All about the girl.
Kate woke immediately at the first mewling little cries from her brand new daughter, her ear attuned to her baby's cries through some primal instinct, stirring. She was up on her feet and over to the cot before Caroline had managed to even sit up.
"Go back to sleep Caroline I've got her" Kate said in a whisper, tenderly lifting Rory from her bed.
"No, I'm awake now" Caroline answered quietly, trying to orient herself, "Do you want the light on?"
"Hmm ok, just the one on your side, then," Kate replied as she made her way back to join Caroline with Rory in her arms. She sat down on the edge of the bed and shuffled back pulling her legs up to sit beside her sleepy girlfriend.
"I didn't even hear her, she's so quiet" Caroline said blinking the sleep from her eyes, smiling down at Rory.
Kate got settled, getting Rory into a comfortable position, Caroline placed a pillow under the baby to help support her, before slipping her arm round Kates shoulder. "Hello, little chick are you hungry, Mhmm?" Kate crooned, Rory snuffled and gave a tiny little whimper as she turned her head seeking with her mouth and instinctively latching on to Kate's proffered nipple. "Oh, I'll take that as a yes then", she said with a little laugh.
Caroline gazed on happily.
"She knows what she wants doesn't she…I thought it would feel strange to be breastfeeding her…at first I mean, but it doesn't, does it" Kate said wrinkling her nose shyly "it just feels like the most natural thing in the world... Did you feel the same?"
"Mhmm, I did, it's a wonderful feeling… and seeing it from the other side …me seeing you …it's so very beautiful. You're a natural Kate." Caroline said sighing.
"How will I know if she's getting enough though?" Kate asked with a frown,
"She'll let you know" Caroline replied simply. Kate accepted Caroline's response.
"You didn't have to get up too" Kate said
"I did" Caroline stated "I wouldn't miss this for the world. That's what maternity…paternity… whatever…leave is for …to help support your baby mummy" she said giving Kate a squeeze, turning to kiss her temple. "I told you I would be here for you, through the long nights and tired days, changing nappies and all the rest, I'm here, right by your side."
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"Ma, do I have to go to school today," Lawrence asked Caroline as he sat at the table in the kitchen eating his breakfast. Caroline was wiping round about him with a damp cloth, some things never changed.
"Yes Lawrence, you do, you had yesterday off and the day before, and Aurora will still be here when you get back, so…" Caroline answered him with a smile at the mention of her daughter's name.
"Morning" Kate said smiling as she came in to meet them both, cradling Rory in her arms.
Lawrence shot up out of his chair, beaming as he came over to greet them "Hello little sis, did you have a good sleep" he said stroking Rory's hand, "Sorry, morning Kate" he replied belatedly giving Kate a warm smile.
"Yes she did…well in between feeds" Kate said softly "she didn't wake you, did she Lawrence?"
"Nope, never heard a thing, but I don't think I would have, she cries like a little kitten she's so quiet" Lawrence chuckled.
Caroline shook her head, "I don't think that will last long do you Kate?"
"No, I don't think it will unfortunately," Kate replied "Are you not off to school yet Lawrence?"
"Yes he is" Caroline said as she patted his shoulder, "Go brush your teeth and I'll see if Angus is there yet. Is it his mum or dad who is giving you a lift?"
Lawrence huffed as he went reluctantly to do as his mum asked "his dad," he replied.
"We'll both be here when you get back" Kate said cheerily to his retreating figure.
Caroline smirked, "I just told him that, he's not best pleased that I'm sending him in today."
"Oh and Angus wants to come in and see Rory, after school when they drop me back" he answered heading for the stairs
"He does?" Caroline asked incredulous,
"Yes Ma, he does and his dad too I think…I sent them a picture of her and they say they want to see her in the flesh, 'cos Angus can't remember what his little brothers were like when they were babies, and well his dad just wants to see her… so…." Lawrence continued
"Right" was all Caroline could think to say.
"What? Just because we're men and play rugby, doesn't make us all Neanderthals you know." He finished mounting the stairs two at a time.
Kate smirked, "That's you told,"
Caroline laughed in surprise, "Well, I don't know what to be more surprised at, him saying he's a man or his use of the word Neanderthal, a stretch of his usual vocabulary"
"He is a man, a very well brought up, kind and thoughtful gentleman, all thanks to you" Kate said softly leaning in and kissing Carolines cheek.
Caroline smiled back at Kate and glanced down to their daughter stroking her hair, "Yes he is and he's going to be a very loving big brother to you Aurora, just you wait and see…How did she feed this time?"
