Caroline stood next to Fiona, her arm wound around her wife's and her hand gripping Fiona's so tightly the dark haired woman could feel her fingers going numb. She bit at her lip in an attempt to keep her emotions in check. This was definitely the hardest one of them all. Why is that? She thought, because she's a girl? She mentally admonished herself for feeding into patriarchal ideology.
Fiona studied her wife's profile and saw the sheen of tears in her eyes just as Caroline reached up to quickly wipe them before they fell. Caroline finally glanced over and Fiona gave a sympathetic smile, through the tears that had begun to collect in her own eyes.
"God, this was so much easier with the boys." Caroline sighs as she reaches into her left pocket and retrieves a tissue, handing one to Fiona as well.
"Yes, well you were teaching at William's school when he went and I imagine Lawrence was such a terror you were glad to see him go." Fiona responds with a gentle laugh as she dabs at the corner of her eye.
"Oh, now wasn't that the truth!" Caroline laughs between sniffles.
"Besides, she'll be so busy learning and making new friends she won't miss us for a second."
"I know. She's just growing up so fast though." Caroline wipes her nose and inhales a shaky breath.
"Yes, she is, but she's still our little girl." Fiona smiles at Caroline and looks back toward the school, watching Flora make her way into the building with the rest of her class.
Flora turns as she reaches the top step and smiles broadly; waving her hand and then blowing a kiss to Caroline and Fiona, making their eyes water even more.
"I wish Kate were here to see this." Caroline whispers as she waves, her breath catching in her throat at the end of the phrase.
Fiona leans in close and gives Caroline's hand another squeeze and another gentle stroke down her arm.
"Oh, I bet she is, sweetheart."
Caroline turns to the raven haired beauty, a small smile slowly moving across her lips as Fiona's meaning sinks in. Fiona meets her gaze with a gentle smile of her own.
"I love you."
"And I love you too; to the moon and back." The sparkle in her eyes makes Caroline's heart flutter. With a long sigh and a final squeeze of Caroline's hand, Fiona clears her throat and takes a half step away.
"Now let's go before we both turn into a blubbering mess." Fiona flashes a crooked smile as her eyes begin to glisten once again.
They walk across the street sluggishly, arms linked, each finally gaining better ground on their emotions with their backs turned to the school. Caroline pulls the keys from her pocket, unlocks the car and then turns around and leans against the door. Her eyes wander back to the front of the school, worry written all over her face, fresh tears quickly filling her eyes.
"Nope, now don't start again. She'll be fine and you've got to get to work. Beverly will be calling me for your whereabouts if you don't turn up soon." Fiona places her hands on Caroline's biceps and firmly maneuvers her to the side so that she can open the car door. There's nothing but tenderness in her eyes as she guides her wife into the driver's seat and closes the door gently behind her. Caroline takes a deep breath and collects herself before turning to offer a grateful smile to her wife.
"Ring me when you two get home this aft, yea? The board meeting should be over by 7, so I'll be home at half past." Caroline starts the car and flips down the visor mirror to check her mascara.
"Right-o boss." Fiona lifts a hand in salute. Caroline flips up the visor and casts a slightly wounded look to her wife, who flashes a Cheshire cat grin, knowing the comment would get a rise out of her. Fiona always gets a kick out of teasing her more serious other half, especially when she wants to lighten the mood. Just seeing the spark in Caroline's eyes still makes her stomach do a flip.
"I promise I will ring you as soon as we get home. I'm sure Flora will want to update you herself. Now, off you go. Have a good day darling and I'll see you tonight." Fiona leans into the open window and places a short, but promising kiss on Caroline's lips before pulling away with a coy smile.
"Alright, you have a good day too. See you tonight."
oOo
"Gavin just rang, says he and the others are on the way. They should be here in about 20." Beverly steps into Caroline's office, crosses to her desk and places a takeaway bag in front of her boss.
Caroline looks away from the budget spreadsheet on her computer screen, removes her glasses and rubs the bridge of her nose, looking up to her assistant with a tired smile.
"Turkey and brie butty and a small Waldorf salad from Weeton's. You should have enough time to eat before they get here…I know you didn't eat lunch." Beverly smiles and gives her boss a knowing look. She'd never eat if I didn't make her.
"Thank you Beverly. Why don't you head home for the day? I'll record the meeting and you can transcribe it tomorrow." Caroline pulls the bag across her desk and starts removing the contents, finally realizing how loudly her stomach is protesting at only being appeased with 5 mugs of tea today.
"Alright, I think I'll take you up on that. James wants to take me to dinner."
"Well, give him my hello and have a good evening then. I'll see you in the morning and thanks for this." She gestures to Beverly with a fork full of salad as she spears it and brings it to her mouth with a smile.
"Right, see you in the morning then. I'll leave your door open."
"Thank you Beverly, night."
"Goodnight."
