AN: just a quick St. Pats day update. Just because i wanted to explore a drunk lauren and what not. This series will be updated with holiday or silly ideas to continue the girls on as they go through a year until their wedding and how their lives begin to adjust being together and of course how Bo's new boss will fit into everything. its short but eh, it was fun. So read on and enjoy as i go eat chips.
"But Bo, you haven't had a day off or out in a month. Are you sure you can't sneak away from work to have at least one pint with me?" Lauren's voice was bordering on pleading, "We also haven't seen much of either in the last couple of weeks, with your work and Damien's new album artwork in it's final deadline." I heard her sigh lightly on the phone, "I miss you and it's my second favorite holiday."
I laughed at the slight pouty tone in her tone, "Lauren, St. Patricks day is not a formally recognized holiday." I looked up to see Stella step out of her office and wave me over. I sat forward in my chair, "I will try my best to leave early, but this case I am helping with is complex, to say the least."
"It's a holiday when you are partly Irish, and I am at least one parts Irish on my grandfather's side." Lauren trying to debate me over a holiday that was nothing but an excuse to get hammered was cute and a detour from her normally controlled and proper ways. "Damien, Kenzi and I will be at the pub down the street from the house. Please make it for at least one drink?"
I couldn't tell her no when she pulled out her cute pleading ways, the same ones that got me to do just about anything she asked of me. "I will do my best, I have to go, DCI Gibson is looking for me." Lauren and I said I love you at the same time and hung up. I dropped my phone in my pocket, grabbed the stack of papers I had been reviewing and hustled into her office. "Sorry about that, DCI Gibson."
The intense blonde looked up at me from the photographs in her hand, "It's alright, Bo, and please you can call me Stella." Setting the photograph down she leaned back in her chair. The woman was intense, gorgeous and I was a little more than intimidated by her even as she continued to only show me kindness and teach me as we worked on cases. "A few your mates upset you're still at work and not at the pub having a go?" There was a humorous cant to one eyebrow.
I shrugged, "Sort of, my fiancee and our friends are getting together and want me to come out and celebrate what is apparently a really important holiday to her." I shook my head, looking down to shuffle the papers on my lap.
"Her name is Lauren right?" Stella moved to reach for a pen, "The tall blonde I saw dropping you off yesterday morning, giving you quite the proper goodbye kiss?"
I looked up from the papers, feeling the heat flood around my cheeks. Lauren had dropped me off at the station the morning before. It was the first time in a handful of weeks we had been able to spend more than two minutes awake together. Needless to say our goodbye kiss was bordering on a impromptu make out session in the underground garage. "Uh, yes. That was Lauren, my fiancee." I picked up the papers and set them on the edge of the desk. "I know that it was unprofessional of me."
Stella waved her hand at me, cutting my words off, "Don't worry about it. You were still on your time, and regardless of what the world thinks of police officers and police detectives, we are still human at the root of it." She handed over a few of the photographs she had been looking at, "Look over these and tell me what you see, then you and I are heading over to lock up and interview the suspect Metro picked up last night."
I nodded, taking the photographs and scanning them. There was something so mysterious about Stella and how she was frigidly friendly to the other detectives and almost sisterly to me when it came to helping me get closer to leaving my probationary status with Scotland Yard. But it wasn't something I was going to ask her about, I knew there was a strong fierce streak in her that she could bite a man's head off if provoked.
We worked in silence for two hours until my cellphone began an endless run of buzzing in my pocket. All text messages with at least two phone calls. When I shifted in my seat, the phone grazed the edge of the metal arm rest and buzzed loudly with another incoming text. Stella looked up from her notes, giving me a silent questioning look.
I blushed, reaching in my pocket to rip the phone out I saw Kenzi and Lauren's name filling the screen. "I apologize, I should have put it on silent." I fired off a quick text to Kenzi, being a little firmer with her as I told her to knock it off.
Stella leaned back in her seat, dropping the pen in her hand and sighing, "It's alright, Bo. Take a minute and reply to your friends. I am assuming they are getting a little more impatient that you aren't out with them?"
I shrugged, scrolling through the texts. Reading Lauren's degrading composition as Kenzi was clearly getting her hammered. "They are. It's my fiancees second favorite holiday and she was hoping we could spend this first one together, together." I sighed internally as I read the I love yous, I miss yous and the drunken apologies for drunken texting me with a few more misspelled I love yous. I bit the inside of my lip as I smiled, Lauren never got drunk and this version of her was humorous. I clicked send on a I love you too, to Lauren before setting the ringer to silent. "But they all know that I would be working late tonight." I smiled softly at my boss. Who was still blanked face as her eyes read right through me.
