Chapter 6: Family Approval

It had been a month since the fire…..since the kiss…and neither one of them had spoken so much as a word about it. There certainly hadn't been any others since. Life had continued on, much like before, the only difference being Fiona was always there to greet Caroline when she got home, much to each woman's own pleasure.

Caroline stood at the sink, washing the dishes from supper. Flora had been put to bed and Fiona was out for a family dinner for Clare's birthday. After finishing the washing up she decided to pour herself a glass of wine and sit down with a book. There was very little quiet time around the house this last month, which she secretly loved, but she was still quite content to spend a quiet Friday night at home alone.She was curled up on the sofa, for no more than five minutes, when she heard her mother come in the door. No rest for the bloody wicked indeed. She closed her book, waiting for her mother to make her entrance.

"Caroline…"

"In here mum," trying to mask the annoyance in her voice.

"Oh hello love, Flora in bed already?" She takes a seat at the other end of the sofa.

"Yes, about half an hour ago. I was just enjoying the quiet," knowing full well her mother wont' take the hint.

"Oh yes, there's so little of that around here now. I'm not saying I mind it, I quite like having Fiona and Emma around. Actually, that's why I'm here."

"Oh, what do you mean mum?" Her mother always has an opinion, but she's not really in the mood to hear it tonight, as most of them are usually negative.

"Well…I'll just come out with it. I see the way Fiona looks at you, and you look at her just the same."

"Mum, I really don't know what…" Celia cuts her off before she has a chance to finish.

"Say what you like love, I'm not judging at all. In fact, I was coming to say that I think she's a wonderful woman and she's good for you, and Flora. I know I made a muck up of things with Kate, and I don't want to make that same mistake again. "

Even though her mother has come around, Caroline is blind-sided by her honesty and support. She looks at her mother and shyly smiles, a slight sheen of tears covering her sapphire eyes.

"Oh mum, I love you," she slides across the couch and hugs her mother tight.

"I love you too Caroline and I just want you to be happy. You've mourned long enough love and it's ok to move forward. I just wanted you to hear that." She plants a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead and squeezes her tighter.

"Thank you mum," a single tear breaks from her eye and rolls down her freckled cheek.

oOo

"Fiona, are you sure you don't mind watching Flora? I can cancel with Gillian if you have things to do." The two women are sitting at the breakfast table leisurely sipping coffee, each with a section of the weekend paper.

"Caroline, I told you it's fine. I've got nothing planned until my gig this evening, so as long as you're back by six so I can get ready it's no problem at all." She looks across at Caroline who's lowered her paper and is looking at Fiona over the top of her glasses. She is so adorable when she does that.

"Alright, it's just lunch so that won't be a problem. Thank you, Fiona. I really don't know what I would do without you," she beams a thankful grin to the woman across the table. I should kiss you, I want to, but….

"Well, you'll just have to come up with some way to repay me" she says coyly and gives a evocative smile. Please take the bait and kiss me! Caroline laughs and quickly hides behind the paper to cover the growing flush on her cheeks. Fiona gets up to refill her coffee in an attempt to mask her disappointment.

oOo

Caroline and Gillian are seated in a quiet corner booth at their usual meeting spot, when they are both short on time, a quaint little café half way between the farm and Harrogate. It's hard for Gillian to get away from the farm for long hours and Caroline wanted to make sure she got back at the time Fiona requested.

"So how's the farm and Robbie? Are Raff and Ellie still enjoying Liverpool?"

"Oh, farm's good and Robbie is great. Things have been really nice between us lately. Raff and Ellie love Liverpool. I'm actually grateful to Gary for helping pay for Raff's university and getting him the job, don't you bloody tell anyone I said that though." They share a laugh and start to peruse the menu.

"And how are things with you? How are the boys getting on at university? How's Flora?"

"Oh the boys are doing great. William will finish next spring and it looks like he may have a job lined up in London already. Lawrence loves his graphic design courses and he's actually got quite a talent for it. Flora is beautiful and growing so fast."

"That's great. How's Fiona? You two, you know, shag yet?" she winks and gives Caroline a wicked smile.

"For Christ's sakes Gillian, we most certainly have not!" her cheeks as red as the cloth on the seat. Gillian is the only person that can get away with telling her something like that.

"Why not? I know you fancy her, and it's bloody obvious she fancies you. You're two adult women, and you can't stay single forever Caroline. You've got years ahead of you." Her casual manner and non-discriminating tone give Caroline the courage to speak more freely. Gillian always manages, somehow, to get the full details out of Caroline.

"It's not that simple Gillian. I mean, I do like her, a lot, but I'm not sure I'm ready. I still miss Kate and…" she trails off feeling a tinge of sadness at the mention of her name.

"Caroline, no one is asking you to replace her, no one expects you to. You don't have to spend the rest of your life in mourning though, it's ok to move on, and it's healthy." She reaches across the table, putting her hand on Caroline's for emphasis.

"That is very kind of you to say." She turns her hand and takes Gillian's, giving it a firm squeeze.

"Just get out there Vincent and give it a go." Caroline looks up from her menu, a cheeky grin on Gillian's face. The two women laugh heartily together until the waitress comes to take their order.

They eat their lunch and continue catching up on their respective families and all the latest gossip. After lunch is done and they've shared a slice of cake and had a cup of coffee, Caroline pays the bill and they head out to their cars.

"Remember what I said Caroline, you deserve to be happy, and to find someone that really cares about you, and you and I both know Fiona does." She hugs Caroline warmly before getting in to her Land Rover, Caroline standing by the door with a smile of appreciation on her face.

"And she's quite easy on the eyes," she calls out of the window, giving one last wink before driving off.

Caroline shakes her head, laughing to herself as she gets in her car to drive home.