Moving right along, then.

The Call

Caroline and Laurence burst into the suite, laughing and bantering, laden with carrier bags of clothing from an expedition made to outfit the lad who had outgrown almost his entire wardrobe since the beginning of the year. Seeing Kate's face, Caroline recovered herself quickly and clapped a hand over Laurence's mouth. "Baby's sleeping," she whispered belatedly.

"Sorry to spoil your fun," apologized Kate, "she's just been so stroppy this morning."

Caroline, dropping her load onto the couch, "You look worried. Everything alright? Is she alright? Kate?"

"I don't know. It's just…" wrinkling her face in the way Caroline always found so endearing, "she's never been like this before."

Concerned now, "You took her temperature?"

"Yes, normal. Do you think she's OK?"

Taking Kate's hand, "Lets go look in on her."

Observing the baby both women put fingers on their child detecting no sign of fever. All seemed to be fine with the sleeping infant. Tiptoeing out and pulling the door to, Caroline said, "She's sleeping soundly now." Giving Kate a sheepish look, "In spite of us. Sorry. I should know better." Finding her favorite spot on the sofa and pulling Kate down with her, "No trace of fever. We'll watch her for the rest of the day." Pushing back the perennially stray lock of hair from Kate's worried face, and trying to sound reassuring, "babies can get out of sorts sometimes too, just like the rest of us."

Pulling the vibrating phone from her pocket and peering at it from arm's length in an attempt to read the screen without glasses, Kate read for her. "John," she said in an exasperated voice, raising an eyebrow at Caroline.

The recent shopper handed over her phone with a shrug as if to say, 'I didn't want to talk to him anyway'.

"John," said Kate in the dampening sort of voice she used to quell inappropriate behavior in the classroom.

Hearing a voice he did not expect John was silent for a couple of beats. "Um. Is that… Kate?"

"Yes, what is it John?" Businesslike.

"Er, is, um, Caroline there?" Regrouping, polite.

"She's unavailable just now, what is it?" Politely impatient.

"Well, er, I could call back in a few I guess."

"It's best just to say it, John." Taking firm control.

Outmaneuvered, "Its Judith. I think she is having the baby."

"Are you at hospital?"

"No. No, here at the flat."

Exasperation instantly full on, "You'll want to get her in to the hospital then, won't you?" Getting up and turning her back on a sniggering Caroline she saw Laurence's worried face as she turned to the window.

"Thing is you see… um I'm not really good for driving just now."

Opening her mouth to let him have it for being drunk at 11:30am Kate remembered Laurence and dialed it back. In an overly patient voice, "A cab? 999?"

"I a… er… I suppose I could. Are you sure Caroline isn't there?"

Firmly, "Right John that will be the way to go then. Bye. Good luck. Bye bye."

Exchanging a look with Caroline, Kate closed her mouth on her first comment, mindful that Laurence was still present. "He's been drinking."

Before she could formulate anything else Laurence asked, "Why did you give your phone to Kate when you knew it was Dad calling?" Watching his Mum's face he recalled their conversation on New Year's Eve at the farm, and answered himself, "Patterns. Right." Just then his mobile rang. Looking at the screen he looked from one woman to the other, "Dad." Considering for a moment, Laurence held out his phone to Kate with an inquiring look.

Game, Kate took the phone and once again said firmly, "John."

"What the…. Have you confiscated everyone's phone, you mad-"

Interrupting, Kate resumed reasonably but firmly as if she were speaking to someone not quite bright, "John, Laurence is 16 what do you really expect him to do for you in this situation?" Hearing wails in the background, "I think Judith needs you John. Perhaps you should go to her assistance instead of making inappropriate calls. I'm disconnecting now so that you can take care of her."

The trio was silent for a moment considering what was happening with Judith and John. Laurence, still worried about his Dad, looked to his Mum, "Do you think I should call him back?"

Kate looked at Caroline, "He seemed lucid enough to deal with the situation at hand."

