SOUL DEEP
KATE AND RANA PART 29
Challenges…..
"Is everything alright?" Johnny questioned in an act of surprise he had not shared with anyone Rana's proposal. Rana took his cue as they gathered around them Kate lifted her hand up, Mia gasped under her breath, "Rana has asked me to marry her and I have accepted," There was joy in the room. Mia sat back watching. Carla entered wondering what was going on, Kate and Rana shared the news, "Well finally Rana is going to make you an honest woman," She teased, Rana smiled, "Yes, its time Kate and I become serious don't you think?" She lightly quizzed, "Well its time to open the champagne," Carla urged, Jenny went to the kitchen cabinet and pulled out some glasses, "I'll go down to the Rover's and fetch us a bottle. Rana looked over to Mia she looked solemn. "Rana you've made me so very happy," Kate added, Rana shifted and eye to her, "I love you, I thought it was proper to move forward," Mia walked to the window and looked out, Rana approached her. "Is this a ploy because you couldn't make up your mind about Kate?" She questioned under her breath, "I can assure you I love Kate," Johnny opened the door startling them the champagne was opened in celebration of Kate and Rana's happy news.
"How's Kate feeling these day's?" Imran asked meeting Rana in Dev's for a morning coffee before work, "She's good, a few more days before Dr. Raines will allow her to work so she's on the mend," Rana answered. "I see her little friend from Devon is still about," Rana groaned, "She has a thing for Kate," Rana's heart beat rapidly, "If Kate's on the mend why is she still here?" Imran prodded, "I told ya' she has a thing for Kate and as long as Kate needs a nursemaid," Imran could tell Rana was irritated. "Calm down Rana, maybe you should talk to Kate about the situation," She sighed, "I have something to tell ya'," Rana looked around to make sure no one else was listening, "This doesn't have anything to do with mum does it?" He quizzed. "No, I haven't even talked to her about this," Imran chuckled, "You're moving back in with Kate," He worded. "I've asked Kate to marry me," Imran raised his brow grunting and quickly setting down his coffee cup, "What?" He screeched, "I have, I know I want to be with her and if I do I've got to do it proper," Imran laid his chin atop his fist, "Congrats, I'm guessing she's accepted?" Rana nodded with a big grin. "When will you tell mum?" He further asked, "When Kate's better and back on her feet, please don't say anything," She implored. "I won't spoil your surprise, however I do want to be there when you break the news, mum my take a fall over it," Rana giggled they made an agreement.
Sophie knocked at the door of Johnny's flat, "Sophie come in, Paula by her side, Jenny let them through, "I'm going to leave you two to visit, Rana should be here shortly," She picked up her purse and sweater leaving them, "Hey," Kate eased herself up on the sofa, "Ya' look a lot less dodgy," Sophie barked, Kate tried not to laugh, "I'm sorry about your accident, but I see you're on the mend," Paula made mention. "I am," She grimaced still feeling the pain tear at her ribs, Rana entered, "Oh Sophie," She smiled, "You must be Rana," Paula kindly spoke, "I am," Rana replied, "Paula, " She extended her hand they shook. Kate interjected, "Paula is Sally's classmate and attorney and she's also seeing Sophie," Kate pointed out with a motion of her hand, "Oh," Rana was caught of guard. "Yes Sophie and I hit it off right away," Paula smiled and winked at Sophie. "Have you shared the news?" Rana asked Kate, "Actually I was waiting for you," Sophie seemed lost at what they were discussing, "What's up with ya' two?" Sophie cut in, Kate lifted her hand up to show them her engagement ring, "Wow," Sophie spoke, "Rana asked me to marry her and I've accepted," Paula congratulated them. "Have you set a date, Kate and Rana looked at each other, "No, I think we should wait until Kate's better, we haven't really told anyone yet," Rana remarked. "Surely something so special you'll want to share and celebrate," Paula added, "I still haven't told my mum," Rana blurted, "Oh," Sophie murmured. They visited awhile longer, Sophie and Paula departed.
