"Kate." Was all Beverley said.
Caroline was on her feet immediately and rushing from the room. "Kate?!"
Kate was on her feet again pacing and looked at her with wide eyes.
When Kate said nothing, Beverley said in a whisper to Caroline "she thinks she's bleeding."
Caroline glanced at Beverley and the PA saw a look of panic cross her face that was completely gone by the time she looked back at Kate, her determined but calm mask on.
…
Beverley looked up anxiously when Caroline returned ten minutes later, watching as she sat wearily on the couch. She looked perhaps less put together than usual, but not upset. "She's not.. she wasn't bleeding. We have a scan booked tonight, and it would have been the same scan she found out she lost her second baby at. Which I didn't know. Because I never thought to ask." Caroline ran her fingers through her hair. "Are they all still in the office?"
At Beverley's nod, Caroline looked at the closed door. "…Can you ask them to come back tomorrow? I've managed to get an earlier appointment so we need to go straight to the clinic."
"Ok. Will you be back afterwards, if..when.."
Caroline immediately went to say yes, but then hesitated. "…I need to see how Kate is afterwards. I'll take paperwork with me now so I won't get too behind if she wants me to stay home."
…
Kate was silent on the car ride, and then silent in the waiting room, but Caroline was relieved she took her hand when it was offered, feeling pain at her inability to help in any other way.
"Kate McKenzie?" The doctor finally called.
Kate looked to Caroline, and the blonde saw the panic in her eyes.
"It's ok. We checked. We checked together. There was no bleeding, was there." Caroline stated gently.
Kate shook her head and allowed herself to be led into the room the doctor walked them to. She was sure the doctor explained some things, but she could focus on nothing but the blind panic in her mind. The only thing keeping her in the room was Caroline's hand holding hers.
She didn't realise she was crying until Caroline brushed away some of the tears and said something to her that Kate couldn't seem to hear.
"Kate. Look." Caroline urged, gently turning her head to look at the monitor. There on the ultrasound was a heartbeat.
"I can't.. I can't hear it."
"It often won't be audible for another couple of weeks, But everything looks absolutely fine. The baby is measuring as it should, and given we know roughly when you conceived, I can tell you that you're probably looking at a February birth."
"Same as the boys." Caroline smiled, eyes not moving from the screen.
"And you're sure..you're sure nothing is wrong?"
"You're healthy and the baby is healthy. It's good news, Kate."
Kate nodded, looking back at the screen and then looking to Caroline, finally allowing herself to feel a little happiness when she saw the look of joy on her face.
…
They sat in the car for a little while after the appointment, Kate gazing at the scan and Caroline gazing at Kate.
"In three more weeks it will the furthest I've ever gotten."
"We can book more regular private scans, if you think that will help."
Kate nodded, finally looking up from the picture to look at Caroline. "I'm sorry I panicked."
"Nothing to be sorry for." Caroline squeezed her hand.
"We should get back to school. I'll make it for-"
"No. We shouldn't. What we should do is go back to yours, put on some comfy clothes and attempt to finish that Ice cream pint we started on Saturday. " Caroline smiled. "Life has been too busy. For the rest of the week there won't be any packing, or any nights out. Doctor Dawson's orders. We both need a few nights relaxation."
"But it's almost the end of this term, you're busy. You should go back today.."
"No." Caroline replied simply, starting the car before turning to give Kate a cheeky smile.
Kate watched her for a moment before she rested back against the seat with a small smile on her face.
"She wants me and me dad to convince you to wear it to the wedding. Dad is refusing to even mention it to you."
A couple of hours later and Caroline was resting back against some cushions and Kate was resting against her, Gillian on speakerphone with the mobile resting on the table.
"I'm never going to say yes. It's hideous. It's the most 80s thing I've ever seen." Caroline sighed.
"That's what I said. Then Celia went all quiet and me dad told me to apologise to her. I don't even think it will be your size, frankly. I'm not sure I could even get a leg in it. Maybe Kate-"
"Kate is not wearing it, either." Kate cut in.
Gillian and Caroline gave matching sighs.
"Why are you home now anyway? I only called to leave you a message because me hands were too busy up a ewes whatsit to type a message."
"You paint such a wonderful picture of country life, Gillian." Kate offered.
"Is she taking the piss, Caroline? I can never tell with you two.."