"How long have you and Lauren been together, Bo." The question came out gentle but still had a small feel of interrogation in it.
I swallowed hard, shifting in my seat nervously, "Almost two years. We are planning to marry in the fall if I can get settled in here." I shuffled the papers on my lap into a neat little pile, "I missed a lot of the holidays we were first together because of the academy and my FTO and, other things."
Stella nodded, slowly moving to put away the case file in front of her, glancing at her watch, "Bo, I do believe a hard work ethic and dedication to this job is where one will succeed." She held out her hand to take the files I had, her pale blue eyes boring into mine, "But I also think that it will all be for naught if you don't have dedication in your home life." I handed her the files, "Bo, you are a brilliant detective and I can say with utter conviction you need not worry about settling in here." Stella smirked at me, "Let's call it a night and go have a drink in honor of the Irish. Where are your friends and your betrothed?"
I furrowed my brow as I smiled, taken aback that this woman, my boss, was at all interested in spending any personal time with me. I had spent time with Sergeants back at LAPD and of course other officers, but the higher up command kept their distance. "Um, my best friend and Lauren are at the pub close to our house. Steak & Ale." I stood up to pull out my phone to text Kenzi I was on my way. I glanced at Stella wanting to tell her that she didn't have to come, but the look on her face told me that she had already made her decision and when that happened, it would not be reversed.
She grabbed her jacket and briefcase, "I will drive us, since I believe you were dropped off again this morning?" Stella winked at me and I felt my blush return. Lauren had dropped me off and we had another heated goodbye kiss in the garage. "Ah, yes, thank you."
Stella walked around the desk, patting me lightly on the shoulder, "I'll be at the elevator."
I hustled too my desk, grabbing my things and replying to Kenzi's mysterious text of, "Yea, be prepared for the shamrock shit show you're about to see."
I frowned when I didn't get a response from her. Leaving me to wonder what exactly was a shamrock shit show.
XXXXX
"Oh. My. God." I stared wide eyes at the shamrock shit show that was my fiancee dancing and singing karaoke like a dying beached whale issuing its last breaths, and grunts.
Lauren was wearing a tiny glittery green leprechaun hat, shamrock necklaces and a far too small t-shirt that read "IRISH WHISKEY MAKES ME FRISKY." that barely covered her. Her hair was disheveled and her cheeks were flushed in the way that I knew she was drunk. Granted she looked like a hot mess, but damn she was a hot hot mess. Lauren was up on the small stage the pub had for bands and the occasional karaoke night. And Lauren was using every inch of that stage singing Don't Stop Believing in a way that Steve Perry never intended. I had to cringe a few times when she hit chords that sounded like she was strangling them.
I turned towards the door, hoping to stop Stella before she walked in, but I was too late. Stella was standing next to me, eyes locked on Lauren gyrating and stumbling. She had a half grin on her face, looking down at me, "I will grab us both a pint."
I nodded sheepishly and turned to head towards the stage to collect Lauren when Kenzi pushed through the crowd. "BO! Thank god you are here, I need your help." She looked frazzled and I saw she was wearing a oversized Guinness t-shirt. Grabbing on to my arm she started pulling me to the side of the stage where I saw Damien trying to wave Lauren off the stage. I glanced angrily at Kenzi, "What the hell is going on?"
Kenzi shook her head and started rambling, "It started with pickleback shots, then a few pints. The Lauren wanted to just stop, but then I cohereced to have one more and then she upgraded to straight shots of Jameson. Then Damien showed up and she got sad face about her girl Bo being at work and that you two haven't had much time together. Next thing I know, she was double fisting it and I have never seen her like this."
The closer we got to the stage the more cringe worthy the singing became. I looked at Lauren who was now in the middle of Hit Me with Your Best Shot and pointing at Damien. I also recognized the small shirt she was wearing as Kenzi's trusty go to for St. Patrick's day, "Why is she wearing your shirt?" I was starting to get a little pissed off, turning to look over my shoulder, "My boss is here, we need to get Lauren off the stage and water." This was not how I wanted Stella and Lauren to meet let alone the impressions I knew the blonde detective was forming of me.
"She dumped a Irish car bomb all over her front and when I took her to the bathroom to help her clean up, she practically attacked me trying to get the shirt. Mumbling that Irish whiskey made you frisky and that she missed you. I didn't want to give it up until she started crying." She waved at the giant black shirt she was wearing, "Luckily Betsy tossed me this thing so I could get Lauren to stop crying." We both stopped right in front of the stage, I heard Kenzi let out a huge sigh, "Then she made a beeline for the stage and has been singing for leprechaun swag for the last hr. Neither Damien or I can get her down." She shrugged, "Shamrock shit show."
