Lauren woke up today, not really feeling much different than she had the day before. There was nothing phenomenal to report for the day, and that felt good for a change. They had returned to the farm last week, and Gram had left them alone for awhile. Everybody needed time to recuperate after the trip.
The day after they returned, Lauren got up early with her alarm clock and started getting ready for work. With the final trial's events still fresh in their minds, she understood exactly why Bo was panicking a little at seeing her do this. Still, she knew she couldn't put off her actual work anymore. She did get paid to do a job, and it wasn't like the two week trip was paid vacation. Seeing how well Janelle and her staff handled everything, except one crisis involving an ogre who was using steroids, which Dyson had helped with since he was still staying at the farm, the fae medical lab had stayed in one piece in her absence.
She could admit that made her a bit sad to realize she wasn't as needed as she thought. However, seeing Janelle's face light up and relax when she walked in the door made Lauren feel better that she was at least definitely wanted.
The past week had become a domestic routine again. Lauren would wake up in the morning, Bo would hold her to the bed for some extra snuggles before she could officially start the day, she would get up to ready herself for work, and she would walk in to pick up Briann for some extra snuggles before making them both breakfast. Breakfast was Mama Lauren and Baby Briann time. Lauren would make them breakfast while Briann would sit in her high chair and babble a conversation with her. While they ate, Lauren would read a morning story to her before Bo would hop into the kitchen for official morning kisses so that Lauren could head over to work.
Lauren's day would be filled with catching up on patients and lab work. However, today was slow, so she finally had a chance to unpack her work from the trip. She had chronicled everything throughout the trip, except when she was uber jock at Trick's castle, so she poured over what she had. When she got to her notes she had been working on at Samael's, Lauren was actually surprised she didn't remember doing much of the research. Those four days were a little blurry, though she remembered the big events. Then again, she had been uber focused and ignorant of families beyond biology. It only proved to her how much she was much more in this world than just the human doctor. Lauren had fallen into the perfect balance with Bo.
What surprised her was that she was actually close to knowing why the succubus birthing process was so risky. If they had stayed one more day, would she have discovered the answer to something she couldn't figure out here? Did she have to be a robot, incapable of allowing herself to love just so she could learn how to have more kids with Bo? The last note she had apparently made, other than a random doodle with Bo's name inside a heart, which was no doubt her final thought before going after her wife that night, was about asking Trick about Bo's family tree when they returned.
It seemed like a strange request, since it was something she already knew about. Bo was her mother's only child, and Aiofe was Trick and Isabeau's only child. The line continued like that. Was that what Lauren discovered? Only one baby per succubus? That seemed hardly fair. Besides, Lauren wasn't a succubus giving birth to a succubus, and it was the humans and fae giving a mystical birth from being impregnated by a succubus that was the problem. Not Bo's family tree. Still, it could warrant more discussion. She needed to go in to give reports to Evony and Lachlan anyways, and Lauren had a feeling Trick would love to see Bo and Briann again. Bo was actually just as eager about visiting her grandfather.
Gram had no real answers to give about what happened and was playing it close to her chest, even when Bo tried to act intimidating by demanding the answers from the woman. There apparently were no answers she could give, though. They had ventured into new territory and made fae history. The only thing Gram would say is that Bo would be initiated as queen, and once that happened, fae everywhere would recognize her power and throne. Both of them were still trying to avoid talking about and dealing with everything that happened on this past trip. They wanted a break before the craziness returned. Another trip was the last thing on their minds for a long, long time. Their family vacations for the next few years were going to be to the fae cabin on Gram's property.
If Gram wasn't any help, Trick was even less about giving actual answers. How were they supposed to deal with the trials and the reality of passing them if nobody knew what to tell them?
This time, they couldn't blame it on family secrets or cryptic fae rules. No, this time was because they had chartered new territory. They were flying blind. Trick and Gram knew about the things necessary to take the throne, but they didn't know what happened after. Nobody did.
That was going to be up to them to decide.
