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Chapter 11
I could honestly say that today felt like a brand new start. The craziness of the last several days, heck last several weeks, was washed away for me. Every barrier that I had put up for myself had fallen and I was like a new person, a better person. Lauren sat across from me, both hands on her coffee cup and an open magazine beside her while I made breakfast. Every few minutes our eyes would meet and I'd feel myself flush. I'd smile uncontrollably and look back down at the omelets I was preparing. Her shy smile was a clear sign that I had the same effect on her. Until today I hadn't noticed how much her secrets were wearing on her. I didn't know her well enough maybe, or perhaps I was too locked up in my own mind and emotions. I never noticed that even when she was smiling, there was a deep worry in those brown eyes and stressed features across her face. I didn't realize it until right now when there was a whole new light to her, even with that same smile. Today she was positively radiant. It was spilling over onto me and I had never felt more complete.
I set our plates down at the table and sat down across from her so I could steal some glances. We ate in comfortable silence. Her eye roll with a deep moan of satisfaction on the first bite said all I needed to hear. I stood up to refill my coffee, topping hers off while I was at it. She ran her hand down my arm and siled up at me. Everything about her expression was full of gratitude and love. This morning could be the first of many like this for us. There was nothing that seemed forced or pressured, just that this was exactly as we were meant to be. We finally had the day together and I was looking forward to it. I broke the silence first.
"What would you like to do today?"
"I don't know," she shrugged and brought the mug to her lips. Her eyes followed my every move over the rim of her coffee cup.
I walked into the living room and opened the cabinet of the entertainment center. "I know you may be exhausted, we could veg on the couch with movies. I mean, look at this selection." I chuckled while I sifted through the rest of her DVD collection. "Oh, The Constant Gardner."
I heard her laughing at me as she approached from behind. Her arms slid around my waist and she pulled me in close against her. I sighed, relaxing into her body. I was putty everytime she touched me. I felt her bury face in my neck and she mumbled between light kisses. "Or, maybe we could go outside. It's a beautiful day."
My hands came up to cover hers that held my waist. Her warm breath tickled my skin causing me to shiver. "Hmmm, yeah, I'd get pretty bored of watching them plant gardens over and over again anyway."
She pulled back laughing hard. The sound was contagious as I found myself giggling at her.
"Bo, you know that's not what it's about right?"
I turned around in her arms. "Yeah, I do, but I just wanted to make you laugh."
"Well, mission accomplished." She leaned in and pecked me lightly on the lips. "Come on, let's get dressed."
"Where we going? I didn't bring any clothes."
"I don't know, but you'll be there, I'll be there, it will be good."
She had a point. "I guess I could just wear my blouse and slacks."
Lauren slid her hand into mine and led me toward the bedroom. "We can stop by your place and grab you some clothes. Maybe you could bring a few extra, ya know, stay tonight too?" She looked back over her shoulder with a hopeful smile.
I squeezed her hand in mine, my heart skipped a beat. "I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be."
XXX
It really was a perfect day, the sun shined bright and the temperature was just right, as was the forcast for the whole weekend. We found ourselves in the downtown historic district perusing the shops and enjoying the local street musicians that were parked randomly around the large park that sat in the center. She slipped her arm around mine as we walked. I looked down, staring at our intertwined limbs and felt a comfort that was new to me. This whole experience of finding someone I cared enough about to stand with her through thick, or thin had brought me a feeling of peace I never thought possible. Even more unbelieveable was that it happened so quickly. I turned my head, catching the sight of her grinning brightly at something across the street. She stopped and pulled me with her across the street.
"Where are we going, Lauren?"
"I want to go in there," she pointed to the small shop with various antiques and nickknacks in the window.
It was a strange assortment to be honest, but she obviously found something that piqued her interest. She roamed around mumbling to herself as she picked up a few items and placed them back down. I focused my attention out the window watching the people and cars pass by, each one with their own story and destination. I briefly wondered how many of them were as lucky as I was. A bright orange car caught my attention as it pulled up to the light. My heartstopped when I saw the driver. It was Allie. I thought she had left town for a while. I moved behind a manequin to shield myself from her view. She was on her phone waving her hands wildly. I wondered what she was talking about and with whom. My chest tightened with the fear that she would oneday interfere with Lauren's life again, but I hoped we were past that now. I turned my head when I heard Lauren call out to me from behind. When I looked back to the street, Allie was gone. I released the breath I was holding and shook my head to clear out the stressful thoughts. I didn't want to think of Allie, not today. I refused to let her ruin any more of my time with Lauren. I turned and walked over to the counter where Lauren was entranced by whatever it was she had found.
