Taking a Break

Caroline sat on Kate's stool at the corner of the breakfast bar this morning because it afforded her the best vantage point to watch Kate as she prepared bottles for the babies. Setting down her second cup of tea, "Are you sure I can't help with that?"

"Smiling sweetly, "No, it's part of my routine. Relax for a bit, you've barely had any time off from work in spite of it being summer holidays."

"I am sorry Kate. I seriously underestimated how long it would take to sort and pack my office to store what needs to go with me to Leeds. I had no idea I'd accumulated so many files. Thank goodness Beverley agreed to stay on an extra week to help or I'd still be over there.

"Are you finished then?"

"With the packing up, yes. We can't get organized in Leeds until the remodeling is complete." Apologizing again, "I'm still going to need to meet with Gavin in Leeds to keep on top of the renovation work on the building. I'm hoping it won't be more than a couple of mornings a week."

Kate glanced up skeptically from her task, "Right." She knows already that the renovation was supposed to be Gavin's responsibility. Caroline's was hiring the right people for the new school and training them to replicate the standards at SH. She is also aware of how embroiled Caroline has become in the design and execution of that design in the building at Leeds.

There was a brief knock at the door before Angus let himself in. Stopping short at the sight of Caroline before him, he recovered quickly in typical Angus style, "Dr. Elli-," then, remembering that they aren't at school, "Hey Boss," striking a cheeky note somewhere between disrespect and admiration.

"Laurence is in his room, you can go on back," informs Kate, knowing the effect this boy has on Caroline. He gives her the urge to discipline him, with barely insufficient grounds to do so.

Angus takes a detour, stooping to give each of the babies a tickle to the stomach as they lay on their blanket in front of the windows. He uses Laurence's names for them, "CK! TK!" Then he disappears down the passage.

Looking at Kate, slightly disgruntled, "Isn't he here rather early?"

Cocking her head at Caroline, "You knew he took a job at the hospital since Laurence was there this summer." Grinning, "Heaven help St. Margaret's." Going on, "They bike over together."

"So, what's next on the agenda?"

Resignedly, "Baths?"

Eyes sparkling as she teases in a suggestive voice, "I just had a shower but it sounds delightful."

Giving her a reproving look, "the babies, Caroline."

Another cursory knock and a thin teenage boy steps in calling out brightly, "Good morning!" At sight of Caroline he stops in his tracks. She's almost as surprised as the boy and says nothing. "Dr. Elliot! I um, erm…"

Finally, brows raised in amusement at his stammering, "Good morning Amir." Seeing that he is not recovering, she inquires kindly, "You did know I live here?"

"I um, uh, yes. Yes, of course." Then politely, "Good morning, Dr. Elliot."

Taking pity on him Kate says, "Laurence is in his room with Angus, you can go on back Amir." As Amir speeds away, Kate reproves again, "Caroline, you're scaring him."

"How am I sca-" breaking off as the trio tromps back down the passage, heavy footed as only teenage boys can be. Chorusing goodbyes they troop through the door.

Her project completed, Kate arrives to stand beside Caroline, who swivels her stool to insinuate a knee between Kate's, drawing her in by the waist, "Hel-lo."

Brushing blonde fringe off a speckled brow Kate smiles down into bright blue eyes, "Hello,"

Caroline slides her hands up to Kate's shoulder blades pulling them closer, reaching up with her face, eyes on Kate's curved lips, breathing her name, "Kate." In Caroline's voice is a note that always sends a pang through Kate's insides but knowing the demands about to be made upon them by the two infants across the room she resists her urge to respond.

Caroline stretches higher, her body pressed against Kate's, desire evident on her face, "Ka-te."

Her name in two syllables already, this is getting serious. Murmuring as though there were anyone nearby to hear, "Caroline, we only got out of bed together less than two hours ago."

"And your point is..." Squeezing Kate closer, face still reaching, she breathes urgently, "Ka-te!"