Caroline takes another bite of the salad and looks up at the clock, half past 5. Her heart begins to race a little as she realizes the hour and that Fiona has not called. She had expected her and Flora home an hour ago.
She immediately opens the top drawer in her desk and retrieves her mobile, hitting the home button to make the screen come to life; three text messages from Fiona. She clicks on the screen and reads the first that had come through just over an hour ago.
Just picked up Petal, heading to Tesco. Call you when home. Xo
The second had come through 15 minutes ago.
Sorry I haven't called, have my hands full with a 5 yr old motor mouth. Xoxo
Caroline laughs to herself as she reads, then scrolls to the next message; it is a video.
She hits play and Flora is on the screen twirling in circles in the back garden. Fiona is asking her questions off camera as she films the adorable, and obviously very excited little girl.
"So, my little petal, how was your first day of school?"
"It was so fun! Miss Watson is really nice. She's my teacher, like mummy and Mama Kate was."
"Yes, mummy is a teacher and so was Mama Kate. Did you make any new friends?"
"Oh yea!" Flora stops twirling and sticks out her hand, counting out a finger for each name.
"There's Abby, Grace, Emily, Lucas and…Daniel." On the last name, she grabs her hand and smiles shyly, making Caroline's heart flutter as she watches. Fiona had obviously picked up on it too.
"Oooh, who's Daniel? Is he your boyfriend?" Fiona asks teasingly. Flora buries her chin in her chest and shakes her head briskly, looking sheepishly to the ground.
"Nooo, mumFi! I'm too little to have a boyfriend!" She finally yells excitedly.
"Yes, I guess you are."
Fiona turns the camera and her face appears on the screen, eyebrows raised in mock dismay.
"Guess we've got one to watch out for mummy." She says with a wink and smile before turning the camera back to Flora.
"Alright love, say bye to mummy and tell her how much we love her."
Flora runs up to the camera, sticking her face right in front of it and blows a kiss.
"Bye mummy, we love you. See you tonight!" She says before she's off again, running in circles and then falling into a heap of giggles on the grass.
Fiona turns the camera once more to face her and flashes a megawatt smile.
"Bye sweetheart. I love you and I'll see you in a few hours."
Caroline smiles brightly as the video stops and immediately sends a reply.
Brilliant, I love it, and both of you! Be home soon. Xo
oOo
It's just after 8pm before Caroline finally pulls into the drive, exhausted and agitated at being kept for so long. She collects her purse and briefcase from the passenger seat and quickly heads to the front door.
"I'm home." She calls when she walks in, hanging her purse on the hook by the door and depositing her keys in the bowl on the side table.
Fiona appears in the doorway and leans against it with a smile, watching Caroline as she removes her coat and scarf.
"Hello you. I thought I was going to have to call in the brigade to fetch you." Fiona says with a good natured smile.
"No, it was bloody Maureen Whitlock going on about having a prayer during morning assembly again." Caroline removes her coat with a perturbed sigh and hangs it on the coat rack by the door.
"Ahhh, good Sister Maureen, the stewardess of Catholic goodwill and teachings." Fiona replies with a chuckle.
"Oh, I wish she were a nun. Then maybe she'd go find God's work elsewhere." Caroline huffs as she brushes the fringe from her eyes and plants a fist firmly on her hip.
Fiona leans forward from the doorway and takes the few steps to Caroline, circling her arms around the beautiful blonde's waist and pulling her in for a gentle kiss. Instantly Caroline's frustration is melted away as she basks in the close embrace of her wife and the tender jade eyes before her. She snakes her arms around Fiona's neck with a smile.
"Well, sod Maureen. Are you hungry? I've got a plate in the oven I can heat up for you."
"No, but thank you." She runs her fingers through Fiona's hair as she speaks, a gesture that has become her routine when they are in a close embrace. She likes the feel of the thick soft waves between her fingers.
"Did Beverly feed you?" Fiona asks with a knowing gaze.
"She might have." Caroline says sheepishly.
"Well, I'll see she gets a nice gift for her birthday, she looks after you almost as well as I do." Fiona squeezes her arms tighter around Caroline's waist.
"Well, there are a few things I can think of that only you look after." Caroline counters with a wicked twinkle in her eye.
"Oh, do tell." Fiona continues the tease, leaning in for a romantic kiss. They break apart moments later and Caroline finally notices the silence.
"Where's Flora?" Caroline asks as they release their embrace and head toward the kitchen.
"She was out like a light right after supper; seems our little petal had too much excitement on her first day of school."
Just as they reach the kitchen, the familiar sound of a sleepy child echoes down the hall.
"Mummy, mummy, are you home?" Flora calls from the top of the stairs as she rubs the sleep from her eyes.
"Well, speak of an angel." Fiona says with a laugh as they both turn and head down the hall.
Caroline climbs the stairs and sits down on the top step where Flora had taken a seat, too tired to make the trek to the kitchen.
"Hi petal, weren't you sleeping?" Caroline says as she sits down and hugs Flora to her chest, placing a loving kiss on the girl's abundance of soft curls.
