This is an adult story that primarily features stories involving women. If it is illegal in the state, province, or country in which you live; or if you are under the age of 18, please leave the site and find something else to read.

There are implied consensual sexual relations between adult women. There are elements of strong language, violence, physical and/or mental, as well as some emotional hurt and discomfort in the story.

The events portrayed in this story are fictional and any resemblance to actual events and/or people is purely coincidental.

This is the sixth part of the Define Destiny series. Although reading Define Destiny, Haunting Shadows, In Pursuit of Dreams, Actions and Consequences, and All Our Tomorrows, is not absolutely necessary, it would assist in understanding the circumstances surrounding this story.

Dedication: ~ To all readers who will be continuing the journey with Catherine, Jace and their extended family and friends. I found the journey to revive these characters like welcoming old friends home. Thank you to everyone, who did take the time to e-mail me, especially those requesting more. I was and will be always very grateful. This story is for you!

Acknowledgement: ~ Thanks to Alice and Packer, I appreciate the generosity of their time in beta reading for me.

Author's Notes: ~ I have touched on some sensitive subjects for some people, nothing particularly in-depth, and the links detailed relate to website about the different subject matter, which if anyone is interested in understanding more about the subject matter please check out, or other similar sites.

All my stories are FICTION, and although I have tried to be reasonably accurate in the information, it is only intended to be used in the context of the fictitious world the characters inhabit.

Post natal depression - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/pndep/

High blood pressure -  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_preg.htm

Bullying - http://www.bullying.co.uk/

Waking to find that only she had slept in the bed, Jace frowned. Catherine hated to sleep without her, as her smile grew wider with the memories; a warm glow covered her whenever her partner admitted that particular need.  Why hadn't her lover slept in their bed last night? The morning's weak sunlight drifted in through the flimsy curtains, which would be replaced by more substantial drapes as winter took hold. Glancing at the clock, she pulled on a heavy robe to ward off the initial early chill in the house before it warmed up. It was only six am and the rest of the household would be sleeping, although Judy would stir in another half an hour to start the morning breakfast routine. Surely Catherine hadn't gone riding so soon? Then it dawned on her as she sleepily dragged a hand through her untidy morning hairstyle, or should she say haystack, with so many wisps sticking out at all angles...Georgina!

Muttering under her breath she silently waddled across to Elena's room and sneaked a look inside. Her daughter was fast asleep thankfully, but the crib was empty. Shaking her head she had to concede that Catherine had taken her at her word and ensured the baby hadn't disturbed the rest of the household. As her mind cleared she recalled that her love had intended to have an early night, obviously the baby had put a stop to that and she hadn't even realized...having children had rather disappointing drawbacks. Fortunately there were more positives than negatives, or the human race would be extinct by now. Closing the door as quietly as possible, she headed downstairs and peeked a look inside the lounge...not there.

The kitchen was empty also, but warming up nicely as the heating system had kicked in and the under floor heating worked its magic as her toes naturally curled like a cat in pleasure to the warmth.

Where could she be? No way would she take Georgina out at this time in a morning, and to back up that fact Rio padded down the stairs and looked at her expectantly. Opening the door to let the dog out for his bathroom break, Catherine would have done that if she'd been up and around, the dog knew when anyone moved around downstairs.

The study, of course!

As she walked down the corridor her eyes settled on the untidy shoes next to the coat rack...hmm that was a sure sign that Catherine had been otherwise occupied because she ensured that the shoes were in regimental order whenever she closed up the house. It was one of her pet peeves. The rest of them, particularly her, had the habit of kicking off the shoes and leaving them where they landed in the hall. No matter how many times Catherine told them about it the message obviously didn't register, although she thought her partner quite enjoyed the ritual, even if she muttered as she went about the task.

Turning to the part of the house that held the study that had been added in their recent building changes, the silence puzzled her. Though she knew that being so far from the main rooms of the house gave the study and the conservatory a privacy of their own, she expected to hear something.

