Chapter Thirteen

Kate lay looking up at the filtered moonlight bathing them through the window of their hotel room. Her eyes then rested on the bare shoulders and tousled hair of her sleeping wife; a testament to the passion they had shared a few hours before; their wedding night. She felt her fingers caressing the ring Caroline had so reverently put on yesterday, promising to love her forever; it was more than overwhelming.

"Caroline, Caroline"

"Mm"

"I love you."

"I know Mrs McKenzie- Dawson. I love you too. Why are you awake?"

"I'm too excited to sleep; I can hardly believe it's all happened."

"Well it has, and I feel like I've come home at last." turning on to her side and wrapping her body around Kate. "Sleep now darling, it's our night without babies. I need your batteries charged up again for the morning." Kate smiled nestling back into Caroline's body and letting her eyes close.

Granny Celia and Nanna Ginika were on baby duty for the weekend, but they were still too small to leave for more than one night.

Their decision to combine the naming ceremony with their wedding had led to a frenzy of activity, as if they hadn't enough to do looking after two babies. But both women were so sure this is what they wanted, to be married, and to do it as soon as possible. The hard choices had been faced, confirming that they would do anything for each other, and to be together.

Greg had become a regular visitor to the house. Caroline was warming to him and found it sweet that he was a natural with the babies. He was protective and supportive but he constantly reminded them, particularly Caroline that he would always honour his agreement and not interfere with their parenting and decision making; It was enough for him to be in their lives as they grew up. One day, she had walked in on him talking to them and she heard him call himself 'daddy'. Strangely, it felt very right. He was such a contrast to John; he didn't need to continuously promote himself and he certainly didn't rely on alcohol to get through the day. Lawrence enjoyed his visits; he had been massively impressed to find out that Greg was the guy who illustrated his favourite comics; they often discussed possible plotlines. Caroline was glad he had a stable male role model in his life.

On one visit, he had pulled Kate to one side and told her that he had a business trip to London and did she think Issy would mind if he contacted her. She had pinched his cheek and told him she was 'on to him'. Issy had welcomed his visit and they seemed to be getting on very well. Suddenly he began to have more meetings in the capital than he had in the last two years put together.

"Kate, do you think Greg is falling for Issy?" Caroline asked one day.

"Well I've seen that look in his eyes, like three hundred years ago, and there's no mistake I think."

"But isn't Issy into women? Won't she give him false hope? You know he's growing on me and I wouldn't want either of them to get hurt."

Kate thought for a moment and then said, "I remember her telling me that she was happy either way; and she said when the right person came along, gender wouldn't be an issue, love would. I don't think she's had any really long term relationships but there have been a couple of strong ones, me of course, and then there was a doctor at one the hospitals she worked at, but he turned out to be married; that hurt her a lot."

"Wow, well I hope she's knows what she's doing here."

"They're grownups Caroline, we can only hope. They both deserve someone wholesome and who loves them."

"God it would feel a bit incestuous if they did get together, don't you think? I mean with the babies."

"Life's complicated Caroline we of all people know that. It is what it is and all I care about, beyond the two of them, is all our children having good people in their lives."

With that they had let it go. It would be interesting to see them both at the celebration.

Caroline had gone to see her mother alone to tell her about the wedding. They had spoken to Ginika and she was very happy for them and glad it was all happening at the same time. However, despite Celia appearing to be happy with everything, Caroline knew there was the ever present possibility that she would initially have something negative to say. It was better all round if Kate didn't hear it.

"Hello love, this is nice, you just popping round, we don't see you that often these days."

"No, I know, I'm sorry, it's just that life is very busy now, we are just lucky you're close by."

Alan came in from the garden and they all sat down to have a cuppa.

"I've come to tell you both something. You know how we are preparing for the naming ceremony, well Kate and I have decided, that because everyone will already be here, we are going to get married at the same time."

There was a significant enough pause for Caroline to feel worried, then Alan came over to her, "Well that's a smashing idea love, congratulations." and kissed Caroline on the cheek. Celia took a perceptible deep breath, "Yes, that's lovely."

She continued to look at Caroline. "What are you going to do about your career?"

"What do you mean mum?"

"Well they'll not be best pleased to have a headmistress who's married to another woman will they? Why can't you just keep your private life separate? "

"Well firstly, a lot of staff already knows that Kate and I are together. Secondly I am a bloody good head and they wouldn't want to lose me, and thirdly, they are not allowed to discriminate against same sex couples especially if they are married."

"No maybe in theory, but they might make life difficult for you."

"Mum, I can do difficult believe me. I'm not going to be ashamed of my wife; Kate will always come first even if I had to get another position, which I won't."

Celia knew Caroline well enough not to pursue this any further, it was inevitable and so she had just better go with it. She couldn't openly admit it yet but she could see how happy Caroline was and it was comforting.

"Where will you have it love?" Alan asked, wanting to move the conversation along.

"You know how there's the large common lawn between our barn and the one on the other side? Well our neighbours are lovely people and have agreed to let us put up a marquee there. That way the weather won't be an issue and the caterers can use our kitchen."

