“Yes. She was very excited in form class this morning. She was telling her friends all about the baby.”
“I’m happy for her. She’s always wanted to be a big sister. It’s not something I could ever give her, and I’m glad Dylan and I are on such good terms. It makes all of this so much easier. And Yvonne is lovely. She’s always treated Edie like her own.”
Could Caroline one day do the same? It was early days, but she felt protective towards Edie. She wouldn’t ever expect either of them to see her as anything more, but it was a lovely thought. “I’m glad she has that with them. You…didn’t want any more kids?”
Hannah cleared her throat and stepped away, focusing on dinner. “Need to get dinner finished. It’ll be about ten minutes if you need to do anything beforehand.”
Caroline’s brows drew together. “Hannah?”
“Mm?” Hannah glanced over her shoulder briefly, not finding Caroline’s eyes. “Do you want me to hang fire on dinner?”
“No. I want you to look at me.”
Hannah turned, puffing out her cheeks.
“Are you okay? Have I said something I shouldn’t have?”
“N-no. It’s just…I’d rather not talk about it right now.”
Caroline nodded slowly, still frowning. “Okay. But if youdidwant to talk, I’m here for you. I’m sorry if I said something to upset you.” Caroline reached out a hand, taking Hannah’s. “When you’re ready, okay?”
Hannah smiled weakly. “There’s not much to say. I just…can’t have any more kids. Can we leave it at that? Please?”
Caroline lowered her head, squeezing Hannah’s hand. “Of course. I’m so sorry.”
“No,I’msorry. I should have told you before now.” Hannah moved towards the dining table, fiddling with the cutlery that already sat perfectly in place. “It’s the kind of thing partners should know in the beginning. So, yeah. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t—”
“You should really change and stuff. Dinner is ready now. I’ll plate up while you do what you need to do. Glass of wine?”
Caroline chose not to question Hannah further. It was clearly hurting her to speak about it. “A glass of wine would be lovely. I’ll have whatever you decide to open.”
“Perfect!”
* * *
Hannah clearedthe table while Caroline sat back and finished her wine. Dinner had been quiet, uncertain, but she couldn’t let this get to her. Yes, she should have told Caroline about her fertility issues long before now, probably the day she turned up here and told Caroline she wanted to be with her, but she couldn’t change that now. All she could do was hope that Caroline would still be here in six months time. In a year. Hopefully the next ten of them.
She’d done her grieving after her traumatic birth with Edie. When the doctor had told her about the uterine scarring, the secondary infertility, Hannah had lain in bed and processed it all. Edie had been a miracle, really, considering Hannah had always been far more attracted to women. Dylan and her pregnancy had been the result of a drunken night. But thank God for Dylan. She couldn’t have picked a better dad for Edie. She was Dylan’s entire world. Hannah just hoped that was still the case when Yvonne’s baby came along. But she shouldn’t worry, not really. She meant it earlier when she told Caroline that Yvonne thought of Edie as her own.
“Can I help you clear away? Since itismy kitchen…”
Hannah forced a smile as she turned to Caroline. “Stay there. Enjoy your wine. I’m just pottering about.”
“I see that. But why?”
Hannah laughed. “Because dinner needs clearing.”
Caroline narrowed her eyes over the rim of her glass. “Mm. If that’s what you want to believe, okay.”
“Caz.”
“Something changed earlier,” Caroline said, getting to her feet. She stood behind Hannah, pressing the most gentle kiss to her shoulder. “I don’t know what, but I’d really love to have a nice weekend alone with you. If what I said before was out of line—”
“Babe, it’s not you. You asked a perfectly acceptable question. It’s just…” Hannah relaxed against Caroline when she wrapped her arms around Hannah’s waist from behind. “It’s ruined everything in the past.”
“What has?”