A/N: Much thanks to somewhataddicted and Skywsh for subjecting themselves to my pestering and helping me edit this chapter. :)
And, thank you to everyone for your reviews and messages. I smile whenever I get some. I apologize for forgetting to reply or for being late in replying.
"This place has its own charm." Crystal shrugged as she picked out some peaches from the back of a parked truck in front of her.
Lauren snorted as she looked around at the busy farmer's market. Senior citizens inquired about the produce and gossiped while the pre-teens milled around the fountain in oversized sweaters and snapbacks. She smiled when she spotted the food van. "Let's get a snack."
Crystal commented wryly, "Yeah, this is probably the most excitement this place sees in a week." She followed behind Lauren as the other doctor went to buy some unhealthy fried dough.
Despite Lauren's best efforts to keep herself clean while they ate and walked, the plate tilted a little, sprinkling her unbuttoned blue shirt and camisole in sweet brown and white powder. She blew out an exasperated breath at her own clumsiness.
"Well," Lauren paused to lick the powdered sugar and cinnamon off her fingers and tried in vain to wipe the rest of the powder that fell on her shirt, "everyone's just out here to buy vegetables and gossip about their neighbors' latest scandal."
"How titillating," Crystal said dryly.
"I'm sure a lot of people are looking forward to the Thornwood wedding tomorrow as well," Lauren said, giving up on cleaning her shirt. "His family is well known in town so I wouldn't be surprised if everyone will be in attendance."
"Dr. Lewis," an elderly lady stopped both of them to make small talk about Lauren's parents.
"They're doing well. The climate agrees with mom's arthritis," Lauren told Mrs. Halima, a patient of her father's before he retired.
"Are they coming to the wedding?" The old lady inquired.
"Dad has a golf tournament so they begged off," Lauren said plainly and the older woman nodded, pretending to understand.
Mrs. Halima leaned in, "I suppose the town's half disappointed that Dyson didn't end up with Trick's granddaughter." She seemed sure Dr. Lewis would share her sentiments.
Lauren tried not to stiffen and plastered on a small smile. "I'm sure Ciara and Dyson will have a happy marriage."
Mrs. Halima raised her eyebrows and reluctantly agreed. "Yes, I suppose," she said, dipping her head.
Lauren diverted the conversation by asking, "How are your grandchildren?"
Mrs. Halima was only happy to answer at length. Eventually, much to doctors' relief, the prolonged conversation ended and Mrs. Halima walked away to check out the Amish baked goods.
"What was that about?" Crystal asked with a laugh as Mrs. Halima was safely out of earshot.
"Just a busybody." Lauren shrugged as she threw away her plate of powdered sugar, fried dough long gone.
Crystal's curiosity wasn't satisfied. "Who's Trick? And what is this juicy business about his granddaughter?"
"Trick is a war hero. He owns a pub down the street. He works the bar so everybody knows him. His granddaughter." Lauren sighed. "His granddaughter, Bo, took over the business a couple of years ago. She and Dyson grew up together and dated for a while in high school. She's the bridesmaid so she's busy helping out with the wedding. I'll introduce you to her tomorrow."
"High school." Crystal repeated thoughtfully. "I think it would have been cute to marry your high school sweetheart."
Cute. Lauren rolled her eyes. "Crystal, there are seven billion people in the world, why limit yourself to the first person you found attractive as a teenager? You might as well sign up to be miserable a few years down the line when you both grow up." She stopped by a stall selling plants and flowers and admired their colors. She sniffed one that smelled particularly sweet.
"But if you're willing and ready to the take the chance and love meets you at the right time, then it's serendipity." Crystal grinned as Lauren paid for the potted plant. "My parents married young, you know, and they're still going strong. Some of these marriages do remain loving and satisfying, you pessimist." She elbowed Lauren playfully, tripping the other doctor a little. "The heart knows."
"Right," Lauren mumbled sarcastically. "Because the brain does enough thinking as it is."
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Ciara said, but she was all smiles in her slightly tight wedding dress. She sat still as the make-up artist and the hairdresser skillfully moved in sync with each other to enhance her beauty. "You know, I really couldn't sleep last night from excitement."