Caroline sat forward so she could take Laurence's hand. "I know this is hard for you. They will both be fine. You could give them a few hours. Call later to check." Smoothing back his hair, "By then they should know if she is actually ready to have the baby or if it is a false alarm. That can happen sometimes." Grabbing both of his hands in hers she gave them a little shake, "OK?"

With a tight smile and a nod he looked over at his booty, "I may try on some of these again." Gathering up carrier bags, Laurence headed for the bedroom.

Kate looked askance at Caroline, "Was I too harsh?"

Tugging her down to the couch, she said firmly, "No, you did just right. I wonder what on earth he thought to accomplish by calling Laurence?"

Considering, Kate said, "I'm not sure if he was trying to manipulate something here or if it was intended to annoy Judith." Hoping to change the subject, "Sounded like you two had a good time this morning."

Smiling the smile with a trace of dimple on either side of her mouth, the one that always sent Kate's heart racing, "He is so excited about the fishing trip to Scotland with Angus and his dad next weekend. Well, that and the break – no school for two whole weeks." Giving Kate a long look before placing a quick kiss on her compelling lips, lingering close, eyes roving over Kate's smiling expression. "Well, maybe we're both excited about that." Lowering her voice, "Two whole weeks here with you and Callie. Next weekend. On. Our. Own. Four whole days." Leaning in again, "Delicious thought."

Caroline's phone began vibrating its way across the coffee table. As Kate reached for it Caroline pulled her into an embrace, leaning back to the sofa arm, murmuring, "leave it. It'll be John or my Mum. Either way…" Her lips covering Kate's she finds Kate tense and unresponsive, very unusual. Something's wrong. Pulling back, "Kay? What is it?"

Justifying, "your phone – it's still vibrating, I can hear Callie stirring on the monitor, do you think Laurence is really alright? Oh for the love of…" Kate snatched the offending device and punched the red square. " Sorry Caroline. Sorry, I'm just…" Looking hopelessly at the surprised face beside her, "I don't know what I am."

Becoming concerned, this is so unlike Kate who had in the last few weeks once again become her tranquil, warm-hearted self. Sitting up, "Kate. What has you so on edge today?"

Looking embarrassed, "I don't want to tell you. It sounds petty and ungrateful."

Stroking her cheek, "Oh, My Brown Eyed Girl, you could never be either of those things. Besides you can tell me anything." Gently, "You know that." Coaxing, "Tell me."

The furrow between Kate's brows deepened, "It's just that I look forward to Saturday when you are home and today you had to take Laurence shopping." Looking down at the fingers that are plucking one another, "And I had to stay in. Again." Lips quivering, "And you were having such a good time together." Hastening to add, "And I do want you to. It isn't that I'm jealous of him…" Raising eyes that looked like they were about to burst into tears, "Its… I just feel… caged. Sometimes." Rushing on, "I know I wanted a baby and I know that is part of the deal, loosing your freedom for a while-"

Caroline interrupts, "Shhhh. Taking her hands, "I understand now. I'm sorry, I should have thought of it sooner. You have been kept in an awful lot this winter and spring. It's only natural that you would start to feel cooped."

After thinking a moment, "What if I call Gillian. See what is going on at the farm today?" Elbows on knees to look into Kate's face, "We could drive up to Halifax, come back this evening. It is a lovely day out for a change." Going on as if Kate will need heavy convincing, "You've barely been out of the house since Callie was born. It will do you good." Suddenly remembering, "If she's OK when she wakes. And we need to give Laurence something to do besides worry about his Dad." Raising her chin defiantly, "We'll turn mobiles off and just have a good time." Pleased with her plan, "What do you say?"

Kate's smile broadening the more excited Caroline becomes, "Sure. Good." Hearing Callie she tows Caroline with her, "Lets see how she is."

On the Way

An hour later the Jeep was heading for Halifax. They had quickly lunched, packed an enormous baby bag and pulled wellies and layers of outerwear from their storage places, packing all into the boot of Caroline's car. Laurence, listening to his music was leaning sideways, singing softly to the fascinated face of the curly haired baby. The fact that he sang slightly out of tune bothered him not at all but had Kate wincing over her shoulder from time to time at the particularly bad notes.

