Neighbors: A Family Matter

Lauren

"What's got you so smiley?" Bo is sitting in the bed with my laptop. Our cabin trip has unfortunately come to an end and we are both dressed and ready to take one final stroll around.

This week has been incredible. Bo and I did it all; hiking, fishing, we even took a Kayak across the lake and found a carving stone in the middle of it. With some effort, we carved B + L with a heart around it. I remember the heavy make out session after we snapped a photo of it.

We took a lot of photos, maybe too many, but I just couldn't stop. I wanted to capture every single moment of our first trip together.

Bo pats the spot next to her and smiles that adoring smile she gets. "I was just looking at the photos we took. I was thinking about framing this one and hanging it in our new home?"

I sit down as she wraps her around me so I can lean into her. Bo presses kisses to my neck and chin as I look at the picture. It was the one where we both slipped down a slippery path and got covered from head to toe in thick mud. As soon as we saw how messy we were, Bo clicked the photo as we sat at the bottom of the trail laughing. "I have to agree." I look at her and tease her nose with my own, making her blush. "This might be my favorite one."

Bo pulls me in for a kiss, but a 'ping' from my computer makes her sigh. I open my eyes and look at her questioning, but she explains the look. "That has been going off all week. Why don't you just email them back saying you'll be in soon? They know we're on vacation, right?"

I scoff, irritated with my coworkers. They really have been emailing me all the damn time and as much as I gnome them, they are persistent as Hell. "I swear; I have specifically asked them to not have me involved with Trick's case anymore. I'm sorry that it's interfering with our time together."

Bo holds me tighter, "It's fine, Lo. But I say you just answer it so we can get back to the pictures. I know Kenzi wants to see what we did all week, but I know there are a few we need to hide."

She laughs and now it's my turn to blush. I had to hide the camera from Bo before I went to bed. It seems she has a fascination with sleeping me. As almost every night we went to bed naked, using our body heat to keep us warm. But also because we love how intimate the act of just sleeping completely exposed to one another is. "Yeah, we don't need anyone to see those."

I minimize the photo album and click the link to my email. My eyes go wide as I see the multiple 'emergency' emails from my coworkers. "What the...?" Bo leans next to me as I click them one by one.

My eyes are reading every word, trying to comprehend what all of this means. There seems to be a blood relative of Trick's that's had brain surgery also. And it seems it been recently. "Lauren, I, I don't understand. What does this mean? I thought-" but I close the laptop and stand up, holding her hand as I do.

I can see the tears forming in her eyes. I hate seeing the fear and uncertainty in this strong and brave woman. "Bo, look at me." I wait until I have her undivided attention. "We don't know anything yet. I'm not sure what they found. All it says is that they found similar tumors in an unknown woman. But I promise you, we will get answers. I won't stop until I do."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Bo

There are so many thoughts running through my head. I can also tell Lauren was distracted as well so we loaded up her jeep and decided to drive home. I hated that we couldn't enjoy our last day, but we wouldn't have enjoyed it. I'd rather keep the vacation untainted from my hateful grandfather, even if it's just the mention of it. "I'm sorry."

Lauren's eyebrows crinkle together, "There is absolutely no reason for you to be sorry, baby. This has been the best vacation I've had in a really long time. So I should be thanking you."

"I love you." I tell her reaching for her hand and holding it to my face. A simple touch has always put such a calming effect on me. She's so comforting and when she gives me that lopsided smile, it chases all of my worries away.

"And I love you. Get some rest. We will be home soon." She knows I won't but it never stops her from caring.

The rest of the drive is quiet. I feel Lauren's eyes on me every so often, but I pretend I don't. I try not to let my anxious and confused feelings get me down, but what exactly does this mean. If they found someone with tumors like Trick, then does that mean there is a name for his illness?

With the many unanswered questions floating around in my head, I do know one answer. And that is that my super smart girlfriend will not stop searching until she finds the answers.

"Let me grab the bags while you go see Kenzi." I look at Lauren, but I catch the sight of our apartment complex. It seems I was so occupied that time flew by.

Lauren hops out of the jeep and comes to open my door, helping me to my feet. "After though, I think I'll make a stop at the hospital to talk to everyone and see exactly what is going on."

I open my mouth to tell her I want to go with her, but she cuts me off with an all-consuming kiss. The force of her mouth on mine causes me to hang on to her for balance as she deepens the kiss and pins me to the car.

After a few moments, she pulls back, breathing heavily, and rests her forehead against my own. "Thank you for coming on this trip with me. It felt amazing getting to know you more and more. I'm the happiest and luckiest woman in the world for you to have said yes to getting a place with me, too. I can't wait to begin a whole new adventure with you."

The sincerity in her eyes tells me all I need to know about her. I was a little disappointed that it was just a house she proposed with instead of marriage, but that just means I can do the grand gesture. To surprise her with a romantic trip or dinner and get down on one knee to present a ring. I want it all with Lauren and nothing will ever make me change my mind. "I can't wait either. Thank you for the getaway, baby. We will get through this, together."

"Together." Lauren shoos me away as she gets our bags. I am excited to see Kenzi. I only sent her a few texts while I was away, but I wanted Lauren and I to be off the grid for a while so we can focus on each other.

When I get to our door, my excitement falters when I hear Trick's voice booming through the walls. I'm about to fly off the handle, thinking he's in mine and Kenzi's home and he is speaking to her like that. But then I hear another man's voice that is muffled. Unable to stand another second of the chaos that is happening in my room. I turn the knob and enter the room.

As soon as Kenzi sees me, she drops a bottle of vodka, smashing it to a million pieces. "Bo Bo? You're home?!"

I'd wish she was excited to see me, but her face looks shocked and remorseful. I notice Trick panicking on my couch, his eyes shifting from me to the unknown stranger sitting in a chair with his back facing me.

"What the Hell is going on here? You shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be here, Kenzi." I tell her in a stained voice pointing at my judgmental grandfather. Even after the many months during his recovery, he has never once apologized to Lauren. And I know how much she looked up to him, and especially how much that hurt her.

Kenzi walks across the glass, her boots crunching with every step, "Bo, where is Lauren? I think she needs to be here for this."

"I'm right here, Kenz." Lauren announces as she places my bags near the door. Her eyes are taking in the scene in front of her. I feel her arm pull me closer. Protecting me. "What's going on Kenz? Bo?"

The man in the chair stands up and intervenes, "I think I can explain, Dr. Lewis. After all, it is my tale to tell." The man has salt and pepper hair and has bright white teeth. His smile gets wider and shows a familiar dimple on his cheek. "Don't I get a hug?"

The last thing I saw is my father's face, before everything goes dark.

AN: Sorry this took so long, had to think this one through. It's just the teaser opening so hang on tight! We will get many answers next chapter. Thanks for being patient and continuing to do so. Next chapter won't be long at all. Thanks for the support! See you guys soon!
Twitter:thelabcoat13