Disclaimer: I do not own Lost Girl or any of its characters, except the ones I created. All dialogues extracted from the show belong to their rightful owners. The following story has been written for entertainment purposes only.
CHAPTER 7
Did she just ask me out?
"What's that you said?" Lauren questioned with a frown, her voice wavering slightly as her gaze remained fixed on Bo. The brunette looked like a deer in the headlights and panic could be seen clearly reflected in her dark brown eyes as she stared at the detective.
Bo's mouth opened and closed before nervous laughter erupted from her lips, "Oh my God, Lauren," she chuckled with blushing cheeks, removing her hands from the blonde's shoulders hurriedly, "I'm sorry, that came out so weird, right? I didn't mean it to sound like that at all, I..." Bo hesitated again and the awkward smile she had plastered on her face faltered a little. "Anyway, what I was trying to say is - "
"Hey, girls!" Crystal called animatedly while approaching them, not realizing that she had just cut Bo off, "Damn, I can't believe that I missed the end of the game!... I could only hear the cheering. Guess we won, then?" She grinned at Lauren.
The detective's eyes lingered on Bo for another second, "Yes, we did and it was..." She cleared her throat, this time looking straight at Crystal, "Quite the thrill," Lauren added with a tight-lipped smile.
"Alright! I think the occasion demands a celebration," Crystal winked at Lauren while she withdrew three shot glasses from under the counter. She poured the drinks and raised her own, smiling broadly, "Like Kenzi used to say, 'come on now, let's all celebrate and have a good time!' "
The bartender's words made the corners of Lauren's lips pull up instantly into an easy smile. "I think I've heard that before," she pondered out loud as she held her glass.
Doing the same, Bo glanced at the blonde sitting next to her. "Haven't we all?" She asked with a grin. The three women clinked their glasses together and downed their shots with one gulp.
"Wow, that's some good stuff," Lauren sported a satisfied smirk while she placed her glass on the countertop.
"Well..." Crystal touched Lauren's hand with hers, "You'll find only the best here, Detective," she stated enticingly.
Lauren's eyebrows arched up as her gaze fell on the hand that was now covering her own. It was smaller and delicate, but that was all she could think about it. There was no tingle coming from the contact with Crystal's hand or even a fraction of the pulsating warmth she had felt before.
When I touched Bo's hand...
The purposeful sound of the brunette clearing her throat brought Lauren back from her musings and the bartender immediately took her hand away. "So... Speaking of having a good time," Bo started saying and Lauren couldn't help but notice a certain tinge of annoyance in her tone, "There'll be a great concert at the Glass Factory this Saturday and like I was trying to tell Lauren here," she made a short pause and her eyes locked on the detective's, "It just so happens that I have two invitations for it, so I was wondering if you'd like to join me tomorrow night... Both of you, of course," Bo added quickly with a hopeful smile.
"Oh em gee, Bo! The Glass Factory music club?! I'm dying to go to that place!" Crystal said excitedly. "Have you been there before, Lauren?"
The bartender's question simply hung in the air as Lauren continued to look at Bo with a furrowed brow. What was I thinking? Of course she wasn't asking me out, she has a boyfriend, for fucks sake! BOYfriend! I should be thankful for being wrong!
But... I don't feel thankful at all...
"Lauren?"
The sweet sound of Bo's voice made the detective snap out of her inner discussion. "Hm, sorry, yes?"
Bo smiled softly, "Have you been to the Glass Factory yet?"
"Oh. Yes I have, I've been there once with my friend, about three months ago, I think," Lauren offered a smile too, hoping to diffuse her awkward moment.
"And who's gonna play there?" Crystal asked eagerly as she turned her attention to the brunette. "Don't tell me that you're talking about Beyoncé here, cos I'm totally crazy for her!"
"Uh, no, it's not Beyoncé, I'm afraid... It's a rock band. The Keplers," Bo answered.
"Wow. Never heard of them..." The bartender sighed in disappointment.
"Yeah, well, the band is relatively new and they're about to release their first album, but I can guarantee they're very good," Bo affirmed with conviction. "I had the chance to watch them live when I was covering an indie festival last year and I was really impressed. Come on, guys... It's gonna be fun," she smiled brightly while looking between the two blondes.
