A/N: Before I give my usual thank you for reading my story and special thanks for taking the time to submit your reviews, I want to apologize to everyone for the error of Chapter 1. Probably by now you have figured out that I goofed up royally and submitted the wrong content for Chapter 1. Trust me I was as surprised to see Chapter 6 – Taking Sides as my Chapter 1 as you were. And even though Chapter 6 - Taking Sides might serve to bridge these two stories that was not my intent. I thought about deleting but people had already started reading it. Anyway my dear readers, let's leave all that behind knowing that Chapter 2 is really Chapter 1 of our story and continue with Chapter 2 where in Chapter 1 we left Caroline peering into the emptiness.
Chapter 2 Let No Man Put Asunder
Kate's face was alight with joy as she pranced out of the bathroom. Her voice filled with energy. "Caroline- oh my God, Caroline. It's happened I'm…I think I'm pregnant. Oh, Caroline!" Firstly, Kate smiled - ear to ear and then secondly, gigantic tears of happiness coursed down her face in flood like fashion. In total exultation, she fell into Caroline's arms pressing her wet face firmly against Caroline's face.
"That's. That's…It's what you wanted."
Abruptly, Kate pulled her tear-streaked face away from Caroline. Caroline's less than enthusiastic response thrust the joy from the moment.
"I thought you wanted this too…You said…Is this not what you want Caroline?"
"Of course…of course. I want what you want. Whatever makes you happy."
"You don't sound….Really Caroline? Are you sure this is what you want. Because you don't sound…pleased. At all. Not unless there's something wrong with my ears."
"Kate you're reading too much into this. I'm…happy. Overjoyed. Why wouldn't I be? I agreed didn't I? It's not like…well… the point is I was a willing participant. It's just that I don't want you to get too excited, too soon…it's still …you know… very early days. I'd hate to see you…disappointed…upset. That's all…umm if…if anything should. Let's celebrate when you're a little further along. Okay? That's kind of all I'm saying. "
In the midst of nightly passion, it was so easy for Caroline to buy into the idea of having another child. However, in the fresh light of day, with the reality of it all - smack-dab in front of her - one might say Caroline was feeling the pangs of "buyer's remorse."
But whatever her feelings were at this particular time, it was not the voice of reason that Kate either expected or wanted to hear. What Caroline said may have all been true but to Kate's way of thinking it was neither the time nor the place for sober opinion. Celebration not pragmatism was the order of the day. So, of course, Caroline's response not only upset Kate but brought doubt to mind of Caroline's commitment for a second child.
"Why then Caroline did we even bother!" Had Caroline gambled that lightening could never strike twice and lost?
"Why are you getting upset? It's what you wanted."
"Not if you don't want it, Caroline."
"I didn't say that Kate…I just said…"
"You should go Caroline. You'll be late." Exasperation and disappointment begot teary eyes.
Why Caroline ever thought she could fool Kate with "half truths" was beyond reason. Her Kate knew her Caroline far too well for Caroline to practice anything but the whole truth and nothing but the whole truth with her.
"Alright, okay, I'm a little bit…err….umm. Well anxious you might say about you know…being the oldest mum ….in the playground. I'm forty-six."
"You could have said that before we decided to get me pregnant."
"Kate. I'm ok with everything. So far as….It's just…me…nothing to do with the baby… with you…I am pleased Kate. I really am."
How was Caroline to know? That it would be less than a fortnight when she would come to regret her "buyer's remorse" about Kate's pregnancy; less than a fortnight when she would come to regret not sharing the same overt happiness that had overwhelmed Kate. Less than a fortnight when she would come to regret that good fortunate would not strike twice for Kate. How was she to know? Although not her fault Kate had lost the baby; nevertheless she would be overcome with guilt.
In the days that passed Caroline and Kate wept in each other arms for figuratively hours on end. Both were sorrowful for what had been lost. Both wanted more than ever - more than imaginable- to have had that gift of life that had so unkindly slipped from their grasp.
Back to the here and now, whilst standing in the stark silence of her surroundings, Caroline made a promise to herself. She would try harder to be more supportive; more enthusiastic. As soon as Kate came home she wouldn't waste a minute. She'd do all within her power to convince Kate not to give up hope; help her find the will to try one more time. Caroline knew it was not only what Kate wanted; it was what she wanted too. She just wished she'd known sooner – a fortnight sooner.
Caroline's thoughts and her staring out of the window was interrupted when the office door swung open and she turned abound to face Beverly, her PA.
"You've not gone home, yet?"
"No, Caroline. I thought I would…I had a few things to catch up on so…" Beverly, she was always keeping a watchful eye on her boss.