"You'll be fine," Bo assured with a smile, admiring the natural glow that surrounded her friend. The kind that didn't come at all from make-up. She clutched Ciara's hand in assurance.
"Delivery!" Kenzi burst in wearing a tight-fitting dress in a similar color to Bo's, except she wore a large head band in the same shade on top of a curly short-haired wig. "Mr. Thornwood sends flowers and a bit of chocolate. He says you should eat some or you'll pass out during the ceremony."
The stylist and the hairdresser both cooed and swooned from her husband-to-be's sweet gesture.
"I was so nervous I couldn't eat breakfast," Ciara shyly admitted with a pleased smile. Ciara picked up a piece of chocolate and carefully bit into it without messing up her lipstick. "Mmm, so good." She lifted the box to share and Kenzi took the opportunity to pilfer a piece to chew on.
"See? You'll be okay," Bo smiled, gently squeezing the bride's shoulder.
"Well, I have to go, Nate just texted," Kenzi said. "I'll meet you guys there."
"How 'bout you, Bo," Ciara asked her maid of honor.
"My mom and I are riding together with some of her friends," Bo replied, knowing that Ciara was alluding to the fact that she didn't bring a date.
Their talk was interrupted when Ciara's mother came in with the traditional wedding "somethings." "Something old" was a heirloom ring and "something new" was the jeweled comb in Ciara's hair. Bo had let Ciara borrow a pair of earrings.
"Okay, so we have: something old, something new and, something borrowed…"
"Something blue?" Ciara's mother asked.
"I have it covered." Ciara smiled, eyes crinkling in mischief.
The wedding ceremony was long and the old church was somewhat warm but since the priest had served the small town for a lifetime and knew the bride and groom well, he had everyone in stitches regaling stories about Dyson's antics as a child.
Bo had spotted Lauren seated somewhere in the middle with another woman. She made her best effort not to look in their direction. Bo found herself once again trying not to fall into Lauren's gravity, but this time she had a little more conviction.
Though Lauren still visited the house down the street for dinner a few nights a week, things between Bo and her were still a little distant. The younger woman knew that Lauren was taking it to heart even without her saying it, but Bo was only trying to protect her own heart until she nursed it back from the injuries sustained from Lauren's rejection.
Bo wasn't actively avoiding the doctor, nor was she actively seeking her. It was only the heaviness in her chest that served as a good reminder that Lauren was her friend. They were just friends.
Lauren would only ever be her friend.
So what's new? Grow up and get over it, Bo, she told herself.
She knew that it was Ciara and Dyson's day, not hers, and she told herself that she had to shift her focus and be happy for her friends. No sense in being a wet blanket at her best friend's wedding just because she was having problems keeping her eyes off of Lauren.
Unable to resist temptation, she took a quick peek.
And, maybe another.
At the reception, everyone was murmuring about the handsome wallflower by the corner. Lauren stood in her crisp, form-fitting suit, her hair swept up in a French bun. Unlike the men in suits, she wore no tie and left the top two buttons of her white shirt undone.
The reception hall opened up into a large garden where everyone was gathered, chatting and celebrating with the new couple.
"Stop that," Dyson said as he sided up next to her.
"What," Lauren asked up in concern at the newly wed.
"Everyone's staring at the serious-looking, seriously hot doctor. You're stealing my thunder," he replied, putting on a charming grin. He offered her a glass of champagne, which she took gratefully.
Lauren exhaled loudly and broke into a smile. "I'm sure you don't need the extra attention, what with your new wife and the baby on the way. Congratulations, Dyson."
"Why, thank you, Dr. Lewis," Dyson said, tipping his glass a little. "Hey, why are you standing here alone anyway? What happened to your date?"
"I introduced her to Tamsin and they are getting… acquainted. In a bathroom. Somewhere." She furrowed her brows and looked away in thought. "I think."
"Ooo…kay," Dyson said looking a little perturbed. "So, you two aren't…?" Dyson made vague gestures with his hands.
"Oh, no. No." Lauren laughed. "She's a very dear friend and colleague, and today, my plus one. She wanted to visit me."