Caroline, amused at this, tried to keep a straight face whenever Kate was looking at her but twinkling blue eyes gave her away.

Kate commented dryly, "He didn't get your singing voice."

Looking keenly at Kate for a moment, "Is there something else going on?"

Uncomfortable, "Is it that obvious?"

"Probably only to me. If you remember, you did ask me to call you on any moodiness."

"Kevin rang while you were out."

Surprised, "Did he? That was nice. Where is he?"

"He's in London. Only for a few days. Lots of meetings, apparently. Wednesday he's off for Sudan."

Giving her a sharp look, "I though Sudan had settled down."

Troubled, "It did. For a bit. Now it seems to be heating up again, which is why they are trying to get medical teams in before the border closes."

"Oh no." Taking Kate's hand and placing it on her leg, it occurred to her to wonder, "Do you think your being upset could have anything to do with Callie's mood this morning?"

Discomfited, "Possibly."

With a reassuring pat, "She seems fine now. Of course, driving always seems to sooth babies." Reflecting, "Too bad Kevin couldn't come up to see Callie." Then she quickly added, "And you and your Mum."

Grinning broadly, "You aren't proud of her at all are you?"

Caught, Caroline shrugged with that self-deprecating smile, "Well…" Giving Kate another glance, "Other than the news of his next posting did the two of you have a good chat? Is he well?" So Kate went on to tell Kevin's news.

Hearing above his music that they were talking about something interesting for a change, Laurence pulled the earbuds out and joined in the conversation. Kevin had struck just the right notes with Laurence and he could not get enough stories of Kevin.

At the Farm

Gillian emerged from the barn as they stopped in the wide farmyard. Since the day was unusually warm and still, she brought out chairs to sit against the south facing wall which reflected the sun's warmth back to them. Raf, tools in hand took Laurence up to the top of the fields to inspect a bit of fence that had looked weak to his Mum the last time she was there.

"I called Dad and your Mum to see if they wanted to come over this afternoon but Harry has them out on the canal today since the weather is so fine. They are staying over, wherever they come to a likely place."

The three women watched Calamity, in her overall, gambol around at their feet, as spry as the lambs that jumped and played in the pasture beyond the gate. After a foray inside to wash up and make tea, Gillian held Callie and they spent a happy hour discussing all of their children and Emily Jane as babies. Eventually taking a restless Emily Jane by the hand Gillian asked the women, "Like to walk down and see the lambs up close." Looking fondly at the little girl, "That is one of Calamities favorite pastimes."

Kate stood with a restive Callie, "time for a change and a feeding I think. I'll just go in and do that while it is quiet inside." Smiling at Caroline, "Go ahead with Gillian and Emily Jane."

Doubtful, "Sure?"

With a reassuring smile, "We'll be fine, Laurence took her bag in before he left."

Walking Kate, with Callie in her arms, up the steep tilting concrete steps Caroline received a more than polite kiss as a thank you. In her warm low voice, "Go and have some fun, I'm just where I want to be." She bestowed another slow kiss for Caroline to savor until later before heading on to the house.

Gillian, turning in time to observe the last kiss was still grinning as Caroline spun from watching Kate through the door to descend to the farmyard again. Firmly grasping the plaid flannel covered shoulder to push Gillian ahead of her toward the lamb enclosure, "Moving right along, then."

"So, the two of you look pretty pleased with yourselves." Eyes twinkling merrily, "Very happy." Seeing the red rash of embarrassment creeping up Caroline's neck Gillian was pretty pleased with herself as well. Any time she could put the naturally confident Caroline off balance it tickled her.

"Laurence doing OK with the new addition?"

"Yes, better than I might have thought actually." Smiling, "He's very sweet with her. Sings to her in the car." Laughing, "Of course that makes the rest of us want to get out but she seems to like it." Wondering if she should even bring it up in light of history, Caroline found herself saying, "We had a bit of an upset this morning." Seeing Gillian's face, added quickly, "Not over Callie. John called to say that Judith was having the baby.

