Toasts and Dancing
As the dinner drew to a close, Celia rose, she had things to say and they wouldn't be contained any longer. In her piping voice, adjusted to carry, "May I have your attention please." As conversation at the bridal table died away the auxiliary tables noticed and turned to see what was happening.
Celia, champagne glass in hand began, "A few weeks ago, Caroline made a speech at my wedding to Alan."
Caroline, her lips to Kate's ear, "Here we go." They exchange a glance and she can see that Kate too is apprehensive about what is coming next.
Celia is hitting her stride now, looking down at the daughter by her side, "I was a little fearful at what she might say about me but she was witty, charming and gracious, in short, her usual self." Seeing the wary look on Caroline's upturned face, "I'm not sure she is speaking to me tonight after I surprised her and Kate with this dinner when she was planning only cake and champagne." Laughter and clapping erupt in appreciation for the meal. "The thing is, after she told me that she'd asked Kate to marry her and that they were planning a wedding I began to think about this past year when they'd begun seeing one another. I wasn't very pleased with my own behavior and some of the things I'd said to them." Celia looked ruefully at the two women beside her. Caroline had moved her chair back and closer to Kate so that she could more easily see her mother.
"When I think back to the way things were for Caroline before Kate and now the woman she has become since the two of them reunited at Christmas… Well, I realize that I've never seen Caroline this happy before. She has always been brilliant, beautiful, capable, clever, successful." Her face softening as she gazes at her daughter, "Now, I see her here in their new flat, laughing, singing, being cheeky with the boys and I realize that the joy I see in her is all down to having Kate in her life."
Smiling at Kate, then at both, "So, I hope the two of you will not be too upset with me for barging in and changing your plans for this evening. I just wanted very badly to do something to show you that I truly am happy for you and hope that every day of your future will be as happy as today." Raising her glass, "To my daughter, Caroline, and the love of her life, Kate." With that Celia moved to embrace them, kissing them each in turn before returning to her seat as the applause died down.
Kevin stood, "Kate, Caroline. I've only been home for a week but like Celia, I can see how truly happy the two of you make one another. I've seen the way you both care for Mum, I know that she can depend on you and that means quite a lot when I am so far from home. Caroline, it's clear that you are Kate's rock and I…" At the open mouth, taken aback look on Caroline's face as she blinks at Kevin, the room burst into laughter and Kevin, laughing at himself amended his remark, "Sorry Caroline, a very lovely, kind and thoughtful rock." At the comical tilt to her head and the nod to accept this accolade as only her due, Kevin grinned and went on, "It will warm my heart every night to know that Kate is safe and happy in the loving family home the two of you have made here with Caroline's fine sons. And I know that the new baby, Callie is it? Will only increase your joy. May your home always be as blessed as it is tonight with music, laughter, love, and family." Kevin rounded the table to kiss them each on the cheek as they stood to meet him. Then he pulled them both at once into a fierce embrace.
As Kevin returned to his place, Margo and Marta who, unbeknownst to the bridal pair, had long since taken charge of this affair, moved the happy couple on to cut the cake and made sure that it was duly photographed. This done, at a signal from Marta to Laurence the music changed from Kate's quiet wedding playlist to the opening strains of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow as sung by Roberta Flack.
During the cake cutting the caterers, with help from the guests, had removed the supplemental tables and chairs to the foyer and pushed the piano to the far end of the empty side of the room, creating plenty of space for dancing on the hardwood floor. Marta and Margo marshaled their charges to the center of this open space and before stepping back Marta said to them archly, "I know for a fact that the two of you know what to do from here."
Caroline had once again gone quite pink. Finding herself alone with Kate in the open and rapidly being ringed by their families, she gave Kate her bashful smile, chin down looking up into luminous brown eyes. It was Kate who once again took Caroline's hands, drawing her close, starting them off into the dance, placing slightly trembling hands on her waist as before, feeling again the pressure of those fingers against her as Caroline fitted them together.
They danced for a time, cheek to cheek, breathing in the other, deeply stirred by their nearness. With her cheek against Kate's and turning her mouth into Kate's ear so no one could even lip-read, Caroline whispered, "So, who are these people and when are they going home?"