Turning the handle of the wooden door she peered inside, hearing the gurgling of the baby, but since it was dark, had to squint to see where Catherine was in the room. As her eyes became accustomed to the half-light, she heard rather than saw her love. The even breathing of her sleeping was something Jace could recognize immediately. A tender smile crossed her features as she silently closed in on her fast asleep on the sofa bed, her lover with Georgina cradled in the crook of her arm. When she woke the chances were she'd have a stiff arm for her efforts.  The baby appeared to be happy for the moment though probably hungry and wet...and the chances were her partner wouldn't get off without a wet patch on her shirt. Her look, when she realized that, would be priceless. All in all Georgina's presence had been different in a big way a taster no doubt to what the near future held as she touched swelling in front of her!

Staring down at Catherine, Jace's thoughts turned to the first time she'd ever met this woman. Who would have thought that four years later the austere woman of yesterday would be so gentle and understanding, giving herself up for such an uncomfortable night for the sake of a friend. Catherine had been like a submariner, her life hidden in such depths of darkness, one could liken it to living beneath the waves. She had traveled alone in an ocean of her own making, a cold un-welcoming lifestyle, where she could see the beauty of her surroundings around her, but refused to reach out and allow the warmth of everyday living, and all that meant, touch her. Much as one can travel beneath the sea to capture its beauty in a snapshot, however knowing it impossible to reach out and truly be one with the natural elements without aid. When she'd walked, crashed, or whatever you could call it, into Catherine's life, the woman had taken a chance and put up the periscope, only to retreat when the situation to actually allow life back into her solitary world had presented itself. Like any barnacle she had persisted and soon Catherine tried again, and this time she came up for air and breathed in what it was like to be in the real world again. The rest were in memories they had created together ever since, good and bad.

How fanciful she was being. Catherine was going from a submariner to a mermaid who wanted to seek out true love and remain a mortal! Was it so fanciful though? Wasn't that exactly what happened when they both realized that they couldn't live without the other?  Now here, as she looked down at her, the mermaid had come into her own and allowed people to see the side of her that had been hidden away for years...her compassion, humor and a vast ocean of love that they were all extremely lucky to experience. Sadness came and went as it would, ordinarily, to most everyone and was no longer haunting her as it once had, thankfully.

Georgina let out a wail of discomfort. Jace quickly bent down to retrieve the wriggling child, who had startled not only her out of her musings but also Catherine out of her peaceful slumber.

"I've got her, Catherine." Jace spoke softly as she picked up the baby who appeared to be appeased at the action. Smiling as she was given a disorientated stare, and yep there it was just like Elena, a grumble for being woken up so disjointedly.

"Thanks," heaving up quickly, and wishing she hadn't as a spasm of pain shot down her left side where the baby had slept the night. Her eyes watered at the sudden protest from her muscles, damn, she was going to be paying all day for that stupid action.

"I'll take her to be changed and give her a bottle, love. Why don't you go back to bed, and I mean our bed, for an hour." Jace gave her a sympathetic look having seen the spasm of pain cross her lover's features.

"Ugh, not sure about going back to bed...what time is it, please," flexing her stiff muscles she turned on the lamp next to the sofa, flooding the area with muted light.

"A little after six, you look like you need sleep, Catherine."

Staring at the apologetic expression on Jace's face she grimaced at the remark. What did that mean? Was she all hollowed eyed and looked like a dog?

"I'm not going to ask what you mean by that remark," Catherine answered, her tone disgruntled, with Jace battling to stifle a chuckle. Yep, this was going to be one of those days when both Catherine and Elena were going to be like a bear with a sore head.

"Good, because I'm not going to elaborate, if you won't take my advice may I suggest a shower, it will revive you and..."

Scrunching up her blue eyes at the incomplete sentence, "And?"

"You need a change of clothes, Georgina has christened you." Jace couldn't help but laugh this time around as she saw the outrage on her lover's face, just as she thought...priceless!

