Tess immediately takes a breath and then smiles at Kate before leaning into the kiss and makes the kiss last a while before leaning back out and then caresses Kate’s face.

“Thank you for understanding Darling. You are my biggest achievement alongside our children and I love you so much Darling.”

“It’s not a bad thing to have concerns Stephanie and you should not be so hard on yourself. Come on, let yourself have this one, okay?”

Tess is holding Stephanie’s hand and taps it gently because Tess really is trying to comfort Stephanie “It will all work out Stephanie you will see, yeah?”

Tess lets out a breath of fresh air when she hears that Kate is actually happy with the life that they have now and Tess holds Kate’s face and repeatedly places kisses against Kate’s lips.

“Thank God, I’ll be honest with you babe you really had me worried for a second there. Is that stupid?”

Tess takes a soft exhales and looks at Stephanie but at the same time Tess is thinking about the right choice of words to say because she really doesn’t want to upset Stephanie.

“I’m not sure, truth be told this is far out my zone but maybe we have to hope Violet understands. I’m sure she will.”

“Life has an interesting way of changing our own plan in life, even if the life plan we thought we had would have been the perfect one.”

Tess is smiling whilst looking her wife lovingly in the eye “Would you change the path that life gave you for another path though, Darling? I am curious.”

“It doesn’t make you sound like a monster Stephanie. I understand you still love Violet but you can worry about your other children too, caring about all your children doesn’t make you a monster.”

Tess reaches out and gives Stephanie’s hand a gentle squeeze “Everything will be okay Stephanie.”

“Really? Why would you not have believed someone my love?” Tess is staying in Kate’s arms then closes her eyes and enjoys the affection Kate is giving her.

“Is it because you thought that you were done having children after your first two? I would understand if that is the reason Darling.”

“I think waiting will help, it’ll prove to Violet how serious you are about this and I think she’d really appreciate it and see that you are serious about fixing this.”

Tess gives Stephanie’s hand a gentle squeeze “Don’t worry, everything is going to be alright Stephanie, I promise you it will.”

Tess laughs softly and nods her head before gently kissing Kate on the lips softly and then looks into Kate’s eyes whilst smiling.

“Yes Darling, we do love it and we will love our twins just the same even if they do happen to grow up and be stubborn. I can’t wait to see how our twins grow up.”

Tess exhales softly and then Tess gently taps Stephanie’s hand before exhaling softly again and smiles small at Stephanie.

“I know that this is upsetting for you both Violet is going to forgive you for this, all that you need to do is trust her and give Violet some time to recover, okay?”

Tess smiles and looks into Kate’s eyes whilst also keeping her arms draped gently over Kate’s shoulders and then Tess presses a kiss on Kate’s lips.

“I’m really grateful that you are trying Darling, it really does mean a lot. I wonder if our children will also be stubborn from your genetics.”

Tess really feels for Stephanie and looks at Stephanie with sympathy but also gently caresses Stephanie’s lower back and gives her a small smile.

“She will talk to you again Stephanie but just give her time because I promise you that she will talk to you again in due course. It’ll be okay.”

Tess is looking at Kate in disbelief and then pinches the bridge of her nose before exhaling softly and then after Tess is done shaking her head in disbelief Tess looks at Kate.

“It must be in your blood. You both have to change that because working nonstop without any breaks is not healthy.”

Tess feels really bad for Stephanie and is just gently caressing Stephanie’s hand hoping to add comfort to her but at the same time Tess doesn’t know what else she can say.

“I’m sorry Stephanie, I really wish there was more I could say to comfort you but I don’t think anything will comfort you.”

Tess nods her head and then places a few kisses on Kate’s shoulder whilst Kate is looking for a beautiful vacation spot for the entire family.

“That sounds like the perfect idea Darling. I can only imagine how hectic things get for your sister too, this vacation will be good for both of you.”

Tess shakes her head and then helps Stephanie dry her tears before pouring Stephanie some more tea.

