Family Reunion
Chapter One
Home Sweet Home
N: Hey guys, I know I've been completely missing in action. Exams were crazy but it's over now and I have the whole vacation to write. I know I said I would be publishing a Fae story, but it's very complex and I'm still working on its plot, but it's coming along. So, during the exams, I wrote the first chapter of this story, and I've decided to run with it. I'll try my best to publish as frequently as possible. I hope you like this, read, enjoy, and review, it'll let me know if it's worth continuing.
As always, any and all mistakes are mine, it's easy to miss something small.
During the most terrible of times, the heart chooses one like its own to call home. When one is broken, the soul will choose the place where it can feel safe. When one is truly in love, there is no choice, either you love, or you die, there is no in between.
Chapter 1
"Are you all settled in ma'am?"
I glanced up the flight attendant, red lipstick accompanied her warm smile as she hovered at my seat. I gave her a polite smile, "I'm all set, thank you."
She nodded, making her way to the passengers in front of me to ask the same question. I sighed heavily and leaned back again, rubbing my temples as my eyes grew heavy. We were ready for takeoff, and I was more than prepared to get some sleep. These last few days had been a nightmare, I still had horrid flashes of what I had witnessed almost three months ago, making me wonder how long it was going to take me this time to return to normal.
I was tired, not just physically, but emotionally as well, and I had made a promise to my parents that this was my last trip, that I wouldn't join up again after this. I was silently grateful that they had forced me to make that promise, because I couldn't go through another round of getting to know the soulful soldiers of the British Army, only to have them blown to pieces a week later. I couldn't keep walking around, pretending to shield myself behind a lens to capture horrific scenes that were supposed to stay on the battlefield where they belonged. I was ready to hand over my uniform.
I fiddled with my hands as the plane started moving, my senses were heightened and everything seemed to be drawing my attention, every crunch of a chip bag, the slight clinking of ice in glasses, even the soft chatter of everyone around me had me on alert. My thoughts were clouded, and I was still trying to figure out what had gone so horribly wrong that night, it caught me and everyone else around me off guard and I knew that it was going to bother me until I figured it out. I just had to.
You're coming home, that's all that matters, focus on the positive and the bad things will flee.
My mother's words danced around in my head, over and over again until I started dozing off, my eyes falling shut ever so slowly.
I jerked awake when a soft hand landed on my shoulder, and I was staring at the same red-lipped woman I had spoken to before, "I apologize, ma'am, I didn't mean to startle you, but we've arrived."
"Thank you." I uttered before she left, and noticed that I was covered in a red blanket. The plane was already halfway cleared out when I stood up.
I grabbed my travel backpack, making my way out of the aeroplane as soon as I could, smiling at the flight attendant as she waved me off. I was in desperate need of fresh air and the moment my feet made contact with the ground, I felt an enormous amount of tension leave my shoulders. It felt good to be surrounded by people who weren't a threat, safety was a given here.
I made my way through the airport, mostly keeping to myself as I eyed the people around me, I knew that a car would be waiting for me out front, my father always sought to that and the thought of being in his company made me quicken my steps. I had missed my family dearly, and I knew that my mother would be making a big deal of my return, I had asked her politely not to, but she always did her own thing anyway.
I approached the car, and our trusty driver, Frank, was waiting for me with a huge smile on his face, "Lauren my girl, welcome home."
I smiled at him when he opened the back door for me, "It's good to be back, you look good, I see Linda has been keeping you on your toes."
I was referring to the fact that the thick beard he always carried was gone, Linda, his wife, had been complaining about it for as long as I could remember, and he had been working for us for many years. He smiled, "Oh you have no idea kiddo, I still think she's crazy, but I love her too much to refuse her wishes."
"Always a hopeless romantic." I said with a slight smile as I got into the backseat.
Frank closed the door and went around to his side, and when he was seated he reached over to the passenger's seat and retrieved something. He turned to me, a sincere smile on his ageing face, "This is for you."
I reached over and accepted the note from him, frowning in the process, "What is this?"
A slight laugh escaped his throat, "It's from your lovely mother, she asked that you read it on our way to the manor."
"Oh goodness."