"Of course I'm in!" The bartender replied with a grin. "I wouldn't miss the chance of going to the most prestigious club in the city for the world, even if I have to endure two hours listening to one of those boring bands that only you like," Crystal couldn't contain the sputter of laughter that escaped her mouth.
"Har, har, very funny," Bo squinted her eyes at the bartender. "Just wait and see, you'll eat up those words, smart-ass," she said good naturedly, smirking as she pointed her index finger at Crystal. "What about you, Detective? Are you willing to trust me on this?" Bo gazed at Lauren expectantly, her smirk turning into a dazzling smile.
Lauren simply blinked as her eyes remained glued to the brunette, any possible answer dying inside the depths of her throat.
Does this woman have any idea of how beautiful she is?
"Come on, Lauren..." Crystal whined playfully. "A girls night at the Glass Factory...! Even Bo's weird taste in music can't taint that, it's gonna be epic!" She leaned forward and touched the detective's forearm.
Bo's retort to the snarky remark never came, but the frown that appeared on the brunette's face when her eyes landed on Crystal's hand didn't escape Lauren's notice. It didn't last long though and in the next second, Bo was looking intently at her again.
"I... I don't know, I mean..." The detective pushed an errant lock of golden hair behind her ear and dropped her head a little, trying desperately to find the perfect excuse to say. "I was just wondering that... Well, I'm sure I heard you saying that you had two invitations to the concert so, unless my ability to make a simple math calculation has vanished in the last hour, I think it's safe to affirm that we're out numbered and..." Lauren's rambling answer faded away completely as she felt the heat climbing the length of her neck and reaching her cheeks the instant her gaze met with the brunette's again. There was a gleam in Bo's deep chocolate orbs that the detective had never seen before and the smile painted on her gorgeous face was so honest and welcoming that Lauren had the impression that her heart was doing a somersault inside her chest.
"I'm sure your mathematical skills are functioning perfectly, Detective Lewis," Bo said softly as her smile grew wider. "It also just so happens that I'm friends with the music agent responsible for the event and I can assure you both that our entrance to the club won't be a problem."
"Yeah, there's no need to worry about a thing, Lauren. Bo here knows all the right people," Crystal snorted out a short laugh and the slight bite in her tone didn't pass unnoticed by the other two women.
"That's not entirely true, but in this particular case, yeah. I do," Bo glanced at the bartender with a confident smirk and Crystal instinctively looked away, crossing her arms over her chest with a huff. "As a matter of fact," the brunette continued, staring straight into Lauren's hazel eyes, a tender smile adorning her features, "You could bring Michael with you. I'd love to meet your baby brother and I have no doubt that he would love the band's music."
Lauren's eyebrows raised in surprise at the suggestion and the line between her lips curled up into a smile. "That's very kind and thoughtful of you, Bo... But Mike has traveled to a resort near the mountains with his friends to celebrate the birthday of one of them and won't be back before Monday," the detective explained affectionately.
"Oh, that's a pity, really, but there'll be other opportunities, I'm sure," Crystal rushed ahead to reply, relief evident in her cheerful voice. "So, what do you say, Detective Lewis? Are you up for some fun tomorrow night or what?" She asked with a mischievous grin.
Lauren held Crystal's gaze for a moment until her attention drifted naturally back to Bo.
This is a bad idea.
"Okay," Lauren answered softly, a smile instantly claiming her lips while she watched Bo's face light up like the sun as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Crystal," Trick called while approaching them with steadfast steps, "I need you to go check on Antoine for me, he was supposed to bring me another barrel and it's been almost ten minutes," he said hastily, annoyance evident in his voice.
The blonde bartender simply nodded in response, her eyes darting to Lauren with an apologetic smile before she walked away.
"Oh, and we need more lime too," Trick added over his shoulder as he moved to stand across from the detective and Bo. "So, what evening adventures are afoot for the loveliest ladies in the six counties?" He smiled gently.
The two women glanced at one another with amused smirks, both obviously stiffling laughter. "Where the hell did that come from, gramps?" Bo asked with a grin.
