Hi guys!
Big thank you as always to my dedicated readers and everyone who's hitting the Follow/Favourite buttons too.
Kk, you were the first to review the last chapter and while humility prevents me from agreeing with you, your comment did put a huge grin on my face so thank you!
Ready for the next instalment?
Chapter Seven
Lauren's head jerked for the dozenth time as for the fourth night in a row, she lay between her two dozing children. Without Bo's comforting presence, the family house had felt less and less like their safe little cocoon against the world while every night the twins cried for their other mother. For the first time since her wedding day, Lauren was at a complete loss. It wasn't like she had been keeping the Succubus from Charlotte and Ethan, far from it, but since her last encounter with the 'black fog' as they had named it, it had been by mutual agreement that Bo would stay at Dyson's where the Wolf could keep a watchful eye on her while Lauren remained with the children at home. Despite the amicability of the situation, however, this did nothing to ease the uneasy ache that plagued the three Lewis-Dennis' during the long, dark Winter nights.
Lauren had been doing her best between comforting frightened children and caring for her patients at the Clinic, to find a solution to Bo's predicament; often jolting awake when a heavy tome flopped onto her lap from where she had fallen asleep reading under the little clip-on booklight while the kids slumbered either side of her.
Saoirse and Dagny had taken upon the two of them the role of 'watchdog', each taking shifts protecting the house at night. Lauren had chuckled, thinking that resident guard dog seemed more like something suited to Dyson. Still, it did provide some measure of relief she supposed, although the young Valkyrie would bear some minding. Like Lauren herself, Dagny still opted to maintain her work at the Clinic and the toll of this extracurricular activity was beginning to show in the slight strain around her soulful eyes. The Doctor made a mental note to have a little chat with her protégé before too long.
Each night, Lauren had dug up further texts on the histories of the Cogitatio. In an abstract way, their story was actually quite fascinating, having believed to be extinct until very recently. Like the Mesmers, their kind had been hunted during the Great Purge as being deemed too powerful for their own good. Or put another way; too much of a threat to the established order. It seemed that Christophe, like Vex, was one-of-a-kind. What she couldn't figure out, though, was how exactly de Villiers was performing his tricks on her wife. She realised long ago that it had to be something to do with his abilities as a Cogitatio combined with something in his Hydra blood…but where was the damn link?
Exhausted, she allowed the ridiculously heavy text to drop onto her pyjama-clad thighs with a painful smack then cursed herself for being so noisy, battering the back of her head against the suede-clothed headboard and huffing in resignation, forced to submit to the point of diminishing returns. Her head lolled to the side and in the dim moonlight she could just make out the silhouettes of herself and Bo on their wedding day, memorialised forever behind glass on the nightstand. She reached down and kissed Charlotte's honeyed hair, never taking her eyes off the picture and sighed wistfully.
Bo, I really hope you can hear me honey 'cause I really miss you. I need you so much right now baby. Come back to us. Please? Just come back to us, Bo.
Bo sashayed her way into the main Saloon and immediately broke out into a beaming grin the instant she spotted her two troublemakers, looking as though they were driving Auntie Kenzi crazy! The pint-sized Russian threw her arms up in relief as soon as the Succubus appeared;
"Well thank god!" She cried, striding over to her best friend, "yeah, so, guess what! It turns out that educational, science-y, colouring books with lots of explanation diagrams are dull! I mean, who knew, right?"
"Uh, right. Gotta love Doctor Mom…speaking of, is my dearly beloved around somewhere?" Asked Bo, glancing around the room distantly.
"Hey, you agreed to this, remember? For dey lid-del deti, ya?" She replied in an overexaggerated accent, smacking her hands to the Succubus' shoulders.
"Yes, I did but it sucks!" Bo exclaimed loudly, clenching her fists mid-air.
"Oy, oy, Bo-Bo. Still with me there, cowgirl?" Kenzi replied warily, eyeing her friend for any subtle changes. It was true that while she had been staying with her and Dyson, Bo hadn't had any attacks but Kenzi wasn't about to write off the possibility either.
"Yeah, Kenz, it's still me," she puffed desolately, "I'm just pissy. Please don't tell me you're scared of me too?" she eyed her friend hopefully.
"Moi? Afraid of my lil' hot mama-yama? Pfft, puh-lease! Never in your life sweet-cheeks! I got ya. Always do." She said, slapping an arm across her best friend's shoulders and drew her over to her two rather hyperactive twins. "The Wondersnatch offspring on the other hand? Please take them back momma!"
