I'm back refreshed and ready to tell more of our lovely ladies. Hope you enjoy today's twist. I loved writing it!
Chapter Eight
Kate waited patiently for Caroline to arrive at the hotel reception desk. She had gone ahead to ask about a good restaurant in the area; the desk clerk had understood perfectly when she asked for something small and discreet with private areas. He had made a booking for her straight away.
Caroline arrived a few minutes later and they set off. Kate slipped her hand into Caroline's as they walked along; some heads turned and looked, but they were on cloud nine and nothing but the feeling of their hands in each other's mattered at that moment. They had just spent the most sublime afternoon giving themselves to each other in a way that there could now be no turning back and no separation. Caroline felt stronger and freer than she could ever remember. It was true, she knew that now, bricks and mortar; ex-husband; cranky mother; and sons paled against the possibility of ever losing what she had just recaptured. She would do everything in her power to make her life with Kate and their children, as safe and happy as she could; whatever it took.
It was about a fifteen minute walk to the restaurant; strolling along the cobbled streets alongside all the evening crowds; the sights and sounds were truly exciting.
The waiter showed them to a secluded little booth towards the back and soon arrived with two flutes of champagne.
"I can only have a sip of this Caroline, just enough for a toast; then you'll have to drink the rest."
"I can do that, no problem, but surely one glass won't hurt."
"I'd rather not take any chances."
Caroline knew that Kate was ultra careful about everything to do with this baby; it was so precious and she wouldn't dare risk putting a foot wrong.
Kate lifted her glass and looked lovingly at Caroline, "to us my darling, to our future, which after this afternoon is safe and secure and everything we could want." Caroline reached across the table and held Kate's hand; "I love you more than I could ever have imagined possible. Thank you for giving me another chance and trusting me again."
Kate let go of Caroline's hand. "I have something for you; I wanted to mark this special weekend." She pulled a box out of her handbag and gave it to Caroline. Inside was a beautiful silver locket with the capital letter 'C' engraved on the front.
Caroline opened it and on one side there was a picture of Kate and on the other a tiny face which Kate had cut out of the latest scan picture.
The card with it, read :
For Caroline, keep us close to you always.
We love you with all our hearts. XX
Kate and ( to be decided ) Elizabeth Abike McKenzie
A waiter had been watching from the corner, he ran over to help Caroline fasten it round her neck, but Kate stopped him; she stood up and walked around the table, fastening the locket; then leaning in to kiss her; Caroline was overwhelmed and wished that the rest of the room would disappear and she could show Kate just what this meant to her. "Can I delay my thank you until we are alone?" Kate grinned and assured her she would be only too happy for that to happen.
As they enjoyed their meal, Kate approached the subject of the family. "Caroline, at some point we are going to have to slot back into everyone's life; we can't live apart from them. I really don't fancy only seeing you two or three times a week as we have been, I want you with me; when I wake up I want you there. However I don't want to move back into your place; it would feel like going backwards somehow. I just want us to have a new start."
"I have been thinking about it too Kate, what if we get my place packed up and everything into storage and Lawrence and I come and live with you until we find somewhere we all like and is suitable."
"How do you think Lawrence will feel about it?"
"Well given that he's apologised to you, I don't think he'll blot his copybook again anytime soon. His father is another issue of course. He will be pestering us to see Lawrence, but we'll just have to be strong about him coming round. Door step only!" Caroline chuckled as she said this; she could just see his face as they asked him to wait outside.
Soon the conversation moved to Kate's mother and father. She wanted Caroline to come to the nursing home to meet her father; she also broached the subject of a trip to New York before she was too pregnant.
"My mum knows how upset I've been Caroline. She tried many times to persuade me to ring you or see you and try and get things sorted out."'Don't be so stubborn my baby girl" she would say to me. I would like her to meet you before the baby comes. Travel will be too hard for a few months after. What do you think?"
This was a bolt from the blue for Caroline, but true to her new self, she didn't react too quickly but merely affirmed Kate that it would be good to try to plan it.
The meal finished, they strolled leisurely back to their hotel. The sense of urgency they had both felt that afternoon had diminished and they were able to love gently and slowly until they fell asleep curled around one another, safe in the knowledge that together they could face anything.
After eating breakfast in their room, they were deciding what to do for the rest of the day. Caroline had a treat planned for the evening. Kate loved her music and it just so happened that Palais Garnier, the Paris Opera house were performing Madame Butterfly, one of her favourites, that evening and Caroline had managed to get tickets. She was so excited that she could barely keep the secret.
They both jumped as Kate's phone pinged to say she had a message.