"It's just," Trick cleared his throat as his cheeks became mildly pink, "Something I saw on a TV show... Anyway, may I serve another round to you beautiful ladies?" The older bartender motioned to the shot glasses on the countertop.
"No, thank you," Lauren lifted her hand as she spoke, "I don't think it would be a wise thing to do with an empty stomach..." She chuckled a little. "May I have a bowl of the famous stew that was supposedly ruined, but somehow still tastes great?" The detective smiled heartily.
"I'll have one too," Bo said right after, her own smile growing wider as her gaze locked on Lauren's.
Trick observed them with careful attention and a knowing smirk slowly made its way to his face. "I'll take care of it right away. Go get yourself comfortable at your booth and take Lauren with you, of course. I'll send one of the girls with your food in a few," he winked at his granddaughter.
Bo didn't need to be told twice, hopping off her barstool and standing next to the detective. "Shall we?" She asked with a tentative smile.
Lauren stared into dark brown orbs that were brimming over with expectancy. Without a word, she left her seat at the counter and waited for the brunette's lead. After stealing one last glance at the blonde, Bo walked them towards the only vacant booth left, located on the left side of the pub. It didn't take long for the detective's curious eyes to find a small wooden board fixed on the wall with the words 'Bo's booth' delicately carved on it. "Wow. So Trick was indeed being literal when he told you to go sit at your booth," Lauren smiled with unmitigated tenderness. "This is so sweet..."
"I know, right?" Bo replied fondly, her gaze focusing on the board while she sat on the upholstered bench. "It was his way of ensuring that I'd always have a seat here, no matter how crowded the Dal could be. No one is allowed to use this booth but me," she chuckled at first, but then, hesitated for a second, "Well... Me and my friends, of course."
Lauren forced her gaze to fall on her fidgety hands that were now resting on her lap. Friends... I can be friends with Bo.
Right...?
"So," the brunette interrupted Lauren's mental dialogue, "Do you come here often, Detective Lewis?"
The blonde couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and smirk at Bo's ambiguous question.
"Uh, I mean..." Bo trailed off and chuckled nervously, her face flushing with embarrassment, "I mean, you know, uh... With Dyson?"
"Actually, this is only the second time I've visited this fine establishment," Lauren began saying as she focused on the brunette again, smiling at Bo's adorable awkwardness, "Thornwood has invited me several times since we've started working together, always reminding me of the fact that I was missing the best ale in the entire continent..." The blonde rolled her eyes at the memory. "But I don't know... I guess the right time simply hadn't come for me yet. Then, of course, Tuesday happened," Lauren's voice withered, "And suddenly, the idea of having a drink became mandatory. A life saver, really..."
"Hmm. A hard day at the office?" Bo asked sympathetically, her dark chocolate eyes reflecting nothing more than genuine concern for the woman sitting across from her.
Lauren just nodded affirmatively with a faint smile, not trusting herself to speak as she felt a lump forming in her throat. She looked away from the brunette's intense gaze, placing her restless hands on the booth's table.
"Hey..." Bo reached out and touched the detective's folded hands, "Are you all right?"
A soft gasp escaped Lauren's mouth the instant she felt the gentle contact on her skin and images of her encounter with Bo at the orchidarium invaded her mind immediately. Back there, when their roles had been reversed, it had been Lauren who had tried to comfort the brunette with her reassuring touch. As her eyes lingered on Bo's long, delicate fingers, she couldn't help but swallow hard when she felt the soothing sensation provoked by their connected hands wash over her thoroughly.
"Good evening, ladies," the waitress greeted them as she approached their booth carrying a large tray.
Lauren watched Bo recoil instantly at the sound of the woman's voice and when their gaze met again, she had the impression of seeing a flash of sadness in the brunette's eyes.
"It's nice to see you here, kiddo," the waitress glanced at Bo while she set down two bowls of stew, a sliced batch of garlic bread and two pints of beer on their table.
"Thanks, Sam. I'm glad to be here too," Bo smiled sincerely.