Lauren watched as Kenzi played Ring Around the Rosey with Briann and Alexie. There weren't many fae in the Dal today, but she smiled when Tamsin walked in and waved at her, big smile in return. Bo was still a little jealous of Lauren's affection for the other woman, but the succubus had realized there was no competition there. The Valkyrie came to order a beer at the bar and say hi before winking as she made her way over to play billiards by herself. Lauren knew she had needed more friends outside the circle, but she never really paid much attention that Tamsin needed her friendship just as much. No wonder neither of them wanted to ever do anything about their attraction toward the other. It felt good to have another strong warrior fae protecting her and her family. Tamsin had more than proven herself this trip; even Bo had admitted that.
Bo had a young fae come up to talk to her. He seemed nervous, but they both discovered it was because he needed help. Being ever the good Samaritan, Bo followed him out of the Dal with a promise to call Vex for backup and to return soon. It was just another case, and it was good to see her wife back in action.
Nobody seemed to be treating them any differently so far, and Lauren wanted to relish in that for a little bit longer. They may have passed the trials, but Bo still had to accept the throne in that initiation thing Gram mentioned. Trick explained it a little better, and Lauren didn't like the part where Bo had to be alone off the grid for 24 hours. They worried it was another trial, but Trick had actually calmed their fears. It was just a reflection period, where Bo had to meditate and relax and decide everything she wanted to accomplish because when she returned, the fae world would change according to her wishes.
Lauren was actually proud at how mature and excited Bo seemed about changing the laws. Nobody had changed them for millennia, since Trick split the fae into two clans.
Since Bo would be gone on the case for who knew how long, Lauren turned back around fully in the stool, deciding now was a good time to get answers about her research.
"Trick, do you have a minute?" Lauren could hear the two kids and Kenzi laughing behind her, and she couldn't hide her smile. Trick seemed to know what her grin was about and smiled, too.
"For you, I always have more than a minute." Trick moved over to stand directly across from her, hands on the bartop between them to physically show she had his full attention. "What's on your mind, kiddo?"
"Oh." Lauren didn't mean to be so taken aback from the sentiment, but it was strange coming from him when it was directed at her. Nobody, not even Grumps, had called her "kiddo" before, and she found she kind of liked it. "I just had some questions about Bo's family line, particularly children. I'm trying to figure out how I survived Briann's birth and if it's possible to do it again."
"I wondered how long it would take you to ask me." Trick seemed like he had been preparing for this moment for a long time. It felt strange all of a sudden, now that Lauren realized she was actually going to ask about childbirth, which could only happen if sex was involved. She felt her entire body flush; she could be scientific about this usually, but Trick somewhat intimidated her whenever talking about her sex life with his granddaugher was involved. It wasn't something she ever thought she would need to do; talk about sex with her grandmother and her wife's grandfather so much. Such is the life of being married to a succubus, though. "Is this your not-so-subtle way of telling me you're pregnant again?"
"What?" Lauren wondered why he would automatically assume that she would only want answers if they were immediately required. "I'm not. At least, I don't think I am. Recent events being what they were and being surrounded by all that mystical force, anything is possible, but as of now, no. I'm not pregnant."
"Bo hasn't talked much about the trials. Neither has anybody else. I just know what Maggie has told me. The final trial, at Samael's? I assumed you were pregnant, which is how you passed the test." Trick sighed, almost like a relief more than anything. It wouldn't have been that bad if they were expecting again; they did want more kids. They had discussed as much, but they weren't ready yet. They had too much on their plate right now to worry about bringing another child into the world. Once they settled into this queen thing, they would have a more serious discussion and start planning then. "My apologies for assuming."
