Wassup my lovelies?
So...how you been? Had a good Summer? Been on holiday? Time to relax in the sun and the sand a pina colada in hand with that warm breeze, the smell of sand and water hitting your nostrills...
You did?
Well damn...I'm jealous now...;-)
Anyone up for a story? Awesome...cause it's the conclusion of 2014, and it's all coming to a head now.
No doubt there are mistakes...I don't have a beta...Sucks to be me, so I'll correct later! :-)
Replies to reviews below.
Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Arrival hall
Lauren's POV
The large arrival hall is busy with people coming and going, still it doesn't take long for me to spot Ben. As soon as he spots me too, he heads in my direction with a smile on his face.
"Hello, gorgeous!" Ben says once he's close enough and scoops me up in a hug. "How was the flight?"
"Good," I reply as Ben takes my trolley from me, and insists on carrying it for me. "I slept through most of it."
"Lauren Lewis slept on a plane?" Ben's voice raises in surprise as we head towards Ben's car. "You didn't work?"
"I uhm was a little tired."
"Ahuh...So... how was Bo?" Ben remarks in his cheeky tone, and I shake my head grinning ignoring the tone.
"She was fine."
"I bet she was," Ben replies keeping up that double entendre.
"Oh hush." There's a wide grin I can't surpress.
"That good huh?" Ben grins as we exit the arrival hall.
I stay quiet. A chilly wind hits me and I snuggle deeper into my vest. Baltimore in January is a far cry from the balmy climate of the Pacific Ocean. Luckily, Ben is parked just outside the airport, I can already spot his Mercedes GLC a little further down.
"My, my, I suppose the major must have made up for lost time."
"Stop, just stop," I chide as I put my hand on the handle of Ben's car. Ben is like a dog with a bone when it comes to gossip, he just doesn't let up until he knows the juicy details.
I slide into the passenger's seat. "She did," I say as I close the door and put my seatbelt on. "And she made up for it all night long," I add widely grinning.
Ben laughs loudly and we take off towards the Maryland District Courthouse. Patent law is a federal affair so all hearings and cases are to be heard in a federal court. The building in itself is rectangular, with an odd mix of yellow and white brick in the mix. Not exactly the epitome of modern architecture, but the scale and largess of the building in itself is impressive. When we arrive, Ben drops me off in front of the stairs leading up to the entrance and tells me he's just going to park the car. I collect my briefcase, exit Ben's car and climb the steps. As soon as I enter the large entry hall, and I straighten my attire a little, a familiar voice calls my name.
"Lauren!" I look up and see Mabel Pierce waving at me. She's talking to a couple of people that are taking notes vigorously, but at her words they scatter to all corners of the hall, all with their own assignment it looks like. Mabel's long darkish blonde hair is up in a stylish ponytail, her green eyes lightly accentuated, and the rest of her make-up subtle enough to simply underline this woman's natural beauty. As always Mabel is impeccably dressed in an expensive looking two piece suit. Mabel became my lawyer seven years ago when I patented the Logan technique and she was up and coming. Since then Mabel's career has soared, and she is currently one of the most successful lawyers in the state. Despite the heights her career has taken, she's always stuck with me, and I couldn't ask for a better ally on my side today.
When I reach Mabel, she opens her arms for a hug. With a half grin I move into them.
"Good to see you again, Mabel," I say with a smile as I kiss her on the cheek.
"Too bad we always meet up when there's trouble on the horizon," Mabel comments with a sympathetic smile as we step back from our embrace. "Are you ready for this?"
"If you tell me that by the end of the afternoon I'll finally be rid of Nadia, then yes. I am more than ready for this," I say with conviction.
"That's the plan," Mabel says with that confident smile I am used to seeing from her. "Let's get some coffee in you, and I'll get you up to speed on the proceedings today," Mabel says and gestures towards the court room cafeteria. When we get there, I see a handsome fifty-ish black man with dark brown eyes, a dark beard and slightly balding head greet Mabel, and extend a hand to me.
"Lauren, I'd like you to meet Brian Grant. He'll be dealing with the civil aspect of your lawsuit today.." Mabel begins to explain. A few minutes later, Ben joins us and for the next twenty minutes or so we listen attentively to what Mabel and Brian have to tell us.
It's another ten minutes or so before our names are called, and we can go ahead to the courtroom allocated to us. It's when I step outside the cafeteria that I see her and before I can look away she sees me. Instantly those eyes I loved once lock onto me. It's been four years since I've actually seen her, four years since I left with Ben. Her eyes are as dark as I remember. I used to think of them as mysterious, passionate, intriguing, but now I see them as manipulative, capable of malice. I used to think of her as beautiful, but now all I see is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I never broke down when Nadia hit me. All through the months of physical abuse I carried on at work as if everything was fine. I never confided to anyone what was happening, I never even cried for it, or felt desperate. The abuse was relatively easy to hide. Nadia never hit me where it was openly visible. I'm not the type to fall apart, but I did fear Nadia's moods, that glint in her eye that told me she would lash out, that anger that could be set ablaze at a drop of a hat.
There's a second where my heart skips a beat, my body tenses, and for a moment I am that woman again who cowered and flinched at her touch. That second is enough for Nadia to grin wide. She used to love that I was scared of her, and that hasn't changed.
I have though.
That cocky, arrogant smirk she gives me serves only to make me more determined than ever to stand up to her, and get her out of my life once and for all. As Nadia turns away from me, Ben squeezes my shoulder and I give him a reassuring look that makes him smile.
I don't know how long my bravery is going to last, but I know it comes from somewhere deep inside of me. Maybe it's the knowledge that when I take this hurdle, I get to go home to Bo and I get to build a future with her, or maybe it's just that I'm sick of the shadow Nadia casts over my life.
Either way, I'm ready for this.
Let's go.
NASA Langley Research Center
Dr. Ozark Office
Bo's POV
"And one last deep breath?"
I look up at the middle aged man with receding grey curls, a full mustache, and a pair of red round glasses perched on his nose and do as Dr. Ozark requests breathing deeply.
"It says in your file you only recently recovered from pneumonia?" Dr. Ozark asks his plucky brows going up in the question.
I nod. "A month ago."
"Extraordinary," Dr. Ozark mumbles. "I can still detect some reduced lung capacity, but that should sort itself out in the next couple of weeks. Other than that you are in excellent shape, Major. You can get dressed now." The doctor says as he turns away from me and picks up my medical chart to make notes into it.