"Yes, she is." Kate answered, before adding, "we had a scan."
"What sort of scan?"
Kate sat up a little to look at Caroline. "I thought you'd told her!"
"I was working up to it!"
"Told me what?" Gillian demanded, stopping what she was doing. "Told me wh..oh, blimey, you're not pregnant are you Caroline? John's been here and he keeps talking about babies."
"…not me, no." Caroline replied. "John's been there? Why?"
"Don't tell me your precious baby boy William has fu-"
"It's me." Kate interrupted again. "I'm pregnant."
"…how?"
"…I imagine it was probably quite similar to what you're doing to that poor ewe I can hear." Caroline replied, which made a horrified look cross Kate's face, making Caroline begin to laugh.
"Are you serious?!" Gillian cried. "Does Celia-"
"NO!" Yelled two voices.
"Wow. Blimey. Was it..was it.."
"No doubt Caroline will go into further detail next time you have a drinking session, but it was nothing like that ewe, thank you very much. I'm going to make some tea." Kate went to stand.
"No! No, no, no." Caroline wrapped her arms around Kate to stop her being able to move. "I was just trying to explain in …Gillian terms before she-"
"Where did the spunk come from? The jizz? The spooge? How did it get up there? Don't tell me you're packing, Caroline?!"
Kate smiled at Caroline and settled back down as Caroline raised her eyebrows and mouthed 'see?'.
"Back to the dress. If mum asks you, tell her you tried your best. I've got to go, I've got something important I need to do." Caroline leaned forward and hung up the phone.
"What do you need to-" Kate began, cut off by Caroline kissing her deeply.
"I love you." Caroline replied before going to stand up. "I'll make some tea, then we can restart the movie."
"No." Kate wrapped her arms around Caroline again to prevent her moving before resting her head against her again. "I just want to cuddle."
"I told Beverley I'd get some paperwork done." Caroline muttered half heartedly as she wrapped her arms back around her fiancée and gave a happy sigh.
..
"Only me!" William called when he unlocked Kate's door with the key she had given him. "Dad didn't show to pick us up, and I didn't have any money for the bus, so this house was closer. Lawrence has gone to-" William stopped when he saw the pair asleep on the couch, already in their pyjamas. Grinning to himself, William made his way to Kate's office to do some homework.
Despite Caroline's meticulous planning, the stress free life only lasted until 2pm on Friday when Kate saw William's anxious face at her classroom door. Instructing the class what to read, she then rushed from the room. "Will?"
"Lawrence is on his way to hospital."
"What? Why?!"
"Mum asked me to tell you before she left,but I can't find my phone anywhere. I think maybe she has it because she-"
"Will. Your brother. What happened?"
"Possible concussion, they said. Mum wanted-"
"Wait. Rewind. Concussion from what? He didn't have rugby today, did he?"
"Just in PE."
"Oh right, of course. Is your mum okay?"
"Angry. About to behead anyone who gets in her way. When she saw me, she just yelled out what happened and asked me to tell you, and then she sped off."
"Should..does…"
"Maybe..we could go to the hospital? Just in case Florence needs to be reassured that he's still an idiot?"
Kate smiled now, relieved he had made the choice for her. "Of course. Have you got everything? I just need to go and talk to Mr Anderson."
…
Kate stilled in the hallway, unsure what to do as William rushed towards his parents, worried about his brother but unwilling to show it.
John looked like he had been dragged through a hedge backward and hugged a reluctant William tearfully, even as a nurse brought him a cup of tea and a sympathetic rub on the arm.
Caroline on the other hand was stood slightly apart with a straight back, looking like she had only just done her hair and make up, her eyes wide and watchful and her mouth in a firm line. But when those eyes fell on Kate, they filled with tears and for just a moment the facade crumbled.
Kate took a step forward, but then hesitated again as a doctor approached and spoke to the family. Soon they were ushered into a room and Kate found herself still standing alone in the corridor.
Should she stay? Should she wait?
"Are you a family member of.." a passing nurse asked, hoping to get the woman stood in the middle of the corridor to move.
"..no. I'm just..I'm..no one. Sorry." Kate stepped aside, hand on her middle.
Maybe she should wait. Lawrence might need her.
Of course he wouldn't. He had his whole family there. What could she do?