Eyes alight, turning her head to whisper back into Caroline's ear, "They all think you are very sexy, always whispering into my ear. If they only knew half of everything you've said was grizzling and complaining they wouldn't be so impressed."
Horrified Caroline pulled back, her eyes wide, "Oh Kate, its true."
To her surprise Kate's eyes were merry.
"C'mere," she murmured as she kissed Caroline. Once. Quite thoroughly.
Caroline had been so focused on Kate that she'd temporarily forgotten her surroundings and automatically opened her lips to receive Kate. This kiss, of course, brought a burst of applause from the smiling family surrounding them.
Hearing this, Caroline completed the kiss with an emphatic, "Dear God," and blushed even more profusely.
Kate, her face still amused, said in a sultry voice, "Caroline, you deserved that on oh so many levels."
Grateful for the dimness of the lighting, Caroline put her forehead against Kate's, feeling it was safest there. This way she wouldn't need to look at anyone but Kate.
The next song was also a slow tempo number and now other family members joined them on the floor.
Feeling less conspicuous now, Caroline raised her eyes to Kate's once more, looking up admiringly, "You're wearing heels tonight."
"Mmm Hmm. You've had your hair put up."
With a tilt of the head, "Slipped off to the hairdresser before lunch."
A leisurely encompassing look, "I like your hair up.
Blue eyes smoldering, "I know."
Cheek to cheek again and able to take in the room, Caroline signaled Kate to follow her gaze past Celia and Alan to Edie and Alistair dancing superbly together. As they moved around the floor the whole McKenzie family watched in admiration and joy. These kinds of moments were becoming more and more rare. Caroline had turned them so Kate could keep her parents in view and soon Kevin joined them and the three simply stood, Kate's arm around each of them, watching this touching sight.
When the music changed again it was a jitterbug tune and Alistair moved Edie smoothly through the transition. They were so good and the sight so special that everyone else moved to the sides to watch, afraid the moment would dissolve for this quiet gentle man that they all loved and missed. Sure enough as the music changed once more Alistair lost the thread and stood looking confused until Edie took his arm and led him to find a seat where they could watch the dancers. Slowly the family group went back to dancing, many after wiping away a tear or two.
Kate and Caroline followed Edie and Alistair to the seating area and sat talking with them and Kate's Aunt Chris, Uncle Donald and Aunt Sylvia for a time. At the next ballad, Kate stood and took her father's hand saying, "Will you dance with me, Daddy?" Looking up at her he rose, "You are a beautiful bride." It wasn't clear if he knew who she was but he took her into his arms and danced with her on the spot. Caroline took Edie's hand and Kevin was behind his mother, hands on her shoulders. Once again the McKenzie's were aware of the development and without intruding, quietly observed remembering happier days and glad for these moments.
A short time later carers from the residential home arrived to take Alistair back as arranged. Kevin and Edie went with him to the car after his brothers came to shake his hand. The others held off for fear of upsetting him somehow. Caroline stood with her arm around Kate watching them through the door wondering if this were the way the evening would end.
Margo and Graham joined them to hug and kiss Kate, knowing she was saddened by the departure of her Dad. Then Graham led Kate onto the dance floor and Alan appeared to claim Caroline. For the next hour the two only glimpsed one another as one by one the men of both families danced first with one and then the other. These thoughtful men made sure that Edie, who dearly loved to dance, was never without a partner if she wanted one, once she and Kevin returned from seeing Alistair off, or Chris or Muriel either for that matter.
Celia and Alan danced together and with others until Alan tired and went in search of a chair and a drink. Finishing a dance with Donald just as another jitterbug tune began, Celia thanked him as they parted and spied Muriel on the window seat watching the dancers. She said to her sister, "We used to jitterbug together quite well when we were young. How about it old girl?"
Bristling as she rose, Muriel retorted testily, "Who are you calling an old girl? You're older than I am." Soon they were being applauded and urged on by the other dancers, one sister enjoying the attention more than the other. Coming to a stop near Caroline and Kate when the tune ended, they were both a little out of breath as they paused there. Seeing the amused look on Caroline's face Celia said roguishly, "We are at a gay wedding, you know. I can dance with my sister if I want." With an airy wave of her hand, "When in Rome and all that."
