Thank you for the lovely feedback, I think this is closing to an end. Maybe a fe more chapters of the after party first, but anyway here is the next installment. Xx
Caroline couldn't belive how much fun she was having, she had never really celebrated her birthday she wasn't usually overly fond of parties but she was having a wonderful time.
Carolinie finally found herself alone with kate dinner had just finished, "that meal was delicious" Caroline smiled taking Kate's lips. "Your very flirty this evening caroline, birthdays suit you" kate laughed. Caroline smiled shyly "kate let's be serious, I think it's you that suits me not birthdays", Caroline wrapped her hands around Kate's waist.
"As much as I am enjoying this evening, my head has already skipped to the after party" she winked trying to hide her amusement as Gillian came towards them. "Hey love birds, thought you might want a drink" she handed over the flutes of sparkling " am I umm interrupting?" Gillian said looking rather amused. "No of course not" Kate offered, Gillian laughed "well Carolimes face tells me otherwise" a wide smile creeping across her face betraying her facade. "Well plenty of time for you two to get your fix of one another later, your mum has a suprise" Gillian finished.
"What? Do you know what it is?" caroline asked Kate, she watched kate try to feign ignorance "who me No!" Kate laughed. Celia called everyone back to the table "first of all I wanted to thank everyone for coming to celebrate my wonderful daughters birthday, and give me the chance to make things up to her. I know I have been a silly old fool and want everyone to know how wrong I was, so anyway here is the first birthday suprise". Celia pulled a large box from under her seat along with an envelope. She passed the box to her daughter "wow what is it!, it's heavy" Caroline asked now very curious as she began to un wrap it, until she reached the final layer ripping it off.
"Oh wow Mum it's beautiful" Caroline cried as she inspected it more closely. It was a beautiful wooden coffe table, "is it?" She looked at her mother. "Yes the very same" Celia finished Caroline had always eyed it as a child and had always dreamed of it in her lounge. But it had been rather battered and scruffy and had ended up in storage, her father and her had built it one summer. It had always meant a lot to her, her mum had had it restored, and now it looked like new with the beautiful detailing around the rim and the hollow curved legs. "Thank you Mum, I've always loved this so much, but id almost forgotten it", she hugged her mum then returning to sit snug next to kate. They all took in turns to give Caroline her presents, Gillian had bought her a beautiful green top she had seen her fawning over the last time they went shopping. As well as another Gillian indicated probably was saved for private dropping caroline and Kate a wink. Beverely had bought Caroline a gorgeous scarf covered in Giraffes her favorite animal, she was impressed she knew it most didn't. It didn't suprise her she was acutely aware Beverely knew a lot more about... Well everything than she lead you to believe. She thanked Beverely and no sooner had she done Celia offered up the envelope, Caroline looked around the table each had given her such lovely thoughtful presents. She felt rather emotional "come on Mum everyone will think Kate's turned you into a softy" lawerence called looking amused. Beverely smirked at Gillian who couldn't help laughing so hard she nearly snorted her drink at Caroline. She took the envelope and opened it car fully, inside was a weekend trip to London in a swanky hotel, all paid for with an open ticket for a show that weekend. "Oh Mum your spoiling me, it's wonderful" she showered it to kate, who couldn't contain her approval.
The night had been perfect a sufficent amount of wine an bubbly had left her feeling freer than she could last remember. She had danced with kate sod if anyone else was watching, she didn't care, she was so happy her bubble couldn't be popped. She had done some rather amusing dance with Gillian causing everyone to erupt into giggles before joining In. It was 11oclock and the tone becoming calmer, she watched as her mother and kate conversed they looked like the best of friends, which was lovely although unnerving.
Kate sat at the piano and Celia stood next to her with the mic, tapping it to gain everyone's attention "I know I'm not always the best mother, but I love you Caroline this is for you, happy birthday.
Kate struck a tune which sounded familiar as her mother began to sing .. As the music took over
Daughter I love you...
So Watch where you walk, where you stand
Lead yourself with an open hand
Believe that your worth more
Live like your meant to be adored.
(Chorus)
I tell you this
If I tumble
If I fall
If I'm not there to answer your call.
Remember that my love would move the starts above.
Daughter remember who you are.
Know that your more beautiful
And need no- ones arms to feel secure.
So scream at the top of your lungs.
Or whisper the words if you want.
(Chorus)
I tell you this
If I tumble
If I fall
If I'm not there to answer your call
Remember that my love would move the stars above.
Daughter Remember who you are.
Know your beautiful
Know your more than beautiful.
I tell you this...
If I tumble
if i fall
If im not there to answer your call
Remember that your love can move the stars above.
My daughter remember who you are
Because to me inside and out Your just perfect to me.
Celia finished gazing over to see Caroline the tears clouding her vision, she saw her mother stand up and raise a glass "To Caroline".
"To Caroline" the room chorused Celia slipping into her daughters arms "Mum that was beautiful, I though you said you wouldn't ever sing again in public" she smiled.
"For you Caroline I'd do anything I'm sorry I've hurt you, I love you". "I know you do Mum, I remember you used to sing that to me as a child when I was sad. I haven't heard it in such a long time" she smiled as her mother kissed her cheek "well kate did help me a lot keeping me in tune, she's amazing at the piano". "So you've been planning all this since when?" Caroline asked stunned " the day after we fell out. I wanted to do something nice for your birthday it's been a hard year, but also I wanted to prove to you how sorry I am. How much I love you I'm so happy we're friends again" Celia smiled as Kate joined them, "on team Celia I see" Caroline joked. kate put her hands in the air " I want you to be happy, and well she asked for my help. It would have been impolite not too, the boys told your mum about me playing so it all sort of clicked into place. Kate's smile was mirrored "best birthday ever" Caroline laughed. Celia headed off towards the bar "just for the record I'm always on your side. Never doubt it!" Kate whispered for only Carolines ears.
"God I love you so much, it scares me" Caroline admitted " you dont need to be scared I'm not going anywhere, except to bed very soon but I hope you will join me" a cheeky grin said it all.