Chapter 15: Bonding
Two weeks had passed since Caroline's birthday and her home life just kept getting better. After a heart felt discussion with Fiona, the two had decided they would live together in Caroline's room, but would redecorate and purchase new furniture, as a way of starting fresh. Caroline found the process difficult, yet essential, but once it was done she found it had given her a new sense of calm. She was moving forward, not moving on, and Fiona was with her every step of the way, understanding totally each new emotion as it came.
Clare and Ian were away on business, so it had been arranged for Emma to stay a long week at the house. Fiona and Caroline had decided to take Emma and Flora to Chester Zoo on Saturday, giving the foursome a bit of quality time. Although Emma was at the house every day, Caroline rarely saw her since she was usually gone by the time she got home. She was excited to spend the day with the two girls she loved, and hoped it would allow her more time to bond with Emma.
oOo
Fiona was woken from her peaceful sleep by a soft tugging on the hem of her sleeve. The unexpected sensation made her jump and let out a small yelp. She switched on the lamp by the bed to see Emma standing there, nuzzling her blanket with tears in her eyes.
"Emma sweetheart, what's wrong?" She tried to keep her voice to a whisper, so as not to wake Caroline, but it was too late. Caroline raised her head, peering over Fiona's shoulder to see what was going on.
"Is everything alright?" she said, as she saw Emma standing beside the bed.
"Granny, I had a bad dream. There was a monster and he was trying to get me." She pulls her blanket in closer to her face and wipes a tear with her sleeve.
"Oh sweetheart, there's no monster. Come on, I'll show you and get you tucked back in to bed." She pulled back the duvet and started to sit up before Caroline stopped her.
"I've got a better idea. Why don't you crawl up in bed with us Emma, then you'll have your granny and me to protect you from the monster in your dream. How does that sound, eh?" Caroline wiggles over to the edge of the bed, making room for Emma to climb in between them.
"Can I granny?" she looks up at Fiona, pulling on her heartstrings with the pitiful look in her eyes. Fiona turns on to her back and looks at Caroline.
"Caroline, are you sure? I can take her back to bed, I won't be long."
"Of course I am. Now get up here Emma, the bed's getting cold," she says teasingly, gesturing Emma to climb up with a smile. Fiona's heart flutters as another piece of Caroline moves in and makes its home.
Emma climbs into bed and Caroline tucks the covers around her little body, and then kisses her forehead before laying down facing her and draping a protective arm across the little girl's stomach. Fiona smiles and turns off the light, then rolls on to her side to face them both. She lays her arm over Emma too, wrapping it around Caroline's arm as well. The three fall asleep in a happy, warm bundle, with smiles on all of their faces.
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Saturday morning was a rush of excitement and chaos as the foursome got ready, had breakfast and piled in the car for their trip. The two girls chattered excitedly the first hour of the trip, making lists of all the animals they hoped they would see. Caroline and Fiona got the biggest delight in eavesdropping on the children's conversation, sharing happy smiles and laughs between them as they did. Eventually their excitement got the better of them and the two smallest passengers dozed off, leaving the remainder of the journey for the two women to enjoy each other's company in peace.
"Caroline, thank you so much for this idea. We are going to have a wonderful day." She slides her hand onto Caroline's thigh and gives it a loving squeeze, leaving her hand there once she does.
"I know. The girls are going to love it." She takes Fiona's hand into hers and pulls it up to place a gentle kiss on the back. The remainder of the ride is mostly in silence, but with plenty of loving glances, tender kisses and soft touches.
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"Granny, look, elephants!" Emma rushes ahead of the others and jumps up on the railing to peer in the enclosure that sits behind a high fence, her full attention on the giants before her. The group catches up and they all watch as the elephants play. Caroline takes Flora out of the pram and stands her on the top of the railing so she can get a better look. The girls laugh at the antics of the smallest elephant, which seems to be entertaining itself with a ball.
"Oh look, they have elephant feeding, where you can go up to the fence round the other side and feed them hay. Would you girls like to do that?" Caroline gestures to the billboard on their left and then over to the large gate across the other side of the enclosure.
"Yea, yea," Emma squeals with delight and jumps down from the rail grabbing Fiona's hand.
"Come on Gran, can we, please!" She pulls on Fiona's hand, trying to guide her in the direction of the gate.
