It seemed like an age before either women spoke, though in reality it was probably only seconds before they both spoke at once.

"You look lovely." Began Caroline as Kate offered, "I need to tell you something."

Both women looked at one another, startled, then Caroline was the first to speak. "Tell me what?"

Kate looked down at her drink, willing herself to have courage. She'd considered this conversation so many times, what she might say and what Caroline might say in return, but never had she expected it to happen like this. Now, she took a deep breath and placed a hand on her middle.

Seeing this, Caroline looked panicked. "The baby? Is it okay? Is it something to do with the baby?"

Kate glanced up now, noticing again how much bright blue eyes had seemed to fade over the last few weeks. "The baby is okay." From habit, she added, "For now."

Caroline looked pained, reaching across for Kate's hand before she remembered her place and drew it back. "I-If it's work, If you're not happy with your replacement, I can-"

"It's not work." Kate replied, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "It's us."

Caroline went silent then, pale blue eyes gazing back at Kate with a mix of worry and confusion.

"I was…I…before the baby, when we'd decided…I went to a fertility doctor that I used the last time with Richard. They gave me hormone injections for a few weeks before the…before the hotel. I wanted the best chance of getting pregnant." Kate stared at her drink so she wouldn't have to see the look on Caroline's face. "I just…I feel I owe you an explanation. I didn't tell you at the time because I didn't think you were interested in having a baby with me, not really."

"That's not true." Caroline cut in softly. "I just wasn't happy about the…process you'd chosen."

The only acknowledgement Kate gave that Caroline had spoken was a slight nod before she drew a breath and continued. "I was…you did hurt me by booking the separate rooms, but-"

"I was a-" Caroline began earnestly, but was cut off by Kate lifting her hand to silence her.

"But I over-reacted. I can't say I understand, but I've had time to think about it, and I…I think I was expecting too much of you too soon. You were making progress, and I was just trying to force it to happen quicker, I suppose. But the injections…they made my hormones race and I could barely think straight and I'd just imagined this weekend of just you and I talking and I so wanted to spend time alone with you, and then you…" Kate sighed, pausing then before she lifted her eyes, looking almost defiant as she offered, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

Of all the things Caroline had expected, it was not this. She had spent weeks hating herself for her behaviour, for always being the one to ruin things, and now Kate was in front of her saying it wasn't her fault. Well, not entirely her fault. "W-Why are you saying this now? It's been weeks."

"Because I allowed myself to hate you. I reminded myself of all the things you'd done wrong, and I allowed myself to hate you." Kate offered honestly.

"And tonight?" Caroline asked quietly.

"Tonight, I remembered why I love you. "

"…If I had known all it would take was getting rid of someone for you, I'd have-" Caroline began her usual defence against feelings, humour, but Kate shook her head.

"Not that. This." Kate held onto her mug of hot chocolate. "And going out somewhere I know you're not comfortable because you couldn't say no to Gillian. And not wearing an inch of make up."

"I don't understand." Caroline offered with a faint smile of confusion.

"… I've seen you again. The real you. The one who tries to do the best for everyone, the one who never does things for herself, the one who is terrified of people thinking bad things of her despite this perfect costume she puts on every day. The one who has the most perfect freckles on her face." Kate listed, gazing intently into blue eyes that seemed suddenly to be getting their colour back. "The you who is terrified to love me but does anyway."

"I do." Caroline offered in earnest.

"I know." Kate replied gently.

"Caroline! Caroline, it's almost midnight! And you said we would be home and in bed by ten!" Gillian laughed as she yelled, weaving her way back towards the booth. "Caroline!"

But Caroline didn't hear a word, just like Kate hadn't heard a word when her friends had called to her a moment earlier.

For as the countdown began, Caroline was doing what she'd been jealous of others for doing, doing what she had barely dared to imagine herself doing at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Caroline was kissing Kate. Her Kate.

An as the clock struck midnight, as fireworks went off and people began hugging their loved ones, Kate was right where she needed to be. Home. For Home was Caroline.