Ora and Ace – Remembering the Moment
"Caroline?"
"What?"
"I was thinking, could we get up and sneak out for breakfast; it's Saturday and the girls won't surface 'til midday?"
"O God, just give me time to wake up will you; what time is it anyway?"
"Eight thirty."
Caroline rolled over and looked at Kate. It had been an exhausting week. She'd been in Manchester for four days working with Blue Productions on the up-coming screen script for her new story. Despite having many deeply held reservations about an on-going series based on their life, Caroline had given in and written a sequel which they gobbled up as soon as she sent them the first draft. She'd only got home late the night before. Kate was half way through her contract with UNHCR and if the truth were told, Caroline was eagerly awaiting its end. She was longing to get home and settle down again. Each time she went home, she could notice a difference in her mother and to a certain extent, Ginika; both of whom found it difficult to be without them and especially the girls.
On the flight back she'd been thinking of a conversation she'd had with Kate a few days prior.
"Caroline, are you OK? You seem to be a little distracted and quiet these days."
"I'm fine; although I do find it hard to be away from you and the girls so much. You know that's one reason why we agonised about me writing again in the first place."
"Would you rather we moved back home?"
"How can we do that? There's no way I would expect you to give up your job."
At this point Kate had become quiet and pensive. She was into her job big time; the challenge, the variety, all the sensational people she was meeting and working with; not to mention the boost in her self esteem as she became well known and respected in the organisation. While she loved the fact that Caroline was so talented and had developed such an amazing writing career, in the past, there had been twinges of envy and occasionally a feeling like she was the 'handbag' Caroline carried everywhere. This job had lifted her out of that.
"Well family comes first my darling and if it is better for us all then I will resign."
"Nope, not going to happen; we'll work it out somehow."
Kate had actually been on a 'fishing trip' hoping to feel out whether Caroline would perhaps agree to her and the twins moving back and Kate commuting, coming home at weekends. . However, in her mind, Caroline wasn't ready to hear this suggestion. The girls had not settled as well as they'd hoped. They were doing well at school, but the time they spent on their phones connecting with folk at home was a give -away that they were missing everyone
"Ok, I'll get up and have a quick shower and we can slip out;" kissing Kate gently as she slid out from under the covers. Kate realised how tired Caroline must have been last night, as there had been no love making; just a long luxurious cuddle which ended when she realised her wife was fast asleep; most unusual.
They left a note for the girls and crept out, walking to their favourite cafe. After settling down to enjoy their breakfast Kate broached the subject of the up-coming holidays. "You know the girls are really excited about catching up with all the family."
"Yes, I know. When I had dinner with Greg and Issy the other night, he told me they're all going away for a long weekend to the Lake District and then he'll take them to your mother for the rest of the time. The boys will go up for a few days while they're there."
"Well then, how about you and I get away for a few days?"
"How can you; what about work?"
"Actually an important meeting has been cancelled as there are visa problems. So I anticipated you would say yes and booked a week's leave."
Caroline smiled and held Kate's hand. "OK. That sounds really nice; where would you like to go?"
Kate grinned and with a cunning look in her eyes whispered; "all taken care of; all booked actually, and before you ask, it's a surprise."
"Wow, will I need my passport?"
Kate threw her head back and laughed. "You have no idea how appropriate that question is, and the answer is yes you will." Caroline looked puzzled; as if she was trying to connect to the relevance of her question. They spent an hour catching up on all the family news before strolling back to their apartment. The girls were still asleep as Kate predicted; turning to look at her wife and seeing eyes that offered something, Caroline instantly felt herself stir. "We could screw up the note and slip back into bed; they'd never know."
Kate kissed her neck; "why not?"
Two weeks later, and Caroline and Kate were at the airport putting the girls on a flight to Manchester. Their Ma fussed about every time, making triply sure that the hostesses knew they were flying unaccompanied and refusing to leave the departure lounge until the plane had taxied and she had phoned Greg. It was a ritual that Kate never interfered with; otherwise her wife would be on edge for hours. Once the plane had taken off, they themselves headed for the railway station to catch their train. Kate had refused to tell Caroline which train they were catching and to where. "You'll just have to wait until we reach the platform."
As they approached the barrier, Caroline saw the notice. "We're going to Paris eh?"
"Yes we are." As they settled into their seats and the train pulled out Kate leaned into her wife; "Do you remember the relevance of the question 'do I need a passport' now?"
Caroline wracked her brains as she tried to remember. "Give me a clue?"
"No, just sit with it. Think of the date; the train; the destination and the question." A long period of silence followed. Kate opened her newspaper and immersed herself in it and Caroline stared out of the window as the countryside flew by at a rapid rate. Suddenly she turned to Kate. "Oh my God, I've got it!"
"Go on then."
"This is the weekend I took you away when we got back together; Issy had gone and you were twenty odd weeks pregnant. I secretly planned a trip to Paris – it was the weekend we ...you know;" as she whispered in Kate's ear; "we made love after waiting so long to be together again."
"Yes my darling, it is and also the other significant event."
"We found out we were expecting twins; hell, I'll never forget that phone call. Are we going to the same hotel?"
"No, I took the liberty of up-grading us to the Bristol and our old cafe has closed, so we are booked for Pedzouille Restaurant tonight." "The Bristol! Kate that costs a fortune and this restaurant – is it as up-market?"
