. God, even Judith left me and went back to her family. I'm alone now and have hardly any friends left. I have no idea who to turn to."

"It's not rocket science John but it is hard, you're just going to have to sort your life out and work out how to get back on your feet and make up for all the shit you've caused. No one can do that for you. If and when you do, maybe we can talk then. I have to go now and so do you."

John looked in the direction of his two sons. Lawrence gave a half hearted wave mouthing "Hi Popsicle" William shook his head and walked out of his sight.

Kate came over and slid her hand into Caroline's. "Are you ok darling?" staring at John.

"It's ok Kate, I'm leaving. I won't cause any trouble." And with that he headed for his car and drove off.

"Caroline, please tell me this is the end of it?"

"I can only hope;" she sighed; Now he's gone I'd rather like you to put the grin back on my face." Kate kissed her gently and they walked back to the others.

Issy had seen the debacle. She was very concerned for Kate. She'd heard all about this idiot and how manipulative he was. She'd hoped that Caroline would have put a stop to all this before she and Kate got married but today she got a first -hand glimpse of how hard that would be.

Later when all their guests had left, it was just the family plus Greg and Issy left at the house. Ginika had gone home with Alan and Celia to have a bit of quiet time, looking after two tiny babies had taken its toll on the older women.

Caroline sidled up to Kate, "God I really want to take you to bed, one night wasn't enough."

Kate laughed, "Caroline we are back to reality now my darling. It's only lunch time, and we have to entertain our family and guests. Not to mention two little ones who will no doubt be bawling in the next couple of hours." Caroline sighed and nodded. "I want to spend a bit of time with Issy too; she's leaving soon and I've not really had a good chat." She wandered over and took Issy upstairs to the nursery where they could have some privacy.

"Katie, I saw what happened today with Caroline's ex. I thought you said she'd taken care of all that rubbish. I worry that not much has changed."

"Oh Issy if you only knew how much she has gone through to make it right for me, for us. There isn't much else she can do about John except keep giving him the same message. It's hard when there are kids involved." "I suppose so, as long as she keeps looking out for you.

Yesterday was beautiful Katie, I can see that you are really happy and it's been worth what you've been through. I can't say I didn't feel a bit overwhelmed, I suppose if the truth were told I'm still not quite over you, us, really. Greg and I are going to leave soon. I'm back at work on Tuesday and we want to spend some time alone before then, we have stuff to talk about."

"Can I ask how it's going?"

"So far, well. He's a silly but loveable fellow and I'm growing very fond of him. I think he would like things to move a little faster but that's what we need to talk about. Like you said about me Katie, I can't have him feel second best. I need more time to see if it will come to be the real thing. But in the meantime I like being with him."

"Has it, you know, progressed."

"Katie my love if you are asking me if I've slept with him, the answer is yes. That was a big test as you can imagine, and it was good, but not earth shattering, not yet."

Kate hugged her and wished with all her heart that it would work out for them. It was not lost on her that Issy was still wearing the bracelet she had given her.

"I must find him now as we need to be setting off. I'm going to stay at his place in Manchester tonight and then on to London tomorrow afternoon."

Caroline joined them in the drive as they got into their cars. They had made arrangements to all meet up in London in a couple of months , so they could spend time with the twins. Greg had shared with Kate that if things kept progressing well, he may consider relocating to there as he could work anywhere.

By the evening, all the guests had gone. Kate had driven her mother to the airport and William and Roxy were back in Oxford. Lawrence was in his room doing his homework and Caroline and Kate were upstairs giving the babies their last feed of the day.

It was always a wonder for Caroline to see Kate breastfeeding; knowing how much she had longed to be a mother; now here she was a mother twice over and loving every minute of it, hopefully with all the heartache behind her.

She lifted the now sleeping Gracie into her cot and wrapped her up and went to sit close to Kate stroking her face and kissing her and Flora.

"I'm going to bed now. I'll be waiting for you."

Ten minutes later, Kate climbed into bed and gently removed the reading glasses and book from a sleeping Caroline. Smiling she whispered so as not to wake her, 'you've got no stamina woman' and lay down beside her.

"Haven't I?" came a husky response as Caroline turned to her and picked up where they had left off at quarter to ten that morning.