Greg

"What time did you say he was arriving?"

Kate knew that Caroline's asking what she already knew was a sign of nerves over the impending visit by Greg. She had agreed to Kate making the invitation last week when an email had come through from Greg. He was back in country and planned to visit friends in Durham on the weekend. He wanted to know if he could stop in Harrogate that Monday afternoon for a visit on his way south. Now she replied patiently, "His email said he would leave Durham after lunch and be here mid afternoon."

"Right." Caroline continued busily icing the little cakes she'd baked for their afternoon tea. She'd offered to do this to please Kate and because it gave her something to do on a day she'd promised she wouldn't go in to the office.

...

"Hello Greg. Won't you come in?" invited Caroline who had answered the bell. "Kate's changing Callie. She's just woken from her nap. They'll be right out."

Greg, who had been prepared to greet Kate felt his face stiffen when it was Caroline who answered the door. He wasn't sure what he was letting himself in for by visiting in their home. He'd tried inviting Kate to meet him somewhere but she had insisted that it would be easier, more relaxed if he came to the flat. Looking around now as Caroline led him into the seating area, he took in the gracious setting and the stunning view.

Caroline, following his gaze through the window, indicated a club chair, "Won't you sit here, Greg? It's the perfect vantage point for a view of The Stray."

Scanning the room again Greg said politely, "You have a lovely home."

Formally, "Thank you. We like it." She could hear Kate coming down the passage speaking to Callie as she approached. Grateful that she would not need to make any more small talk with Greg she looked toward the sound, smiling to see them both.

"Greg. So good to see you." Kate gave him a one armed hug as he rose at her entrance. Callie reached out to the red tie Greg wore and Kate was a little startled when he jumped back out of her reach. She'd been about to offer to let him hold the baby but thought better of it for now. "Your very dressed up today," she observed interestedly as she seated herself beside Caroline on the sofa.

"Yes, I had a lunch meeting for a new contract offer. I'm quite excited about it. It'll be in Saudi." Turning to Caroline, he explained, "Saudi Arabia."

Pulling back her chin and raising her brows well up into her fringe in surprise that he'd thought he needed to clarify for her benefit. Did he think she was ignorant? Greg had continued on in the fashion she remembered only too well from their last meeting. Greg talked to Kate with hardly a glance at her, barely pausing for breath as one tale followed immediately upon another. Kate seemed to be listening to him but was also watching Callie handle the beaded necklace she wore. The little one tried repeatedly to taste it, only to be thwarted by her mother.

"I'll make some tea," said Caroline. She was rewarded with a warm smile from Kate and a squeeze to her hand as she passed before her.

Waiting for the kettle to boil Caroline watched this man talk animatedly about himself and his exploits. He hadn't asked Kate about herself or Callie, which was supposed to be the purpose for his visit. She wondered if Callie would have such traits. Caroline made a vow to herself that if upbringing had anything to do with it, she would not.

Caroline settled the tea tray on the table between the sofa and the chairs. Using this interruption to bring Greg's attention to Callie, Kate offered to let him hold her. Sitting back in his chair and holding up his hands in front of him, "Oh, I've never been around babies much. Only child you know." Shaking his head as he planted his palms firmly on his knees, "I'd better not."

Smiling less warmly this time, Kate moved gracefully to the floor saying, "I'll just put her on her blanket then, she can play with her toys while we have our tea." Going on proudly, "She's sitting very well on her own these days, as you can see. At least until she gets tired." Putting a small assortment of toys within Callie's reach Kate straightened to take her cup and saucer from Caroline with a loving glance.

A little later, Laurence coming in from his job found them still sipping tea. Greg was once again giving forth. As usual Laurence made straight for the baby, giving a general 'hello' to all of them. Dropping down beside Callie she got a special greeting, "Hello CK. How's my girl?" Bending Laurence kissed the excitedly waving baby.

Kate, still seated on the floor within reach of Callie, her back against the sofa said, "Laurence, this is Greg."