He turned forward again and started up the car, "We'll be home in no time, so start reading kid."
I shook my head at him and leaned back against the leather seat as we pulled out of the airport. I pulled at my moss green button down in an attempt to make myself more comfortable, and I started tearing at the off-white coloured envelope. Slipping out the thin sheet of paper, I realized that my mother had written it by hand.
Lauren
It is so difficult to get a hold of you when you're so far away from home. I'm so happy that you are finally home, I've missed you to the ends of the earth, and I intend on keeping you here as long as possible. Now I know you are not fond of parties, so I arranged a small get together for your arrival, everyone is excited to see you, and your brother came home to spend time with you before you escape him again. I can't wait to see you my little bug, hurry home.
Yours sincerely
Mother
I smiled at her letter and folded it back up, idly wondering if she was going to stick to her word of hosting a 'small get together'. Knowing her there were going to be people at our house that I probably had never even seen before, but I wouldn't have it any other way, my mother always had a way of making everything a joyful experience, no matter what the circumstance.
I stuffed the letter into my backpack and returned to my comfortable position, pulling my sunglasses down from my hair to shield my eyes from the penetrating sun. It was the middle of spring and the beautiful flowers that greeted us every April was standing proud, giving life to the shamrock green lands as they passed us by. England truly was a breathtaking place, and in my opinion, Exmoor, the part of England where I had grown up was the most beautiful part. It was surrounded by mountains and vineyards lined the open land, a peaceful place to start a family.
I was very privileged to have such a place to call my home.
I looked up at Frank, his eyes were glued to the road like the responsible driver he was, and I smiled at the sight of him. He was like family to me, he had been driving me around since I was fifteen and I learned a lot from him over the years. I had always been convinced that he was the human thesaurus on wise decisions because I could write a book with all of the advice he had given me over the years. Even while growing up he listened to the little bit of high school drama I had to dish out and vent about, always ready with a solution or soothing words that made me feel better. He checked his rearview mirror and caught my eyes, a slight wink came my way before he returned his gaze to the quiet hills we were currently driving in.
Trees lined the road, throwing peaceful shade into this late afternoon as I returned home after all this time, and when we rounded the corner, the main gate to my childhood home came into view. I stretched to the middle of the car to gaze at the familiar golden letters on the black witch gate that read, Lewis Vineyard 1987. The gate groaned of old age as it opened slowly, and the car wheeled in.
The long stretch of gravel road that led up to the house felt like a trip down memory lane, and when we neared the house, I gazed up at the massive alabaster white, two-story manor, smiling when we came to a stop. The moment my brown combat boots made contact with the gravel, I inhaled deeply, relishing in the smell of nature all around me.
Sandy, Raven and Max, our three German Shepherds came running from around the house, barking at full force as they charged at me. I smiled from ear to ear as I bent down to greet them, running my hands through their soft, thick coats as they ran around me, tails wagging in excitement. My heart was beating out of control, the excitement of being home was overwhelming me, and it felt like I was already on the verge of crying.
"Here you are kiddo," Frank said as he stood next to me with my suitcase in hand. "It's time."
I turned around, still smiling and pulled my backpack out of the car and joined him, "Let's do this."
Simultaneously we started for the front door, gravel crunching under our weight. Frank opened the door for me, and I stepped inside with him short on my trail to stop the dogs from entering. The house was quiet, the only audible noise coming from outside was laughter, and I immediately smiled as the eagerness to see my family took over. The smell of lavender potpourri filled the air around me, reminding me of the gruesome smell I had to endure for such a long time, and I shook my head, pushing out the unwanted thoughts so I could appreciate this moment.
"I'll take your things to your room, go say hi." He said as he slipped my backpack off of my shoulders, winking in the process. I gave him a grateful smile and watched him disappear upstairs.
Inhaling deeply, I allowed my feet to carry me forward, the old wooden floors slightly squeaked as I made my way to the large open slide doors.
The moment I appeared on the patio, I heard a loud gasp, "Lauren Amelia Lewis!" my mother shot up from her seat, arms wide open as she ran towards me. I accepted her immediately, meeting her halfway as I wrapped my arms around her. It was like everything was happening in slow motion, and I felt more tension leave my shoulders. She had a death grip on me like I would disappear if she let me go. She laughed as she held me, "My little bug, you're home."