"God I don't believe it! What's with those nappies that say they last all night long! The company is in breach of..." plucking at the wet part of her shirt in disgust.

"Yes, dear, I know what you mean, how about you go have a lovely shower and a change of clothes. I'll have tea waiting for you when you come back, what do you say?" Eyeing her lover suspiciously Catherine stood up unsteadily and stretched once more.

As Catherine grumbling walked towards the door, Jace smiled indulgently...she'd forgotten something. "Have you forgotten something, Catherine?"

Perplexed at the question, Catherine spun around to face her lover shaking her head. "No, no I don't think so. You're not going to ask me to take Georgina in the shower with me too, are you?"

Laughing at the idea, "Oh no, not that. I'll deal with Ms. Montgomery's personal hygiene this morning...there is something else you can do for me though."

Muttering under her breath, Catherine was less than happy with her lot as she stared at Jace unable to comprehend the message she was being given from those expressive green eyes.  "Can't think at the moment, Jace, I'll take the shower and recall what I've apparently forgotten there. Oh, and if Judy isn't up when I get back...I'll make the tea."

Disappointed, but trying desperately not to show it, Jace nodded her head as Catherine left her alone in the study. Glancing down at the baby in her arms she gave her a wry smile, "That's the first time she's ever not greeted me good morning with a kiss when we wake up, Georgina. Guess you really have upset the apple cart, haven't you? Well, come on, lets get you changed and fed, maybe grandma is up and around to help."

Jace wandered back towards the kitchen smarting not only from Catherine's lack of good morning, but also the quip about her tea making skills. Maybe Catherine hadn't changed all that much after all and still occasionally dived into the odd shell or two!

Constance had called the number that Catherine had emailed her for her present for Lisa. It had been interesting, to say the least, and tomorrow evening she and Clare would visit this person's establishment and discuss the item in question, which was being delivered there later that day.

"Constance, are you happy with chili this evening?" Clare shouted to her from the threshold of the kitchen, her head half in, half out of the room.

"Great!" Smiling at her lover, fortunately Clare loved to cook, which was lucky for her because she never had the time. As soon as she came home there was always one more report to write or meeting to arrange. Thankfully for her, Clare shared her life both at home and in the office and understood her work commitments. They were also on the understanding that on the weekend when Constance wasn't travelling, they spent it doing things together as a couple, work related situations taboo!

Fifteen minutes later Constance was being ushered into the kitchen and sat down in front of a steaming bowl of hot chili accompanied by wonderful crusty warm bread, along with a portion of rice, "Sorry, no taco's."

"This is wonderful, you know I love bread." Constance winked at Clare and breathed in the marvelous odor emanating from the chili bowl in front of her as she picked up her fork and tucked in to the delicious food.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on now with Mr. Bardley?" Clare asked quietly as she forked rice into her chili bowl.

"What do you make of Lucy Bardley, Clare? I haven't had much to do with her except to see her name on the odd report." Clare didn't immediately answer her lover's question, but she would.

She considered the question carefully knowing Constance would have a good reason for asking her opinion regarding a member of the staff. Some would call it gossip, but she knew that this woman didn't gossip. She, on the other hand, might indulge but not in a bitchy way, at least, she hoped not anyway.

"Lucy keeps herself to herself from what I gather. Although the grapevine has been active lately on why she takes so much time off, and no one seems to say anything." Reluctantly, Clare advised, knowing Constance didn't like that kind of rumor floating in the offices.

Breaking up her bread she dipped it in the delicious chili, "As usual wonderful chili, darling."

"Thanks, one of my many skills." She replied smiling at the compliment. It was so easy to take things for granted especially as she always cooked, but Constance amazed her time and again when she complimented on each of the meals she cooked.

Grinning at the quote, Constance flicked her a sensual look, "Yeah and I know some of your others...but that didn't answer your question did it?"

