It has been pointed out to me that same sex marriage did not become legal in Britain until the end of March 2014. Because I tend to write ahead, then come back and edit, my storyline would be seriously disrupted by moving the wedding to the end of March, plus by my reckoning, that would be just about Kate's due date. I think these two are far too practical to risk planning a wedding at such a precarious time. So, I'll ask you to ignore reality for the sake of the story and indulge in the luxury of fiction to take a little license at times.

Many of you have been kind enough to tell me that you are enjoying the story, thank you for taking the time to say so. I take pleasure in hearing from you.

We're Getting Married

When Laurence returned on Sunday evening, the women listened while he shared the highlights of his weekend. It had all been great, it was a fine day on Saturday so Angus' grandfather had taken them on a long trek up the beach and back over the moor. He had finished by taking them into his local pub for lunch.

Over a dinner of shepherds pie Laurence finally ran down and Caroline, a little nervously for her began, "We have some news of our own tonight."

Hearing the anxious note in his mother's voice Laurence raised his head looking suspiciously from one to the other. "What's happening?"

Caroline cleared her throat, "Um, we've been talking, Kate and I." Looking at Kate then back at Laurence, "We've been talking about getting married. What um…"

Making an exasperated sound, "Is that all. I thought it was going to be something terrible."

Taken aback, "Terrible. Like what?" Caroline demanded.

"Shrugging, "I dunno. Like you'd been fighting or were breaking down already or something."

"N-no. Nothing like that." Taken aback, "Fighting. Why would you think that?"

Evading the question Laurence took his plate to the sink. Turning he grinned at his Mum, "What's Granny going to say about this?"

Impishly, "Why do you think we waited for her to get to France to decide?"

Chortling, "Good luck with that." Heading for the telly, "Does Will know?"

Looking at one another in amazement over this blasé attitude from Laurence, Caroline said, "No we wanted to wait until you were home to call him."

"Cool." Jumping up, "Should I ring him?"

Nodding, Caroline led Kate to the sofa to join Laurence in making the call. By the time they arrived the connection had gone through and Laurence was excitedly sharing the news with his brother. They exchanged another indulgent glance before Caroline gave Laurence 'the look' that told him he had overstepped. Quickly he said into the mobile "Here's Mum," He handed off the phone and sat beside her to listen.

Will, of course, was very happy for them. Holding the phone between them they accepted his congratulations and discussed the date and simplicity of their plans. Will promised to be there the day before in case there was anything he could do to help. Then asked, "So what did Granny say?"

"Um, we haven't called her yet. It is getting late now, I don't like to get her excited when she is getting ready to retire for the night."

"Coward," said Will, laughing to take the sting out of the words.

There he was going all grown up on her again. Resolutely, "Alright, I'll come home early from school tomorrow and Kate and I will call her and Alan."

"Awww. I have rugby practice after school tomorrow," wailed Laurence. Getting 'the look' again, Laurence sulked, then brightening, "I'd sure like to be a fly on that wall, wherever she is." Bored with listening to Will's activities on campus, Laurence broke in, "Will we tell them at school?"

"No!" Caroline responded sternly. "Speaking to both boys now, "This is going to be a very simple quiet wedding for family only. We'll make announcements at school later. I'm depending on you both to keep quiet even within the family until we get a chance to tell Edie, Granny and Gillian."

That night, preparing for bed, "You're suddenly very quiet."

"I'm getting the feeling I'm going to need to be quiet if I'm not to spill the beans."

Stricken, Caroline dropped onto her heels to look up into Kate's face as she sat on the dressing table bench. "Oh Kate, I'm so sorry. I never meant to make it sound… so hole in the corner. It's just…" Struggling to find the words, pleading, " You know how weddings can take on a life of their own. You know how draining I find all the social stuff. I'd be happy for it to be just you and me in front of a magistrate but you know how that turned out for Mum and Alan. It is only fair to the families to invite them." Seeing Kate hadn't relented, she smiled up at her, "You clearly want your family there, so fine. We can do all that." Nothing. No response, only the silent brown eyes on hers.

Kneeling to take the strain of squatting from her legs, Caroline turned penitent, "Tell me what you want Kate, that's what we will do." Waving a magnanimous hand, "If you want me to make an announcement at assembly tomorrow I'll do it." Tears forming in searching blue eyes, "I don't care, I only want you."

