Laurence's Party
If this grand room had not been so spacious and open the transferred picnic party would never have been possible. Laurence's 16th Birthday Party, planned as a picnic on The Stray, their front garden, was a rain out. They had anxiously watched the weather forecasts most of yesterday as the steady rain drizzled on. Finally, in the late afternoon Caroline had commandeered everyone and their phones to notify guests of the change in venue to their suite at The Lion.
Today the picnic fare had been spread buffet style on the long sideboard in the dining room and beverages set up on the breakfast bar. Guests had happily served themselves and found a place to eat, perched on any available seat. When those were taken, had arrayed themselves down the long window seat in front of the view that was all but obscured by low clouds and rain. Some even sat in groups on the floor.
After their meal, Celia, Alan and Edie remained at one end of Kate's heirloom table beneath the fittingly majestic chandelier, each holding a baby in their arms. From this vantage point they surveyed the crowded room chatting like the good friends they were becoming. "Who would have thought a rained out picnic in a flat could turn into such a successful party?" grumbled Celia, grudgingly impressed in spite of herself.
"Well, they have thrown themselves into it haven't they?" observed Edie watching her daughter and Caroline moving around the room, seeing to it that guests were introduced, supplying a beverage refill or fetching another sandwich for someone, smiling, laughing, and gracious.
Glancing up from Callie's angelic sleeping face in time to see Caroline leaving one group of guests and head for another Celia said, "Watch this," as she elbowed Alan and caught Edie's eye.
Following her gaze Alan inquired. "What?"
"Watch them. They are like those GPS beacons I was reading about the other day in the paper. Every time they look up they locate the other one before going on with what they're doing."
"Who?" asked Alan as he bounced Emily Jane on his knee.
Satisfied by Edie's benevolent eye on Kate that she had caught her meaning without needing to have it explained, Celia smiled and ignoring Alan went on, "You should have seen them at Laurence's Class Day exercises the last day of term. In the assembly hall Caroline was on the platform, naturally. Kate was in the back with her teacher friends. When it came time for the interval, as Caroline is announcing it you can see her scanning the back of the room for Kate. When she reaches the bottom step she starts off in her direction." Proudly, "Of course, our Caroline is stopped by parents every few feet so she doesn't get very far but here comes our Kate with a bottle of water for her." Remembering belatedly that Edie is Kate's mother, Celia adds, "Well, Kate was stopped a good bit too but she made it to Caroline about two thirds of the way down that long aisle, just as a couple of parents turned away, you should have seen the look they gave one another."
Meeting Edie's eye, "You've seen them, looking at one another like that." At Edie's smiling nod, Celia continued, "I must say, I've never seen the like. Caroline just stood there with her hand on Kate's elbow the rest of the interval, talking to whoever came up to them until it was time to resume. Then another one of those looks as they parted. You'd have thought they were leaving each other for a week. I thought they were going to kiss but Kate leaned in to whisper something in Caroline's ear and they each went their way. Extraordinary really."
Edie raised dark haired little Thomas to her shoulder to wind him as he slowed down on his bottle. Remembering, "Alistair and I used to be something like that."
"Did you?" asked Celia speculatively watching Edie smile softly to herself. Celia couldn't help remembering her own first marriage. It had never been like that with Kenneth, not even in the beginning. He had always been a hail-fellow well met, too busy working the room, glad handing and doing deals to think about her. She had often felt more alone when they socialized than when Kenneth left her behind at home.
Hearing her sudden silence and seeing her faraway look, Alan put an arm around her and inquired, "Alright love?"
Recalling all at once that Alan was right beside her. Alan, who always understood her, invariably found her jokes funny, was always attentive. Celia brightened and leaned her head against his briefly, looking into his loving eyes, "I'm always alright when I'm with you."
Edie looked away from this touching moment, her own loneliness in stark relief. Wishing, not for the first time today or any day, that Alistair could be here with her. The heartbreak of losing him before he was actually gone gripped her again for a moment before she took herself in hand. Glad for a diversion Edie looked up as a chorus of teen voices rose over the din of the party to see Caroline being pulled by an insistent Laurence toward the Xbox crowd in the grouping before the wide screen TV.
"Oh Laurence, you don't want me, surely there are others who would like to play."
Pleading a bit, "Come on Mum, its my party." Assuring her now, "Just one match. Come on, join the fun Mum." A few weeks ago after his Mum and Kate had adopted Thomas, she'd told him she was afraid that he would begin to feel shunted aside with all of the attention they would need to give to the babies. She had told him that if he needed her she would be there for him and that part of growing up was letting your loved ones know when you need them. So fine, he wanted her at the party with his friends not only to entertain their parents, so he was asking.
Seeing that for some reason it was important to Laurence, Caroline gave in gracefully. They had talked about Laurence asking for her attention when he needed her. She'd told him that just because there were a lot of things going on in their lives just now it didn't mean she loved him less. Explaining that two babies in the house was going to be demanding for all of them. Charged him with initiating their conversations sometimes and not always waiting for his Mum to orchestrate everything.