"Well, I better go see the other guests," Dyson said excusing himself, "Although, I think Bo needs rescuing and maybe better company." He nudged his head in Bo's direction.
Trick's granddaughter was politely listening to a conversation that she didn't look happy to be having with some older women.
Bo was lovely to behold adorned in a deep blue bridesmaid dress and small white flowers woven into her hair. Once in a while, a man would put on what he thought was his best smile and asked her to dance. Occasionally, a woman would also approach. Lauren noted that all had walked away disappointed before she decided to walk over.
"Do you need a little help," Lauren asked Bo quietly, standing by her side and touching her elbow. Bo looked at her in surprise, but seemed reluctant to accept her offer. She eventually shook her head subtly and continued the pretense of being interested in her current company. Lauren's eyebrows knit together briefly, but Bo chose to ignore her.
Or, at least pretend to. She was doing a lot of pretending lately anyway.
"So, little Ysabeau," Mrs. Levi asked with a sardonic grin as she sipped from her glass, "When are you inviting us to your wedding?"
"I'm afraid, not anytime soon." Bo smiled awkwardly. She knew the question was bound to come up, especially when nosy old ladies were around. She also knew that however she answered it, they would still be patronizing.
"You know, my nephew just got divorced recently," another lady added meaningfully. "He has five sweet angels that just need a mother's love."
Lauren's eyebrows rose a little and she decided to intervene despite Bo's rejection of her offer to help. "I apologize for interrupting," Lauren cut in politely. "May I borrow Bo for a moment? Ciara is asking for her."
"What happened to Ciara," Bo asked as they walked away. She had kept the bride in her line of sight to make sure she was there any time Ciara needed something.
"Nothing," Lauren said. "You really looked like you needed a little help."
"If I needed it, I would have asked," Bo said quietly. She didn't mean to sound unkind but she also tried to ignore the hurt look on Lauren's face. "Thanks, but maybe I will go see Ciara."
"Bo." Ciara beamed, but Bo could tell that she was getting tired already.
"Reporting for bridesmaid duties," Bo mock saluted and handed her a glass of water. "You okay?"
"My face hurts from all the smiling, people won't stop talking to me, and my feet are killing me but I'm having fun." Ciara laughed. "But you, my dear, have arrived just in time."
"For what?" Bo asked, not at all liking the way Ciara was smiling at her.
"Okay, here's the game plan," Kenzi said. "We both know Ciara has a good arm so go wide. Hey, are you listening?" The younger girl put her hands on her hips in a classic bossy stance.
Bo tried to form a protest but gave in. Oh, what the hell. The bouquet toss was just for sport anyway.
"I thought you'd want to catch it, too," Bo said as Kenzi dragged her into position behind the group of women milling around the center of the dance floor. "Shouldn't you be getting yourself in position?"
Kenzi's nose wrinkled in mock disgust and Bo had to laugh. The girl's enthusiasm and silly antics never failed to make her smile.
"Naw," Kenzi said with a cute pout. "I just feel like crushing desperate women's hopes and dreams today." She snickered. "This wedding business is too sappy. It's just really a bunch of lies to con people into spending more money on fancy invitations when things just end badly after a few years."
"You don't really believe that, do you?" Bo frowned.
Kenzi snorted. "Dude, just look at our parents." She gave Bo a careless shrug of the shoulder. "Now, get your game face on."
They both listened as Ciara counted down from three.
A gaggle of women all screamed and jumped for the bouquet Ciara threw. Kenzi may, or may not have, strategically hip checked a person or two, but Bo caught it. A little flushed from the scuffle and laughter, she held up the large flower arrangement to show everyone her prize.
"Bo-bo, all these old maids probably hate you now." Kenzi giggled as she and Bo sat down to get a drink. "You totally ruined their chances of getting married soon."
"It's just a superstition, Kenzi." Bo rolled her eyes, sipping on her glass of half-melted ice water. "Man, those girls were vicious. I think I bruised my butt or something."
Kenzi nodded to the crowd of men who began to circle Dyson and Ciara. The bride sat on a chair while her groom kneeled by her feet. "Well, at least you have a lot of yummy guys to choose from. A lot of Dyson's cop friends are like, ripped."