"Thanks doc, " I say with a grin as I get off of the exam table and reach for the simple white cotton shirt and dark blue pants that's been the standard outfit for this week.
"I saw mentioned in your file that your attending physician on the Enterprise was Dr. Lauren Lewis. That wouldn't happen to be the same Dr. Lauren Lewis who patented the Logan technique, would it? The same Dr. Lewis that NASA has been trying to recruit for the last four years?"
I smirk involuntarily hearing the praise for Lauren in Dr. Ozark's voice. "It would," I reply.
"How did the Navy manage to snag her up?" Charles Ozark mumbles aloud more to himself than to me.
"The Navy does have its perks," I say with a smile. "Takes you places."
"That it does," Dr. Ozark chuckles. Over the last week, I've noticed that Dr. Ozark, or Doc Ozzie as he's better known here, is a little on the inquisitive side.
"Did you know she was a candidate here?"
"She may have mentioned it," I say trying to sound casual, but it's hard to keep myself from grinning. Even at the mention of Lauren's name I light up.
Well, if you see her tell her Doc Ozzie said 'Hi' and that NASA takes you places too."
"I don't know, doc," I reply. "She's used to the Solomon islands: sandy beaches, crystal clear water, balmy temperatures and you're wanting her to exchange that for a trip in a tin box, to a place with no sunlight, freezing temperatures and danger lurking around every corner?"
"The view from the window of that tin box is pretty spectacular," Dr. Ozark contemplates and I laugh out loud.
"Hell yes it is!" I agree loudly. "And that's why we do this," I add with a smile.
Dr. Ozark grins and nods, then says. "Dr. Lewis' aptitude tests were off the chart. NASA was ready to offer her a contract and based on her scores, recruit and train her to become Mission Commander. Very similar to you, Major." Charlie Ozark adds with a wink. The news that I'm scoring well is encouraging, and when I leave his office heading towards my locker, I have a smile on my face.
I get to my locker, get out my phone and the moon rock necklace Lauren gave me. Here on the base, with all the physical tests they have us do, it's best not to wear any jewelry, it just gets in the way and I don't want it to snag behind something and break. I'm putting it on now though. I have nothing physical left today, just the final interview and I feel almost naked, incomplete without Lauren's necklace.
I turn my cellphone on. There's a message from Lauren telling me she landed safely. I type out a quick message to her. It's a little over two in the afternoon so she should already be in court. Knowing Lauren is being confronted by Nadia makes my stomach swirl uncomfortably, and I sigh. I again wish I could be there with her right now, make it better somehow -maybe by punching Nadia in the face?- but then I calm and comfort myself with the thought that Ben is there with her, that she has a great lawyer and that she doesn't have to do this alone.
I walk in the direction of the cafeteria looking for Eve and the rest of the fifty applicants that are here for testing. We're all gathered there together talking, drinking something and trying to keep our nerves at bay before they call us in for the last interview. I'm walking through the pristine white corridors of the center replying to a text from Tamsin not really paying attention to where I'm going when I bump into a hurried lab technician rather roughly, almost making me drop my cellphone.
"Sorry," I mumble out apologetically, but there's no reply, and when I turn there's only the back of the lab technician scurrying off I can make out. I frown because for a split second her frame and her half run look familiar.
"Hey Bo!" Eve waves at me when I enter the busy cafeteria. She's in line to get a drink, and I join her at the queue.
"Whaddaya want?" Eve asks when I reach her.
"Diet coke," I say still wondering about that lab technician.
"You rebel you..." Eve comments as she takes a small bottle of white wine for herself, then sees my puzzled expression and asks. "You okay?"
"Yeah, it's just- Somebody just ran into me in the corridors and for a split second I coud have sworn it was Stacy Altmann."
"Altmann? Did Doc Ozzie slip you something?"
"You didn't happen to see a brunette, long hair, lab coat?" I ask.
"You just described about 200 people here," Eve chuckles. "Altmann is a redhead, she's also not allowed within fifty miles of you and how do you imagine she got in here? The security here is tiiight."
I nod agreeing with everything Eve is telling me. "Yeah, I know," I frown. "Wow, guess I'm just tired, " I say shaking my head. Eve is right. It's ridiculous to think Stacy Altmann could be here.
"It's been one hell of a week. Come on, I've got a bet going with Edwards that he can't balance three plates on his head while standing on one leg and eating a plate of bacon."
"While eating a plate of bacon you say? This I have to see."
Baltimore, Maryland District Courthouse
Judge Ackerson's courtroom
Lauren's POV
2:45pm, BO: Good luck! Wish I could be there with you. Can't wait to see you tonight. xx
The message lights up on my iPhone as it lays on the table in front of me and I smile softly and happily. Seated next to Mabel and Brian in the defendants chairs isn't the time and the place to respond though, so I leave my phone untouched waiting for Judge Ackerson.
Out of the corner of my eyes I see Nadia scowling. She must have noticed my reaction to Bo's text I think with a grin. There was a moment in time where I would have said that Nadia knew me better than anyone in the world, and I suppose she still knows me well enough to understand my grin. Seeing her scowl only makes me smile wider.
Nadia always looked at me as if she was studying me. She would ask me a million questions, mostly about my time in college. I had always thought that was endearing, as if she paid attention to me because she loved me. At the time I hadn't realised that she only showed interest in me so she would know how to play on my vulnerabilities.
In college, I had Ben and people to hang out with, one-night stands and other casual flings that lasted longer. I wasn't a wild child, but I wasn't a hermit either. I was president of PETA and heavily involved in and would march for whatever cause I could get behind. I even got arrested a few times for standing up for my ethics. Nothing ever came of the charges that were brought against me and us, but we weren't shy to push the envelop either.
When I left college, I believed I was a well-rounded individual. I had done well academically, I'd embraced my preference for the fairer sex, and I had stood up for what I believed in. The only thing that had alluded me all throughout my college years was a relationship.
I had been so busy with studying, demonstrating, organizing and enjoying life that I had never gotten round to having a real girlfriend. I was 25 when I left college, it had taken me nine years to earn three PHD's and spend almost a year in the Navy. When my internship at John's Hopkins became a career, most of the people I had known from university were moving in together or were getting married. I would go home to my apartment to find yet another wedding invitation, and although I do not think I realized it consciously at the time -I had plenty of distractions and I had no time to feel lonely-, I longed for someone in my life. I longed for more than that great, but empty apartment John's Hopkins had provided for me. I longed for it to be filled, I longed for someone to share it with.