I could hear her trying to hold back tears as she held onto me for dear life, and I whispered to her, "I'm home, mom."
She pulled back, staring at me with glossed eyes as she held me at arm's length. Her hands came up and she touched my face like she was checking that it was really me, "Welcome home my love."
I smiled at her, and my gaze shifted to the man standing beside my mother, "Dad." I said in a low breath as I accepted the hug he was hinting at. I disappeared in the safe confines his arms offered me, feeling my own eyes gloss over. He pulled back and kissed me on my forehead, "It's about time you came home, I've been waiting a very long time to drink that Irish whiskey."
I laughed him, realizing that nothing had changed about him while I had been gone, "It feels good to be home." I stated happily.
"You damn well better be!"
I turned around when the boyish voice filled my ears, and I had no time to prepare for impact because Dyson embraced me in a rib-crushing hug that lifted me off of the ground within a heartbeat, and just then, I felt complete
Dyson set me down, holding me steady as he stared at me in disbelief, "You're an idiot, do you know that?"
I smiled at him, shaking my head as the rest of the guests joined us on the patio to welcome me home.
My mother had outdone herself, like always. I couldn't have asked for a better way to be welcomed home. Even though I initially preferred a quiet entrance, the small party she threw together gave me a lot of satisfaction. I had missed my family a lot, and I was happy to be back.
My expectations were correct, I met three new individuals this afternoon. All of them, new employees of my father which he valued deeply. I didn't talk much while we were eating, I observed everyone as they interacted with one another, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere that settled around the table. I was hesitant to answer certain questions involving my time in Afghanistan, luckily Dyson knew me well and he took the attention off of me every time someone asked about it.
"Lauren." My mother's voice broke my brief flashback of this afternoon, and I stared at her with a questioning look.
She smiled at me, "Can I have that plate please?"
I snapped back to reality and realized I was clinging to the white dinner plate, I handed it over to her as she washed everything up.
Clearing my throat, I rested my elbows on the island behind her, "You've made a lot of changes to the house."
"Oh just a few things here and there, you're room is still untouched if that is what you are asking."
I smiled, shaking my head slightly, "I wasn't, but thank you."
My mother dried her hands and came to stand across from me. She mimicked my actions, resting her elbows on the marble top as she eyed me, "How was your flight?"
"It was up to standard," I said, avoiding her questioning gaze that was asking more than she initially voiced.
"Lauren-"
"Mom not now please," I begged, I knew she wanted to ask me about everything that happened, and I didn't want to talk about it.
She shook her head slightly, "I just wanted to say that I'm here if you need to talk about everything. I love you, bug. I cannot explain how worried I was, please, don't do that to us again."
I pushed off of the island, "Do you need help with anything else?"
She sensed defeat, and sighed lightly, "No love, I'm nearly finished here. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No thank you. I think I'm just going to head upstairs and take a shower, call it an early night."
She nodded at me, obviously holding her tongue, and I smiled at her before retreating up to my room. I walked slowly down the long hall, eyeing the photos that hung from the walls as I listened to Dyson laughing downstairs about something with my mother.
It felt good to be home.
My room was still just as I had left it two years ago, and I crept inside quickly, closing the door behind me. Nostalgia hit me straight in the face when I caught sight of all of my travel and X-files posters on the walls, my books lying around everywhere and my desk was strewn with old photos that needed attention.
Two years didn't seem like much, but when you had to spend every day in a place that spared no mercy for a single soul, a month felt like a year.
I walked over to my backpack, lifting it off of the ground to find my phone, it was dead, and I needed to get in touch with all of my friends that I left behind, and I needed to know how my studio was doing back home in Canada. I plugged my phone in, relishing in the sight of the little white apple as it greeted me. I pulled my camera out of my bag, realizing that that needed to be charged as well. With a heavy sigh, I left it on my bedside table with my phone and sauntered over to my desk, taking a seat in the wooden chair.
