Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare
"We're not all going to fit into that car, you know? I don't know why you insisted on getting one."
"I am aware of that mother. My intention was for Kate, Ginika, William, Roxy and I to ride in the rental and Lawrence and Angus to follow behind with you and Alan in your car."
"Well then why even rent one? Why not have William drive you all in the Jeep? Just seems a waste of money to me."
"Well, it's my money, mine and Kate's, so we'll do what we like. Besides, I wanted a driver so no one would have to worry about driving after too much wine and champagne."
"Fine, have it your way then, Miss bossy pants."
Alan shoots a disapproving glance to his wife, who only ignores the gesture, refusing to give up her discontent.
"I will mum, because it's my day, mine and Kate's day, and you are going to be polite and not sulk about or you can stay home all alone while the rest of us, those who love and support Kate and I, can go and have a lovely afternoon without you."
A stern blue crystal gaze and imposing hand on the hip is met by a scoff and eye roll from Celia.
"And you absolutely will not speak to Kate, or anyone, in such a snide and disrespectful way. I will not tolerate it today, I am warning you now. If you desert me again, don't think I've forgotten my graduation, I will not forgive you this time."
Celia cuts a sheepish glance to her daughter and is met with a challenging stare and tightly crossed arms; a formidable presence before her, but Celia can see behind the charade. The tinges of a long ignored wrong flash so faintly across those ice blue eyes and the practically invisible tremor in Caroline's bottom lip, a hurt that only Celia knows. The sudden rush of shame that washes over her makes her stomach turn and she looks away from those piercing eyes without a word.
There is a long awkward silence; Alan not having his usual chipper interjection and Caroline and Celia momentarily lost in unpleasant memories from the past. A few moments later, there's heels clicking down the hall and Ginika walks into the kitchen, much to Alan's relief.
"Oh, now don't you look smart." Alan says as he crosses to her and plants a kiss on her cheek.
"Such a charmer you are, Alan. Celia, you got quite a catch with this one." Ginika says with a broad smile.
"Where's Kate, is she ready? The car will be here any minute." Caroline asks as she gives Ginika a hug.
"Yes, she'll be right down. She thought she'd better make one last trip to the loo." She and Caroline exchange a knowing glance and laugh.
"Caroline, you look beautiful. I have the two loveliest daughters in the world, I think…don't you Celia?"
"Mmm." Celia manages to mutter, barely concealing the frown on her face. Ginika ignores her and continues speaking to Caroline.
"This dress is beautiful and suits you perfectly."
The two women stand admiring the dress- its delicate lace neck and three quarter sleeves, the very complimentary snug fit against Caroline's enviable curves and the killer white and champagne satin pumps. Alan watches on with his trademark silly grin and Celia with her trademark scowl.
Kate clears her throat as she enters the room, and everyone falls silent when they see her. She too is dressed in creamy white, but in a long flowing gown with a high halter neck and a soft pink shawl. She looks like a Grecian goddess, and even Celia is struck with how beautiful she is.
The elders all step back and watch the two women as they shyly move across the room to each other. The absolute love and devotion in their eyes is undeniable as they share a chaste kiss and snug embrace. Ginika reaches out and grabs Alan's hand in sheer joy; he squeezes it tightly with a smile and fishes a tissue from his pocket, which she takes without looking. Celia remains silent, but watches her daughter and Kate as they interact across the room. The scowl has softened slightly, though she'd never admit it right now if asked.
"Alright you two, we'll gather the youngsters and meet you outside. We've got a wedding to celebrate!" Ginika chirps happily as she dabs the corners of her eyes with the tissue and motions for Alan and Celia to follow her out of the kitchen.
Caroline and Kate are left alone and can only manage to stare in awe for the first moment. With a megawatt smile Caroline finally breaks the silence.
"God, do we really have to go to Valley Gardens now? Couldn't we just do this another day…go back upstairs instead and you know….celebrate alone?"
"That is a very tempting prospect, my darling, but the idea of marrying you is just as sexy as the idea of what we could do in bed. Besides, we'll still have plenty of time for that tonight…when you're my wife."
"Somehow I doubt that, with all these people in the house. I mean, I love that everyone is here, but that means we don't get much time alone…and that we have to be very quiet."
"Well, actually, it doesn't. You see, I'm good at planning things too and I may have planned a small retreat away for the rest of the weekend, in lieu of a proper honeymoon, at least until after baby arrives."
Caroline smiles broadly and slips her arms around Kate's waist, resting her crossed hands just above her bottom.
"Mmm, have I told you how much I love you lately?" Kate snakes her hands up Caroline's arms, linking them leisurely behind the blonde's neck.
"Yes, this morning, but once more can never hurt." She replies with a coy smile.
"I love you Kate McKenzie…Dawson."
oOo
The rental car pulls up outside the Sun Pavilion at Valley Gardens. The light drizzle from the morning has passed and in a rare event the sun is shining brightly. Gillian stands at the end of the arbor path to greet them.