Reaching across Kate's lap, Laurence extended his hand giving the visitor a long scrutinizing look. He knew Greg was Callie's biological father. His Mum and Kate had told him about the visit, assuring him that there was no need for worry.

Greg, perfunctorily shook hands with the boy turning immediately back to Kate to continue his interrupted tale. He'd seen the penetrating look he'd received from the boy and found it disconcertingly like Caroline's.

Laurence, deciding that he didn't much like this bloke and not caring if he was being rude interjected, "All right! Tea cakes."

Smiling indulgently, Caroline told him, "Go and wash up."

As Laurence set off he threw back over his shoulder, "I've invited Angus and Amir round, is that alright?"

Kate, seeing by Caroline's face that she was about to say she didn't think it was a good idea today, quickly said, "Of course." Turning to put her elbow on the sofa cushion and a hand on Caroline's knee, she smiled into her face before turning to Greg, "You know how it is with teens. They like to travel in packs." She watched the tight, polite smile on Greg's face, which told her that he had no interest in teens. She wondered how he had turned into the person he appeared to have become.

Returning to the group, Laurence had Thomas on his arm. "I found TK was awake when I looked in on him. So I changed him and brought him along to the party." Cross-legged beside the blanket Laurence propped the little boy in the crook of his leg where he fitted perfectly.

Greg, watching the two boys, both with dark hair tinged russet noticed the similarity in their faces wondered at this coincidence.

Kate held out her hands for Thomas and took him onto her lap. As she passed the plate of tea cakes to Laurence with a smile, "Was this what you were after?"

Grinning, he set the plate carefully out of Callie's interested reach and accepted from his Mum a cup of tea and a napkin. "Thanks, Mum."

Kate turned back to Greg, "I told you we'd adopted little Thomas." She did not offer his pedigree.

"Er, yes, I just had no idea that he was so close in age to, to…"

Eyeing him a little coldly, "To Callie," she asked pointedly, not missing the fact that Greg could not seem to say her name. Accepting the bottle Caroline had warmed for the baby, Kate settled him to it then looked Greg in the eye, "Yes, we've only had him just under six weeks but we've grown quite attached to him." Looking down at the hungrily feeding infant, "He's quite a darling." Turning to look over her shoulder at Caroline, "At least, we think so."

Resting her hand on the back of Kate's neck, Caroline responded to her with that chin tucked down smile that always sent a pang through Kate, "Yes, we do."

Just then there was a loud knock on the door which sprung open to reveal Angus nonchalantly strolling in, Amir just behind. "Ay-up," drawled Angus in a rather rude tone, bringing Caroline's head up to give him the Dr. Elliot look he so richly deserved.

Laurence, having polished off the last of the cakes, jumped up meeting his friends in front of the wide screen as they pulled out the gaming devices.

"Not too loud, now," warned Caroline.

"Hello?" They looked up to see Edie tentatively pushing open the door that the boys had neglected to latch. Rising quickly, Caroline went to welcome her mother in law with a kiss to the cheek, "Hi-ee! What brings you here today, Edie?"

Holding out the chocolate iced cake to Caroline. "I was in the mood to bake so I thought I'd bring this by."

Carrying the treasure to the dining table, "How lovely. I'll just make some more tea, won't you sit down?"

Kate had risen to hug and kiss her Mum. She and Caroline both knew that when Edie arrived unannounced with baked goods it meant she was struggling more than usual over Alistair's worsening condition and needed their company. "You remember Greg Thompson? We were at Durham together."

Speculatively eyeing the man who had risen to his feet as she joined the group, "Yes. I remember," she said dryly. Taking a seat at the head of the furniture grouping which gave her a view of the entire room, "How are you?" asked Edie automatically through a tight lipped, grim sort of smile.

As Greg opened his mouth to reply Edie turned to Kate and held out her arms to take Thomas ignoring Greg completely as she began a smiling line of chat with her grandson. Greg closed his mouth and sat down again.

Handing over the baby, Kate jumped a bit, saying, "Oh. My phone." Looking at Greg apologetically, "Sorry, please excuse me." Walking into the dining room she took the call.