Caroline laughingly allowed her son to pull her into the group, giving Laurence a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking the racquet that was being handed to her, not caring if it embarrassed him a little in front of his friends. He was just so adorably Laurence she couldn't resist.
The youngsters were attentive to see Dr. Elliot playing Xbox in her home like a regular parent and took advantage of the opportunity to tweak her on the missed first serve as she warmed up. Teasing them right back on their own recent missteps in the games they had just been playing they were brought back to the reality of Dr. Elliot, who it was rumored had eyes in the back of her head, such was her talent for being aware of all that went on around her.
Soon the attention of most of the room became fixed on the tennis players. The adults, finishing their meals had begun milling about, ridding themselves of disposable plates and refilling their glasses. The cheering of the teens had turned eyes in that direction and the sight of Caroline in motion had held them there. Caroline in a wide neck peacock green knit top that turned her eyes an amazing shade of blue had been captivating admirers all afternoon. Now, Caroline reaching, bending, taking a lunging backhand shot, laughing and joking with the teens, her eyes sparkling, had captured the gaze of most males present, and of course Kate.
Kate had been checking on the babies when Laurence had pulled Caroline into the game. Now, she stood behind her Mum, hands on her shoulders, eyes only for Caroline, smiling softly, a rapt expression on her face.
Celia, amused at Kate, turned to Alan to exchange a look confirming her previous point and found his gaze fixed on Caroline as well. Jabbing him with her elbow, "She is my daughter, you know."
"Huh? What?" Seeing Celia's face and realizing he'd been caught at it, Alan quickly recovered, "Oh. Uh. Well, she is a fine figure of a woman just like her mother." Seeing her sideways look telling him he wasn't completely in the clear he put an arm around her again and kissed her on the cheek, whispering into her ear a moment before she relented and pushed him away smiling flirtatiously.
Kate had relieved her Mum of a fussing Thomas and stood swaying to sooth him, knowing he needed a change but reluctant to leave the room until the match was finished. Smiling to herself as she watched Caroline unobtrusively drop the last two games to let the bashful Laurie rise in the estimation of her friends at besting Dr. Elliot. Only she and Laurence would know that Caroline excelled at racquet games and would be unlikely to lose against this particular player. Laurence could best his Mum only occasionally much to his chagrin. Seeing Caroline move out of the Xbox center, lifting hair from the back of her lovely freckled neck to cool herself, Kate went to meet her, that familiar feeling in the pit of her stomach as they drew near.
They met to the side of the room, Kate on her way to the nursery to change Thomas and put him into his cot for the nap he needed but they felt themselves to still be the center of attention. Caroline put her arm around Kate and dropped a kiss on Thomas' head then to Kate's cheek giving her a squeeze before allowing her to move on into the bedroom passage, her eyes following.
Turning as Kate disappeared, Caroline found Gillian at her elbow with a cold drink. "Oi, save that for later."
Caroline only wrinkled her nose in return as she accepted the glass. "I'm glad you could all come over today. Sorry we couldn't be outdoors playing games the way we'd planned. Where's Robbie?"
Gesturing with her glass, "He's talking motor bikes with one of the dads over there."
"Everything alright?"
"Oh yeah, yeah. He's been a great help on the farm this spring, lambing and all sorts. For the first time in years I feel like I'm caught up with the work." Looking at Caroline, "It feels nice to be able to get away like this for a day without feeling guilty for all the things left undone."
Caroline gave her a nodding smile and squeezed Gillian's arm knowing that there was still potential danger ahead but helpless to do anything about it.
Very Entertaining
Later in the afternoon the younger set moved on to the cinema as consolation for the rained out day in the park. The room seemed to expand upon their departure and quieted dramatically. William and Roxy had elected to remain behind, letting the school friends go off on their own. After helping Caroline and Kate remove the cups, plates and other debris inevitably left behind, Will led Kate to the piano, coaxing her to play for them. Caroline joined in, "And don't let her tell you she is out of practice because she plays for me every night when it's my turn to cook."
Now it was Caroline standing near her Mum and Alan. The two had moved to a more comfortable spot on a sofa after they had been relieved of their charges. Callie, bright eyed and engaging after her nap, was being passed around the room by admiring guests. Gillian and Robbie on the window seat were entertaining Emily Jane.
It was the point in a party when everyone is more or less self sufficient, engaged, having a good time and Caroline had a moment to relax. Sidelined, she allowed her gaze to rest on Kate. She loved to see her like this. When playing the piano Kate could get this far away look on her face. It was a mystery to Caroline where she went but it was beautiful to see and she always came back refreshed. Kate was lovely today in shades of cream, tan and forest colors with a brilliant pendant that sat within the lace edge of the scoop necked top just above a hint of luxurious cleavage. Kate had quickly regained her figure after the birth of Callie and was lovelier than ever.
Proud and pleased, Caroline watched as Kate took control of the room with her music, pulling everyone in. William and Roxy came to lean on the piano and Kate, catching William's eye, started them singing a number from the last school musical Will had been in at SH. Roxy, admiring eyes on Will had been signaled to join at the chorus and before long others in the room were adding their voices.