"It's about time you lot showed up, I thought I was going to have to send a search party." She says with a hearty laugh as she moves down the line of new arrivals dispensing hugs and compliments.
"Sorry, that'd be my fault…well, perhaps the little one in here." Kate says as she gestures to her belly.
"Oh, I'm only taking the piss. We've only just finished getting the caterers organized. Good thing I had help or we'd be the ones running late."
"Well that's nice of Raff and Robbie to lend a hand." Caroline says with a smile.
"God no, they didn't lift a finger! Men, they're useless…oh, except you dad, of course." She jokes with a Cheshire cat grin.
"Who was it that helped you then? We'll have to send them a nice thank you card and gift." Kate questions, the always kind soul that she is.
"Some woman, I've never met her before, says she knows you though." Gillian replies and gives a quick wink to Ginika.
Kate notices the gesture and looks suspiciously between them and then to Caroline, who gives a clueless shrug.
"Alright you two, what are you on about? I know a ruse when I see one."
"Well, sounds like you're the last one to know then," comes the boisterous reply from behind a rose bush at the edge of the arbor path.
A zaftig woman steps out, wearing a brightly colored kaftan and wrists full of bracelets that tingle together as she gestures. Kate lets out a loud squeal and runs directly toward her, nearly barreling them both over once she makes contact.
"Auntie Mildred! Oh my God, how on Earth…."
"Oh Katie, you know how I hate that name. Sounds like some prudish old spinster. Mind you, the spinster part is right, but I'm proud to say I've never been a prude!"
Kate slackens her grip on the older woman and gives her another once over, shaking her head in disbelief. She turns to her mother, who's watching the scene with a satisfied grin.
"Did you know about this?"
"I might have." Ginika replies with a wink. Kate looks next at Caroline, who also has a knowing smile on her face.
"And did you?" Kate asks.
"I might have." Caroline echoes with a crooked smile.
"I can't believe you're here! Arizona to Harrogate is a long trip!" Kate says in disbelief.
"My favorite niece getting married? I wouldn't miss it for the world!" She replies with a kiss to Kate's cheek. She wipes off the red lipstick smear she left behind and walks over to greet the group with Kate.
"Now, you must be my new niece Caroline. God, you are absolutely stunning, no wonder Katie is head over heels. I probably would be too, if I had met you 20 years ago." She says with a hearty laugh as she approaches Caroline for a warm embrace.
Caroline laughs at the comment, feeling completely at ease with Millie. Kate had talked about her countless times before and when Ginika had told her she was coming Caroline was overjoyed.
"Please, call me Millie…I haven't gone by Mildred since I was 8. And this must be William and Lawrence; such handsome young men you are." She says as she moves down the line of guests, dispensing a friendly hug to each as she greets them.
At the end of the line is Celia, who stands there stock still and silent. The discomfort on her face is obvious, but Millie gives it no regard, introducing herself and pulling Celia in for a hug, much longer than the ones she'd given to everyone else. Celia grows bug-eyed and rigid in her arms, but Millie keeps on hugging. The rest of the group watches on in hysterics, trying desperately to stifle their laughs.
"Right, now let's get this party started, shall we." Millie rounds up the group and ushers them down the walk to the pavilion, instructing Kate and Caroline to wait behind until she gives the signal.
"Caroline….thank you."
"For what?"
"For this, for everything. This day, this wedding, for loving me and for giving me a family. I love you and I've never been happier than I am right now, with you…with all of this, so thank you."
oOo
Celia is seated alone at her table, sipping sullenly on a glass of wine. Millie spies her from a few yards away and decides to make her move. She sidles up to the table and Celia sits up instantly, her sensors on high alert.
"Celia, mind if I join you for a moment?" Millie asks with a wide friendly smile. Celia simply nods, too stubborn to say a word.
"They make a beautiful couple, they do." Celia follows Millie's gaze to Caroline and Kate who are dancing forehead to forehead on the floor, obviously oblivious to the world around them.
"I suppose." Celia mumbles.
"Oh, I think they are perfect. Two beautiful, intelligent, strong women….they're a perfect pair and that little girl is sure to grow up in a house bursting with love."
"Mmm." Celia replies flatly.
"This wedding is beautiful too." She's just as stubborn as Celia and determined to break her icy shell.
"Bit posh and unnecessary if you ask me. They've both done this already, don't see the need to do it again."
"Well, as I hear it, you and Alan had two dos yourself and you've both been married before too. Seems if you could do it, so can they." She takes a sip of her wine leisurely, completely calm and collected. Celia turns to Millie, anger rising in her eyes. Millie meets her gaze; steady, a challenge.
"Yes, well Alan and I are different." Celia snips through clenched teeth.
