Author's note: This is a long one, but there's a lot of ground to cover.
Chapter 3: Honest words and Beautiful music
The week had been a long one for Caroline. The end of term was always full of paper work and meetings and long hours in front of her computer. It was 7pm before she finally pulled into the drive at home. Greg had left around 4, so Celia and Alan were watching Flora. When she walked inside she was grateful to find Celia in the kitchen with dinner already going, Alan and Flora playing contentedly in the den.
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour love. Why don't you head upstairs to change and I'll have you a glass of wine waiting. Looks like you could use it." Caroline crosses to Celia, a thankful look in her eyes, planting a kiss on her mother's forehead as she stands stirring a pot on the stove. She says hello to Alan and gives her daughter a quick snuggle before heading upstairs for a quiet moment and change of clothes.
They eat dinner together, conversation flowing freely, focusing primarily on Flora and her stories of all the things she and "Geg" had done that day. In the beginning, Greg had referred to himself as Flora's dad, but as she got older and started to speak, he confessed to Caroline that he felt he was betraying Kate's wishes, in a way, and so he preferred to have Flora address him as Greg. Caroline had said she understood, all the while hoping she was successfully hiding her secret pleasure of his decision. He had indeed proved to be a good father, and had become a welcome addition to the household, but Caroline couldn't help but feel a bit jealous when he used the term. Flora was her and Kate's child after all.
"Oh mum, I forgot to ask. Could you and Alan look after Flora for me tomorrow night? We met a wonderful woman and her granddaughter in the park last weekend and she's invited me to listen to her sing at The Emerald Room tomorrow night. I think I'd quite like to go" as she and Celia did the cleaning up.
"Of course we could love. Actually, I was going to ask if we might take her to Halifax with us tomorrow aft. Raff and Ellie head back to Liverpool Monday and we'd like to take Flora to see Calamity before they go. It'll give you Sunday to yourself, if you'd be willing to accept it." Celia was delighted to see that Caroline finally wanted to get herself out of the house and hoped she would be willing to take up the offer, knowing how hesitant she always was to leave Flora.
"You know mum, I think that sounds great. I've got a mountain of paperwork to go through and I'd like to have it complete by the end of term, so I can devote my entire break to Flora." Celia released the breath she had been holding, relieved to have gotten the response she was hoping for.
oOo
Caroline woke the next morning feeling refreshed. She had decided before going to bed that she would take Flora to the park again before she went with her mum and Alan that afternoon.
The two arrived at the park just after 9 and to their delight Fiona and Emma were there. She waved to them both as they saw her approaching.
"Hello you two!" She called as she and Flora wheeled up. She unbuckled Flora and let her down to run to the patch of flowers Emma was playing in.
"Hello you." Fiona now addressing her in a more casual manner, making Caroline feel welcome.
They talked about their week for a few moments, but were suddenly interrupted by a horrible scream from Emma and loud cries coming from Flora. The two women turned just in time to see Flora raising her head from the ground, her chin covered liberally with blood. Caroline's heart leapt into her throat and she set off in a dead run to her daughter. Scooping her up in her arms, she used her shirt to try and stop the generous flow of blood that was now coming from the gash in Flora's chin.
"Caroline, come on. I live just round the corner. We can clean her up and assess the damage there. Emma, get in the pram and let's go." Her calm, but stern tone snapped Caroline from her horror and she quickly followed as Fiona led the way.
Once at the house, Fiona set to collecting items of first aid while Caroline sat on the toilet holding Flora in her lap. Emma looked on worriedly from behind her granny. The child had stopped crying, but sat still with a look of confusion. The two women worked quickly to clean and assess the damage. After clearing all the blood they could see it wasn't as serious as it had looked and so the decision was made to patch it and lie Flora down for a bit to rest. Fiona led Caroline to Emma's room and set off to the kitchen to make tea.
Caroline returned to the kitchen and sunk onto the stool at the counter. Her heart had made its way back into her chest, but now it was tight as she felt the tears welling in her eyes. She tried desperately to hold them back, not wanting Fiona to see her so vulnerable, but she lost the battle and they ran down her cheeks just as Fiona turned to set the tea tray in front of them.
"Oh Caroline, it's alright. She's fine, she won't even remember once she wakes. Don't cry." She sets down the tray and takes Caroline's hand, stroking her upper arm to reassure her.
"It's just, oh God, I'm sorry" the tears flowing faster as she tries to continue.
"I worry so much for her, more than I did with my boys. Her birth mother….my, uum, my wife…died when she was born." She's confessed. The release of the words brings more tears as a new fear, the fear of how Fiona will respond, creeps in. She tries to calm herself and the tears start to ease.
Fiona stands a moment taking in the new information. Did I hear that right? She did say wife. Well, I wasn't expecting that. A gentle smile crosses her lips as she moves to take Caroline into a comforting embrace.
"I'm so sorry Caroline. I know how difficult that is. I lost my wife, Hannah, 7 years ago, to cancer." She hopes her admission brings comfort to Caroline as she can see the obvious look of discomfort and doom in her eyes. A look of shock registers on Caroline's face before she has time to catch herself. It is instantly followed by a bright flush of embarrassment for having lack of control over her emotions. She finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I, um, I'm sorry. For your loss….and my reaction just now" she lowers her eyes in shame. "It was just, well, I wasn't expecting that. I…." she trails off, not knowing what to say.
"Thank you, and it's fine Caroline. To be honest, I was a bit shocked to hear you say it too." Not wanting to cause any further discomfort she moves to change the subject, sitting down on the stool beside her.
"You said you had two boys as well. How old are they?" Conveying interest and understanding in her gaze as she hands Caroline a napkin from the tray.
