A/N: As always thanks for your reviews and of course reading my story.
Chapter 8- The Showdown
"I told Lawrence that I wanted to see you. Not bloody well talk on the phone" Clearly, Celia was miffed at not having her instructions followed, precisely. "I know you, Caroline. The first thing you hear that's not to your liking you're going to say you're too busy to talk because you're at work."
"Well, whatever it is can you just get to the point, mum? Because I truly am busy. I've got the board of…"
"See, didn't I tell you?"
Caroline took a deep breath so as to restore her patience. "Sorry mum. You have my fullest attention. What is it you want? And I do hope this isn't about Walter because he is Flora's granddad."
"Oh, I couldn't give a monkey's about Walter. Never did. Besides …that's your dad's dirty linen." Celia was being true to form with her unfiltered response.
"Mother! I've made it plain to you how I… how both Kate and Flora feel about Walter. Can you be anymore insensitive?"
"Caroline this isn't about me. It's about you."
"What about me?"
"Did you know John is back at it again with Gillian?"
"Oh, is that all?" Caroline rolled her eyes – what was so newsworthy about that? It was the same tired old story. "That's hardly…got anything to do with me."
"It has when that nitwit is attempting to get back together with you."
"Back together! With me? Don't be so foolish mother. I'm married. I'm a lesbian! Why would he ever think I would even consider such a stupid…? That's just so misguided."
"Well Caroline it just might have to do with you letting him stay over."
"It's for Lawrence. He wanted to spend time with his dad…so…umm…So."
"Right, if that's what you think. But I know better and you should too. He's a conniver that John."
"Mother, I think you're being a bit…"
"And what's this about you giving him a key….to your house! Kate knows does she? That you've given him a key to the house? Like the last time- to come and go as he pleases?"
"I didn't give him…I wouldn't give him a key. How'd he…?"
"He's having you on, love. You do know that. And I'm not going to stand idly by and let that wanker waltz in and break up…whatever it is that you and Kate have.
"It's called marriage mum." Caroline quickly jumped in to provide the answer. But Celia completely ignored her and continued on.
"And then there's my Flora ….she's my only granddaughter and I'll not have the likes of him causing her trouble. That's for sure." Celia paused for a moment or two. Then spoke her thoughts. "She is coming back, Kate with my Flora? You two haven't broken up again, have you, Caroline? Surely, you haven't forgotten how absolutely miserable you were when you and Kate broke up the last time?"
"Of course she's coming back…of course we're not breaking up. What would make you think otherwise?"
"Oh don't be so bloody daft Caroline. What woman wants an ex-husband hanging around all the time? And now you got that conniving waste of space sleeping down the hall from you. God only knows for whatever drummed up reasons he's given. That nitwit would like nothing better than to push Kate right out of the door just so he can muck up your life again. No doubt he's got his eye on all that money you're about to inherit. Oh that John…he's a right one he is."
Part Two- Don't Bring Me Flowers
On the drive home from school Lawrence was more talkative than his usual self. Enthusiasm bursting through every word he spoke. Caroline was the opposite. Quiet. Pensive. Not as eager as she normally would be to pounce on every opportunity to show how interested she was about Lawrence's day.
When Caroline and Lawrence opened the back door they were greeted by the scrumptious aroma of John's cooking. Wafting through the air; enticing the appetite.
"Have a good day, you two?" John was still wearing an apron and was holding an oven glove in one hand.
"Lovely." Caroline replied combining in her tone of voice the perfect mixture of a pinch of indifference with a splash of sarcasm.
"What're you cooking pops?" Not that it really mattered what was cooking. Lawrence could eat anything any time of the day.
"Salmon. It's your mother's favourite. Thought it would be a nice little treat. I've picked up a nice bottle of Chablis. I think it'll go well with it."
"Cool dad…eh mum?" Lawrence enthused.
"Could you give us a moment Lawrence? I'd like a word with your father." Caroline gently rubbed Lawrence's forearm as she ushered him out of the kitchen.
"Sure." Lawrence pumped both of his arms as if to say: "Over to you dad." But only this time, Caroline turned just in time to see Lawrence's gesture.
"Right. Puzzle solved!" Caroline thought, as it all suddenly hit home just how manipulated she had been.
"Over there." John pointed. "Got you some lovely flowers – your favourite- chrysanthemums."
"Why John?" She was fuming inside whilst offering up her best steely-eyed stare– if ever looks could kill!
"We had a nice weekend Caroline. I wanted to thank you. It's been a very long time since…since we've…."
"Since when John? Since when was the flipping last time you tried to make such a fool of me!"
"Caroline…I…I…you're not making sense."
"On the contrary John. I have come to my senses. You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig." John's mouth opened wider and wider with each word spoken.
"I'm quite aware what you've been up to. How could you lead Lawrence on? Letting him believe we could ever get back together? When you knew bloody well there was not a snowball's chance in hell of that ever happening. Even if I weren't with Kate- which I am- very much married to her- do you think I'd ever have you back? I'm a lesbian John! I like sleeping with women! When are you going to get that through your head?"
"Caroline, that's not how…" John couldn't find the words to dig his way out of this one. And that stupid look on his face would not help to garner favour.
"I'm thinking that it was Lawrence's idea in the beginning since he's still hanging on to the ridiculous hope that you and I will get back together again. But, Jesus John you're the adult here- his bloody father? You used your own son's vulnerability for your own selfish ego. How could you! My mother thinks it has something to do with the money you think I'm to inherit. Does it John? Or is it just your big fat ego? Tell me John which is it?"