"Dyson, your leaning over me is not helping," grumbled Lauren. "I can't work with you hovering over me like that!" The Wolf lowered his gaze to the table and backed away out of the woman's light. The doctor clearly wasn't in the right frame of mind for company. He noticed the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way the corners of her eyes crinkled in desperate tension and lowered himself quietly into a chair opposite.
"Don't you think-" he began but Lauren immediately held up a hand to him.
"I will take a break when I've found a cure for Bo." It was said so definitely with no room for argument that Dyson allowed a silence to pervade, his strong fingers toying lightly with a few crumbling pages from a nearby book while he contemplated his next words.
"I'm cancelling the Yule Ball" he said quietly. The blonde's head snapped up, looking a little thrown by the change in topic.
"What?"
"I'm cancelling the Yule Ball." He repeated slowly.
"But, but that's tomorrow night." Lauren sputtered through the haze of ancient knowledge clouding up her mind.
"Doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does Dyson." She countered, "everyone's been looking forward to this for weeks!"
"Hey guys, what up?" Called Bo as she swung down the last few steps to the Lair, her heels clattering loudly over the stone floor.
"Dyson's cancelling Yule!" exclaimed Lauren, hoping that Bo would be just as appalled as she was.
"Wait, what? Dyson, you can't do that!" Said Bo indignantly, hoisting her hands firmly onto her hips.
"It just doesn't seem appropriate with everything that's going on right now."
"Dyson, it's exactly because of everything that's going on right now that we all need a break," the Succubus broke in, "and the kids are really excited." She continued, pausing to catch Lauren's eye, the Wolf far from oblivious to the warmth exchanged in that all-too-brief gaze. "They really wanna see their best mom in her new dress."
Caught between two very formidable (or stubborn, he thought privately) women he finally grudgingly relented, raising his hands in supplication. Then he realised he'd been caught when Lauren glared at him from across the table. Perhaps his musings had been louder than he realised and he shrunk ruefully back into his seat at the blonde's answering smirk.
"Okay fine but if anything goes wrong then I abnegate all responsibility. Understood?" He said, looking between the two.
"Agreed." Replied both.
"Although if you run out of booze, that's your drama" added Bo.
Very little remained of the old Ash's compound, the period immediately following the destruction of the old Light Fae grounds by Bo's mother Aoife had been too fraught with dangers of one kind or another that for a long while the remains of the old buildings had simply gone to wrack and ruin. Eventually though, when tensions had settled and a sense of normal, everyday life had returned to Faedom, the decision had been made to rebuild the ballroom, available to host any passing dignitaries or festivals like Yule, Samhain and La Shoshain. This time, however, the galas held here would be open to all, not simply those and such as those. Many of the original sumptuous features had been salvaged and now high chandeliers gleamed vibrant and new, floor to ceiling windows and mirrors shone and refracted a mystical glow and the silvery paving resonated boldly. It had been generally agreed that this corner of their heritage should not only be available to a select few but to all Faekind.
Now, Bo strolled through the landscaped gardens, passingly admiring the neatly trimmed hedge sculptures as stone fountains splashed, causing icy rivulets of water to tickle her skin while her deep burgundy silken gown with the intricately decorated velvet bodice swished about her feet. She was surprised to find herself thinking of Evony. Having said that, the perfectly manicured grounds did bear a striking resemblance to the former Morrígan's estate and the Succubus couldn't help but reluctantly admit to herself that occasionally she did miss the old witch. The woman had been evil incarnate but at least she never failed to liven things up when she was around. And she had sass by the bucket load. Bo could respect that. Then in the distance there she was and Bo had to halt by a convenient statue of a well-developed man complete with rather disappointing tackle on show. Lauren.
The Succubus fought to regain the breath that had apparently been sucked from her lungs in a great whoosh before striding purposefully over to the blonde who stood in deep conversation with a man Bo didn't recognise. She seemed to have grown by an extra foot since she had seen her the day before and her golden locks had been piled high upon her head with a variety of grips and clasps while a mint coloured muslin sheathe trailed from her neck, all the way down her back to the floor, leaving toned shoulders and sculpted arms bare to the cool night air and looking every bit the Greek Goddess in her own right. Her long fingers delicately grasped a champagne flute that sparkled exquisitely in the light from a nearby flaming cauldron, one of several casting a welcome warmth over the exposed courtyard.
"My god, I married a beautiful woman." Bo murmured behind her. The blonde spun in happy surprise at the sound of her wife's voice, flushing at the compliment in the other woman's words. The man proceeded to excuse himself politely, suddenly aware that he was no longer welcome but his good manners went largely unnoticed as he sloped off.