It was about six months later that Nadia Kowalski walked into my life.
I can still recall thinking that she was beautiful with her dark eyes, those luscious curls of her and that warm smile. Nadia was reserved, shy even in comparison to some of the other hotshot doctors I worked with, and that in itself was refreshing. We quickly got to sharing cups of coffee during lunch. Talking to her was easy. Nadia was a great doctor, as passionate about her work as I was, and from sharing our work life we began sharing our private life.
When she kissed me that first time I felt my heart come to life. I felt that finally, I had found someone who I could have more with. Nadia and I moved fast, moved in together after only a couple of months. It was a combination of me longing for a relationship, being in love and her insistence at taking that step.
Those first few weeks together with her were blissful, but then the reproaches started filtering in, and the jealousy started raising its head.
In the background the voice of one of the bailiffs sounds.
"Hear yeh, hear yeh, the honorable Judge William J. Ackerson presiding. All rise."
Judge Ackerson takes his seat behind the bench. Ackerson is a rather sturdy black man somewhere in his early sixties or late fifties. His black robe falls loosely about his shoulders as his flashy orange reading glasses are perched on his nose. He has the reputation of being a no nonsense type judge, fair and just, but hard on lawyers that are not well prepared. Judge Ackerson glances over the sheet in front of him before he looks up.
"Dr. Nadia Kowalski versus Dr. Lauren Lewis." He says looking up.
"Dr. Kowalski." He addresses Nadia, and I see Nadia nod. "Dr. Kowalski, you are represented by counsellor Merriweather on the claim that patent number US549637782.128K, otherwise known as the George procedure or technique, and as submitted as patent by Dr. Lewis in October of 2013, was actually partially, or even largely developed by yourself and that Dr. Lewis stole your research on the procedure while you were engaged in a relationship and later submitted that research as her own."
"Yes, your honor, " Counsellor Merriweather answers in Nadia's stead.
"Dr. Lewis," the judge addresses me. Both Mabel and I are standing up at this point, and I involuntarily nod at his question. "You are the defendant in this case represented today by counsellors Pierce and Grant, but you are also petitioning for a counterclaim?"
"Yes, your honor." I hear Mabel speak up next to me."We are persueing a defamation of character counter claim. We are arguing that Dr. Kowalski's current claims, which have been made very public, are hurting and have already hurt Dr. Lewis' otherwise highstanding reputation. We are currently also seeking a restraining order against Dr. Kowalski from Judge Hill in Civil Court. "
"Very well," Judge Ackerson nods. "Now doctors, as your counsellors have no doubt explained, but I will reiterate this, this is a preliminary hearing, and not a trial. My decision will not include any monetary compensation and/or penalty. I am simply here to listen to both of your cases and then determine if there is enough proof to substantiate either Dr. Kowalski's claim, or Dr. Lewis' counter claim, and if that proof warrants a trial." Nadia and I both nod in acknowledgement before Judge Ackerson continues.
"Now, I have reviewed the evidence submitted, and am ready to hear you arguments, counsellors. Mister Merriweather, you may begin," Judge Ackerson directs.
I listen with growing consternation as Nadia's lawyer, Bradley Merriweather, a young, passionate lawyer paints the picture of Nadia working hard at developing the procedure in the period that she and I were dating. It's not so much the story in itself that baffles me, but more the ease and conviction which with this lie is being told. All of what Bradley Merriweather says is true, and all of it is a blatant lie. It wasn't Nadia who was doing the work, it was me.
I show no emotion, but beneath my stoic appearance I feel my anger building. I would laugh if this wasn't serious, or if I wasn't in a court room.
I remember those days working on the George technique vivedly. The procedure is a technique I developed based specifically to operate on tumors located on or close to the eye. It is a less invasive surgery technique than what is currently being used and it allows surgeons, in many cases, to preserve the optical nerve in cases where that would have to have been sacrificed previously. The technique had been a natural extension of my day to day life, but yet developing it absorbed my time, mostly my nights and it had made my home life with Nadia contentious and difficult.
After my regular shifts, I would stay on at the hospital, and use the research lab there to work on it. There were many days where I didn't come home until 1 or 2am in the morning, then there were nights when I would just sleep at the hospital. Soon enough the first cracks in our relationship started showing.
I had always worked hard, I had always been singularly minded, more focused on academics than I ever had been on people, and I was mindful of the fact that that might be difficult in a relationship. Both Nadia and I had very busy schedules and both her and I were still, very much so, trying to make our careers work, prove our worth at the hospital, but Nadia wasn't willing to compromise. In her mind I was the one who needed to cut down, while she maintained her schedule.
I should have realized back then that her request was unreasonable, but I was in love, and like with everything else in my life I was driven to make work, I was determined to make my relationship work. Even when Nadia started being jealous of everyone I talked to and she didn't want me meeting up with friends or colleagues. I changed my schedule to fit hers. I isolated myself and did something I had never done before: I took my research home with me and I would work on it there those moments Nadia was sleeping, those moments she was busy with the hospital or when she was out.
I also talked about my research with her. Nadia was my sounding board for everything at the hospital, and that included the George technique. I would bounce off ideas about how to proceed, and did that for a few weeks until Nadia yelled at me that she had her own case load at the hospital and didn't need to hear my whining. It wasn't long after that Nadia started drinking: too much and too often and that eventually led to Nadia becoming physical.
Everytime Nadia hit me, she promised me it would be the last time, that with my help and love she could change. Everytime she did it again, she would remind me that she loved me, that she loved me so much that sometimes I drove her crazy and that she was the only one who would ever love me the way she did.
I recognize why I believed Nadia or wanted to believe her. Nadia capitalized on my want to help people even when it is detrimental to my own health, and on my insecurities of being in a relationship. But, to this day, I still don't completely understand why I fell for it or let it continue on as long as I did.
Nadia never loved me. I know that now. She manipulated me, played me, and as Counsellor Merriweather starts handing out copies of notes in Nadia's handwriting similar to my handwritten notes -notes my patent claim was partly based on- I realize once more just how manipulative she is. In those months when I was preoccupied with saving our relationship, Nadia was sneaking behind my back and copying my research.
