ATTT CH 2
Busying herself in the kitchen, Lauren found her wife's comfort food and brought it to where Aife and Bo got comfortable on the couch. The air was thick with tension and the blonde didn't know what else to do, besides sit quietly and supportively. Seeing her love so anxious, she shot a text to her sister in law, just to let her know what is happening too.
Donnie and Dylan didn't want to intrude and made themselves disappear, using Charlie's room as their source of entertainment. The elusive Jack Dennis was exactly that. Neither figured he was still in the picture since he was hardly mentioned, but alas, he's in town. They just didn't know why, especially after years of being absent. Not wanting to jump to conclusions or judgment of the man, they instead get lost in tv land.
In the living room, Bo began to tear open the mini M&M wrappings with unbridled anger, sitting in between her mother and Lauren. Her mom and dad's relationship is unconventional for sure. Living in different cities, hardly making time to visit. It's been noticeably worse as the years flew past. Her mom never talking about the obvious problems between them and Bo never asking. Even if she could see the sadness in her eyes whenever he gets brought up. She could feel her neck begin to sweat and suddenly the room felt far too small. "Why is he here?" She asks, struggling to stand due to her babies.
Aife helps her daughter and leans forward with her head in her hands. She loves her husband, she has for a long time, but it's just difficult. "I don't know sweetie. I know he only lives a few hours away, but I honestly thought," she sighs and leans back again. "I don't know what I thought."
Clearing her throat, Lauren finds the courage to ask. "Why don't you guys live together, Aife?"
It's been bothering her for some time, sometimes more than the fact that he couldn't even try to be a part of his children's lives. Or Charlie's life for that matter. Before Lauren was a part of the picture, the little girl used to visit her only grandpa once to twice a year. But not now. The only reason she could come up with was herself.
Sighing, Aife watches as her daughter walks away and out of the room. "Jack and I love each other." She laughs sadly and finally looks at the blonde. "But loving someone sometimes isn't enough."
"I think that's bullshit." Aife's eyes widen at Lauren's harsh tone. The first grade teacher never speaking with such colorful langue has caught her off guard. "If you love someone, I'd fight tooth and nail to be with them. I would visit my granddaughter. I would go to my daughter's wedding." Lauren's voice hitches as Bo walks back into the room. "I would just... try." Bo is crying now at this point, making her way over to her wife, watching her as Lauren stands and put a protective hand on their growing children. "I wouldn't miss a moment of any of this."
"Umm, guys," Donnie interrupts the intense moment, "Ciara just texted me. There's an unfamiliar car parked behind yours, Aife."
Bo scoffs, knowing exactly who it is. She puts a hard on Lauren's shoulder as the blonde mother gets in mama bear role. "That's gotta be him, babe." There's a silent conversation that happens once Bo and Lauren walk out front, the twins and Aife following a few steps behind. Dread filling deep within their bones.
He's tall, and handsome which doesn't surprise Lauren. Their whole family looks like they could have stepped out of a magazine. His thick grey hair with a few dark streaks only adds to the wolf behind his roguish smile. It's the way his eyes glaze over when he stops on them, shows how fake it is.
"Well look at you!" His voice, deep and perfect teeth smile wider looking forced. "You always did glow when you're with child, Bo."
Jack hugs his daughter briefly and Bo just kind of leans forward until he's finished. "Hey dad. Been awhile...missed a few important details." She steps back, a hand instinctively covers her protruding belly as she finds her wife. "Lauren, this is my dad."
Aife wants to laugh at her daughter and how angry she is. She has witnessed her in her hormonal state whenever the lightning strikes. It's a miracle that Lauren hasn't snapped back at her daughter when it happens. Lord knows, only so many people can take that with a stride.
Ignoring the jab by his kin, he introduces himself. "It's long overdue, but welcome to the family, Lauren." He cups both his hands over hers and squeezes. "Thank you for taking care of Isabeau. I hear she's in great hands with you around."
"It's nice to finally meet you, sir." Lauren is surprised at how sincere his words are, but something still feels off about it. Traces of sadness underneath his overly cheery demeanor. "And I agree, she really does look stunning." Lauren catches her wife's eyes, softening the hard look on her face with a lopsided smile.
When Bo curls an arm around her slim waist, Lauren turns back to the man. "So, what brings you in town?" Certainly not your daughter's wedding she wants to add on, but bites the inside of her cheek instead. She's desperately trying to be respectful and more importantly, kind, to her wife's father. Being neglectful doesn't necessarily make him the devil.
Bo, all of the while, watches him. She's a people watcher; her job and her life, has made her pick up on social cues and body language without a second thought. It's how she knows that Lauren struck a nerve by asking him that, his eye glitches almost too quickly that she nearly missed it.
Aife must have caught it too, quickly comforting her husband's arm. There's something new about him. There's something about him that she hasn't see from him since before they were married all of those years ago. Before she can look into it too much, he gets hit with a squealing girl. "Papa! Papa! What are you doing here? Here to see mama Lo Lo? Or Donnie and Dyaln?! Don't worry, Papa, they look mean but they are all big softies like my stuffed Tigger from Disneyland!"
Jack hugs her tight, letting her ramble until she is out of breath, missing the way she gets excited over the simplest of things. "Charlotte, dear! Look how big you've gotten!" He laughs as the small ball of energy begins to drag the older man off into the house, talking his ears off. He does nod to the twin brothers, not exactly knowing who they are, but greets them anyways. Although, feeling like an outsider to their new family, Charlie's laugher and how bright she smiles at him makes the impromptu visit worth it.
An out of breath Ciara, finally manages to catch up to her friend and family still in the front yard. With her hands on her knees and hair fallen in her face, Lauren can't help but laugh at her. She nods at her feet and lets out a low whistle. "You might want to go back for a touch up, Ci."