I had no idea why I had left it so untidy, usually, my photos were organized and in their designated folders in my drawers. I picked up a few, they were photos I had took of the mountain view we had in the backyard, I raised my brows at how different these photos were from the things I had been photographing in Afghanistan. These were beautiful and peaceful compared to what that camera on my bedside table has seen.
I sighed as I got up, there was a bathroom attached to my room, and I was in desperate need of a shower where I didn't have to hurry up to save the warm water. When I stepped into the shower, I allowed the water to beat away some of my fatigue, wondering if I would be able to sleep through the night. It felt strange to be back, I felt different, and my mother sensed it. It wasn't my intention to cut her short earlier, I knew she was being her motherly self, but I didn't want to talk about the war with her. It was stories that were better left untold.
I left a puff of steam behind me when I left the bathroom, feeling refreshed and ready for bed. I relished in the soft feeling of my grey sheets, silently giving thanks to the fact that I was lucky enough to be home right now, and it wasn't long until sleep fell over me like a blanket.
"I won't fucking ask you again!"
His thick accent rang in my ears, echoing through this hellhole and increasing my fear with each passing second that he stood before me, demanding an answer. I had nothing to say, I couldn't say anything, I had to protect my people. I had no choice other than to sit here and take his blows.
"Answer me!"
I swallowed down the blood in my mouth, feeling nauseous at the unpleasant taste. My vision was blurry, and my chest was hurting. It was taking everything I had not to cry, I couldn't show any weakness.
He screamed out of frustration at my silence and turned around, coming at me for the fourth time with his bloodstained fist raised high in the air.
I coughed loudly, gasping for air as I shot upright in my bed. Everything around me was a buzz, there was no sound, only terrible memories that rang through my ears like his parasitic voice did. I kept my eyes shut, too scared that my dream would become the reality I barely escaped. My breathing was heavy, and I realized that I was clasping my sheets for some form of recognition that I was indeed in a safe place.
I opened my eyes slowly, my room was dark, and instantly everything felt impersonal and cold. Tears escaped and trickled down my cheeks without my permission when I realized that that quick dream had invoked feelings in me I had tried so desperately to avoid at the war hospital. But I was holding back, resisting the urge to cry further. If I broke down now I knew I wouldn't be able to get up and out of this bed. I needed to take a shower because I was sweating like I was back under the blistering sun of that sand ocean.
I took a shower and changed into my favourite pair of old Star Wars pyjama pants and a white V-neck T-shirt, it was in the bottom of my drawer and I was surprised that my mother had kept it. As far as I knew she gave old clothes away every Christmas to the needy. For some reason the combo made me feel safe and calm. I glanced at the digital alarm on my bedside table, it was around four in the morning. I sighed heavily, I knew I wouldn't be getting any more sleep.
I tiptoed down the hall, silently making my way downstairs for a glass of milk. I enjoyed the silence of the house as I moved about, I was happy to be back but I was also enjoying my time alone, I knew Dyson would be interrogating me tomorrow. He was relentless when it came to my life and all its events.
The kitchen light was on, and I frowned as I neared the entrance, my parents never kept any lights on, especially not at this hour where the chickens weren't even up yet. But as I rounded the corner my foot caught something large and heavy, and the next thing I knew I was falling, hitting the wooden floors with a force I was not prepared for.
"Dammit," I exclaimed when I tilted the small of my back off of the kitchen floor, squinting at the sharp pain that shot up my spine.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry." A worried voice broke the silence I thought I had, filling the air around me and making all my senses come alive by the sound of it. I looked up, only to see long brown hair flowing around me and a face that was above mine, a very beautiful, unexpected face, "I'm sorry, I should've left my bags at the door." she apologized.
I blinked profusely, not listening to a word she was saying, too shocked at the sight hovering above me. She looked like something you would wish for in the middle of the battlefield, an angel to be your safe haven. She frowned when I said nothing, and her brown eyes widened in realization. She moved away from me, her hair gracing my face as she sat back on her knees next to me. I sat up quickly, backing away slightly as my eyes adjusted to the bright light of the kitchen I just fell into. I looked around, rubbing my back and settled my gaze on the woman who just hovered over me seconds ago.