As I glance over one of those copies the otherwise large courtroom begins to feels stifling, and my stomach contracts.
Suddenly, winning this hearing that was only supposed to be a formality, became a lot less probable.
"Objection, your honor," Mabel stands up next to me. Her voice is leveled, but still I can hear a modicum of outrage mixed in. "We were not made aware of the existence of these notes. We have therefore had no time to review them or investigate their authenticity."
"Indeed, Miss Pierce. Counsellor Merriweather, these documents were not submitted to court either." Judge Ackerson says looking up from his copy of one of the notes, shifting his attention to Nadia's lawyer.
"No, your honor, these notes were only retrieved late last night. My client has recently moved and she believed these had been lost. However, the existence of these notes in Dr. Kowalski's handwriting, the content of which can be easily established, does at the very least question the legitimacy of Dr. Lewis' patent."
"Thank you, Mister Merriweather. I do not believe I need a lesson in how potentially vital these notes are to this case. I will allow this," Judge Ackerson says after glancing at the copy of the note in front of him. At his words my stomach contracts sickeningly again. "But know that you are walking a fine line here counsellor." Judge Ackerson says sternly, his dark eyes boring into Bradley Merriweather. "These last minutes discoveries remind me of a pantomime, and I don't like showmenship in my court room."
"Your honor, I can assure you th-.."
"Save it, Counsellor, " Judge Ackerson interrupts.
"Your honor, " Mabel is standing up again. "We would like to request a recess at this time to at least have a look at these notes before continuing."
"Granted, Counsellor. Court will resume in an hour and a half," Judge Ackerson says, and swings his gavel.
We all rise and from the corner of my eyes I see Nadia grinning gleefully at me.
All I can do is grit my teeth.
Outside of NASA Langley Research Center
Stacy's POV
It would have been so easy to gut that bitch on the spot.
I bet I could have gotten away with it.
I get away with all the rest of it.
Like almost knocking her over,
like the unaware idiot that she is.
I couldn't resist.
...
It was a calculated risk.
Not all for shits and giggles.
She got nicked.
I got the information I needed.
The drugs will do their thing
Win...win..
WIN
...
Maryland District Courthouse
An hour later
Lauren's POV
"She planned this, all these years ago." I say angrily pushing back my chair from the large conference table I'm sitting at and looking up at Mabel.
Mabel nods agreeing.
"This is why she started a relationship with me."
Mabel nods again, this time the action is accompanied by a soft sigh. "I wouldn't put it past her. I come across a lot of backstabbing and underhanded people in my line of business but Nadia is one piece of work."
"I want her out of my life, out of my career."
"She will be," Mabel says confidently as she walks over to me. "Now, can I get you anything else?" Mabel glances over my shoulder. "I can have one of my aides get you a real coffee from a place down the street, instead of that crap you're drinking," Mabel says with soft chuckle as she slides into the seat next to me. We're in one of the briefing rooms of the courthouse. The room has a vending machines that produces a couple of liquids that are supposed to pass for coffee while purring lightly and emitting an off greenish light.
I chuckle lightly. "Why do I get the idea your aides need to do that a lot?"
"I'm in here a lot," Mabel admits with a smile. "And this job gets stressful. I can't start my day without coffee. Found anything useful?" Mabel asks now that I've redirected my focus back onto the copies of Nadia's notes the court provided us with.
"They're definitely my research," I say running my fingers through my hair in frustration. "Basically, the first outline of the procedure. I should have never brought my work home with me," I say shaking my head. "How stupid could I have been?"
"This isn't your fault, Lauren, and our case is a lot stronger than simply these notes. Worst case scenario the judge will rule that these do warrant a trial, but I betcha these don't hold up when I get them dated."
"You're thinking?"
"I'm thinking she took pictures of your notes, and that she copied these just recently. Believe me, I will not leave one single stone left unturned to get her. I'm also thinking and betting that these notes are the strongest evidence they have. If we can debunk them, their entire case will crumble."
I nod briefly. "Well, alright. Let me get back to this I say as I glance back at the fifty or so notes I see sprawled before me. I'd rather just not go to trial.."
My eyes roam over the pages again for another ten minutes or so when all of a sudden something catches my attention.
"...and we might not have to..." I mumble out as I take the one sheet I'm honing in on for a closer look.
"What?" Mabel asks looking up from her papers.
"Hold on," I say as I'm looking, scanning the table. I grab a few of the notes, and then smile. Right at that moment, Ben walks back into the room together with Brian. They're talking animatedly while holding a tray of what seems to be smoking hot coffee."
Mabel eagerly moves towards the tray, and grabs a coffee when Ben puts it down on the table.
"Can somebody hand me the copy of my notes, they're in my briefcase in a binder." I ask to no one in particular. Up until this point I was working from memory, comparing Nadia's notes with what I know I had written down a number of years previous. A few seconds later, Ben hands me my binder, and I quickly get to the pages I need.
Downtown Newport News
Bo's POV
Lauren's possy, BEN: 3pm33: "Lauren found a couple of mistakes in the notes Nadia copied. We're going back to the judge with them in a few. Fingers crossed!" Ben posts in our WhatsApp group between Tamsin, Ben and myself. I exhale relieved. Both Tamsin and I wanted to know how Lauren's hearing was going, but we didn't want to add to Lauren's stress by prompting her for constant updates, so we got Ben to keep us in the loop.
His whatsapp from an hour and a half ago had me nauseous and wanting to get onto the next flight to Baltimore, but right now things are looking up again and for some reason I have a good feeling about Lauren's hearing; like everything will be alright.
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm34: Crossing all my fingers!
Lauren's possy, TAMSIM, 3 pm35: Holy beefcakes! This thing is more stressful than watching Bo trying to cook...Snoops, get me a pic of that Nadia woman, so I can get a head start on getting her her own Washington restraining order!
Lauren's possy, BO: 3pm36: I object to the cooking comment. Fully behind the restraining order!
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm37: What are you objecting about? You're not allowed to practice law.
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm38: I've plead three cases in your name, D.A. Skarson. I get to object.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm39:Oh yeah,...I forgot about those. You did really well too!