"I know the final trial was about love and family. I think we passed because we were just that: a loving family. It's one thing Bo has always wanted, but I was always afraid I couldn't give, and she proved to everyone that we are." Lauren smiled at Trick. He may have been the reason they might have never had a family, but she could recognize now why he did what he did. She and Bo hadn't been together that long, and even though Trick had insider knowledge about their destinies being intertwined, he acted like a loving grandfather who wanted to help his granddaughter. He had no way of knowing what the repercussions of his actions would be, and Lauren had to admit the consequences actually helped them not to make rash decisions before they were actually ready for them. Strangely, he had kind of helped them with the only plan they ever made that actually worked like they planned it. "I may not be pregnant now, but this trip made me realize just how much I want to have more children with Bo. I know she wants them, too, but I also know she will never put me in that position unless we know for sure I'll survive. I'm still taking my birth control, and we're still careful, but those aren't guarantees. Neither of us are willing to take a vow of abstinence, so I'm asking if you know anything that could help. I was doing some work on this while under hyper-doctor mode at Samael's, and the last note I made was to ask you about Bo's family tree. Any clue why?"
"You know everything there is to know about Bo's family tree already. One succubus born to one succubus. Samael's line is a little different; he has any number of children floating around out there, and only few people survive the births." Trick let out a deep breath, grabbing his dish towel. "I can't imagine what it must have been like for my daughter. I would actually suggest asking Aoife these questions, but Bo did tell me everything about that. After centuries of her being gone to me, you would think I wouldn't have taken the news of her death as hard as I did."
"Then, you had some hope you would see her again. Now, you know that will never happen again." Lauren looked over at her own daughter playing and laughing and alive. When she was old enough, they would confirm what type of fae she was, so that they could prepare themselves with how to train her early. It was one thing Bo was quite adamant on, and Lauren could only agree. "Another thing I learned on this trip? I'm going to die and leave my family all alone, and that scares me. I'm it for Bo. I want to make sure she's not alone and is surrounded by love after I'm gone, even if it's only ever from our children. Bo will be able to feed, she'll be able to be a succubus, and she'll be doing exactly what people have expected of her this entire time. But Bo is more than that. She always has been, and I hate the thought of her being alone. Family is important to her, and I want to give her as big a one as possible."
"She will never regret marrying you."
"I know that, and I feel the same way, but part of me will still feel guilty and selfish for being the only one who ever gets to experience the depth of her love to that degree." Lauren turned back to the older man, a soft smile on her face. "But that also makes me feel so much more loved."
"Lauren, I think you just answered your own question." Trick smiled at her; that knowing smile that usually drove her nuts but right now was her favorite thing in the world. "Bo isn't just a succubus; she's Samael's daughter, too. She loves with her entire being and isn't defined by her dominant fae identity. The reason why you survived the birth? The reason why you'll always survive when bringing more children into the world?"
"Bo." Lauren actually felt herself both relax and swell with pride. She found the answer, and it was there in front of them the whole time. "It's Bo."
"Not just Bo." Trick smiled at her again, using his eye contact to encourage her to think further. "You were the one who actually survived the birth. You need to give yourself credit."
"I'm human, though."
"No, you're a hybrid. With Hestian and Gaean genes." He dropped his dish towel, though he had never really done anything with it, and just kept smiling at her. "With that combination, and with Bo being different than any succubus in history, your want and your love for Briann is what brought her into this world and what made you want to stick around to see her."
"I remember the hatred; the burning my insides. I can almost feel phantom pains now just thinking about it. I burned Kenzi's hand, and I couldn't get rid of all of her scars because the burns were that deep." Lauren knew the young woman had since given up any thought about the silver lines still adorning her hand unless someone looked or pointed them out, but she still felt guilty for putting them there.. "I felt this intense evil during labor. That evil was Briann's."
"Yes, everyone is capable of evil. You were just expelling hers; it was your Hestian and Gaean genes carrying over to her. Your body knew what to do. Even if you have no real powers, your hybrid energy is overwhelming. It's why fae look so down on mating with humans and creating hybrids. It's why you're able to feed Bo without extra help; you know that much." He picked up the dish towel again. It seemed like something to hide behind, and Lauren picked up her own empty glass for the same reason. "You will survive again and as often as you want."