"William and Lawrence, they're both at university." She wipes the tears from her cheeks, thankful for Fiona's intuitive decision to change the topic to something easier to discuss.
The more she speaks the more the tension in her shoulders releases until the two find themselves in a deep conversation. Caroline thinks to herself how easy Fiona is to talk to and once again, silently thanks whoever is responsible for their meeting. She's so glad to have a friend to confide in, not to mention a friend with whom she has so much in common. She tells Fiona of John and his cheating, her pride for her boys, Alan and Celia's sweet reunion, Gillian, Greg….and Kate, how they met, their marriage, the pregnancy and the accident. The heaviness that had not fully lifted from her heart grew lighter with each detail, despite the gentle tears that were falling again. Fiona listened intently, with genuine interest, interjecting kind words or hearty laughs where appropriate. Fiona's turn comes and she shares her story. Hannah, how they met, Clara and how she came to be, her music and Emma. Her honesty touches Caroline and she's touched by Caroline's interest and sincerity. They sit in conversation for hours. It's only when Caroline's mobile rings in her pocket that they realize how long it's been.
"Oh shit, it's my mum, they are ready to leave and she wants to know where the hell I am. I've got to go." She stands and straightens herself and looks to Fiona with a thankful smile. "Do I look alright?" she says with a weary laugh.
"Fine. You look fine. Oh, are you coming to the show tonight, I almost forgot" the look of hope apparent in her eyes.
"Of course, wouldn't miss it, and thank you for listening." Caroline smiles and takes Fiona into a warm squeeze. She collects Flora and they say their goodbyes then head home in a hurry.
After seeing the lot off to Halifax she heads upstairs to bathe and reflect on the afternoon. Never had she expected Fiona to be gay, though it brought her great comfort that she was. She didn't know any other gay people and it felt good to know she finally had a kindred spirit near. The parallels of their lives were also quite uncanny and she knew it was something they couldn't ignore. She was going to be good friends with Fiona, best friends in fact, and she hoped that Fiona would come along for the ride.
oOo
After a long bath and a glass of red wine she set to picking out her attire for the evening. She pulled her favorite black dress from the closet, hoping against hope it would still fit. Form fitting, perfect length (just below the knees) and an exquisite deep v in the back that showed off her nice back and shoulders. She felt truly good, for the first time in a while and she wanted to reflect that feeling in her appearance. Pulling on the dress she crossed to the mirror, and found to her amazement, and pride, that not only did the dress still fit, but it looked damn good. Not too shabby old girl.
She applied her make-up and fixed her hair in the vanity before pulling on her sexiest pair of black strappy heels and heading out the door. She wanted to stop for some flowers for Fiona, a token of her appreciation for her kind behavior that afternoon.
She arrived at the hotel a few minutes early. An attendant took her car and she walked into the lobby. She headed to the bathroom, for a last once over of her make-up and hair before heading to the lounge to look for Fiona. She walked into the room to find Fiona bent over a table setting up her hand bells and going over her set list. Fiona looks up from her work and sees Caroline, a beautiful wide smile crossing her lips.
My god, she's…stunning. Those curves, legs, eyes…get ahold of yourself Fiona. The thoughts flood her mind, confusing her a little. She hadn't looked at Caroline, not in that way at all, but she couldn't ignore the flutter in her stomach as she approached. She extended her arms, taking Caroline into hug, letting it last a little longer than she probably should have. When she finally moves back, Caroline speaks, a bit shyly.
"These are for you, as a thank you for this afternoon. You were so kind….and I've decided we will be best friends." The last part stated as a matter of fact, in her head teacher voice, her wide grin and laugh showing her sincerity.
"Oh, thank you Caroline, you shouldn't have. You look…magnificent, by the way" hoping she didn't convey her budding attraction.
A half smile crosses her lips, "that's what Kate used to tell me. You look very pretty yourself. That dress is gorgeous."
Fiona is wearing her favorite dress too, a floor length gown of dark turquoise sequins, with cap sleeves and a deep v-neck. She wears a lacey black camisole underneath, but there's still just enough cleavage to make it look sexy. Matching make-up accentuates her mesmerizing eyes and her hair grazes her shoulders in a volume of soft waves.
"Here, I've got you a table just over there. Would you like a glass of wine or something else?" She ushers Caroline to her seat, a small table in a mood lit corner just off the front of the stage. After ordering a glass of wine and talking for a few moments, Fiona takes her leave to start the show.
Caroline enjoys every minute of the performance, captivated by Fiona's smooth voice and the dulcet sounds of the accompanying guitar. The show comes to an end and Caroline feels a tinge of sadness, not wanting this lovely night to end.
Fiona greets a few regulars and introduces Caroline to her musical partner, Brian, before finally packing up and readying herself to go.
"Caroline, thank you so much for coming tonight, I really hope you enjoyed yourself." They slowly make their way to the exit, walking side by side.
"Fiona, you have a beautiful voice, truly. Your talent amazes me, and I'm really quite jealous." She says this with such sincerity and honesty it makes Fiona blush. They stand silently for a moment waiting for the valet to retrieve their cars.
"Caroline, are you free tomorrow? Would you fancy meeting me for a coffee, or lunch?" She fervently hopes Caroline will take the bait. She really likes this woman and wants to be best friends, though I certainly wouldn't object to something more. Again the thought surprises her. She hasn't been attracted to anyone since Hannah and she's not quite sure if she's ready to acknowledge those feelings.
"Yes, I would love that Fiona. I could pick you up, say 11:30? I know just the place." She smiles and gives Fiona a final hug before getting into her car to head home.