Kate floated the audience along on her current of music, moving effortlessly from one piece to the next until eventually she began playing the tune from Betty Blues Eyes that Caroline liked to belt out around the house during lighthearted moments. She would do this mainly to tease Kate who was a huge Sarah Lancashire fan. At the opening notes Caroline's eyes snapped back to Kate finding her finishing an aside with William then look up at her. Eyes wide Caroline immediately began mouthing NO. NO. But it was too late William was coming across the room toward her. Roxy, still behind the piano had begun everyone clapping to bring her forward to sing. Tilting her head and giving out her best mother's warning look to William whose grin only widened as he drew her by the arm toward the piano. She realized there was no graceful way out of this and let him lead her to the end of the room.
Keeping hold of William and beckoning pointedly at Roxy, Caroline made it clear she was NOT doing a solo. Kate had replayed the introduction to give them time to position themselves into the curve of the piano and right on cue Caroline began softly, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody calls me nobody… linking her arms through the arms of her cohorts she urged them to sing as well. Although they did sing along, Will and Roxy were modulating their voice so that Caroline's was primary. As the tempo of the song picked up, Caroline began to let it carry her away and soon she was giving the song her all. The crescendo found all three of them chorus stepping and they finished rousingly, arms thrown in the air to a standing ovation. Caroline was laughing so hard she had to hold tightly to William's arm to stay upright. Finally, he put his arm around her as did Roxy and the three of them bowed deeply while Kate brought the song to its conclusion.
Caroline, blushing profusely at the attention, hugged Roxy then William to find Kate before her, quite pleased with herself, arms extended for a hug as well. Their embrace was quick as the guests, already on their feet, were around them exclaiming and praising all four as they were pulled in as many directions by their well-wishers.
One never knew what reaction Celia would have to anything but today she chose to be pleased at the performance of Caroline and Will, proudly telling Edie that Caroline had been the lead in her class musical when she was at school, of William's solo performances in the Sulgrave choir and his recent success in the Oxford Revue this winter.
The women had been drawn in separate directions and made their way from group to group each being made much of by friends and family alike. It took a little time for the two to reconnect, as pointed out by Celia, they frequently glanced up to track their progress ultimately drifting closer and closer. Finally, hand in hand they went to pour themselves something to drink. Finding that they were alone at the beverage bar for the moment Caroline inclined her head toward Kate and said so quietly that only she could hear, "Who are all of these people and when are they going home?" Kate leaned in to whisper in Caroline's ear, "I'm so hot for you right now that all I want to do is take you to bed."
Looking into Kate's eyes encouragingly, "You know what music does to me."
Giving her a fiery look Kate replied in a sultry voice, "Don't I just."
"At it again, tsk, tsk." Caroline rolled her eyes and turned to find the smirking face of Gillian just as she had known she would. "We're off. Sheep to feed you know."
Caroline reached out to take Emily Jane for a cuddle and a goodbye kiss, "Are you sure you can't stay a while longer?" She felt the hand Kate rested on her hip pinch her hard in the soft place there and felt smug, knowing that their union would be all the sweeter for their wait.
Gillian and Robbie's departure, with Raf, Ellie and Emily Jane in tow, started a slow drawn out exodus. In singles, pairs and groups the guests took their leave, complimenting the couple on their lovely home and thanking them for a wonderful afternoon.
Felicity, Angus' Mum was among the last to leave. "Caroline, Kate, I don't know how you managed to turn a potentially disastrous last minute change of plan into such a splendid party!" Hugging each, she told Caroline meaningfully, "Now, I know you play tennis, I'll be looking to you for a game one day soon." Smiling at them both, "thank you for a lovely afternoon."
Final guests seen to the door the two were free to look up at last. They saw the ever-helpful William and Roxy once again gathering discarded plates & cups, filling the large bins they had commandeered from the custodian for the occasion. Caroline and Kate dropped onto the sofa facing Celia and Alan, beside Edie who was now holding Callie. Seeing her Mums, the round faced, wide-eyed baby began fussing for these two who had been out of her sight far too long this afternoon. Kate accepted the excitedly squirming baby leaning back into Caroline's outstretched arm which pulled her in so she too could press a kiss onto the curls of the infant.
The elders had become accustomed to these loving family scenes in recent months. After the wedding and especially since Callie had been born the two of them had simply been too busy and preoccupied to worry any longer about the reactions of others to their love or displays of affection. Now, with the addition of Thomas they had their hands full with babies at every turn. Caroline was still working hard and between the two of them running Laurence to his activities, and keeping up with William's life from afar there simply wasn't energy for non-essentials.
Hearing over the monitor Thomas' announcement that he was waking, Caroline went to retrieve him. She found bottles for both babies, warmed them and returned to lean her shoulder against Kate's, each feeding an infant and smiling into one another's eyes, weary but happy. The general conversation had continued throughout, the parents of these two were not oblivious to this interplay but these days had become simply charmed by the natural ambiance of this love filled home.