"Oh, morning dear. Have I been interrupting something?"
Caroline's face said everything Celia needed to know. The rosie colour rapidly spreading from her face down her exposed chest. Caroline quickly closed her robe covered her modesty, looked down and bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing.
"On second thoughts don't answer that. I don't think I want to know."
Caroline looked over her mother's shoulder to see Kate standing behind her in a fit of hysterics. She tried to answer her mother with a pleasant greeting but stopped herself fearing she would simply burst out laughing.
"What's the matter dear, Kate got your tongue!"
Caroline fought to hold on to her resolve. She glanced back up at Kate who had tears in her eyes unable to calm her hysterics. Kate didn't speak she simply pointed, indicating she was going upstairs to dress leaving Caroline with her mother.
Caroline held on and tried distraction leaving the room. "Would you like some tea?"
Celia had to raise her voice to talk with her daughter who had made a swift exit of the room.
"If that's what you two have been drinking then maybe I shouldn't! I only came over to see how Grace was doing and to see my little granddaughter. How is she?"
Caroline returned a short time later. She found Celia sitting on the sofa with Helena in her arms. The sight took Caroline's breath away for a minute. She was taken aback by the change in her mother and her feelings towards Helena, her granddaughter.
"She's quite a content little one, isn't she love?" Celia called out sensing her daughter's presence before she walked into the room.
Caroline took a seat opposite her mother. "She is now she's finally out of the hospital and away from all the noise."
Caroline felt a little uncomfortable in front on her mother, being in her girlfriend's house. It felt really strange and out of context. Celia surprised Caroline.
"Have you and Kate had time to talk about things with everything going on?"
Caroline looked down, studying the edge of the rug covering Kate's carpet avoiding her mother. The silence stretched out between them and Caroline looked out the window not wishing to look her mother in the eye.
"We've had a few discussions but not in great detail. We want somewhere together when Conway Close sells but we need to get settled into a routine with Helena first. I've spoken to Lawrence and he's a lot happier with Kate and me."
Celia looked at her daughter. "You don't have to rush into anything you know. Lawrence is at a sensitive age and he's been through such a lot lately. I'm not trying to put you off. I'm just asking you to think things through before jumping in."
Celia noted the stoic look from her daughter as a warning sign for trouble. "Caroline. I know you may not believe me but I'm pleased you're back together. I just don't want you to bugger things up again."
Caroline laughed out loud releasing the tension and shook her head. "It's comforting to know you have such faith in me to make a success of things mum." Caroline quickly changes the subject. "Anyway where is Lawrence?"
Celia smiled. "He passed at coming with me to see you, Kate and the little 'un. He's gone out with the fellas!"
Caroline's face showed concern.
"Don't worry love. He's gone fishing with Alan and Harry on the Canal boat. Grace having a heart attack really upset him and I think he needed to be with the boys!"
Caroline felt relief. Her first thoughts were of them taking Lawrence for a drink in a pub to cheer him up. Not that she believed Alan would be so naughty but Harry was very persuasive.
Celia noticed something with Caroline as she usually did. She could tell when Caroline was putting on a face for the public.
"Something bothering you love?"
Caroline looked down at the floor and relayed the details of their meet with Mrs French, the meeting of the board of governors and her sadness at what Helena would face in the future.
Celia could see the heaviness it had left on Caroline's face.
"I know times have moved on and my views may be a little old-fashioned love. It can take time for folks to adjust. It seems to be everywhere now and you never saw such things in my day. Maybe this woman is simply living in the past."
Caroline didn't answer at first. She leaned forward on the sofa and placed her hand together. She looked her mother in the eye as is ready for a battle and Celia sensed the change in body language.
"Mum. I know we've had our disagreements over this but my frustration is not about people's bigoted views or prejudices. I understand that there are older generations who haven't seen or experienced gay couples. My frustration is simply that people feel they have the right to air their bigoted views openly with no concern for anyone's feelings. I pray that time will move on enough for Helena so that she doesn't face the open prejudice on account of me or Kate."
Celia placed Helena back into her carry cot and sat to face her daughter again.
"Caroline has Lawrence spoke to you about how things have been at school for him?"
Caroline looked down again not wishing to face Lawrence's pain yet again.
"You know he's had his fair share of problems with John's behaviour and he's also had issues at school. He's frightened of letting you know the full extend because he doesn't want to upset you. He's really only still a boy with the weight of a man on his shoulders."
Caroline became upset with her mum. "I know mum. We have talked and it tears my heart that he suffers because of me. I feel responsible but I can't change the views of current society. I can however, show the young impressionable people in the school that I'm proud of my love for Kate. Lawrence has met other boys who have gay parents and they've offered him their support."
"Well it seems you have it all worked out."
"Mum please don't be like this. The one person I really need on my side now is you."
"I am on your side and I love you to bits. I'm just worried about you, that's all. Isn't a mother allowed to worry about her daughter?"
Caroline smiled understanding her mother loved her and she was simply worried.
"We're going to see Grace soon. Would you like to come or do you have plans?"
Celia smiled. "I came to see you but if you and Kate want to go on your own I can stay here and look after Helena for you. I can make you both something nice for tea too."
Caroline smiled and got up from the sofa. "Thanks mum. I'll go ask Kate and let you know. Is that okay?"
"Mmm. Don't take too long up there."