"Nope, but it sounds a much better conversation than the one I originally started." Her eyes filling with the love she felt for the dusky skinned woman opposite her.

Chuckling at her younger partner, yeah it certainly did to her too, "Lucy has apparently run off with someone she met on Destiny, some sheep hand or whatever they call them over there. Jason is worried and I've contacted Serena Dusterly on his behalf to check it out for him."

Eyes widening in surprise Clare stared at Constance, "Wow, so that's why she isn't at work, obviously no one else knows about that. Why is Jason so worried, doesn't he trust this guy...I take it was a guy?"

"Yes, someone called Cruisal. From all accounts, he's had a run in with Catherine and Jason thinks something isn't right about the whole situation. He's one of those protective father's by the sound of it."

"Nothing wrong in that, except ..."

"Except? Come on, Clare, what do you know? People still talk to you, they always have." Constance chewed on the crusty bread; it was always nice to have a wedge of warm fresh bread. She could eat it forever given the opportunity.

"Jason is perhaps too protective; Lucy is old enough to make her own decisions. Maybe that's what she wants to do and her father doesn't like it. It's not exactly uncommon, is it? I would be up in arms if my parents had sent a private detective if I'd decided to do something they didn't approve of, can't be much trust there." Clare gave her lover a sheepish glance. She wasn't sure how Constance would take it, knowing she had a great affection for Jason Bardley and a great deal of respect too for his views.

"Are you saying I should have ignored Jason's request for help in this and let him go it alone."

Clare heard the slightly unsure element in her tone, "No, not ignore him, but I think you should have let it go a day or so before setting on the hounds. After all, she might change her mind and come to her senses. Somehow knowing that her father doesn't trust her judgement won't enhance a good father/daughter relationship, will it?"

"Clare, if you had seen him...he was upset, I had to help."

"What about Mrs. Bardley, what does she say?"

Glancing quickly to her depleted food Constance shook her head, "I don't know, he hadn't told her the last time we talked."

"You're joking? Constance how could you set up a detective without her having at least knowledge of the situation, how do you know that Lucy hadn't talked with her first!" Clare didn't understand her lover becoming so involved. This should have been a family affair between the Bardley's nothing to do with her at all. "It's one thing to do a little shopping for Catherine but to get involved in the family problems of the Chairman... Constance, I think you made a bad call here."

She looked up; she trusted Clare's opinion and now felt that she had gone too far. Why did she constantly think she had to help out whenever someone at Xianthos was in trouble? Clare was right; she shouldn't have interfered at all. "What do I do now?"

Clearing the plates away Clare felt sorry for the woman who looked upset. She was so tender hearted under her practical business front most people saw. "Well, we could have a family discussion ourselves, turning the lights down low and intimate between just the two of us."

Constance's heart jumped and felt her blood rushing through her veins as she saw the wink that accompanied the comment, "Oh, I like the sound of intimate, how about we take it to the bedroom and make it nice and cozy as well."

Clare's grin beamed out as she walked up to her lover and stepped into her waiting arms. They indulged in a passionate kiss...a taster for their intimate evening, each knowing that the bedroom option was the only one acceptable.

Jason had called Allison several times, but to no avail, she wasn't home. Finally he'd left a short clipped message and retired to the library to read...a passion that had been in its element since coming to live in the apartment. It was a wonderful way to relax from the strains of the day and never more so welcoming than at the moment, when his mind was full of possibilities about his youngest child.

He could have left the issue well alone he supposed but that wasn't how he'd ever approached parenting. No, he expected more from his children than the selfish attitude Lucy had exhibited with this current stunt she was pulling.

Settling into the depths of a dark green leather armchair, he sank in its depths and wondered if, years before, Stewart Devonshire had pondered the problems in this very room and chair. He suspected so especially with a headstrong daughter like Catherine, not that he had involved himself in her jaunts, he'd obviously picked up the pieces after the event...maybe he should do the same. He picked up the leather-tooled volume he'd been reading the evening before and turned the pages. It was a remarkable account of one of Napoleon's battles with the English written by a soldier who was one of his lower ranked officers at the time. He found the bookmark and proceeded to read the account, his thoughts shifting to the narrative within rather than his own disillusionment with Lucy.