Never able to actually resist these parted lips beseeching hers, Kate drops her face into a warm moist kiss that takes them both right back to their earlier lovemaking as though there had been no time between. Just as Kate began to fully respond, wondering if the babies would give them just enough time… the mobile in her pocket begins vibrating. Startled into lifting her head, she sees Caroline's sultry blue eyes calling her back and hears her husky plea, 'leave it'.

Realizing the futility of attempting to carve out time enough this morning for what they both want, Kate pins her hopes on afternoon, and takes the call with a regretful look and a caressing hand to the still upturned face.

"Mum, good morning." Hearing the tenor of her mother's voice, Kate backs out of Caroline's embrace with another touch to her cheek, tilting her head in apology. Moving toward the windows to stand gazing down at her children, who are contentedly cooing to one another on the blanket, "Yes, she's here. I'll need to ask her but I would think so."

Caroline watched as concern took over Kate's face and heard her say 'Let me talk to Caroline and I'll ring you right back, OK?'

Concluding the call Kate turned to Caroline who had followed her. "Mum is asking if I'll come with her today to visit Dad. Apparently, he's been having a run of bad days. It was particularly disturbing to her yesterday and she is finding it difficult to face going over alone today. Would you be alright here with the babies if I go with her?" Seeing the instant sympathy in Caroline's face she smiles, "I'll help with the bathing before I go."

"Of course, you should go with your Mum to see your Dad. We'll be fine here." Confidently, "Don't worry about their baths, I can manage that. I know the routine," Caroline reassured her, "we do it on weekends."

"We do it together on weekends." Looking doubtful, "I don't do it single handedly very often myself. Roger is usually still here helping before he leaves for the day. Too bad he's on holiday for the next two weeks. Although, he certainly deserves a break."

Goodheartedly wanting to support Kate and her family, "We'll be fine. You go take care of Edie and Alistair, I know this is getting very hard for your Mum."

Her arms around Caroline, "I'm really sorry, Caroline; this is your first day home since the holidays began. I wanted to spend it here with you. Mum doesn't know that though, she thinks since holidays began last week we've had all that time together" Wrinkling her nose, "She's probably been waiting to ask until this week."

Tucking that perennially stray lock of black hair behind Kate's ear, "You need to go. Your Mum and Dad need you. I understand. It's fine." Giving her a quick kiss and a parting squeeze, "Go ahead, get ready. I've a stack of periodicals that we uncovered in my office. I'll just skim through them when I'm not caring for the babies."

Giving Caroline an inscrutable look, Kate kissed her again, "Thank you, Dear Heart, for being so understanding," and went to change.

Caroline proceeded to set out what would be needed to perform the bathing operations and was knelt on the floor talking to the infants when Kate returned. Ready to depart she kissed them all in turn before heading for the door. With the handle in her hand Kate turned back, misgivings clear on her face, "Caroline, Mrs. Nelson from the downstairs would be happy to help if you need it. Her number is inside the cupboard door. If you call, she'll be right up."

Giving Kate a rather condescending smile, "Kate, I have had two little ones before. I don't want you to worry, we'll be fine."

Kate knew that this had been many years ago and William and Laurence hadn't been two months apart in age. She was also aware that the times when Caroline had been home alone with these two had been few and the timing well chosen. With an enigmatic smile Kate said a final goodbye and was gone.

Selecting Thomas as the first recipient of a bath, simply because Callie had happened to roll further away on the blanket, Caroline rose telling him, "I believe your Mum thinks I can't handle you and your sister without her. You're both such good babies, we aren't going to have any problems, are we?"

For a few minutes Callie was unaware that Thomas had left the blanket. After rolling first this way and then that looking for him, Callie wasn't very pleased to find herself alone. She began to make her discontent known, intermittently giving sounds of disapproval for a time, fully expecting to have the situation corrected. Caroline called out to her from the kitchen and she stopped fussing to listen but her Momma's voice never got any nearer so she continued to complain, becoming louder as time passed. Since Caroline could not leave Thomas until she had him bathed and dried, there was nothing for it but to let her daughter cry for the time being.

