I do not own these characters, except one, they belong to Channel 7

Chapter 4 – The Wedding

Charlotte had never been happier in the three weeks since Caitlin proposed. Tomorrow they were off on their well deserved two week vacation to Byron Bay and how Charlotte was looking forward to being alone with her fiancé. "Fiancé. I like that word. I never thought I could be so happy. To meet the woman of my dreams, have her fall in love with me and now at some stage marry her. It's like a dream come true." said Charlotte to herself.

Looking at the woman lying next to her, with the dark strands of hair covering the pillow, Charlotte was never more proud of her lover than at this moment. She gently began to trace her lover's body with her fingers, arousing the same feelings in her body she had experienced the day Caitlin had proposed to her. Slowly she moved her hand down towards Caitlin's breasts and began to massage her nipples. Caitlin began to groan with pleasure and move her body to the rhythm of Charlotte's caressing. Slowly Charlotte moved her hand down Caitlin's stomach and moving her head towards Caitlin began to kiss her slowly. Caitlin grabbed Charlotte with both hands and began to kiss her passionately all the while Charlotte was moving her hand further and further towards Caitlin's womanhood. After gentle strokes, she moved her hand and with expert fingers was inside the woman she loved. She moved in and out of Caitlin to a steady rhythm whose breathing had become ragged and the groans of pleasure became louder and louder, until she could feel Caitlin's body give itself up and produce an orgasm that even Charlotte hadn't realized was possible! It was at this precise moment that Charlotte felt her own body give in and she joined Caitlin in orgasm heaven.

"Wow, Charlotte, where did that come from?" asked a very happy but exhausted Caitlin.

"I was just looking at you lying here beside me and an overwhelming sense of pride came over me. I wanted you at that minute and besides, wasn't it nice to be woken like that?" responded Charlotte.

"You can say that again, I feel fantastic and believe me I will repay the compliment one of these days when you least expect it!"

Charlotte and Caitlin lay in each others arms and drifted back to sleep. Two hours later they were both awake and decided they had better get up and start their packing. By the middle of the afternoon, both Caitlin and Charlotte had finished, with Caitlin telling Charlotte to bring the cream suit with her because Charlotte looked like a million dollars in this outfit and without giving away the secret, she just said that she wanted to show off her girlfriend to everyone.

While Charlotte was in the shower, Caitlin made a quick call to Terri to check that everything was in place for the following Saturday. The guys were coming down to Byron Bay on Saturday morning and staying until Sunday. They had been told to avoid Charlotte at all costs if they couldn't keep the secret and at one point Sterlo nearly gave the game away by saying he would see her next weekend. Charlotte wasn't sure what he was talking about and said she would be on vacation which the guys managed to convince her that Sterlo had completely lost the plot, as Charlotte didn't even work weekends anymore. It seemed to work and Charlotte was enjoying the last few days stuck in her office doing paperwork before heading off on her much deserved two week break. How she was looking forward to it and it would take another surprise to show Charlotte just how much Caitlin meant to her and that nobody was going to put any obstacles in their path in future, or so she thought!

The day had finally arrived when Caitlin and Charlotte could set off on their two week break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. No matter what happened Charlotte was determined that this was going to the best holiday she had had. Three hours after leaving their apartment, Caitlin and Charlotte arrived at the Conrad and booked into their room. There was champagne, chocolates and a basket of fruit waiting for them and no doubt before they went to bed the corner would be turned down and a chocolate left on the pillow. This was going to cost them a fortune but under the circumstances they didn't care about money – it was going to be the most romantic time they had spent with each other in the four years they had been together.

Charlotte couldn't believe how quickly the week was going. It was already Thursday and they still had so much to do. "Caitlin, will we ever see all that we want before we have to go home?" asked Charlotte in a rather sombre mood.

"Of course we will, sweetheart, we still have a week and a half before heading back" replied Caitlin. What she hadn't told Charlotte was that it had been agreed that they would take three weeks and the rest of the staff would cover Charlotte's patients at the hospital. "Next time, we can go to Europe and see all the romantic cities, like Paris, Rome, and Venice. Wouldn't that be great Charlotte?" asked Caitlin hoping she was going to get the answer she wanted.