Big brown eyes were boring into mine with a strong sense of genuine worry and amusement, she was sitting straight, legs folded as she watched me like I was some sort of creature she had never seen before. This woman, a complete stranger was sitting across from me on the cool floors at four thirty in the morning, half smirking at me after her bags just made me bust my ass, and yet I was the one feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I frowned, scratching my head as I pushed some of my hair out of my face, I was confused like I had never been before.
"Who are you?" I questioned as I looked around the kitchen, seeing a half-empty glass of milk on the island, and it made my mouth water.
The woman raised her hand in greeting, accompanied by a girl next door smile, "I'm Bo."
I stared at her, feeling sceptic at the fact that she was being so… chirpy with me, it was something I hadn't had to do within a long time. Reluctantly I took her hand in mine, and a quick wave of shock hit me when I felt her skin against mine, she was warm and soft. I felt awkward immediately and pulled my hand out of hers, she was dressed in a really nice button down, her hair loose and flowing tamed but wildly around her face, and here I was, sitting in Star Wars pyjamas with half wet meandering hair, "Lauren." I said while looking anywhere but at her, in fear that she would pick up on my embarrassment. "Mind telling me why you're in my kitchen?" I asked in a rather sharp tone.
She smiled, once again presenting me with a perfect set of pearl white teeth, and something in my stomach twisted, "I'm Dyson's girlfriend. I was supposed to come later but I wanted to surprise him."
I frowned, raking my brain for information, I wasn't aware that he was in a relationship, but then again I did ask him not to write to me again after I received a letter from him a month into my first trip, I didn't want to think about home while I was at that forsaken place. I nodded in false remembrance, "I see, well maybe leave your bags somewhere else the next time you decide to surprise him."
She raised a perfectly plucked brow at me, "I didn't think anyone would be up at this hour. In all the times I've been here nobody has ever been up before I was."
I stared at her, how many times had she been here exactly? She said it with such ease, which could only mean one thing, she and Dyson were serious, serious to the point where he brought her along every time he came home to visit. I shifted slightly, "Still, keep that in mind next time."
She nodded, a slight smirk on her perfectly symmetrical face, "Noted." Her eyes flashed up to the island then and back at me, "But as much fun as this is, can we get off of the floor now?"
Realizing we were actually still on the floor, I started getting up, my eyes quickly running over this woman as she stood up with me, and I couldn't help but let them linger for a few seconds, she had a strong build and exotic olive skin under the dim lighting of the kitchen, she looked like a model that just fell right from a magazine. I kept my eyes down then, suddenly feeling nervous in her presence and started fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.
"I'm sorry for leaving my bags in the way." She said, keeping her hands at her sides in a slightly nervous way.
I looked at her, nodding slightly, "You'll be forgiven if you fix me a glass of milk, you seem to know your way around by the looks of this." I was taken aback by my own sudden burst of confidence, unsure of where it had come from, and my fidgeting worsened.
Her smirk returned as she eyed me, and she turned on her heals swiftly while heading to the fridge. I watched her as she poured some milk into a patterned glass. She was so calm and collected, meanwhile, I was half shaking and freaking out at the fact that Dyson was actually in a relationship, and with her of all people, he never dated brunettes.
She held the glass out to me, shaking me from my internal conversation with my subconscious, and I stepped forward slowly, accepting the glass from her, "Thank you."
"So you're Dyson's sister." She asked while leaning on her elbow on the marble top.
It wasn't a question, more like an unsure statement, and I nodded slowly while taking a sip of my milk, enjoying the feeling of it as it slid easily down my throat. Bo smiled at me as she eyed me over the rim of her glass, brown eyes boring into mine like she was studying me, "Dyson mentioned you once or twice."
"Once or twice?" I asked.
"Well more than that but he never really tells me much."
I nodded, Dyson respected the fact that I was a private person, "How long have you been seeing each other?" I asked to take the attention off of me so my nerves could take a damn walk.
"Around seven months, this is my third time here."
I couldn't deny the fact that this situation was incredibly awkward, I came down here for a glass of milk and instead I was met with this woman who couldn't stop smiling at me, claiming that she was Dyson's girlfriend when he had always gone for blondes. I knew I had missed a lot but I was afraid that this was going to be the cherry on top. But, she sure was something, she possessed features you only saw on famous people walking the red carpet like they were taking a stroll in the park.