Allison Bardley sank into the seating opposite the bar. She, Neil and two of the other participants in the exercise class had decided a cool drink after the workout was a great way to end the evening. Having given her drink order to the waitress who was busy scribbling down what the others wanted, her eyes traveled around the busy bar. Earlier it had been quiet but now people of all ages, sexes, sizes and denominations wandered around talking, drinking, eating and generally enjoying their evening. Although she did see the odd person on their own, a lonely expression on one of two, others she suspected were waiting for someone. Glancing in the direction of the exit she saw a man seated in the window chatting amiably with a willowy blonde, who was having difficulty keeping her hands off him, though he was returning the compliment. Allison felt her cheeks growing warm at the embarrassment she felt at such a show of liberated affection in public. In her day, you waited for the dark interior of a picture house or car to express yourself so freely. She was attempting to remove her gaze because if they looked up she was certain they would think she was some voyeur, which in a way she was. However, as luck would have it and as if the man was reading her thoughts, he looked up at her and she was startled by the direct appraisal. He was a young man, she suspected, no older than Lucy, or maybe a little older, and had wonderful languid blue eyes. She wasn't surprised that the woman he was with had the hots for him. If she were only...well that was another story. As she looked away knowing her cheeks were more brighter due to having been caught staring, she thought he looked familiar...

"Allison, you did great tonight, never thought you would keep up with us." Sage Raleigh grinned at the older woman and raised her glass of wine in a toast.

Pulling her attention to the people she was with Allison smiled back and picked up her own soda and sipped the liquid, "Thank you, Sage, I did think that the last exercise was going to be the end of me. Neil, you're a real demon."

The man chuckled, "Demon? Sure tell that to my kids when they decide to do what they want and I ground them." Although he was smiling Allison felt that there were undercurrents there that made her give the younger man a serious glance. Maybe things weren't working out at home, he had a teenager and she knew they could be a handful, especially a young woman.

"I'll tell them, Neil. If they don't believe it bring them along...although on second thought." Ria Salter laughed, she didn't want any kids to see her sweat it out in a session and Neil Davis was a hard taskmaster. Cute too, pity he didn't seem interested in anyone. He could probably do with a little romance in his life.

"Don't worry it's not going to happen, this is my time away from the kids. Anyone doing anything interesting this weekend?" changing the subject from his family life to a more diverse topic. He didn't want to say anymore than he had.

"I was going to see Melissa Etheridge in concert, awesome singer." Sage responded immediately her expression dreamy, bringing a smile to Allison's face as she wondered just who was Mel...what Ridge singer?

"Sorry, I've never heard of her, is she new?" Allison reluctantly admitted and was given a sharp look from the younger women at the table.

"Allison, please, surely you've heard of her, she's great. I'd give my eye teeth to be going too, but my finances won't stretch, and I bet you couldn't get a ticket anyway." Ria smiled at Allison to take out any suggestion of a sting in her words.

"I would think my daughters would know of her, I'm more of an easy listening music fan myself." Sheepishly looking up at them, she was given a sympathetic smile from Neil.

"She's a good singer, from the little I've heard of her. I'm with you, Allison, on the easy listening though, my concert tickets are usually for a classical performance. In fact, I have two tickets for a show from a local quartet this Saturday."

Ria picked up on the two tickets and wondered if he was taking anyone. Maybe he should invite Allison, yeah that would be a great idea. She didn't say much about her life other than her husband lived in New York. Usually she found that was a discreet way of saying the marriage was over and they were separated.  "Hey, Neil, have you got a date lined up?"

All eyes turned to the man and he coughed on the drink he'd taken a second earlier, "What a question. Who would to go with a guy like me?"