"We're alone come here," Kate motioned to the sofa, "Wish we really had some privacy," Rana sat next to her, "I do need to walk," Kate picked, "Yeah right into the bedroom," Kate tried hard not to giggle. "Well, I could text dad and ask him to hold everyone," Rana shook her head laughing she pulled a bridal magazine from her purse, "We have plenty of time for the bedroom, I thought we could talk about our wedding," Kate placed her arm around Rana's shoulder, Afraid to tell your mum?" She asked, "Not really, I want you to be with me when I do, this is important to me Kate," Rana became serious, "Now do you want a winter, spring, summer or fall wedding?" Rana changed the subject not giving Kate much time to say anything. "Spring, April?" Kate questioned her, Rana thought briefly, "Not that far off, I mean this being October," Kate shrugged, "I think you'll feel better once you've told your mum," Rana lowered her shoulders, "Your right, I don't want to rush this, I want it to be everything we've dreamed of," Rana hesitated briefly, "And we have to decide how we are going to get married," She embraced Kate laying her head across her shoulder and closing her eyes.
Marriage is a big step," Mia broached cleaning the cut on Kate's face with a dampened cloth, "I must admit I wasn't prepared," She looked up to Mia as she bent over her, "Having second thoughts?" Mia was hopeful. Kate asked Mia to sit beside her, "I'm so glad ya' came to help me out and I've enjoyed our visit, you taking time away from your job," Mia frowned, "Anything to help a mate out," She replied. "I'm in love with Rana she's the most remarkable woman I've ever met, I've had time to think about the struggles she's gone through and how strong she's stayed just to be with me, the marriage proposal was going to happen eventually, weather it was me or her, we want it to be proper, I want a happy life, I've gone through some women in my life, I even made the mistake of living with someone who was crazed," She chuckled in explanation. "I get it," Mia interjected, "I have an open train ticket, I believe I'll give them a ring, see when I can get a return to Devon," She answered, "Now let me finish with these cuts, I'll need to make that call, pack in case they have something in the morning," Her heart ached at the thought of leaving.
"How's Kate?" Liz questioned standing at the front counter of the medical center, "Better," Rana noted, "I know that gave the Connors quite a scare," She added, "I'll be bringing her by tomorrow morning for her checkup, you could see her then," Rana replied lifting the charts from the counter, Moira approached, "Rana," She spoke, "Moira," She answered, "Well I have these charts to complete, I'll be in my office," She left them, Moira gasped in a smirk, "She's entirely rude, ya' know," Liz placed her hands to her hips, "She's been through a lot and she's brave, managed to work through her problems and she has the love of her life at her side, if you spent less time pitying yourself ya' might be able to find someone of your own instead of spending your time in a jealous rage," She excused herself from the counter leaving Moira to stew in anguish.
Paula and Sophie walked along the cobbles on their way to Speed Dahl for a bite of lunch, Rana sat at the counter conversing with Alya and Yasmeen, "How's Kate?" Alya asked, "Getting along, I'll take her in tomorrow to see the doctor." She answered, "Yasmeen chimed in, "You should really see Kate she could've been lost to you both," Alya frowned, "I'll try grand, I'm just not sure I'm ready to forgive her," Rana sighed cutting in, "You've managed to forgive me, Kate isn't totally to blame for everything that happened," Paula and Sophie listened to their conversation, "Seems your ex wasn't to blame for the demise of your relationship," Sophie peered over the menu, "She could've been honest from the start, but Rana being married, I can see why Kate was reluctant to tell me, even though it was dodgy and I felt cheated," She replied, Yasmeen approached the table, "So nice to see you on your day off," She mentioned to Sophie, "Yes, we just wanted a quiet lunch," Sophie remarked, Paula smiled at Yasmeen. Are you ready to order?" She asked, they did, Rana left nodding at them.
