Caroline couldn't believe she was sitting in the restaurant with Lawrence. She figured any 'chat' she planned to have with him would have to be on his terms. So she had taken the bull by the horns and asked him where he would want to go for something to eat. McDonald's was not what she had in mind! However, an agreement was just that and she stood by her word. She should have known what Lawrence would say when he clarified, "So you'll take me anywhere I choose".

She watched Lawrence's face, a huge smile, cheese dripping off his chin, holding a half-eaten Big Mac. Caroline couldn't hide her uncomfortable demeanour from Lawrence who seemed to revel in his mum's awkwardness. "You're absolutely loving this aren't you?" stated Caroline more as a fact than a question.

Lawrence laughed. "Mum, your face was priceless when I said McDonald's. I was actually being cheeky thinking you would never come here with me. I can't believe you're actually here. You know if my mates from school see you here your street cred will double overnight!"

Caroline smiled and looked down. "If you tell anyone at school that I took you to McDonald's I'll ground you for a month!"

Lawrence continued enjoying his Big Mac and then much to his mother's disgust said with his mouth half full, "I can handle being grounded just to see the look on my friend's faces when I tell them."

Caroline scowled, "Don't you dare, you little ….minx!"

Lawrence finished his current mouthful before making his statement. "So let me get this right. You couldn't care less now if everyone knows you and Kate are raving muff munchers but you don't want anyone to know you're a closet McDonald fan."

"I am not a McDonald's fan and never will be. So don't even think about telling anyone anything different. Besides you told me everyone knows about Kate and I at school and I can't be bothered hiding anymore!"

Lawrence smiled at his mum's new bravery. "You are much more fun when you and Kate are together."

Caroline smiled at her son. Despite his difficult start with accepting Kate he seemed to be coming round to the idea. "Does anyone cause you any problems at school?"

Lawrence frowned not quite understanding what his mother was asking.

Caroline saw his confused expression. "I mean with Kate and I. You said everyone knew so do they give you any grief about it?"

Lawrence thought about his reply. "To begin with some of the boys called me names but I ignored them. Angus sticks up for me. I don't get so much now."

Caroline's heart felt pain. Pain that she had caused her son's suffering and she hadn't thought about the pain he'd suffered. "What ….. What names do they call you?"

"Oh you know. If I drop the ball in Rugby they tell me 'I'm gay' or call me a 'puff'. The girls used to call me 'Dyke boy' for a time. I had comments about you scribbled on my books too."

Caroline noticed that Lawrence's earlier happiness had faded. His mood had changed with the memories. His face had dropped. The comments clearly had more of an effect than Lawrence let on.

"Lawrence. I'm sorry you had to endure that. The last thing I ever wanted was for you to suffer because of me. I know it must be hard being the Headmistress's son without them knowing I'm gay."

Lawrence didn't answer his mother. Caroline saw that she had hit the nail on the head. She felt like crying but didn't want Lawrence to see her upset. "Lawrence. How do you feel about Kate and me now? I mean how do you really feel?"

Lawrence looked up at his mum and saw the sadness in her eyes. "Mum. I don't like seeing you unhappy. You do know I could hear you crying in your room when I'd gone to bed? I guessed it was because you and Kate had ….. You know."

"Oh, Lawrence." Caroline grabbed him in a hug. She wiped away a tear from her own cheek. "You know I love you don't you?"

Lawrence hugged his mum back and then pulled away looking around to make sure no-one he knew had seen him.

"Lawrence. How would you feel if Kate and Helena moved in with us? I don't mean straight away but in a few months or so?"

Lawrence's face dropped. "I'm not keen on a crying baby or smelly nappies. Where's she going to sleep?" Lawrence saw his mum's face. "I mean the baby, Helena. Not Kate."

Caroline laughed at her misunderstanding. "Well she'll be sleeping with Kate and me in our room in a cot" Caroline hesitated before proceeding with her thoughts not sure how he would take the news. "When the house sells and your father and I finalise things, I'd like to find a house for us all. You, me, William, Kate and Helena, how would you feel?"

"Could you find one with an annexe for Helena to sleep in? You know like Granny and Alan." Lawrence smiled.

Caroline laughed at Lawrence's suggestion. She looked down at her burger which she hadn't really touched. Lawrence had polished his meal off and was looking at her unfinished meal with delight. Caroline pushed it to Lawrence, "Go on then."

"Thanks mum. We should do this more often."

Caroline looked at him and could see by the glint in his eye he was winding her up. "I think next time the venue will be my choice and not yours. But we will have time together though, just you and me. I mean without Kate and Helena. How does that sound?"

Lawrence smiled at his mum. "Great, but not a tea shop please?"

Caroline laughed. "Okay. You can't choose McDonald's anymore and I promise I won't take you to a tea shop, deal?"

"Fair enough it's a deal!"

The journey home with Lawrence was filled with Lawrence telling his mum about his antics in the Rugby match and how he had saved the day and won the team the game. Caroline let Lawrence enjoy his time to remember his achievements. She felt more settled now that she had chatted with him about her plans. She realised that she should have done this the first time round and thereby save everyone a lot of grief. But she couldn't turn the clocks back.

"Lawrence. Do you mind if I drop you off and go visit Kate and Helena in the hospital? I'll be back in time to sort something out for dinner. Although, you've already had lunch and dinner."

"Fine mum. Can we stop off at a shop? I'd like to get a card for Kate and Helena."

Caroline's heart jumped with pride and love. "Of course we can."

She took the chance of being alone to text Kate a message. She let her know she was planning on visiting and update her on her chat with Lawrence. She felt so proud

Lawrence interrupted her texts getting back into the car. "All done?"

"Yep, done."

Caroline followed Lawrence into the house instead of dropping him off. She went upstairs to change her clothes and freshen up. When she returned down to the kitchen Lawrence had left a card with Kate's name on it on the kitchen worktop. She heard the distinctive sound of a video game from the sitting room and knew Lawrence was back where he was most comfortable.

She popped her head through and said goodbye to Lawrence on the way out.

At the hospital Caroline was ready to face Nurse Grim head on. She walked down the corridor with purpose and with her shoulders back, freshly painted and Headmistress face on. She was surprised to see a young nurse on the desk. "Hi. I'm here to see Kate McKenzie?"

The nurse smiled and said, "You must be Caroline. Kate has told me all about you. I'm Louise. Congratulations, Helena is beautiful."

Caroline taken aback by the complete contrast to nurse Grim relaxed. "Thank you. She is but then I am biased."

The nurse smiled. "Kate's last visitor, Greg has just gone so she's free."

Caroline's heart wrenched at the mention of the name.