"Fine, she seems to have had her fill, she went back to sleep anyway…I've changed her so I'll put her down once Lawrence is away and I can have a shower, while she's quiet." Kate replied.
"Good idea, and I'll make you some breakfast." Caroline couldn't help but give Rory a kiss.
They both waved Lawrence off, holding Rory up to give Angus and his dad a sneak peek of their daughter, which got them huge grins from all three men in the car, Angus's dad nodding and saying something to Angus which made him blush but laugh. Caroline reminded herself to ask Jerry what he had said to him.
Kate, put a contented Rory in her carrycot in the kitchen then headed upstairs saying "won't be long,"
Take your time" Caroline replied "I've got her," stopping to look at Rory once again. She couldn't stop looking at her. A permanent smile on her face as she did so.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Ahh, I feel better for that" Kate said as she came back in to the kitchen after having had her shower.
Caroline walked over and took Kate in her arms "Mhmm, you smell lovely, almost as good as Aurora,"
Kate laughed lightly "and you feel really good" she said hugging Caroline back. "sooo good" clasping her tightly.
They stood holding onto one another for a moment, just taking the time to connect, relaxing into each other, relishing the comfort and peace they gave one another.
"Right, you sit down and I'll bring you your breakfast" Caroline said eventually slowly breaking away, kissing Kate lightly on the lips. "You must be starving."
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"I can't believe you actually asked my mum for my hand in marriage" Kate laughed as they sat together eating breakfast.
"Why not? It's what you should do," Caroline replied with a grin, her chin upturned haughtily.
"You're unbelievable you…well no, actually I shouldn't have expected anything less from you," Kate continued to laugh "You are so sweet, and old fashioned" she finished gazing lovingly at her very charming girlfriend.
"Well I got the answer I was hoping for, she did say yes, so that's a result isn't it?" Caroline asked,
"Mhmm, yes it is" Kate replied softly, "So I guess now I'm going to have to go through with it" she chuckled.
"Yes, you are" Caroline replied nodding emphatically "We are getting married".
"Good" Kate said "and I was thinking, I'd like it if we got married in my mum's garden, held the ceremony there, we can do that can't we?" she enquired hopefully,
Caroline's face lit up, "Yes we most certainly could…Oh Kate, that would be wonderful." She paused, her thoughts racing, setting the scene that sprang to mind "We could have an archway festooned with flowers that we could be married under, and chairs dressed in white coverings with rose coloured ribbons lining the aisle leading up to it."
"Yes, and petals for confetti, oh and I'd like you to have flowers laced through your hair, like a crown, something simple and light to compliment your complexion…because…you are my queen," Kate said tenderly.
Caroline swallowed, pursing her lips, willing the tears not to spring forth "and you are my princess…"
"I always will be…" Kate answered smiling her shy little smile. "And won't it be much nicer than a stuffy hotel or registry office…"
"Completely…Do you think you mum would be willing to do that for us, allow us to do that I mean." Caroline asked,
Kate nodded "God yes, she would be over the moon if we did. It would be more intimate wouldn't it? After all the good times we spent there over the years, to have her only daughter married in her family home, she would be delighted. It's big enough, and my dad so loved that garden, he put so much care and attention into it, it would be like he was there with us."
Caroline sighed as she took in Kates saddened words, "Will he not be able to be there, even for a little while?" she asked softly
Kate shook her head slowly "No…I don't think he would be able to cope…maybe we could visit him beforehand?…I wouldn't want to upset his routine…"
Caroline nodded as she took Kates hand rubbing her thumb over Kates knuckles, "Mhmm…you know best."
"Hmm, right let's not think about things that we can't change, we are getting married!" Kate said pushing her sad thoughts aside, becoming more upbeat. "
"So…how soon do you think we could arrange it" Caroline asked "We would need to go through all the legal matters first, arrange a licence and so forth and dresses, flowers, outfits for the boys, invitations, a cake …."
"Caroline" Kate stopped Caroline mid-sentence, laughing again "Take a breath,"
Caroline laughed "sorry I'm getting carried away again, I do that a lot these days…but it's so exciting isn't it? Ohh….getting married." She sighed smiling, "If you had asked me a year ago if I thought that in a years' time I would ever have been in this position, that I would be in a new home, a mother again, be with the most beautiful woman on earth and preparing to get married, I would have said you were mad…but here we are and I am" she finished with a beaming smile.
"Well there are a few things we have to do first …like register Rory's birth and for me to lose the baby weight…I'll want to be able to fit into my dress won't I?" Kate said,
Caroline chuckled with a duck of her head. "Oops, yes, there are a few things…but we can do all that" she said raising Kates' hand to her lips, kissing it. "How about July … the weather would be perfect then."