"Thank you for not being cryptic with me." Lauren looked into her glass, just staring through the thick bottom before taking a deep breath and turning her gaze back to her grandfather-in-law. "I know how hard that is for you, so thank you."
"Don't mention it." Trick looked over at Briann, who was walking over to Lauren. "Just make me more little princesses or princes like this, and I'll never be cryptic again."
"I'm going to hold you to that. You know that, right?" Lauren smirked up at him as she bent down to pick up Briann to sit on her lap. A text message popped up from Bo, stating she would probably be late and that they shouldn't wait around for her but that everything was okay. Vex was with her, and Dyson was on his way to help, too. It felt like order was restored in their lives. So, Lauren and Kenzi decided to stay and visit a little while longer to have dinner with Trick. Lauren made it a point to invite Tamsin, too, since nobody ever showed up to play with her.
After dinner, Tamsin drove them back to the clubhouse, and Kenzi gathered the kids from the car to take them inside to watch a movie before bed.
"Nothing too violent." Lauren handed Kenzi the diaper bag, which the young woman shouldered like a pro. Alexie looked so tired as he stood leaning against his mom's leg. Briann just clutched her Aunt Kenzi, seemingly forgetting she could walk now whenever she had someone willing to hold her.
"Oh, please. We're just watching House of 1000 Corpses. Nothing violent about that. The kids are gonna love it." Kenzi smirked, obviously joking. Lauren knew she didn't have to say anything; just give her a look. "Okay, Disney police. Princess and fairy crap it is. I guess we have to start training her how to be a princess now anyways."
"She doesn't have to be a Disney princess, though." Lauren let out an amused sigh. She didn't want her daughter to grow up thinking the only way to be a princess was to wait around for some prince charming to rescue her. Bo and Lauren both would put a stop to that line of thinking fast. Still, what could one movie hurt? Lauren had spent her life ignoring and not believing in fairy tales and happy endings, and here she was living one herself. "Beauty and the Beast should be on the top shelf."
"Ha! Called it." Tamsin smirked at her, too. Lauren had to think for a second what she was talking about, but their conversation in her grandfather's castle came back to her. Kenzi just looked at them, not quite amused but still letting it go. Lauren had never had an inside joke before that was just hers. It felt kind of good.
"O-kay. So, I'll go get the kids settled. Don't stay out here too long; it's supposed to rain." Kenzi maneuvered Briann in her arms, who was already snuggled tight and acting sleepy. Alexie just ran into the clubhouse without waiting any longer.
"Yes, mom." Tamsin crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the hood of the car. "We'll be in by curfew."
"You better." Kenzi used her free hand to point her index and middle fingers to her eyes before pointing them back at Tamsin. "I'm watching you."
Kenzi went inside the building, and Lauren went to lean on the hood of the car with the detective, just watching what they could see of the stars here in the city. They weren't out there long, but it felt good to just hang out with a friend. It was something Lauren didn't do much, and she had wanted to check and make sure everything was okay with Tamsin now that they were back from the trip. They really hadn't talked much, and it felt good to be with her again.
They were laughing, so they didn't hear the footsteps behind them until the person was directly there. Tamsin was the first to react, putting her hand on her hip where she could pull her weapon if needed. She tensed even more before Lauren had a chance to register what had happened and turn around for herself.
"Dad?" Sure enough, there was William Lewis, dressed like he had just come from a business meeting or press conference. Then, it dawned on Lauren exactly who he was. He was no longer just her father; he was also the man who tried to have her watched and killed. He was the man who was trying to betray humans and force them all into slavery. She understood why Tamsin went into defense mode now. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm actually not here for you." He looked over at Tamsin, smile on his face. "Though I must say, I never expected you to stoop to filth. It's bad enough you married an unaligned succubus, which is enough blasphemy itself, but to openly cavort with Dark Fae trash? That's not the daughter I raised."
"Lauren, do you want me to escort this man from your property?" Tamsin gripped her weapon and aimed it loosely at him, even if her knife wasn't doing much to carry a threat. Her guns were in the car, since she was off duty. Still, her intense warrior posture was intimidating, even from this distance to her target. "I suggest you move along."
