Micheal sat at his desk in his home study, his mind racing his thoughts seething, how had he let that bloody woman beat him. How was he now sitting here writing his letter of resignation whilst he knew she would be with Kate laughing and joking.
He picked up his mug throwing it angrily across the room and watching it obliterate into tiny pieces as it made hard contact with the wall. His body shook how did she get under his skin so much, the thing that disturbed him slightly was that he almost in another life would have applauded her that she was his worthy adversary. But not today no.. Today he vowed she would not win he would do something that obviously meant a great deal to her, more than anything professional. He smirked destroying her relationship with Kate would bring great satisfaction, to take what she had taken from him.
Caroline and Kate stood at the top of the Eiffel tower with the students as they looked over the sights of Paris, discretely Kate sunk her hand into Caroline's gently brushing her thumb over her soft skin. This is heaven she thought, as she watched Caroline's eyes awed with the sights below, as the sun began to sink into the horizon.
As Caroline dropped Kate's hand gently smiling briefly then walked to stand beside some ofthe students, hearing their excitement and watching them run from side to side taking in the beautiful city of love. She glanced at Kate who reflected a small grim of happiness before she too joined in with hustle and bustle of staff and students.
Caroline watched how she spoke so beautifully in French to Izzy one of the more promising sixth form students, how confidently she conversed with Kate in French. It was trips like this that for students like izzy that sparked further enjoyment and enthusiasm in languages and culture. God she had forgotten how rewarding it was to spend time with the students, she made a silent note to do it more often. She had often heard Kate or other staff talk passionately about inspiring a student to do this or that, but it had lost meaning. Watching Kate she saw all the qualities as a teacher she herself once prided herself in, it was one of the things that Caroline had seen so deeply in Kate. Kate's passion had been what made her take her on without further thought, she inwardly smiled as she recalled that first meeting. There was no denying the chemistry she had felt even then however hard she had tried to ignore it or probably not fully understood it then.
Caroline spent another half an hour talking to the students and taking in the sights before realizing time was fading fast and soon it would be time to return home.
Kate was sat beside Izzy chatting about the beauties of the French landscape, Kate had always taken a liking to Izzy she had always reminded her of a younger version of herself. She couldn't help but smile as she watched Caroline a short distance away leaning over to see everything on offer from the heights.
"you seem happy" Izzy spoke gently to Kate tentatively knowing she was somewhat over stepping the boundaries. Kate nodded "how long have you been together?" Izzy asked in French catching Kate off guard, looking around to see who had heard. Taking a breathe knowing hardly anyone could speak such easy French as izzy knowing it was safe from being overheard. "How what..."
Kate blushed "don't worry I don't think anyone else has noticed" Kate smiled "it's new" she said softly "izzy it's private" izzy nodded it's ok "I won't say anything, I'm pleased for you".
Kate nodded she knew she shouldn't have spoken about her and Caroline but Izzy was no ordinary student just in the last 6months that they had become close, Izzy had confided in Kate. Kate had helped her through the difficult transition of understanding her own sexuality, Kate had seen no harm in helping this time by opening up about herself Her own sexuality. She knew Izzy was vulnerable and had a difficult home life, she had confided in her abusive father and the stresses she felt? Kate had taken her under wing had given her extra tuition as she was such a enthusiastic student. They had spend many afternoon talking about studies, universities and her troubles, Since that day the boundaries of student and teacher had been blurred. Izzy was so good at getting Kate to open up without her even knowing it. "Our secret" Kate whispered Izzy nodded before Kate smiled and stood up to find Caroline "you too looked cosy" she giggled pointing towards Izzy missing the uncomfortable blush from her lover. "Yeah shes a good girl, we should start heading to the coach to get the ferry" Caroline nodded "it's not been too bad a weekend, but I can't wait to get you home".
As they sat on the ferry Caroline talked to Susan about the success of the trip and realiterate that it had been plain sailing although Michael had had a family emergency and had to leave early. she would enjoy the humiliation he would have to endure if he bumped into her when he came to clear out his things, she was sure shed made her position clear.. Don't mess with me!
Kate and Caroline had made a point not to sneak off together for the whole ferry trip and to be seen socializing with everyone although all they desperately wanted was to be alone together once more.
"Do you just love me for my body" Kate chuckled as Caroline ran her hand over Kate's thigh whispering everything she planned to do to her the moment they got home.
Caroline mocked being appalled at the accusation " I could say the same, but no would I have asked you to move in with me. Although I does mean having easy access to your body daily and nightly I do admit" she but her lip seductively. "You meant it then? " "of course, if you want.." She looked ashamed had she read Kate's feeling wrongly "of course I do". "Good" she sqeezed Kate's thigh I'm reassurance as they contained to fight the urgent screams their bodies made to be connected once again.
"This means I'll have to tell the boys were together, explain to my mother" the smile wiped from her face, she couldn't do this she wasn't ready. What if they couldn't accept it what I'f they hated her for it, or Kate. She had been in such a bubble since there first kiss, she'd always wanted it in her heart she admitted that now. But it was moving so quick but it felt so right, she was so happy but the bubble of plain sailing had popped it meant telling her family. She loved her family but the fear almost consumed her the fear deep rooted inside her desperate for acceptance and approval.
Kate saw the fear in her eyes "it's ok we will take it slow, I'd love to wake up next to you every morning, but when your ready." "Thank you, shall we talk about it later when were properly alone. You will stay tonight , were going to be home Late and it makes sense as well as I want you too". "If your sure" she smiled a timid smile as Caroline nodded, she knew this was easier for her she knew she was gay, she knew she loved Caroline but she knew that Caroline would find this difficult. She had the boys to consider, her mum, the school she had a professionalism above her own a responsibility a persona to maintain. As well as the inward battle she knew she was struggling with at the final acceptance of not that she loved Kate but the announcement of that and all that came with it.
Caroline pulled Kate out from the table into a small alcove of the ferry "I want this, us, you. I want to live together be with you all the time but this is difficult when thinking just of me and you I didn't even think. But the reality is more complicated, it's what I want i promise you that but I need to do right by the boys" Caroline said forlornly. "Caroline I understand in your time and I will help whatever way i can, I'm not going to rush you and in the meantime you can always stay at mine". she winked " The fact you have asked and imagining us living together is enough for me now" she smiled pulling Caroline into a deep passionate kiss silencing Caroline's fears in an instant as her world became centered by the amazing woman kissing her. This was... What she wanted!