"How about sooner, say June?" Kate questioned with a flash of her gorgeous eyes.
"Sooner? Oh Kate, you've changed your tune, after all the times I've asked you …. You really do go for it when you want something don't you,"
"Yip," she replied, "That's why we're here now, in the position we are in. I wanted you and now I've got you and I'm never letting go…so June?"
"Yes, June it is…you'll make the most beautiful June bride," Caroline answered dreamily.
Kate nodded "And so will you …wife" she finished.
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Kate had retreated to the bedroom where she was currently feeding Rory once more, sitting on the bed, legs stretched out, quietly humming to her as she suckled. Caroline was doing the laundry or so Kate thought until Caroline came in to meet them with the camera in her hands again. She sat at the foot of the bed and focussed in on Kate and Rory, starting to take some shots.
"Caroline" Kate said in surprise,
"What?" she answered "Just pretend I'm not here…" she said with a wave of her hand "go on… look down at Aurora again and keep humming" she prompted,
"You can't…" Kate stammered "take photos of me when I'm …" Kate nodded to her undressed state "with all my worldly goods on show," she finished shyly.
Caroline laughed "It's the most natural thing in the world Kate, mother and baby breastfeeding. I love your breasts."
"Yeah well…" Kate gave in sighing "ok then …but these photos are definitely not going on our memory wall, got it?" she said with a joking warning look at her grinning partner.
Caroline looked aghast "Of course not, these are for my eyes only …I was going to print one out and keep it in my wallet, then I can gaze upon the both of you anytime I want, when I'm not with you that is…oh and I want to be able to show Aurora them when she's old enough. It is such a sweet, warming sight...I told you, I want to capture every moment of her life to be able to share with her in the future… now do as I said and look down at Aurora again and start humming"
Kate laughed "would you listen to your Mama Rory, so bossy, you would think she was David Bailey the way she's going on."
"Hum," Caroline commanded with a giggle.
Kate starting giggling herself "You can't hear me humming on a photograph Caroline", she said jiggling with laughter.
Caroline was trying to control her own laughter, focussing the camera was proving difficult "I know that, but I want to be able to tell Aurora the story behind the picture…now hum!"
Kate couldn't, "Oh stop Caroline" she said laughing now, tears streaming down her face "Rory almost lost hold there,"
Caroline put the camera down and still giggling went to sit beside Kate, putting her arm round her shoulder, breathing deeply "I'm sorry Aurora, did I make mummy laugh so hard I'm disturbing your lunch? I won't any more...we'll wait 'till mummy stops being silly."
Kate gave Caroline an incredulous look "Oh you …"
Caroline giggled again and gave Kate a kiss.
They settled again.
"So, you're calling her Rory now?" Caroline asked with raise of the eyebrows'
"Yes, I think so…it's more informal isn't. Aurora is her Sunday name and the boys will shorten it anyway so…"
"Right" Caroline replied nodding. "And I'm Mama?"
"Are you?" Kate questioned.
"Well that's what you said, 'listen to your Mama Rory'…" Caroline repeated
"Oh, did I? Well…maybe …it might be easier for her at first, to call you Mama…what do you think?" Kate asked
"Yes… I like the sound of that. Ok Rory, from now on I'm your Mama ok? And now your Mama is going to try and take a photo of you and your Mummy sitting peacefully together, while your Mummy is feeding you …humming." Caroline finished coyly.
Kate just smiled as Caroline rose, to take up the camera, to sit quietly at the end of the bed. Once Caroline was in position, Kate relaxed once more gazing down at her beautiful daughter and started softly humming.
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"She's fast asleep," Kate said as she lay Rory down in her cot again,
"Good, it means she is one very content little girl, now come back here and we can have cuddle and a bit of a rest ourselves" Caroline said,
"Are you tired?" Kate asked
"No, not just yet, but remember we have to go through this again tonight and tomorrow and for the next few weeks so… you need to learn to take a break when you can, until she gets into a routine, so if it means catching 40 winks while she sleeps, then we do. Otherwise you'll be exhausted in no time," Caroline said with a smile.
"There speaks the voice of experience" Kate replied as she lay down next to Caroline on the bed, "I don't think I'll be able to sleep though" she finished snuggling into her girlfriend.
10 minutes later both were dozing peacefully, Kates head resting on Carolines chest, her arm draped over her girlfriends body, all three content.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ma, Kate, I'm home" Lawrence called in a deliberately subdued voice as he came in the front door, conscious of the fact that Rory may be asleep and not wishing to unsettle her. Angus and his dad coming in behind him.