"I think it will take us some time to recover from this vacation, but yes strolling hand in hand with you along the Champs Elysée, St Peter's Square and the Piazza San Marco are some of the most romantic venues that I would love to be seen with you, but I think it will have to wait a while." replied Charlotte.

For the next day or so, Caitlin began to liaise secretly with the hotel manager about all the arrangements for the reception. She wanted everything to be perfect so that on Saturday Charlotte would get the second biggest surprise of her life.

Saturday morning dawned and with the weather looking set, Caitlin could hardly control her nerves. "How am I going to get her into the suit on a day like this?"

"What are you talking about sweetheart, I not wearing a suit until this evening when I can show you off at the fancy dinner you were talking about." responded Charlotte.

Suddenly Caitlin had an idea, "I'm sorry, babe, but unfortunately we have to attend a posh do at the marina at 3.00 pm before we even contemplate going to that restaurant. I promised my friend I would be there and I don't want to let him down." came Caitlin's reply.

"Honey, can't you go by yourself?" replied Charlotte.

"No Charlotte, you are coming with me so that I can show the world my beautiful girlfriend"

"All right" Charlotte replied in a rather nonchalant way.

"I'm just going down to reception for a minute, don't move!" was Caitlin's reply.

"I'm not going anywhere without you" said Charlotte.

"Damn right you're not!" said Caitlin.

Down at reception Caitlin was talking to the manager as they were just getting the sign up in the foyer for the guests to follow. "Beaumont/Rainey Wedding – Function Room 2". All seemed to be perfect and a few of the guys from the hospital had been spotted by Caitlin hanging around the bar, so she decided to go over and speak to them.

"Hey guys, thanks for coming but don't get too drunk before the ceremony!" pleaded Caitlin.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them" said Von who was by far the most sensible of the lot in the bar at that moment.

"Well, I'd better go up and get Charlotte ready, without explaining what we are actually doing" said Caitlin.

Back up in the hotel room Charlotte was beginning to get anxious. She thought she spotted Sterlo ambling up the driveway but surely she had to be mistaken? At that moment Caitlin appeared in the room and was greeted by questions from Charlotte :

"Caitlin, was that Sterlo I saw coming up the drive? What's going on? Something gives"

"Ok, Ok, look I didn't want to tell you, but the lads organized a bit of a do up here the same weekend we were on vacation. They thought it would be a good laugh to play "gooseberry" to us! I didn't tell you because I didn't want to spoil the occasion. Look, we are having such a wonderful time, let's just get dressed and go the party. It's almost 2.30 pm!" said Caitlin.

Charlotte begrudgingly put on her cream suit and by the time she was finished with makeup she looked to Caitlin like the most beautiful woman in the world. Now it was time to take Charlotte down to the Marina and pray she wouldn't get cold feet and walk out.

"Let's go out the back way so if any of the boys are around they won't spot us" said Caitlin, hoping this would be a good enough explanation. She didn't want Charlotte to see the board in reception as she wanted it to be a complete surprise for her lover.

After a short walk down to the marina, Caitlin heard Charlotte let out a scream, as she saw in front of her a sign :

The Wedding of Dr Charlotte Beaumont and Caitlin Rainey

Saturday 19th June 2004

Byron Bay

"Caitlin, what's going on?" pleaded Charlotte

"It's another surprise from me to you" replied Caitlin, "Everyone's here and at 3.45 pm this afternoon, you will be my wife and I yours and tomorrow afternoon we are getting on a plane and heading to Europe for a two week honeymoon."

"Caitlin, I have only booked another week off, we can't, how can we?" rambled Charlotte.

"Easy, breathe slowly. The guys have agreed to cover your patients and Terri cleared it with HR. So you see Charlotte, there is nothing to stop this happening unless you have changed your mind?" replied Caitlin.

"No, I haven't, well you certainly thought of everything. I can't believe I found you. Nothing is going to stop me. I love you." said Charlotte.

"Well then, we better get going" said Caitlin, smiling like a Cheshire Cat, as they heard the applause as they walked hand in hand along the path.

Chapter 4 – The Wedding Ceremony