The drive home from the hospital found Kate and Caroline relaxed. Caroline relayed the conversation she had earlier with Celia in the corridor which made Kate giggle.

"I'm so proud of you Caroline for correcting Mr Mahapatra. I can't believe he kissed your hand and the way….."

"He just assumed."

"Yes."

They arrived on Kate's street and Caroline parked behind Celia's car.

"Well. Your mum's here and we're being pampered tonight. I wish we hadn't taken her up on her offer to cook for us now. I just want you to myself after all those men admiring you."

Caroline smiled and pulled Kate close to her, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Uncaring about Kate's neighbours or anyone else. "Mmmmm. I've been yearning to do that all day."

They were interrupted by Helena' cries. "I think she needs feeding. She's done really well today with all the attention."

The two women walked hand in hand down the driveway towards Kate's door. They stopped to allow Caroline to open the front door and walked inside.

"Oooo mum. That smells gorgeous. We're famished."

Celia greeted the two women in the hallway wearing Kate's flowered piny which Lawrence had favoured on his earlier visit. "Hello love. It will be another 20 minutes I'm afraid. Give you time to settle the little one."

"Thank you Celia. She's very hungry." Kate wasted no time in removing her cardigan again to feed Helena in front of Celia.

Celia made good her escape once again calling out to the two women from the kitchen. "I'll call you when it's ready. You two get yourselves sorted. It's all under control."

Caroline turned to Kate smiling. Kate held Helena whilst she suckled on her breast and Caroline stood behind her holding her precious cargo close and safe.

Kate remembered the post she found on the sideboard in the sitting room. "Caroline could you open the post please? A few of them look like cards."

Caroline proceeded to open the envelopes which were hand written and read out the greetings to her girlfriend and Helena.

"Congratulations to Kate and Caroline on your new daughter. Hope to see you all soon in school, Love Louise."

Kate laughed. "Oooooo. Caroline now that would be a 'coming out event' wouldn't it? The Headmistress parading her mistress and daughter around Sulgrave Heath!"

Caroline looked at her girlfriend over the top of her reading glasses. "You'd really enjoy that wouldn't you? All that fusing and attention, not to mention the cooing, with Louise and the rest of the kids asking lots of questions."

Caroline continued to read out the cards relaying the greetings from Kate's friends. Caroline felt sad at a few of the cards who only addressed their messages and wishes to Kate not knowing she and Caroline were once again an item. Kate saw the change in her love. "What's wrong Caroline?"

Caroline looked up smiling but not quite convincingly enough, trying to hide her sadness from her lover. "Nothing love, it's just me being silly again."

Helena finished her feeding and promptly nodded off to sleep. Kate gently placed her back into the carry cot and covering her over with her blanket before turning back to face her partner. "Caroline. Come on please talk to me?"

Caroline had wiped her eyes whilst Kate was with Helena, not wanting to drag the moment down. "It's nothing, really. I just ….well….some of the cards were only for you. I just realised that some of your friends didn't know we were ….."

Kate finished Caroline's sentence, "…..together again?"

Caroline nodded and tears formed in her eyes again. "It reminded me of when I felt so down and how much I missed you. I'm sorry Kate. I'm such an emotional wreck right now."

Kate took Caroline into a warm embrace placing her hands around her waist and drawing her in. Caroline bowed her head into the crook of Kate's neck not wanting to show her face. Kate kissed Caroline's hair.

"Caroline. When schools starts tomorrow we could take Helena in together and show her off to everyone. I'm sure you'll want to talk with the management team to cover things whilst you're off. It will send a message out to everyone without having to make a huge speech or announcement. What do you think? Are you ready to face them all and be out and proud Caroline?"

Caroline lifted her head and stroked Kate's face. "You're very kind and sweet and always full of sensible ideas. I think it's a great idea. I'm sure Beverley would be pleased, she hasn't stop ringing today to sort things out. My diary was rather full before Christmas."

"Good then its settled. We'll take her in after lunch tomorrow whilst it's a training day. We can cover the kids later when she's older."