"Really? I could say the same. You look incredible Bo." She replied, dipping her head shyly. It had been a while since Lauren had done that, Bo noted and it made her feel acutely the distance that had developed between them over the last little while but nor could she deny a slight thrill either. It felt a bit like when they had first started dating. She thought about asking where the children were but then stopped herself before the words made it to her mouth. She knew the kids would be well taken care of by one of their well-meaning family. Just for tonight, she wanted to enjoy being part of an unstoppable couple. Bo wasn't bullish or big-headed but she knew that her and Lauren could make for two very stunning women individually. Together however, they were unstoppable. A force of nature. Raising her hand, Bo silently invited Lauren to join her inside where she led them to the dancefloor.
For the second time at a Yule Ball, Lauren was aware of a variety of startled glances and awestruck gasps being directed at her and her partner but this time it was for all the right reasons. In very un-Lauren-like fashion she once again revelled under the envious gazes of passers-by looking on as the doctor was waltzed around the room by her Succubus lover. The slowly, they all melted away, the chatter, the laughter and merry-making, even the music until there were only the two of them. She couldn't remember the last time they had connected like this. Yes, they made love regularly but at least a part of that did boil down to necessity. Tonight, was sheer indulgence. The honest joy of just being together because they could and for some unknown reason, the blonde had the ever-increasing sensation that she must burn this moment to memory from the combined scent of candlewax and her wife's perfume to the dizzying sensation of being spun around in Bo's arms safe in the knowledge that she would not fall. Something was telling her to hold on to this one tight.
Eventually dehydration caught up with them though and they left the polished-wood dancefloor hand-in-hand in favour of finding their children and sustenance although not necessarily in that order! The found Charlotte and Ethan giggling as Dyson, Saoirse and Dagny took turns spinning them high in the air to the breezy sounds of the orchestra while Kenzi dug enthusiastically into the shrimp dip.
"You guys having fun?" called Bo.
"Mom!" squealed the kids and Lauren eyed her wife sardonically.
"They've been missing you." Bo gave a lopsided smile and dashed forward to meet her two tiny rugrats before picking them both up easily, one in each arm.
"Doesn't your Momma look pretty?" She asked to which both nodded.
"So do you Mom!" yelled Ethan, right into Bo's ear. The Succubus wiggled her jaw and frowned comically while Lauren slipped over to join Dagny and Saoirse, letting Bo have some quality catch-up time with the kids.
"So, what do you think?" She asked, inserting herself between the two younger women. Saoirse smiled faintly, looking around the room;
"It's just like you described. I've never seen anything like it before. So many colours in one place." The Griffin was used to vivid colours, of course, but they had been more of the changing seasons variety. Vast landscapes awash with great swathes of gold and crisp Autumnal reds. This was like an explosion in a paint box with women in dresses of all shades while the walls were festooned with holly and berries and other symbols of Yule while through the huge windows it was still possible to glimpse the fresh snow dappled grass of what had once been a complex of buildings but had since been laid to lawn. Lauren followed Saoirse's gaze and leaned in close to murmur in her daughter's ear, pointing to various spots within the view;
"This was where I…worked," she began, choosing her words carefully, "when I met your mother. My lab used to be just on the other side of that terrace. Out the back where that gravel path leads was a walk down to a wild garden where I used to collect herbs and medicinal plants. 'Dara used to slip me away in the afternoons for walks and tell me all about your home."
At first, Saoirse didn't respond, staring thoughtfully into her glass, aware of Lauren's scrutiny beside her but not quite sure how to form the words to what she was thinking. The blonde sensed this and took the young woman's hand gently within her own.
"I'm not so sure it feels like home anymore Mom. Not now."
Lauren took a deliberately deep breath before she spoke next. She had believed for some time now that her daughter had had something she needed to get off her chest but was also aware that the Griffin was giving her the respect of their current situation. Lauren ducked to catch her eye;
"When this is all over, I promise you honey, we will talk about this. Okay?" She said, tucking an imaginary loose hair behind Saoirse's ear, taking a second to admire the brunette's perfect up-do and she glanced with a curious raised brow in Dagny's direction who merely grinned conspiratorially then shrugged as if to say 'no big deal'.
As the evening wore on, Lauren grew more and more weary, almost nodding off on one of the comfortably plush sofas that Dyson and Kenzi had found for them all to relax on., having colonised a small corner. The twins were looking a touch wabbit too so the blonde made an executive decision and lifted Charlotte up into her arms while Bo grabbed Ethan. Lauren had started to protest when Bo started leading them to her car, stating that she shouldn't have to go out of her way to drop them all off but the Succubus had silenced her confidently, telling the blonde that it was her prerogative to make sure her family got home safe. Lauren couldn't find it within herself to argue. She knew that since gaining her own inherited-Gryphon powers she was more than capable of dealing with any threat that came her way but she also had missed Bo's protectiveness. The Succubus was just so assertive in a way that the quiet, bookish scientist would never be.
