Hey guys
I wrote this story as a sort of Christmas gift. It's a stand alone story that has nothing to do with my episodes besides the fact that it's about Bo and Lauren again.
Hope you enjoy!
A Christmas Date
December 25, 2018
I've always loved airports: the busy bustling of people left and right, the smell of coffee, burgers, perfume, and that coming and going of everyone around you that makes you feel connected. I love airports, most especially around the holidays when Christmas lights and trees add on that extra sparkle and glitter to a season of warmth, family and magic.
Amsterdam Schiphol, the airport I am currently in, is no different in that regard I think with a smile as I glance up the huge Christmas tree beautifully decorated in the Arrival Hall. Small lights twinkle on it's huge branches, and reflect in the white and gold Christmas decorations that hang off it. It's not the most decadent tree I've ever seen, nor is it the biggest, but it's perfect, and that all encompassing smell of pine just tops it off. All around me I see people falling into each other's arms, blinking a tear away, or laughing out loud. I have no one waiting for me here, but that doesn't make me any less happy. I have a standing date with my best friend since junior high, and I am only about a good hour away from seeing her again.
As I push myself through the airport crowd, I think back to the first time Tamsin and I went to an amusement park. Tams was twelve and I was eleven and we were living in Washington at the time. Six Flags was nothing special when I compare it now to the all the parks I've gone to, but back when I was eleven, it was the coolest place on earth. We lived in the same street and our moms were friends, they took us for my birthday and although we hadn't hung out before, Tamsin and I instantly bonded over the rides. The Superman Ride of Steel was our favourite roller coaster; the moment I saw that drop, the moment I felt that feeling of weightlessness course through me I was hooked, and we spent the better part of our pocket allowance trying to visit again and again. I remember that Summer as the Summer my life turned to chaos as my mom and dad got a divorce, my dad moved out, I never saw him again, and my mom hopped from one questionable relationship to the next. The one constant was Tamsin. Even then she was brash, loud, obnoxious, but also loyal, funny and just the right amount of crazy. We got each other through the rougher years in high school and later through college. We had always spent Christmas Day together, and when we were old enough to have money, we started spending Christmas Day together at theme parks, and every year a diffrent one. It wasn't long after that my cousin Kenzi and one of her best friends Vex joined our group, and from there on out different people would tag along. Evony came along with Vex, Tamsin brought Dyson, a detective she worked with and they would bring others. Although the core team never much changed, anyone could join as long as they liked amusements parks and booze, we were never picky. This year would be our tenth Christmas Day at a park, and our first one abroad.
There's no one to pick me up because I'm late, so as soon as the baggage collection service allows me I'm pushing out of the door and running with the trolley behind me. It skirts and pulls, and bounces behind me stubbornly refusing to match my pace. I yank and power it into submission, and it scurries along in resisted surrender. The driver I flag down quickly helps me with my trolley as it gets banned to the trunk, and I grin slightly in vindication at the klang which with the trunk closes shut. I slide into the backseat and pull out my phone to turn it back for the first time since I turned it off two days ago. I want to text my best friend to tell her I'm on my way, but before I can, a stream of messages pours in.
Tamsin, December 24, 9.12pm "I can't believe you're missing Christmas evening."
Tamsin, December 24, 9.15pm "Who makes their employees work Christmas eve, ey?" "Cruel and unusual punishment is what I call that!"
Tamsin, December 24, 9.16pm "I'm gonna sue your boss." "I'll make it stick in court!" "Imma stick it to the man!"
Tamsin, December 24, 9.16pm"I swear!"
I smile and laugh at my friend. It's disturbing to think she's a very successful and respected District Attorney in Washington.
Tamsin, December 24, 9. 22pm "Yup, we just finished the eggnog without you!"
Tamsin, December 24, 10.15pm "Why aren't you here yet?"
Tamsin, December 24, 10.35pm "You're a lousy best friend!" "Oh yeah, Dyson misses you." ;-)
I involuntarily grunt and sigh as I read Tamsin's text. It's not like I didn't know he'd be there, I just wish I had had a little more time before seeing him again. At the same time, I can't imagine a Christmas without him. He's part of my makeshift family.
Tamsin, December 24, 11pm "I'm sueing right now." "Not to worry, I'm giving myself a healthy percentage of your winnings."
Tamsin, December 24, 11.12pm "You'd better make up with presents."
Tamsin, December 24, 11.44pm"YOu better brong boozse"
I chuckle and thank the Duty Free gods at the airport silently.
Tamsin, December 24, "Your cuz just drank ;;why y hyy …ALL vodka" "yOU hwY? not here to stopI me im contest ,damnhit!
I laugh out loud. For the last nine years my best friend has convinced herself that she can outdrink my Russian cousin. The first time Tamsin challenged Kenz we were at college and Tamsin woke up the next day with a "Kenz is da bomb!" tattoo on her shoulder, a copy of her upcoming law ethics exam under her pillow, and no idea how either one of them got there. I don't have a clue how they got there either. The only one that does is Kenz, but she holds onto that secret closer than she does a bottle of tequila on a night out, and has told Tamsin hundreds of times that the only way she'll ever divulge what happened, is if Tamsin beats her at another drinking contest. The yearly date for that legendary throw down to go down... Yup, you got it, Christmas Eve. Tamsin still thinks one day she'll be able to outdrink my cousin, and 'trains' every chance she's got.