"I remember seeing you here this past Tuesday with Dyson. You're his new partner... Lauren, right?" The waitress shifted her attention to the detective. By all means, Sam looked like a veteran rock star. Her hair was dark and very short and she had at least six tattoos scattered all over her upper body. She was definitely attractive and exuded self-confidence, looking way younger than a woman in her early fifties.
"Yes, that's me," Lauren replied cordially.
"Cool," Sam smirked appreciatively. "Let me know if you ladies need anything else. Enjoy your meal," she cast one last look in Bo's direction, a caring smile showing on her face before she turned around to leave.
"This smells so good..." Lauren grinned like a child as she took in the delicious aroma of the stew.
"Yes, it does," Bo agreed with a grin of her own, her gaze following the detective's every move.
They ate in silence for several minutes, only exchanging satisfied hums here and there and occasionally stealing glances at one another. Then, when they distractedly reached for the garlic bread at the same time and their fingers grazed lightly, Bo and Lauren laughed together. They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, their smiles growing wider as if the same sense of acknowledgment had dawned upon them simultaneously.
For the next hour or so, the two women savoured their food, drank the best ale in the continent and chatted about random things. For example, Lauren discovered that her suspicion regarding the name The Keplers was correct; it was indeed a direct reference to the German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler and according to Bo, the reason behind the homage was the fascinating fact that all the four members of the band were graduated students in physics or math. Needless to say that the detective's excitement about the upcoming concert increased tenfold. Lauren also learned that the full name of the captain of the Dawning Cafe was Ysabeau Marie Dennis and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips when she heard the brunette saying it with pink tinged cheeks.
As the minutes passed by, the world around Bo and Lauren seemed to stand still once more. Gone was the persistent uncertainty and discomfort that had permeated their reunion since the wedding, leaving them only with the sweet familiarity of two souls that already shared a connection like no other.
And I ain't need nothing else, no one else but you and I
And it ain't me, it ain't you, it's only us, it's us right now
You and me, no one else, nothing else but us right here
You and I no one else, nothing else but you and I
"No way, Lauren!" Bo leaned forward as her eyes went wide and her mouth hung open, "I just can't believe that you haven't watched Blade Runner yet! That's... Inconceivable!"
"I know, I know... But it's on my list, I promise," the detective replied sheepishly, eyes downcast while her lips remained stretched into a deliciously playful smile. "Is that you favorite movie? Blade Runner?" Lauren gazed up at Bo expectantly, eager to know more about the woman that had been dominating her thoughts during the past seven days.
"Yeah... I mean, among others, of course." Bo rested her back fully against the backrest of the bench completely at ease. "I've never been really good at choosing in my entire life," she smiled at her own remark. "Why pick just one when there are so many incredible options out there, especially when we're talking about art? But yes, Blade Runner is on my top ten list, no doubt. What about you, do you have a favorite movie?" Bo's dark chocolate orbs sparkled with interest.
"I sure do. The Silence of the Lambs, hands down," Lauren answered in a heartbeat.
"Wow, good choice. It's a great movie indeed," Bo nodded in agreement before taking a swig of her beer.
"Ah-ah," it was Lauren's turn to lean forward slightly, "The Silence of the Lambs is THE greatest film of all time. Best screenplay ever written and the best leading performances in the history of cinema. Period," the detective arched her brow and smirked confidently, almost daring Bo to contradict her.
The sound of Bo's laughter made Lauren's insides melt. "My, my... You do know what you like, don't you, Detective Lewis?" She stared deeply into the blonde's whisky brown eyes.
"I most certainly do, Captain," Lauren's smirk turned into an alluring smile. She had no idea how their conversation had shifted from playful to flirty so fast, but in that particular moment, she simply didn't care.
They lost themselves in one another's gaze again until Bo forcefully broke the magnetic contact and cleared her throat, "So, am I right to assume that agent Clarice Starling played a significant part in your decision in becoming a cop?" She asked in a warm-hearted tone.
Lauren lowered her head for a little while, visibly considering what she would say next. "I'd be lying if I said that she didn't, at least in a way. I was fourteen when I rented the DVD and watched the movie for the first time and Clarice had a huge impact on me," she admitted with bare honesty as Bo listened to every word with rapt attention, "Not to mention that Jodie Foster was my first major crush. Can't deny that either," Lauren added with a chuckle, her eyes searching for the brunette just to find Bo smiling affectionately at her.
