'Lawrence' called Caroline up the stairs 'Lawrence!' she repeated, bellowing a little more this time. The floor creaked a little as his head popped over the banister at the top. Kate had taken Florence to a baby swimming class. Occasionally Caroline and Lawrence would join them but this time they had made valid excuses and let the pair go alone.

'Were you shouting me Ma?' he questioned, smiling.

'I think the people in Australia could hear me, I was shouting that loud!' Her son raised his eyebrow as he raced down the stairs, jumping on top of his mother and holding her tightly. 'Lawrence Elliott! You'll break my back in a minute' he slid off and stood next to her, his arms still draped around the woman's next.

'Oh you do exaggerated Ma' Lawrence headed in the direction of the kitchen. As Caroline reached the same room as him he already had his head stuck deep in the double fridge searching for yet more food to eat. She grabbed the back of his t-shirt and pulled him out.

'I don't think so, young man' he looked at her pleadingly 'You can have the rest of that chocolate once I've run through next Saturday's timetable' he rolled his eyes at such words. The woman sat on one of the kitchen stools whilst Lawrence poured himself a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. 'Now, by my calculations Kate should leave here with Florence at approximately half past eleven. I've told her that I can't join them because I have a meeting with the board of governors, I think she bought it.' Her son jumped up and sat on the opposite work surface, watching his mum carefully 'You'll go with her so that once the class is finished you can delay her coming home. Don't forget to take your swimming trunks because you know how much Flo loves having you in the water with them' information was reeled off without a pause for breath 'Willie and I will be here getting this place decorated and ready as well as welcoming the guests in. I've got caterers dropping the food off at two, Thea is sorting out the birthday cake and Mum and Alan are dealing with desserts and so on. If you could keep Kate away from the house until at least half past three then we won't run the risk of ruining the surprise'

'Yes Ma! Anything else Ma?' he queried sarcastically, his arm in the ait saluting the woman.

'Have you bought her a present? Or at the very least a present?' she continued

'It's all under control, don't worry. I spoke to Will on the phone and we've got it covered' he paused, looking down at his lap briefly before looking back at his mum 'You really love her, don't you mum?'

Caroline looked up from her precisely planned timetable, taken a back. She had had similar conversations with William but never with her youngest, trickier son 'I do, Lawrence. Why do you ask?'

'I've never seen you as happy as you are these days. A while back William had a chat with me, not long after I figured out you were seeing Kate. He made me realise that you really were- are happy and that none of us should get in the way of that. It took me a while to except that dad could never make you that happy, that somebody could replace his position-'

'Nobody will ever replace your dad, Lawrence. He will always be your dad. The one you go to for advice on girls, the one who taught you to ride a bike and who watched you kick your first football'

'I know that now mum' Lawrence persevered 'So I decided I ought to give Kate a chance. I'm so glad I did mum. Her and baby Florence have bought more to our lives than I ever realised they would. You more than anybody deserve you be happy'

The blonde haired woman, from where she sat, held out her arms to the boy. He slid off the workbench and entered her arms where they stood embraced in one another. 'I love you Lawrence, and William. Everything I do is for both of you, and now for Kate and Florence' She looked into his eyes, her beautiful boy 'One last thing, I need you to pick up your suit from the dry-cleaners' Lawrence laughed at the request- back to business.

Lawrence opened the front door to a gurgling Florence who's eyes lit up at the sight of the her big brother. She was passed into his arms as Kate entered the house and went to put their swimming things into the washing machine.

'Hello there monster Florence Olivia Elliott- McKenzie' he babbled with a high pitched tone. From where he stood he could see his mum and Kate kissing over the kitchen worktop; he smiled to himself before sitting on the stairs with his sister on his lap. 'What have I got here?' he questioned. Knowing he wouldn't get a response he pulled out a bunny from behind his back and pretended to make it jump on Florence's head and shoulders 'Is this bunny? Bunny's been waiting for you to come home' He hid it once again to which the girl's facial expressions went blank as she got confused over the sudden disappearance of her favourite stuffed toy. When Lawrence bought it back into her sight she giggled loudly and looked adoringly at the boy.

'Lawrence, can you put Flo down for a nap before tea' ordered Caroline who was laughing a little as Kate rubbed her shoulders. He did as he was asked and carried her up the stairs, talking to her as he did. The teenager loved watching the baby fall to sleep; watching her go from this active human to a sleeping infant in minutes. After laying her down carefully and placing her blanket over her he sat on the floor next to the cot. Florence watched him intensely. He spoke softly to her, any random words that came to him. Within minutes she had slipped off into a peaceful sleep. Lawrence stayed sat there for a while before he quietly moved away to join his parents.