"Hmm?"
She held up a small object. "Do you think she'll like it?"
"Who?"
"Elizabeth."
"Oh, I'm sure she will love it."
It was great to see her so excited about this. There was fear in her eyes, but also hope, hope of reclaiming a future she had thought dead and gone for so long. She smiled and put it back in the bag. Her nervousness was obvious and I couldn't even begin to understand the thoughts and feelings that were going through her mind. I ran my hands up and down her arms and locked my eyes with hers.
"And she is going to love you, her mother."
She blinked away tears and looked to the ceiling, inhaling deeply. "I hope so." She looked back at me, her voice trembled. "Will you come with me, tomorrow, to meet her?"
I was shocked. I wasn't expecting that at all, at least not yet. I'd be lying if I didn't say that scared me to death. Just the question made my palms sweat. I saw her begin to fidget nervously at my pause, afraid she moved too fast. Certainly my deer in the head lights look didn't help to soothe her fears.
"Relax Lauren. I would love to meet your daughter, you just caught me by surprise I guess." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and placed a kiss on her temple. She leaned into me and I gave her a loving squeeze. "Come on," I smiled at her, "what do you say we grab a little bite and then enjoy a nice relaxing evening at home. Maybe pick up some wine and watch the sunset on your back porch?"
"Home?" She smirked at me, making me instantly uneasy about the slip. It sounded right, but I realized as soon as I said it that I may have made a mistake.
"Umm, I meant-" I stammered and struggled to recover.
She placed her finger over my lips, silencing me while she shook her head. "Home sounds perfect, Bo."
Lauren closed the distance swiftly and pressed her warm lips to mine. I sighed and melted into her. I suddenly needed to feel her, have her in my arms. I didn't care that we were in the middle of the store. My arms moved on their own to pull her body tight against mine. I asked for more, parting her lips with my own and pouring all of the passion I had for her into that kiss. She pulled away breathless, smiling brightly. I licked my lips, indulging for a moment longer in the lingering taste of the woman I loved. I looked into her eyes and felt safe, loved. With Lauren, home sounded perfect to me, too.
XXX
For all the things she said last night and all the things she did to comfort me as I poured out my secrets, the one simple word, home, filled me with a sense of hope. More than I thought it would. It meant that she would not be leaving me after everything, she was coming home with me. She was not giving up on me even after all I had said and done. My past all laid out for her in it's sordid details of abandonment and family drama. I held her hand while we walked from the tiny vintage shop, she would be the start of my new family. That's why I had asked her to come with me to meet Elizabeth. I knew I would need Bo's strength to get me through telling my daughter everything and I also wanted Bo there to experience the first of many things I wanted to share with her. I watched her looking in and out of the windows of the shops around us, she was perfectly at ease and I could almost say she was glowing. The day was definitely working in her benefit as the sun offered beautiful highlights of the angles of her face, begging me to kiss or run my fingers across the soft skin. "Bo, what did I ever do to deserve you." It came out my mouth as a statement, not a question. I couldn't question it, because I honestly wondered how I was so lucky.
I watched as she smiled wide, looking down at her feet, a blush creeping up her neck and face. "You made me want to fight for something real for the first time in my life." She nudged me with her shoulder, her eyes finally meeting mine. "Not that you made it an easy fight at all."
It was my turn to blush and look away, suddenly feeling guilty for all that I had put the woman through. "I'm sorry Bo, I always thought my secrets would be mine and mine alone. That I could bury them deep without them hurting those I loved more."
Bo yanked on my hand, stopping our steps and forcing me to look at her. Her smile had faded, her eyes filled with intensity. "Lauren, never be sorry for that or this." She took a step closer. "True love is never a easy path. I will never regret what I have done to get to this point with you, and you should never regret letting me in." Bo took my hand and placed it over her heart, beating quickly. "This is all the proof you will ever need that I love you, no matter what. The ups and downs, you are the only woman, person that makes my heart pound this fast, this hard."