"Really? What did they have?"

"He called to say that she was in labor, not that she'd had the baby.

"He called Laurence to tell him that?"

"He called me first. Drunk."

Taken aback, "You? He called you. His ex-wife. To tell you that his pregnant girlfriend is giving birth?"

Shrugging, "Apparently."

"What did you say?"

Looking away, "I gave the phone to Kate."

Howling with laughter, "Coward." More laughing, "What did she say?"

Barely withholding her laughter now, "to get off the phone and call 999."

Kate gazing out the picture window saw the two moving slowly, walking sideways, hands on one another's shoulder and laughing so hard they were bending slightly forward. Smiling to see Caroline have a good time she was pleased that they had come up this afternoon. Caroline didn't have many friends that she could be herself with. She didn't count. That was different. They were so much more than that to one another that it got complicated sometimes. She'd had a good chat with Kevin this morning and in spite of her worry at his going into harms way, the talk had done her good. Smiling again to see that the three had reached the fence and Caroline and Gillian each stood with an arm around the little girl standing on the second rung of the fence. Caroline needed this.

Looking over a tow head, "So, you and John. Your not still friends? Maybe I shouldn't have…"

"No. No. NO." Looking decidedly sheepish, "Last time he called here, I handed the phone to Robbie. That ended that." Realizing that she had just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire it was Gillian who turned a dull red face to Caroline. Seeing the speculative look there she quickly turned back to her sheep.

Smile gone now, Caroline continued to regard her. "So, how is that going?"

Staring into the distance, "Fine. Fine. Turning to Caroline, "I can't believe how much difference it makes on the farm to have a man take on things the way Robbie has."

Looking at her stepsister appraisingly, "Good. I'm glad." Not wanting to think today about the potential consequences of Gillian and Robbie if things went sour between them, she was grateful to hear the creak of the upper gate.

Gillian looked beyond Caroline's shoulder to see Raf and Laurence, on their way down.

"Mum! Mum, Raf says he'll show me how to drive the tractor if you say its OK. You will won't you? Please?"

Caroline, looking at Gillian for guidance, "I'll um, give him the crash course," looking at both boys pointedly, "safety rules and all," before looking back at Caroline, "if it is OK with you?"

Nodding at Gillian, "I'll take this little one up to the house, she looks like she could use a rest break."

Seeing the sagging backside of the little girl Caroline had by the hand, Gillian looked exasperated, "Are you sure?"

"Yep, yeah. I've got this." Turning to Laurence, brows raised, she said pointedly, "Follow instructions."

Grinning, "I will Mum, I will." Racing off, Laurence threw a charming, "thank you," over his shoulder.

Smiling fondly after him for a moment, Caroline realized again how mature he was becoming. How soon he would be off into the world after his brother. Gillian seeing the look on her face gave her a commiserating glance and patted her on the shoulder before setting off after the boys.

Caroline, looking down at her new charge, "Come on miss, let's find something clean to wear."

Going home, "That was nice Caroline, I'm glad you suggested this visit. Gillian is a good cook. Simple food, well prepared is always good, isn't it?" Registering Caroline's answering smile, Kate glanced over her shoulder at Laurence, head back listening to music again. Quietly she asked, "anything more from John?"

Caroline looked in the rear view mirror before whispering, "he can hear over the music."

Kate mouthed, "Oh." Then, "I saw you laughing with Gillian while you watched the sheep. It was good to see you having a good time."

Smiling a little sadly, "I was sorry to leave you in the house alone though."

I wasn't alone, I was with Callie." Happy that Caroline had been thinking about her, Kate leaned over and placed a sweet kiss on the side of her face.

"He can see too." Came a bored but cheeky voice from the back seat. Both women burst into laughter, Caroline looking into the mirror in time to catch his grin and Kate turned to give his muscled knee a playful whack. Clearly he was no longer the oblivious boy who noticed only food and Xbox.