For the last nine years she's been consistently wrong.
Tamsin, December 24, 11.34pm "Godgghahhhamm"
Tamsin, December 24, midnight "Mery CHIsmes, fycker!"
Bo, December 25, 9.15am "Merry Christmas, Tam :-)" "Just landed, on my way." "I'll meet you guys directly at the park?"
Tamsin, December 25, 9.20am "Hey Cuz, your big bad bestie D.A. who thought she could outdrink moi is still drooling on her pillow, but me and my awesome possy are enjoying a lovely breakfast compliments of the fine folk here at the hotel." "We'll be hitting the gates in 30 for a day of joyous frivolity!"
I check my clock, the cabby and I are making good time and he's told me we should be there in half an hour. We're all staying at the hotel at the park, which should make it easier for me to drop off my bags and join the others quickly. I reach into my hand luggage and pull out my reindeer antlers tiara. Fluffy ears are a prerequisite for Christmas at theme parks and this pair has been with me for over ten years. They are stiched and glued back together where needed, they've been added to with small lights in I can switch on and off and rotate the colors with.
I love them.
It's half an hour later and we're pulling into the park's hotel. It resembles a castle with four round orange towers on every end. I smile again. Fantasy is more important than reality here. That thought is only confirmed when I step inside: a life size statue of Prince Charming and one of Red Riding Hood await me in the hotel lobby. About five minutes later I have the keys to my room. Sleeping Beauty here I come!
The Efteling
The Winter Efteling is what they call this park during the holiday season, and I have to say they did a great job. The weather is too soft for snow, but it decorates the many Christmas trees and buildings anyway. The many eating stalls that come from one fairytale or another have all switched to Winter and Christmas favorites. I smile when I smell pancakes, hot chocolate, and a mix of other sugary goodness.
The park itself is divided up into kingdoms for every age, and I'm most interested in the "Rough kingdom, het Ruigrijk" because that's the part of the park best suited for thrill seekers or grown children like me and my friends. The rest of the park, however, has plenty on offer as well. Before we booked this trip, Tamsin and I read the reviews, and they were awesome across the line and the kingdoms.
As I pass through the main gates and into the fantasy land of my choice, I am not disappointed: there are carolers and actors performing The Sound of Music, and other fairy tale stars in wintery outfits, dashing reds and greens. I see children and parents with a wide smile on their faces when Princess Aurora greets them and takes a photo with them.
I push on as the Efteling app guides me to the "Rough Kingdom" and the roller coasters i've been dying to ride. Most of all though, I am dying to see my friends. Work keeps me pretty tied up year round; when I am home I'm usually preparing to leave. It's the life I chose, and I love my job, but there are days I wish I had chosen a profession with more roots.
BO-STER! One 100 pounds of pure Russian diva decked out with Santa earmuffs and matching scarf and mittens crashes into me and I laugh out loud as I hug my cousin into me. Behind her I see Evony, and Vex appear. I disentangle myself from Kenz and greet them with a hug of their own glad to see them again, but as soon as I'm done with the pleasantries, Kenzi pulls me to the side.
"Merry Christmas, Bobo!" "So glad you could join us!" Kenzi says sarcastically and punches me hard in the shoulder.
"Hey!" I protest at the punch. "That's uncalled for, I had to work!" I rub my shoulder.
"Work, work" "It's always the same thing with you!" "When are you going to put us first, ey?" "Did you even think about us last night?" Kenzi laments dramatically.
"I thought to get you the Buckthorn." I grin.
"How many bottles?" Kenzi pins me with a look, and crosses her arms.
"Two for everyone and then one extra for you no one knows about."
"Have I told you I love you, Bobo?"
"So I'm forgiven for missing Christmas Eve?"
"Pishaw!" "You think you can buy my forgiveness?" "Christmas is sacred!" "I had to share a room with chainsaw Tam tam!" "That long legged freak kicks in her sleep, and then her tentacles disappear mysteriously again like some mythical creature from the deep!"
"She didn't nick you did she?" "You know she's got that 'rash' on her toenail."
"What?" Kenzi shrieks. "You mean to say Loud Mouth Barbie is the fungus among us?"
"Maaaaaaybe..." I grin.
Kenzi punches me in the shoulder again, she knows I'm lying. "That shit ain't funny, Bo!"
"Ouch!" I exclaim, and rub the sore spot. " Actually, it was!" "You shoulda seen your face..." "It was very funny."
"Yeah, those three bottles of Biuckthorn definitely ain't cutting it anymore!"
"Then it's a good thing, I also got you two extra bottles of Moskovskaya."
"The original 1000ml bottle?"
"Is there any other kind?"
"Excellent point, cuz!" "I might be persuaded to forgive you if those bottles were to roomservice themselves into my possession."
"Done and done, Kenz." I did actually get the hotel staff to deliver Kenzi's supply straight to her room. All rooms had been booked under a single reservation so my request hadn't sounded funny to the hotel staff.
"Top notch, Bobo."
"Kenz.." I say, asking a question I should have posed earlier on. "Where is Tamsin?"
"Don't give me that look, chica!" Kenzi says as her hands appear on her hips for extra sway and swagger to her words. "You know better than to leave your best friend alone with booze and the fabulous Moi on Christmas night."
"That bad?"
Kenzi just shrugs.
"Why didn't you guys stop her?"