She turned towards Allison who was listening to the conversation though her mind was running over the younger man from earlier. She was now certain she'd seen him before but where and who was he? She had taken a discreet look back to his location in the room but he was no-where to be seen. Oh well, it would come to her. "I think you should ask Allison."

Neil did choke on his drink this time around and gave the older woman an apologetic glance. What was Ria trying to do, she knew that Allison was married the woman had never hidden it.

"That's ridiculous, sorry about this, Allison."

Smiling at his acute embarrassment and the expectant looks she was receiving from the two younger women. "Not ridiculous, Neil. If you want the company I'd love to see the performance. I haven't been to a live show for...too long."

A look of shock, which quickly turned to surprise, greeted her answer and he grinned at her sending her heartbeat racing, reminding her of a time long ago when Jason did that with his boyish smile...Jason.

 "I'd be honored, Allison, shall I pick you up at six-thirty we could get a bite to eat before the performance?"

Jason wouldn't mind, he never minded what she did especially these days. "Six-thirty it is, thank you." Smiling shyly at him she didn't see the conspiratorial winks the other women shared.

"Well now, we have that out of the way. Ria, I have a spare ticket, my friend who I was taking dumped me last weekend, want to come with me?" Sage asked Ria quietly, not that it mattered as her reply was a whoop of joy that the whole room heard. The enthusiastic hug made her giggle at the other woman's delight at the prospect.

"I'll stump up for supper afterwards, what a star you are, Sage. This is great, we all have a date for the weekend...at least... you know what I mean." Ria was lost for words as she saw the speculative looks she received from the others.

"Yeah we do, well I have to go, see you girls next week and, Allison, see you Saturday." Neil stood up and with the good-byes all said left the three women alone.

"Hey, Allison, look I'm sorry if you think I kind of dropped you into accepting going to a classical gig with Neil. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned anything."

Allison saw the sincerity in the woman's eyes, it reminded her of Jace. More than likely this was something her eldest daughter would try to do...match make. "Don't worry about it, Ria, it isn't a date, merely an evening out sharing the same music appreciation. I'm sure Neil is just being kind taking me, now I need to go too. I'll see you both next week...oh, enjoy the concert."

The two younger women watched her go and turned to each other smiling. "I think he likes her and she's not immune either. Did you see the way she looked at him when he asked her?"

Sage gave her friend a smile, "Hope we did the right thing though, she's married, isn't she? I wouldn't like to see either of them get hurt."

Pulling at her lip in thought, Ria eventually replied, "I think her marriage is over, but she doesn't see it yet. How many people do you know have a healthy marriage with that much distance between them for long periods?"

"Some do, look at those in the Navy and stuff."

"Yeah, and look at how many failed marriages there are in that particular quarter. Not that I wish it on her because she's a lovely woman, reminds me of my mother, but I think the next step will be a divorce in her life."

"I hope you're wrong, Ria, splitting up with someone you love is a hard road to take, believe me." Ria glanced at the woman who was now toying with her empty glass.

"Why don't I treat us to another drink and you can cry on my shoulder if you like, I'm a good listener, what do you say?" Sage smiled slowly and nodded her head as they called the waitress over.

Judy was up and about when Jace entered the kitchen, fortunately for her, which meant that the tea Catherine loved first thing would be made properly, and not the weak concoction she always managed to serve her partner. Usually when Catherine made a quip about her attempts at making tea it was amusing but today she smarted from the jibe...that and the lack of an adequate good morning.

One of the wonderful things about her parents' marriage was their affection to each other, especially first thing in a morning. Her dad was attentive and her mother glowed from the simple good morning greeting accompanied by a kiss. To her, it was the only way to start the day. Having seen what a difference it made in her family life, she wanted to ensure the love and security she always felt radiated from her parents was an integral part of how their family life was going to be. You never could say too often how much you loved a person or show them, no matter how long you were married. Complacency should never enter into the equation.

