Chapter 12

"Hello," said Celia.

"Can I come in?" Kate was determined to be civil.

Celia opened the door wide and gestured for her to come in. Kate walked in to the living area as Celia closed the door behind her.

"Is Alan around?"

"He's having a nap." Celia sat down and Kate did the same. On the way over Kate had thought about what she was going to say. She sat there thinking about how to begin when Celia solved the problem for her.

"So what can I do for you?" It wasn't said with the warmest tone of voice.

"You and I have something in common," Kate said, trying hard not to feel intimidated under Celia's unflinching gaze.

"Oh, what's that?"

"We both love Caroline," she said simply and she noticed Celia's face soften slightly. She could not argue with that.

"Did she send you?"

"No, she doesn't know I'm here. After Caroline came home from seeing you today she was upset. She loves you very much and it upsets her when you don't accept who she is."

"You mean a lesbian," Celia said, slightly wincing at the sound of the word coming out of her mouth.

"Yes. We are buying a house together and we are going to make a life together and we, both of us, want you to be a part of that life. Caroline and I will be bringing up Flora together and we very much want you to be a part of her life, you and Alan. We want you to be her grandparents. Caroline is happy Celia, surely that is the most important thing." Kate stopped and tried to gauge Celia's facial expression but she could not tell what she was thinking, she wasn't giving anything away, she also wasn't saying anything either which Kate took to be a positive sign.

"She misses you Celia, it would be nice if you and Alan could join us next Sunday for lunch," Kate stood up to go.

"Do you think coming here will make a difference?" Celia said quietly.

"No" said Kate, "but your daughter's happiness should make a difference. I'd better go, goodbye Celia."

"Goodbye," replied Celia as she watched Kate leave.

Celia stood at the door thinking about what Kate had said. She had to admit she was right, they did both love Caroline and she did only want her to be happy. Why was she standing in the way of that? She turned around and jumped at the sight of Alan looking at her with a smile on his face.

"Alan you frightened me," she said putting her hand up to her chest, "how long have you been standing there?"

"Do you know I would be thrilled if somebody loved our Gillian the way Kate loves Caroline. How many people would have the courage to come over here and face you on their own?" He said with a knowing smile.

"I think we should go to Caroline and Kate's for lunch next week," she said with an air of nonchalance as she picked up her cup and walked into the kitchen with it.

"Whatever you say love," he said, noticing her use of both of their names for the first time.

oOo

Kate stood at the back door watching Caroline, Flora and Flora's big teddy having a picnic.

"Do you need an invitation for this party or can anyone join in?" Kate asked as she sat down on the blanket next to Caroline.

"That depends," said Caroline eyeing Kate suspiciously.

"On what?" Kate sensed this wasn't playful banter.

"On whether you are going to be honest and tell me what really happened this afternoon."

"Oh that was nothing Caroline, we needed bread that is all." Kate said, trying and failing to convince Caroline.

"It wasn't nothing to me Kate. It was as if you couldn't wait to get away from me. I thought we were going to celebrate this afternoon." Caroline got up and walked back into the house.

"Caroline wait, we can still celebrate," but it was no use Caroline didn't stop and Kate couldn't chase after her because of Flora.

"Come on sweetheart, shall we go inside," Kate picked Flora up and carried her back to the house.

Kate put Flora on her playmat and sat down. Caroline was upstairs and Kate decided to let her calm down before talking to her.

A minute later Caroline was standing in the doorway with her bag in her hand and her coat on.

"Kate I think I should go, I haven't been home for a while."

Kate stood up and walked towards her, "I thought you were home."

"There is no telling what John will do to the house if I'm not there."

"Since when do you care what John does? Flora wants you to read her a bedtime story tonight."

"No, don't do that," Caroline turned and made her way to the front door, "don't bring Flora into this."

"Caroline, I'm not entirely sure what 'this' is," said Kate following her.

Caroline, who had her hand on the door handle turned to face Kate. "I checked the bread bin, we have plenty of bread and you didn't bring any in, which means you lied to me and I had enough lies when I lived with John. Why can't you tell me where you were today?"

"I went to see your mother," said Kate, deciding honesty was the best policy.

"What, today? Why?"

"Because I am fed up with seeing how she makes you feel."

Caroline didn't know what to say.

"Are you going to leave or are we going to celebrate?" Said Kate.

"You made it perfectly clear earlier that you weren't interested in celebrating."

Kate let out an exasperated sigh and then grabbed both sides of Caroline's face and kissed her.

"For God's sake Caroline, there will never come a time when I am not interested in celebrating with you, even when we have nothing to celebrate," she kissed her again to drive her point home.

"And you won't be needing this," Kate pulled Caroline's coat off and threw it over the banister. She then took hold of her hand and led her into the living room and pulled her onto the sofa.

"What did you say to my Mother?" Caroline asked.

"I told her that I loved you."

"Oh, I bet that went down well," Caroline said sarcastically.