Caroline hadn't wanted her near john, so maybe she should go. Maybe-
"She wants you."
John slumped in a chair. When Kate didn't move, he looked up at her. "She wants you."
"H-how is Lawrence?"
"Concussion. And dislocated shoulder. He's pleased someone got the tackle recorded on their phone."
Kate glanced at the room again.
She was surprised that the first person to reach for her when she entered the room was a high as a kite Lawrence. "Kate! Have some of this, it's great!"
Kate smiled. "Thanks, but I think you should keep it. That's a cool looking bruise you're getting there."
"Thanks! Mum, why are you wearing a hat? You've got three heads!" Lawrence cracked up again.
Caroline managed a watery smile.
William recorded on his phone, grinning.
"Kate's my friend." Lawrence told the nurse. "She's cool, for a lesbian. Give her one of these!"
"I really am fine, Lawrence." Kate edged towards Caroline, giving William a pointed look, after which he wisely put his phone away.
"Kate and my mum are getting married and having a baby, but you can't tell granny." Lawrence whispered loudly to the nurse.
Kate glanced at Caroline again, but she could see the protective walls were up, and she wasn't sure whether Caroline would appreciate her touch. Instead, she simply stood beside her. Kate was relieved when Caroline instantly gripped her hand. "Thanks for broadcasting my sexuality, marriage and fertility status, Lawrence. Will he be in overnight, do you think? Should I go and get him some things?"
"Very possibly." The nurse nodded, glancing at the quiet blonde In the corner who had come in with the patient. "The doctor will need to reset his shoulder, and then we will need to monitor him."
"I'll go and get some-"
"No." Caroline said quietly.
Everyone looked toward her.
"…I'll ask dad to take me home and I'll get some stuff." William offered.
At this Caroline nodded.
Kate have William a thankful smile as he left the room.
"The doctor will be here shortly to reset this shoulder, and I'm afraid it isn't a very pleasant thing to watch, so perhaps if you'd like to go and get a cup of tea at the canteen? I can come and find you when it's all done."
Kate got a brief reminder of how young Lawrence was when his face fell at this and he reached out for Caroline. "Don't leave me, mum. I'm scared."
Caroline quickly moved to his side, offering quiet reassurances.
…
"Hi."
Kate looked up from the cup of tea she was gazing at, wondering why they didn't make hospital chairs any more comfortable. "Hi."
"It's done." Caroline said as she considered the seat beside Kate.
Kate reached out an arm for her and Caroline quickly moved into her embrace. It felt nice to be the one offering comfort for once instead of being the one in need. "Are you going to fire the PE teacher?"
"He's going to wish he was just being fired when I finish with him." Caroline replied tearfully, only able to release a few tears because her face was hidden against Kate.
…
"I've got his games and his chargers, but I didn't know if he would be able to use his arm to play them, so I brought some comics, too. Dad stopped off so we could get the new issue. And I got his some sweets." William placed the bag next to his mother as John sat on her other side.
"You're a good brother."
"This next one is going to be very lucky to have me as a brother now I've ironed out all the kinks with Florence." William smiled.
"Are you alright?" John suddenly took Caroline's hand between his own, patting it. "Can I get you a sweet tea? It must have been such a shock."
Both Caroline and William raised their eyebrows at this, glancing at one another.
"Ah.." was all Caroline offered, pulling her hand away as she stood up to accept the tea Kate had brought her.
"You're probably needing to get home, Kate.I can take Caroline to our home later."
Kate opened her mouth, then shut it, her jaw working with annoyance. Usually Caroline would jump on him when he spoke that way, but right now she looked too exhausted. "…I might take William home if John is staying here, but I can come and pick you up any time you need me to, just call, okay?" Kate put a hand to Caroline's cheek.
Caroline closed her eyes and pressed into the hand for a few seconds before she nodded, unwilling to seek any more obvious comfort in view of John.
…
"Are you hungry? We can stop somewhere to get something?" Kate offered on the drive home.
"Dad already got me something. We can stop for you, though? Mum said y-" William cut himself off and blushed.
"Mum said what?" Kate asked with a smile.
"You need your meals on time and snacks in between or you're grumpy."
"Honestly, she's not wrong. I give detention to a lot more kids before lunch than I do after." Kate smiled, indicating to turn into a drive through.