Kate picked up the rest of the pile of cards. She noticed one had a stamp for Nigeria. "Caroline. This one must be my auntie Beryl. She's in her eighties but as sharp as a button. She's my dad's older sister."

"Does she know about me?"

"Of course she does. You can't keep gossip from auntie Beryl. She may live back home in Nigeria but she knows more about what happens over here than we do. She told me about the job at Sulgrave Heath. She's hot on the internet and saw it advertised in the Teacher's Chronical. She rang me up almost immediately asking what my experience of music was and whether I liked Harrogate or not."

Caroline laughed. "Sounds like we owe it to Auntie Beryl for bringing us together then?"

Kate laughed. "More than you know Caroline!"

"What does that mean?"

Kate relayed how after her job interview with Caroline she came home and rang her Auntie Beryl who asked her to relay all the details.

"At the end of the chat Auntie Beryl told me she thought she heard something very special in my voice. She said I will start a very special bond with you."

Caroline burst out laughing at the revelation. "Is she a medium or something?"

"No. but she said she heard more emotion in my voice than she had heard in a long time. She is blind Caroline and very tuned into to what people say and how they say it. She is a fantastic piano player. I told her it was impossible and you were straight and married."

"Well. That didn't stop you did it!"

Kate laughed and smiled at the memories of chats they had on the telephone and the happiness she felt talking opening about her growing love for Caroline.

"Caroline when Helena's a little older I'd like to take her over to see Auntie Beryl. I think she would like to meet you too. I don't think she would be able to come over to England. What do you think?"

"That sound like a lovely idea Kate."

Kate opened the card and read out the message from her Aunt.

'To my darling Kate and her gorgeous partner Caroline, I'm so very pleased for you both sharing your love with one another. Congratulations to my great-niece Helena who I'm sure will be as beautiful as her adoring mothers. All my love, Auntie Beryl.'

Celia's voice interrupted the two women.

"Dinner's ready girls."

The three women finished off the meal lovingly prepared by Celia.

"Well. I don't know about you two but I'm ready to drop. I think I'll call it a night. The dish washer is running so there is nothing to worry about. Night my loves."

Caroline and Kate watched as Celia finished off the remains of her wine in one go and walked out into the kitchen. She then walked off up the stairs.

Caroline called after her. "Mum, Don't' forget I'll be up early in the morning. I'm back at school for a Training Day."

"Right love."

Caroline turned to her partner sitting beside her on the sofa. She gently lifted her chin up so she could place her lips on her forehead.

"How about an early night?"

"Caroline it's gone eleven. How can that be early?"

"I mean figuratively speaking! You know …."

Kate looked shocked and started to giggle. "Not with your mother in the next room you randy Mistress you."

"I promise I'll be really quiet. Even the mice won't hear me."

Kate laughed. "You, quiet? Since when have you ever been quiet?"

Caroline looked hurt, playfully feigning an upset puppy.

"And don't give me those eyes. Not working one little bit."

Caroline began nibbling the soft bronze skin below Kate's ear knowing it was her weakness.

"Caroline you are not getting it that way either."

Kate removed herself from Caroline's lips and stood up from the sofa.

"I'll be sleeping on the sofa at this rate."

Kate held her hand out to her lover as a peace offering. Caroline took the offer with grace and instead took Kate in a loving embrace. Lips crashing against soft delicate wet lips.

The two women made their way up the stairs to Kate's bedroom where Helena was fast asleep in her cot. After changing both women snuggled into bed and wrapped themselves around one another facing each other.

"Kate? Can I ask you a question?"

Kate shifts so she can see Caroline's face not knowing whether Caroline's query is personal or work or both. Feeling a little uncomfortable at Caroline's tone Kate proceeded.

"Caroline. Of course you can. You know you can."

Caroline moved to prop herself up so she could see Kate's face equally. Kate felt Caroline alter her position and became a little more alert. Caroline took Kate's hand in her own and gently stroked her palm.

"Well the thing is. If you think it would be something… You don't have to agree to… What I meant to say is… if you…."

Kate smiled and switched positions taking Caroline's hand in her own. She gently stroked Caroline's face and placed a soft gentle kiss on her lips. "Caroline please? Close your eyes, take a deep breath and just say it."