"Yep, but why not? you never treat yourself Caroline; all the money you earn from your work and you still cringe when I suggest spending any of it on you." Caroline leaned in and kissed her; no words needed.
Much the same as the first time around, the folk in the seat across from them smiled as they recognised two women very much in love.
Caroline was stunned to be shown to a suite. The assistant manager of the hotel, Angelique had looked long and hard at Caroline when they were checking in. "Excuse me, Madame, but are you the author, McKenzie-Dawson?"
There was a massive blush as Caroline nodded and smiled.
"Ah, I 'ave both of your books, I love them. This must be Kate?" Kate now nodded.
"Well please accept an up-grade to one of our suites, we are honoured to have you stay with us." As she leant over the counter, she whispered; "my partner will be so 'appy to know I've met you, she loves you too."
For the next five days, they wined and dined and luxuriated at the hotel spa. There were gallery visits and a concert and lots of relaxation and loving. It was the tonic they both needed. Every night they shared their day with the girls and heard all about theirs. However, on the last night of their stay, Flora spoke directly to Caroline.
"Ma, Grace and I think that grandma isn't too well; she seems tired all the time."
"Well she is nearly ninety sweetheart, you have to expect that."
"I know, but she just keeps telling us all the time that she loves us and how much she and nanna miss us all; more than I've ever heard before."
"Okay, try not to let it worry you too much. Mum and I are going back to Geneva tomorrow and so I'll have a long chat to her then."
"Ma?" "Yes?"
"We miss you and mum like crazy."
"Do you now missy. I thought you couldn't wait to get away. Are you sure you're not just jealous of our flashy Paris holiday?" Flora was developing a taste for the finer things of life which they were doing their best to stymie.
"No, we just miss you." "Yes Ma she's right." Grace chipped in.
"Okay darlings we'll see you in a few days. Love you." Kate then had a few words and they signed off.
That night, they chose room service after sharing a spa bath; wrapping themselves up in the fluffy white bathrobes. The waiter rolled in the trolley and arranged everything for them. "please call me when you have finished so I can clear away for you."
Kate replied in perfect French; "no need thank you, we'll leave the trolley outside the door." He smiled a knowing smile, accepted her generous tip and backed out of the room.
After their meal, they stood on the balcony; Kate wrapped around Caroline's back her head on her shoulder, looking out at the lights and the sounds of the city.
"We're so lucky, so blessed darling aren't we?" Caroline didn't speak, just nodded; if Kate could see her face, she'd notice the tears welling up. In those early days at Sulgrave as she felt herself falling in love, this night would never have existed even on her farthest horizon.
The girls came through the barrier and each flew into the arms of one of their mothers.
Kate held on to Flora; "how was it all?"
"Nice mum, we had a good time with the little ones and did some great walking in the Lakes." On the drive home to the apartment, there was lots of chatter about everyone and all the things they'd done; but both mothers realised that the girls were most animated when talking about catching up with all their friends. Flora wanted to know all about the expensive hotel they'd been to and enquired as to when they might get the chance to stay there. "When you've earned enough money to be able to afford it – that simple really." Caroline had fired back at them.
"Mum, why did you take ma to Paris on a secret treat?" Grace asked tentatively. Kate looked at Caroline who nodded her approval. "Well this is what happened fifteen years ago." And with that she proceeded to share the story with them. It was however modified slightly so as not to implicate Issy. The girls knew nothing of Kate's sexual relationship with her and both women had agreed it would stay that way.
After dinner, Kate announced that they had some news for them. "Ma and I have been doing a lot of thinking and talking together and we have a proposition for you. Since Ma put the book in for production, she's having to spend more and more time in UK; something we really hate as you can imagine. I've been talking to my boss and it would seem that I can work a bit more from home now that I've made all my contacts; I spend a lot of time on conference calls and writing training manuals."
Caroline interrupted here; "Are you sure about this Kate?"
"Yes darling I am. So girls, we've decided to move back home; at the end of you school year here in June."
There were gasps from both girls who after their momentary shock grabbed and hugged each other and then their mothers. There were squeals and cheers; all serving to show that they had read their daughters feelings correctly and they were indeed missing home.
Grace looked at Kate as though something had just burst her bubble. "But mum, does that mean that you won't be in Geneva?"
"No sweetheart, I'll move to a small apartment here and I'll hope to be home for two weeks and away for two weeks."
Flora gasped. "Mum no; we'd hate that, it's not fair, and Ma will go bonkers you know that."
"It's the best solution we have; Ma and I have been through all the alternatives and it will only be for eighteen months until my contract finishes. We think grandma and nanna need it too. Celia has told Ma that she's feeling very old and tired now and just wants the comfort of us all being around."
After lots of discussions both excited and worrisome they agreed to let it go for the time being and go to bed.
As Kate kissed both girls, she could sense how torn they felt; happy to be going home, but very unhappy at the prospect of being without her for long periods.
Caroline pulled her close; skin to skin, just how they loved it. "Poor kids, they hate the idea of you being away." "Well they hate it when you go too, even if it's just for four days. They'll be OK; they'll get used to it."
"I don't know how I'll cope Kate."
"Caroline, my love, we just celebrated the memory of getting together again after a five month horrendous separation; so full of pain and hurt. But we made it, we got through it because ultimately we know we are made for each other; we belong to each other body and soul. These weeks of separation will be hard but it won't last too long." She pulled Caroline's lips to hers and after a long and passionate kiss whispered; "not to mention the homecomings."