Getting Excited
Celia's ability to blow hot and cold asserted itself after she learned that Caroline and Kate were planning to be married. Whether it was buying a fax machine or Caroline's relationship to Kate she could be mercurial in her temperament. After her initial reaction to the news of Caroline and Kate's marriage, Celia became fixated on the wedding as an event. Perhaps to keep herself from thinking too much about the aspects of the relationship she still struggled to process.
She loved Caroline and wanted her to be happy. She liked Kate as a person. She was trying to respect the boundary that Kate had established and Caroline had seconded. Celia and Alan had talked about Caroline and Kate and their relationship but this was still her daughter in a same sex relationship not some abstract concept. And she hadn't entirely made her mind up about Kate's baby either. Oddly, none of this stopped her calling Caroline daily or even multiple times a day with ideas for the wedding. After a couple of days of this Caroline stopped taking her calls at work which only made her mother more vociferous in the evenings.
"…I know you're ignoring me during the day but the least you could do is hear me out in the evening."
"Mum. Mum, we've been all through this." Exasperatedly patient, "It is going to be very simple. Cake and champagne with a non-alcoholic punch, we have it covered… NO. We do NOT need a caterer. There is not going to be a meal. The wedding is at 7:00pm; cake and champagne will be just fine. There is nothing to get overwrought about."
Indignant, "I am not overwrought! I have a right to be excited, my only daughter is getting married…" holding the phone at arms length and mouthing the words along with her mother while striking a pose in imitation of Celia, Caroline held the phone just so on the last word, "Again." Seeing this performance Kate started to giggle and continued reactions on Caroline's face forced her to clap a hand over her mouth and leave the room for fear Celia would hear her laughter.
Her face merry as a result of being able to make Kate laugh at her antics, Caroline watched her out of sight before she turned back to the less amusing task at hand, sighing deeply, "Yes mother, there will be flowers which we have also arranged." This was an exaggeration but after Saturday it would be true.
"Mum, Kate and Edie are going shopping for dresses on Friday. Yes, this Friday… Yes, they will have plenty of time next week if they don't find something they like on Friday."
Bored with the third reiteration of this conversation in as many days, Caroline heads to her study to go through the day's post while she is held hostage to her mother, "Yes, I have it in my diary, you and I will shop for dresses on Saturday, February 2nd." Firmly, " No! I've never had a problem finding clothes. I'm sure that won't be leaving it too late. Of course, not Mother, I'm looking forward to it."
Tossing items into the recycle bin, "Mum, really, I'm telling you that you are worrying too much about this. It is all going to be fine. I wish that you would go back to enjoying yourself with Alan. This is your honeymoon after all. If I thought our news would have had this effect on you I would have waited to tell you when you arrived home."
Kate has entered the room in time to hear Caroline's last statement to Celia and catch the tirade from the mobile in Caroline's outstretched arm. She hastily covers her mouth to stifle more laughter and with compassion in her eyes for Caroline leaves again. Laurence, seeing Kate exiting the study in obvious amusement peeks in and after giving his Mum a supportive grin of sympathy also leaves the room. Wearily now, "Mum, I know Gillian and I planned your wedding for you but we volunteered and you said yes. You do not have to do the same for me. Kate and I have it under control. I'd be much happier thinking of you and Alan having the time of your life in France." Trying desperately to change the subject, "What did the two of you do today?"
Successful at last, Caroline listened to an account of today's activities and tomorrow's itinerary until she felt it safe to try to conclude the session, saying sincerely, "I hope you'll have a lovely time. Just forget all of this business and enjoy yourselves. What if I call you on Sunday and you can fill me in on the rest of the week? OK. Yes, talk to you then. Bye, B-bye." Dropping the phone onto the desk Caroline slumped in her chair, exhausted by her mothers relentlessness.
Going in search of Kate she found her propped up in bed reading. Making a face Caroline told her, "You were some help." Then nodding sagely at the choked sounding 'sorry' that came back at her through Kate's next bout of laughter Caroline turned to search for Laurence.