"You know how she gets, and let's face it, it's not like you like us for our strongly developed sense of responsibility." "D-man did try to persuade her, but then then the force is weak in that one when battling the Kenzstar."
"And where is he?" "He didn't stay behind to look out for Tamsin did he?"
"Gawds no." "We left Tamsin in the very capable hands of Dr. Lauren Lewis." "She'll be fine."
"Lauren Lewis." I think. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't quite place it.
"She's a friend of Tamsin's" Kenzi offers quickly and then it dawns on me where I recognize the name from. Tamsin dated a Lauren Lewis MD when she had just started her internship at then D.A. Gianni Carlotti. They had dated for a year on and off if I recall correctly.
"Are they back together?" I ask confused.
"No way, but the good doc told us she needed to check on Tam tam to see if she's okay." "She'll be joining our possy in a few, said she's got the entire map of the park memorised."
I slowly nod my head. If Lauren was helping my bestie nurse one hell of a hangover on Christmas Day, then she couldn't be half bad. "And Dyson?"
"D-man I never saw come back this morning." "I suppose he'a still lurving on his girlfriend."
"He brought someone?" "Oh, that's nice." I say trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
Kenzi's face pulls into an apologetic side grin. "He's hurting, chica."
"Right..." "That's why six weeks after we break up, he takes a date to Christmas." I mumble under my breath. I'm about ten seconds away from a bad mood, and that's not what Christmas is about so I inhale deeply, and turn back towards Evony and Vex. That's when I notice her and I do a double take, my heart suddenly skips. Talking to Evony is the most stunning woman I have ever seen. Her blonde hair flows in waves over her shoulders like a goddess, and her laugh is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. She has legs that go on for miles and the way her ass fits into those tight jeans she is wearing should be illegal. I know I'm staring, and it's completely inappropriate, but I can't help it.
"See something you like?" Kenzi says knowingly snapping me out of my ogling.
I close my mouth and scrunch my brows in annoyance at being caught. "I don't know what you mean."
"Sure." Kenzi replies. "You were practically drooling over Hotpants there, Bobo."
"Hotpants?"
"That's Lauren." "Or as I like to call her, Dr. Hotpants." "I'm too much of a pocket rocket lover myself, but damn if that girl's ass doesn't know how to rock a pair of jeans."
I nod dumbly with my friend agreeing as Lauren has apparantly convinced Vex of an impromptu little Christmas jig and her butt is swaying left and right in a perfect fluid motion.
"Bo!" Kenzi snaps and I blink before turning towards my cousin. "Come on now, Bo-ster, I taught you better than to stare." Kenzi says with a haughty grin.
I close my eyes and nod my head. I'm normally a pretty levelheaded person and the last thing I need right now is lusting after one of Tamsin's exes with my own ex in attendance.
Seriously. What am I thinking?
"Come on, stalker." "Let's get the introductions over so we can head for da rides!"
"Hotpants." Kenzi announces and I see Lauren smile. "Lemme introduce you to the bestest cuz on the planet, my chica Bo who was supposed to be here yesterday, but who is compensating by bringing us all extra alcohol, so she is forgiven."
Lauren chuckles a little at Kenzi's introduction of me, and then shifts her gaze. "It's nice to meet you Bo." she says after a moment's hesitation, and then extends her hand. I reach for it a little too eagerly. It's Christmas and usually I have no problem pulling strangers into hugs and kisses, but with this woman I'm unusually reserved, like I want to let her dictate the pace and I would never simply presume. However, her hand is warm, soft, it feels perfect and I just keep shaking it, getting lost in the feeling. Her eyes are now meeting mine and skirting back and forth between our hands; It takes me a good five seconds before I catch on, before I get the woman is silently asking me to let go of her hand.
"I'm sorry." I say as I finally let go. Out of the corner of my eyes I catch Kenzi sniggering at me. "I eh..usually don't snatch people's hands like this, but it's Christmas.." I blabber, and let the sentence hang because I have no idea how to finish it. What the hell was I gonna say?! It's Christmas so I get into the habit of kidnapping people's hands? Yeah, what kind of fucked up traditions were you raised with?
I blush not able to hide my awkwardness, but Lauren is a trooper and takes it in stride. "No problem." "Christmas is all about connecting and being genuine." she says warmly and graciously.
"Alright then, loves." Vex chimes out. "Now that we've all been introduced, let's get to exploring, shall we?" "I don't know about you, but I like my rides like I like my men: hard, rough, fast-paced and long." He says lasciviously and we all laugh.
Pinokkio's Pizza and Pasta Restaurant
It's lunch time and Dyson and his 'friend' Ciara joined us about two hours ago. He's making a point of flaunting her in my face. I'm trying my best to ignore it, but when he pulls her to him as we all eat our pizza, calls her "love" and butterfly kisses her nose I roll my eyes and almost spit my food back out.
"He's only doing it because he doesn't want to appear hurt, you know." A voice to my right says. The voice belongs to Lauren Lewis MD, and I'm surprised she caught on to my reaction as she's been engrossed talking to Evony ever since our awkward handshake.
"Thanks for the insight." I say. "But I don't need anyone to headshrink me or my relationships." I add rather snippishly. It's a kneejerk, jerk reaction of mine that makes her visibly swallow, but the truth is that although I hug and kiss strangers, when it comes to my personal stuff, I bar the gates. I'm a guarded person, I have reason to be, 'just cause' is perhaps a better way of putting it. I'm used to keeping strangers at a distance, and that's where I prefer them. No matter how pretty they are.