This left Greg with Edie in the sitting area. Turning to her he awarded her his most winning smile, which began to fade as he watched her devoting herself to the baby. Edie continued to ignore him altogether. She had no intention of making small talk with this man she considered to be an interloper. She didn't want him to get the impression that he could simply insert himself into Callie's life.

Seeing that he had been dismissed, Greg moved to join the group around the telly. He watched as Laurence and Amir competed at a racing game. Greg loved video games and was hoping that he would be offered a controller.

Angus, in his usual cheeky style, regarded Greg, "You're Callie's biological father, then?"

So, they all knew who he was. Greg stammered. "Er… uh… Yes, I suppose so."

Laurence having won against Amir called, "Alright, Angus, you are up. Come on."

Angus who had been energetically whirling around with Callie in his arms offered her to Greg who once again backed away saying, "Er, no. Not just now. Thanks."

Amir accepted her from Angus asking Greg interestedly, "Are you gay too?"

Greg, surprised and thrown off balance at being asked such a personal question in such a matter of fact way by a mere boy stuttered, "Er, um…"

But Amir had continued on without waiting for an answer, more concerned with the science of the matter than the personal implications. " Statistics on what percent of the population are gay vary depending up on the country where the studies are done. We're learning about it in school."

Greg managed, "Are you?"

Jogging a grinning Callie as he spoke, Amir went on informatively, "Yes. Since I didn't know you and you are a friend of the McKenzie-Elliots I thought you might be."

Greg found himself stammering again, "I… uh… well…"

But Amir went on without noticing the older man's discomfort, "We have to do a research paper this term. I'm thinking of beginning a study of my own on percent of the population here in Harrogate and compare it to national statistics. Laurence and Angus think I'm daft. Do you think it would make people uncomfortable to be asked if they are gay?" Amir answered his own question. "Of course, not. You weren't offended."

Amir went on expounding upon his suppositions but Greg's attention wondered as he looked for a means of escape. Mrs. McKenzie still had a cold eye on him so he turned toward the kitchen where Kate was conferring with Caroline, "It's Mr. Armitage, he has the plumber downstairs. He wants to come up to replace the kitchen faucet that's been giving us problems."

Her voice pitched high with indignation, "What? Now?"

"Yes, it seems he had an unexpected cancelation and if he doesn't do it today it might be weeks before he can get back here."

Indignantly, "It's preposterous not to give people any more warning than this."

Worried, "I know. You're right but it is getting worse and who knows how long it will keep working. What if it breaks completely before he gets back to us?"

Exasperated, "Yes. Alright. Tell him to come up." Then to herself as Kate had returned to the phone, 'He'll want to turn the water off no doubt.' Walking toward Edie, "There's a plumber on his way up, if you want to use the loo, this might be a good time."

Handing Thomas to her, Edie made off down the passage with Caroline calling to her, "Use our room, Edie."

Turning to Greg, "I am sorry about all this. It isn't the way we'd planned the afternoon. Oh! There's the bell, it certainly didn't take him long to get up here." Opening the door, she found not the plumber but her mother and Alan. "Mum, Alan." Receiving hugs and kisses from each, "I didn't know you were coming over today."

"I had an appointment to have my eyes examined. I didn't want to find a new place in Bradford so we just came back here to Harrogate." Taking in the crowd of teenagers milling and queuing for the loo before the imminent visit of the plumber, Celia asked sharply, "Good night, Caroline, what's going on here?"

Caroline took in the scene through the eyes of her mother. Remembering how disconcerting she had found it all a few weeks ago she began laughing at the bewildered look on Celia's face. Kate joined the group just as the bell rang again. "That'll be the plumber, sorry," as she went to let him in.

Caroline introduced Greg as a friend of Kate's, then went on to explain the sequence of events for the afternoon. At Edie's return Alan went to take advantage of the empty facility. Edie wondered if they were planning to cut the cake she'd brought so Caroline went to fetch tableware and the fresh pot of tea she'd made.