Caroline couldn't hold her laughter back then. "Oh Mum, you are one of a kind," as she hugged first Celia then Muriel.
Kevin came to pull Kate onto the floor and they danced the next two rock and roll tunes in spite of Kate's advancing state of pregnancy.
Gillian and Robbie joined Caroline, watching the brother and sister dance. "Caroline, it looks like you are going to have to up your game to keep Kate."
Smirking at Gillian, "Maybe, but she is going to pay for that in the morning."
Are you having a good time?
As the night wore on the older family members drifted to the comfort of the seating area and those still dancing perched from time to time on the long window seat, which tonight served as a gallery. They would rest briefly enjoying refreshment from the bar the caterers had set up on the sideboard or with cake served from the dining table then rejoin the family throng sure to find a willing partner.
Kate, needing to get off her feet, declined her cousin Scotty's bid for the next dance so he reluctantly deposited her on the cushioned window seat as she urged him to rejoin the dancers rather than sit out with her. Kate sat alone for only a few minutes before Margo arrived, offering her a glass of orange. "How are you holding up?"
Smiling her thanks to Margo, "Fine, I feel really well. Mum and I stretched out for a while this afternoon and had a good rest. Nodding toward where her mother danced energetically with Uncle Gordon, Kate laughed, "She's putting that rest to good use now."
Kate's gaze moved back to follow Caroline, now dancing with Kevin. He was a good dancer with a reputation in the family for exuberance, jumping and jiving in fine style to the Pointer Sisters' Jump for my Love, trying to get Caroline to imitate his moves. Gamely trying, she became consumed with laughter at his antics and began to lose her balance. Quickly Kevin reached out for her elbows pulling her upright.
Margo followed Kate's gaze and both women watched as Caroline, still held by an elbow, her hand gripping Kevin's arm for balance lifted a shapely leg to show Kevin her footwear as an excuse for her failure to keep up with him. A pang went through Kate. Amazed at herself, she was actually jealous of her brother dancing with Caroline, of his being the one to reach out for her, have that laughing face so close.
Margo observing Kate saw something of this on her face. "She is very lovely, your Caroline."
Meeting Margo's eyes and seeing that she had been caught; Kate blushed and tried a smile to recover. "Yes, she is. I'm very lucky."
Regarding her favorite cousin, Margo said, "I'd say your both very lucky."
Margo, seeing that she had been forgotten, watched Kate watching Caroline whose hand had been taken by Graham guiding her into the next dance while throwing a comment over his shoulder at his wife's cousin that made the rest of the family laugh and Kevin clutch his heart in mock pain. Caroline, now needing only to follow Graham's lead was free to search the room for Kate. Finding her on the window seat with Margo, she mouthed, "You all right?" as she gestured the question whether Kate wanted her to come over. Her eyes shining with happiness at Caroline's attention, Kate waved for her to continue dancing. Unable to look away as the dancers rotated past revealing constellations of freckles down Caroline's spine, framed by the dipping border of the ivory dress. Her only consolation was that Graham guided his partner with his sleeve against her ribcage rather than a hand on her skin.
As other dancers obscured her view of Caroline Margo gestured toward Kevin taking Celia by the hand to lead her gracefully into the dance. Always ready for dancing, Celia was obviously surprised by Kevin's skill at traditional dancing. It wasn't long before she was thoroughly enjoying herself as he spun her about. Margo and Kate both laughed over the feisty Celia so completely won over by the McKenzie charm. Following Kate's gaze as it moved inevitably back to Caroline, Margo said softly, "You love her very much don't you?"
Eyes still on Caroline, "More than I could ever say."
Margo covered her hand and said, "You don't need to. It's clearly written on your face." Putting an arm around Kate's shoulders, "I'm very happy for you, you know."
"I know." Tears welling up, "Thank you for being here tonight to marry us. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else."
Patting Kate's hand and sitting up straight again in an effort not to cry, "I wouldn't have been anywhere else."
