A/N So, I think I'm all fluffed out for now and this will be the last chapter to Lost in the Moment (end of the summer holidays, start of the new school year). I started writing this fic to fuel my addiction to these "magnificent" characters between series 2 and 3 and I'm sure I'm not alone in being so bloomin' excited for the start of S3. All of your stories, reviews and just general loveliness has made the waiting a whole lot easier, so thanks for being there and for being so supportive of my first fanfiction attempt.
Keep writing ladies! And I hope you enjoy getting lost in the final moment…
"Island hopping!?"
"What of it?"
"Mother, you're both nearly 80!"
"Yes, and you're more boring at the age of 47!" Celia crossed her arms in a huff.
Caroline stared at her mother open mouthed, completely lost for words.
"Even more reason to do it, Caroline." Alan piped up tenderly (as Alan always is) "see a bit more o' t'world together before we bid our final farewell." He reached for Celia's hand, to soften her body language and held it on the breakfast table.
"Yes, but it'll not be safe traipsing…"
"Oh Caroline, it's not like we're a couple o' students off trekkin' the outback with only a pot noddle and a pair o' sandals to our name. We're booked into 5 star hotels!" Celia protested.
The Buttershaw-Elliot-Dawson-McKenzie clan were due to fly home from their summer vacation that evening, but Celia had chosen the family breakfast to inform her daughter that she and Alan had booked a extra fortnight travelling around the other Greek Islands.
"Kate, can you back me up here?" Caroline looked to her girlfriend for support.
Kate gaped, not expecting to be called in on this one.
"Ermm…well…if I'm honest" a lopsided, apologetic grin aimed at Caroline and then sweet brown eyes to Alan and Celia "…I think it's a lovely idea."
"Of course you would; kind, sweet, romantic, Kate," said a twinkle in Caroline's eye but her face still of utter bafflement.
"Me too" smiled William.
"Will you bring us a present back from each Island?" Lawrence added excitedly.
An incredulous "Ah!" escaped Caroline's mouth as she looked at her family, wide eyed.
Everyone else sat like school children attempting to hide their laughter towards the Headmistress.
"What do you think, little'un?" Alan reached a finger of his free hand into the palm of the infant in Kate's arms.
A gurgled laugh and a huge smile told the family all they needed to know and served as a catalyst for everyone else's laughter.
Caroline stood and began to clear the table, shaking her head but with a small smile curled on her lips at her family's shared amusement, despite it being at her expense.
"I'm actually looking forward to going back to school, y'know. Somewhere where I'll get a bit of respect!" A cloth in one hand, she wiped down the table and with her other she pointed to her mother and Alan. "You're to text me. Every evening. Let me know you're alright."
She turned around to place some dishes into the sink while Celia shook her head and waggled her finger mockingly behind her daughter's back, much to Lawrence's amusement. Kate and William stifled their sniggers behind their hands.
"And I'm supposing you'd want a lift to the airport?"
"Oh love, how kind of you to offer." Celia smirked at her daughter.
Xxxx
Caroline parked the hire car on the villa's drive having dropped Celia and Alan at the airport. She got out and was greeted by Kate looping her arms around her waist and pulling her in for an exquisite kiss.
"Mmm, hello" Caroline said huskily.
Kate grinned and called to Caroline's youngest son, "Lawrence."
Lawrence and William both came out of the villa, William with Lilly in his arms. Lawrence proceeded to take his mother's handbag and place it inside.
"Ah…" Caroline began to protest.
"No, no. It's fine." Kate reassured. "Come on. You're coming with me."
Both boys waved to their mother with cheeky grins on their faces whilst Kate led Caroline off, hand in hand, down the hill towards the sea.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Ask no questions and I will tell no lies" Kate beamed at her lover.
"Katherine…" warned Caroline.
"Caroline..." mocked Kate.
They walked the short distance from the villa to promenade in silence but playfully catching each other's eyes.
"We're here."
'What?" Caroline looked out to the sea. "You're taking me swimming? My costumes back at the villa. Oh Kate, you really should have said and I would have..." Caroline started a bossy ramble.
"We're going skinny dipping." Kate cut her off, straight faced.
Caroline laughed sarcastically at the taller woman. A beat. With Kate being the master of deadpan but the purveyor of spontaneity, Caroline couldn't work out if she was joking.
"No we're not?" half a question, half a statement.
"Ha, no, we're not but you're too fun to wind up." Kate placed her hands on the older woman's shoulders and turned her round to face a grand Greek building.
"A hotel?"
"Yes, a hotel." Kate grinned basking in Caroline's confusion.
"I'm sorry, Kate, but what…we've got to go home. I start back at school on Mon…"
"Oh Caroline, seeing you when things are out of your control is…well, it's adorable. You get these cute little frown lines in your brow just here…" Kate kissed her in the right place.
Caroline sighed and relaxed slightly.
"Yes, a hotel. A hotel with a rather luxurious 5 star spa inside." Kate informed her.
Caroline smiled quizzically at her girlfriend.
"You, my darling one, are booked in for a deeply relaxing, full body massage courtesy of me, the boys and Lilly." She grinned at the older woman. "Heated stones, warm oils, acupunctural facial. Pure indulgence."
"Was this your idea?"
"Lawrence's! He saw it on the way back up from the beach after his morning swim. He can be so sweet at times."
Caroline pulled Kate in for a hug.
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Well, I never." Caroline smiled but then Kate detected slight apprehension from her body language.
"What is it? What's the matter?"
"I've never had a massage before…"
Kate eyed her girlfriend as if to say "you bloody have!"
Caroline recognised the look in Kate's brow orbs and added, "a professional one, that is!"
"Really?"
"Yes, is that so hard to believe?" Caroline chuckled.
"Yes. Actually."
"Why?"
"You exude glamour, Caroline. I imagined you doing this all the time. Mani-pedi, facials, the works."
"Oh my, really?" Caroline contemplated Kate's presumption. "I never really found the time…what with the boys and the house and keeping tabs on John...you know."
"You really are magnificent, you know that?"
"And you're very, very pretty."
Blue eyes beamed at brown.
"Are you joining me?" Caroline asked excitedly.
"Oh, no, no. I promised the boys one last session in the pool before we pack the cases and give the villa a once over. We'll see you in an hour and a half though." And with a peck on the lips Kate headed back towards their holiday home lingering momentarily not wanting to let go of Caroline's hand.
"Enjoy!"
Xxxx
Caroline walked out of the spa feeling utterly elated. She sat on a nearby bench and took a moment to stare out to beautifully clear blue sea allowing her mind to float back down to reality.
At first she had struggled to relax with the annoying panpipe music and the awkwardness of being semi naked in front of a stranger. However, as the masseuse got to work on her muscles she got entirely lost in the moment. Her mind wandered to thoughts of her love, working her expert hands across Caroline's pale skin which caused her to groan out loud during the massage.
"Everything okay, my lady" asked the masseuse.
"Oh, yes, sorry! Just...fine...thank you" replied Caroline.
The blonde chuckled out loud recalling the scene and began to make her way back to her family, with not a care in the world.