"Hi, were in here" Caroline replied getting up off the couch to meet them.
"Hi Caroline," Angus' dad said in greeting, "Hope you don't mind the intrusion, but we had to come in and welcome your new addition to the family, it's all Lawrence has been talking about so we have to meet her" he smiled warmly.
Caroline beamed, "You're very welcome Jerry, come in and meet Aurora Hope, she's loving all this attention isn't she Kate?" Caroline said as she led them in to see Kate standing with Rory in her arms.
"Hello, little one" Jerry said tenderly "Oh aren't you beautiful".
"Would you like to hold her?" Kate asked with a little smile,
Jerry nodded "I would, if you don't mind" he said as he took Rory in his arms "Ohh, you forget how little they are, don't you. She is so very beautiful" he confirmed. "It almost makes you want to have another" he laughed "After having three boys….to have a daughter would be perfect, if only I could persuade Rachel into it, I would, in a heartbeat"
Angus gave Lawrence an alarmed look, Lawrence snorted, nudging him.
"They have that affect don't they" Kate replied with pride.
"Well you are both very lucky, because she seems to be a very content little lady, I could just smuggle her home with me under my coat, would you mind?" Jerry joked
Caroline and Kate laughed
"Sorry Jerry, but I would have to rugby tackle you before you even got as far as the door," Lawrence said in his gruffest voice, drawing himself up, sticking out his chest, "I'm her bodyguard you know."
Kate gave Lawrence a hug.
"So what do you think Angus, how about we talk mum into having a little sister, you could be her bodyguard like Lawrence?" Jerry asked his son.
Angus stood speechless as Caroline bumped shoulders with him asking, "How about it Angus, then Rory could be best pals with your wee sister too, like you and Lawrence".
Angus blushed, looking at his feet, "Well I don't know about that, but I would like to hold her" he asked as he looked over at Kate shyly, "Can I Miss…eh…Kate?"
Kate gave Angus one of her trademark smiles "Of course you can Angus, just support her head and put your arm underneath," Kate instructed "That's it, you've got her,"
Angus smiled, his face lighting up as he proudly held Rory, "She's like a little cuddly been bag isn't she?" he said, heedless of the looks he was getting "I'll be your deputy bodyguard along with Lawrence, Rory, 'cos no one will ever mess with you with us on your side, will they" he said gently, he glanced over at Lawrence "You are so lucky Lawrence, I'll swap you two of my brothers for Rory…what do you say?" he finished with a grin at his best bud.
"No way" Lawrence answered decisively "She's my only little sister and I'm keeping her."
Xxxxxxxx
Jerry and Angus were leaving, Lawrence and Angus huddled together sharing a joke laughing and ribbing each other.
Kate thanking Jerry for his kind words as they said their goodbyes.
Caroline stopped Jerry before he took his leave saying "Jerry, I have to ask, what did you say to Angus when you were leaving this morning…he blushed then laughed?"
Jerry nodded with a laugh "Oh I just said to him, I remember the time when we brought him home from hospital and he was that cute and beautiful and I wished babies could always stay that way…he didn't like being told he was cute and beautiful I guess…boys eh…you've got to love them."
Caroline laughed, "Mhmm, they all have to grow up sometime don't they. Well, thanks Jerry, and if Rachael wants to come over to see Rory, then she's very welcome, anytime" she finished with a gracious smile.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Kate?" Lawrence said as he sat on the couch holding Rory,
"Yes Lawrence" Kate replied with an enquiring look,
"I don't think I want to teach Rory how to play rugby," he said seriously,
"Oh, you don't?" she said looking at him waiting for his explanation,
"No" he said shaking his head "I mean, look at her, she's so delicate and beautiful with her lovely little nose and cute little ears and well, rugby players are …" He squished his nose to one side and then bent his ear forward, "like that aren't they….so I wouldn't want her to get hurt or damaged in any way, so…maybe she should do ballet or something nice like that…and I'm not being sexist…" he said shaking his head again, making his point clear, "I just want her to stay the way she is, my lovely, beautiful, protected little sister…so is that ok?" he asked "I'll do ballet classes with her, I wouldn't mind" he said amiably nodding.
Kate tilted her head to one side saying "If that's what you think Lawrence, then its fine by me, there are lots of other things you can do with her, and she'll love you just the same. Whatever you think" Kate finished. Her love for the boy…man… sitting before her rising another notch.
Xxxxxxxx