The detective rapidly reached for her own beer and took a generous gulp while the hundreds of butterflies that apparently had been hibernating inside her stomach decided to come to life all at once. Placing the pint back on the booth's table, she glanced at Bo, "I became a cop because of my dad," Lauren said it with more emotion than she had probably intended to and the smile on her face shone with pure adoration, "He's been officially retired for nearly three years now but people still talk about him. My dad was a hell of a detective," she grinned proudly.
Then, out of the blue, an odd silence slowly fell upon them like a cold mist. Lauren kept her eyes downcast while she fiddled with the glass tankard in front of her. Things had certainly taken a turn that she hadn't expected and that was scaring the shit out of her. There she was, sharing a booth with none other than Bo Dennis as they chatted about Clarice Starling and her dad like it was the most natural thing in the world.
That's because it feels like the most natural thing in the world... You idiot.
Lauren felt her heart pounding inside her chest, but she didn't dare to look at the brunette just yet. She wasn't prepared to feel this vulnerable again, especially with Bo. Why is she so quiet, anyway? Goddammit, Lauren... You and your big mouth!
"I don't have many memories of my father," the detective's head shot up at the statement, the sad tone in Bo's voice unmistakable, "They're all... Kinda blurry now, I guess..." She continued softly while her gaze remained fixed on her lap.
Lauren could see that Bo was struggling to keep her emotions under control. Nearly a minute had passed since she had uttered those words and her stillness was driving the blonde crazy. All Lauren wanted to do was rise up from her seat, pull the brunette gently into her arms, and never let go.
"I'm sorry, Lauren..." Bo finally spoke again and this time, she stared right into the detective's expressive hazel eyes, "I think I lost myself in the past for a second," she confessed with a sad smile. After a brief moment of hesitation, she continued, "My parents died in a car accident when I was five years old. We were returning to Grimley after spending the day at an open fair in a neighboring town. The rain came out of nowhere, just like the truck that hit the passenger's side and my mom, pushing us off the road and straight down a steep ravine. How I managed to survive the fall remains a mystery," Bo recounted the tragic tale in one breath, her voice even and detached as if it was just some story she had been repeating over the years, but the blonde knew better.
Lauren held the brunette's eyes with care, "I'm so sorry for your loss, Bo... No child should ever have to go through that. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must have been for you..." She sighed heavily. "I apologize, I shouldn't have mentioned my father and - "
"Lauren," Bo cut her off immediately, her hand darting forward and holding the detective's tight. Their gazes traveled down and up again, but neither women made a move. "Please... Don't say that. You didn't know... Losing my parents was terrible, yes, but as much as I'd like to say otherwise, the truth is that I vaguely remember them. It was my Nanna Lottie who raised me and gave me all the love I needed. And then some," she smiled as her dark expressive eyes swam with unshed tears. "I just couldn't help thinking of her when I heard you talking about your father that way, with such adoration... She was the only family I knew. I wasn't exaggerating when I told you that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."
The detective felt the sting of her own tears threatening to fall. The sight of Bo's glistening, soulful eyes was breaking Lauren's heart. Acting on impulse, she flipped her hand over and held the brunette's hand gently, giving it an encouraging squeeze. The shy smile that graced Bo's lips as she stared at their joined hands was enough to stop Lauren's breathing for a second.
"I've been thinking a lot about my Nanna lately..." Bo admitted softly, her voice just above a whisper. "I know it may sound crazy, but there were times that I could swear that she was there with me. I can't really explain..." She hesitated to continue, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks while she turned her head away.
"It's not crazy..." Lauren trailed off on purpose, her tone filled with kindness. As soon as Bo's gaze met hers again, she proceeded speaking, "I do believe that a love like this, so strong and pure like the one you shared with your grandmother, never really disappears, not even after death. I certainly can't explain all the mysteries of this world, but I do know that our memories, especially those that we really hold dear, will always keep our beloved ones close to us. She'll always be an important part of your life, Bo and there's nothing wrong or crazy about that," the detective smiled warmly.