"I see the little terror is up early, Grace must be worn to a frazzle if she's like this every night." Judy remarked with a smile as she placed the readymade bottle in the microwave to warm up for the baby.

"Yep, I think so too. Although I suspect that Catherine regrets her offer to have Georgina over for the day, she didn't get much sleep. Had to camp out in the study to stop the rest of the house from waking up."

"Poor Catherine, has she gone back to bed to get some sleep?" Judy responded to the ping of the kitchen appliance indicating that the bottle was ready. "Want me to feed her?"

"Do you mind?" Jace asked. She really wanted to see Catherine and say a proper good morning. Her stomach was in knots and it had nothing to do with the twins today.

"No problem, Faith will be up soon and she can take over while I make breakfast. The kids will need a wake up call if you want to do that for me?" Judy reached for the baby who was at the moment very docile although it wouldn't be much longer until she let out a wail to be fed.

"Thanks, Judy, I'll wake up the kids and check to see if Catherine wants breakfast...me, I‘ll have the works." She grinned at the ‘of course' from the housekeeper as she left the room.

Slowly climbing the stairs to the first level she glanced at all the pictures that adorned the walls. Many of which were photo's they'd had blown up from various places visited. Her particular favorite being a marvelous sunset full of vibrant colors, which she had taken on their honeymoon...was it over two years ago now, how time flies. Another she loved, because of its simplicity, was the section of rolling plains on the homestead. The lush green of the fields and the odd scattered sheep with the clear blue sky all around brought a chuckle as she recalled that particular scene and how she and Catherine had ended up deep in sheep manure. Fortunately, Jake hadn't had a camera on hand for that particular event or they would be part of the growing mish-mash of photographic memories they were collecting between them.

At the top of the stairs was a large framed watercolor that Catherine had commissioned of the house itself because of the care that had been taken in refurbishing the property to its original standing. From what they knew, it was over a hundred and twenty years old. Catherine had smiled, indulgently winking wickedly at her when the local artist had enthused about living in such an old house. She'd had to stop herself from giggling as she thought about Catherine's home in England not to mention a chateau in France, and though they hadn't seen it yet, they'd recently purchased a derelict castle in Scotland. Catherine had fallen in love with the realtor's brochure, and although she herself had balked at the obscene amount of money that would be needed to bring it back to its former glory, she'd agreed in principle to think about it. Before she knew it, the deed was placed in her hands and it was gift wrapped with a simple message that still brought tears to her eyes... For my love, a castle derelict as my life once was before I met you.
In time, with your care, it will be as wonderful as my life is now that you share it with me. This is yours, a castle to keep our hearts and love safe forever.

Of course she accepted the gift. Who wouldn't? Her biggest worry had been how she would afford the renovations. That had been taken care of easily by her partner who simply said an account had been set up with a Scottish bank and she could have whatever was needed whenever she needed it. Ever since she had accepted the gift, her feet had been itching to go over to Scotland to view the place and start the massive project. However, Catherine had pointed out, carefully trying not to dampen her enthusiasm, that the castle had been like that for a few hundred years and a few months more, until the twins were born, wouldn't be a problem. Her partner was right as always but they'd filled the spare work room with swatches of paint, fabric and anything else that they could get hold of, it was fun and a project that they were enjoying together. Usually they went separate ways on activities, she with the church and Catherine with her horses, this was something that was bringing them closer together...even if they did argue over color schemes.

Five minutes later she'd woken Jake and Lisa, giving them a chance to wake up in their own way and have a shower so they could be down for breakfast in half an hour. Elena she'd debated over for a few seconds then decided that her youngest daughter could sleep in a little. It was going to be a trying day with both her and Catherine being grumpy from a disturbed night's sleep and she'd try to take care of her love first.