Reaching out to blot a tear that threatened to fall onto a freckled cheek, "You don't need to make an announcement at assembly. The school can wait until after." Still regarding her seriously, " It just started to feel… not very good when you were shushing the boys."

"Reasonably, "surely there is a progression to announcing these things. We haven't spoken to your Mum either yet," Caroline pointed out. "Children, parents, other family members…" Being mischievous, "the world." Straightening, "Oh my God!"

"What? What is it, Caroline?"

"Rings! I never even thought about rings until just this instant." Devastated, "I've asked you to marry me and never offered you a ring." Remorseful, "Oh Kate, I'm not very good at this."

"Its OK." Rising and pulling Caroline to her feet Kate guided her to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. "Caroline, you weren't trained to think about offering a ring." Smiling gently, "I told you, it feels like we are already married. I don't think we need to follow all of the patriarchal wedding customs."

Grateful to feel Kate's reassuring fingers on her hand, she said in a tiny voice, "No?"

Kissing her briefly, "No."

"Soooo?"

Reflectively, "I have my great grandmother's wedding ring. I never wore it because it does look so much like a wedding ring. How would you feel if I wore that?"

Smiling again, "I have all of Grandmother Dawson's jewelry. It is still in a box in the closet. I'll pull it out and we can see if there is anything that will work for me." Kissing Kate, "A lovely idea."

The next afternoon, Caroline arrived home directly after school as promised. Seating herself beside Kate on the sofa she pulled out her mobile and rang Alan's number.

"Caroline, hello. This is a surprise."

"Hi Alan, how are you?"

Oh, right as rain, course it is a beautiful day here, no rain in sight. I'm sat on a bench waiting for Celia to finish her shopping."

"Mum isn't there with you?"

"She'll be coming out 'ta shop momentarily. Is anything wrong?"

"No, no. Everything is very right." Smiling into Kate's eyes, "I – We have some very good news but I wanted to share it with you first in case Mum gets… Well, you know how she can be."

"Right love, what is it? I can see her crossing over now."

"Kate and I are getting married. On February 9th."

"Oh, well, that is good news. That'll be coming right up."

Celia is standing over him now, "Who is it?"

Waving her off, "We'll only be back a week by then."

"By when? Who are you talking to?"

Resigned, "Here is your Mum, lass." Handing over the mobile.

Getting wound up, "Caroline! Why is she calling you?" Snatching the instrument from Alan as he gives her the look he so often does, eyebrows raised with a slightly disapproving look.

"Caroline. What is it? Is everything alright?" She is remembering Gillian calling her first when there was bad news to share with Alan.

"Mum, everything is fine. Stop worrying."

"Why are you calling then? In the middle of the afternoon? To Alan's mobile?"

"Um, just got the numbers mixed, I guess." Hurrying on before her mother asks any more questions she doesn't want to answer. Jumping right in, "Listen, I have good news for you, Kate and I are going to be married."

Stridently, "What? Married! Good God, why?"

Opening her mouth to reply Caroline cannot think of an answer to give her mother and closes it again, looking helplessly at Kate. Taking the mobile and holding it between them as Caroline had been doing, "Hello Celia? It's Kate." Brightly, "I hope you are happy for our news."

Sputtering now, "Kate. Well, I er, um." Taking a breath, but the wind is out of her sails. Weakly, "Yes. Yes, I guess so. I'm uh, when did you decide this?" Looking at Alan smirking at her she can see he has already heard their news.

Caroline has covered the receiver opening with her thumb because she and Kate have lost it over the abrupt change in tone from Celia once Kate was on the line with her. Struggling for control so they could open the connection again and respond, Caroline still too overcome with laughter nodded to Kate who managed, "Just Saturday. We talked to the boys last night."

"…happy for you both." Sitting down heavily beside Alan, Celia said weakly, "I hope you'll both be very happy."

"We are, Celia. We are very excited." Covering the speaker again they let out another peal of laughter.

Celia is gamely trying, "So, when is it, the wedding?"

"February 9th, Mum." Quickly covering the speaker again, sure that this will set Celia off properly. And it does.

"February 9th! Why that is less than three weeks away! And we'll be here in France until late next week. What can you be thinking Caroline? Caroline? Are you there?"