"I'm fine Beverly and I promise my life as an ogre is over." A smile, the very show of appreciation for Beverly's loyalty was given.
"Then I take it you've spoken to Kate. She's fine? And her mother?"
"Perfect. Everything's just perfect. With her, with Flora, with her mother, with Aunt Auggie and now with me. Come on, let's get out of here. Shall we?"
Part Two– Let No Man Put Asunder
"Can you believe that pops? Granddad Dawson a poof! A poof! Batting for the other team. Right under granny's nose. Lawrence shook his head, tutted in obvious disapproval at it all. With each word spoken he pounded his index finger on the Pub table to press home his point.
"Really? You do have this on good authority? It's not something…well, you're not having me on, is the point, Lawrence?" John was not quite ready to believe what he was hearing.
"Mum! She told Will and me about granddad - granddad robbed the cradle too. This poof dude that granddad was having it off with is young enough to be granny's son." A wee bit far fetched considering Walter was only nine years younger than Celia.
"Wow. Gosh. That's …that's a bit… Right. I see."
"Will has met him. Mum wants me to meet him too. As if I want to." He rolled his eyes to indicate- "Yeah, as if that's ever going to happen."
"Well if that's what your mother wants…maybe you should…you know."
"He's a rich dude. Lives in this great big mansion. With servants I think."
"Rich?" That got John's attention. He was actually more sober than he ought to have been considering the amount of drink he had knocked back.
"Yeah. He's going to die soon. Leaving all his money to mum and Flora. Don't know about Will and me."
"Flora? Why…why Flora? She's not Caroline's child…well, not really is the point here."
"Dunno. But it's buckets of cash we're talking about here. Hey, maybe you should get back together with mum. Convince her to spread the wealth."
"I don't think that will be...well that won't be happening."
"Why not? She married you once. Can't see why she wouldn't again."
"Well aren't you forgetting about…you know… Kate. Her…her…her wife." Acknowledging Kate as Caroline's wife was equivalent to sticking needles in his eyes.
"Her and mum – they've not been happy lately- balling their eyes out. They think I don't know but I do. Something's up…big time. I'm sure.
"Really?" If Lawrence hadn't already had John's attention he's got it now.
"Yeah and now Kate's off to New York. Something about her mother having an accident…broke her hip. She'll be gone for weeks. Plenty of time for you to win back mum."
"Lawrence…I don't think that's such a good….well your mother is a lesbi…I think she's moved on…from me…from us."
"Pops, she's going to be rolling in dough. You couldn't use a bit?"
"I suppose everyone can do with a bit more money. But you see, the point is given present situation it's rather a long short your mother and me."
"Bloody hell dad! Don't be such a wuzz! Just go for it…I'll help you win her back- more than pleased to help. And now's a grand opportunity with Kate out of the way. Mum doesn't love her you know. Lawrence said it with such authority how could John in his half-pissed state of mind believe otherwise?
"Pops, mum's not a lesbian. Who's she think she's kidding? She wants everybody to believe it but she's not. You of all people should know that." He was adroitly stroking his dad's ego.
"Well before…you know…Kate came round messing things up…we did have….hundreds of times…thousands of times, actually very good…umm…sex." John's recall of his and Caroline's intimacy prompted idly fondling of his beer glass.
"She just felt sorry for Kate - you know- when she got knocked up. Do you really think mum wanted to be stuck with a baby? No way! She still loves you, pops."
"She told you this?" John shuffled in his seat. His eyes widened in anticipation of the answer he wanted to hear.
"Didn't have to." Lawrence gave a wink and tipped his drink. "You the man…pops." Said in exaggerated "street" lingo. Appealing to the inflated opinion John had of himself.
"Yeah. Suppose I am…the right man… to win back my wife." John puckered his forehead and began entertaining thoughts of delusions of grandeur. "And my house, that's my house. I bought that house. Let's not forget that small point. And rightfully so, I want it back too." The beer made John more bold than wise.
"Now you're talking, pops! Here's my key." Lawrence lobbed his house key to his dad. Smiled to himself as he did. He was proud. Damn proud of himself. His parents would be getting back together and out the door will be Kate and her kid. And everything will be the way it was…the way it should be. A normal family.
"Take mum to the cinema…no…you're a good cook. Cook her something. I can make my self scarce. And you can make your move. Wine and dine and bed is what I say pops. Cheers!" Like father like son, our Lawrence. A proper little shit disturber for his age.
John smiled his best conniving smile. "So you really think I got a shot? Gosh. Gosh."
And so the guileful partnership was formed to willfully tear asunder the marriage of Caroline and Kate.
To be continued.