Don't Leave Her – Chapter 2
Their love-making had been passionate, intense and intimate, saying everything they couldn't find the words to express and now the two lovers slept peacefully, their weary bodies lying together in a loose tangle in Caroline's bed, both in need of rest and rejuvenation, until eventually the morning sun managed to creep enough light between the curtains to bring Caroline to consciousness. As she awoke, Caroline became pleasantly aware of the warmth and comfort of Kate's body beside her, making the feeling of good fortune race back to her. After a number of false starts, Kate had finally stayed overnight and having her there to hold during the night and wake up next to in the morning was as wonderful as Caroline had imagined it would be.
Mindful not to wake Kate, Caroline carefully propped herself up on her pillow so she could see her lover more fully and take in the loveliness of the beautiful, intelligent woman who lay beside her. It took all of Caroline's self-control not to scoop Kate up in her arms and ply her with kisses; instead, she ran her fingertips lightly through Kate's dark hair, leaned forward slightly and whispered, "I love you and thank you." She then carefully slipped out of the bed and headed for the ensuite bathroom.
Gradually Kate roused from her sleep and ran her hand over the part of the bed where Caroline should have been but, to her disappointment, the spot was empty although still warm and still with the delicious scent of her lover. Then, hearing the sound of running water, Kate guessed that Caroline must be showering. Rather than get out of bed immediately, Kate stretched and decided to laze there a bit longer as she enjoyed the memories of the previous night and the elated feeling that their love-making had left her with.
As Kate drifted back from her daydreaming she noticed that the shower had been turned off so she got up and padded into the bathroom where she found Caroline drying her hair, only a towel wrapped around her to cover her enticing body. It was a sight that immediately started Kate's heart racing yet again. She stepped up behind Caroline and pressed her own nakedness to her then lightly ran her fingertips from Caroline's shoulders down to her wrists before wrapping her arms around her and placing soft kisses along the curve of Caroline's neck.
"I love you too," she whispered into Caroline's ear, her warm breath sending shivers of lust throughout Caroline's entire body.
Caroline turned to face Kate, smiled and softly kissed her lips.
"Nice bed hair," Caroline teased as she ran her fingers through Kate's rather tousled hair.
Rather than respond to the teasing with a witty reply, Kate gently backed Caroline up against the glass shower screen, a half smile on her lips and a glint of wicked intent in her eyes. She then pinned Caroline's hands to the glass just above her head with the palm of one hand and with the other she easily dislodged the towel that Caroline had been wearing, letting it drop carelessly to the floor. Kate then brushed her lips lightly over Caroline's mouth but did not linger. Caroline let out small moans of protest. She wanted to put her arms around Kate, pull her in close and kiss her within an inch of her life but Kate wasn't relenting. With her free hand Kate slowly re-explored Caroline's shapely body, running her fingers over her full breasts, tracing her curvaceous hips and coming to rest between Caroline's thighs where a new dampness was welling.
"I'm going to have a shower. Care to join me?" Kate asked seductively.
"I've just….." Caroline began, feigning protest, but those were the only words she managed to get out before Kate smothered her words with a silencing kiss.
"It was a rhetorical question," Kate replied as she released Caroline from the kiss, "no need to answer." And with that she reached in to turn on the shower.
Half an hour later Caroline was towelling herself dry for the second time that morning.
"It's not true what they say," Caroline began, "showering with a friend doesn't necessarily save water."
"I guess it depends on how friendly your friend is," replied Kate as she gave Caroline one of her most radiant smiles.
"I think that's true and you're particularly friendly so no water saved there," Caroline laughed.
Dried and dressed, the women sauntered down towards the kitchen. On their way they spied William relaxing on the settee, a book in one hand and a plate of toast resting on his lap. Lawrence was in the next room intently watching a football match on the television. They all said their "Good mornings" and, to Kate's surprise, neither boys' curiosity was piqued by her presence so early in the day.
In the kitchen, Caroline busied herself making them a pot of coffee while Kate popped slices of bread in the toaster and searched the fridge for butter and jam. This comfortable domesticity was interrupted a few minutes later by a tapping on the window. Caroline looked out to see her mother motioning that she would like to come in. Caroline walked to the door, opened it and greeted Celia with an unexpectedly cheery , "Good morning," a stark contrast to the distraught Caroline who had left her standing alone in the kitchen two nights previous. Puzzled, Celia followed Caroline into the kitchen where she immediately saw Kate sitting at the kitchen island looking relaxed and smiling somewhat like the proverbial Cheshire cat. Celia's eyes looked from one smiling woman to the other.
"Well, is no one going to explain?" she queried.
Caroline took up her seat beside Kate and reached for her lover's hand which she held firmly in an obvious show of affection.
"Let's just say that I have been very fortunate in that Kate has decided to overlook my erratic behaviour of the last few months and give me another chance," answered Caroline.
Celia reached out to her daughter and, in turn, Caroline gave Celia her other hand. At the same time Celia also clasped Kate's free hand and gave them both an affectionate squeeze.
In a more serious tone, Caroline added," I do love Kate, mum, and from all accounts, she loves me. I know that you just want me to be happy and ….well, Kate makes me very happy….I couldn't be happier…well, if John would sod off that would….but…well, it's what I want….it's all I want."
"I know, love," replied Celia before turning to look at Kate. "I really am sorry for my foolishness, Kate, and all the trouble I've caused. I hope you can forgive me."
"It's forgotten," Kate said quietly, overwhelmed by the moment.
"Would you like some coffee, mum?" Caroline asked hoping to lighten the mood again.
"No, thanks love. I just came over to tell you that I thought I'd drive over to Halifax and try and straighten things out with Alan if that's possible."
Caught up in her own happiness, Caroline had, for the moment, forgotten Celia's own heartache since Alan had decided that they had reached the end of
road.
"I'm sure everything will be fine, mum," Caroline said consoling her mother. "He loves you very much and….." Caroline didn't know what else to say so she simply drew Celia in close and hugged her tightly.
"I'll tell him that I've been on the road to Damascus and come out the other side," said Celia, "and that you two are back together. Hopefully that will do the trick."