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm39: Haven't lost a case yet. :-) :-) ;-) ;-)
Lauren's possy, BEN: 3pm40: Bo: How are you with restraining orders? I'm seriously reconsidering the ethics of my current Washington attorney ;-)
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm40: You're still horrible at cooking though.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm41: Hurtful, Snoops! I helped her prep!
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm42: Sure, if you consider telling me to watch a Perry Mason episode 'prep'.
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm42: Last time you cooked, we needed to call the fire department.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm43: Hey, hey, no dissin' Perry there! He's the reason I decided to study law.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm43: There should be a warning label on Tequila being so flammable...
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm43: Fact check: Tamsin decided to study law because she wanted to get out of traffic tickets.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm44: annoying factchecker: and it worked too! Hurray for me! :-)
Lauren's possy, BEN, 3pm44: I'm not so sure I should let my best friend be alone with you is your sense of responsibility, ladies?
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm44: Definitely went up in flames with the Tequila that day.
Lauren's possy TAMSIN, 3pm45: I concur with co-counsel Bo-ster McCorrigan.
Lauren's possy BO, 3pm45: To be fair. There actually is a warning label on Tequila being flammable. (tequilalabel. jpg )
Lauren's possy, BEN, 3pm46: Well, get your priorities straight ladies! Tequila should be drunk, not used in a dish. Peeshaw...
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm46: LOL! Cheers, Snoops!
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm46: :-) :-) HEAR HEAR!
Lauren's possy, BEN, 3pm48: Going back in. I'll get you that pic, counsellors.
Lauren's possy, TAMSIN, 3pm48: I'll get right on it.
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm49: Give her a hug from me. Tell her I miss her.
Lauren's possy, BEN, 3pm49: You can give her that hug yourself later on tonight. Just make sure you let her sleep some too. ;-)
Lauren's possy, BO, 3pm50: Lol! No promises! Text me as soon as you know anything!
With a smile I put my phone away. The news from Ben is more than welcome and with a soft smile on my lips, and a lightness in my heart I step into 'Let it bloom', a flower shop slash coffee bar slash book store in downtown Newport News. It's the best type slash anything shop I've ever seen. The outside of the building is elegant and beautiful with its large art nouveau windows, and inside the shop it's just as beautiful with vintage furniture and wallpaper, flowery decorations, lots of natural light and the smell of coffee mixing in with books and flowers. The place has a nice buzz to it with some people sipping coffee and quietly reading while others to the far end of the shop are making bouquets in some sort of class. There's a fortyish woman with a kind face and an even kinder smile that walks up to me asking me if she can help me. I immediately feel like I'm in the right spot to buy Lauren a bouquet of flowers.
"Would you like to make it yourself?" the woman asks when I'm done explaining what I'm here for.
"I'd love to," I say. I've always loved making things. That's partly why I wanted to be an engineer. Flowers isn't what I'm used to working with, but the thought of giving Lauren a bouquet I put together myself is very appealing.
Maryland District Courthouse
Lauren's POV
I nervously hold my breath and fiddle with my hands under the table as Judge Ackerson looks down and then upwards from his glasses to read out his verdict. About half an hour ago we went back into the court room, and Mabel and I were able to approach the bench, and were given the opportunity to explain the inconsistencies I had found in Nadia's notes to the judge: there was a rather obvious error in a formula equation I had made in the first draft. I had filtered out the mistake only a few days later, but it was still there in Nadia's notes and it suggested very strongly that Nadia had just copied my work mindlessly.
"Yes, yes!" Ben shouts out behind me as Judge Ackerson reads out his verdict. Ben is slapping me on the shoulders and I feel my entire body exhale in relief. When I turn around Ben, Brian and Mabel have the biggest smile plastered on their faces, and we all fall into one another's arms happily with congrats and thank yous going round.
As soon as we exit the courtroom, Ben scoops me up into another hug and twirls me around. I laugh in his neck until he puts me down.
"What was that for?"
"That one was from Bo, she's been pestering me to hug you, nagging at me for updates all day long."
I smile broadly. "She has?"
"Ahuh," Ben nods. "Tamsin too, but your girlfriend has been unrelenting."
"My girlfriend, I like the sound of that," I grin.
"Text her, call her, " Ben urges. I smile wide nodding and pull out my phone. I quickly find Bo's name in my contact list, and dial. I gesture to Ben that I'm stepping back into the briefing room, and he in turn gestures that he'll be in the cafeteria with Mabel and Brian. It takes two rings and then I hear the voice of the woman I am head over heels for, pick up.
"Commander Lewis," Bo greets me and I can hear the grin in her voice. "You have good news?"
"That's Lauren to you, Major, " I grin back in a mock command.
Bo laughs, and she must already know that the news I have for her is good because her voice is impatient and almost playful making me grin even wider. "Baby, tell me already!"
"The judge ruled in our favor across the board. Nadia's claim has been dismissed and the judge accepted our counter claim of defamation of character!"
"YES, yes, yes! That is FANTASTIC NEWS!" Bo yelps and I hear her enthusiasm through the phone. "YES! Gods, that is great! Such a relief!"
"Yeah," I nod. "I'm so happy, Bo," I say and feel myself get emotional as relief floods through me. It's been a whirlwind afternoon, and for a moment there I could see myself get tangled in a long legal battle with Nadia, but now I have Bo on the phone and telling her all of this makes it real. I'm quiet, and Bo notices.
"It mustn't have been easy for you today," she says as if she can read my mind."Get Ben to hug you tight for me, okay? And ask Mabel what she wants for her brithday or Christmas or whatever cause I'm getting her something!"
"I'll do that," I laugh softly barely able to keep my tears at bay.
"I wish I was there to kiss you, and celebrate with you," Bo says with a soft sigh, and I smile again.
"I'll be there in a bit. I'm having a quick drink with Ben, Mabel and Brian, wrapping things up and then I'm heading your way. Hope to catch the 6.30pm flight, and then we'll have all the time in the world to celebrate."
"I'd like that. I love you, Lauren," Bo says and my stomach summersaults at her words. I smile like an idiot, an idiot who feels she can take on the world as long as Bo McCorrigan tells me she loves me.
"I love you too, Major. I'll see you in a bit," I say and then end the call. I smile happily, and reach for my briefcase. I'm putting my phone away, about to step out of the briefing room and join Ben and the others in the cafetaria, when Nadia steps into me blocking my path.