"Oh, feisty." He didn't even flinch, as though having a weapon pointed at his face was an everyday occurrence. Lauren suspected this tough bravado was part of the resistance training. It dawned on her that he had spent a lot of time training her to be like this, too. Her mother had wanted her to train to be Ash material; did that mean her father was training her to join the resistance? "My master sent me since the little nymph couldn't do the job. I should have known better than to send a nymph to monitor you; I should have known she couldn't keep it in her pants around you. Hybrids are an aphrodisiac for fae. They sense you and can't resist conquering you."
"This has nothing to do with Emily." Lauren stepped forward, but there was still a lot of space between them. They still had to raise their voices a little to be heard by the other. There was no close proximity, which was obviously done on purpose.
"I see you still don't know your place. Should I go and get the switch?" He stood his ground, neither defensive or offensive. It was like a casual stroll for him, out in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of the city. He was alone, and there was no press following him. He left himself vulnerable to attack, and Lauren found she didn't trust that.
"I know my place just fine." Lauren did find herself go into defensive mode. She didn't have a weapon, but she knew that if her father attacked her, she would fight back this time. She knew that without a doubt.
"We can't let the succubus complete that ritual. We are so close to getting what we want." He steeled his jaw. It was a look Lauren remembered seeing quite often.
"I can't help you. The trials are already over. We've already accepted the throne." Lauren knew there was more, and she knew her dad and the resistance probably knew that, too. That's when she realized he was scared.
That's when he pulled out the gun faster than Lauren could blink. The shot rang out, and she fell on the ground, dead weight falling on top of her. Her back and head hit the dirt and rocks hard, and she opened her eyes when she noticed nothing hurt but the impact. She looked up to see Tamsin doing her best to hold herself up overtop her. It was an extremely intimate position, but the detective's pained and panicked expression told Lauren everything she needed to know before the woman's strength gave way to the wound.
Lauren made quick work to roll the woman carefully onto her back, assessing the damage. It wasn't a sterile environment, but she had to work fast. Her medical supplies were just inside. She needed them right away, but she couldn't leave the woman. Tamsin's right side had already bled through her shirt. Lauren lifted it to notice the bullet wound's impact was violent and seeping blood in pools. That meant something major was punctured, and Bo wasn't around to help this time. Lauren wiped the blood from her hands to call Kenzi to bring down her med kit. When she confirmed that was happening, she put pressure onto the wound and waited as she called Bo.
There was no answer, so she sent a quick message, though she wasn't sure it would be coherent. Kenzi came running, panicking herself as she tossed the bag on the ground and knelt down beside them.
"I heard a gunshot. I took the kids to the safe room. What else do you need?" Kenzi opened the bag and started pulling out things for her. Lauren grabbed what she needed for now, hoping it would be enough. She could tell Tamsin was about to lose consciousness.
"Grab my phone there." Lauren nodded where she had dropped her phone. "Hold 1 until it dials and tell them to be ready for a trauma bay. Tell them we're on route. Watch the kids, keep trying to get Bo, and I'm taking Tamsin to the compound."
"Are you sure you're going to make it?" Kenzi stood, already working on her duties. "She's Dark."
"That doesn't matter right now." Lauren finished her field work before taking a deep breath to relax herself. Right now, this wasn't her friend. She had to get her patient to the compound as quickly as possible. She was grateful when Kenzi helped hoist Tamsin onto her feet; the detective was doing what she could through the pain and dizziness, as they got her into the back seat of the car. Lauren rushed into the front seat, pulling on her seat belt before slamming the door shut, glad the window was still down. "I'm on route now. Keep trying Bo!"
She drove off, faster than she had ever driven, checking the rearview mirror every five seconds to make sure Tamsin was still breathing. From the pained coughs and hiccups of breath, she knew it wasn't a pleasant breathing, but she was still alive for now.