This is the last chapter, it's a bit of fluff but I felt I needed to complete this story. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read it and review it. Your views have been most welcome.

Chapter 14

Caroline knew she was late as she hurried down the corridor, the sound of her heels echoing in the quiet hallway. She reached the doors of the assembly hall and pushed them open. It was dark but she knew where her seat was. She sat down as the first of the children started to troop across the stage.

"You're late," whispered Kate.

"They've just started haven't they, I haven't missed anything," Caroline whispered back.

Kate gave Caroline a sceptical look, "where were you?" She asked.

"I got a bit caught up, last minute Governor emergency."

"Sshhh, it's started," a woman sitting behind them leant forward to admonish them and tell them to be quiet.

Caroline started to turn around to answer her back but Kate, who sensed there could be an argument about to start, stopped her by taking her hand and rubbing her thumb across it in the way that Caroline loved. She looked at Kate, which calmed her down, as it always did, and decided against causing a scene. They were here for Flora after all. She smiled at Kate and they both turned their heads back to the stage.

Flora walked on to join the rest of her class on stage as they performed the Nativity. She was playing an angel and she was wearing a white dress and wings which Caroline had spent most of Saturday afternoon making. Flora loved her wings and hadn't wanted to take them off, even wanting to sleep in them. It had taken a patient explanation from Kate about not wanting to ruin them before her big performance, to persuade her to take them off.

Both women were bursting with pride as they watched their daughter on the stage. Caroline felt tears prickle the back of her eyes and wiped away a stray tear that had escaped. She thought no one had seen but Kate had and seeing Caroline so emotional watching their daughter made her heart swell.

When the performance was over they went to find Flora, but her whole class had been taken off by their teacher to their classroom and the parents were left to mingle with each other while they waited.

"So what happened?" Asked Kate.

"Oh Gavin phoned just as I was leaving."

Kate smiled wryly which put Caroline on the defensive.

"I didn't miss anything," she protested, "anyway….." But Caroline could not finish her sentence because a woman she did not know suddenly appeared next to them.

"Kate, how are you?" The woman said as she air kissed both of Kate's cheeks. Caroline looked on with a bemused expression, Kate obviously knew this person but she found her very rude for interrupting them.

"Amanda, how are you?" Replied Kate, sensing Caroline's annoyance. She was about to introduce them and try to nip a potential scene in the bud, but she couldn't because Amanda kept talking, oblivious to Caroline's presence.

"They were so adorable, I spent hours making Robert's costume, well Magda did. If you can't use the nanny at times like this when can you?" She laughed at what she had said.

"Excuse me but Kate and I were in the middle of a conversation," Caroline couldn't stand it any longer and had to say something.

Kate let out a sigh, she knew nothing could stop Caroline now; she would just have to let it play out. Although seeing her like this was one of the reason she loved her so much, she stood up for herself and didn't let anyone walk over her.

"I beg your pardon," Amanda said, not used to anyone talking to her in this way.

"Kate and I were talking and you interrupted us," reiterated Caroline, talking to her as if she was one of her students at school.

Kate stood back slightly, a smile playing on her lips. She loved watching her magnificent Caroline in full flow.

"Who are you?" Said Amanda dismissively.

"Who am I?" Said Caroline incredulously, about to let Amanda have it with both barrels.

"Yes, I know everyone at this school but I don't know you, so why are you here?"

Caroline was enjoying this exchange and was about to tell her exactly who she was, when the children started filing into the room each one looking for their parents.

"Mummy," Flora said as she flew at Caroline, who lifted her up and twirled her around.

"Did you see me Mummy?" Flora asked.

"Of course I did sweetheart, I saw the whole thing, and do you know what?" Caroline said as she lowered her voice as if she was about to impart a great secret, even though everyone could hear her.

"What?" Said Flora barely able to contain her excitement.

"You were the best," Caroline said to which Flora responded by giggling and burying her face in Caroline's neck.

Kate was watching the touching scene between her wife and daughter with such pride and love for both of them. They had all come a long way.

Amanda was also looking on at Caroline and Flora's exchange, confusion written all over her face. "What's going on?" She asked.

Caroline, who had forgotten Amanda was standing next to them, saw the look of utter bewilderment on her face. "I think that answers your question as to who I am. I am Flora's Mum."

"No, no, Kate is Flora's Mum," Amanda said.

"Are you seriously telling me that I am not her Mum?" Caroline said, careful not to raise her voice as she held Flora.

"It's Mummy," Flora said helpfully as she clung tighter to Caroline.

"But, but," said Amanda at a loss for words as she looked from Kate to Caroline as if she was watching a tennis match on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. "I know every parent at this school so you can't be."

"Amanda, this is my wife Caroline," Kate said as she stepped forward, deciding to put Amanda out of her misery. Flora put her arm around Kate's neck so she was in-between both Caroline and Kate.

"Oh," said Amanda still at a loss for words and desperate to get away from a situation where she didn't have the upper hand, "well I should go and find Robert." With that she was gone.

Caroline smiled at Kate wanting to say more than she could with Flora there.

"No need to be so triumphal," Kate said trying not to smile, but she couldn't stop herself as the edges of her mouth turned upwards.

"Sweetheart you were brilliant," Kate said to Flora as she flung both her arms around Kate's neck hugging her for all she was worth.

oOo

Caroline walked down the stairs and into the living room. She had just put Flora to bed. Kate was sitting on the sofa having just poured the two of them a glass of wine. Caroline sat down next to her.

"How was Flora?" Asked Kate.

"Fine," said Caroline taking a sip of her wine. "She was so tired; she was asleep before I finished the first page of her book." Caroline put her glasses on to read the newspaper that Kate had left on the table.

"She's had an exciting day," Kate said as she looked sideways at Caroline reading. "Talking of which," she said as she moved closer to Caroline. She reached up and took her glasses off and then kissed her.

"What was that for?" Caroline asked.

"You are magnificent. Watching you today in full flow dealing with that woman, you were amazing and I love you."

"I love you too Kate."