"Of course not." "I wasn't trying to suggest we talk about it either."
"Good." I say like an auctioneer closing off a bid. There's that conversation nipped in the butt.
"If you excuse me." Lauren says getting up in a tone I know is more for me than the rest of the table. "I think I'm going to check up on Tamsin, see how she's doing." The doctor puts her napkin down in between her half eaten pizza.
I'm an ass and I know it as everyone around the table smiles at Lauren's offer. If Tamsin had been here she would have slapped me over the head.
Baron 1898
Damn, I LOVE this ride! The ride is short, but explosive and I'm quickly becoming addicted to it. The ride is set up like you're entering a mine as one of it 19th century employees. You pass the miners' lockers to get fitted for clothes and then meet the mine owner Baron Gustave Hooghmoed, a greedy business man with only the promise of gold in mind and little regard for the lives of his miners, or the threat and warnings of the ghosts that roam the mine.
Once passed the lockers and the Barons, you take your seat in the railcar. You need to be strapped in tight, and then you start the climb. At the top, the cars suddenly halt and you're confronted with a 37.5 meter (123 feet) 87 degree drop and the ghosts of the mine shrieking in your ears.
It's that drop that keeps me coming back for more, so I'm on my third time queueing when I see a familiar head of blonde hair pass me in the snake queue next to me.
"Doc." "Lauren." I say and she turns her head. She doesn't seem particularly happy to see me. I briefly wonder if perhaps she saw me before I saw her, and she just didn't want to say anything.
"Hey Bo." She says a little reserved.
"How's Tamsin doing?" I ask and I see her features soften slightly as I inquire about my friend.
"Ranting and raving Tamsin style." "She blames you." Lauren says with a good-humored smirk. Her smirk only makes me feel more like a jerk than before. Here is a woman I snapped at earlier and she's being more than courteous to me.
"She does every year." I say chuckling. "You think she'll be able to join us in a couple of hours?"
"I hope so." "I gave her some tylenol to deal with her headache." "At least she wasn't praying to the porcelain gods anymore like she was this morning ."
"Oh gawd." I exclaim horrified. "I apologize for my friend."
It's Lauren's turn to chuckle, and it's a melodious sound I know I could get used to quickly.
"It's nothing I don't see on a weekly basis and nothing I haven't seen from Tamsin before."
I nod. "Well, in any case, if I don't owe you an apolo.." I start, but there are people behind me politely and less politely urging me to move along in the queue, which effectively drags me away from my conversation with Lauren. I apologize to the people behind me and hop the fence to join Lauren where she is queuing.
"Hey." I say as I reach the blonde doctor. Lauren still has a slightly forced expression on her face, and I know I put it there. "Look, doc." "As I was saying before if I don't owe you an apology for Tamsin, then I definitely owe you one for me." "So yeah." "I'm sorry for being an ass before."
"It's okay." She says and I can see that she means it. The frown in her forehead clears up and her body language relaxes. "You and Dyson were a couple for a long time." She says thoughtfully and she sounds sincere. Perhaps this opening up to strangers isn't such a bad thing after all. "I understand about lingering feelings for a person." The doctor adds softly.
"You're right." "We were a couple for some time." Lauren thinks I reacted out of hurt, and I feel compelled to rectify that. "But, it's not about lingering feelings." The last time Dyson and I were a couple, after the accident, we'd been together for almost a year and a half, but I had realised my feelings for him had turned to friendship long before that. We tried for about half a year after I had first told him how I felt, because he asked me to and because he was one of my closest friend, he'd been there for me time and time again. Still, we couldn't make it work. In between my busy schedule and his we barely saw one another and when we did the same problem was still there. I loved the guy, still LOVE the guy, but just not in that way. About two months ago I ended it officially, and I was glad for it, except for that part where I was alone, he was apparently having the time of his life, and I missed my friend.
"It's just that it's Christmas, you know?" I say. "And it's just the fact that he feels the need to flaunt her in my face."
"And Christmas is not the time to flaunt your new girlfriend." "And as your friend first and foremost, he should know that." Lauren says as if reading my mind.
"Yes!" "Exactly!"
"He definitely should have had the decency to at least show up alone and pretend to be miserable."
"Yes!" I join in. "Is that too much to ask?"
Lauren smiles. "No." she shakes her head to emphasize her words. "Not at all."
"Thank you!" I say emphatically, and we both laugh.
"So where's the rest of the gang?" Lauren asks.
"Oh." "Well, lemme tell you about my friends, doc." "See Tamsin and I really are the only die-hard roller coaster riders, the rest of them always go bar hopping in the afternoon." "Kenz said she was checking out the Polle's pancakes restaurant, and Evony loves the scotch they serve with them " "Last time I saw Vex he was chatting up one of the guys that operates The Python." "I'm pretty sure I heard him tell the guy that he'd let him handle his Python any day."
Lauren laughs out loud, and I join in at the joyful sound."That's just something you can't 'unhear', isn't it?" she says shaking her head.
"Classic Vex." We say in unison and we laugh again.
"So." Lauren says all of a sudden and rather formally as if she's about to perform some sacred duty."Seeing as your bestie is out of commission for today, would you allow me to step in for her?"