"Oh love, I don't know…" Caroline can see the hesitation on Fiona's face and gestures for Emma to run ahead, giving her a chance to speak to her alone.
"Have I put my foot in it Fiona? I'm sorry; if you don't want her to I can just say they are closed today." She places Flora back in the pram and indicates she's ready to move.
"No, it's fine, it's just…well, I'm a bit scared of them really. They are quite big, and those big trunks….no thank you." She makes a silly gesture and looks over at Caroline, who is desperately trying to hold back a laugh. She finally loses the battle and it breaks from her mouth in a loud burst of sound.
"Oh god, I'm sorry Fiona. I'm sorry, it's not funny….but it is. They're elephants. They're too cute and funny to be scary." The frown that had first started on Fiona's face quickly fades as Caroline's infectious laughter pulls her in. She pushes Caroline's arm playfully, then wraps it up in her own.
"Alright, Miss Scientist, you can feed them with her and get all that slobbery muck on your hands." They follow a few steps behind Emma, their arms hooked, and laughing as they go.
Caroline pays the attendant and gets two pails of hay, one for herself and one for Emma. Flora had been excited about the idea, until she got up close to the gate and the size of the animals scared her. She and Fiona had taken a seat on a bench, a safe distance behind all the action. Caroline and Emma turn to the bench and wave as they walk up to the fence with their pails.
"Alright Emma, now take just a little bit and put your arm through the gap, like this." Caroline pulls a bundle of hay from her pale and puts her arm through the gate, demonstrating to Emma. The child copies and they stand there waiting as the smaller of the elephants starts to approach. As it gets just close enough to take some hay from Emma she screams and pulls back her hand.
"It's alright, he won't hurt you, see." The elephant now approaches Caroline and takes the bundle of hay from her hand, curling his trunk and placing it in his mouth. Emma giggles and then steps forward, pushing her arm back through the bars. The next turn, the elephant takes from Emma's hand and she giggles and screams with delight.
"See, he's just a big old softy, huh. You see how he uses his trunk to grab things? That's what their trunk is for. It's his nose, so he breathes through it, but he can also use it to grab things, kind of like we do with our hands." She pulls another bundle of hay, prompting Emma to do the same and they stick their arms through the gate together.
"Tell me more about them Caroline!" The elephant takes another bite from Emma and she quickly reaches into her pail for another.
"Well, do you know why their ears are so big?" She looks over at Emma with an expectant smile, speaking to her softly in her best teacher voice.
"No, why?"
"Well, they live in really hot places and their ears help to keep them cool." She hands her pail to Emma to share the last bundle of hay. Emma takes it and feeds the elephant, then pats it's trunk as it pulls away. They take their empty pails to the attendant before waving goodbye to the elephants and heading back over to Fiona and Flora.
"That was so fun Caroline. Thank you!" She hugs Caroline's leg tightly. Caroline bends down and hugs her back and plants a kiss on the top of her auburn head. Emma skips happily back to Fiona, who is beaming a wide smile at the two as they approach. Every day she finds that Caroline surprises her with the smallest gesture and she falls a little bit more in love with her each time.
"Alright you two, did you have fun?" Fiona calls as they came within a few feet.
"Gran, that was the best. Caroline told me all about elephants. She knows everything," Emma chirps as she approaches.
"Yes, she is pretty smart isn't she? Well, that's the last stop, so we should probably get going. We've got a long drive back and you two little ones need to eat." She takes Emma's chin into her hand and gives her a loving squeeze, then looks up to Caroline with a smile and takes her hand as she pushes the pram. Caroline can't help but notice how the panic she used to feel at any public display of affection is now gone. She gently squeezes Fiona's hand and nuzzles her head into her shoulder as they walk back to the entrance. Emma turns from her place ahead of them and rushes back to Caroline's side, taking her other hand into her own.
"Today was the best day ever. I have the best Grans in the world." Caroline raises her head from Fiona's shoulder, a look of disbelief on her face. She looks at Fiona to see her reaction and is instantly met with the biggest smile she has ever seen on Fiona's face. She leans over and gives her a soft peck on the lips, smiling broadly as she pulls away.
"I'd say today was a roaring success." She winks at Fiona and gives an amused smile.
"Absolutely. You're incredible Caroline and I love you." She releases Caroline's hand as she takes her arm, hooking it tightly into her own. The four walk back to the car, each feeling supreme satisfaction about the events of the day.