The kids dozed as Bo's beloved Camaro rolled to a quiet stop outside the Dennis-Lewis residence, the brakes only squealing slightly. Silently, the two women eased around to the back and unclipped their two angels, carrying them up to bed. It didn't take much effort to ease the pair of them out of their party outfits and into pyjamas, tucking them soundly beneath the blankets. The two proud mothers smiled at each other over the heads of the children as they took turns in kissing them to sleep before heading back downstairs.
"Bo?" Said Lauren, stopping them before Bo made it to the front door. "Do you maybe wanna stay?" She asked hopefully. Bo looked at her for a moment before edging closer to run her knuckles lightly down Lauren's cheek;
"Do I want to? Yes, so much but it's not a good idea Lo. We both know I should go…before we start anything." She added impishly. Lauren flushed at the hint of suggestiveness in Bo's tone and turned the brunette's hand within her own to press her lips firmly to the other woman's palm.
"I miss you." She whispered.
"I know. I miss you too."
Without another word, Bo pulled forward and slid an arm around Lauren's waist, sidling her body to the blonde's, a sound of pleasure at the way they fit together so perfectly issuing from slightly parted lips as she kissed her.
The kiss was soft and longing, a promise of better times to come but then cut all too short when Bo pulled away, squeezing Lauren's fingers as a way of easing the severed contact.
"I love you Lo."
Then she was gone.
The following morning Bo breezed up the stairs and into the Dàl with the carefree air of a new lover;
"Good morning all!" she sang. "Where's Lauren and the kids?" she asked, stopping in mid-stride. Dyson shrugged and sipped his coffee at the bar.
"Not here. What's got you so chipper?" He replied, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Eh, nothing I guess." She said, flopping onto a bar stool and stretching to shuffle the coffee pot closer to her empty and waiting mug. Dyson rolled his eyes and picked it up, depositing a fresh brew before her which she gulped at gratefully. "You sure she's not here? She said she would be here early and that she'd be bringing the kids with her."
"Maybe she's just help," chimed Kenzi, "you know those guys take after you in the morning!" Bo clasped a hand to her ample bosom in mock horror and gasped but still, she couldn't help the tint of worry that now edged around her senses.
"I think I'm gonna go call her." She said, hopping off the stool and over to a more private corner.
The phone rang several times before the voicemail finally kicked in and Lauren's dulcet intonations could be heard instructing the caller to leave a message.
"Hey, Lo, it's me. Just wondering where you are. Umm…I'm hoping maybe you're just driving or something and that you'll be here soon. Okay? Love you. Bye."
Another hour passed as Bo grew more agitated. Dyson and Kenzi exchanged worried glances as the Succubus paced across the saloon, gripping her phone for dear life. Suddenly Bo's stilettoed steps changed direction as she grabbed her jacket and headed for the door.
"That's it. She should be here by now, I'm going over there. You two coming?"
"Right behind ya Bo-Bo!" called Kenzi as she hurried to catch up to her best friend's longer strides. Dyson sighed and tossed his bar cloth to the side and followed the two women, locking the door behind him. When would this place ever get to turn a profit?!
The instant Bo walked through the front door it was clear that something was very, very wrong. All over the floor were strewn papers, smashed lamps and overturned side tables.
"Lauren?"
"Doc?" Bo and Kenzi took turns calling out. Dyson sniffed at the air.
"She's not here Bo. They've gone. All of them."
As the trio stepped further into the house Kenzi stopped dead in her tracks and pointed to smashed mirror above the fireplace. Scrawled across the cracked surface in one of Bo's very own bright red lipsticks were the words;
'Can't catch me! Come find me Bo!"
Dyson and Kenzi both took a hard swallow and the air about them began to swirl, whipping ice cold through their hair while paper and dust twirled through the room in a violent storm. Bo's arms were raised and her face to the Heavens as she screamed like all the Banshees in Hell, her eyes projecting a terrifying white glow;
"WHERE. IS. MY. FAMILY."
Well, folks, really hope you enjoyed that. Think of it as a New Year Bumper Edition! Speaking of; big thanks to all who liked/reviewed my New Year Reflections piece.
I wish all of my loyal readers a very happy and peaceful New Year and I hope that 2017 brings you wonderful things.