"Doc." I say matching her tone. "You would be doing me an honour." "You're a roller coaster fan?"
Lauren nods her head vehemently. "Absolutely." "The rougher, the better."
"Really?" I ask wih excitement. "Favorite ride?"
"I would have to say the traditional wooden rollercoasters." "El Toro."
"In New Jersey." "That's a classic."
Lauren nods enthusiastically. "And the Colossos in Germany."
"Germany." "Wow!" "You are a fan!"
Lauren smiles again, and when she does her eyes sparkle. "My dad was in the Navy, we moved around a lot and he was stationed in Berlin for a long time."
"Ah." "I did not know that." I say, I'm racking my brain trying to retrieve as much information about Lauren as I can, but it's not much. Tamsin and she dated while I was in the Air Force Academy, and I barely had time to breathe. All I know about Lauren is what my bestie told me about her on the phone. From somewhere I remember Tamsin telling me that Lauren was very organized. With her being a Navy brat, that makes a lot more sense now.
"Every Summer he would take me along with him to a park for a couple of days of father-daughter time."
"He sounds like an awesome dad."
"Oh, let me tell you..."
George and the Dragon
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"
2 minutes later
That was awesome! We say in unison again and high five one another.
"You're right!" I exclaim. "You're completely and utterly right!" "I can't believe I never noticed that before!"
Lauren scrunches her brows. For how weirdly in sync I seem to be with this woman she now has a 'no clue' expression on her face.
"The wood." "The noice it makes, the way it shakes and moves under the cart." "It totally adds to the experience!"
Lauren grins. "They started building this track in 2009, and at the time the technique of prefabricated track was already being implemented." Lauren sees my puzzled expression and explains. "Oh, eh prefabricated track." "Wooden roller coasters are usually built on site and layer by layer." "Prefabricated track is made in a factory, it consists of seven or more layers of wood that are glued together and then laser cut to perfection." "Prefabricated doesn't take as long to build and it takes less maintenance, but because it's cut to perfection, the ride is also smoother." "The Efteling chose the more expensive construction method, the architect who designed it insisted it'd be done by hand for a rougher ride or he wouldn't stay with the project."
I smile at Lauren amazed at how she knows these things. Another thing I remember about Lauren now. Tamsin told me Lauren was freakishly smart. Her words. I think I'd rather describe her as amazing.
Villa Volta
"I know we didn't really do a full loop, but it sure..."
"I know..." "Right?"
"Mind fuck."
Lauren agrees.
The Python
"Alright, loves get over here!" Vex' voice draws both of our attention as our heads turn upwards. Vex is positively radiating with his head poked out of the roller coaster's station. He beckons us around the corner to a side entrance and then unlatches the door for us letting us in. He's wearing one of the Efteling jackets and actually looks like one of the employees.
"How did you..?" I start, but Vex interrupts wiggling his brows. "What can I say, I'm a fan of his Python." He says suggestively while blowing a kiss to the guy I saw him chatting up earlier on. "Got to give him some of the Vex lovin' every once in a while." He winks at me and then gestures towards the carts, and the empty seats up front. "Take a seat, my lovelies and I shall give you the ride of a lifetime!" Lauren and I share a look and then scurry for our seats. Sitting at the front of a ride always ups it, and right after we get strapped in Lauren reaches for my hand and squeezes it. At her touch, my stomach does this flip thing that seems to make me more nauseous and unsettled than any roller coaster can.
The White Horse Tavern
30 minutes later
"Lauren, I insist." I say. "It was my rude and asocial behaviour that spoiled your appetite in the first place." I say letting humor enter into my voice.
"This is true." The doctor deadpans and I laugh at her before she finally cracks a smile.
"How bout I get us some apple pie with ice cream?" "We can share?" I ask meeting her eyes.
Lauren seems a little flustered at my suggestion, but nods her head anyway.
"Great!" I say and turn towards the counter. The thought of sharing a dessert with this woman puts a spring in my step.
"Two pieces?" She asks when I come back and she sees what I'm carrying. "Reconsidered about sharing, huh?" She's got a cheeky grin that I'm matching.
"Well, I do remember Tamsin telling me never to trust you with dessert."
Lauren chuckles. "Of all the things you remember..."
"True, true." "But, if you'll let me I'd like to know more about you." "Get to know you better." My heart is beating hard inside my chest. I suppose my words aren't overtly flirtatious, they could be construed as simply friendly, but I'm pretty sure I mean them in a flirtatious way."The second piece of pie is for Tamsin."I say quickly filling the silence I start experiencing as awkward."She loves apple pie." I add and then take a nervous sip of my latte.
"I love Star Trek." "I'm a Trekkie."
"As in ComicCon fan?"
"Once."
"I can't believe you just confessed to that."
"Or twice.."
"I'm in shock."
"Or maybe a little more." Lauren says sipping her coffee. "Dirty little secret."
"Cosplay?"
"Maybe once."
"Dr. Lewis!"
"If you tell anyone, I will be forced to keep you in a coma for the rest of your life."
"Using the Vulcan nerve pinch?"
"Now who's a fan?" Lauren wiggled her brows.
I put my hands up. "I confess to watching a season or two." "I was always more of a Xena fan though."
Lauren looks at me in amusement, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she looks me up and down. "I can see that: the leather, the long dark hair,.."