Bo stayed quiet for a long moment as her attention stayed solely focused on Lauren and the intensity in her dark brown eyes was almost too much for the blonde to endure. "Thank you, Lauren... Your words mean a lot to me," she said weakly before carefully, almost reluctantly, retrieving her hand from the blonde's grasp. "I was very fortunate to have my Nanna there with me. She was the only relative I had left after my parents' death. Well, the only one left that actually cared about me," Bo confessed bitterly.
Lauren instantly missed the contact with Bo's hand, but shook it off fast. She then furrowed her brow in confusion, "I don't understand... What about Trick?" She asked cautiously as her gaze diverted to the overcrowded bar counter. "Anyone can see that he loves you very much."
The brunette's eyes traveled to her grandfather immediately, "And I love him," Bo smiled with undeniable fondness, "But unfortunately, Trick wasn't there when I needed him the most. Not because he didn't want to, but simply because he couldn't. Until the day I stepped inside the Dal Riata for the very first time, eleven years ago, he had no idea that I even existed."
Lauren couldn't help but arch her eyebrows at Bo's revelation, her investigative nature urging her to ask the questions that were already on the tip of her tongue.
Bo remained silent for several seconds, her eyes narrowing in deep thought as they fell on the almost empty glass tankard in front of her. "Do you remember my grandmother Isabeau? What I told you about her, I mean?" She asked softly.
"Yes, of course," Lauren replied without hesitation. "She died before you were born and apparently was a remarkable woman, idolized by the residents of your hometown."
Bo gazed at Lauren with the most adorable smile the blonde had ever seen, "You were really listening..."
Lauren's heart swelled when she found nothing but honest gratitude shining in the brunette's dark brown eyes. "Of course I was listening, Bo. I always do," she said with a low voice, her head dropping momentarily.
I remember everything you've ever told me...
Bo nodded to herself while her eyes batted away timidly and a small smile teased the line of her lips. She drank the last gulp of her beer and then looked at Lauren, her smile turning into a grin, "If you're willing to listen to this story, I highly suggest that we order another round."
The detective followed suit and finished her beverage with a long swig. "Okay," Lauren just couldn't keep the smile off of her face.
Five minutes later and Sam was leaving their booth after serving another round of the Dal's famous ale. Lauren glanced at the packed old pub and held her new pint of beer with both hands, smirking in amusement as she turned her attention back to the brunette, "That was fast... Is it just me or does Bo's booth also have top priority over these mere mortals when getting a refill?" She questioned good-naturedly before taking a sip.
Bo flashed a bright smile at the blonde, "Well, what can I say? Being the only granddaughter of the owner does have its perks..." She answered in an alluring, playful tone.
"I'm sure it does," Lauren smiled back.
Bo remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes narrowing in deep thought as they fell on the table. As she lifted her gaze to meet Lauren's, the words came out of her mouth smoothly, "Many years ago, back in Grimley, Trick and my grandmother Isabeau were very much in love with each other. They knew their romantic involvement would never be accepted by Isabeau's father, Lucius De Sauveterre, AKA the evil incarnate, so they kept it a secret at all cost."
Lauren rested her chin against the palm of her hand while the brunette's sweet, yet strong voice enraptured her completely. Memories of their first conversation inevitably popped up inside her head and Lauren made a quick mental note to politely remember the captain of the Dawning, sometime later, that she still had another story to conclude.
Bo's smile broadened for a moment, reflecting the thrill she was feeling by the attentive way the detective was looking at her. Clearing her throat, she continued, "Sadly, their greatest ally was the improbability of their relationship. To the eyes of the noble citizens of Grimley, Isabeau De Sauveterre was a princess, so dazzling and beautiful that the mere possibility of someone like her, having feelings for someone like Trick, was unthinkable," Bo's tone was filled with disgust. She paused and took a much needed gulp of her beer, the tip of her tongue licking her lips as she relished the distinctive flavors that only the Dal's ale could offer. Thankfully for Lauren, the brunette didn't seem to notice the way the detective was staring at her mouth.
