A/N: Thank you again for all of the reviews. I do take them all to heart, the good and the bad, and I am glad so many of you are enjoying my story. Writing is a new venture for me (aside from the technical stuff required at school), so your criticisms have helped me learn. Thank you and enjoy this next chapter!
Chapter 25: Heart to Heart
Caroline pulled into the drive at home with Fiona following just behind her. She got out of the car and gingerly closed the door then made her way around the back to retrieve Flora from her seat. The sweet child still slept soundly, so Caroline took the opportunity to make another once over of her body before getting her out of the car. She was relieved to find that all of the welts had gone and her skin had returned to its beautiful natural color. She lifted Flora from her seat, the little girl giving only the slightest movement as Caroline laid her against her chest.
Fiona jumped out of her car and headed straight for the front door to hold it open for Caroline. She dug her keys out of her purse, opening the door just as Caroline hit the top step. Caroline smiled to herself as she entered; having forgotten Fiona still had her own set of keys. The thought crossed her mind that Fiona could have come over any time she had liked during the last 6 weeks, but the fact that she hadn't told Caroline how much Fiona respected and understood her needs.
Fiona closed and locked the door behind them before putting her purse on a hook and slipping Caroline's off her shoulder to do the same.
"Do you want to put her in bed?" Fiona asked, looking to Caroline for direction.
"Yes, I think so." Caroline nodded and turned to the direction of the stairs. Fiona followed her upstairs, opening the door for them as they reached the room. Caroline laid Flora down in her bed, taking a seat in the chair next to her. She leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then sat back as she stroked Flora's hair, a sigh of relief escaping her soft lips. Fiona watched on for a moment, feeling the tightness in her chest begin to loosen, the relief that Flora was ok sinking in.
"I'll go put on some tea then and bring it up when it's ready. Do you need me to get anything else?" Fiona asked softly.
"No, thank you. I'll just sit with her for a bit, to make sure everything is ok." She smiles softly to Fiona then returns her attentions to Flora, gently stroking her daughter's arm.
Fiona goes downstairs and makes the tea and assembles a small plate of toast and cheese before heading back upstairs. She walks into Flora's room and sets the tray down on the changing table, taking a mug and the plate of food to Caroline.
"Here's your tea, the way you like it, and I brought you a little something to eat. You missed supper, so you need to eat something." Caroline looks up from her daughter and takes the mug and plate from Fiona with a smile. Fiona returns to the tray, collecting her own mug then stands at the foot of the bed. Caroline sips her tea silently for a few moments, taking a few bites of cheese between sips.
"Fiona, I would really like to talk, but I'm afraid to leave her." Her brilliant blue eyes meet Fiona, sincerity and concern in her gaze.
"I understand. Maybe we could just sit in the hall, right outside the door? We could talk without waking her and we could still keep a close eye on her from there." She lifts an eyebrow in question, waiting patiently for a response. Caroline nods her head and rises from the chair, following Fiona out the door.
They take a seat on the floor, across the hall from the door, each having a clear view of Flora on the bed. Fiona sits cross legged facing Caroline who sits with her back to the wall and her legs outstretched in front of her, crossed at the ankles. Each woman sits silently for a while, neither knowing how or where to start. Fiona finally breaks the silence.
"Caroline, I'm sorry for not telling you about my past before. I should have brought it up sooner than I did, and I apologize for that. I know it must have seemed like I was hiding it…I guess I was, in a way. I just, I know it's not an easy thing for many people to swallow, and the thought of losing you over it terrified me, so for a while I tricked myself into believing I could avoid it, just conveniently omit that part of my life. I know now that that was a mistake, and I am sorry." She looks up from her mug to Caroline, who is watching her intently as she speaks. Caroline takes a deep breath then begins to speak, never breaking eye contact with Fiona.
"I know it mustn't be easy for you to talk about and I should have been more understanding and kind. I trust you Fiona, and for some stupid reason, I let that trust falter when you told me. I know you aren't that same woman now; I wouldn't have fallen in love with you if you were. I just, I was being stubborn and arrogant and I'm sorry." She reaches out her hand to Fiona, who takes it into her own with a gentle squeeze.
"Your behavior today has shown me how much you truly care for me and Flora. I can't begin to tell you how happy and peaceful that makes me." She squeezes Fiona's hand in return, smiling warmly as she does.