Instantly my body reacts: the hypothalamus, the command center of my brain, sending signals to my sympathetic nervous system resulting in a quickened heartrate; blood pumping to my muscles, my pupils dilating, muscles tensing, my body readying itself in the fight or flight response Nadia's presence and actions have triggered over the years. Although, I can't help my body reacting in the way it does -fight or flight is an involuntary response that will activate quicklier when it has a history of being triggered-, I hate the fact that Nadia still has this effect on me, that she can make me flinch like this even after years and years.
"Well, well, doesn't the ugly duckling clean up nicely today, " Nadia says raking her eyes over me.
I swallow away disgust more than fear. "Please let me through, Nadia." I say keeping my voice as even paced as I can.
Nadia steps away and I push through. In the moment that I do, Nadia blocks my path again.
"Not so fast, Professor Lewis." Nadia says using her old nickname for me.
"Nadia, please, just let me-"
"Let you what, Lauren?" Nadia asks tauntingly. "Let you go?"
I nod. My body is telling me to flee, telling me to shut up and just get out of here as quickly as possible.
"I'll let you go, Lauren, for now. But, you're not rid of me yet." Nadia leans into my ear, her entire body presses into me menacingly. My heart hammers inside of my chest. "You'll never be rid of me. This isn't over."
At her words, I see all the years I cowered away, how she treated me, how she made me afraid of her, how she shattered my trust in people and love, made me feel like I wasn't worthy. I also recall Bo's words, her voice, how very different she is from Nadia, how very different we are as a couple, and the promises we made to one another last night. Knowing Bo is out there, waiting for me to get back to her, calms me, gives me strength, it reminds me of the Lauren I am now.
"This is done," I say and my tone is even and strong as I meet her eyes. "You lost, with it, and leave me alone."
"You'll never be rid of me, Lauren!" Nadia pins me against the doorframe, holds me in place forcefully pressing against my shoulders, and twisting my wrist. She's so close now I can feel her breath on my cheek. "I can still see it in your eyes, in your body you know...You're still that scared little chicky chick...The awkward nerd who wants to be loved so badly, she'll bend over backwards to- "
I push Nadia off of me hard, catching her off guard. "Don't you ever touch me again!" I hiss, but if Nadia is taken aback by my reaction, she's not showing it.
"Spent a few months in the Navy again and think you're all that now, huh? Think you're new and improved? I know you have a new girl now. I could see that stupid expression on your face earlier on, but tell me professor, how long do you think that's going to last? Do you think she really loves you? The shy, awkward, boring doctor that would rather spend all of her time at the hospital lab instead of out in the real world? How long will it take before you'll neglect her, Lauren. Like you neglected me!"
The mere mention of Bo's existence from Nadia's mouth makes me furious and I breathe deeply. I could leave this conversation right now, I should leave it, leave Nadia behind to stew in her loss and simply decide that she's not worth my time, and in truth, she isn't, but then these words I have for her have been years in the making, and finally confronting her, saying them to her face I feel will finally close off the Nadia chapter for me, forever.
"I loved you once Nadia, and I did my best for our relationship, but you never loved me. You demeaned me, abused me, hurt me, and manipulated me like you're trying to do now. The truth is, you are a sad person who does not grasp the concept of love and you never will. I don't fear you.. Not anymore. You're nothing but a bully, and I see that now, plain as day."
"Eventually you'll come crawling back to me, and-"
"I will never come back to you, Nadia. Never. I'm done with you Nadia. Forever!" I say punctuating that last word as I finally pull away from the conversation completely and push out of the briefing room.
"This isn't over yet, Lauren! I'll get you for this!" Nadia yells out behind me, but I ignore it and keep on walking.
"Look at you running off to the safety of that fucking fagot like you always do, but I'll find you, Lauren! And, I'll fucking get you, I'll make you pay!"
I roll my eyes, and grit my teeth. I've said what I wanted to say and keep on walking.
"I'll fucking find her Lauren. I'll find that bitch you're dating now, the one that makes you smile and I'll fucking get her too!"
I halt my step.
Bo's POV
Downtown Newport News
Let it Bloom Flowershop
"That's coming along nicely, Bo." Ruth, the woman with the kind eyes, says. "Beautiful combination, you have a talent for this."
"Thanks," I respond with a smile looking at the bouquet I've put together for Lauren; it's a combination of mostly white with soft greens and pink. Elegant, beautiful and timeless, like she is. The bouquet centers around five dashing lillies white and green that apparently represent beauty and innocence, and are added by white and soft pink baby breaths that symbolize everlasting love and white Valerians that mean readiness. I've also got some Irises in there. These flowers were named after the Greek Goddess of the rainbow if you can believe that. I never known about flowers and the meaning they carried, but then it's been an informative couple of hours here, and I'm more than happy with the message my bouquet holds. Knowing how much Lauren loves flowers, I have no doubt she actually does know what all of these flowers mean, and I can't wait to give them to her.
I'm reaching for the last couple of Valerians when I suddenly feel a little woozy, and grab unto the table before me to steady myself. My eyes lands on the stems that have been cut sideways to allow more water into the plant. Their fragrance hits my nostrils; and the stems zoom in and out of my periphery making my head spin.
"Bo, are you alright?" Ruth asks as she must have noticed my discomfort.
"I'm okay." I say. In the background I hear the chime of the doorbell, more customers walking in, the sound of rustling plastic, flowers being gift wrapped, registers opening and closing, the coffee machine in the background, the clinging of the cups. All of it I hear, but all of it is muffled like I'm zoning out, becoming drowsy.
"Can I get you anything?"
I must look worse than I think. I shake my head. It's not a response to Ruth's question, I'm just trying to get my vision to stop blurring, but that's not working.
"I need..." I look around... the movement catches me off guard and I'm dizzy. I can't finish my sentence. I grab unto the table again.
The doorbell chimes again. In walks a brunette. I blink. She looks familiar...
My stomach churns, I suddenly feel like I could be violently ill, and I close my eyes.
I've felt like this before. Long ago, but I remember plain as day...
Why am I feeling like this again? How is that even possible? Am I hallucinating?
Her hair is shorter, pushed back with a red hairband, sunglasses, flashy green raincoat, and red shoes, but it's her.
Why is she here? Why do I feel like I'm going to pass out?
"I need to.." I turn to Ruth, but I can't finish my sentence.
