A small update :) sorry been busy the last few days so haven't had a chance to post. Thank you all for kind comments, I promise the suspense will not last much longer.
The first thing Gillian noticed was how it was almost instantaneous as if the air had been sucked from the room as their eyes met. She felt as if she was imposing a private moment as Kate rushed to Caroline's side, and slipped her arm around her waist. "It's ok I'm here" she whispered soothingly as Caroline finally calmed and wiping her face sat up straight, "I'm ok now, thank you". Her eyes meeting Gillian's conveying her support had been greatly needed, she turned to Kate. "This is Gillian she is my step sister, do your remember I told you about her, Kate smiled it's lovely to finally put a face to the name I've heard a lot about you". Kate smiled as Gillian surveyed her "and you must be Kate, like wise I have heard an awful lot about you it's nice to meet the one who has been looking after my Caroline".
Caroline watched the two women the two most loving and passionate women she had ever had the fortune to meet, and couldn't help but smile as they chatted comfortably together.
Caroline stood taking charge of herself once more, "right the boys will be back any minute I need to straighten myself out. I'm going to have to try an explain and then manage the backlash" she grimaced, Kate smiling reassuringly at her. "Well I can see you two ladies have it under control, so give me a ring if you need me Caroline". Kate smiled deciding to take her leave before intruding on a family moment, which she was sure would be difficult enough with out a strange neighbour loitering about.
An instinctive cry ripping from her throat before her conscious could contain it "No Kate stay!" she bowed her head shyly "please stay". Kate smiled "if you want me too of course I will, is Gillian not staying with you?", Gillian smiled. Caroline pulling Gillian into a hug "you will sTay with me too, I'm going to need your help with the boys. I'm so fed up of being alone, id really like the company. If it's still ok that is , if you can't thats ok too I don't want you too feel..."Caroline stuttered. "Caroline breathe, I will stay I want to be here for you and the boys, and I've drank too much to drive now anyway".
It wasn't long before the front door slammed shut as the boys piled in the front door, "hi boys how was rugby practice Lawerence?" she attempted to sound casual. "we lost, where's dad?" She felt Williams eyes on her, she knew he had picked up on the tension the last few months even if her youngest son was oblivious.
"Lawerence, William I need you to sit down", Caroline started as Kate and Gillian came down the stairs behind Caroline, "Auntie Gillian" lawerence squealed throwing himself in for a hug. "I didn't know you were here, why are you here?" He drew back "Hi Kate " So what do you need to talk to us about, are we having a party?" Lawrence smirked.
William gave Gillian a hug and settled at the table next Lawrence, as Gillian and Kate moved into the living room to give them some space.
"why's Gillian here, what's going on, where's dad?" Lawerence bombarded her with questions, whilst Williams hand slipped over his mothers "have you been crying mum. Tell us, we can handle it, what's happening... Is it dad?".
His grown up tone almost mislead her into thinking he was all grown before she lay her eyes upon, his young freckled face and realized how much growing he still had to do.
She fidgeted in her seat "yes I need to talk to you both and I don't know how your going to take the news. I've not had much time to process it all myself" she took a deep breathe Steading her nerve.
"There is no easy way to explain, you know me and your dad love you very much" she watched as they both nodded, "well it will not affect how we love you but me and your dad have been having some problems for a while now".
"We've noticed you haven't been very happy mum" Lawrence looked sympathetically at her "is that why you have been going out a lot?" William suggested as Caroline nodded.
"I found out your dad has been having an affair, for some time and I can't keep going on like this. I have been so unhappy trying to make it work for our family but your dad, he doesn't love me anymore. And I don't love him so it's time we moved on from this stage of our lives, I've asked him to move out. Which he has, we still love you that will never change but Dad will not be living here anymore".
She sat very still wishing them to speak before Lawrence stood up "can I be excused now" he asked. "Lawrence do you not want to talk about this?" She asked the worried expression covering her face " what's to talk about dad and you don't love each other, dads a liar and got some bit on the side and everything in my world is about to be turned upside down. So no mum I don't really want to talk about it now, ok!" His voice cracking as he fought the tears, as he ran upstairs a loud thud echoing as he slammed the door.
William wrapped his arms around his mother "it will be ok mum, anyone could tell you've been unhappy for a longtime. Nobody can say you didn't try to make it work. I'm sorry that dad has done that to you, it's despicable maybe you two separating is for the best. You deserve to be happy. He kissed her cheek "when did you get so grown up" she whispered as she hugged him tight, "I don't know, biology is enviable" he smirked.
"I'll go talk to Lawrence, are Gillian and Kate staying for dinner?", Caroline smiled "I think so, is that ok?". "Of course you need people to talk to too", and he too disappeared upstairs without a slamming door.
"well I guess one child being understanding is a bonus, it was never going to be easy for them to accept. Especially as John didn't seem willing to leave, so I'll imagine he will stir things with the boys, make them emotionally responsible To pressure me. But he chose to cheat not me, so he's made my difficult decision much easier.
She slumped onto the sofa as Kate and Gillian sat beside her, "I've ordered some pizzas, they will be an hour or so. Give everyone time to think and then we will try get the boys down here" Gillian suggested. "Good idea I'm exhausted, I don't think I've eaten all day", she snuggled into Kate for comfort which hadn't gone unnoticed by either woman next to her. Kate was a little unsure how to read it, she assumed it must be because of the awful day she had endured. It was unlikely to be anything else Gillian was here too, they were both there for support that was all. The last thing she should be thinking about was how soon was too soon to see if her beautiful neighbor might possibly like her like her...
Gillian returned to the living room holding three glasses of wine, Gillian smirked as she saw Caroline fast asleep upon Kate's shoulder. "Should we wake her? Gillian asked, Kate smiled "maybe give her until the pizzas arrive, she must be emotionally drained.
Gillian nodded in agreement settling opposite Kate, "so Kate it's so nice you and Caroline have become friends. That in itself is an achievement with Caroline, she's very guarded thinks she's weak if she relys on others." Gillian smiled at Kate she couldn't help notice how kind her eyes looked, "Yes I know she was a bit stand offish the first few times we met. I caught her at a weak moment with all the stress with John, and after the walls caved I was lucky enough she trusted me to keep them down. I think shes wonderful, so kind, intelligent and funny we have lots of fun together, but also shes amazing to talk to. I've not had the easiest last year or so either, so we make a right pair but it's lovely to have an amazing friend". Kate's eyes traveling down to Caroline's sleeping face as Kate pulled a stray strand to sit behind her ear, then noticing Gillian watching flushed a deep pink and shuffled slightly. "So what's your story Gillian? You and Caroline seem close she talks about you a lot".