"Mmhmm, but your shoes woke me up." Flora replies with a tired nod of her head. Caroline laughs gently at the observation placing another tender kiss atop her daughter's head.
"Well, how about we get you tucked back into bed and mummy can read you a short story." Flora nods her consent and gets up, holding Caroline's hand as they stand at the top of the stairs.
"MumFi, you come too." She reaches out her hand to Fiona who walks up the steps with a smile. She takes Flora's hand and the three head down the hall to Flora's room.
"Make me snug as a bug in a rug." Flora says as she climbs up into the bed. Caroline and Fiona smile in adoration and pull the duvet up to the child's chin and then begin tucking it tightly around her body as she giggles with delight. Once she's sufficiently tucked in Fiona sits down on the bed next to her and Caroline walks over to the bookcase in the corner to retrieve a book.
"What story would you like to read, love?"
"The Gruffalo, please," comes the instant reply. Caroline retrieves the book from the top of the case, where it's been sitting all week. She smiles as she's certain that if books had feelings all the other books on the shelf would be jealous by now.
"You're not tired of that one yet? I think we've read it every night for the past week." Fiona comments with an amused and affectionate smile.
"No, it's my favorite. Mummy, you do the mouse this time and mumFi, you can be the scary animals."
Caroline takes a seat on the bed opposite of Fiona, opens the book and begins the story, though mostly from memory now. She reads the mouse's dialogue in a tiny, high-pitched voice causing Flora to giggle with glee. Fiona adds a new voice for each animal as the mouse encounters them on his journey through the deep dark woods.
Flora listens on with delight, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing page. She makes a gallant effort, but falls asleep only halfway through the story. With a gentle kiss on the little girl's head, Caroline and Fiona leave the room, giving one final loving glance as they close the door, leaving it open just a crack.
Caroline walks into their bedroom and heads straight for the bed, collapsing onto it with a grateful sigh. Fiona closes the door behind her and watches Caroline in amusement.
"God, my feet are killing me." She lets her heels drop from her tired feet and sits up long enough to remove her black business jacket before collapsing back down on the bed and swinging her legs up onto it.
"I've told you before you should probably consider downgrading to a more sensible heel." Fiona says as she sits at the foot of the bed and lifts Caroline's feet into her lap.
"Yea, but you secretly hope I never will." Caroline says with a sly smile and gentle nudge of her foot, as she fluffs the pillows behind her head.
"I didn't think I was that secretive about it." Fiona replies with a wink.
"True."
Fiona lifts Caroline's left leg and begins to massage it at the ankle, slowly working her strong hands toward Caroline's foot. Blue eyes close in pleasure as Caroline relaxes into the much needed massage. She inhales deeply and releases the breath with a tranquil sigh.
"Oh, that feels good." Fiona works her thumbs into the arch of Caroline's foot, kneading away the tension there. A few minutes later she switches feet and begins the same process again.
"You're really good at that, you know." Caroline exhales, her arm thrown over her eyes as she relaxes completely into the touch.
"So I've been told." Fiona teases as she works.
"Is that so?" Caroline questions lazily.
"Yea, this really sexy blonde has told me that a time or two." A devilish grin moves across her lips that Caroline fails to notice, as her forearm is still slung across her eyes.
"Really? And has this sexy blonde been made privy to your other talents?" She groans in displeasure as the hands on her foot suddenly disappear and the bed shifts beneath her hips. She pulls her arm back from her face to see Fiona settling in to straddle her lap.
The dark haired woman flashes a seductive smile, accompanied by a naughty twinkle in her eye as she sits down across Caroline's waist, her hands moving up to the collar of Caroline's crisp white button front shirt.
"What talents might you be referring to?" Her hands slip leisurely from the collar, lingering for a moment atop Caroline's breasts before moving to the pearlescent buttons.
"I think you know exactly which ones I'm referring to." Caroline replies, eyes narrowing to a devastatingly sexy stare. She glides her hands up Fiona's thighs until she reaches her hips, stopping her journey there.
"I think I'm beginning to understand." Intense green eyes drop down to the first button; she undoes it and descends to the next, undoing it and admiring the view she has just unveiled, mesmerized by the rise and fall of the smooth pale cleavage now peeking through.
"Yep, an excellent understanding." Caroline watches on eagerly as Fiona's hands continue their task of releasing buttons, until she reaches the waist of Caroline's skirt.
She looks up from her work, making eye contact with her wife as she deliberately leans down and plants an indulgent kiss on the top of Caroline's left breast. As she lifts her head, Caroline sits up and runs her hands around Fiona's hips and up the back of her shirt, pulling her in close for a kiss that grows deep and hungry, and quickly builds in passion. The kiss ends and Fiona leans her head into Caroline's biting her bottom lip with delight, their breathing now heavy with arousal.
"Come have a bath with me…we can continue this in there."
"Sounds like a perfect plan."