Ruth stares at me, her eyes are big with worry. I try to say something again, but there's no sound coming out of my mouth.
I can't speak. Tears spring to my eyes, and in the background Stacy moves ever closer to me. My head is pounding, my body feels like all energy has drained away. The only thing that is keeping me upright is this table I'm leaning on. I still don't understand why Stacy is here, but she keeps coming at me, walking up to me and slowly in the back of my mind, a very dark thought manifests, and with it pure terror comes along.
Stacy turns to me, she smiles,..she's right in front of me. She says my name, touches my shoulder, feigns concern, but I see the hate in her eyes. I can't move, I can't get away, I can't back up, I can't tell Ruth that I need to get away from Stacy.
I black out.
Baltimore International Airport
Lauren's POV
I smile widely as I listen to the flight attendants go through the mandatory safety instructions: from how to secure your seatbelt to where the oxygen masks and the exits are. Although I've flown numerous times before, and know all of this already, I pay attention. It's the least I can do for these professionals. It's about half an hour later when the 'fasten seatbelt' light is off and the Captain is telling us that we can use our electronic devices again. I quickly power up my laptop, eager to get a head start on my work for Monday. I want to spend as much time with Bo relaxing tomorrow, so the more I get done on the plane now, the better.
I quickly scan my emails. There's the usual mail from work, and then there's a mail from Detective Cortez, a reply to a question I asked over a month ago. I'm curious about the mail, but there's a slew of other work I first need to get done. I spend about an hour or so answering mails. The next hour I spend reading up on patient reports and staff meetings. It's two hours later when I finally read Detective Cortez' mail. Apparently, he was on holiday with his wife and kids and had only been back about a week ago.
When I had had a second look at those pictures Detective Cortez had sent me, it struck me how very different in type Kyle's other victims had been. All of the girls Kyle Preston had been convicted of raping -thirteen in total, except for Bo and the girl he was arrested for- were blonds, rather petite of build; no excessive curves and light eyes, more my type than Bo's. Profiles of rapist and murderers are often built on the type of person they target, and to see Kyle Preston victimize eleven very similar women except for the first and the last one was odd to say the least.
What also struck me as odd was Kyle's MO. In all instances, Kyle Preston used a strong sleeping agent -either Rohypnol or Temazepam- to incapacitate his victims, but with both Bo and Preston's last victim Juanita Sanchez, he was sloppy in his execution. So sloppy even that Juanita Sanchez was able to escape, run to the police, identify Preston and lead the police to his house. In contrast, none of Preston's other victims were ever able to identify him. None of them ever saw, heard or even smelled him. It was only because of the evidence the police found at Preston's house -hours and hours of video- that they were able to link him to the other women he raped and nearly beat to death.
Curious, I asked Detective Cortez if anyone else had ever noticed these inconsistencies, and apparently, someone had. Around the time that Kyle Preston was arrested Special Agent Gail Harris from the FBI, Detective Cortez writes, was investigating a string of murders: a total of six girls that were raped and killed. Gail Harris apparently asked the same questions I did, and believed Kyle Preston was guilty of more than just rape. She even came to question Preston when he was being held, but. She was never able to prove her theory, but Detective Cortez sent me the files of her case as well.
Special Agent Harris' case file in itself is hundreds of pages that I can't possibly go through in the hour or so that is left in this flight so instead of going through all of it meticulously, I go for a file called 'notes' and click that. I'm in luck, because the attachment is just what I'm looking for: it's a summary of all the most important evidence in the case, and basically Gail Harris' take on it.
"Notice the similarties between the MO and the victim typology." Gail Harris writes, and then summarizes the similarities between her case and that of Preston:
Age range: between 16 and 25,
Type: both dark haired and curved and blonde and petite,
Profile: often enrolled in college: smart, popular, pretty,...
MO: victims drugged using Rohypnol and/or Temazepam, no DNA left behind, no other physical traces, bodies dumped.
I sigh in my seat reading even more similarities Gail Harris' points out in her notes. No wonder she suspected Kyle Preston. There are also notes on her interview with Preston. She describes him as a compulsive offender; someone unable to control his impulses. She notices how, even throughout the interview, Preston is unable to keep his eyes from her, unable to let his lustful gaze travel her and how uncomfortable it made her.
Preston isn't able to control his urges, he's a textbook case of a compulsive offender, and obviously enjoys unsettling his targets. Quod meticulous planning?
A little further down Special Agent Harris writes. One of the guard women tells me that he is particularly lewd and lascivious towards her, (Note: the guard woman has darker hair and features) but that Preston almost ignores her colleague, a fair haired woman. Quod type?
The next word Gail Harris writes make the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
ACCOMPLICE?
The thought of an accomplice makes perfect sense. It would explain the different types of victims, the different MO's. If Kyle Preston had someone there to run things behind the scene for him, to navigate his impulses. Deep within the pit of my stomach a knot begins to form as images of Stacy and her hate for Bo suddenly fuze together with Special Agent Harris theory of there having been an accomplice.
Could Stacy have been that accomplice?
It's a long shot, maybe even far fetched. It's hard to imagine Stacy being a psychopathic killer, but my instinct and my mind is hurtling towards that conclusion, also because Preston never admitted to having an accomplice. Who would he have stayed silent for all these years? If he truly loved Stacy Altmann, perhaps he stayed quiet for her.
My long shot theory unnerves me, and I want to check if Bo responded to my earlier text. I pull my phone out and unlock it, wincing slightly as my bruised fingers remind me briefly that I hit Nadia.
No reply.
"Damnit?" I mumble out, and grab the air plane phone in front of me to dial Bo's number.
"Bo, please pick up" I mutter, desperate to just hear Bo's voice when I hear the phone ring. I know Bo was off from around 2pm this afternoon. I also know Bo wouldn't go anywhere without her phone and she's a good texter, usually answers me back in under ten minutes. The fact that she didn't reply to my text has me freaking out. It might be for no reason whatsoever, but I want...I need to hear Bo's voice just to reassure myself.
"Damnit," I curse as Bo's phone goes to voicemail. My mind jumps left and right. I tell myself to breathe and relax, to not jump to the worst possible conclusion. Bo's cellphone may just be dead, or she may be somewhere where she doesn't have reception.
I call Eve instead. With a frustrated sigh I end the call a minute later. No answer there either.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to set in our landing. At this time, I would like you to switch off your mobile devices.."