Finding him in front of the telly, Caroline gave him a playful push on the shoulder before she sank into a chair near him. "And you were no help either."
Grinning, "She still excited about the wedding?"
Rolling her eyes, "what else?" Looking at him, "Was there something you wanted when you came in?"
"Nope. Just looking in on you."
Yawning as she rose, she kissed him on top of the head, "Right, well get ready because next time I'm handing her off to you."
Closing the bedroom door behind her, "Are you through laughing at me now?"
Trying to keep a serious look on her face, "I wasn't laughing at you, I was laughing because you are so droll when you are dealing with her." Losing the battle for seriousness, Kate chortled, "The two of you could do a comedy routine on the telly."
Barely keeping back a grin, Caroline raised her chin as she headed to the ensuite, "Somehow I doubt anyone but you would find it quite so amusing."
Miracle of miracles, Celia didn't call on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Kate and Edie had a lovely day together shopping for dresses. Returning empty handed, Kate assured Caroline that she had found a dress she liked well enough. But then, she was only shopping for a tent anyway, wasn't she? Much to Caroline's amusement, Kate declined to describe the dress to her and had gone so far as to send it home with her mother to be brought to the suite on the day of the wedding.
The best news was that Edie had informed Kate that Kevin was going to be in the country for a conference in London next week, then taking leave to travel north for a long awaited visit home from the 3rd through the 10th of February. They were both elated that he could be home for their wedding. He hadn't been to see his family for almost eighteen months and they were eager to see him again but fearful for the changes he would find in his father.
Kate went with her Mum to visit her Dad on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings now, knowing that it was getting more and more difficult for Edie to face this alone each day. She was glad that she got to see more of him but it saddened her anew each day at their loss of the man they knew and loved.
The news of Kevin's imminent arrival made Kate almost more excited than the prospect of the wedding. She couldn't wait for Caroline to meet Kevin and told story after story of their growing up years. Caroline was touched. She had never known how much Kate missed her twin. It pleased her to see Kate so animated but she was a little fearful of meeting this brother of Kate's. Kate obviously loved and admired Kevin. What if he didn't like her?
During the week they discussed the matter of witnesses. Kate, so happy that Kevin could share their special day had chosen him as her witness and Caroline had asked her cousin Marta who had confirmed that she and Steve would indeed be bringing Auntie Muriel and Susan with them to the wedding and were quite looking forward to the day. She'd considered asking Gillian, but in spite of working together to plan their parents recent wedding they'd known each other such a short time and Gillian's erratic seeming behavior made her uneasy. Marta had seemed a better choice.
Saturday morning they had an appointment with the florist to choose flowers. Agreeing that neither wanted to carry flowers and they had instead settled on matching wrist arrangements with blush pink roses as the focal flower. In addition they selected corsages for their mothers, Margo, and Marta with boutonnieres for Alistair, if it seemed advisable for him to attend on the day, Alan, Kevin and the boys.
Following the visit to the florist they would meet Margo on the northern outskirts of Leeds for lunch to discuss the wedding. Once again, Caroline was anxious. So far, Edie was the only member of Kate's family that she had met. This was the part of the proceedings that she dreaded, all of the socializing attendant to a wedding. She could meet hordes of parents at Teacher's Night, speak calmly before assemblies and at meetings but outside of business, one on one or in social groups she often found herself wishing she were elsewhere. Socially adept, meeting strangers still was not something she enjoyed. Meeting Kate's extended family would have to happen at some point, she was resigned to that but her palms grew damp at the thought nevertheless.
On the drive to Leeds Caroline asked, "Tell me some more about her."
Smiling at Caroline, "Margo? She's brilliant. A barrister before she became a magistrate, quite well respected. Lets see, she is musical, plays the violin. She and Graham, that is her husband, he plays the cello, are part of a chamber music ensemble in Leeds. They are quite good. We should come over for one of their performances. I used to go quite often; somehow I've gotten out of the habit lately.