Entering their bedroom she couldn't hear the shower, which she'd half expected. There was a small corridor opening out onto a sitting room with her desk, small bookcase and a comfortable sofa under the bay window looking out over the well-manicured garden below. It was a place she spent a great deal of time when she wanted some private time, especially when Catherine was in the study, although Elena often napped here in the afternoon with her. In many senses this was her sanctuary, a place she could write her poetry, catch her journal up, and know that other than Catherine, no one else would disturb her unless it was an emergency. Today, however, she wanted to be disturbed very much by her lover as the silence continued. Surely she hadn't sneaked out by the front door and gone for her morning ride!

Walking through the room she opened the door to the bedroom area and her hand went to her mouth to stifle the chuckle she desperately wanted to let go when she saw Catherine's tall frame collapsed on the bed. Her gentle even breathing a sure sign that her love was fast asleep, and probably so exhausted a marching band wouldn't wake her. Silently padding over to the bed she reached for the coverlet and wrapped it tenderly around the woman she loved. Jace gently sat at the edge of the bed and pushed away a bang of hair that had fallen over her closed eyelids. In repose, Catherine had the innocence of a child in sleep. She wasn't sure how that happened, maybe the bone structure or something along those lines. No matter how it was fact, if you had to read a book by the sleeping cover version you would get the personality so, so wrong!

There was no evidence, now, of the terrible trauma she'd suffered in the fire four years before, unless you looked closely. The plastic surgeons had been very good at their art, and that, she felt, was to reconstruct people so that the disfigurement wasn't a burden to them the rest of their lives. Of course having unlimited, virtually unlimited, funds to help the cause had been a bonus. Even so, the miracle of the surgeons' work was evident. If it wasn't for the spasms of pain she still had in her shoulder, which they'd now conceded would always be with her especially in winter, her body was almost back to normal, or certainly, as she remembered it the first time they'd ever made love. Her blindness in one eye was invariably disguised with sunglasses, or as she'd finally admitted, spectacles to correct the impaired vision in her left eye. Catherine going shorted sighted had been worse to take than the blindness Jace was sure.

Bending awkwardly she tenderly kissed her lover's forehead and was unable to stop her hand from gently tracing the fine lines of both the ravages of age and the plastic reconstruction. "I love you, Catherine." Her voiced breathed out in a whisper not wanting to disturb the peaceful slumber her partner was now enjoying. For Catherine to fall asleep at this time meant she must be tired, and no wonder. Children, as much as she loved them, especially babies, were good to have around and love them, but when it came to a certain time in the evening, they were expected to be in their bedrooms either asleep or heading that way. Jace had often wondered if that was how Catherine had been brought up but hadn't as yet asked that question. She'd get around to it, probably when they were old and grey sitting on the porch when their kids had all left them. Her mind drifted along that path for a few moments, trying to picture what they would both be like in twenty plus years time when the children were moving on with their lives, even the as yet unborn twins. Her hand tenderly touched her belly as she felt movement. It seemed their children knew when she was thinking about them. Hopefully they didn't decide playing soccer in her tummy was now a good time.

Standing up slowly she left the room, went to her desk, and sat down. Picking up her fountain pen and dragging a sheet of paper to her she started to scribble down where her thoughts were, Once a tower, always alone
Can it be breached in any way
To bring it tumbling down away
What can do this wait and see? Rising up above the clouds
Solitary and silent nothing to fear
Ah, but they didn't look as you drew near
For no one would dare trespass it says Ha, how wrong can that tower be?
Not what, but who decides you see
A shaft of light shines on its face
Beckoning fate to seek its case And lo and behold before you know
The tower is no longer alone
A spire now stands toe to toe
Together for every seed of time we sow

Smiling at the silly poem that would mean very little to some, but to her, it was Catherine as the tower and her as the spire. Placing the pen back in its cradle she felt the rumble in her stomach. Time to eat! She'd check on both her sleeping beauties after she'd filled the gaping hole in her appetite. Hopefully neither of her girls would be grumpy, she could hope anyway.

to be continued

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