Kate heard the door open and felt relieved Caroline was finally home after her meeting with Gavin. Kate's face turned to worry at the sight of Caroline and the look. It was obvious to Kate that things had not gone well. Feeling apprehensive about asking the question Kate pressed on. "Hello darling. How did it go?"

Caroline flung her bag on the kitchen work top. Holding on to her mischievous grin as tightly as possible. Kate seeing Caroline's sagging shoulders walked up from behind and wrapped her arms around her burdened girlfriend and took her into a hug, holding her close. "It will be okay Caroline. We'll think of something."

Caroline couldn't hold on anymore and started to chuckle. Kate pulled away and looked puzzled. She spun Caroline around and finally realisation dawned. "You tricked me….. I have been so worried about you. I've paced around the house all day. I've driven Lawrence and my mum absolutely mad."

Caroline recovered her composure. "I'm sorry Kate. I didn't plan to trick you." Caroline put on her puppy dog look to try to invoke some sympathy from Kate but failed miserably.

"Don't give me that look. You can make tea and…." Kate lowered her voice to a whisper. "No sex tonight for you Dr Elliot!"

Caroline laughed. "Oh Kate. Come on it wasn't that bad."

Kate gave Caroline the look that said she was withdrawing all rights to sex for the foreseeable future.

Caroline became more mischievous and placed her hand under Kate's blouse feeling her soft bare skin. She trailed a finger up Kate's side knowing it would undoubtedly melt Kate's resolve and turn her on.

Kate pulled away and took hold of Caroline's hand. "Oh no you don't! You've tried that too many times and my will is much stronger now. I refuse to given in to your advances. You'll be lucky to get a kiss never mind anything else."

Caroline brought Kate's hand up to her mouth and began sucking on Kate's fingers. Kate started laughing and grabbed Caroline into an embrace with lips crashing together. Warm passionate kisses and that feeling of relief only reached by the touch of the one you love.

They pulled apart and Kate's face gave away her melted heart. "Are you going to tell me what happened then or do I have to guess?" Kate held on tight to Caroline's waist.

"Gavin tried to frighten me. He talked about needing a strategy and suggested I…. we, release some kind of statement. Well. I hit the roof telling him where to go." Caroline walked to the cupboard and picked out two glasses and collected a fresh bottle of Merlot from the rack. She began pouring the wine into the large glasses. "Where are your mum and Lawrence?"

"Oh they've gone shopping together. Don't change the subject. What did he mean exactly?"

Caroline waved her hand dismissing the issue as if it hadn't occupied her thoughts for the last few days. "He did it on purpose to see if I was willing to fight."

Caroline began to blush and her bravado changed from being dismissive. She seemed to withdraw. Kate saw the change. "Caroline. What's wrong?"

Caroline lifted her head up realising she'd revealed her insecurity. "Gavin said he had heard we were going to school in separate cars and asked whether I was reticent about revealing my….. our relationship." Caroline placed her now full wine glass on the counter top.

"What did you say?"

Caroline sighed relieving the tension. "I ... admitted that we had in the past, gone to work in separate cars because I had a few issues. But I told him that when you came back to work we would almost definitely be travelling in the same car together."

"Oh Caroline. That's so…. Sweet. Thank you. You make me so proud." Kate stroked Caroline's cheek gently acknowledging the difficulties Caroline had been through. It was clear that Caroline had changed her intentions and she was going to be more open with everyone. She was coming out.

"Kate. I am sorry for the way I have treated you…us, in the past. I'm sorry if I made you feel less than proud of me."

Kate stopped her by gently lifting her chin; bringing Caroline's swollen lips to her own. The feeling of moist, soft, swollen lips against her own left Caroline melting into Kate's embrace. Kate pulled away to check on Caroline's face, to see how she really felt. She saw Caroline's genuine loving smile, the one she couldn't hide which said she loved Kate.

"Did you really mean what you said… about going to school together when I go back to work?"

"Well…...yes…...I think ….. after the kiss on the Rugby pitch. Well... everyone knows now and if they don't then word will get round. So why not. I love you and I don't want to hide you. I'm proud of you… and Helena and … we'll be living together by then."

"Oh Caroline. You're so sweet and I love you." Kate felt giddy inside with happiness. She kissed Caroline again and pulled away leaving her forehead touching her lover. "How long will you need to get ready to go see Helena?"

"Give me ten minutes and I'll freshen up." Caroline left her girlfriend's embrace and went upstairs to change her jacket and freshen up.

At the hospital they entered the high dependency unit to find the nurse cradling Helena in her arms. This caused Kate and Caroline to smile. The nurse was the nice one and she had a huge smile on her face. "Look Helena. You're mummies are here for you."

The nurse looked at the two women. "Who wants to go first?"

Caroline smiled, "Go on Kate. You've missed her so much." Caroline had such relief in her heart and love for the sight before her now.

Kate smiled and then picked up Helena from the nurse and to Caroline's surprise immediately handed her over to Caroline. "She needs us both and I love the sweet face you have when you hold her."

Caroline took her daughter in her arms and immediately melted into a huge proud smile. She looked down at her daughter and tears fell down her cheeks. She was truly content. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so happy. Not for years.

Kate saw the tears. "Are you okay?"

Caroline laughed through her tears. "I'm just so happy Kate."

The nurse excused herself and told the two women she would be back very soon.

Kate took out her mobile and took a photograph of her beautiful girlfriend and her daughter.

Caroline blushed at Kate's surprise."Why do you wait until the nurse comes back so she can take one of us altogether?"

Kate smiled and inside her heart skipped at Caroline's suggestion they have a group photograph. "That's a really nice idea."

The nurse duly arrived back to the group and before Kate could ask her about taking their photograph she spoke with a huge smile on her face. "Ladies. I have some great news. The specialist has confirmed that Helena will be fit enough to go home tomorrow. I hope you're both ready."

Kate looked at Caroline and pulled her girlfriend and her daughter into a loving embrace. "We'll finally be together."

Kate handed her phone to the nurse and asked her to photograph the group. The nurse obliged and captured the moment when the two women were at their happiest. Caroline's mobile broke the moment and she saw it was Lawrence.

"Hello darling. How are you doing?" Caroline's face changed immediately. "Lawrence. Please slow down you're not making any sense. What's happened?"

Caroline looked at Kate and handed Helena to her. She walked away from Kate trying to get out of earshot so as not to worry her.

Kate focused on Helena holding her close to her body and smiling at her daughter smiling up at her as she made faces. A short time later she felt Caroline's arm on her shoulder. "Kate."

She turned around to see her lover's serious face "What…. what's wrong Caroline?"

"It's your mum. She's been taken to hospital. They think she may have had a heart attack!" Kate's legs went from under her and Caroline just caught her in her arms preventing her and Helena from falling to the floor. The nurse quickly came to their aid.