Margo is beautiful she has lovely auburn hair. She is brilliant; oh wait, I've said that already. Graham adores her, and she thinks the world of him. They are marvelous together. I just know you'll like them and they are going to love you."
Caroline was more apprehensive than ever after this description. She had never seen the normally serene Kate so excited. She was almost bouncing in her seat. Unprepared for this family side to Kate, she prayed that she would not let her down today.
Margo was already seated at table when they arrived but she came forward to greet them at the door to the dining room, embracing Kate and kissing her cheek before she turned to Caroline taking her hand warmly and introducing herself. After placing their order the two cousins caught up on family news. Margo too was delighted that Kevin would be able to attend the wedding and that the McKenzies would have a chance to see him there.
Then Margo turned to Caroline, "Kate tells me that you have two boys and one is at Oxford. You must be very proud, won't you tell me about them?" And she was so kind and so interested that Caroline found it easy to talk about her two favorite subjects under Kate's beaming gaze. As the meal progressed Margo talked about her own family and work and Caroline found her wit delightful and was totally charmed by her. They laughed and talked until Margo looked at her watch apologizing that she had commitments that made it impossible for her to linger for much longer.
Getting down to business, she inquired what they had in mind for vows. Kate and Caroline looked blankly at one another. Why had they not anticipated this question? Seeing they were caught off guard she offered to email them some options to consider and they could let her know. Or they could write their own vows. This made Kate's face light up and Caroline's fill with horror. Laughing gently at them, she said, "I'll leave this part to the two of you." Taking her leave as warmly as she had greeted them, all at once she was gone.
Kate gave Caroline a pleased smile, and covered her hand on the table, "You did like her didn't you?"
Turning over her hand to take Kate's, Caroline smiled her reassurance, "Yes, you were right, she is lovely. And quite witty, I believe she could give Marta a run for her money."
On the drive back they discussed the issue of vows. Kate talked long and hard trying to convince Caroline that they should write their own vows, until at last, Caroline pulled off onto a lay by. Turning to Kate, she took both of her hands and looking apologetically into Kate's intent brown eyes pleaded her case. "Kate, I can't say the words you want to hear, the words you deserve to hear in front of all those people. I'm sorry, I just can't do it." Seeing Kate's high spirits deflate before her eyes, Caroline felt like a traitor. "Look, what if we do this. We choose something from the options that Margo sends for the ceremony and we write our own vows to say to one another when we are alone?"
Considering this Kate still looks disappointed. "It won't be the same though. No one will know how we really feel but us."
Jubilant, "Exactly."
"Don't you want people to know that you love me?"
Beseeching her to understand, "Kate, do you think I would be going through all of this if I didn't love you? Right now I'm wishing I'd insisted we go to a local magistrate, someone we didn't know and told the families about it later like Mum and Alan did."
"Well, your not!"
Caroline could see she had just made matters worse instead of better. Trying again. "Kate, for me to stand up in front of our families and say to you the way I love you would be as intimate to me as if we were to have sex on the carpet in front of them."
Grinning at this image and quirking that one eyebrow the way she did, "That could be quite educational."
Barely able to keep the answering grin from her face, "But you take my point?
"Do you really feel this strongly about it?"
"I wish I didn't Kate, for your sake but I do. I'm sorry."
Grudgingly, "Alright. But the vows you write for me had better be very good."
Leaning over the console, "Kiss me now so I don't think your cross with me."
Arms folded, her back against the door, "I am cross with you."
Still leaning, blue blue eyes on the prize, "Ka-at-e. Ka-at-e." Coaxingly, "After this morning? You can't be cross with me after this morning.
Turning back into her seat properly, well within kissing range but looking straight ahead, "You can be so infuriating, Caroline.
Almost coming over the console, Caroline, smiling through parted lips, took Kate's mouth until she responded, really responded. Resuming her seat then, satisfied, still watching Kate as she reattaches her seat belt, admiring the look she has put on Kate's face, Caroline shifts the car into gear and moves back into traffic.