Celia followed Kate and Caroline in the jeep in her own car to the hospital. Kate held Helena in her arms in the back seat. Helena wouldn't settle when Kate let go of her. She fought against being tired and protested until she was in her mother's arms.

Kate looked up into the rear view mirror of the car into Caroline's eyes. Caroline looked in the mirror and not wishing to wake their daughter she mouthed. "You look beautiful."

Kate smiled at her memory of the last time Caroline had spoken the same words. It was her birthday on the fateful weekend away. She had to pinch herself on how things had changed and the twist of fate that saw her conceive Helena.

Caroline and Kate waited in reception for Celia to park her car. Helena was now sleeping content in her carry cot and drawing lots of attention from admiring passers-by. Caroline smiled at the way people cooed over new-born babies. She held such pride in her heart and watched Kate constantly look up to her with a smile on her face. Kate's use of the phrase, 'thank you, we're both very proud' with people enquiring about their bundle of joy warmed her heart. She knew all too well in times gone by this would have sent her running for the hills, in search of somewhere to hide. Initially Caroline didn't know what to do, but each time she received a smile from strangers with no hint of hostility she relaxed into a little more. Dare she admit to herself she was beginning to enjoy the attention?

Celia finally arrived as an older man who was assisting his wife walk with her crutches stopped to speak with Kate and enquire about the new-born. "She's such a beauty love. I'm sure she'll grow up to break a few men's hearts."

Kate smiled and looked over to Caroline, "Thank you we're so very proud aren't we darling?"

The elderly man and women smiled and looked at Celia as she arrived. The man seeing Celia's face turned to her. "And this must be the equally beautiful proud grandmother?"

Celia stopped showing an awkward smile. "Well yes. We're just on the way to visit her other grandmother. She's had a bit of a 'to do' with her heart."

"Well I'll leave you all to it. We best be on our way aren't we love? Our grandson and his boyfriend are coming to pick us up. Cheerio."

Celia stood in shock with her mouth wide open. Kate laughed and waved them off. "Well. You know what they say don't you darling?"

Caroline laughed and looked at Celia, both her and Kate said in unison. "There's nowt so queer as folk."

Celia shook her head with a smile on her face hinting at her own amusement. "That's right mock the afflicted."

They arrived in Grace's room to find her sitting up and drinking a cup of tea. The nurse at the reception station had updated Kate that Grace was doing very well and that the Doctors were pleased with her speedy recovery. This cheered a very worried Kate up. Caroline had watched Kate's shoulders drop with the release of her anxiety.

Kate re-assured by her mother's fit and well appearance smiled and took her mother in a huge hug. "Oh Mum. I'm so pleased, you look so much better. How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling so very much better thank you. I'm just glad that they have removed all those horrible tubes and things. I didn't like them very much."

Kate smiled and looked down to her daughter. "Mum I brought Helena to see you. She's been a little grumpy but she's settled now."

Kate brought the carry cot up to the bed so Grace could see her. Grace's face lit up at the sight of her grand-daughter. "Oh Kate, she is so very beautiful."

Grace looked across to Caroline. "You've both made me very proud."

Grace turned to Celia. "Oh my, I am very sorry Celia. You've both made Celia and I very proud grand-mothers. Haven't they Celia?"

Celia looked across to her daughter noticing a smirk on Caroline's face. "Yes you have."

The moment was interrupted by the Consultant Cardiologist, Mr Mahapatra. A small, well-built man with unruly jet black hair and a smile which covered his entire face.

"Good morning Mrs McKenzie. My my, I see you are a very popular lady today. Who do we have here now?"

Then instant recognition from a few months before on the same ward the portly man's smile grew instantly. "Well hello again, Mrs Buttershaw I think by now. If I'm correct Alan told me he was going to make an honest woman of you Celia?"

Celia smiled at the man who had told her about Alan's condition a few months before and advised them both live life to the full.

"Hello Mr Mahapatra. Yes he did. It was wonderful."

As the small man looked around the room he recognised Caroline from her visits to Alan. "Ah Caroline, our illustrious Headmistress if I'm not mistaken. Still keeping the prodigies' of the future in line I hope?"

Caroline smiled and shook Mr Mahapatra's outstretched hand only for the small man to bring her hand up to his lips and place a gentle kiss where tradition dictated. "Still very beautiful too."

Caroline blushed at the charming Egyptian who had previously asked whether she wished to join him for dinner, much to the amusement of her mother. Caroline turned to her mother and gave her a look which Celia understood. Don't go there.

Kate then became the focus of the gentleman's attention, "And a beautiful kind and sweet lady, you must be Kate. The description from your mother was extremely befitting. You are a very beautiful woman Kate and from what your mum tells me your partner is a very lucky man."

"Woman!"

The room went silent with one single word spoken. Celia's face etched with concern. Grace simply smiled at her daughter. Kate smiled at her girlfriend and Caroline looked down to the floor with a large grin on her face. Helena undisturbed looked at her mother with a face of pure love.

Mr Mahapatra turned to face the source of the voice. "Sorry my dear I don't understand."

Caroline had a smile on her face and looked across to her girlfriend. "Sorry Mr Mahapatra but you said Kate's partner is a very lucky man. In fact she …. I am a very lucky woman."

"Ha ha, silly me. You'd think with a gay son I would have a better radar. What is it they call it again? 'Graydar'? Something like that. Anyway, please accept my apologies and congratulations. You're both very lucky women."

Kate started to giggle and walked across to Caroline placing her free arm around her partner's waist. "We certainly are. Now, how is my mum doing Mr Mahapatra? Can we take her home yet?"

Kate and the consultant continued to discuss the details along with Grace. Caroline and Celia moved outside into the corridor taking Helena in the carry cot with them. Caroline still hadn't lost the grin from her face which riled her mother.

"Alright smarty pants. Wipe if off your face."

Caroline couldn't hold on to her laughter anymore. She let it out loud and proud in the corridor for all to hear. "What?"

"You know damn well what young lady. You seem to attract them like flies."

"Who do I attract mother?"

"You know perfectly well who. It's like you have a little code word or sign or something."

"Don't be silly. You think just because people talk about themselves or their family or friends being gay that I'm attracting them like flies. There have always been gay people mother. The only difference now is there are more around who are happy to be open and free to face the prejudice of others."

"Well you know full well I'm uncomfortable with it. Do you have to …. You know?"

"Do I have to what?"

"You know… flaunt it?"

"I do not flaunt it mother. Far from it in fact. But I won't stand by and let someone make presumptions about me. Especially when he asked me out to dinner when I came to see Alan."

It was Celia's turn to smile now. "He didn't did he? Oh what did you say?"

"Mother! I'm spoken for and as if you hadn't noticed I'm not into men!"

Celia smiled. "You could have gone out to dinner. What's the harm in that?"

"Mother. You are impossible. How would you feel if a gay older woman asked you out to dinner? Would you say yes to her?"

"Don't be silly dear. Of course I wouldn't. How absurd."