They watched as Dyson pretended to crawl up Ciara's skirt to search for the garter wrapped around her thigh. Ciara playfully swatted him for his antics and whispered something into his ear, eliciting an even bigger smile on his face as he slid the garter down her leg amidst the hoots and hollers.
The men cheered as the groom stood up and held up the wedding garter, catcalls coming from all around.
Lauren's eyes narrowed.
"She's cute, you know," Crystal said when she found Lauren sitting at their table by herself.
"Who," the young surgeon asked, distractedly.
"The one in the blue dress, the one who caught the bouquet," Crystal said as she smoothed her skirt to sit down. "I'm sure all this fuss is only because she caught it."
"That's Bo." Lauren smiled tightly. "I'll introduce you to her later. What happened to Tamsin?"
"I'll be seeing her later. Don't wait up for me tonight." Crystal gave her a salacious grin before turning serious. "Is everything alright?"
Lauren nodded as she watched Dyson taunt the bachelors, spinning the garter around his finger. Then she noticed the grin on his face, right before he pulled on the garter and aimed it in her direction.
It smacked her on the chest before falling on her lap.
A stampede of men ran in her direction as she sat looking like a deer in headlights. Thankfully, they all stopped right in front of her and did not grab for her crotch area, where the garter landed. She picked it up with two fingers like it was some foreign substance. She noted that was antique lace with a royal blue trim gold thread.
"Uh, ma'am," one man said politely with a smile. "We're wondering if you could throw it again or give it to one of us."
Crystal grinned up at them, crossing her leg. "Sorry, boys, but I think that technically means she caught it."
"But—" one guy tried to protest.
"Dr. Lewis! Come on up!" Dyson boomed obnoxiously into the microphone as Ciara dragged Bo to a chair situated right in the middle of the dance floor.
"You. Are. Evil." Bo hissed under her breath as she fell backwards onto the chair. It was no coincidence that Dyson aimed the wedding garter at the doctor and Bo wasn't stupid enough not to know what her friends were up to. "You can't do this."
Just because Ciara was married now didn't mean she had a right to do what Bo thought she was doing. Ciara didn't even know about the kiss or the awkward mess that came after. She couldn't know the total agony she was causing.
"Oh, honey," Ciara said, then kissed her cheek. "I love you, too." She rubbed a thumb at Bo's cheek to remove the lipstick stain. "Now, sit still and smile."
Lauren came up from behind her, face serious. Ciara gave Bo one last encouraging look before letting Lauren stop in front of the chair.
Bo swallowed and toyed with her wrist corsage.
They both stared at each other as Lauren got down on one knee.
"I had nothing to do with this," Bo said.
"I know." Lauren offered a comforting grin, trying to catch her eye but Bo wouldn't meet her gaze. She gently lifted Bo's ankle to take off her shoe. "You look beautiful in that dress," Lauren complimented softly.
"Thanks," Bo said, eyes staring past Lauren's shoulder, faking a smile. "All the other bridesmaids are wearing one just like it."
The doctor chose not to further comment. Lauren took the garter from her pocket and slid it up Bo's foot to her calf and then hesitated past her knee. "Bo," Lauren said asking for her permission.
"Just get it over with," Bo said, pretending to be playful for the benefit of everyone who was watching, which was technically the entire wedding reception.
The entire town, in other words.
Lauren kept her eyes on Bo's face and slid the garter up to Bo's thigh.
They were forced to dance after that. Bo was stiff in Lauren's arms, not trusting herself not to melt against her.
"Bo," Lauren murmured against her ear. "We need to talk."
"Not now," Bo sighed. Not ever. "This is hardly the place."
"You know we have to, eventually."
"No, we don't. We can't, remember? I heard you loud and clear the first time." Bo wasn't being cruel, she was simply being resigned. And really, did they have to rehash the whole rejection thing?
"Excuse me!" A high-pitched voice interrupted.
They both looked down.
"I was wondering if I could ask Bo for a dance," the little boy asked them shyly.
"Of course, you can, Mo," Bo smiled. "You look very handsome in that suit."
The boy practically puffed up in pride, "My mommy helped me pick it out." He looked over his shoulder, "Right, Mommy?"