Rana and Kate walked slowly into the medical center, "Need to rest?" Rana asked holding Kate by the arm. "No, I need to do this," She grumbled in a wince still feeling the pain shoot through her ribs her head still feeling the buzz of the concussion. "Dr. Raines is waiting," Liz pushed the button to the door. Kate gingerly strolled into the exam room, "Here let me help you," Rana helped her get situated, the nurse came in taking her vitals, "All sounds good, I'll let Dr. Raines know you're ready," She left the room, "Well at least your blood pressure isn't on the rise," Rana noted brushing back the stands of Kate's hair from her face. "I'm still sore," She complained, Dr. Raines entered, "Kate," He looked at Rana, "I see your vitals are good," He looked into her eyes and ears with a scope," Still some pain," She answered as he put the scope back in his pocket. "That's to be expected, you've had a nasty fall," He wrote on her chart saying. "I've been walking quite a bit," She remarked, Rana grasped her hand, "Well you have such an excellent nurse by your side," He peered down noticing the ring on Kate's finger. "I think Monday you can return to work, however you need to take it easy, the rest of the week you'll need your rest and I want to see you in a month," He responded leaving them in the room.
"How about lunch?" Rana asked Kate coaxing her across the cobbles, "I don't know Rana, I," She led her towards Speed Dahl, "You want to have lunch there?" Kate pointed, "Yes, I want to share our news with Yasmeen," She smiled they entered. Kate your looking good," Sophie grabbed them a couple of menus showing them to a table, "Kate," Yasmeen stepped from the kitchen, "Yasmeen," She took her time sitting down. "You look the picture of health," Rana tapped the table, "Could you sit for a moment, I want us to share something with you," Yasmeen uncertain of what they wanted joined them. "I've asked Kate to marry me and she's agreed," Rana lifted Kate's hand to show her the beautiful diamond ring she a placed on her finger. "Oh," Yasmeen mumbled thinking of Zeedan, there was a moment of silence, "I'm happy for you both and its time that you both move on and make it permanent," She rehearse, "Thank you Yasmeen, I know I've caused you and your family grief," Yasmeen silenced Kate, "Rana had to learn about herself, it happens and while it was devastating she couldn't stay married in a lie," She made them understand. Alya entered, "I think it's a good idea that you tell Alya and not someone else," Yasmeen remarked. She left them motioning Alya to the table.
"Kate," Alya spoke, "Alya," She echoed, "You look like you're on the mend," She remarked staring at the bruises and scratches on Kate's face. "I wanted to come visit, I did," Alya began to say, "It's ok, I know it must still be difficult for ya' knowing everything that happened between us," Rana cleared her throat, "I would like for us to be mates again, that is if its possible," Alya sat back in her chair sighing, "I won't lie, what you did to my brother," Rana interjected, "I know I was wrong, wrong knowing how I really felt and then lying to him, marrying him to cover up something I was ashamed of," Kate quickly looked at her with a raised brow, "Rana," Rana stopped Kate from talking, "I wasn't ashamed of you or my love for you, but of how I treated Zee, considering an affair knowing the harm it would cause, the people that I would eventually hurt," Alya listened with a sadden heart. "You could've stopped, "Alya pled, "I tried, I tried so hard Alya but my love for Kate was too great," Kate stayed quiet, "I will try, I promise but it won't happen over night," She answered. "Well that's all we can hope for," Kate stated, "Alya I need to tell you something, " She looked into her eyes, "Ok," She mumbled, "I've asked Kate to marry me," There was silence giving Alya time to digest what she had been told.
"Well what can I say, its obvious Kate makes you happy, Zee's living life in London doing what he loves, you've become a distant memory," Rana felt introverted by what Alya was saying. "I hope you can understand that we want to move on, make a life for ourselves," Kate added, "It's a lot to take in Kate, you've hurt me and my family and you've broken any trust we had between each other," Kate lowered her shoulders, "I miss our friendship, we were close once and I know Rana desperately wants you as her best mate," Kate was adamant, "I know we can't push ya' into a thing and I know that it will take some time to accept that we plan to marry and be proper," Rana implored, Yasmeen rejoined them, "You should listen for once, I've gotten past all the mess its caused and I know you can to Alya, don't throw it away, mates are hard to come by and you don't want to be alone," Yasmeen voiced strongly. Alya stood up from the chair, "It will take some time, I ask that you respect me and not pressure me into making decisions because its what you want," She tied her apron on leaving the table Kate and Rana both stared at Yasmeen. "Girls you've done all that you can for now, let Alya make the next move," Kate handed her back the menu, "I think that's for the best Rana," She eyed her.