Looking away from Kate altogether, Caroline rises and walks to the window, "Mum, it is the beginning of the mid-term break. We thought we would go away together for a few days afterward. With the baby coming it seems like the perfect time."

Snappishly, "The two of you don't know what the perfect time is!"

Sternly now, "Mum. Mum, you need to calm down. This is happening. The fact that it is in three weeks makes no difference. There is nothing for you to do except buy a new dress if you like. Although, I think the dress you wore to your wedding would make a lovely mother of the bride dress."

"Mother of the bride! Ha!"

Warningly, "Mum." Praying Kate hadn't heard this last comment by her mother, she walked to the end of the room. Telling of their plans in the hope that this will give Celia time to calm down. "We are keeping it very simple. We will have it here in our suite. Kate's cousin is a magistrate; we hope she will be able to perform the ceremony. There will only be family. Kate's family and ours. I'll be calling Auntie Muriel later in the week once we have the details worked out." Pausing to give her Mum another chance. Silence.

Worriedly, "Mum?" Mum, are you there?"

"Weakly again, "A woman magistrate. Muuuriel!"

Caroline can just see her Mum rolling her eyes. Taking pity on her now she says gently, "It'll be OK. It isn't as if she doesn't know about me and Kate."

Sighing, "No. I suppose not." Celia agreed.

Then, "How much family does Kate have? I've never even met her Dad."

Using Kate's rationale on her mother, "That is what weddings are for, aren't they?"

Resignedly, "Are they?"

"You know they are." Repeating herself because she isn't sure her Mum has taken it in, "It is going to be very simple. A ceremony, cake and champagne, good wishes and everyone is off." The quiet once again worrying her, "Why don't you and Alan go and have a nice supper somewhere and get a good night's rest. I'll call again in a couple of days to give you an update." Still nothing. Querying, "Is that alright?"

A deep sigh, which brings a smile to Caroline's face remembering the day before their move when Celia had been feeling so put upon by Ted. "Yes, sure love. I'll be fine. We'll get some dinner. Here is Alan."

Taking the mobile back, "Caroline?"

"Alan? Is she alright?"

Looking over at Celia who is sitting back against the seat staring unseeingly in front of her. "Yes. Sure. She is just tired. We've been sightseeing all day. We're fine, love."

"OK. I ring back in a couple of days then with more details. Alright?"

"Sure, sure. That'll be best. We'll talk to you later. Ta-ta.

"Bye. B-Bye." Sinking down on the sofa beside Kate, "Well, that's that done."

"Is she really alright?"

Looking at Kate unhappily, "Who knows? She got very quiet at the end." Worriedly, "I wish she weren't so far away."

"Alan is with her. She'll be fine once she has a chance to think things over."

"I suppose." Smiling admiringly at Kate, "Thanks for chiming in. You do have an effect on her."

"Now, lets just hope you have a calming effect on my Mum."

"Oh Gawd. You don't think she is going to object do you?" Watching Kate shrug noncommittally, Caroline rolled her eyes, "I don't know if I have two sessions like this in me for one afternoon."

Looking innocent, "It was your idea, you know." Watching Caroline's mouth open roundly and then close giving her that 'oh no you don't look'. Kate's face turned pleading as she held out her hands in front of her, "Pull me out of here, please?"

On the way over to Edie's in the Jeep, "You don't really think your Mum is going to be upset by this news?"

"Not for herself, she won't. Her sister is another matter. They're similar to Celia's relationship to Muriel, chalk and cheese." Seeing that Caroline did not understand, "Auntie Chris married a Nigerian man and they moved to London. He was the son of my grandparent's friends. They have been very conservative in their views. It took years for them to get over my Mum marrying my Dad. In time their relationship to my Dad became… cordial but never really comfortable. Of course, we didn't see them nearly as often as the McKenzie's, only once or twice a year. Mum and Auntie Chris talk on the phone. I think she feels duty bound to inform my Mum of the way things ought to be. So, in the end, Mum is better supported by the McKenzie's than her own sister."

Trying to read Kate's face, "So, do they…"

"Know about me?" Looking away from Caroline and out the windscreen, "Yes, in theory. I mean they know but we seldom get together with them. Kevin sees them sometimes when he is in London but I haven't seen them since before Richard and I divorced." Seeing Caroline's surprise, "Mum used to go down on the train once a year or so but Auntie Chris seldom leaves her neighborhood anymore. Her comfort zone. Amanda and Gerald, my cousins are years older than Kevin and I so even when we did see them we never got close. Not like the McKenzie cousins."