Finishing with Thomas as quickly as she could, she nuzzled his clean sweet smelling baby cheek on the way back to the blanket. Testing him she laid him down and picked up Callie. She'd learned her lesson, comforting Callie as she went, Caroline found the carry seat and brought it back to the blanket. She had to put Callie down to strap Thomas in which caused another round of outrage from the little girl. Thomas strapped in, she shouldered Callie as she stood and taking the carry seat by the handle brought it to the kitchen setting Thomas on the floor where he could see her.

Callie loved her bath and once in the tub had a splashing good time making Caroline laugh in spite of being water splattered from the waist up. By now Thomas was becoming hungry and not receiving the attention he felt was his due began to complain. Caroline would have allowed Callie a little more playtime since she was so thoroughly enjoying herself but now she finished her bath and wrapped her in the waiting towel. Callie's disappointment at the end of her bath set off a stereo effect of crying babies. Hastily dressing Callie, while talking soothingly to both, Caroline set about warming bottles for each while still carrying Callie. She made two trips to the living area, one to place Thomas' seat and the other to bring the bottles. Settling herself on the floor with the sofa for a backrest she cradled Callie against upraised knees and with a bottle in each hand fed both babies. After much switching back and forth she managed to burp each baby and resume the feeding until both had finished. Settling them in their respective cots for their morning nap, she returned to set the kitchen to rights and mop the floor.

Just as she was putting away the mop, the door opened and in backed Mrs. Nelson, a cake under glass in her hands, watching the door close before turning to the room, she sang out, "Kate, here I am. I hope I'm not too earl…" Breaking off as she spotted Caroline, her knit top still water spotted as she was pushing the hair back from her hot face.

Mrs. Nelson found her tongue first, "Oh, Caroline, its you. You frightened me. What are you doing here?"

Caroline, blinking in surprise at this unexpected arrival considered giving the same reply she'd given Amir but decided it would be too disrespectful to this older woman even if she had just let herself in uninvited. By the time this went through her mind Mrs. Nelson had gone on.

"Is Kate here?"

"No, I'm sorry, she's had to go out with her mother."

Placing the cake in the center of the dining table, "Have they gone to see Alistair?"

Surprised again at this familiarity, "Do you know Alistair?"

Giving a short laugh, "Oh no, it's just that Kate has told us about the poor man's struggle with Alzheimer's and how difficult it's been for her mother." The white haired woman looked around the spotless kitchen, "Shall I put on the coffee?"

Taken aback at this non sequitur, "Sorry?"

Finally tumbling to the fact that Caroline has not been expecting her arrival, "Did Kate not tell you that we were coming this morning?"

"We? Erm, no… she didn't. It was quite unexpected that she had to leave. It may be that she forgot…"

"Our Monday morning coffee?" finished Mrs. Nelson astounded that this important event could have slipped her mind.

The door opened again after a cursory knock to reveal Mrs. Stokes, another older resident of the building, who was followed quickly by a much younger woman who had just plucked an infant from a stroller in the foyer after shouldering a diaper bag.

Mrs. Nelson faced her friends, "Good morning girls. It seems Kate's had to go out and Caroline is not expecting us. Perhaps we should go downstairs to my flat this week. It's my turn next week anyway so Kate and I can simply trade weeks."

At last realizing that this is a standing Monday morning occurrence, Caroline's natural courtesy comes to the fore, "No. No, you are all here. You're perfectly welcome. Come in."

Mrs. Nelson, obviously the leader, "Are you certain?"

"Yes, of course, please come in." So they did. Mrs. Nelson to the kitchen to start the coffee, Mrs. Stokes followed her reaching for dessert plates and finding forks, the younger woman to place her baby onto the blanket before the windows, all clearly familiar with Caroline's home and quite comfortable there.

Having set the coffee going, Mrs. Nelson turned to Caroline, "do you know everyone?"