"You don't talk much do you?" her head was tilted at an angle that made it look like she was extremely amused by my awkwardness. I was also aware that we were standing quite close to each other, which only kicked my heart into overdrive, causing it to tell me to down that glass of milk and get the hell out of the kitchen.
I finished off my drink and set it down in the sink behind me, I was acting completely strange and I knew it. But she had completely caught me off guard. I needed to get back upstairs before I made Dyson's girlfriend uncomfortable with my own radiating sense of discomfort. I gave her an awkward side glance as I slowly made my way to the exit, "It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise." She stated flatly, her head still tilted with gleaming eyes. I nodded quickly then and turned to leave, "Oh and Lauren."
I turned back around slowly, cursing under my breath that she would just stop talking to me before I made a complete fool out of myself. Her smirk was in full force now, "Nice pyjamas."
I felt my cheeks redden, and I felt like a deer in headlights. I didn't say anything, just tucked a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear before retreating back up to my room, scolding myself to hell and back as I climbed the stairs, because could I have acted any more… unnatural?
I awoke to the sound of blissful, out of the stomach laughter coming from downstairs. I peeled my eyes open, frowning at the fact that my short nap only left me feeling more tired, and just as predicted, it was only around seven when I rolled over and eyed my digital alarm. I sighed out loud, I wasn't in the mood to get up, I was feeling groggy and sleepy, and that was never a good thing with me, it had me feeling borderline cranky.
I shifted slightly, feeling a small sense of pain at my lower back, and my thoughts drifted to earlier this morning. I threw my arm over my forehead when I recalled my awkward behaviour. In all honesty, I was more shocked at the fact that that woman was so good looking, not because she was a complete stranger drinking our milk. I contemplated the fact that she was actually Dyson's girlfriend, how that happened I had no idea, he had always been into blondes only, it was even part of his stupid list of dating rules he made up in high school, he lived by those few sentences like it would land him in jail if he didn't. So I thought my confusion to be rather acceptable, he got weirder by the day, yes, that was what it was, his weirdness was taking a turn for the worst.
I groaned at my own stupidity and pulled myself out of bed, rubbing my back as I trudged over to my dresser to dig for some decent clothes. I ended up throwing on black skinny jeans, a white button down and my boots from yesterday. I ruffled my hair as I looked at myself in the mirror, I had slight dark circles under my hazel brown eyes, shouting that I was sleep deprived to any soul who would bare a second to glance at me. It was not the look I was going for. Rolling my eyes, I sprayed on some perfume and left my room, silently asking my subconscious why I had been so stupid two years ago, only to come up short like I always did when that question popped into my head.
I reached the first floor of the manor, and comfortable chatter filled my ears, it was coming from the kitchen. I walked slowly down the hall, and when I rounded the corner without falling this time, my eyes widened. Literally, everyone was in the kitchen, my father, my mother, Dyson, and the one and only Bo herself. I took a second to look at them all, they were interacting so comfortably, like this was a regular thing. But my second of observation passed in the blink of an eye when my father spotted me.
"Good morning sleepy head." He announced loud and clear, causing everyone to look at me.
Dyson was the first to reach my side, and he had an excited smile stretching from ear to ear on his boyish face, "Thank God you're up, there's someone I want you to meet." As he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me forward, giving me no time to think, and Bo turned around, setting her cup of coffee down on the island. When her eyes met mine, she smirked at me, and I couldn't understand why she was amused this time. Dyson squeezed my shoulders out of excitement and cleared his throat, "Lauren, this is Bo, my girlfriend."
Bo's eyes were soft and open, betraying the smirk she was issuing my way. She held her hand out to me for a second time then and nodded, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lauren."
I frowned slightly that she hid the fact that we already met, and raised my hand as well, placing it into the soft grip of her warm hand, "Nice to meet you."
Dyson laughed in excitement next to me, causing me to drop my hand from Bo's. He took two steps and threw an arm around her shoulders smiling at me like he had just won the lottery, "Now I have my two favourite girls with me.