"The boobs?" I ask sticking out my chest. I've never been shy about my assets, and I'm not about to start now.
"Those too." Lauren blushes slightly and hides her face in another bite of pie. "This is really good."
"You just pictured me in a Xena outfit, didn't you?" I ask half giggling.
"Don't get all judgemental on me now!" she waves her fork out at me accusingly. "You started it!"
"Gabrielle fan." I confess.
"Xena." "Definitely Xena." she says almost inaudible.
"What character did you go dressed up as?"
"No, no!" "I plead the fifth on that one!" she says laughing and eating another bite.
"This is really good." I say diving into the piece of pie in front of me.
"Ah huh." Lauren agrees.
Lauren is beautiful, but also funny, caring, and deliciously geeky. She has a way of explaining things that doesn't make you feel stupid, just keen to learn more. She is incredibly intelligent, but not in the bragging kind of way. In my line of work I am used to dealing with egos, it made me a little bit arrogant and cocky, but she brings out the Bo in me I recognize from my younger years: she makes me laugh, she makes me goofy and playful and I can't get enough.
Half moon, swinging ship
"Really?" I say rubbing my forehead.
"You don't seem that surprised."
"I'm never really surprised when it comes to shit Tamsin pulls." "I once woke up to a live chicken picking at my toes." "That's back in the days we were college roommates and Tamtam decided it was a good idea to steal her Professor's prize winning hens." "There were three more in our closet."
"No way!" Lauren laughs out loud almost spilling the bag of popcorn she is holding.
"It was traumatizing." "To this day I am oddly perturbed by poultry."
"Poor baby." Lauren mutters and presses a piece of popcorn to my mouth. Her words are uttered in a slightly mocking tone, but I let the warm feeling of her calling me baby wash over me.
"I'm sure you had nothing to do with that whole thing."
"I can neither confirm, nor deny that I may or may not have been in charge of the diversion." I cough.
"And how did you manage that?"
"I may or may not have flashed my boobs." I say and see Lauren almost choke on her piece of popcorn.
Castle Symbolica, dark ride
"What did you do with the hens?"
"Are you sure you want to know." "You'll be an accessory to the crime.."
"You didn't eat them, did you?"
"What?" "No!"
"Thank goodness." "So...?"
"Tamsin convinced me they needed to be smuggled over the state line, because otherwise we might be indicted with kidnapping."
"I might not be a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure kidnapping isn't going to stick when you're stealing hens, and I'm also pretty sure that kidnapping in itself is a federal offense."
"Yes, but see..you're smart, and you aren't drunk..."
"All valid points."
"So yeah." "That's how that went."
"And the hens?"
"They were relocated." "I can't tell you where." "Hush hush and all, I promised them a life free of complications and pageantries." "Children's farm."
"I like that."
"One of my better ideas." I say with a smile.
Timur Station Café
"So...what made you want to become a doctor?" I say taking a swig of my beer. It's five in the afternoon and light is beginning to fade outside.
"My parents were both doctors." "My dad was a Navy doctor, my mom was a heart surgeon." "Growing up, I never knew anything else, and I never wanted to become anything else." "I'm a trauma surgeon." "It's fast paced, challenging..all the things you could ask for in a job, but what makes me love my job is the part where I can really help people." I smile at Lauren's answer. This woman was passionate, and caring in a way I had never experienced before. I know without a shadow of a doubt that she is the type of doctor that went the extra mile for her patients and was admired by her colleagues for her knowledge and professionalism at the same time.
"Must be hard sometimes too."
Lauren nods. "I've seen my share of deaths."
"How do you deal with that?" I ask desperately wanting to know. I've seen my share of deaths too, and I have never figured out how to handle it. At times my life feels like I'm just making it from one bad week to a hopefully somewhat better week.
Lauren shrugs. "I try to focus on the good I do."
I swallow and nod my head. "Yeah." My voice comes out strained and I can tell Lauren has noticed as I look back up.
"Are you okay?" She asks and that concern I know now makes her an awesome doctor is back in her voice.
"Yes." I say nodding my head.
"It's okay not to be okay sometimes."
I nod again at the brink of spilling all my secrets to this woman; from how lonely I sometimes am to the guilt I carry with me, and how I willingly sustain this loneliness because of the guilt I feel. I even want to explain to her that me and Dyson not working out was mostly because I could never really confide in him, could never really give myself to him. Not like he deserved. It's strange, I know, but I feel compelled to tell her all of this. I feel compelled to give my heart to this woman who I've only met this morning, explain myself, let her know me completely. Somewhere, somehow I know that if I let her she will be my redemption, she will pick up my bruised and broken soul and will mend it without effort.
However, I do not bar the gates without reason, and protecting Lauren from my darker side is as good reason to do it as I'll ever find. This conversation was never meant to become another appointment at my shrink's office, and I am much the contenter soul on the superficial side of life anyway.
"I'm okay, Lauren." "We all have regret we carry." I offer as an explanation. "Like why didn't I just return those hens in the first place?" "Why did I think it was a good idea to drive 400 miles in my beat-up Subaru without any air conditioning in a 90 degree heatwave?" I joke to offset the tension. I'm glad to see it works when Lauren's lips curl into a warm smile.
"Or why didn't you just get Tamsin to take them up there?"
"See..." "Smart!" I say gesturing at the beautiful doctor across from me.
"What made you become a pilot?"