The young woman, returning to the group said, "Oh yes, I know Dr. Elliot from Sulgrave Heath. I was in my last year when she first came in as the Head." Then it occurs to her, "Oh, but you may not remember me. I'm Amanda Graves, well I was Norman then, Amanda Norman." A little nervous, her admiration obvious, she said quietly, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Dr. Elliot."

"I'm sorry, I don't remember you Amanda. I'm afraid that first year was a bit of a blur for me," responded Caroline apologetically. By this time two more women who lived in the building arrived, Caroline was introduced to them and the coffee hour proceeded according to its usual pattern thanks to Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Stokes making themselves quite at home in Caroline and Kate's kitchen, right down to doing the washing up and putting everything away at the end.

The coffee ladies were quite charmed by their gracious substitute hostess. To Kate's later amusement they would be quoting Caroline at coffee hours for weeks to come. Callie and Thomas were happily greeted following their short naps and passed from lap to lap along with Amanda's six month old.

While the older women were entertaining the babies, Caroline found herself standing beside Amanda watching the scene. The two exchanged an indulgent smile at the sight and Amanda offered, "This may be the central reason some of them attend these coffees. They always enjoy holding the babies. I sometimes think that they would be just as happy if Kate and I went away and left them altogether."

Smiling back, "Perhaps you should. Take a morning off."

Emboldened by this friendliness, Amanda seized the opportunity, "Dr. Elliot, I'd like to tell you how glad I am that you came to Sulgrave when you did. You made quite an impression on this teen aged girl." Meeting her eye, "I was inspired to read science because of you. Become a teacher. When the time comes I want to go back to teaching. We'd like to have another baby first though." A little self-conscious but wanting to say it, "I just wanted you to know how much I admire you, Dr. Elliot."

Caroline was touched, "Why, thank you Amanda." Amanda had made an impression on Caroline this morning as well. Not only had she been kind to the older women in the group, she was obviously intelligent, displayed a keen sense of humor and was a droll storyteller. Caroline could easily see her as a fine teacher. "Send me your CV when you are ready to go back to teaching. Even if its only part time. We'll put you into the process." She warned, "No promises, mind you."

Smiling warmly, "Thank you, Dr. Eliot. I'd be grateful for the opportunity."

Caroline smiled too, "Perhaps you'd better call me Caroline since we're neighbors."

Babysitting?

The coffee ladies had fed the babies their next bottle and the two had been put down to nap again, tired by the attention they'd received that morning. Finding that the women had left everything as tidy as they'd found it, Caroline made a light lunch for herself, settling at the breakfast bar with one of her trade magazines. She'd eaten only half of her sandwich when her mobile went off. It was Gavin, apologizing profusely for disturbing her but wondering if she could jog down to Leeds with him? Explaining that she was home alone with the babies he asked if she could talk as there were just a few things he needed to run past her… After a good half hour with him she resumed her lunch only to have her mobile go off again.

This time it was Kate checking how things were going at home and upon finding that all was well she wondered if Caroline would be alright with the babies for another couple of hours. She wanted to take her Mum for lunch. Since the babies came they'd not had as much time for quiet lunches and Edie was missing the days when Kate worked part time and they went to see Alistair three mornings a week. Caroline urged her to take Edie somewhere very nice for lunch especially since she had been so gracious with her time these last weeks, helping them with the babies. Wishing them a pleasant lunch she rang off.

By the time Caroline tidied the kitchen again she could hear Callie waking and found that she had soiled the bed. Changing her, then one-handedly stripping the cot and starting the washer Caroline saw by the curly head drowsing on her shoulder that Callie had not finished her nap so she rocked her back to sleep, putting her down on the living room blanket so she could go make up the cot again.

Before she had finished with the cot Caroline heard her mother's ring tone and took the call answering in a brighter tone than she felt at the moment. "Caroline, are you alright?"

"Fine, why?'

"I've just spoken to Kate and she tells me that you're there alone with the babies." Not waiting for a reply to this, "You should have called me, Alan and I could have come over to help. We wouldn't mind helping you to babysit you know."