As Margo knew it would, Kate's eye traveled again until it rested on Caroline who was discreetly waving to her. She found herself thinking, "Dear God, please don't let anything happen to either one of these two. I don't know what we would do with the other one. It's hard enough watching Aunt Edie and Uncle Alistair go through this long goodbye.
As the music changed again, Graham and Caroline came to join them, Graham drew his wife into the next dance and Caroline dropped down beside Kate.
Still a touch jealous, "You seem to be having quite a good time."
Catching the tone, Caroline looked at her quickly, a little worried, "You did want me to, didn't you?"
Letting her eyes rove the flushed face, freckles peering through make up after an evening of dancing, "Yes, but not quite so much fun with someone who isn't me."
Turning in her seat and putting fingers on the downcast face, "Oh, My Brown Eyed Girl, I'm never having as much fun with someone who isn't you as I do when I am with you. You know that don't you?" Her only answer being reproachful eyes, Caroline laid sweet soft lips on Kate's, lingering to whisper again, "When are all of these people going home?"
At last she found the love light back in brown eyes even if the smile was reluctant.
Side by side, leaning their heads together watching their families dance or sit in groups talking, the two were pleased to have this quiet moment together. At the first notes of the next song, Caroline stood taking Kate's hand with her. "Would you like to dance?"
Kate stood with a pleased smile, thrilled that Caroline was asking her, "I'd love to." This time it was Caroline who led Kate by the hand to the dance floor and spinning her away then back, drew a breathless Kate into her arms, maneuvering them into step together. Blinking in surprise, Kate looked down into Caroline's eyes, "Why Dr. McKenzie-Elliot!"
Lifting her chin a bit, "You didn't think I was totally lacking in the social graces, did you?"
Softly, eyes sparkling, "Never."
Seeing in Kate's eyes the admiration that never failed to go right through her, Caroline's reticence dropped away and she tenderly, sweetly and at length kissed the trembling woman in her arms. Many in the room observed this but no one reacted unless it was the spouses who were dancing together to pull one another in a little closer at this touching sight. When the kiss ended, Caroline laid her cheek against Kate's and softly crooned the words of the song into her ear. She smiled through the words when she heard the sound Kate breathed, evidence of the effect this was having on her and drew her as close as the expectant form would allow.
When this dance ended, Uncle Donald and Aunt Sylvia were at their elbow to take their leave. Seeing this everyone realized the hour and began preparing to depart. As Caroline and Kate received final congratulations and well wishes from the older McKenzie's, at Margo and Marta's instigation, others of the party began to tidy the room. They whisked away empty glasses and plates of half eaten cake, drew dining chairs back to their place at the table and returned the rest of the furniture to its rightful home. By the time only Edie and Kevin, Celia, Alan and the boys remained their home looked much as it always did.
After warm goodbyes all around and a last kiss for each Caroline and Kate, Kevin took Edie home and Caroline turned to look speculatively at her Mum. Seeing Celia open her mouth to begin defending herself, Caroline took her into a fierce hug saying, "I do love you, you know. Thank you for saying what you did in your speech." Pushing her back by the shoulders "We will talk later," but she couldn't manage to keep the smile of love and gratitude from her face. Hugging Alan and the boys in turn, "You'll all be fine?"
Alan assured her, "Yes, we'll be fine. The boys put their bags into the boot of our car this afternoon. William will drive us back to the farm and" pulling Celia's arm through his, "my wife and I will sit in the back and snog all the way to Halifax."
"Eeewww! Too much information!" wailed Laurence as he opened the door wide urging them out before it became any more graphic. Once the laughing group were all in the foyer waiting for the lift, Laurence turned back to hug his Mum. "I love you, Ma. I do want you to be happy." Tuning to Kate he hugged her as well, pulling back he gave her an unreadable look and sprinted for the closing lift door.
Once the lift was away, Kate and Caroline closed the door and were totally alone in the flat for the first time today. Facing one another, as close as it was possible for them to press these days. Unconsciously beginning to sway to the soft music. Eyes drinking in details of one another that they hadn't been free to discover fully until now.
TO BE CONTINUED