'Please call Dr James Fisher within the hour if possible'
Kate looked concerned.
"Who is it?" Caroline asked as she saw the concern on Kate's face.
Kate showed her the message. "He's your obstetrician isn't he?"
"Yes, O God Caroline what could this be about?"
Caroline moved straight into operational mode. "Well we won't know if we don't ring. Come and sit beside me and put it on speaker." They sat as close as they were able and Kate dialled the number.
"Dr Fisher?"
"Yes speaking."
"It's Kate McKenzie here, I just received your message, is there something wrong?"
"Ah, Kate, are you at home, could you come in and see me in the next hour?"
"No, I'm in Paris. What is it, can you tell me over the phone?"
"Well I suppose I can but you had better brace yourself. Is there someone with you?"
By now Kate was terrified. All she could think of was that there must have been something wrong in the tests they did; she was visibly shaking. Caroline put her arms around her and nodded for her to carry on. "Yes, Caroline my partner is here, please tell us."
"Well my dear the fact is, we're pretty sure you're having twins."
There was no sound from either woman. They just stared open mouthed at each other. After a few moments, Kate gathered herself; "But how, nothing has shown on the two scans I've had."
"I admit it is rare that it's taken this long, in your case twenty six weeks, to spot it, but it does happen. The radiographer had her suspicions but waited until I could review it properly. It seems that the second baby both times has been lying behind its sister and so the heartbeat has been muffled, but I was able to pick it up. It's possible that the second twin is a little smaller too, but again that's nothing to worry about.
There was a long pause. "I hope I've been the bearer of happy news albeit a little shocking. I do apologise but it can happen like this. The radiographer was right to wait for me to review it. Do you think you could come in and see me when you get back from Paris?"
"Yes, yes of course, I'll be back on Monday. I'll ring your clinic. Thank you for the call. Yes we are shocked but I'm sure we'll handle it. Thank you James."
"My pleasure Kate. I look forward to seeing you both on Monday."
Neither woman knew what to say for a few moments, they just sat looking at each other each lost in their own world of thought. Caroline eventually broke the silence. "Well I suppose I'd better give you the locket back, there's only room for two faces!" This broke the tension and they both burst out laughing.
"God Caroline, I hardly know what to think. It so wonderful in one way, it means our two babies will have each other to grow up with but having two at our age, we'll be permanently exhausted!"
"Oh well, you know, in for a penny and all that, I'm sure we can manage. I'd better stay on the good side of my mother though, I have a feeling we might need her. It is quite exciting and I'm sure once we get over the shock everything will be fine. You might have to finish work earlier though and we'd better get going on finding a house, we can't think of moving later with two small babies." Caroline could hardly stop her mouth from running, her mind was going flat out.
"Caroline slow down. We just need to let it sink in. Let's get ready and go out we don't want to miss all the things we've planned to do." Kate leaned into Caroline and kissed her, "I couldn't even think of this without you my darling, but I know there's nothing to be afraid of now."
They spent the day wandering around Paris, visiting all the places they had planned. Occasionally Kate would look at Caroline and say;"Pinch me." They would both laugh. Caroline made sure that they arrived back at the hotel in time for a rest before going out that evening. She felt even more protective now, carrying twins she guessed would be harder as the pregnancy progressed and she wanted to make sure Kate was kept healthy and calm.
The Opera was a massive hit. Kate was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness in booking her favourite. Caroline noticed the tears in Kate's eyes as she became lost in the music and the story and she could hardly contain the love she felt for her; it was as if the Gods had at last smiled on them and were now showering them with gifts.
Monday morning came saw them both waiting outside the doctor's office. After calling them in, he explained about the unusual positioning of the second baby, rattling off all the usual statistics to reassure them. He then sent Kate along the corridor for a 3D scan which would show the babies in profile. Sure enough, there she was, another little girl snuggled up against her somewhat bigger sister almost as if she was protecting her. They both filled up with tears as the radiographer pointed all the important features to them. At the end she offered to make a copy of the scan for them. The doctor then confirmed what Caroline had anticipated, Kate would need to finish working by week 35; twins are often born a couple of weeks early and as Kate was a little older he wanted her well rested.
Later as they drove away Kate said, "It's real Caroline, we are having two babies, Oh God are you really ready for this, I know one was something you didn't really want, let alone two. Am I asking too much of you?"
"There's nothing you could ask of me that I wouldn't do if it is within my power. We'll be fine, we just need to look after you now. We'll start the house hunting as soon as we can. I'm sure the boys will kick in and help us.
"Now all we need to do is face the family, are you braced and ready my love?"