"Yes enough now," my mother came up from behind him, waving her hands in dismissal. She smiled her mommy smile and hugged me quickly, "How's my bug, did you sleep okay, would you like some breakfast?"
I eyed her warily, confused as to why she was treating me like I was in the third grade again. I nodded slowly, "Tea first, then breakfast."
"Thought so." She said as she walked back to the island and picked up two large plates, "Howard take these to the table for me would you, and Dyson will you take this tray please?" Both my brother and my father scrambled to oblige, accepting the plates with delicious foods on them and rushed out of the kitchen. I inhaled as they passed me, and my stomach woke up from its cave and grumbled.
"Bo, you were saying about your mother?"
I looked up at my mother who was busy chopping fruit and then at Bo who was staring me down with a smirk. I frowned at her, unaware of why this woman was acting so strange around me when she had only known me for like four seconds. Her head snapped to the side then, and she turned around to face my mother while picking up her cup of coffee, "Yes, she literally stopped the judge mid-sentence to make her point."
I moved around the tall brunette woman to the kettle so I could fix myself a cup of tea while listening to her speak, "I think I got my ability to say what I want to say in a courtroom from her, she has never been afraid of speaking her mind, and I admire that about her."
"Well, you should give yourself some more credit, judging by the way you put that coordinator in his place when he tried to pull a fast one on me only shows that you'll exceed your mother's expectations."
I quickly put two and two together that Bo and my mother had formed a close bond through the times Bo had been here with Dyson. It idly made me wonder what his intentions were for their future, he seemed to be pretty serious about her because he had never been that excited to introduce me to one of his ladies.
"Well people should know their place, and someone should think twice before trying to con you for more money."
"Of course," my mother agreed, "And now I have you in the family to look out for me."
I raised a brow at that last comment, was she being serious?
"Lauren." She called out.
I turned around, swirling the teaspoon in my steaming cup, looking at her with raised eyebrows. She glanced at me quickly before returning her attention to the fruit, "Would you mind taking this bowl to the table for me?"
I set my tea down and nodded, feeling Bo's eyes on me as I moved to grab the bowl of fruit. I made direct eye contact with Bo when I passed her, and shook my head when I rounded the corner, what was up with her? She was acting strange and she had no reason to, she didn't even know me. I pushed the thought to the back of my head as I entered the room, coming face to face with a smiling Dyson as he wiggled his brows at me. I sighed, this was going to be a long morning.
To my luck, breakfast had passed quickly, and I only had to answer one or two questions about unimportant things as most of the conversation was about my father and the recent success he reached with the vineyard. Apparently, he had created a new brand of wine and everyone was in love with it, which was why we would be hosting a party at my mother's country club to present it to the community. My father had respect for everyone around him, and due to that and all of his success, everyone in our community respected him as well.
I was surprised, there was so much that actually changed while I was gone, and it kind of made me feel like an outsider as I sat at the dining room table I sat at every day while growing up. It was not a pleasant feeling, and it only made my crawl further into my shell. I knew it was stupid of me to feel this way, leaving had been my own choice and I should have expected change, but I didn't expect the different demeanour everyone had. Throughout breakfast I could feel Bo's eyes on me every now and then, I was utterly confused about what her problem was, she was a complete stranger to me and she was eyeing me like I was walking around with her biggest secret, afraid that I would spill it to the first person who would listen.
I could see that my mother was boiling with questions she knew were better left unanswered, and I kept avoiding her stare. She knew to keep her distance, and I respected that, but I could see that she was having a hard time keeping her distance from me. I, myself didn't even know if I had the strength to talk about everything. That was a horse I would tackle in my own time.
Dyson and my father had gone to the main winery office to settle some business while my mother washed everything up, Bo was short on her trail, eager to help while making small talk. That gave me a chance to escape silently back up to my room. I had forgotten about my phone, and it was now fully charged along with my camera and I knew I would need to get in touch with Tamsin as soon as possible. My camera lit up like a Christmas tree when I graced the power button and I felt a strong twinge of happiness in the pit of my stomach. I was in serious need of photographing anything outside of the army barracks that weren't desert creatures or murder and war scenes.