I blink momentarliy trying to figure out how Lauren knows I'm a pilot in the first place.
"When I said I found Tamsin in bed with a Christmas tree wrapped in a flightsuit I may have read the tag on the flightsuit." "Captain I. McCorrigan." "Who else would she miss enough to dress a Christmas tree up in?" "Though I have to admit.." Lauren said. "The 'I' threw me for a loop."
I shake my head laughing. "There is something seriously wrong with that girl." "Though in all likelihood, she probably dressed it up in one of my flightsuits so she could yell at me." "And Bo is short for Isabeau."
"Isabeau." "That's a beautiful name."
"Thanks."
"And flying?"
"I'm a thrill seeker I suppose." "My mom and dad got divorced when I was eleven, and about a year after that my mom had a boyfriend; Frank, a pilot. They were together on and off for about a year, but he was cool. He took me and my mom up, and just like the roller coasters I was hooked from the first time. The base were he was stationed was only a couple of streets down from where we lived so I would run up to see him whenever I could and asked him all the questions I could think of. My mom and he broke up, but I kept visiting him. When I was sixteen he paid for me to get some flying lessons. By that time I could already fly, but I needed to get a license, and for that I needed lessons from a registered instructor." "I was good, very good and yes, pretty cocky about that." I grin at Lauren's smirk "Anyway, Frank, brought me to the attention of his superiors and before I knew it the Air Force was paying for my engineering degree if I promised to come fly for them afterwards."
"And the Air Force doesn't give any time off during Christmas?" "Am I wrong in thinking we are currently off mission?"
"You are not." "But then I've been working for Rand Tech Enterprises for the last six months as their main consultant and test pilot." "They are developing a new fighter jet, and as always there have been a couple of hitches along the way and time is money."
"So they are responsible for you working Christmas eve."
"That they are."
Lauren looks at the bottle of ginger lemonade she's been drinking and swirls the liquid. "Bo.." She starts of hesitantly. "How dangerous is your job exactly?"
I scrunch my brows. There's a certain tone in her voice that seems to betray more than simple curiosity.
"Well,..I'm currently not flying any missions." "In that regard I've never been safer."
"Yes, but when I hear 'developing and hitches', I hear 'experimental and dangerous."
"True, but up until now there hasn't been anything I haven't been able to handle." "I am a damn good pilot, Lauren." "And despite my questionable actions at college, I'm not completely reckless."
Lauren smiles. "No doubt you are." " But, I am starting to understand why Tamsin was so worried about you last night, and why she dragged a Christmas tree stand-in of you into her bed."
"She cares."
"She does."
The flying Dutchman
"So daredevil, is there anything that frightens you?"
"Hospitals." "And those creepy doctors that roam the halls."
Lauren laughs. "You're an ass!"
"That and poultry, of course." Lauren laughs louder. "I imagine if I ever see a doctor handling live poultry in the hall of a hospital I'd have a heart attack." I push the joke to the ridiculous, just to make her laugh harder.
"Well, if that ever does happen, I'm sure I could nurse you back to health." The doctor says with a wink that all but stops my heart. Wow. Is Lauren flirting with me? Holy shazassle!
"Oh now, that's just an invitation to fake something" I reply as quickly as my befuddled brain pulls itself into gear again. Hah! Two can flirt that game!
Baron 1898
"Last one before the park closes."
"Couldn't have ended with a better ride."
"The company wasn't that bad either."
Lauren smirks like I want to have her keep smirking at me for a lifetime to come.
"It sure wasn't."
"Doc, you and Evony?" I let the question hang as I stumble a bit. "You seemed friendly.." I say the word friendly like it's a creepy, conspiratory type word. I'm not sure why because the last thing I want is to give the word friendly a different connotation than the one it actually carries. I want them to be friends. Just friends, like chums, or even better acquaintances, ships that pass in the night. Not 'friends' as in 'Oh yeah, we're 'friends'"
"That's cause we are 'friendly'." Lauren says matching my creepy tone.I scrunch my brows. Not what I wanted to hear.
"I mean...are you and her a thing?" I mentally pat myself on the back. There! I said it! Awesome points for being direct, Isabeau!
"I didn't think you'd ask me that question seeing how you reacted when I made a comment about Dyson."
"Well, you're more than welcome to snap at me for butting into your private life just as long as you apologize for it later." I say with a confident smile.
Lauren shakes her head chuckling. "You fly gals are all alike." "Think you are sooo smooth."
"Do you know a lot of us 'fly gals'?" I ask hoping she doesn't. I know all of the fly gals there are. Those bitches better not be acquainted with the doc.
"I feel like one of you is more than enough." Good answer, doc! I think happily and somehow gain back a little of my cool.
"You sure do know how to skirt a question." "Are you sure you're a doctor and not a lawyer?"
"Pretty sure I'm a doctor with better people skills than some pilots."
"Touche."
"Evony and I were at Yale together." "She's a hospital administrator now, but it doesn't make her any less of a doctor."
"Wow, I never knew that." Not able to hide my surprise.
"Not many do." "She got her Phd in psychology, only ever practiced for a couple of months"
"Really now?" I say. "The only time I've ever known Evony to give advice was when she told me to bury my feelings deep down inside and drink a couple of rounds of Scotch with her."
Lauren laughs aloud at that. "Good thing she stopped, that woman was a malpractice suit waiting to happen."