I don't let the Captain's announcement bother me as I quickly look online for the number of the Newport News police department. It doesn't take me long to get connected with them, but the conversation only leaves me frustrated and annoyed: Yes, I'm fucking well aware of the fact that I'm only operating on a hunch but should that matter!?
"Just please send someone over." I plead trying to keep my anger in check. "Quickly, please!"
"Ma'am, I have written down everything you have told me, and as soon as I have emergency response units available, they will de dispatched to the address provided."
"Thanks!" I sound out exasperated. I'm already getting looks from people around me in the plane, but I don't care. My nervous system is in overdrive now, and I call Bo's hotel. There are five rings until I get the automatic answering machine of the hotel telling me that all lines are currently busy and to call back later.
"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to put on your seatbelt now, and switch off your mobile phone. We are about to land," one of the flight attendants tells me, and with a huff I comply, strap in.
It takes only about ten minutes for the pilots to put the plane down, but those ten minutes feel like hours, and as soon as we're taxiing down the runway, I turn off flightmode on my phone again, and check to see if there's either a message from Bo or Eve, but there's nothing there.
I try calling both numbers again, and get nothing in response. I'm cursing, I'm tense. I'm so tense that docking the plane feels like another hour, although it probably takes only five minutes. As soon as the doors locks with the skyway, I bolt out of it I don't bother with claiming my luggage and instead just run towards the corridors I know are the fastest way out of the airport.
The Arrival Hall is a mass of people I struggle to move through. I'm halfway out when a single name on one of huge TV screen in the hall abruptly catches my attention.
"This morning the Richmond PD found the body of Detective Richard Petrovich dead in Westhampton lake not too far from the Detective's home..."
"Petrovich..." I'm momentarily frozen to the floor, my heart clenches in fear, and my eyes snap upwards catching the TV screen.
"Earlier last night, the police had also discovered the body of Detective David Miller and his family that had been dumped..."
"No, no..." I hear myself say, shaking my head. Miller and Petrovich were the two police officers that arrested Stacy. There's no doubt in my mind left now that I was right, and as that sickening realization takes hold of me I almost retch.
A moment later I swallow that feeling down and I'm running again. I cut off a family of five trying to get into a cab not bothering with an apology. I dive into my purse and grab two hundred dollars telling the cabby to get me to Bo's hotel as quickly as possible.
The cab driver floors it, and I hang on tight trying to keep it together. Every traffic light has me cursing. I ditch the cab stuck in a trafic jam and run the last couple of hundred meters to Bo's hotel room. The three police cars in front of the hotel have my heart contracting in fear again, but I run up the stairs and into the lobby. The hotel lobby is almost as crowded as the arrival hall at the airport. Everybody in the hotel is being evacuated, and I take advantage of the chaos to sneak past the police men trying to usher everyone out in an orderly fashion and run past them heading for the stairs.
As soon as I reach Bo's floor and exit the stairway, a police officer, addresses me. I don't pay attention to what he is saying, instead look past him to the entrance of room 366, Bo's room. There's a police line in front of the room, and officers are walking in and out of it shaking their heads dejectedly.
"Ma'am, you're not allowed to be here," the officer says momentarily pulling my attention to him.
"That's? that's my girlfriend in there," I sputter in protest.
"Ma'am, I'm going to have my colleague escort you out, and to the police station," the officer says. "There's nothing you can do here."
"I'm a Navy medical doctor, and I don't see any ambulances here yet!" I snap pulling out my military credentials. "Let me through, sergeant Martinez!" I add looking up from the nametag the officer has on his chest.
"Ma'am, there's nothing left for you to-"
"One of them has a pulse!" Somebody shouts from the room, and the officer's attention for me is lost for only a second. It's all I need to rush past him, swinging my military badge at everyone there. When I step into Bo's room my heart freezes.
There is blood everywhere.
And that effectively ends the story of Bo and Lauren in 2014...
So, yeah...Stacy is responsible for Bo's memory loss, and in the upcoming chapters we'll slowly find out the specifics of what happened in that hotel room. First though, it's time to go back to 2018, back to the Efteling, and see those days leading up at the amusement park through Lauren's eyes. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely reading the first chapter again to remind myself what happened. It's been a while..;-)
Let me know what you think...
Replies to reviews
Joan: Well,...haven't said I'm gonna stop writing for them straight away...:-) There are still some stories about them left to tell. :-)
Mulder: Yeah, Stacy is (like Frenchi said) a creature lost to the world... And as you could tell, you were quite right about the calm before the storm...
Jen: Thanks! :-) That's so kind of you to say! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story too.
Arrasto: Thanks :-) I love having your continued support! Big hugs!
Guest: Thanks! :-) I promise there will always be sexy and fluff doccubus moments in my stories in between everything else. Otherwise, what's the point of writing these stories? Bo and Lauren's love for one another is always an anchor point for them, what keeps them going even when it is hard to keep going.
Frenchi: Like you said Stacy is "a lost to the world creature". (Well put!...I might steal that line somewhere in the future.;-)) Not to worry about Bo and Lauren. In the end, they'll always find one another. :-)
J: Doom and gloom was right J...It had been coming for a long while I suppose...Don't worry about skipping a review on a chapter, I get about life kicking you... look at how long it took me to post this chapter. ;-)
Susan: It was really important for me to give Bo and Lo a couple of days/weeks of being in love before this all happened. They deserve happiness, and although the road ahead may be bumpy in the end, it will all have been worth it for them. :-)
Guest: You are awesome! Like I said, your reviews are really what keep me writing, keep me excited about sharing my stories and thinking them out in my head!
Sylvy: Lauren is adorable... and very much so in love with Bo, and I've always loved Lauren's inability to filter her thoughts in the show so...;-)
Blondy: Now. We're going back to 2018 now.
Guest: Thanks for letting me know you're enjoying my story! :-)
Ahsnaps: Gotta love geeky Lauren ;-) And awe! Thanks for the compliment, if you know of a producer who'd like to make it into a show, please let me know! ;-)
Insatiably Curious: Is feeling all of your emotions a bad or a good thing? The upcoming chapters are gonna be hard on Lauren, but also on Bo, but I'm excited to get started on writing them though and I hope you're excited about reading them!
Bahh: :) :-) :-)