I swallowed hard, looking into the brown eyes that begged me to peel my layers away for her. "Who knew the woman eyeballing me in the cafe while I drank my coffee would become the most perfect woman I never knew I would meet." I picked up Bo's hand and placed it over my heart, beating just as fast as hers. "All of it is yours." I watched as Bo smiled wide, her hand pressing against my chest. "I love you, Bo. That will never be a secret, because I will tell as many people as I can."
I smiled and looked up at the man and woman walking past us. I smiled wider at them. "Excuse me, I know you don't know us, but I want to tell you that I am completely head over heels in love with this woman." My voice was loud enough to snag their attention, the man looked at us surprised as the woman he was with smiled and winked at me. Bo whispered something as she was utterly embarrassed, pushing me back so the couple could pass. I laughed lightly as I found her hand again, pulling after me.
I stopped a couple more strangers before Bo punched me in the shoulder. "Lauren, you're embarrassing me."
I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. "I know. I am also embarrassing myself, but I had to prove a point. I am truly head over heels in love with you, prosecutor."
I felt Bo sigh against me, her arm sliding around my waist pulling me even tighter against her. I glanced down and saw the huge grin across her face, she didn't have to say anything else. That smile told me everything. We spent the rest of the day shopping in the small shops that lined the streets, having a quick lunch before heading back to Bo's apartment to get her things. As Bo changed out of her work clothes, I walked to the large window she had on the back wall. It looked out onto the city from a perfect height so that you felt as if you were floating between the streets below and the tops of the skyscrapers and other apartment buildings around. It was peaceful, a different kind of peaceful than my house offered. I took the oppurtunity to look around Bo's loft. It was decorated to a perfection that told me a interior designer had done it for her. Two bookshelves were next to the window with a plush reading chair placed offset. There were endless rows of law books smashed into the spaces, dotted with a photography book and a few trashy romance novels. I smirked when I slid one of the novels out, chuckling to myself at the cover. A fancy painting of a muscled, long haired, half dressed man sweeping a damsel up into his arms. I flipped through a few pages, catching the ever present key words all romance novels used to incite sensuality and love. I walked over to the couch that sat in front of the fireplace, giggling at one intense sex scene in the book that I was pretty certain not one person in all of history ever made love like that. I looked up from the book trying to find a seat when my eyes caught the picture frames lining the maple mantel.
I tucked my finger in the book to hold my place, moving closer to the pictures. There were a couple of a young Bo on the high school cheer team, Bo graduating from college with two beaming parents, Bo graduating law school with Allie and the woman that was obviously her mother. The last picture on the mantel that caught my eye was one of Bo standing on a cliff somewhere, the wind blowing her hair around as she looked out onto the ocean. Her smile was huge, bringing out her dimples. Even though the picture was black and white, her eyes seem to sparkle as she looked right into the camera. I picked up the picture and held it in my hand, staring at it. Something about the picture enraptured me. Bo was beautiful, I knew that to be a hard truth, but somehow this picture of her, it was beyond beautiful.
"I grabbed a few things. I am ready to go if you are." Bo came from the bedroom, a bag in her hand. "I was also thinking of taking a few days off. I don't have any new cases coming and I was thinking if I could bribe you into taking a few days off we could get away somewhere. There's this one place I want to show you."
I barely heard her until she was almost done. I knew I was caught snooping as I went to set the frame back down. I cleared my throat, "Um, I can take a look at my schedule monday." I went to turn to Bo, she caught me. She was smiling as she moved to stand next to me. "Why doctor are you trying to find some of my secrets?"
I shook my head, suddenly realizing I still held the romance novel. Bo stood next to me, pointing at the frames. "That is my mom and dad. They live up north. They both prefer the small town life to the big city their only daughter craved to live in." She pointed to the high school one. "Yes, I was a cheerleader, do not judge." She raised her eyebrow at me while I smirked. She picked up the last one I had been staring at. "This one. This was the day after I first saw you in the café. That smile on my face is because of you. I had taken a weekend to go see my parents. My mom took this picture, telling me she had never seen me smile that much in years." Bo looked up at me. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, constantly thinking about what you were like, what your voice sounded like close, what your favorite color was, favorite book, movie, song, and lastly what would I ever say to you if I got the chance." Bo smiled sheepishly, setting the frame back down on to the mantel. "As for the rest of the secrets, I have them stashed deep into my room in a locked box in my closet."