I groaned as Damien turned and spotted me, rushing over, "Bo, thank god you are here. I am so sorry, I had no idea Lauren was a singy drunk. I only bought her one shot before Betsy cut her off."
I stared at the love of my life, a drunken ridiculous mess. "It's okay, but we need to get her down and get her some water." I stepped closer to the stage, waiting until Lauren turned and made eye contact with me. When she did, she dropped the microphone, grinned as wide as I had ever seen her and rushed off the stage. Jumping into my arms, screaming my name.
I stumbled back as I caught her, barely able to say anything. Lauren was attacking me with kisses and holding the back of head, repeating my name and how much she missed me in between kisses. I slowly lowered her to the ground, Damien and Kenzi coming behind her to steady her, "Lauren, honey, we need to get you to sit and have some water."
She shook her head, "I have a pint over there." Her words came out all slow and slurred. Her hands, they were running all over me, squeezing me closer to her, "You want a drink, Bo?" She looked at me with wide glassy eyes, "Bo. I love you." She bent forward and kissed me, "I love you. I love you." She leaned back waving at the stage, "I was signing for you, did you hear me?"
I let out a slow sigh, drunk Lauren was cuter than I expected and it was hard for me to stay mad at her as she wobbled in my arms, "I did, honey. It was amazing singing." I pointed at the small booth, "Let's sit down." Lauren nodded, grabbing my hand I walked her over to the booth. Kenzi and Damien sitting her down. I went to head back to the bar for water, but Lauren wouldn't let go of my hand, "No. Sit with me." She plucked at her green plastic necklaces, trying to get them off, "I got you a gift."
I went to pull her hand free from mine, "Lauren, I will be right back." I took a step back, when a hand fell to my shoulder and a large pitcher of water was set on the table.
"It's alright, Bo, sit with her." Stella's voice was less intense than normal and almost caring. I turned to look at the blonde detective, setting down a empty pint glass while she held a full one of dark ale in her other.
"Thank you, Stella." I sighed heavily at the awkward situation. "I should apologize..."
Stella held up her hand and shook her head, "Never apologize." She looked at Lauren drinking from the pint glass Damien had filled with water, "It's clear you two have something special. And moments like this are not embarrassment, they are moments that will strengthen your love. Because anyone can see it." She held out her car keys, "Here take my car and take her home." She then looked over at Damien and Kenzi, "Do one of you mind going with Bo and helping her? Then drive my car back and the next round is on me?"
Kenzi was the first to hop up, snatching the car keys from Stella, "Sold." She climbed over the back of the booth to help push Lauren out and up into my arms, "Let's get mustang sally home and near a toilet."
I rolled my eyes as Lauren began to lightly sing Mustang Sally in between sips of water. I took most of her weight, shaking my head as she repeated her excitement and grabby hands when she saw it was me. I looked at Stella, "Thank you."
Stella tipped her pint glass, "Happy St. Patrick's Day, Bo. Take tomorrow off and spend the day taking care of her. I fear she will have one hell of a hangover in the morning." She slid into the booth next to Damien, holding out her hand to introduce herself.
I smiled tightly, holding Lauren close and walking her out of the pub, Kenzi in front of us.
Out on the street, Kenzi clicked the key fob, whistling under breath when the silver BMW lit up down the street, "Holy four leaf clover! A beamer?" She looked back at me, "By the way, was that your boss? Stella the cold?"
I waved Kenzi back to help me carry Lauren, who was nodding out on my shoulder, "She isn't cold, just very serious and business like." I glared at Kenzi, "Let's focus on getting Lauren home." I shook my head, "I can't believe how drunk she is."
Kenzi held up her hands, "Not my fault!"
I shot her another look as Lauren nuzzled deeper into my neck.
Kenzi and I were able to get a passed out Lauren into the house and up to our bedroom where I laid her down and let her pass out again like a rock. Snoring drunkenly in her shamrock jewelery. I walked back down to the foyer with Kenzi, "Drive the car back carefully and tell Stella thank you again." I then poked her in the arm, "You owe me for getting Lauren hammered and if she throws up, you're coming over to take care of her."
Kenzi frowned, tying the long bottom half of her Guinness shirt into a knot, "Yea yea, I hear ya. I won't ever do that again, I think the entire pub has bloody ears from her decimating the greatest hits of the eighties." She winked at me, hugging me quickly, "Call me in the morning, I will be over at Damien's, he wants us all to have brunch." Kenzi hopped out of my arms and rushed out of the front door hollering a toodle loo.