While Edie began cutting the cake, the adults found seats around the dining table. Kate was busy dragging out the contents of the cabinet under the sink, making room for the plumber to work while Caroline drew pitchers of water against the potential need of their houseful of guests before the he finished the job and turned the water on again.

Laurence, seeing the cake, asked Edie if there was enough for his friends and being assured that there was plenty he invited them to join the feast. Greg, silenced for once, simply sat watching the teens file by to be handed a plate of cake. He observed them exchanging pleasantries with the elders they had clearly met before then head off to find a landing place to enjoy their treat.

At last Caroline and Kate were free to leave the plumber to his task. Callie had been returned to Kate who took her to get a change while Caroline prepared a bottle for her. Finally the women rejoined their guests with apologies that were swept away by parents who pointed out that they had invited themselves and the conversation continued.

All at once there was the sound of splashing water and a sharp expletive from the plumber. Caroline and Kate looked at one another jumping up simultaneously. Kate thrust Callie at Greg and followed Caroline to the kitchen. Holding her awkwardly away from his body he looked around the table appealing for relief. Under the table Edie put a hand on Celia's arm, restraining her from taking the baby from him. She knew who Greg was if Celia didn't. Surprised but following Edie's lead Celia watched as Greg finally sat the little girl on the edge of the table and the two sat regarding one another for a long moment.

Conversation resumed with Alan, innocent of the whole byplay, asking Edie about Alistair. Greg began to jog Callie a bit and finding that this made her smile became more energetic, lifting her and bringing her down quickly to be rewarded with a giggle each time.

Caroline and Kate were busy with mops and rags cleaning up the water in the kitchen after the plumber belatedly capped the offending fountain. Coming back to the table at last they watched as Greg was all but throwing Callie up into the air, both of them laughing. Just then, Callie's stomach rebelled and she puked this spectacular tidal wave of vomit down the side of Greg's face, into his collar and all over the front of his black suit jacket.

Shocked and appalled, Greg shot to his feet holding the now crying baby at arms length, groaning, "Aauugh! auugh!" Then, "Blimey! Someone take her, please."

Kate reached them first, cradling the crying infant to her, heedless of the mess she was applying to herself. Caroline ran for a roll of paper towels to offer the man who stood in a scarecrow posture, so disgusted that he didn't even want to touch himself.

Torn between laughter and compassion Caroline took the high road, pressing paper into his hands. Greg used them to scrape the mess from his face, throwing the awful items onto his plate. Alan tore off new towels to hand to Greg while Caroline helped him shrug out of his jacket and worked to clean the worst away. She dared not look at her mother or Edie for fear that they would all erupt into laughter. She'd spotted the twinkling eyes of each over their hastily lifted teacups. When Greg had done the best he could with the paper towels, she handed him a pitcher of water and escorted him to the hall bath, offering him fresh linens to finish the clean up.

With Callie changed and clean, Kate rejoined the group to a chorus of cooing grandparents. The youngsters who had witnessed the debacle with high amusement or disgust had gone back to gaming. Shortly Greg returned, tie in hand, shirt collar open, saying that he thought it time he was off. Caroline handed over his jacket with apologies and an offer to foot the cleaning bill, which he declined graciously.

Kate walked him to the elevator, Callie's head on her shoulder. Caroline, with Thomas on her arm held the door for them. Kate apologized, "Greg, I'm so sorry that the afternoon turned out the way it did. We only had tea and conversation in mind, not the whole world descending on us."

Smiling wanly, "Well, you obviously have a very full life here." Smiling genuinely into Kate's eyes, "You've finally gotten the family you wanted. I am pleased for you, Kate." Kissing her on the cheek, Greg stepped into the lift and turning gave Caroline a wan smile, the first she'd ever received from him. He gave a brief wave just as the gates closed and the car descended.

Caroline finally allowed her eyes to meet Kates. She was working diligently to keep from laughing at the memory of Greg, arms extended, sputtering in shock with baby vomit all over him. Her brows were high up under her fringe and her mouth moved with the effort to keep back the grin that wanted to escape and then they both burst out laughing. Laughing so hard that they were bent forward, each clutching a baby to her.