Caroline was growing weary of everyone thinking she could not manage her own babies. Kate did it everyday. Did they think she was incompetent? Attempting to control her impatience, "Mum, I'm not 'babysitting' these are our children. Kate needed to spend some time with her parents so I'm staying home today just as she does most days when I go to work."

Her mother sounded unconvinced. "All the same, I could have come over." Then petulantly, "I never get to see you anymore."

Stifling a smile at her mother's injured tone, "Mum, you and Alan were just here yesterday for Sunday dinner."

"Well, and so was Edie," countered Celia. "I never see you on your own anymore. It's a three-ring circus with a sideshow over there. Between the babies, Kate and her Mum, Laurence, then all of his lads in and out who could have a conversation?"

Thinking of her morning Caroline could hardly argue the point with her mother, "I'll admit there is some truth to that, Mum."

"Do you want me to come over now?"

"No no, we're fine. I was thinking I might come over there tomorrow. To Bradford, take you out to lunch. Would you like that?"

"Just you, on your own?"

Smiling "Just me. Well, I would need to speak to Kate, see what plans she might have. But if not tomorrow, the very first day we can. Is that alright?"

Ringing off with her Mum after a bit more conversation, Caroline finished making the cot and tidied the nursery as Thomas began to cry. She changed him and warmed a bottle but he wasn't interested in this and continued to cry. She took his temperature, checked him for rashes or injury and finding no reason for his dissatisfaction sat down to see if she could rock him back to sleep. This had the opposite effect to the one desired so she cradled him and walked the floor to little better result.

Thomas' crying soon woke Callie and now Caroline had two crying babies. Since there seemed no way to comfort the little boy and she could find no reason for his crying she reluctantly put him down beside Callie after bringing in a change for her. Leaving them quickly to warm a bottle for Callie she returned to put Callie in the seat where she could feed her while continuing to cradle a crying Thomas. She managed to finish feeding and burping Callie and settled her back on the blanket with an array of toys to entertain her then went back to walking the floor with Thomas who was as fussy as ever.

Before long Laurence arrived home and made his way straight to his Mum taking the crying infant. Laurence put him up on his shoulder talking to him in a soothing voice, "TK, TK, old man, what is it? Have you got that afternoon tummy again?" Walking back to his room to drop his backpack Laurence returned with a much quieter Thomas telling his Mum, "He gets these spells in the afternoon, you have to hold him up on your shoulder he likes the warmth on his tummy."

Now the door was repeatedly opening to admit boys and girls Caroline knew from school. They were surprised to see Caroline at home and several stopped, looking askance at Laurence. He began giving directives, ordering one to turn on the telly, another to select the game they would play, choosing several others to join him in the kitchen to set out the snacks that Kate had apparently prepared in advance for this occasion. The largest player from the rugby team scooped Callie from her blanket and had her laughing and waving her arms excitedly at his chatter to her.

Amazed, Caroline dropped into her reading chair and for the first time today had nothing pressing to occupy her. She watched as soft drinks were handed around and the games controllers were passed to new players while the others watched, cheering for their favorites. Several girls sat in a circle on the floor across the room talking together quietly, eyeing her surreptitiously from time to time.

Callie was passed from one to another, boys and girls equally eager to hold her and earn a smile from her. Caroline suspected that if Thomas had not been in such a disagreeable mood he too would have been making the rounds. Laurence disappeared with him for a time and had apparently changed the little boy as he had different clothes on now. Laurence walked among his friends, chatting casually, the baby on his shoulder, massaging his back, pausing often to whisper something into the little boy's ear then going back to conversing with his friends.

The game had changed to tennis and doubles teams were being selected when Laurence took her by the hand pulling her from the chair saying, "Mum plays tennis, who wants to be her partner?"

She found herself with a games racquet thrust into her hand and the countdown to begin the game underway. There was no choice but to play her best or embarrass Laurence and disappoint her partner. This is the scene Kate found when she arrived home.

