They had finished at the museum about an hour and a half ago and had just finished eating lunch at a lovely little cafe on one of the back streets of Paris. "umm Doctor Elliot?" she turned her head to see who was addressing her "yes Sam", "I was just wondering after lunch will we be able to to have a browse around the market with our friends." Caroline smiled " that's why we're here, I thought it would be good practice for you all to go and have a look around, speak to some market owners and see if there is anything you want to buy. The other staff and I will accompany you for a bit then you can have a wander before we head back to the hotel." She saw his face light up at the idea of a little freedom, catching Kate's matching grin.
As as they wondered around the markets she watched Kate help the students to ask there questions, adjusting some of their pronunciations for a few confused looking market owners. She watched Kate pick up a some thing small and in amazing beautiful fluent French began to be what she make out as haggling, afterwards handing the money over and dropping it into her pocket.
Kate returned looking victorious "you look pleased" Kate nodded I am, "what did you buy?" Caroline couldn't help but be nosy there was more of her mother in her than she cared to admit most of the time.
"So do we get to have a walk alone un chaperoned by students?" "whatever do you mean Kate, what would we need to do that for" She watched Kate's fall believing she was being serious before Caroline burst into laughter.
"Right guys I'm sure you will be fine on your own for a bit, please remember this is a French language trip, try to speak some French. We will meet back at the cafe we started at in an hour. Keep your phones on if you get lost ring me or your group leader, you've all got the number". The nodded eager to escape the grasps of teachers and scattered before Caroline could say anything more.
"So shall we go have a walk?" Kate asked "sounds lovely", Caroline turned to the other staff "see you in A bit , must do some shopping when in Paris" she giggled. She noticed a sly look from Michael as she smiled girlishly at him, he had had just about enough her stupid games. He decided it was time to rock the boat a little, turning to face the other teachers "have you noticed Caroline and Kate seem to be spending a lot of time together on this trip? He asked trying to inspire some gossip mongering opinions with little avail. "Not really" Susan replied "there good friends, it's nice but brave Kate not sure I could spend that much time with Caroline" she laughed " could you?". He looked horrified at the subject " definitely not", "Right well I'm going to have a look around did you fancy it? Susan asked him "No it's ok I'm going to go have a crafty beer I saw a pub just up there, see in you in a bit" Michael smiled sweetly.
As he sat in the pub he could just imagine them off somewhere together, Caroline all over Kate made his skin crawl. How could Kate want to shag her but not him, it wasn't right As as for Caroline coming on to him what the hell was her game and it scared him a little to think how far she might go.
He suddenly caught a glimpse of them walking past the window where he sat hand in hand fawning all over each other, how could they be so brazen in front of the students what if they saw!
Kate looked adoringly into Caroline's eyes "god it's so romantic here Caroline, think what it would be like here if we had come just us". Caroline got lost in Kate's eyes she hadn't realized how much of the romantic Kate bought out in her, as they walked along the river they found a secluded bench at sat together.
"Its so peaceful here, it quietens my head stops the chatter" Caroline spoke into the air not really directed at Kate just a statement, feeling Kate puller her closer. Kate leant forward " is it ok to kiss you?" Caroline's face lit up with the thought "you don't need to ask", she said turning to face Kate head on. "I ..I just thought it's in public and... " she never finished her sentence as Caroline's lips muted hers. "I'm in Paris with my girlfriend the woman I'm in love with, next to a beautiful woman in the most romantic city in the world. I think a kiss is allowed ...no essential, so ..." Her lips connected with Kate's, she felt her arms embrace Kate's waist pulling her in as they kissed. Their lips tightly pursed there tongues mixing so naturally, neither fighting for control just enjoying the pure bliss of the moment. The passion was there but restrained by pure understanding, tenderness and love, the feeling made Caroline feel as if shed finally come home after all these years of being lost. That for this magical moment some how.. That one kiss cemented her fate to Kate, there was no longer uncertainness just sheer adoration for this magnificent woman next to her, Kate her Kate!
They pulled apart leaving their heads close, their eyes fixed upon one another listening to their hitched breathes "Kate, ..." Kate smiled "Caroline.." the words lost.
Kate pulled out the bracelet she had bought earlier she placed it delicately in Caroline's hand as she gently took it, Caroline's eyes shone with the tears she held them back. "It's nothing big just something small I want you to have to , make you remember how important to me you are and that I love you and am still falling deeper and deeper". Caroline could see the emotion in Kate's face and was deeply touched by it, she also saw the fear in Kate's eyes that Caroline might not feel the same.
"will you" Caroline beckoned holding out her wrist whilst handing her the bracelet for her to put on. Kate nodded obliging in putting the bracelet on her delicate wrist "it's beautiful Kate, so Perfect and it's from you so I will cherish it always, just perfect and so are you. I've never ... I didn't know it was possible to feel this happy this content with life, I want to wake up in the morning next to you, to hold you talk to you, to fall asleep with you in my arms and everything In between. You have taken over my world and stolen my heart, I'd do anything for you to protect you and make you happy. "I love you so much" her lips pressing gently against Kate affirming what she said. She felt the hot tear reach her top lip and realized Kate was crying gently, Caroline looked up in concern "what is it darling?". "Nothing I'm just happy, we've been so much in such a short time and I understand this is even harder for you with John and the boys, and you've just been so supportive and understanding and well so full of love. I know it's not all plain sailing but I honestly can't imagine not being with you, you kiss me and I feel like the whole world melts away and I want to stay like that forever". They sat in each other embrace for a long time showering each other in light passionate kisses, until Caroline's phone rang shocking them both from their blissful refuge. "We're late" she smiled standing up to take Kate's hand " come on quicker we get back, quicker we can be alone again". Kate hopped up " well put it like that" she smirked and started briskly leading Caroline back up the path who was now in fits of laughter watching Kate power walk pulling her along behind her.