“You can’t think like that Stephanie. Yes Violet is mad at the moment but it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want you as her mom anymore. You know she adores you just let her calm down overnight.”

“Two weeks? Are you sure baby? I know this is your first vacation since your childhood and I don’t want you feeling overwhelmed by it all.”

Tess is caressing Kate’s face now but then looks into Kate’s eyes lovingly whilst making sure that Kate is really ready for a long vacation so quickly.

Tess takes Stephanie’s hand because she wants to try and comfort Stephanie again and then Tess smiles warmly at Stephanie hoping it’ll make her relax.

“Try not to worry about that okay? I know that Violet is upset right now but I’m sure she’ll know you meant well when she calms down, yeah?”

“I’m sure, only if you promise me that you will stay away from work when our beautiful angels are awake. Do you think that you can manage that?”

Tess smiles small when Kate presses a kiss on her cheek “And that you don’t think I am an ass for encouraging you to be present for our little ones.”

“She might at first but I’ll be honest with her and tell her that I am there by my own free will.” Tess smiles softly at Stephanie but is gently rubbing Stephanie’s back to further comfort Stephanie.

“Try not to worry I know it’s scary because Violet is upset right now but she will come around.”

“I do baby, but I can help you if you feel a little lost.” Tess then presses a gentle kiss on Kate’s lips before exhaling softly and smiles lovingly at Kate.

“How about this baby. We go on vacation and you can bring your laptop so you can do a little work when our little ones are in bed, yeah?”

“She knows that, it’s okay but just give her a little time to calm down.” Tess can see that Stephanie is feeling sad and cuddles Stephanie to console her.

“I’m sure it was just the shock of what happened but if it settles your mind I can go and talk with Violet if you’d like me too. Would you?”

“A beach vacation sounds perfect and I’ll happily take two days as a family over no days.” Tess sighs softly, gently takes Kate’s face and gently caresses it.

“Thank you for agreeing to the two day vacation. I know it’s a lot for you but I am so grateful that you are taking those two days.”

Tess is looking between Violet and Stephanie, and since Tess is holding Stephanie’s hand to comfort her Tess also reaches out for Violet’s hand.

“Violet, come and sit down, let’s talk about this. I know this is difficult for you and I’d love to hear what is going on in your mind right now.”

Tess crosses her arms to show that she is also serious “Family vacations are different, Katherine. You get to watch our children have the best time.”

Tess sighs softly because she really doesn’t want Kate to miss out on all the fun of a family vacation “Can you at least try it? Please Kate.”

Tess is now trying to comfort Stephanie the best she can and also places a kiss on Stephanie’s forehead before exhaling softly and Tess then looks at Stephanie.

“Listen to me Stephanie. You aren’t perfect and Violet will know that but for all intents and purposes you are her mom, okay?”

“Katherine Sally Lethbridge Stewart! You are taking a vacation of at least two weeks and no you don’t get to argue against it. Do you understand?”

Tess has her hips firmly on her hips but is also looking at Kate so Kate knows she is serious “Unit will cope without you for a couple of weeks.”

“That doesn’t mean you aren’t her real mom, Stephanie. Anyone can give birth but it takes a special kind of woman to gain the love of their daughter.”

Tess is rubbing Stephanie’s back some more to further comfort her and warmly smiles “Violet adores you Stephanie. We can all see that she does.”

“That long?! We are going on vacation this week. You book it and I am going to pack our bags.” Tess presses a kiss on Kate’s lips, smacks her butt and then goes upstairs.

“Try and find somewhere hot Darling. I really want to work on my tan and what better way to do that if not on vacation.”

“You’re overthinking it I think Stephanie. Sure, maybe at first she will be sad and hurt but once she calms down I am sure that she will talk it through with you.”

Tess places a gentle hand on Stephanie’s and then smiles warmly before giving her sister a cuddle “It’ll be okay, yeah?”