She threw a wink my way, heading back to the kitchen. I was amazed at how I resisted kissing the woman after she told me about the photograph. I bit my lip and held up the book. "Some of your secrets are out in the open, my dear." I opened the book where my finger had been holding the place. I cleared my throat and began to read aloud, "Arielle gasped at the sheer sight of Brick's throbbing manhood as it pressed against his leather pants. Arielle knew in her bosom, tonight would be the night she would fail to resist the pirates advances." I couldn't hold back the giggles as I continued to read aloud, "Brick stalked Arielle from across the close quarters of the rocking ship. The ache in his manhood begged to be released." I had to stop as I fell apart, laughing.
I looked at Bo, she was completely redfaced and staring at me from across the kitchen island. I waved the book at her. "You have quite a few of these, my dear. Is this where you learned your romancing ways?" I turned my eyes back to the book, finding another few lines that tickled my fancy. "Brick grabbed the silky white mounds, pressing against the pulsating red buds. Pulling heaving groans from Arielle, "Brick, I am your prisoner." Brick squeezed tighter as he pressed his aching manhood against Arielle, "You are holding me prisoner, Arielle." He grabbed her hands and drew them down to the leather strings barely holding his pant together." I closed the book, laughing, "I can't, I just can't. The author uses manhood at least fifteen more times in three small paragraphs."
I was far too engrossed in the prose of pirate love that I hadn't noticed Bo move to stand in front of me. "Lauren, do yo really think that?" She grabbed the book from my hands, pulling it free slowly as her voice lowered, "That my romancing skills came from these books?"
The look in her eyes sent shivers down my entire body, stealing any words that were about to come out. I could only swallow hard and nod my head, for some reason I wanted to keep egging her on. Bo held the book in her hands. "It's a shame you think that, Lauren." She turned to walk away. I was certain the moment that was building between us just dissolved as Bo headed back to the bedroom.
"Can you help me for a minute? I have to grab a few case file boxes and drop them off at the office before the end of the weekend."
I let out a sigh, following her. I walked into the bedroom, taking in how large the bedroom was and that there was another floor to ceiling window that encased the bed in warm light. I looked at the open closet, spotting the stacks of banker boxes full of paperwork. I went to them. "Do you need all of them?" I tested the weight of the first box, surprised at how much paper could actually weigh.
"I need you." I heard her low voice sift through the room, followed by the soft click of the bedroom door closing.
I turned to face her and was startled by the ferocity of her kiss. I knew the whimper I heard as our bodies slammed together was mine. Her tongue plunged into my mouth, sending sensations to my hands. Hands that suddenly, urgently, needed to feel every inch of her. My hands found the edge of the oversized, soft sweater she was wearing. My fingers drawing across the warm skin of her back, pulling moans from Bo as I trailed fingertips up and down her back, pressing her closer to me. I lit the ignition in her.
Bo stepped back and ripped the sweater off, throwing it to the ground as she lunged at me, hands to the jeans I had on. As she unbuttoned them, I removed the simple shirt I had thrown on. When I was free of it I helped Bo pull the jeans off and moved to help her remove hers. We stood naked before each other. I wanted to soak in the sight of her, but my stare was broken when she pushed me to the bed. I tripped on the edge and fell back. Before I could recover, Bo was on top of me, taking control of my mouth with a searing, searching kiss. She kissed me hard, pushing her hands into my hair. Tilting my head back so she could kiss along the underside of my chin, down my throat.
"Bo..." My words stopped in a short expulsion of breath when her thigh settled between my thighs, pressing against me as her mouth covered my nipple. Sucking and biting gently. My mind and body was on the same page, I wanted more of her. I rolled us over, painfully breaking the contact of her mouth on my skin. I kissed her hard as I trailed my hands down her body, bracing my arms on either side of her chest. Giving myself leverage to lift my body off her slightly, making us both groan from the cool air passing between out heated bodies. I dropped my thigh between our bodies, pushing it hard against her. Bo's fingers threaded through my hair, tightening to a point of pain when my mouth held her nipple gently between my teeth.
