Chapter 16: Cannes 2020, Part 2

Although the chauffeur tried to drive gently, the constant pulling up and stopping of the car made Rooney feel increasingly nauseous.

" I will be sick if this will take too long …"

Alarmed, Cate touched Rooneys forehead that was covered with small beads of cold sweat.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, we'll be there soon.'

She put her hand on Rooney's chest.

"Try to inhale deeply, relax and exhale."

Then Cate lowered her hand, caressing Rooney's belly. She was by now visibly pregnant.

"You'll be fine, trust me. Both of you."

They had been together for three years when it was mentioned for the first time: a child of their own. They had not spoken about it themselves; it was Kate who, never the one to be too discreet, had asked Rooney. She had just returned from Sydney, where she had spent a summer vacation with Cate and the children.

"Have you ever considered a child of your own ? You're very good with those brats."

Rooney felt the blood rush to her face.

"I, I've never thought about it."

In her relationship with Charlie there had been no room for children. They had both been too preoccupied with their work and had never really discussed it. With Cate, of course, it was very different: her four children had been an important part of their relationship from the beginning.

"Cate never mentions it and to be honest I don't think she will want any more children.

"But you never asked her ?" Kate obvisiously didn't want to let go of the subject.

Rooney shrugged.

"No."

She changed the subject.

But Kate had planted a thought in her head that in the end was unable to ignore.

"Cate ?"

"Mmm…"

They were in bed together, lying close, Rooney's head on Cate's shoulder.

"Have you ever thought about children …"

Cate started to laugh.

"Sweetheart, in case you hadn't noticed, I am the mother of four."

Rooney shrugged.

"That's not what I mean. I …"

"Shhhh …" Cate reached for the bedsidelamp and turned it on, bathing them in a warm light. She reached for Rooney's hand.

"I think I know what you mean, darling. And I'm okay with it. I will love the kid."

Rooney's heart skipped a beat. Then she took Cate's face in her hands.

"Our kid." She smiled, savouring the words, then kissed Cate's lips.

Rooney had to admit to herself that Cate's reaction had been a surprise. Cate was nearing her fiftieth birthday and had given birth to three children herself. Why would she want to take care of yet another baby ? But it would be their baby. And Kate's probing had made Rooney aware of something that had long been hidden, even to herself. She did want to become a mother. Not to Cate's children who of course already had a formidable mother, but of her own child.

A lot of decisions awaited them. There were the projects they had committed themselves to that, once Rooney became pregnant, would have to be cancelled or rescheduled: new films to be made, activities concerning their charities, plays they would participate in. They would have to talk to Andrew and the children about the arrangements in Sydney. And most of all there was the matter of how Rooney could become pregnant. After some deliberations they concluded that they both did not want to involve a father who would be part of the child's life.

"Our lives are complicated enough as they are," Cate reflected. "And with three brothers and Andrew around there will be plenty of male company."

Cate had never admitted to Rooney that her wish of having a child together had at first frightened her. After the turmoil of her divorce and the settlements concerning the children, their life together had only just landed in calm waters. And she was acutely aware of the fact that it would be Rooney who would carry this child. Now 49, she was still bothered by the age difference, something Rooney firmly rejected.

"You are all I want," was all Rooney would say when Cate tried to talk about it. She believed her. And in the end it was her trust in Rooney's unwavering love for her, that made her fully accept that she would become a parent once again.

"Cate, I'm pregnant." Spoken in a soft voice, Rooney's words were hardly audible.

Cate turned around in her seat behind her desk.

"What is it, sweetheart ?"

Rooney entered the study, holding the pregnancytest in her hand.

"I'm pregnant."

Cate rose from her chair, with two long strides closing the distance between them. She took the test from Rooney, adjusting her glasses to peer at the two blue stripes.

"My God, you're right !"

Nearly crushing her against her tall body, she ecstatically hugged Rooney. The smaller woman hid her head in Cate's neck.

"This is wonderful …" Cate felt elated, still astounded by the news.

"Darling, are you crying ?" She felt Rooney's tears, making the front of her shirt wet.

"Of course I'm crying !" Rooney sniffed, trying to smile. Cate tenderly kissed her forehead, soothing back her hair.

They were both silent, still holding each other, marvelling at this new development that would no doubt, once again, turn their lives upside down.

Then Cate chuckled. Lowering her voice and with an exaggerated Australian accent she said:

"Well, I suppose I will have to make an honest woman out of you now …"

They both laughed. Rooney put her hands on Cate's shoulders, challenging her.

"So you can really start calling me "missus"… I don't think so !"

"Would you please think about it ?" Cate's voice suddenly sounded earnest. Rooney's eyes sought the crystal blue gaze and was moved by its tenderness. She smiled.

"Yes, yes I would."

At last the car reached the steps of the Grand Théâtre. Cate let go of Rooney's hand, reaching up to adjust a stray lock of her carefully made up hair.

"How do you feel now ?"

"More or less okay…"

Rooney smiled bravely.

Cate looked out of the window. There would be a valet soon to open the door of their limousine.

"Cate …", Rooney touched her hand.

Turning her clear blue eyes to her lover, Cate smiled her slow smile, knowing what would come.

"I love you."

Before she could answer the door opened to reveal their hosts waiting on the red carpet and the crowd gathered around it.

Cate was the first to get out of the car. Her pinned-up hair and high heels proved to be a beautiful and very feminine contrast to her impeccable, black satin tuxedo. She turned to assist Rooney, helping her with the wide skirt of her white, silk dress. They knew that Rooney's pregnancy would now become public. At first it seemed as if the crowd held its breath. Then the cheers began.

With a broad smile Cate put her arm around Rooney's waist. Beaming, Rooney looked up to Cate's radiant face. This was it. They were back. Back at Cannes, where it all began.

Hand in hand they started to mount the steps.