"Well it is fair to say she didn't say much. I told her we both wanted her and Alan to be a part of our lives and a part of Flora's life and then I invited her over for lunch next week."

Caroline sat back, she was so touched that Kate would go and see her Mother on her behalf.

"I can't believe you would do that."

"Nobody is going to hurt you Caroline."

Caroline gently put her hand on Kate's cheek, "shall we put Flora to bed early."

They both smiled at each other.

oOo

"Caroline it looks fine," an exasperated Kate said as she looked at the table that Caroline had just spent the last half an hour laying, "it's only Sunday lunch."

"Do you think these candles look okay here or would they be better further down the table?" She picked up the two candles and was debating in which position they looked better.

Kate took the candles off of Caroline and put them back where they were.

"Caroline they look fine, the whole table does, so just relax," she kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

"I just want everything to be perfect."

"I know you do but things are never perfect. They will just have to take us as they find us. Accept us for who we are."

Caroline was pretty certain that Kate was no longer talking about the table setting. At that moment the doorbell rang and they both looked at each other knowing this was it. The moment of truth.

"Don't worry, it will be fine," said Kate, giving her a last kiss before Caroline went to open the door.

Caroline led her Mum and Alan into the living room where Kate and Flora were sitting. Greetings and introductions to Flora were made and Alan, who loved babies, instantly made a fuss of Flora. Caroline noticed Celia was a couple of steps behind Alan and her hello's seemed to be less enthusiastic than his.

"Right lets get you both some tea," said Kate getting up, "Caroline would you mind giving me a hand?"

Caroline briefly looked strangely at Kate wondering why she needed help with such a simple thing as tea before she replied, "of course." She got up and followed Kate to the kitchen.

"Shouldn't one of us stay in there?" Caroline asked.

Kate, who had made no attempt to start the tea, walked over to Caroline and kissed her. Caroline responded. Kate with her arms loosely around Caroline's waist smiled a knowing smile.

"We need to give our ace in the pack a few minutes to work her magic," said Kate.

For a brief moment Caroline thought Kate had lost her senses but then she remembered who their ace was, Flora.

"I like your thinking Miss McKenzie."

"Thank you Dr Dawson, but I think we should probably start the tea."

When Caroline walked back into the living room she was staggered to see the scene in front of her. Alan and her Mum were sitting on the sofa with Flora on her Mum's lap. Flora was in her element, loving the attention that was being lavished on her. Caroline looked at Kate who was smiling that knowing smile again as if to say 'I told you so'.

The lunch progressed well and Caroline was amazed at the good behaviour of her Mother. She had expected the worst and prepared herself to give as good as she got. Her Mother hadn't said anything negative and seemed absolutely enchanted by Flora, who in turn had formed an instant bond with both Alan and Celia. At one point during the meal Kate had absent mindedly taken hold of Caroline's hand, Caroline had glanced at her Mother to see if there was a reaction, it had been hard to gauge her reaction as she remained tight lipped and while she hadn't looked exactly enthusiastic about it she hadn't made a face or said anything either, which Caroline took to be a positive development. Dare she hope that things could change, that finally her Mother might accept her for who she truly was?

It was such a difference from the last dinner they had all shared together, when Alan and Celia had met Kate for the first time. Caroline chased that memory from her mind and focused on the present. For the first time she felt optimistic about the future with her Mum as a part of their lives. However, she knew there was still one hurdle to clear; they still had to tell them they were getting married.

They had both decided they would tell them after lunch. Kate looked over at Caroline when everyone was finishing their meal and noticed tension on her face. She was undoubtedly nervous about the reaction of Celia. Kate took her hand again and flashed her special smile that she reserved only for Caroline in an attempt to show she wasn't alone and that she was there for her. Caroline smiled back and seemed to visibly relax.

Everyone was settled in the living room with their coffee. Alan and Celia were playing with Flora again and the room echoed to the sound of Flora's laughter. Kate made sure everyone had a drink and then sat down next to Caroline. Caroline's face betrayed her feelings to Kate. Her insides were churning at the thought of what her Mother would say about their imminent announcement. Kate understood her feelings and took her hand to let her know she was there for her. Caroline instantly felt better as she always did when she felt Kate's touch. Kate looked at Caroline and nodded. Caroline cleared her throat.

"Um, Mum, Alan," they both looked up, "Kate and I have an announcement," Caroline gripped Kate's hand as if she was clinging on for dear life.

All eyes were now focused on Caroline, who wondered if she should stand up, she quickly decided against it.

"The thing is, Kate and I are going to get married," she felt like she had rushed her words but one look at Kate told her she hadn't.

"Married," Celia said and Caroline could not work out how she felt.

"Congratulations to both of you," Alan said as he got up and kissed them both.

Celia was slower in getting up but when she did she hugged Kate and Caroline.

"Congratulations," she said, "does this mean this little one can call me Grandma?" She picked Flora up from the floor.

Caroline could not believe what she was hearing.

"You see," Kate whispered to Caroline, "our ace did the trick."