"Shit...Lauren..." Bo arched her body down and against my thigh. Pushing against me roughly, I groaned as my body reacted, pushing back. We fell into a rhythm set by Bo. I moved to her other breast, giving it the same slow attention as the first. After a moment I brought my head up and to her mouth, bringing our lips together in a open mouth, panting kiss. Her tongue meeting mine, timed with our thrusts. Soon the rhythm increased, slowing our kiss until we were just breathing in shared air. Concentrating on the movement and the feel of our hot skin pressed together.
Bo whispered something I couldn't make out, her lips pressed against mine. Her hands moved to grip my hips, urging me into her. I kept up the pace of my leg against her, riding her thigh, feeling the slickness of our desire where our bodies touched.
Her leg moved, pushing into me harder. Bo sucked in a breath, the sound alone made me look into her eyes. There was a intense need in her eyes and I could see mine equally reflected in hers. Our movements picked up, becoming frantic mixed with gasps and whispered mumbled words. I slipped one hand down to where our bodies met, moving my fingers through her warmth, teasing and stroking. Bo suddenly went stiff, letting out a guttural sigh as her body jerked. I groaned as I felt her nails dig into my lower back. I paused to look at Bo as she rode out the waves of ecstasy. Her head thrown back, the muscles in her neck tense and begging to be kissed. I watched as I kept with the movements of my fingers, stunned by how beautiful this woman was. I was distracted by watching her. I felt my breath leave me when her fingers found their way inside of me. Bo arched up harder, letting out a deep delicious moan as she moved against my hand. The sound, the way her fingers knew my body better than I did, it was more than enough to send me over the edge and tumbling into my own delicious orgasm. I collapsed ontop of her, mumbling a confession of love.
We laid like that for a few moments, her arms wrapped around me, holding me close. The mutual thundering of our heartbeats was the only sound I could focus on. Bo moved her head and kissed my cheek, whispering, "I was going to show you how romantic I can be...but you one upped me again."
I let out a small laugh and rolled my head to look at her, "I would apologize, but that was beyond amazing." I kissed her jaw softly. I moved slowly, my body still alive from her touches. Bo propped her head up on a hand as she looked over my flushed naked body, her hand running softly over my skin. Pulling up goosebumps, "I love you, Lauren. Even when you resist my attempts at seduction."
I smiled and grabbed her hand, kissing her fingers. "I am certain you will have a few more chances to seduce me, perhaps you can take a few more lessons from Brick and Arielle." Bo playfully frowned and nudged me. "They were a guilty pleasure, after you I won't ever need to buy another romance novel again."
Bo paused looking deep into my eyes, "I mean it though, I love you Lauren." she rolled out of the bed suddenly and padded out into the living room. She came back with the frame from the mantel. She crawled across the bed, noticing that I had pulled a sheet over my quickly chilling body. She pulled the sheet back and slid in next to me, handing me the picture. "I want you to have this, I want you to look at this everyday and know that I have loved you from the moment I first set eyes on you."
I took the frame slowly from her, my heart beating just as fast as it did a few moments ago. "Bo." I didn't know what to say, the look in her eyes was deep and full of bare truths she was revealing to me. I could only think to bend over to her and press a soft and lingering kiss on her lips. Feeling her sigh into me, I looked at her. "Forever." We laid there for a few more moments, enjoying the lingering silence and warmth of the late morning shifting into early afternoon.
After a second shower in Bo's giant fancy shower, a second longer shower that I knew could teach Brick a thing or two, I helped Bo load up the case files into my car. We would transfer them to hers and drop them off at her office tomorrow. The rest of the day we spent back at my house. Even though I loved Bo's apartment, she wanted to stay at my house. Telling me that she loved the feeling it gave her, because it was outside the city and away from the hustle and bustle she experienced on a daily basis. We made dinner and snuggled up onto the couch watching a tv show we both liked online. Watching episode after episode, eating popcorn in pajamas. I smiled and held Bo close, the feeling of home and permanence was swallowing us up. I could get used to this, in a heartbeat. That night we curled up in my smaller bed and laid together. Bo giggling as she spotted my collection of science fiction novels. She reached across me and grabbed one, taking her turn at embarrassing me as she read the adventures of an astronaut chasing aliens across the solar system. I fell asleep against her shoulder, her voice telling me about how the solar flare burnt the edges of the space ship, help guide me into a peaceful, thoughtless sleep.