'Kate, can I join you and Florence at the swimming class next week?' he asked, sitting down in leather armchair. Both his parents were curled up on the sofa watching the news. The boy knew the answer would be yes; he couldn't recall the last time Kate had declined anything he had asked of her.

'Of course you can. Florence loves it when you get in the water with her' she explained, agreeing to the suggestion 'As long as you don't have too much homework'

'I wish I could join the three of you' added Caroline, her hand stroking Kate's cheek 'But this Governors just can't be moved' she lied, winking at her son who had suppress his laugh 'I can take her the week after if you want to go out somewhere?'

'We'll see' replied her wife

'So, what's for tea?' inquired Lawrence, food never far from his mind. Florence, just on cue, started to whimper through the baby monitor.

'I'll go' insisted the older woman 'You two can sort of what we're going to eat'

A week later and, having completed all of his homework in record time; Lawrence joined Kate and his adored baby sister at their swimming class. He had dived around the pool like a fish, playing with the cheery baby who seemed to love the water almost as much as she loved her brother. Kate had sat on the side of the pool for a majority of the time watching-no, marvelling at the sight.

After following Kate, with Florence on her hip, into what seemed to be a quiet and deserted house Lawrence left their bags by the door. 'If you go in to the living room I'll bring you a cup of tea through' he suggested. All the doors were closed. He watched as she got closer and closer to the living room door. As she opened it a chorus of 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' flew at her. Lawrence smiled to himself, pleased they had managed to successfully pull off the surprise.

'C-Caroline?' she stuttered a little as Caroline kissed her cheek and handed her a glass of wine, taking their daughter from her clutches 'Is this down to you? Did you plan this?'

'Happy Birthday Darling' she uttered. In the room stood their parents, family and friends; dozens upon dozens had turned up and hidden their cars in order to surprise such a dear friend. That same morning they had lazed in bed longer than usual as Kate opened presents and cars; her first 'Mummy' birthday card has been tearfully received.

Kate turned around to face Lawrence who couldn't help but smile, a glint in his eye 'Did you know about this, Lawrence?' she questioned playfully.

'Don't look at me! I was only doing as I was told' he hurriedly spat out before walking off for first dibs of the buffet in the kitchen. Meanwhile the girl in Caroline's arms started to grizzle, bored of the lack of attention she was receiving.

'Hey- hey Miss Florence Olivia' started her older mother 'Didn't we do well surprising mummy?' before relatives who had ever met the baby before poured around for their hold. Kate watched Caroline with their daughter. Exactly a year ago they had had an argument into a hotel foyer about her then girlfriend fighting to keep their relationship a secret; now they were married, had a home and a daughter.

'Happy Birthday Kate' murmered William from behind as she turned to look at him. Without having to say a word he explained his presence 'Roxy and I, and Roxy's family insisted on coming over for the evening. We couldn't miss your birthday, could we?' He handed her a small box with a ribbon on top 'And this is from Laurence, Florence and I' He leant over a bit and kissed her cheek.

'Oh William, you shouldn't have' the woman kissed him back and pulled him into her arms. On opening the box she found a gold chain necklace with three free hanging rings on them, each engraved with their names. 'It's gorgeous- it's absolutely gorgeous. Thank you'

'I hope you don't mind that I add mines and Lawrence's name to it. It seemed the right thing to do, after all you are our second mum' the man beamed at her, glad she liked the present.

'No-no. Don't be daft. You, Lawrence and Flo are all my children, and I love you all equally' her kind stepson helped her do the clasp on the necklace around her neck. 'I'll treasure this, I promise'

Their beautiful encounter was interrupted by her head teacher of a wife who tapped a metal spoon against her champagne glass. 'Right-right, I won't keep you long; I know how much you're all dying to finish off your food and start on the desserts. I'd like to thank you all for coming to make this surprise so-so perfect for Kate. I know we only married a few months ago, but the last year itself has taught me so much. It's taught me that I cannot live without this beautiful woman whom I get the pleasure of calling my wife. I see her with our daughter and only know do I understand what love is' Caroline paused to look at the woman she was talking about 'I was talking to our boys recently and we summarised that Kate and Florence complete the Elliott-McKenzie family. You know as well as I do how special Kate is, how magnificent everything is about her so I won't ramble on and bore you all. Please raise your glasses to my wife, Kate; Happy Birthday!' Everybody lifted their glasses of alcohol and repeated with the married couple kissed.

Throughout the evening they all had chance to catch up with people they maybe hadn't seen in some time. William took the time to entertain his baby sister; she had changed so much since he had seen her a few short weeks ago. He had noticed she was becoming more vocal and had started to recognise familiar faces. Florence took great delight in listening to her eldest brother's voice; there was something about it that helped to calm her.