Kate and Caroline had become quite good friends with their neighbours, a couple about their age with two children, ten and eight. Their little girl was entranced by the twins and would come to see them as often as her mother would let her. They would of course be invited to the celebration.

"So, it's all organised?" Celia asked."

"Well we're getting there. Kate's been amazing really, she gets on to the organisation when the girls are asleep and on the days when Gillian's there, she's such a great help for Kate, I think it's working out well."

There were two days to go. Caroline had taken the week off school to help with the final preparations. They had ended up with a guest list of about sixty.

"God Kate, I didn't know we knew so many people between us, it's not like either of us have a massive extended family." Apart from the small family group, they had invited a few close colleagues and old friends from Durham and Oxford. Beverley was beside herself with excitement and quietly credited herself with aiding the relationship. She was totally devoted to Caroline and Kate was the one who had pulled her boss out of her misery. She would often bring something to work for the babies. One day she had turned up with two little 'onsies', both green, and Caroline had reminded her of the colour coding; to which Beverley had just rolled her eyes to heaven.

Ginika had arrived from the USA and Issy was due that evening, having been able to add a couple of extras to her days off. Kate was hoping that the two of them didn't get into too much detail about how she knew Issy. Even with her own mother, there were things better left unsaid.

Their house was now full as William and Roxy were home too.

In bed that night Caroline looked lost in her thoughts. "What are you thinking?" Kate asked.

"I'm just comparing my life now with what it was like even just eighteen months ago. I realise that even though I loved the actual house, there were so many times when it wasn't a particularly happy place. I guess the happy buzz of this place just brings it home." Kate adored her vulnerable and gentle Caroline.

The big day arrived. Kate couldn't believe how nervous she was, Caroline had spotted it earlier and organised William and Roxy to take over getting the babies fed and dressed and hopefully asleep before it all started. Caroline leant into the cot, "Now Gracie, mummy wants you to be a good girl and not set your sister off." The baby looked up at her and smiled.

Cars started to arrive around half past two, at three the ceremony would start with the wedding and after a glass of champagne and canapés, the naming. The marquee looked amazing and the caterers had pulled out all the stops to put on something special. The celebrant was herself a gay woman and between the three of them they had come up with a lovely ceremony for both the wedding and naming.

This was it. "I Katherine Abike McKenzie take you Caroline Elizabeth Dawson to be my wife." Kate had said these words before in a different context, as had Caroline, but her heart was in a whole other place today, it felt surreal. The tenderness both women expressed as they exchanged their vows and promised a lifetime of love and care for each other was palpable to those in the room. Because all of their guests were close to them there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

The celebrant pronounced them spouses for life and as they kissed there was an explosion of applause, nice in itself, but it set Gracie off who in turn woke Flora causing everyone to laugh.

After the drinks, they sat down again for the naming. The four godparents, the two grandmothers and Lawrence were at the front. Kate and Caroline both held a baby. The celebrant asked the godparents to read out a promise to care for the two girls in all the circumstances of their life and to support their parents in bringing them up. Caroline had asked Lawrence to join in this promise as well. The two grandmothers lit a candle as each of their names was being read out. Then everyone was invited to come and give them either a blessing or wish them well. Both babies were awake, but content in their mothers' arms.

The meal and celebration continued with all the trimmings. Instead of formal speeches, William had simply opened the floor for people to say something. Caroline shot a sideways look at him as he certainly hadn't run this past her! Some people gave heartfelt little speeches and others were very witty and took all kinds of liberties, especially about Caroline and work. Both women felt very loved and special. There had been one rather funny but also poignant speech from Issy, she shared lots of stories about 'flatting' as she referred to it, with Kate but as she digressed into what a beautiful and special person she was, her eyes filled with tears. Clearly, it was not completely over for her yet. Greg very discretely slid his arm around her shoulder.

As soon as they felt it was remotely possible and polite, the married couple made their farewells, kissed their babies and hopped into Kate's car which to their embarrassment had been duly decorated. Kate drove until they were out of sight and came to the first concealed pullover spot. She hopped out and removed the tin cans and placards trailing from the back bumper. As she got back into the car she felt Caroline's arms fold around her, followed by a searing kiss which said everything.

They had chosen a small country hotel to stay for the night, not too far away. They were warmly welcomed and shown to the bridal suite. There was a bucket of champagne in the room and some chocolates. Caroline poured them both a glass and they sat together on the lounge.

"To you my darling wife, I'm the happiest woman alive." Caroline chinked her glass against Kate's. "Not so fast you, I think I might be." Kate said as she pulled Caroline towards her. Neither of them could have imagined not so long ago, that this would be their new life.

The moonlight over their bed was replaced by bright sunlight as Caroline stirred and looked over at her wife. Like Kate, she was overwhelmed with feelings.

"Kate, Kate"

"Mm"

"I love you"

"I know Mrs McKenzie Dawson. I love you too. Why are you awake?"

There was no more conversation, and no more sleep.