I woke up earlier than Bo, full of nerves and riddled with anxiety. Elizabeth wouldn't be over until closer to lunch time. It was just a few hours away as I ran around the house and cleaned up the already spotless house. Today was the day. Today was the day my life would change even more than it had. I had called my mother when I woke up, telling her what I was going to do and that I would need her support with Elizabeth no matte what her reaction was. My mother was ecstatic and relieved that I had finally chosen to speak the truth. I told her that after telling Elizabeth I would be coming over and we could fill in the gaps together.
I sat on the couch and fidgeted, trying to draft up what I was going to say in my head as the minutes ticked away. I let Bo sleep in longer, she had been party to so much already, I wanted her to have a moment or two of quiet before the next storm possibly rolled in. I had already showered and dressed, nerves making me eager to get the day started. I heard the shower go on, and eventually shut off. The soft sounds of Bo humming as she dressed eased my nerves, I smiled. My life before her was such a faded memory that it was hard to remember what it was like. When she walked out of the bedroom, wearing the same sweater I had stripped off her the night before and a pair of loose jeans, she looked radiant. She smiled at me looking up the clock.
"Guess I missed breakfast, what are you thinking for lunch?"
I looked at the glass of water in my hands. "I was going to wait until Elizabeth got here."
It came out as a half whisper, my eyes catching onto the small box with Elizabeth's gift in it. My nerves began to rise again, faster and harder than before. I felt Bo sit next to me, holding a cup of coffee she leaned against me.
"You will be fine, she will love you and accept you. If she has a quarter of the heart you do, this will be a tiny bump in the road."
I looked at her. "What if she doesn't?" I clenched my jaw. "After I tell her, I am going back to my mother's house. My childhood home to try and tell everything to Elizabeth, whether or not she accepts it. I have to tell her everything." I paused as I began to talk faster, I took a deep breath, "I want you to come with me."
Silence filled the room and I feared for a moment, I turned to Bo. "Only if you want too. I mean I understand I have laid a lot on you and taking you to meet my mom and to the house that I grew up in. It could be overwhelming."
Bo interrupted me, "Lauren, yes. I will be there. Wherever and whenever you need me." She smiled and kissed my cheek. "Maybe I can ask your mom about any deep silly secrets or find out where you hid your romance novels."
I couldn't help but smile at her playful tone. I nudged her back and went to say something when the front door opened and Betty rushed in talking on her phone. She looked up at the both of us and waved, heading into the office to dig around in her bags she left there. Betty came out a few moments later.
"Hey you two, sorry if I am ruining a moment. I wanted to grab a few things. Dad and I are picking mom up from the hospital and I will be back after we get her settled in." Betty cocked her head at me. "I might be staying here for a little longer. I want to help dad get mom settled in her physical therapy before I head back to the big apple. Is that cool?" She gave me a sorry smile.
Before I could answer, Bo dug around in her purse for her keys. She pulled off the key to her apartment, tossing it to Betty. "You can stay at my apartment. There is a spare bedroom next to the kitchen or you can stay in the master bedroom." She turned to look at me. "I think at this point, only my clothes live there. My heart now lives here."
I could feel the blush rise in my face as I heard Betty issue a silly aw sound. "You two are so ridiculously adorable. I am proud of you Bo for sticking around even after seeing Lauren drop dead drunk." Betty winked at us both. "I've been there and done that and have the nightmares still." I threw a pillow at Betty as both Bo and her laughed in agreement.
Betty sat on the edge of the couch. "So what are you two lady love birds up to for today? Can I swindle you two into the bottomless mimosa brunch at the cafe down the street?" Betty wiggled her eyebrows in excitement.
I smiled and shook my head. "Can't. Elizabeth will be over shortly." I drew in a slow breath. "And today is the day that I am telling her everything."
Betty's eyes went wide. "Everything?"
I nodded and bit my lip. Betty hopped up from the couch and grabbed the bottle of vodka from the freezer. "Shots are in order. I am wickedly nervous all of a sudden."
Bo stood up and walked over to Betty as the nerves returned and I desperately wanted that shot, but didn't want my breath to reek of booze. Before I could say anything the doorbell rang, stopping all three of us dead in our tracks. I was the first to stand, smoothing out the simple shirt I was wearing. "That's Elizabeth."