Caroline joined Kate in the bedroom. Kate was fully dressed and had just finished tidying up the room. She heard Caroline on the stairs and looked up to see her enter the bedroom. "Is everything alright? You look flustered."
Caroline fell onto the newly made bed and called out in frustration. "I told mum about Mrs French and she started to question our relationship again."
Kate sat beside her and placed comforting arm around her. Caroline leaned into Kate's arms and relished the contact and the love.
Caroline knew her mother meant well and she said she was happy they're together but every time she mentioned conflict from others she seems to fall back to her old views. It took Caroline back to when she had come home from university and told her how she really felt. She didn't want to hide things from Kate but she didn't want to burden Kate when her mother was so ill.
"I'm tired Kate."
Kate kissed the top of Caroline's head, taking in the scent of her. "I know. I'm sorry. I've really put you through the mill lately."
"No you haven't. Of all the things that have happened recently, the one thing I hold on to is having you back in my life and Helena. I really do want to spend the rest of my life with you. So please don't apologise. You haven't done anything wrong."
Caroline pulled away to check her lover's face and felt re-assured to see Kate smiling. Kate gently stroked Caroline's cheek.
"Okay. Are you going to get a shower and change? We need to make a move soon. Is your mum coming with us? I'm sure mum would love to see Celia again."
Caroline got up and began to undress grabbing a towel Kate and got for her. "Well. Mum has offered to look after Helena while we visit your mum. She also offered to make tea for us for when we get back. So, do you want to leave Helena or take her with us to see your mum?"
Kate wasn't sure what to do for the best. "I'm not sure. If mum's in good spirits she would want to see Helena. But I don't want to tire Helena out. You decide."
Caroline walked out onto the landing and into the bathroom. Kate followed her into the bathroom. A small smirk appeared across her face. "Do you want me to wash the parts you can't reach?"
Caroline laughed. "Not with my mother down stairs. I've already been caught out once and she warned us to behave just now! We could leave Helena here with my mum then enjoy being spoilt by mum later. What do you think?"
"That sounds nice. I'll leave you to it and join your mum. Don't be too long."
Kate entered the living room to find Celia holding Helena trying to calm her cries. "I think she needs feeding love."
Kate took the crying infant from Celia's arms and proceeded to remove her cardigan and open her top. Celia quickly left the room much to Kate's amusement. Helena settled immediately suckling her mother.
Celia called out. "Would you like a cup of tea love?"
Kate smiled at her beautiful daughter. Admiring her dark lashes and enquiring eyes. "No thank you Celia." Mischief took Kate over and she walked into the kitchen to where Celia was standing. Celia immediately looked away not wishing to stare at Kate's exposed breast.
Not wishing to make a big deal of it Kate changed the focus. "I think it's best if Helena comes with us to the hospital. I could express some milk off for her but we haven't tried her on a teat yet so I'm sure she would take to it. You're welcome to come with us. I'm sure mum would love to see you again."
Celia looked up at Kate. "It would be nice to see her again. I'll only stay a short while. I could then get something to cook for tonight on the way back. I want to return the favour, what with our Caroline cooking a fabulous Christmas dinner for us all. What do you think?"
Kate smiled. "That would be lovely Celia. I know Caroline is very tired and she usually cooks."
"Right then, that sounds like a plan".
Alan watched the stillness of the water from the Canal boat. Lawrence with matching fishing rod had positioned his seat next to his step-grandfather's.
Harry mouthed to Alan as he looked over his should, "I'll leave you to it."
Right then you two. I'm going t' shops to stock up for tea. How does egg and chips sound?"
Alan nudged Lawrence who wasn't listening. "Egg and chips sound good to you lad?"
Lawrence nodded and turned back to the spot on the water where the line disapeared below the surface.
"Alright Harry. See you in a bit."
Harry mouthed to his best friend, "Is he alright?"
Alan waved him on and shook his head.
"Well lad they're not biting today."
There was no reply from Lawrence. He continued his vigil with his line and the surface.
"I reacon our Grace will be right as rain in a few days lad. Look at me, I was there and I'm full o' beans now."
Again Alan's attempts to raise Lawrence fell on deaf ears. The silence stretched out for some time. Alan spent the time contemplating what to say next without being obvious. He was interupted in his thoughts by Lawrence.
"Did you have gays and lesbians in the olden days Alan?"
Alan laughed and play punched Lawrence. "Less of the old you cheeky thing."
Lawrence smiled. "Did you though?"
"We never knew people were. Folk weren't so open in them days. Thing is lad there have been people who like the same as them since ancient times. Nowa days its more open and people aren't ashamed. Quite rightly so I might add. Love is love son."
Again the silence stretched out again. This time Alan left Lawrence to take his own time.
"They call me names at school, fagot and puff boy. I don't tell mum 'cos I don't want her to know they're mean to me. She said she could handle it but I know she would hit the roof with them."
"Well when you say them, I guess that isn't everyone who does it. You must have friends who understand. How about Angus, he seems a real nice lad?"
"Yeah Angus is brill. He got into trouble for hitting of of them who shouted fagot at me. He tool detention but wouldn't let me tell Mrs Brown the reason why."
Alan smiled. "He sounds like the type of friend a lad needs when he's troubled by things. Things he can't control or maybe don't understand very well. I had a mate at school, James Spencer. When I wrote to Celia asking her to meet me James took me fishing".
Lawrence laughed. "Where they biting then? The fish!"
"No!"