Trotting downstairs, I made my way out back and walked slowly over the thick green grass, enjoying the way my feet sunk in ever so slightly. Everything around me was vibrant with colour, flowers were peaking, butterflies were everywhere, and I could hear birds chirping all around me. It gave me the feeling that I was one with nature and it only spurred on my excitement to use my favourite camera. I was finally home, and this only confirmed it. I let out a happy sigh as I took in the mountain view we had from our lands, in my opinion, we lived in the best part of Exmoor, it wasn't too cold, not too hot, and we had the best views all around.
I spotted beautiful birds in an oak tree in front of me, and I crouched, looking through my camera lens at a perfect shot. I could feel the wind whipping my hair around my face, but I ignored it as I snapped a few shots, I had perfect lighting from this angle.
"Exotic Bee-Eaters, I never thought I'd see any in England."
My head snapped up at the sound of a familiar voice, and I was graced by the sight of Bo, standing arms folded behind me, staring up at those birds like they were gold. She looked down at me, smiling, and I stood up, realizing that I was slightly taller than she was. I shook my head and pointed at the tree, "You know about birds?"
She took a few steps, walking around me and closer to the tree for a better look and nodded swiftly, "They are a very rare visitor for the UK, extremely endangered and mostly only to be found in nature reserves." She turned around to look at me, and sighed, "Exquisite creatures, it's just a pity they are so noisy."
"And messy," I added quickly, suddenly enjoying this conversation more than I thought I would. I knew a lot about nature and birds in general, mostly because I was actually a big nerd who read every book I could get my hands on, but Bo was standing here, spouting information that was recent, which showed that she did her research often.
She smirked, "I'm guessing you're a photographer?' she said, hinting at my camera with my chin. "Dyson told me you're an arty person."
I nodded, admiring my digital partner with the utmost respect, "I'm a nature photographer for a travel magazine in Canada."
Bo raised a brow, "And the owner of a very famous studio."
I frowned at her, surprised by the information she just laid out on the table, Dyson must have told her that. I bent down again, pointing my camera in the direction of the Bee-Eaters and continued with what I was initially doing. "What about you?" I asked.
"What about me?"
I glanced at her quickly, "What do you do for a living?"
I heard her chuckle slightly as I stood up in search for something else to take pictures of, "I'm sure you figured that one out already."
She managed to make me frown again, and I shook my head slightly, "I'm going to say that you're a lawyer."
She moved around me, allowing the slight breeze to toy with the red dress she was wearing, making it flow around her toned thighs, which I only realized now how toned they were since I was so low, "You are correct." She started, "Followed in my mother's footsteps."
"The woman who has the nerve to tell a judge how to do his job?"
She eyed me, a slight smirk pulling at the corners of her lips, "Indeed."
I nodded, "I'm impressed."
"How come?"
"I see too many women like you doing jobs in fashion when they are meant for so much more. This is a nice change."
Bo frowned at me, her arms crossing slowly over her chest, "Women like me?"
I caught her tone and looked at her, standing up immediately when I realized that I wasn't getting my point across, "Talkative, vivacious, confident."
She raised a brow, "You don't know me, how could you possibly know that I'm any of those things?"
I blinked a few times, raising my camera again as I snapped a few shots of the dark clouds moving in above us, "I don't have to know you to figure out that you are all of those things."
Bo stood still, eyeing me as I moved around. I was scolding myself for being so forward, it was one of the reasons why I never had many friends while growing up, I spoke my mind a lot and not many people liked that. I moved my hands down, hovering the camera at my stomach, "I didn't mean to offend you, it was meant to be a compliment."
This caused Bo to smile, making my stomach tingle again for some strange reason. She nodded, "I hope your back is not too busted from earlier this morning."
Continuing my photographic ways, I huffed slightly, remembering how Bo pretended like we didn't meet this morning when my brother introduced her, "I think I'll live."
"Good,' she said and walked around me again, hinting at the house, "I guess I'll see you around Lewis."
I was left with the sight of her walking back towards the house, toned calf muscles waving at me with every step she took, and I realized my hands were sweating when I shifted my camera. The only coherent thought I had in my head was the one my subconscious was throwing at me while she was flipping shit on her pedestal, arms crossed as she shook her head.
What shit storm did you just walk into?