"Actually, it was surprisingly good advice." I say and Lauren and I share a chuckle. Our eyes meet as we smile and linger a little too long for mere polite conversation.
"So you were catching up with her earlier on?" I ask trying to gage the competition, and hoping I'm not being obvious about it.
"Why the interest?" She asks me point blank and I suddenly feel very exposed. That's the thing with this woman. We can have a lighthearted chat that makes me giddy that I'm talking to her, and then all of a sudden she stares at me and I feel like the air is being sucked out of me, I feel like she sees right through me and all my bravado.
"Dames?" A voice that I don't recognize is speaking to me. "Nemen jullie jullie plaatsen?"
"Sorry?" I say to the Efteling operator, because I don't understand or speak a lick of Dutch.
"I think he's asking us to take our seats." Lauren whispers.
"Take you seats, please?" The Efteling guy translates and it's only now that I realize it's actually our turn.
"Course!" "Sorry!" I say and finally spring into action.
On the way to the hotel
"Thank you for today." "You were a funnier, and definitely much politer, and less grumpy version of Tamsin than she'll ever be."
Lauren grins as I meet her gaze. "I had fun standing in for her."
"Are you joining us for dinner?"
Lauren shakes her head. "No, I've got a prior engagement."
"Okay." I say trying not to sound deflated at Lauren's answer. "Will I see you again?"
"Do you want to?" Lauren looks up into my eyes and we both come to a full-stop.
"Yes." I say cramming all of the warmth, tenderness, hope and excitement this woman has made me feel today into that one word. "Lauren...I... " "I like you." I say as my hand as if on its own accord moves towards Lauren's beautiful face. Her skin is so soft I think as my eyes fall to her beautiful lips. I want to kiss her. I've been wanting to kiss this woman since the moment I saw her. If I don't do it now, if I hesitate now, I'm going to miss my chance. Her eyes close as I lean in, and at that I close my own.
Our lips are mere inches apart. I can feel her warm breath on my lips. Kissing this woman will change me forever, I can feel it.
"I'm sorry." "I can't." I hear her say, and if I refuse to believe her voice then I have to believe the cold feeling that starts from my hand as she pulls away and quickly wraps itself around my heart.
"Sorry" I hear myself apologize as I pull back. "It's just that you're beautiful in so many ways and... I'm a fool" I say wistfully, quickly feeling like an idiot. I had thought there had been chemistry between us. Chemistry in the way that I'd been practically on the verge of blowing up.
"No, Bo." she says as she shakes her head vehemently. I swear the way my name rolls of her tongue, it sounds familiar. I'm not sure how today happened. I just know this woman has penetrated my soul. She reaches for my hand, and once we touch, she pulls me into a close hug.
"You're not a fool." she whispers over my ear. "I just can't."
"I understand." I say without understanding at all. My head is bobbing up and down rhythmically. "Of course." I add as if trying to kiss her had been a bad idea."It's just that..." I almost stop completely, but I need to get this out. Perhaps Lauren doesn't feel what I feel, but I need to make sure. I pull back out of the embrace and look into her eyes.
"I think you are amazing, Lauren." "Crazy beautiful." Lauren looks away, and it hurts because I realize this is awkward for her. "Sorry." I apologize. Fuck! She wasn't flirting with me at all! I just wanted her to, she was just being nice to me. Maybe Tamsin asked her to be extra nice to me or something. Not every fucking woman wants you McCorrigan! Jeez! You're no better than the assholes you fly with sometimes!
"You just feel so familiar to me." "Like I've known you forever." I say before I can stop myself. Omg, shut up! She feels familiar to you? Familiar as in family? Yes! She makes you think of your gran and that's why you wanted to kiss her? What the hell kind of fucked up leap is that? This is even worse than the Christmas hand kidnapping fiasco from before!
"Sorry, that was a weird thing to say." I say apologetically and she relaxes, chuckling slightly.
"It's not." she says." and I dare look back up. I meet her eyes, and they tell me there's more going on. There's a sadness there I can't quite place.
"Lauren." someone calls, and Lauren's head snaps to the side.
"I need to go" she says. There's that look again. "It was good to see you."
"Yeah, I liked meeting you too."
Lauren nods and she turns and walks towards the voice. The voice belongs to a beautiful woman with long curly brown hair. She's smartly dressed, and it doesn't take a genius to see that the woman oozes money and power. I'm not a jealous person, but when the brunette stranger wraps her arms around the blonde doctor I met this morning and she kisses her, my stomach clenches and twists, and my heart aches. I look down to my left hand. I'm still holding onto a piece of apple pie for my best friend. I want to go back to the hotel, to my room and fall onto my bed to cry for a love that could have been.
But, it's Christmas and I have yet to see my best friend.
I can postpone my heartache to another day.
End of chapter 1
Alright! That was it for the first installment. This will either be a three or four piece/chapter story. If you're wondering if I abandoned "Heritage" I did not, but the holidays inspired this story and when you're inspired you need to write! I also figured I'd post it as quickly as I could to catch you all still somewhat in the holiday spirit.
To everyone out there, I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year, and I wish you all the best for 2019!
What would make my year, you ask? Reviews of course! I'm dying to know what you think of this story, if you think I pulled off writing in the first person, how you guys would like to see this story progress, if you'd like to see this story progress?
All of it!
Thanks!