"…mum really loves you, you know? And me and Lawrence do, too. Well, I do. Lawrence thinks you're ok, which is a big thing if you're not a rugby ball or a video game. I'm really glad mum met you."
"I'm very glad I met her, and you." Kate reached over and squeezed William's hand. "What brought that on?"
"Lawrence broke his arm pretty badly a few years ago at school, and mum went with him. Dad saw her standing there looking calm so he said hi to Lawrence and then left. But you knew even if she looked calm she wasn't. You were there for her. Like you've been quietly there for all of us for months. Even when Lawrence hasn't been nice to you, even when you're not feeling well. Even when mum hasn't been very nice to you, too. So, i sort of already think of you as a step-mum, and I'm glad you're going to make it official."
"Whenever I've imagined what a son of mine would be like, he was like you. And I count myself very lucky to have you in my life, William. And I love you, too. All of you. Even Lawrence. Well, most of the time. 80% of the time." Kate smiled tearfully, leaning against her seatbelt to kiss his cheek.
…
"Hi."
"Hi." Caroline said tiredly. "Lawrence wants me to stay the night."
"Can I bring you a book, or your iPad?" Kate offered.
" 'm ok. Will you stay with William overnight?"
" 'Course. Have you eaten?"
"I had a bar and some crisps from the vending machine. And the nurse brought me another cup of tea." Caroline let out a sigh into the cold air. "..I didn't get to kiss you goodnight."
"You can do it twice tomorrow night. Are you sure I can't bring you anything?"
"I'll be fine. I may kill John, but I'll be fine."
Kate cringed. "He's still there?"
"Mm. Thankfully I think he has an eye on one of the nurses so he's stopped trying to hold my hand. Well, it's either that or my threat to rip his bollocks off and shove them down his throat worked."
Kate laughed, and Caroline smiled.
"So much for our enforced relaxation. We made it just over 24 hours."
"Doesn't matter. We can get through anything, you and I." Kate offered, looking down at her engagement ring.
"I love you." Caroline gave a small sigh. "I'd better go. They think he will be able to be discharged about 10am, but I'll message you if I hear anything else."
"Ok. I love you, too." Kate replied.
When she hung up the phone, she gave a little nervous smile at Celia who sat opposite her at the table watching.
After much begging on Lawrence's part, Caroline allowed John to drive them home after Lawrence was discharged earlier than expected, though thankfully he drove off after they got out, apparently late for something work related. Once she had Lawrence settled on the couch in front of the tv, she crept upstairs and opened the door to the master bedroom. A smile instantly lit her face when she found Kate still fast asleep, cuddled into Caroline's pillow and looking peaceful.
She couldn't resist walking in and removing her shoes before climbing up behind her and curling into the brunette, allowing the peace to wash over her, too.
After a few seconds, Kate began to stir and then pressed back into Caroline as she stretched. "Early."
"Mm. They let us leave earlier than expected. John brought us back."
"Has he gone?"
"Yes, he's gone." She replied, loosening her arms as Kate rolled over to face her. "Hi."
"Hi." Kate smiled. "Lawrence?"
"Downstairs in front of the tv and half asleep."
"Did you get any sleep?"
"Nope. So I'm a bit..wired. Is that a word?" Caroline grinned.
"It's a very good word." Kate smiled, reaching down to pull her own top off.
"Are we skipping the rest of it today?" Caroline asked with a soft laugh as she brushed her hand up Kate's rib cage to caress her.
In answer to her question, Kate took the blonde's other hand and moved it between her legs.
A grin quickly lit Caroline's features. "I guess you've remembered what I'm like on little sleep."
"And I've been thinking about it for hours!"
The couple ended up having their relaxing weekend after all. They spent most of it laying on the couch and watching movies with Lawrence, not a moving box in sight.
On Saturday, Caroline and Lawrence spent much of that time fast asleep, and Kate reveled in the feeling of having Caroline in her arms for hours in a place where others came and went; John, Celia and Alan. Even Angus. Caroline slept through it all, blowing little warm sighs against Kate's neck. No one said a word about it.
Caroline got her own present on Sunday evening when Kate walked into the bedroom after a shower still drying herself off and allowed Caroline to drop a gentle kiss just below her bellybutton and rest her hands there briefly, Kate's own hands stroking blonde hair.
