The Doctor reassured Kate, "The good news is that we can treat it with antibiotics. She'll stay here for a few days whilst we watch her carefully. We'll do more tests to find the exact infection so we know which drug is the most suitable."
Kate couldn't help her tears. A mixture of relief that they knew what it was and how to treat it but the worry of the treatment not working. "Can I….. Can we stay with her here?"
The doctor looked at them both. "We were looking to discharging you today Kate. We'll discharge you from the maternity ward but you can both stay here as long as you wish. However, I know it's difficult to leave her, but I would recommend you both to go home to get some rest."
Kate's face immediately revealed her inner conflict. The doctor re-assured her. "Kate you can't do anything here now. Helena will be here for at least 3 days. I'm sure Caroline agrees with me when I tell you that you look exhausted. Even a few hours of rest in your own bed will do you the world of good. I promise we will call you the minute anything changes."
Caroline talked with Kate trying to counter argue all her protests. "Kate please? The doctor said you need some rest. You do look really tired. Have you rung your mum yet?"
Kate shook her head and more tears flowed. "Do you want me to ring her for you?" Kate nodded to Caroline.
"Can we pop in to see mum on the way home to mine?"
"Of course we can. If that will persuade you to go home and get some rest. Then yes." Caroline held Kate and turned to the Doctor and smiled. "Thank you."
Caroline used Kate's phone to ring Grace to tell her the news and let her know their intentions. Caroline handed the phone to Kate so they could talk. She used her own phone to update her mother. Caroline was thankful her mother would drop everything to help no matter what. "Caroline love. I'm so sorry. How is Kate?"
"She's holding on mum. I…. I couldn't…."
"I know love. I know. Are you going to stay with Kate? I can look after Lawrence for you. He's happy enough. We're playing Mario Kart. He's winning but Alan's getting better." Caroline laughed at the image of Alan playing a video game.
"Thanks mum. I'll keep you updated. I'll probably come home in the morning. Tell Lawrence I love him."
Celia laughed. "He knows you love him dear."
"No mum. It's important you tell him I said I love him. Please?"
"Okay. He'll probably turn his face up though."
Caroline finished the call and rang her secretary at school. "Hi Beverley. It's Caroline… …..Yes, the wedding was wonderful. Thank you….. Kate is fine. That's why I'm ringing. Kate gave birth to Helena on Boxing Day morning. She's at Harrogate maternity unit… Yes and thank you Beverley. You're very kind… The thing is Helena has developed an infection and is in the neonatal intensive care unit." Caroline smiled at Beverley's kind words and blushed.
Beverley had known that they were together but had never said anything. She also knew that things had been difficult between them more recently. She asked if Caroline and Kate were together again and told Caroline she was pleased to hear that they were because they were a lovely couple.
Caroline explained that she had a meeting booked the following day with Gavin and that she intended to tell him and ask for paternity leave to be with Kate and Helena. She asked Beverley to explain what had happened and that she would re-arrange their meeting before the start of the new term.
Caroline saw that Kate had finished her call and did the same with her call. "Come on Kate. You need to get changed so I can get you to your mum's."
Kate smiled but she didn't feel very happy at the prospect of leaving Helena. She kissed the incubator and whispered 'I love you'. Caroline hugged the incubator with her and whispered a little louder. "I love you beautiful."
She walked Kate back to her bed on the maternity ward only to see nurse Bottomly on the ward desk. The nurse didn't give Kate and her any grief. Caroline didn't know if her face gave the nurse the impression that to do so would mean certain death for her or whether the young kind nurse had put her in the picture. Caroline was grateful not to have to fight anyone today. Overwhelmed by all the kindness everyone had shown to her, Kate and to Helena she made a mental note write thank you cards for the nursing staff.
They arrived at Grace's house less than 30 minutes after leaving Helena. It was a two up two down Victorian terraced town house with the front door directly leading onto the pavement. Caroline managed to find a parking space for her big Jeep only two houses away. Grace was waiting for them both at the door and took them both into a huge hug. She had clearly been crying herself and couldn't help crying once again. She bundled them inside and Caroline saw a warm and cosy sitting room with an open fire, single chair and two-seater sofa positioned around the fire. The furniture was slightly dated but it was tidy and well-kept with care and attention to the little things such as voiles at the windows and doilies on the side table.
Grace made them both a cup of tea and made them sit down. Kate cuddled up to Caroline not letting go of her hand. It was if her life depended on it and her grip was tight. Both women explained what the doctor had said to Grace who listened attentively and told them both they were to listen to his advice and they were no good being tired and worn out for Helena.
Kate felt relieved to have seen her mother and felt more calm and settled after her visit. Her mother's smile, her warm and welcoming hugs did their job to re-assure her that leaving the hospital was the right thing to do. She waved to her mum out the window of Caroline's car and turned to Caroline. "Thank you Caroline." She rested her hand on Caroline's thigh and smiled. "I don't know what I would have done without you. I do love you."
Caroline smiled at Kate and patted her hand which lay on her lap. They arrived at Kate's about 15 minutes later and Kate felt happy at the familiar surroundings. She was home but she felt strange that something was missing.
Caroline was busy getting Kate's things from her car and entered her sitting room to find Kate in tears. She took a seat next to Kate and held her again. "Come on Kate. I'll make you a cup of tea and run you a bath."
Kate looked at Caroline. "I'm sorry. I'm such a mess. I wish she was here with us. It's empty without her. I feel lost Caroline."
Caroline gently stroked her cheek and kissed Kate on her forehead. "Kate. She'll be home before you know it. You'll feel better after a bath and a sleep. Come on. Let's get you upstairs to the bathroom."
Caroline helped Kate undress and started the bath pouring bath salts into the water filling with room with rose scented warmth. She helped Kate into the bath and went down to get Kate's tea. She returned a short time later, tea in hand to find Kate lying in the bubbles with her eyes closed. She placed the cup on the side of the bath and bent down, kneeling on the black and white tiled floor. She rested her hand on Kate's arm. Kate opened her eyes and looked at Caroline. "I'm sorry for how I treated you Caroline. I can't take back all the horrible things I said to you. I wish I could but I'm so grateful you took me back."
Caroline smiled at Kate and stroked her arm gently. "We both said and did things in the moment. We can't change that now. But I do want to spend the rest of my life with you and Helena. I promise to be more open and loving with you. Beverly told me on the telephone she knew we were a couple and so pleased we were back together because we make a lovely couple."
Kate smiled and threw bubbles at Caroline playfully. Caroline leant down to kiss Kate and Kate pulled her into the bath causing Caroline to squeal with delight.
Caroline's phone buzzed on the tiled floor and they ignored it. So happy for the moment of joy that had been scarce in the last day they were content to just enjoy one another.
Lawrence was pacing in the kitchen waiting for his mum to answer the phone. His mum's answer machine kicked in with her familiar professional voice and he left a message pleading for his mum to call him back.