I took quick breaths as I walked to the door, opening it slowly. I could feel Bo stand behind me and I could hear Betty tucking the vodka bottle back in to the freezer, mumbling.
When the door was open I saw Elizabeth by my car, tying to secure the bike she rode everywhere to the tree shading the black Maserati. She looked up and smiled wide. "Hey Lauren, I know I am a little early. But mom was eager to get me out of the house today." She rolled her eyes in the exact same way I did. "She is being really weird about making sure you get me ready for college." Elizabeth clicked the lock on the bike and yanked her bag off the back. "Can we get lunch? I am starving and you know I can't focus unless I have satisfied my stomach."
I smiled and nodded. "Of course. Come on in, I want you to meet a couple of people."
I held the door as Elizabeth walked past me. She was almost as tall as I was, lean like I was at that age but a little more muscular from all the running and biking she did. Her dirty blonde hair was up in a ponytail and as I watched her toss her bag onto the couch, I was silently amazed at how much my daughter looked like me and moved like I did. It made my heart hurt even more that I missed out on so much of this child's life. I glanced over at Bo and Betty and could see how much they were thinking the exact same thing. I cleared my throat and moved to stand between my daughter, my best friend and the woman I loved.
I held my hand out to Bo, "This is my girlfriend Bo Dennis and this is my best friend Betty. I think you have heard me talk about her once or twice. She works for the charity organization that supplements the work I do with amputee children."
Elizabeth smiled wider, looking at me. "I do remember you talking about Betty." She held her hand out to Betty. "Nice to meet you finally. I have thought about volunteering for a organization over the summer, something similar to what Lauren has done. I want to follow her footsteps in medicine and help children." She then turned to Bo. "It's nice to meet you Ms. Dennis. I was wondering who was bringing that smile to Lauren's face over the last few weeks. She was more distracted than normal at our last session."
Bo blushed, taking Elizabeth's hand. It was amazing how intelligent my daughter was and how intuitive she was with those around her. Bo smiled.
"It's nice to meet you too Elizabeth."
Elizabeth shrugged. "Call me Liz, only my father called me Elizabeth. Never liked it." I watched as her face dropped a little, echoing the same feeling I had with my father. Elizabeth climbed up onto the stool and sat, her smile returning just as quick as it faded. "So who wants to eat before Lauren and I dive into nerd land and go over my college applications?"
I stepped next to my daughter, setting the small gift box next to her. "Um, I wanted to talk to you first, Liz. Before we go to lunch and sort through applications." I nodded to the simple box. "I got you a gift."
I had to swallow down the nerves as Elizabeth picked up the box, wide smile on her face. When she went to open it Betty cut in, her phone ringing. "Hey Liz, great to meet you. Excuse me for a hot minute, I have to take this call. Its my dad." Betty brushed past Bo and I, squeezing my elbow in silent support. Betty left the house and took the call, I could still vaguely hear her on the front porch.
Elizabeth returned to the box and the tiny silver ribbon, pulling at it. "Lauren, you don't have to get me gifts. The help with studying, the advice on schools, and helping me with everything. That is more than anything. I don't have many friends and you have kinda become one of my best friends." She laughed to herself and shrugged. "Even though you're an adult, you're still one of the best friends I have had in a long time."
I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. I felt Bo come closer to me, her hand on the small of my back comforting me. Elizabeth opened the box and smiled wider as she pulled the necklace out of the box, holding it up into the light. "A claddagh!" She turned to me, smile bright across her face.
I nodded. "It's a symbol of love, loyalty and friendship." I moved closer to my daughter, taking the silver necklace and the glinting silver charm with a small emerald in the hands. I reached around her and placed it around her neck, securing the clasp behind her neck. I watched as Elizabeth picked it up and looked at it. I kept on with the words I had planned to say. "It is also a gift that mothers give to daughters when they come to age."
Elizabeth nodded. "I know the history of it, mom has one of the rings. She has worn it for as long as I can remember, telling me a story about how one of her friends daughters gave it to her right before I was born."
I had to bite my lip, I knew the ring she spoke of. I had given it to my mother when I was fifteen as a christmas present. I reached out and took the charm in between my fingers. "I have to tell you something Lizzy, and I need you to pay attention."