Ciara groans still trying to not pass out. She should probably start going back to the gym with twins. The little sprint front the car to here makes her feel like a heifer, wondering if the Lewis genes are that good or if she I just out of shape. "She's quicker than she looks." Being a good boyfriend, Donnie doesn't laugh, but offers her a hand instead, blushing when she crumbles in his arms.
Ignoring the group, Aife turns to her daughter with a look. "That was strange… right?" Uncharacteristically, she bites at her bright red nail polish on her thumb nervously. "Did you notice anything different about him? He wasn't behaving so…"
"Dickish? Superior? Like a total selfish asshole?" Bo finishes for her. She did notice. He was being nice, which was uncommon for Jack Dennis.
The older brunette laughs quietly, rubbing her daughter's back. "I was going to say hardheaded, but yes. Those work too." She catches Lauren's confused look at smirks. "I didn't expect him to be so kind to you. Looks like he's been practicing his groveling,"
Lauren agrees, with a scratch to the back of her neck. "It could have been a lot worse."
"Oh, thank God." Dylan mutters as Kenzi pulls up. Her small car parking crooked behind Bo's yellow one in the driveway. "We need some of your quick wit to ease all the dramatics, Kenz." He points to the house where Jack and Charlie are. "Up for the job?"
Cracking her knuckles, she rolls her shoulders with a smirk. "Aren't I always, fam?"
She can't help but be embarrassed about it. Quickly grabbing the beer bottles left from earlier and tossing them in the trash. The blonde tried to make the kitchen more presentable, but there is still a lot to do and move. It's definitely not ready for a house warming party. The boxes stacked, but scattered in their new home. It takes time to make a new house feel homey and for Lauren, it's just barely started. Thankfully, her brothers moved the furniture in so Jack could at least have a seat.
Kenzi, pocketing her phone, leaned against the wall watching Lauren stress out. "I ordered pizza, but I'm going to need you to supply the beverages, wine in particular." She looks over at Aife, Jack, and Charlie on the couch with a pile of potoroids. Shadow Thief keeping a close eye on Jack, in particular. Ciara, and the twins, are still out front wanting to leave, but got threatened by Kenzi if they even tried. If this is going to happen, everyone is going to be here to witness it. She even briefly wondered if she should give Lauren's parents a call, but decided not to overwhelm everyone. "Where'd Bo run off to?"
"Probably peeing for the hundredth time today." She barely dodges the hit from her wife, who appeared out of nowhere. Despite the circumstances, she can't help but tease her. Their playfulness is what helps keep them sane. "I'm trying to get the table cleared, babe, but I'm not sure we have enough room still."
Bo waves her off and reaches for the hand still trying to clear off the miscellaneous items scattered around. "He should just be happy that he was allowed inside our home. If Charlie Bug wasn't here…." She trails off shaking her head bitterly.
Lauren looks at Bo, then to Kenzi. "Can you entertain for a minute?" Kenz nods and leaves the kitchen as Lauren tugs Bo into their room. She whistles for Shadow and waits for him to follow, before shutting the door. The full grown dog, now more intimidating and as much as they trust the half pit half boxer, Lauren feels more comfortable in her sight until he gets used to Jack. Turning back to her wife, though, the look on Bo's face is still there and it breaks a piece of her heart.
"Come here." Lauren encourages, opening he arms wide. She waits longer than she wants to, before her wife enters the hug, her swollen belly smushed between them. "Mmm, that's better."
Bo breathes in Lauren, her slightly shorter fame makes it easier to smell the sweet and sweaty mixture has her feeling safe in her arms. Lauren offers it all to her, her hugs, kisses, comfort. It's all Bo needs in a partner for the rest of her life. That offer she extended to Charlie, and now the two boys growing in her belly.
The stand there quietly for some time, before Lauren speaks. "I know it's not ideal, him showing up today." She begins, now rubbing her hands along the brunette's aching back. "We are just barely moved in, we have bills, and schoolwork, and kids to take care of. But, I'm thrilled he is finally here."
Bo's head snaps up, but before she can argue, Lauren beats her to it. "I know, crazy huh? But it means he loves you and wants to see you. Make no mistake, I hate that it took him almost two years to do this, but he's here now, Bo. Even though, he does not deserve it, but we should hear him out. He obviously is here for a reason."
She grumbles, because she can. She can blame it on the pregnancy or because her feet are swollen or that her back aches. But she's really doing it because she can't argue with Lauren's sensible logic. "How are you so calm right now?" She asks resting her head on her chest.
Lauren smirks and kisses the top of her head. "Because you're not. Ying and Yang, baby! Ying and Yang!" She sways her body making them both slowly dance. She mainly does it to see Bo smile. Bo always had a soft spot for her sweet dance moves. "So, let's go out there and eat pizza and show him how much he's been missing. Show him the new generation of the Dennis-Lewis family and what we can do!"
Bo laughs loudly and covers her mouth with a hand, not wanting everyone to hear it. She kisses Lauren, admired of the fact that she brightens her most miserable of days and be that rock when she needs it. "I love you, you know that right?"
The blonde makes a pfft type of noise, but goes in for another kiss. "And I you. Now, let's go be overly affectionate and make Charlie and the rest of the family uncomfortable. You game?" Without waiting for an answer, Lauren drags them out of the room, Shadow Thief chasing after them, just as excited.
AN: Pardon my language, but FUCK! This was a tough one to write. Stupid inspiration not making itself know. So it's garbage but I have a direction now so yay! Sorry for the wait, but you know… I'll try to get the next one out sooner so thanks for your encouragements on this one. Glad there's still a few good sports out there still reading. See ya soon, take care.
Twitter: Thelabcoat13