"Caroline, I love you and Flora very much, and I want to build a life with you. I want us to be a family and have a happy and fulfilling future together. I want to help you raise Flora and watch her grow up. I want to be her mum with you. Now, I'm not saying I want to replace Kate, I would never dream of doing that, nor would I want you to replace Hannah. I think, I know, we can be happy and build a life together while still honoring Kate and Hannah, together." She reaches for Caroline's other hand, taking them both between them, squeezing them gently together with her own as she continues.
"I also don't want to deny Flora's heritage. In fact, I think you and Ginika should teach her those things together when you are ready and she is old enough to understand. Everyone should know where they come from, it's part of what makes us the beautiful people we are. I just want to love you and be here with you both, and take care of you in any way that I can. I know I'm probably rambling, but I just want to get it all out now, before I become a blubbering mess." She smiles and lets out a small laugh as the tears begin to glisten in her eyes. Caroline smiles softly in return through the tears that have started to run down her cheeks. She shifts her body, so she sits cross legged in front of Fiona, facing her, their hands clasped between them.
"You're not rambling. That was the most beautiful thing you have ever said to me, and I love you so very much. There is no one else I would rather have to help me raise Flora than you. I know you can teach her things that I can't, but that Kate would have wanted to; you can nurture her creativity in a way that I never can and I love that about you. You love unconditionally and are so good to me and Flora. For that, I love you and want to take care of you, in any way that I am able." They exchange tender smiles and reach up simultaneously to wipe a tear from each other's cheek, provoking a gentle laugh between them.
"Caroline, I love you. I don't think you realize how truly beautiful you are." She wipes a tear from Caroline's cheek, letting her palm linger on Caroline's jaw. Caroline smiles shyly, and takes Fiona's hand from her face, bringing her fingers to her mouth for a tender kiss.
"And I love you Fiona Doyle." She says as she breaks the kiss, laying Fiona's hand in her lap. Fiona leans in and places a tender kiss on Caroline's lips then pulls away and scoots forward, taking Caroline into her arms. They sit for a long while, holding each other close as all the ill feelings of the past 6 weeks melt away. Caroline finally pulls away, wiping the last of the tears from her cheeks.
"Now, can we get off this bloody floor, I'm too damn old to sit here this long," she cracks, causing an uproarious laugh from Fiona. The women quickly quiet themselves when they hear Flora stir in the bed.
They help each other up from the floor and go into the room to check once more on Flora. They each kiss the sleeping girls head then, satisfied that she is well they walk out of the room, holding hands, leaving the door open behind them.
"Come on, let's go to bed, I'm knackered." Caroline guides Fiona down the hall to the bedroom, leaving their tea and plate on the floor to pick up in the morning.
They walk into the room together and Caroline slips out of her clothes, until she's left in her shirt and underwear. Fiona follows suit and they climb into bed, snuggling under the duvet. Fiona lies half on her back and Caroline snuggles into her side, resting her head into the crook of Fiona's shoulder, her arm draped protectively over Fiona's middle. Fiona wraps Caroline's body into her arm and places her other arm over Caroline's across her stomach. They fall asleep within moments, in total happiness, their dreams filled with wonderful visions of their future.
oOo
The soft morning light breaks its way through the window as the new day begins. Caroline and Fiona sleep soundly; Caroline playing the big spoon to Fiona's little. They are gently lifted from sleep by the feeling of something moving on the bed near their feet. They each shift their bodies, moving to see what it is, and are met by a smiling Flora who is crawling her way up toward them. She giggles when she sees they have caught her, and the two women smile, moving apart to make room for the little girl.
"Mummy, Fi, I want to snuggle too." She says with a giggle as she reaches the pillows between them. She wiggles her little body under the duvet, her bright eyes shining as she smiles at them. Fiona rolls onto her other side, so she faces Flora and Caroline next to her. The two women lean in and kiss Flora's cheeks before lying back down, crossing their arms to hold hands over her little body. Flora stretches and yawns as she reaches down to hold the women's hands that are clasped over her.
"I love our family," Flora says with a smile as she looks between the two women. Caroline and Fiona share a giant giddy smile, squeezing each other's hands tightly. Flora closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep again, the two women soon doing the same.