Bo and Lauren drove home in dead silence both consumed in thought after the bombshell news Trick dropped on them back at the Compound. Kenzi and Tamsin went back to the Clubhouse to prepare dinner and took the children with them so Bo and Lauren could have private time to process everything from Trick's meeting. Dyson stayed behind with Trick to coordinate final details of the trip, meet with Vex on his security detail, meet up with Julia to visit Engelram and then afterwards, hand over his remaining investigative duties to Erik Lykke.
Bo thought about all the change that had occurred in their lives over the past ten years. So much change. Soon after she and Kenzi had taken over the Dal Riata, and Lauren assumed her newly created joint position at the JFM, Bo and Lauren's relationship had also reached a turning point where it was time to either commit permanently or call it quits altogether. They chose one another.
Bo smiled as she recalled her anxiety when the time came to speak with Lauren about her desire to join their lives together Lauren abruptly took a personal trip for a few weeks. She did not tell Bo why she decided to take a trip but only said she needed time and space to think. She said she would not call nor wanted Bo to call her, but would be back once she was ready. Lauren's abrupt departure made Bo anxious about their future, and questioned everyone if they knew of anything that might have triggered Lauren to just pick up and leave. Everyone had told Bo they had not noticed anything different, including Trick.
Bo could do nothing else so rather than dwell on the worst, Bo planned for the best, and decided to use the time to do what she intended to do with Lauren with Kenzi and Tamsin instead and went and looked at houses. She planned to have an offer in place and present the house to Lauren in the expectation she would return in two weeks' time. After they had visited about 15 homes Bo settled on one that was nearly equidistance between the Dal and JFM. But when Lauren did not return after two weeks Bo became concerned enough to break her promise and contact Lauren. When they spoke Lauren said she still need time but would call her when she was ready to come home and talk. Bo had no idea what was going with Lauren, but decided to remain as patient as she could.
When Lauren returned a nearly a week later, and told her of Trick's offer, and the decision she had to make, Bo became furious at Trick, but Lauren said Trick could not be blamed for pointing out an honest truth. While Bo decided to let go of her anger in order to celebrate joining their lives together, Trick's conversation with Lauren still gnawed at her, and a few days later she visited Trick and informed him that while she loved him and he was family that was the last time he was to approach Lauren like that. Trick reminded Bo that he was the Ash and that was entirely was in his purview. Bo acknowledged his position but also said that Lauren was her future, destiny be damned. "What impacts her, impacts me." Bo had said. Trick understood, and promised from that moment forward, if there ever was a decision that impacted Bo he would also consider Lauren.
That confrontation initiated the first of several long conversations she and Trick had about her intent to marry Lauren, and the need for their marriage to be recognized by Fae law. Trick asked Bo for patience in that regard as he was working on a solution, but more than supported her if she wanted to declare her intent by way of an engagement.
And she did. Both of them decided to keep it to themselves where Bo proposed; it was a private moment that neither Bo nor Lauren inclined to share with anyone, including Kenzi who, after they called everyone down to the Dal to announce their engagement, peppered them all night with questions on the proposal details. Bo and Lauren got a kick out of Kenzi's excitement, even volunteering to be their wedding coordinator if the laws were changed in their favor.
Moving out of the Clubhouse was a traumatic moment for Bo. Even though Bo was excited to start her new life together with Lauren she was going to miss the Clubhouse. She almost impulsively ask Lauren if Kenzi and Tamsin could come live with them, but she knew Lauren wanted to form their new life together.
The first few days into their new home, Bo found herself a bit disoriented. One morning they were out of coffee and she reflexively yelled out for Kenzi in frustration. When Lauren appeared and just looked at her, it took Bo a moment to realize what had just happened.
The merger of habits was the next big challenge. While Bo had to remind Lauren to close a door Lauren would have to chase Bo to turn off a light, or the TV, or dropping her workout bag right at the door that Lauren would trip over. But the one that seemed to exasperate Lauren the most, was how Bo would always shout Lauren's name the moment she walked in the door, and would keep shouting it until Lauren answered. Bo smirked to herself at that thought. Lauren ended up resigning herself to that last habit.
While Fae law made them wait for them to be joined as married couple it did not prevent them from being joined as a family. So rather take the traditional approach of marriage first then children, they started with the children first via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It was important to both Bo and Lauren that the process for having children was a shared experience. Bo's eggs were implanted in Lauren, and the donor was Ryder, one of Bo's emergency call-ups who Lauren determined would have the least Fae genetic impact. They knew that their children would inherit Bo's Fae hybrid abilities, but they wanted to keep the impact of any additional Fae powers as nominal as possible. When Bo and Lauren attended their first ultrasound and saw they were having quadruplets both their eyes went wide. They knew IVF increased the odds of twins, but they were not counting on doubling down effect. The acceptance of Bo and Lauren's children was not an issue in the Fae world since their children were hundred percent Fae. As far as the old Fae guard was concerned Lauren was just a human pack mule, a thinking that incensed Bo as it insulted Lauren's position and meaning in Bo's life. However, because of Lauren's station within the County and her history with the Fae in general, it was a way of thinking was not so publicly expressed.