"When Isabeau discovered that Lucius was arranging her marriage to the oldest son of the Thompsons, one of the richest family of farmers in that region, she finally gathered the courage to run away with Trick. Unfortunately, my great-grandfather was a powerful man in Grimley, respected and most prominantly feared amongst the township. He had eyes everywhere," Bo sighed heavily as she leaned back fully against the backrest. "Somebody must have heard something. Until this day Trick has no idea how it happened or who did it, but when the night of their planned escape came, Lucius was prepared. He intercepted Isabeau halfway and made himself clear. If she didn't end things with Trick once and for all, he would not only kill him, but his parents as well. Lucius swore that he would eradicate the McCorrigans from the face of the earth and my grandmother knew he was a man of his word," the brunette's jaw clenched as she recounted her grandfather's story.
Lauren's eyes grew slightly wider at the impact that Bo's words caused on her, but she didn't dare say anything.
"Isabeau arrived at their meeting point with a shattered heart, knowing that it would only get worse once she'd done what she needed to. Isabeau needed to break him, to hurt Trick so badly that he would hate her and walk away without looking back. And so she did," Bo affirmed in a soft and emotive tone before taking another gulp of her ale. "Less than a week later, the McCorrigans were moving to the city and leaving Grimley for good. Isabeau accepted Joe Thompson's proposal and managed to convince him to anticipate the ceremony. Oddly enough, all she wanted at that time was to stay away from her father, she really didn't know that she was already pregnant. So, nine months later, my mother Aife was born and for the first time since her separation from Trick, Isabeau was happy again," Bo smiled tenderly. "The years passed by, she gave birth to my aunt Mary and slowly moved on with her life. No one ever suspected her history with Trick."
Bo's gaze traveled to her grandfather, who was now polishing a glass while he chatted with a customer, "When my mom had just gotten engaged with my dad, Jack Dennis, Isabeau got very sick. Knowing that she didn't have much time left, my grandmother decided to confide her story to her best friend, Maggie Flynn. She also gave her a letter addressed to Trick, something that she had written a long time ago," Bo focused on Lauren again, "I think she never really meant to send it, you know? Even if she knew where to find him... I guess the letter was more of a way Isabeau found to alleviate the enormous guilt she felt," Bo said knowingly, her expression unreadable. Lauren watched her intently, but chose to remain listening in silence.
"Anyway," Bo cleared her throat, "When I turned eighteen and there was nothing left for me in Grimley, Maggie Flynn came to me. She told me that Rick from the clothing store had accidently met an old friend in the city and that that was the sign she had been waiting for, for such a long time. After telling me everything she knew about Trick and Isabeau's story, Maggie gave me the letter and the address of the Dal Riata. She encouraged me to go and find my grandfather and that was exactly what I did. The rest, like people say, is history," she added while reaching for her glass tankard and drinking from it eagerly.
Lauren gazed at Bo in awe, her mind still processing everything she had just heard. "Wow, that's... That's an incredible story, Bo. We usually think that something like this is only reserved for romance novels, that it can't happen in real life, but..."
"I know, right?" Bo smiled. "Trick gave me his permission to write about it if that was something I ever wanted to do."
"Oh, that would be amazing," Lauren replied with excitement, the corners of her mouth tugging up into a bright smile.
"Yeah? Well, I'm not really sure if I'd be able to do them justice," the brunette chuckled timidly as her eyes avoided Lauren's.
"I have no doubt that you'd do a wonderful job, Bo. Don't be so hard on yourself, it never helps, believe me..." Lauren stated softly. "Thank you for telling me this, for sharing this beautiful story with me..." She said truthfully, her gaze locking onto Bo's once more. The detective then looked at bar counter, searching for one of the leading characters of the fascinating tale she had the privilege to hear. "I've liked Trick right from the start. There's so much about him that reminds me of my dad... I'm quite certain that they'd be great friends if they got the chance to know one another," Lauren smiled gently.
"You should definitely bring him by someday. Trick may know a lot of people, but I can tell that he's lonely. A real friend would do him good," Bo stared at the blonde with a smile of her own.
"I will. I Promise," Lauren nodded as her smile spread wider.