"I see," is all that Caroline offered.

Glancing over a little uncomfortably, "So, yes. Your Mum isn't the only one who has a problem with our sexual orientation."

"I didn't say anything."

Kate simply grinned, knowing she had thought it.

Edie, given notice by Kate that they were coming to visit, had baked biscuits and made tea. Sitting around her dining room table she got the news from Kate about her health, learning that her blood pressure had gone down now that she was working only two mornings a week and resting each afternoon. They discussed Celia and Alan, their trip to France, how the boys were doing in school and finally Edie asked point blank why they had come to visit her so uncharacteristically on a Monday afternoon.

Caroline, swallowing a smile at behavior so like her mother's let Kate take the lead.

Watching her daughter's face and seeing that she took Caroline's hand, Edie had an idea of what was coming.

Looking her mother in the eye, "Caroline has asked me to marry her and I've said yes."

Looking from one to the other she couldn't help the worry that lined her face. "Your sure? The two of you?" Forcing herself to go on, Edie held up a hand, "I know that you are both adults. I don't mean any disrespect to either of you but you haven't actually logged very many hours together as a couple yet."

"Mum," Kate began.

Holding up her hand again, "Be quiet Kathryn. Give me the courtesy to let me think for a moment."

The two exchanged a look, recognizing this authority they waited hands clasped, palms sweating grown women that they were, waiting to see what this matriarch would say. She was silent so long that Caroline was moved to say gently, "Edie, are you really more concerned about us getting married than living together and raising Kate's child?"

Regarding Caroline again, Edie remembered what she knew about this woman and how much she liked and respected her but still she was worried. "No, Caroline. Not really, it is just that marriage is a big step." Sighing, "I know that today people marry and divorce as readily as they live together then don't live together." Looking at them each in turn again, "I know that you are already a couple and that nothing I say will change that," she added quickly "nor should it. But… Kate is my daughter and you know already Caroline that you always worry about your children."

Studying Caroline again, "The world can be a cruel place. Maybe more cruel than you know Caroline." Profound sadness came over Edie's face now, "I don't have my Alistair to talk things over with anymore and I worry because I am not as wise as he..." Taking a deep breath now, " I just want you to be happy, both of you. You are both my children now and I wish you much happiness in the life you live together."

Seeing the tears brimming both women moved quickly to hug and kiss Edie. Caroline found the box of tissues and placed them in reach of Kate's mother. Wiping tears away quickly she said, "OK. Tell me your plans then."

They told what they knew and that they would need to contact Margo to see if she could perform the ceremony and then the rest of the families. Did she think the London contingent would be likely to attend?

The sadness reappeared, "Chris has been suffering some ill health with her heart. Kevin told me. He went to visit the last time he was in London and Amanda had given him the news. Chris never tells her business, not even to me. Her shoulders slumping, something Caroline had never seen before, "She doesn't say anything so I don't either." Smiling ruefully, "We pretend." Putting on a happier face, "So, no, I think they may not come north for your wedding, Kate."

Apologizing, "I'm sorry Edie, it is my day to pick up Laurence and his friend Angus. We are going to have to go."

Saying their goodbyes, Kate promised to ring her Mum after talking to Margo.

"Margo, it's Kate. Have I caught you at a good time to talk? Yes, I'm fine, I'm really fine. That is why I'm calling. I told you that Caroline and I are back together again…" Smiling into Caroline's eyes, "Yes, I am happy." Recalling her mission, "So, the thing is, we're getting married. Yes. Thank you. We wondered if you would do the honors?"

Taking Caroline's hand and giving it a squeeze, "We were thinking here in our flat in Harrogate. Just the families." Laughing, "Yes, it is pretty spacious. You might be surprised after my little cottage."

February 9th. In the evening." Waiting as Margo consults her diary. Eyes sparkling, "Oh good. I'm so glad. Thank you Margo. Yes, lets get together soon, you can meet Caroline and we'll talk about the wedding then. Wonderful. I'll call you."

Pulling Caroline down beside her she said with satisfaction, "That is that done."