Bo had to admit: Lauren was huge during her pregnancy. Lauren said she felt like she was carrying a beer keg. Lauren had experienced all the standard symptoms of pregnancy until her fifth month when she had started to experience severe, unpredictable mood swings. She would just lash out at anything and everything. Her mood swings were so bad that in her fifth month she had to take a leave of absence from the JFM so she could rest until the birth. Bo sought out guidance to help manage Lauren's mood swings. Trick recommended Nanny Madeline Kieffer, an empathic Fae whose name Trick got from Stella Nashira who guided Bo through her Dawning Ceremony. Nanny Kieffer specialized in working with new mothers and used her empathic skills to guide and calm them through their biological processes throughout pregnancy. Maddy, whom they now affectionately called, turned out to be perfect for Bo and Lauren's needs. Especially Bo's. Lauren was calm enough in her swings to resume intimate relations, if only in a limited fashion. Nine months was a long time not to touch the person you love.
When Lauren's water broke at home Bo was at the Dal Riata. Maddy had called her to inform her they were on their way to JFM. Trick, Dyson, Kenzi, and Tamsin had arrived and sat in the Waiting Room to await news of the birth. Jobina was in the delivery room along with Dr. Louis Padameshi, who oversaw the birth. Maddy was also in the room to help keep Lauren calm. Lauren was in labor for about 15 hours, and when she gave birth it was in rapid order. One came out right after the other in boy, girl, boy, girl order. All of them fraternal twins. It was a glorious sight for Bo and Lauren to see their four children lined up all crying. Of course, Bo and Lauren shared their joy together as each child was presented to them while Maddy went out to the Waiting Room and delivered the news to everyone on the birth of the children and their order of birth. Kenzi asked if they named the children, and Maddy replied Bo and Lauren wanted to wait until the baptism to reveal the names.
Bo had reconciled long ago with Mary Dennis, her human Mother, and invited her into life. Her Fae life. With the advent of the grandchildren and affairs of the Fae state becoming more and more prevalent in her life Bo could do nothing else. She felt she could not have children without at the very least her mother knowing about them, and that meant truly knowing them. Bo was glad she did. It took some time to slowly acclimatize Mary to the Fae life, keeping her exposure limited to few Fae, so as to not totally shock her. But when the children were born Mary took to them like an over-protective bear. Bo thought she was also making up for the way she treated Bo when she was growing up. Bo had told her many times that everything was past, that Mary did not know Bo's true nature, but Mary still felt guilty. In any event, Bo was grateful that Mary was in the children's lives. The reconciliation was due in no small part to the new drug that Lauren put to market to cure dementia. Lauren personally oversaw Mary's use and progress with the drug, and once Mary was her old self again, her relationship with Bo could be rebuilt with genuine clarity. Bo noted that while Lauren adored the fact that Bo had Mary back in her life, there were still the odd mother-in law clashes that Bo did her best to referee where she could, and dutifully stayed out of the ones she could not. But overall, Bo was impressed at the great relationship Lauren had with Mary, and would often be the one that coordinated the regular family trips to Grimley to see her.
Mary insisted upon a traditional baptism for the children, Fae traditions aside, so all four children were baptized in the Dennis Family Church during a private ceremony a week after they were born. Mary, Bo's Aunt Bea, Kenzi, Trick, Dyson, Tamsin, Ryan Lambert, Val Santiago, and Maddy were all present. Each child was held by his namesake and flanked by Bo and Lauren before the Reverend.
When Trick and Dyson approached the Baptismal Altar Trick was holding the first-born child accompanied by Dyson, flanked by Bo and Lauren.
The Reverend asked, "You dedicate this child in what name?"
Trick answered, "Ethan Fitzpatrick Dyson."
The Reverend then took the holy water poured it on the child's head. "Lord, we dedicate this child, Ethan Fitzpatrick Dyson to you today baptizing him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Trick and Dyson stepped down from the Baptismal Altar, and Kenzi stepped up between Lauren and Bo with their second-born child in her arms.
The Reverend asked, "You dedicate this child in what name?"
Kenzi answered, "Charlotte Isabeau MacKenzie."