As they started to lose themselves into one another's eyes all over again, Lauren felt her phone vibrating, "Uh, excuse me," she said quietly as she withdrew the device from the pocket of her jeans. "It's a message from Michael," the detective said while a grin spread across her lips. "Apparently he has a girlfriend now... Here, he sent me a picture," she handed her phone to Bo.
The brunette smiled brightly as she gazed at the selfie of a very redheaded young man kissing a blonde girl on the cheek. They both looked ridiculously happy. "That's so cute! And you're Ed Sheeran's sister! How come you've never mentioned that, Detective Lewis?" Bo asked good naturedly as she gave back the phone.
Lauren chuckled at the remark, "Yeah... Mike is a carbon copy of my mom. He looks older with the beard," she mused while glancing adoringly at the screen one last time.
"And you must be just like your father, I bet," Bo commented.
"Yeah," Lauren dropped her head, "You could say that," she replied with a nearly uncomfortable smile, not making eye contact with Bo.
"So, hm..." Bo began saying, her tone a little unsure, "What do you say, are you up for another round?" She smiled hopeful.
"I'd love to, but I better not. I had no idea it was so late and I'm a little tired," Lauren answered apologetically.
"Oh. Sure, I... Yeah, I understand," Bo stumbled a bit through her reply.
Lauren smirked warmly at the brunette. "Thanks for keeping me company, Bo."
A genuine smile lit up Bo's face, "You don't need to thank me Lauren. I had a great time, believe me."
Lauren nodded sheepishly, "Okay, so... See you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, definitely," Bo replied immediately, her eyes glued to the detective. "Lauren, wait," she called as the blonde was about to rise from her seat. "I, uh... I was just wondering..." Bo pulled her phone out of the pocket of her dark jeans, "Well, I don't have your number and I think I should, just in case... You know... For tomorrow, I mean...In case something comes up..."
Lauren said nothing at first, a smirk of amusement slowly quirking up the corners of her lips as her eyes shifted from Bo's dark chocolate orbs to the device in her hand. She took the offered phone and expertly typed on its screen before handing it back moments later. "Good night, Bo," Lauren said while she slipped out of the booth.
"Good night, Lauren," Bo's smile sparkled with delight and the detective reciprocated it effortlessly before she turned around and walked away.
As Lauren approached the bar counter, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when she didn't find Trick there. She moved closer to the spot where the other bartender was pouring drinks to an animated group of patrons, "Hey Crystal."
"Hey, Lauren," Crystal replied with a tired smile. "You're leaving," it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I am. It's getting late and I had a really long day..." Lauren smiled softly. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Sure, no problem," Crystal said without looking in the detective's direction, moving back and forth while she prepared another cocktail. "I'm glad your team won the game."
"Yeah, me too," Lauren chuckled as her eyes followed the bartender's skillful hands working without a pause. "So, hm... I'll see you tomorrow."
Crystal flashed an enticing grin at the other blonde, "You bet you will. Good night, Detective."
"Good night, Crystal," Lauren smiled back and graciously headed for the entrance of the old pub.
Lauren had barely stepped outside the Dal when she felt her phone vibrating again. It was another message, this time from an unknown number. She opened it.
I thought you should have my number too. You know, just in case. ;) See you tomorrow. Good night, Lauren. xo Bo
The detective bit her bottom lip, trying in vain to contain the smile that broke onto her face.
Saturday night couldn't come fast enough.
-X-
Track list:
- "You & I" - Crystal Fighters
Author's Note: hey there! First of all, I'd like to apologize for the (very) long delay regarding this update. I still consider myself a fan and a reader of fanfiction above anything else, so yes, I do know how frustrating the wait can be, believe me. Unfortunately, real life can be very demanding at times and as I mentioned before, writing is still a challenge to me. Every new chapter brings a new lesson and I'm thoroughly enjoying the process, even if I feel like banging my head against the wall from time to time.
I want to thank you all for the incredible response my little story has been receiving. Every follow, favorite and review means the world to me. A special shout out to the readers that have been posting their observations since the very first chapter. You know who you are and you guys rock! And FrenChi, your comment made me grin like an idiot. Thank you! :)
Last but not least, a special thanks to PK, for being awesome and for revising my work.