"Are you? Why is that? Because you are a woman and he is a man? Seems a bit foolish if you ask me. A marriage is about love and commitment to another person, you are smart enough to know that. Even a blind man could see how in love and committed these two are. Besides, not to intrude, but from what I know, Caroline and our Kate have been very supportive and welcoming to Alan and his lot and very happy for the both of you. I think they probably just want the same and I've never seen two people that deserve the support and good wishes more."
Celia sits in silence for a moment, mulling over what Millie has said. She's angry; at Millie for being so bold and increasingly so at herself for being so stubborn. Millie can sense the wheels turning in Celia's head and lifts her glass in a toast before making her silent leave.
Good, maybe that'll make the old bag think. She thinks to herself with a laugh as she waltzes across the room.
Suddenly the microphone whines and Gillian steps onto the stage, tapping a wine glass with a spoon.
"Can I have your attention please?" The pavilion full of revelers gradually falls silent as she clears her throat, suddenly nervous of the attention.
"It's time now for the speeches. As you know, it's custom to have the father of the bride speak, but tonight we're doing a slight variation on that since the fathers are only here in spirit. So…Ginika, the floor is yours." Ginika approaches the stage and takes the mic from Gillian with a hug.
"First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight, to celebrate this beautiful couple. When Kate first told me she had met someone new, my initial reaction was concern. I worried for her, feeling uncertain whether she was emotionally ready to embark on a new relationship, and not entirely confident in this potential new partner. After having met Caroline, there is no doubt in my mind they are made for each other. They complement each other perfectly and make a wonderful team. I truly think they are soul mates and I feel so privileged to be a witness to their love. Everyone here tonight has witnessed the union of something beautiful and quite rare in this world. Our little family has grown so much tonight and I couldn't be happier. I wish you two a long lifetime of love and I cannot wait to watch you raise my sure-to-be-spoiled granddaughter. To Caroline and Kate!"
There is a lively toast and the pavilion echoes with cheers as Caroline and Kate stand shyly at the front, holding hands and smiling at each other like giddy children. Gillian takes the stage again and the crowd falls quiet.
"Now you've gone and made me mess up my mascara! Right, now I'd like to introduce you to William, Caroline's oldest son." William takes the stage and offers a kiss to Gillian's cheek as he takes the mic and straightens his coat.
"Good evening everyone. Again, I'd like to echo Ginika's gratitude to you all for being here tonight to celebrate my mum and Kate. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little surprised when I realized mum and Kate were dating. It wasn't because Kate is a woman, but because…well, it changed my mum. I had gotten so used to her being busy and tired and unhappy…sorry mum, all the time. One day I started noticing a change though and shortly after I realized what was happening. I knew about it before she told me, because she had started smiling again and was full of energy and good cheer. It was a mum I hadn't seen in a while, despite how supportive she has always been to Lawrence and I. Kate has made her madly happy…in the best way possible. I am forever grateful to Kate for that. When I see them together, I have no doubt that they love each other deeply. It's inspiring to see and I hope that we can all one day find that, if you haven't already. So, I wish the best future to both of my mums and I can't wait to meet my new sister. I love you both. To Caroline and Kate."
oOo
"Alright you two, have a great weekend and we'll see you back home Sunday dinner. We'll have a nice family meal before everyone heads back." Ginika says as she hugs Caroline and then Kate as they prepare to leave for their stay at The Crown Hotel.
The women say their goodbyes to everyone and the group heads to their own cars to head back to Conway Drive. Caroline helps Kate into the taxi and as she walks around the boot to get in on the other side Celia approaches.
"Love, can I have a word…with both of you." Caroline gives her a puzzled look and goes back to help Kate out of the car, who has the same puzzled look on her face.
"Right, I'm not much good at this, but I need to say it." She pauses for a moment, ringing her hands as she musters the courage to finish.
"Look, I'm sorry. My behavior toward you and this relationship has been horrible, and for that I owe you an apology. It's been obvious all along how much you mean to each other and how good you truly are together, but I was just being too stubborn and worried about appearances to admit that I was wrong. I'm happy for you both and I promise I will make an effort to be kinder towards you."
Caroline stands gob smacked, completely speechless by the apology. This is the first time she's ever heard her mother utter the words and admit when she was wrong. She's both relieved and terrified, feeling surely there must be some catch as there always is with her mother.
Kate steps up to Celia and squeezes her hand, giving her a kind grateful smile.
"Thank you Celia, for saying that, it truly means more to me than I can say. I accept your apology and look forward to a renewed and positive relationship." Celia hugs her in return and kisses her on the cheek.
"You look radiant love, by the way. I just want you to know I think you do. Pregnancy suits you." Celia says with a shy smile.
She crosses to Caroline and wraps her into a tight embrace that lasts for a long while. When they pull away they are both crying.
"Oh, now get on you two before I spoil the fun. We'll see you back Sunday dinner."
"Thank you mum, I love you." Caroline whispers before they part.
Celia stands waving them goodbye as the taxi pulls out of the drive. She feels a warm coat being placed over her shoulders and turns to meet Alan's gentle gaze.
"I'm very proud of you love."