Evony nodded. "Yes, Monster." She rubbed his head affectionately. He beamed up at her.
"Monster?" Lauren asked, raising an eyebrow at Evony.
"Massimonster." The little boy jumped up. He gnashed his baby teeth. "Roar! Like Henry Hugglemonster."
"I thought you wanted to dance with Bo, Massimo," his mother asked him.
"Oh," he said, like he had forgotten and suddenly remembered. "Yes, please!"
"I know that look on your face," Evony stated as she pulled Lauren away to the buffet table. "It's your fault, you know."
Lauren rubbed her temples. "You don't know anything."
"Maybe," Evony said, grabbing a drink from a waiter that passed by. "But leading people on isn't very nice, is it?"
"It's all just a misunderstanding," Lauren answered. "And I'm trying to fix it."
"Lewis, have you ever considered that you think too much? Maybe it's you who understood wrong," Evony said. She offered the blonde a plate. "Hors d'oeuvre?"
"Do you think they got the hint?" Ciara asked as Dyson took off his jacket for her to wear. The newlyweds waved good-bye to their guests as they climbed into the limousine. Ciara winked at the sulky bridesmaid as she closed the door.
"Who knows?" He smiled as she settled against him. The car moved forward and drove away from the wedding party and closer to their new life together. "They're both pretty stubborn. But, maybe it's a start."
Ciara hummed in agreement, snuggling into him.
"We're married," she mumbled sleepily against Dyson's shoulder as they sat in the back of their limousine.
Dyson breathed in the scent of her hair and kissed his wife's temple, wrapping an arm around her. "We are," he murmured softly. He knew the day had been tiring for her and their baby. Their wedding night would be spent tucked in bed asleep and tomorrow, he would be making her breakfast.
"I love you," she whispered into his shirt and was fast asleep.
Dyson cracked a smile when she started snoring.
Her jacket tossed on a chair somewhere and sleeves rolled up her forearms, Lauren lifted a plastic crate filled with empty champagne glasses.
"You don't have to do that," Bo said as she checked the inventory with the caterers. The post-wedding clean-up was part of the bridesmaid duties, but the tasks were nothing new to her experience and definitely nothing that she couldn't handle. Kenzi had ditched her to help Nate pack up his DJ gear and her mother had already left with her friends because she had a late work shift that night.
"We're almost done." She nodded across the room to Hale and the best man nodded back.
"I can give you a ride home after," Lauren offered, setting the crate down in front of the truck. The reception hall was nearly empty, the guests long gone. "Your mother asked me to make sure you get home safely."
"I can probably hitch a ride with Hale," Bo said, looking over the list and crossing off the items.
When Lauren didn't reply, hearing silence in response, she looked up. The doctor stuck her hands in her pockets, yet another a hurt look on her face.
"It's for the best," Bo said, giving Lauren a forced smile. This is me being mature about this. I can do this, just don't look at me like that.
"I don't want to lose you over this," Lauren said, untucking her hands from her pockets.
"I just need time." Bo's smile wavered. "You know how you already know something, but it's still different when you finally find out it is true?" She sighed hopelessly. "I always knew it would be impossible, but now that I know for sure, well…," she gave her a half-shrug. "I'm not trying to push you away or change how I am towards you, I just have to... adjust." The word felt flat on her tongue. "I know I'm still just a dumb kid to you, but I get it, okay?"
"I never thought that," Lauren countered fiercely, stepping forward to comfort the brunette.
Bo put up a palm to stop her. "It's fine. You've never lied to me, don't start now."
Lauren bit her lip to stop herself from arguing. "Please, at least let me give you a ride home," the doctor implored, brown eyes begging.
Bo cursed herself for not being able to resist.
A/N: Here's my goal: I'll update by the end of next week. Let's hope nothing comes up.
Side story, I was once called "Monster" by a friend of an uncle's when I was very small. Apparently, it was because I called him monster first. I think it was because he had really sharp canines and you know how children have no filters. Regardless, I really disliked him.
I do have a question for you guys, should I bump up the rating of this fic? It's as a personal challenge of mine to write stories without the hot and heavy stuff. Still, since a few have requested it, is it something the majority would like to read?