Caroline answered the call and glanced across to Kate. Everything seemed to slow down. She could hear her own heart beating in her chest and she felt on edge. "Hello?"

It was the Doctor who had encouraged them to take some time out and go home to sleep and rest. He asked to speak with Kate and Caroline passed her the phone. "It's Doctor Caraghan."

Kate took the phone and hesitated before placing it to her ear. Caroline saw the worried look in Kate's eyes and held her free hand in hers. She looked at Kate's hand and gently stroked her palm hoping in some way that it would make everything alright. The gesture was partly to give herself with the comfort of contact and Kate with support and courage.

Kate asked questioningly. "Hello. Doctor Caraghan?"

Caroline watched Kate's face intently. She couldn't hear the other side of the conversation so had to read her lover's expressions. Kate's facial expression changed from concern to a frown. Kate couldn't help the tears that began to flow down her cheeks. Caroline saw the tears and instinctively thought the worst. She began to cry herself and Kate saw her face pleading. Caroline mouthed to Kate, 'What?' Is she…?'

Kate shook her head between her tears trying to let Caroline know that she was wrong. She released her hand from Caroline's gentle caressing and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She shook herself, straightening her resolve and holding her voice solid. "Doctor Caraghan? Hold on a minute please?" She put the phone down and placed her hand over the phone. She looked directly into Caroline's pained blue eyes.

Caroline saw the corner of Kate's mouth turn up slightly and her heart settled. "Caroline it's not… She's okay. Don't worry." Kate quickly placed the phone back to her ear to continue the conversation.

Caroline finally let go of the breath she had been holding, relieved at the good news. She took hold of Kate's free hand again and Kate squeezed her hand gently.

"Okay. Thank you…. Yes we will be…. Thank you. Bye."

Kate was shaking so much she couldn't work out how to end the call on her lover's phone. She passed the phone to Caroline who clicked it off and threw it by her side on the sofa.

"He rang to let us know that Helena is doing well. She is stable and he is pleased with how she is progressing. He said we could visit her tomorrow after lunch." Kate began to cry with tears of relief and happiness. "He said… he said if she improved a little again tomorrow we could go in and hold her too."

Caroline smiled and took her lover into a warm and gentle embrace. "Oh Kate. That's wonderful. I was so worried when you started crying." Caroline laughed a little and Kate did the same. They pulled apart and smiled again with relief. Caroline leaned forward and kissed Kate on the lips softly and gently. She needed the contact, the reassurance and the knowledge that everything was okay. Kate pulled away from the kiss and gently brushed a tear away from Caroline's cheek. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. They were tears of joy. I love you Caroline. I'm so happy now. Thank you."

Caroline smiled at her lover's words and leaned in again to kiss the soft lips she adored. She finished the kiss and then shyly asked. "Kate? Can we go to bed and ….. lay naked together? I promise. No funny business….. I mean you're too….. you know."

Kate stopped Caroline by pressing her finger to her lips. "Caroline I will happily go to bed and lay naked with you. As for the funny business I don't think my jokes are anywhere near as good as Lawrence's but I do have a Michael McIntyre DVD if you think that will help!"

Caroline burst out laughing at Kate's retort. Kate joined in releasing the tension that had built all day but which they didn't want to acknowledge.

"Kate please, I do not want to go to bed with Michael McIntyre." Her face changed to one of softness and caring. "I just want to hold you close to me. Just for tonight."

Kate smiled again. "I've missed the feel of you next to me. It's the best feeling in the world." Her face changed from sweetness to one of desire. "I'd also like to get inside you and to make you sing from the hilltops." Kate saw Caroline's pupils widen instantly and knew she had pressed her lover's button. "I want to taste your sweet desires and to drink….."

Caroline stopped Kate in her tracks. "Enough with the description. Come on take me to bed now. I'm all yours."

Kate lead the way up the stairs to her bedroom. She held Caroline's hand in much the same way as the night of Celia and Alan's wedding. Caroline saw the look in Kate's eyes of pure want and lust. This had the effect of Caroline's own desires running wild. Her heart-rate quickened and she licked her dry lips as she watched Kate's bottom as they ascended the stairs.

Once in the bedroom Kate began to slowly undressed Caroline, relieving her of the clothes she had given her earlier in the day. Her blouse slipped from Caroline's shoulders to the floor revealing a plain white t-shirt which hugged Caroline in all the right places showing off her ample and inviting cleavage. Kate reached down to undue Caroline's trousers and found them very tight. Caroline breathed in and then helped Kate. "Sorry. I did say they were a little tight."

The women were interrupted by Caroline's mobile buzzing indicating a text message. Caroline knew who it would be and quickly glanced a look and immediate burst out laughing.

Kate's face turned to a puzzled expression, "What?"

Caroline smirked. "He must be spying on us."

Kate smiled now. "Who?"

"Lawrence! He's text, 'Night mum, Kate. Keep the noise down:0)'"

Kate smirked. "I don't think we need to keep the noise down. Do you?" Caroline's eyes widened as Kate resumed her task in relieving Caroline of her clothes. Kate lifted her t-shirt and reached round to undue the clasp releasing Caroline's breasts. She watched as they bounced free and gently caressed them. She leaned over and began kissing the right nipple which was already on high alert. Caroline gasped at the arousing contact from Kate's warm lips.

Kate maneuvered Caroline to her bed and relieved her fully of her trousers which had only gathered around her feet. She undressed herself whilst watching Caroline's nakedness spread across the duvet. Caroline hadn't moved to climb under or to her side of the bed. She lay seductively staring at Kate.

Kate climbed on top of Caroline and they adjusted to move under the duvet but Caroline knew that the duvet wouldn't last very long.

Kate lay to the side of Caroline and picked up where she had left off with kissing and caressing Caroline's nipples. She switched from side to side and then used her free hand to gently feel the inside of Caroline's thighs. Caroline pleaded and tried to move to meet Kate's fingers but Kate held fast. The two women enjoyed their noisy, love-making late into the night unabashed by restraints of others, before falling sound asleep next to one another.

Caroline woke in the morning and felt Kate still lying next to her. Her arm was resting across Kate's side and she awoke on her back. She heard the gentle inhaling of breath indicating Kate was still asleep. They had both been through so much in the last few days. Caroline felt physically exhausted and emotionally drained. She knew that Kate would be more so with the anticipation of having her first baby after so many failures in the past.

Caroline gently moved her arm from Kate's side trying not to disturb her. She wanted to get up and go down to make a cup of tea. She put her dressing gown on and exited the bedroom onto the landing. She stopped in her tracks hearing a noise from downstairs. She immediately held her breath hoping to increase her hearing. She heard it again and her body reacted by taking an intake of noisy breath. She brought her hand to her mouth not knowing if the person in Kate's house had heard her.