Chapter 14

Later on that evening ,William was asleep, Caroline was lying on the couch, her head on Kate's lap. Kate was running her hands through her hair, tracing patterns on her face.

"Have you ever thought of having another child?"

"No I don't think so. I think that my wife should have the next one. So we each have one and altogether they are ours"

"Hmm. You are very clever "she planted a kiss on her forehead "I did some research and seems like we have two, possibly 3 options. First option is to drag this matter out for as long as we can, until they run out of energy and money. Second is to prove that either of them is mentally unfit. Don't say it, I know you Caroline"she playfully scolded Caroline

Caroline laughed, Kate did know her "what's the possible 3rd "

"I could do an application to adopt him, we would have to be married of course, the courts are more likely to grant the adoption if I was married to the biological mother "

"We will have to be very smart. We will have to prove that she abandoned him , when she started having an affair , therefore in effected , giving up her parental rights "

"Hum, not bad "

"It's not going to be easy though, but not impossible." Caroline added

"You didn't comment on. the. proviso .of .this .particular .plan."Kate was placing light kisses on Caroline's lips after every word

Caroline avoided a response on purpose. She loved Kate, she did. William loved her, and she did want to marry her but she didn't want this to be the reason. She didn't want this to push them into a marriage; it had only been 13 months since they were officially a couple. Kate had only moved in a few months ago. She didn't want to do the whole lesbian cliché. Things with Jenna moved so fast and just ended in a big mess. She wanted to do it right this time.

"You know I love you, I love that you are here and that you are mine but I won't let this rush us into a decision. Jenna is not going to dictate this relationship, I won't let her"

Kate understood she wanted it also to be for the right reasons. She also loved Caroline without a doubt, but if this Jenna thing didn't surface would they have been talking marriage?

"Let's just stop talking about this for now, I have a huge headache"

"I know a cure "Kate said suggestively

Caroline took what she needed from Kate that night, it was almost angry love making, not at Kate, but it was certainly directed at Kate. Caroline was fierce, passionate and relentless in getting what she wanted. Caroline was usually a considerate, unselfish lover, but tonight it was just about Caroline and Kate was happy to oblige

William was up at the crack of dawn, he first called for his mum and then for Kate. Kate didn't wake Caroline. She washed and fed William before dropping him off at nursery. She called Gillian to let her know that Caroline wasn't feeling well and that she would also be staying home to care for her.

When Caroline finally woke it was well past 10. "Shit "

"William, Will "

"Caroline I'm in here "Kate called from their little study where she was still doing research

"Morning "

"Morning sleep head"

"Gosh I can't believe I slept for most of the morning "

"You did "she smiled "some tea? "She gave her a kiss on the forehead as she passed her on the way to the kitchen

Caroline took a seat at the table and began reading through what she had found.

"Thank you love "she took a sip from the cup and placed it on the table

Leaving no place for Kate to sit, she decided Caroline's lap would be appropriate. She placed her arms around Caroline's neck and got comfortable

"William go to school ok? "

"Yes, no problems. He asked me for a puppy again. Maybe we should consider it Caroline; I mean it's not like we don't have room. "

"It's a huge responsibility Kate, with us being so busy, and William still so young, we can't expect him…" she trailed of taking another sip of her tea

"I know, but you do know that it is the best teacher, he will learn responsibility, compassion, and I imagine he is quite lonely"

"Yes I suppose you have a good point, we can look into it more"

"Great! "

Caroline was amused at how excited Kate was about the puppy, she wondered if it wasn't Kate pushing for it more than William

"What did the doctor say?"

"Chicken pox "

"Oh, shit." Kate said rather worried

"What's the matter? It's perfectly normal, you can't avoid it. "

"I managed to for 30 years "

"What? Did you not have the chicken pox? "

"Nope "

"Oh dear"

"Maybe I'm immune"

"I don't know, can one be immune?"

"I don't know Caroline" She felt a bit irritated that Caroline was being so casual

Caroline could tell if Kate did get the chicken pox, she was going to have two sick babies on her hands. She had discovered last winter that Kate could be quite needy when she was sick. It was rather endearing and Caroline played along because of it.

"No use worrying about it now "

"Yeah "only Kate was worried she had read that it could be quite intense in adults

As luck would have it, 3 days later, Kate started running a high fever, had an aching body and a rash started developing.

"Ok so this is what I'm thinking, let me know if you agree. I can stay and take care of my babies today and tomorrow, but I have a return court appearance on Thursday and Friday in Dorset, I can't postpone. So will you be ok taking care of yourself and William? Pity Mum and Alan are still in New Zealand "

Caroline totally forgetting to remind her that Jenna would be over on Friday afternoon for her now regular play date with William. Caroline had agreed to a trial run, at her house, so that it didn't disrupt William too much. Kate wasn't pleased about the arrangement, but she had no say over William. They also agreed to relook at the situation in 4 weeks and that should Jenna miss one day, the agreement will be cancelled. It was the only way to avoid court action, which would have likely resulted in a similar situation only without Caroline having so much control

"Oh Caroline can't Gillian go?"

"Gillian is in London this weekend. Besides its 2 days and 1 night. "

Kate walked away sulking. Caroline knew that Kate wasn't generally unreasonable, but when she was sick, she was a tantrum throwing 2 year old.

"I'm off, ring me ok. I will check on you later "she kissed Kate on the forehead "by the way you look gorgeous "she teased, Kate was covered in spots "and don't scratch."

"Bye my boy, be good for Kate "she kissed William. He was almost back to normal but not yet ready to go back to nursery

Caroline checked on Kate a few times during the day and later that evening they had a rather emotional conversation, Kate ending up in tears, because she felt alone. Caroline reassuring her, knowing all too well that it was just because she was ill and feeling sorry for herself. She promised to be home as soon as possible