Finishing the match, a somewhat breathless Caroline turned to find Kate watching her with sparkling eyes, surrounded by the girls from the floor circle. Pleased to see Kate she tipped her head to the back of the house and watched as Kate extricated herself from the girls and followed her to their bedroom.

Leaving the door ajar, "Well played, Dr. Elliot."

Turning to pull Kate into her arms, "Look at you Miss McKenzie with your fan club." Reaching for a kiss, she was evaded.

Answering the surprised questioning expression on Caroline's face, "No closed doors, everyone stays with the group."

Moving back in, "But we're not the group."

Turning her firmly toward to the door, "We're the chaperones and must follow the rules."

Protesting, "Whose rules?"

With an arch look, "Yours. Remember what you told Laurence and Angus the other week when they wanted to invite Jenny and Charlotte over?" Then they were back in the throng again.

After a time, just as they had arrived almost en masse the young people departed in much the same way. But not before glasses were rinsed and put into the dishwasher, snacks and soft drinks put away, the floor swept, games & controllers stashed, pillows returned to their places and all debris picked up. Caroline noticed the kitchen rubbish bag in the hand of one of the rugby boys as he headed out the door.

Once the young people were gone, Laurence sat talking seriously with Callie as he manipulated the remote to find his favorite program for this time of day. Caroline, Thomas now contentedly on her shoulder stood looking a little dazed and simply blinked at Kate.

Laughing Kate took Callie from Laurence and led Caroline by the hand to the nursery.

Seating herself on the footstool with Thomas still on her shoulder Caroline asked, "Does this happen often?"

Settling Callie to nurse, "What?"

Looking at Kate with her brows well up into her fringe, "Cosby Kids meet the Golden Girls?"

Laughing now, "Caroline! Honestly, sometimes you're worse than Laurence." Then stricken, "The coffee morning was to be here today. Oh, Caroline, I forgot. I'm so sorry.

"It's fine." She added dryly, apparently, Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Stokes are quite familiar with our kitchen." Caroline watched Kate suppress her smile, aware of Caroline's obsession about her kitchen. "So, how come I didn't know anything of these regular entertainments?"

"Didn't you? I thought I'd mentioned it. I'm always talking about them, Doris, Percy and Amanda. Laurence tells you about his friends and his games conquests."

Thoughtfully, "I guess I thought you were just running into the neighbors in the lobby or something. And I didn't know that whole gangs of kids were descending on you here in the afternoons." It suddenly occurs to her, "They aren't here everyday are they?"

"Caroline, its fine. He only has one more year at school. I want him to have a good time. Looking at her tenderly, "He's been so sweet with the babies and he helps me with them so much. It seems like the least I can do is to make his friends welcome in our home. His home." Smiling, "They all seem to like these two. You saw how they pass them around. And Laurence makes sure they help clean up before they leave. They've even gotten out the sweeper sometimes to clean the rug."

Caroline's blue eyes are looking at her lovingly, "You like having them here, don't you? You've encouraged this."

Chagrined, "Well, I do know them from school." Tipping her head, Kevin and I could always bring our friends home whenever we liked. We knew Mum would be fine with it." Smiling at Caroline, "I'd like to do that for Laurence. If it's alright with you."

Admiringly, "I think you already have." Sobering, "I just don't want it to get to be too much for you. You already have a lot on here. You'll tell me if we need to make adjustments?"

"Of course, but it'll be fine, Caroline."

Cradling a now sleeping Thomas, "So, how did this start?"

"I told you how Laurence kept bringing his team mates home to see the babies. He was so proud of them. He'd sit one of these big rugby players in a chair and put a baby into his arms and I'd watch them just melt. Then they got to playing games, seems our telly is the best one around for gaming, dunno why exactly. And the next thing I knew one or more of them was here almost every afternoon after rugby ended. Where the boys are the girls follow and… well, here we are."

Grinning, "And now you are feeding the whole rugby team and their girlfriends every afternoon."