Elizabeth looked up into my eyes quickly, her smile fading as she could see the emotion in my eyes. She furrowed her brow and searched my eyes. I had to look away to calm my heart and build my courage. "I, um. I'm not just a family friend. Your mother, is actually my..."
Both Elizabeth and I turned to the loud voices coming from the front porch, one of them was definitely Betty's and she was yelling at someone. I looked at Bo as she stared at the front door, her face furrowed in anger as she whispered, "Allie..."
I dropped the necklace and rushed to the door, Bo and my daughter close behind me. I yanked the door open to scene of Betty chest to chest with Allie yelling at her. "Get the hell out of here you crazy single white female wanna be! Bo and Lauren don't need anymore of your stalker meddling around them."
Allie yelled back, "Get the hell off of me!"
Allie spotted Bo, Elizabeth and I standing on the front porch. I was walking down the steps to break up the scene when Allie shoved past Betty and walked to stand in front of the steps. She smiled wide when she saw Elizabeth standing behind me. Bo went to push past me and grab Allie when Allie opened her mouth.
"Hey is this the epic mother daughter reunion? The grand reveal that Lauren here is your real mother Elizabeth? That she dumped you like a unwanted piece of trash at the age of sixteen? To be raised by your grandparents under the lie you were a late in life pregnancy?" Allie pushed hard against the strong grip of Bo. "Lauren tell you how she ran away from you the moment you were born? Did she? How does it feel to know your real mother is standing next to you?"
I was frozen in place, I looked as Elizabeth's face went a bright red color. I went to say something over Bo struggling with Allie, trying to get her to shut up. Bo was able to push Allie back with Betty's help. Allie turned and stared at me. "How does it feel now Lauren? Having everything you loved ripped from your hands? You gave up your daughter and I hope she never forgives you for it."
I went to run at Allie when Betty spun her around and laid a perfect right hook across the woman's face, dropping Allie to the ground. Betty leaned over her. "You needed to be punched in the mouth the moment you called me. I am happy I finally got the chance." She bent closer to Allie. "If you ever come near Lauren, Bo or her daughter Elizabeth, I will make sure you meet my left hook. Which will hurt more since I am left handed." Betty hoisted a stunned Allie up. "Now get the hell out of here before I kick your ass all the way down the block."
Allie stumbled to her feet and mumbled something as she held her face as it slowly turned purple. Betty looked at me and Bo, shrugging. "It needed to be done." She brushed the dirt off her pants as Bo and I stared at her. Shocked.
I was lost in everything that happened when I felt a hand on my arm. "Lauren?"
I turned to Elizabeth's voice, her eyes watery and looking into mine. I could feel my heart tighten and start the slow process of breaking at the sight of my daughter upset. "Lauren, are you my mother? My real mother?"
I nodded slowly, clenching my jaw to keep the tears at bay. "I am. I wanted to tell you today."
I looked over my shoulder at Bo and Betty, both silent and staring at the two of us. "That woman and her outburst was correct." I paused and turned back to my daughter, my hands going to her shoulders so I could steady her as I looked into the golden brown eyes. "I am your real mother. There are things your mom...grandmother and I need to fill you in on. But yes, I gave birth to you fifteen years ago and I have regretted every year I wasn't there for you. I made a mistake one night, but the biggest one I made was thinking I couldn't have you in my life. I love you, Elizabeth. I should have never given up the most beautiful daughter a mother could have. " I looked down as the tears fell. "I'm sorry for everything."
I went to drop my hands from her shoulder, I needed Bo as I felt her move closer to me. "I understand if you want to go."
I closed my eyes, waiting for the answer. Instead I was almost knocked over when Elizabeth's arms swung around me, pulling me into a strong hug. It took me a minute to realize she was hugging me. Elizabeth looked up into my eyes, tears streaked down her cheeks as a smile crept over her face.
"I have always known. I kinda figured it out when I was thirteen and mom...grandma started talking about you. I look exactly like you, we have the same quirks. I have always known you were my mom, I just wanted to wait for you to tell me." She hugged me harder. "I love you mom."
The four little words hit my ears and the sobs came out on their own. I dropped my arms to squeeze my daughter back. I looked over at Bo and Betty, both wiping away tears as I smiled at them.
XXX
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