I locked the door, heading back into the kitchen to grab a few bottles of water for Lauren. Closing the fridge door, I paused, looking at the collection of photographs of her and I together that filled the steel door. Pictures from Los Angeles right after the debacle of the concert where we met, photos from random days in the rolling wine country and a few of us in front of Big Ben. I smiled, running my fingers over them all. I really was so stupidly in love with Lauren and was falling more and more everyday I had her. I suddenly felt bad that I was allowing work and the pursuit of a career interfere with spending as much time as I could with her. I had known what it felt like not to have Lauren, even if it was for a short painful week, and it was not something I ever wanted to return too. I loved Lauren with everything I had.
Looking up at the ceiling, I heard to heavy feet hit the wooden floor and stumble quickly to the bathroom. I cringed, knowing what was possibly happening up there. Leaving the kitchen I stopped and grabbed a bucket and a few extra towels, before heading up.
I found Lauren curled up on the white bathroom tile floor, leaning against the tub edge with her head in her hands. The toilet was slowly gurgling from flushing. The leprechaun hat and plastic necklaces were tossed haphazardly up on the counter. Clearly thrown up there in haste to make it to the toilet before she threw up on the floor. I sat down next to Lauren, setting a bottle of water at her feet, "How are you feeling champ?"
Her head shook a little, "Bad." Her voice was raspy and shaky, "What did I do?" Lauren looked up at me with red, teary eyes.
I smiled, reaching to open her water, "You got hammered, wasted, pickled, knackered and a thousand other descriptive words for intoxicated." I held the open water up, "Drink."
A shaky hand gripped the bottle, Lauren taking sloppy drinks before setting it down in her lap. Looking at the tiny tight shirt she wore, frowning, "Why am I in Kenzi's shirt?"
I giggled, scooting closer to her, "Do you want to hear the full story now or do you want to wait until morning?"
Lauren frowned deeper, leaning into me, "Now, that way I can pretend not to remember if it's far too embarrassing."
I kissed the side of her head, murmuring, "First off, I didn't know you liked Journey. I'll keep that in mind when we create the wedding play list."
Lauren groaned as I began to tell her the details of what had gone on in the pub and how cute she was drunk. By the time I was done, she was laying with her head in my lap and clutching my legs. Groaning as I revealed another embarrassing moment after another.
Burying her face in my lap, she mumbled against my dress pants, "I cannot believe that is the first impression your boss has of me, my mutilation of Pat Benatar and Journey." She lifted her head and rolled over in my lap to look at me, "I'll have to formally apologize to her somehow."
I shook my head, running my hands over her hair, "You don't ever have to apologize, Lauren. Tonight just proved to me how much I love you and why I love you as much as I do." I ran my fingers down her cheek, "I love you, Lauren."
She smiled weakly, leaning into my hand, "I love you too, Bo." She then rolled her eyes, "For the thousandth time tonight." She covered her face with her arm. "I can't believe how clingy I was drunk."
Chuckling I shifted to gentle lift her up to sit next to me, "You weren't clingy, just speaking the truth." I waited until she was facing me, her tired bleary golden brown eyes still made the butterflies flutter, "We just need to make sure that life doesn't take us away from each other. Work, careers, chores and what not." I picked up her hand, "I have missed you too, Lauren. I don't ever want to lose you." She and I locked eyes, and a thousand different things were spoken between the two of us with one single word ever being uttered. She nodded once, before moving to sit back against me. Lauren leaned back into my arms, settling her head right under my chin and wrapping an arm around my waist. "You won't ever will, Bo."
I felt her sigh heavily against my chest, "I would ask you to take me to bed, but I think I might throw up again. I don't think St. Patrick's day is my second favorite holiday anymore."
I laughed, kissing the top of her head and holding her closer, "Then we will stay right here." I shifted to give her more room to lay in my arms, whispering, "Happy St. Patricks day, you lush." Earning another groan telling me to shush up, with a soft poke in my ribs from the hungover woman in my arms.
Lauren didn't throw up, just fell asleep in my arms as we both sat on the cold tile. Even though my body begged me to move and find softer seating, I held on to her. Watching her sleep off the booze with a scrunched up sweaty face. She would have a hell of a hangover in the morning. But I didn't care, as long as I had her to wake up to every morning, I would take her sober, drunk, sick, cranky, and any other way she might wake up. It only made me love her more.