"Caroline…that's just not…well it's…"
"All the while sleeping with Gillian and God only knows who else."
"That's not true is it dad? You wouldn't sleep with Gillian? Mum's making it up. Right dad? " Lawrence had stood outside the kitchen listening to everything that was being said and had remained quiet until he could no longer. His mother was dead wrong about his dad. Since she had taken up with Kate she was always dead wrong about everything. Especially about being a lesbian. Especially about choosing Kate over his dad.
"Look Lawrence the point is…well… it's just not that simple…things sometimes." John's excuse was lacking but it was the best he could come up with.
"Then mum's right? You did sleep with Gillian? God, dad I really believed you wanted to get back together with mum. I thought you loved mum. Wanted us to be a family again. When all the while… you're just like Will said you were. A bloody liar! A bloody cheat who can't be trusted! Just piss off dad." Lawrence left the kitchen choking back an eruption of tears; completely heartbroken. Another parent who had fallen off the pedestal. Lawrence was left without a side to take.
"I'll go talk to him. Make sure he's alright." John volunteered; assuming culpability for the mess he had created.
"No John you won't." It was not said loudly only authoritatively. "What you will do is give me back the house key Lawrence gave you and then get the hell out of my house; out of Kate's house. And bloody hell take those god-awful hideous flowers with you!"
Part Three -The Talk
Caroline tapped lightly on Lawrence's bedroom door before entering. Lawrence was curled up in a fetal-like position on the bed. Trying to stifle back tears that just wouldn't stop. Her heart melted at the sight of him- he was still her little boy – immature, spoilt, but most of all confused and vulnerable. He was a teenage who'd do anything to get his parents back together again; give anything to go back in time to what he perceived as having a "normal" family.
"Can I come in Lawrence? Can I talk to you?" Even though his mother's voice was soft and gentle he didn't answer her. He was trying too hard to hold back the flood of tears.
"Caroline took a position on the bed next to him and began to affectionately stroke his back. " I love you, Lawrence and I know how hard it's been for you. If I could go back and change things I would. And if wishes could come true I would wish that you never received that call from Gillian. I know how difficult, how devastating it must have been for you to have heard the way you heard about Kate and I. And I'm sorry for how that happened." Tears were beginning to gather in Caroline's eyes.
"I wish I would have had the chance to tell you myself – when you were ready; when you had more time to get used to things being different. Not just with Kate and I but with your dad also. I don't want you to ever think that Kate was the cause of our family breaking up. That would be plain wrong. Your dad and I…our marriage was over and done before Kate ever came on the scene. Your dad and I had a lot of good things going for us but we were never right for each other not in the way Kate and I are right for each other. I'm telling you this because you're older now. Because I expect you to be mature enough to understand about adults. No one is ever perfect - not you, not me, and not your dad. With people you love you take them as they are. Not how you wish them to be."
"When I was young, like you I took sides with one of my parents against the other. I suppose it was in part to punish my dad for not being who I thought he should be. It was the worst mistake of my life. You see, because I took sides I didn't get to know what my dad was really like. I saw him through other people's eyes- not my own. I let their judgment of his character and who he chose to love influence me. And because of that I missed out on a great deal of happiness that my dad and I could have shared together." Tears were trickling down Caroline's face but she made no attempt to wipe them away.
"Walter Higgins this man you refuse to get to know. He's someone I wish I would have known when I was your age. He's kind, generous, understanding. And he loved my dad so very much Lawrence. Much more than granny ever could. And even to this day he loves my dad beyond what simple words can express. I wish that I could have been a part of that precious love my dad and he shared. Just the way I want you to be a part of the precious love Kate and I share. Our love…is a rare love that comes once in a blue moon, Lawrence. And when you get older you will understand that true love – no matter the possessors - is an enviable gift very few people find." Caroline finally brushed away the teardrops running down her cheeks.
Lawrence spoke for the first time. "Kate turned you into a lesbian."
"Oh Lawrence nobody turned me into anything that I wasn't already."
"But you're not a lesbian mum. You can't be. You're my mum."
"Lawrence you can be like granny and call it whatever you wish. But in the end I love Kate with all my heart and all my soul and Flora every inch as much. And I'm very grateful to have both of them in my life."
"Then why were you crying- you and Kate. I heard you. So, you don't have to hide it…Kate's gone and dad's blown it."
"Oh Lawrence is that why you thought your dad and I would get back together? Kate and I were crying because Kate was pregnant and she lost our baby."
"Kate was going to have another baby? Jeez mum, aren't you totally too old to be having more babies?"
"Probably, but it's what… we decided at the time…so… well the point is Lawrence, Kate is my wife and Flora is my child and I want us all to be a family, now. That is if you still want to have a lesbian as a mother?" Caroline attempted to lighten up the mood. And she succeeded
"Do I have a choice?" Lawrence grumbled.
"Nope." Caroline's response was as upbeat as Lawrence's was not.
"Just my luck." Lawrence rolled over to face his mother and allowed her to embrace him. He wasn't disgruntled anymore but neither would you say he was overjoyed. "That's if you really are a lesbian, mum?"
"I guess we got all the time in the world for you and granny to figure that one out. Seeing that Kate and I are in it for keeps."
There was not doubt that Lawrence loved Caroline but he was not yet ready to put her, or for that matter either of his parents, back on a pedestal. At least not just yet. And as for Kate and Flora it wasn't so much that he disliked them; it was the emotional upheaval that they brought into his life that he disliked.
All and all it was a very tough day for Lawrence; he finally had to accept that his plan to get his parents back together again never had a snowball's chance in hell of ever coming to fruition.
To be continued