The Reverend then took the holy water poured it on the child's head. "Lord, we dedicate this child Charlotte Isabeau MacKenzie to you today baptizing her in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Kenzi stepped down from the Baptismal Altar, and Ryan Lambert and Val Santiago stepped up between Lauren and Bo with Ryan holding their third-born child.
The Reverend asked "You dedicate this child in what name?"
Val answered, "Ryan Hale McCorrigan."
The Reverend then took the holy water poured it on the child's head. "Lord, we dedicate this child, Ryan Hale McCorrigan to you today baptizing him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Ryan and Val stepped down from the Baptismal Altar, and both Mary and Tamsin stepped up between Lauren and Bo as Mary held the fourth-born child.
The Reverend asked "You dedicate this child in what name?"
Mary answered, "MaryAoife Tamsin."
The Reverend then took the holy water poured it on the child's head and said "Lord, we dedicate this child, MaryAoife Tamsin to you today baptizing her in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
The Reverend concluded with a blessing over the entire gathering.
"Lord, we bring these children to you. We ask you first to grant strength and wisdom to this couple to make the right choices for these children as they grow before you. Help them to raise these children in your Grace, wisdom and love. Bring help to them when it is needed. These parents, Godparents, and family make this commitment to do all within their power to raise these children in your service. They offer their protection, guidance, help, and hope to them each and every day. Bless this family with your presence, unity, and love in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost we ask these things. Amen."
The Baptismal Reception was held the reception at Mary's Dennis' home, and together they visited the grave of Mary's late husband.
Bo was knocked out of her reverie when they arrived at the house and Lauren practically leaped from the car and marched inside. Bo hung back for a few minutes so Lauren could have her space and let off steam. Lauren had not spoken word since they left the Compound.
When Bo finally entered the house she saw their patio door was open. She went outside and saw Lauren pacing in the garden. Bo sat down on the patio steps waited until Lauren spoke first.
"I should have seen this coming. All the changes Trick has put in place over the past ten years. I should have seen this coming." Lauren finally said after pacing for about five minutes shaking her head. "Why did I not see this coming?"
"No one saw this coming. Every last one of us has been through so much change over the last ten years, fighting off our enemies, forging our lives, how could anyone have foreseen this?" Bo answered.
"You know, the rational side of me understands Trick's plan and what he is trying to do. It makes perfect sense. I get it. The partner and mother side of me, however, is screaming my head off right now. Look at what we have all built over the last ten years. Not just simply speaking of our family, but of our careers, our lives! We finally have a pioneering medical facility with partnerships not only between Light and Dark, but also between Fae and Humans. You and Kenzi and the sheer amazing job you guys have done with the Dal Riata. Leaps beyond even what Trick could have imagined what was possible. Tamsin and Dyson and their incredible career changes. We have all made changes in our lives intended to make us all safe and secure for our futures. Now we being told the last ten years were what? Prep work to be thrown from the frying pan and into the fire? Really? Plus, we have no idea who this Presidium is, or who these people are? But you know what is even more infuriating? That Trick is gambling with all of our futures on the hopes this super, over-arching governing Fae body called the Presidium will be our saving grace! Whatever!" Lauren said as she continued to shake her head.
Even though Bo knew it was not the time for smiles, she smiled anyway. She loved it when Lauren got fired up. It was a rare sight, but when it happened it was game on. Lauren saw Bo smiling.
"What?" Lauren asked.
"I love you." Bo replied. Lauren gave Bo a knowing look as she took in a deep breath, and went and sat next to Bo on the patio ground. Bo put her arm around her and held her close.
"I thought our lives were finally becoming settled." Lauren then said. Bo said nothing. She wanted Lauren to get it all out.
"I am not angry at you, Bo. I made a commitment to you, to our life, to our future, to live and raise our children in the Fae world. But what will all of this mean really in the end? How will your destiny be realized? And this 'not coming back' business…"
"I think Trick was being overly-dramatic there." Bo said.
"Really? Because I believed every word." Lauren let out a deep breath and continued "Again, I do not blame you. I really cannot blame anyone. Trick is right, there have been hints, signs and portents about your destiny for years, but nothing declarative. But if you find your destiny with this so-called Presidium our lives will change forever, but into what? What I am most frustrated about is the mountain of unknowns this gamble Trick is about to take, with our very futures, and what it truly means for us and our family."
"I will do everything I can to find answers." Bo said as she drew Lauren in closer.
"I know you will. But Bo, I would be lying to you if didn't say I was concerned at the least and scared at the most. This isn't just about you and me anymore."
"I know, and I will find answers. Solid, definitive answers." They sat for a moment and then Bo said "C'mon. Let's change and get to the Clubhouse."
