A Family Matter CH3
Bo
"So? What do you think of it?" Lauren's mother asks as she comes up beside me. Jane has been fixing a few things to the house Lauren surprised me with and gave me the keys to our new kingdom.
When Lauren asked me to move in, I never thought that she already picked a place out, but I have never been more relieved. At first I was a little upset for missing the search for a home milestone, but after these few months I'm just happy to have a new place to start our life together.
I haven't spoken to my undead dad or Trick since that devastating encounter a few weeks prior. I didn't realize how much pain and resentment I would hold over them, but it has reared its ugly head. Apparently, my mother has come to town also, but I just can't seem to face her yet either.
Lauren has been nothing but supportive. Along with being there for me, but also working hard at the hospital and also selling some of her liquor flavors. I wasn't sure why she was working so much since we had enough for food and rent, but it all made sense when she handed me the key.
The four-bedroom house with the two car garage and pool in the backyard in the suburbs, has been nothing but a dream. It's the same neighborhood as Tamsin's and Vex's and ten minutes away from her mother's place. Something I didn't find important until having them become a reoccurring fixture in my life.
"It's perfect." I breathe out, touching the immaculate country style kitchen.
"Well, I do have pretty awesome taste." Lauren's smug voice makes me turn to see her leaning against the entryway. She dressed in an old Doors tees and loose fitting jeans. There is a thin sheet of sweat on her face and a small smudge of dirt wiped across her forehead. Not to mention the dirt worker gloves hanging out of her back pocket.
Jane squeezes my shoulder as she passes. "And she's humble too." The joke earns an eye roll from Lauren, but Jane just chuckles. "Did you finish her surprise, honey?"
My girlfriend gives me a big grin, nodding. "Just waiting for you guys to finish looking around." She walks up to me and kisses my cheek. Lauren not too subtly gives her mom a look and she soon vanishes just leaving us in the kitchen. "Soooooo, what do you think of our new home?"
"Well for one, I'm kind of loving how sexy you look being all domestic." I giggle and tug her closer so I can claim her lips. "I don't think there is a better house out there. You spoil me, Lo."
"You deserve to be spoiled. Now," she takes a hold of my hand and guides me outside. "I made you a something."
I could tell Lauren had been worried about me since we saw Jack. Not to mention the bomb her dropped on us about being dosed with an infection that causes brain tumors, but we are both working through it. Well, the best we can.
Honestly, I've been doing nothing but avoiding the information as well as my 'family'. Lauren is trying to get me into the hospital for tests, but I'm just over all of the bad that has been happening to me. We've argued a few times about it, but I get closed off and bitchy whenever she brings it up. I can tell she is worried and I hate that I'm acting this way. But I am trying.
Just this morning, I apologized and we finally made an appointment for me to get the tests. Lauren reminded me and keeps reminding me, that this is just another obstacle in our story. But it is nothing we can't get through. I love it when she throws the 'we' out there. It helps that I'm not only dealing with all of this alone, but with the best partner in the world. How I managed to be so lucky, I will never know. But I'm thankful either way.
Walking out back, I'm stunned at the view. The green grass, the flowers along the fences, the crystal clear pool. But it's none of those that makes me gasp. No it's the small greenhouse on the side of the house.
"I-I know you always loved fresh fruits and veggies. So I t-thought you might be interested in starting a garden with me?" Lauren's stutter is adorable. She normally so cool and confident, but this shy woman always seems to make me melt.
"Did you build this? Like with tools?" I laugh out and drag her towards the small hut. "I mean, I knew you are good with your hands, but holy shit!"
Laugh laughs and holds me, slowly dancing to nothing. "I did. Kenzi helped of course, so be extra nice to her. She broke a heel and everything."
"Well that's what she gets for wearing heels to do that." I take a moment to squeeze the love of my life and hold her. "Thank you."
"Anything for you." She says before slowly pulling back. "We just have to pack up our apartments now, then we will be free of that place. It'll be nice to go to sleep and wake up next to you. I can't wait."
I smirk and am about to remind her that we kind of already do that, but instead I just claim her lips. "Me too."
Lauren
These past few days are nothing what I had imagined. I thought I would ease back into work, after my vacation of bliss, and Bo would begin her food truck adventure. But this curveball that has been thrown towards us, towards Bo, has twisted all of those plans like a knot of barbed wire.
"Dr. Lewis, the scans are up now." I snap my attention to the technician's voice. Popping up in the darkened room are various MRI scans of my girlfriend's brain, and through the glass in front of us is Bo lying in a hospital gown underneath the machine. "Is there a certain section we should start with or could it pop up anywhere, Doctor?"
"Unfortunately, they could be anywhere. Whatever that has caused these tumors in her family, they take a lifetime to grow, but where at is a mystery." My voice is confident. My years of dealing with patients has made this part easy. But my heart is aching for the woman I love and how hard she is taking all of this.
"Lauren?" Bo's voice sounds in the room and I'm quick to press the intercom. "I'm right here, Isabeau. We are almost finished then we can begin our date night!"
It has been awhile since we got to have a night out alone. It's just a simple dinner and sightseeing, but that's all Bo and I need. Just each other's company. It'll be perfect for us to just reconnect. Not to mention, I moved my bed into our house, so I hope she will be surprised and as excited as I am to spend our first night together in our new home.
"Page me if you find anything, anything at all please." The tech nods and gets immediately back to searching the multiple scans. Dr. Dallas has saved much time and put together a team specifically for Bo's case. She has been kind enough to try and keep all of this quiet for my sake as well as Bo's.
"I can take it from here, Dr. Lee!" I holler as I see the tall man wheeling Bo back to a room. She looks so pissed that she is in a wheel chair, but it's just better since it's quite the walk from here to there. "I hope you are not giving my coworkers a hard time." I tease the brunette and start to push.
She huffs and her hand reaches behind her and finds my own. "Just keeping them on their toes, babe." Bo smirks and all I can do is laugh. "But seriously, everyone is being wonderful. I'm going to have to send everyone here lunch for a week after this VIP treatment."
"I think they would love that. The food in the cafeteria is...well let's just say I'm glad there are leftovers after you cook!" It's moments like this that have been rare these few days. After Bo learned about her parents, things have been tense. Not to mention how depressed Bo has been. It breaks my heart seeing this once joyful and playful woman stuck in a dark place.
When we get to the room, a buzzing in my pocket is quick to get my attention. "Hey T." I say into the phone.
Tamsin's voice is rushed through the line. "Hotpants! Are you at the hospital? I need your help."
"Who is that?" Bo smiles at the look on my face. I never get to see my best friend in a panic so it's always delightful. "It's Tamsin." I whisper. "What's up? You should out of breath?"
"I need your help. It's urgent! Vex is an idiot and I need you to calm me down before I make him disappear for real!" Tamsin growls and I look at the phone and peek outside. Just as I thought. That growl sounded way to close. Looking down the relatively quiet hallway, there's Tamsin stomping her boots carrying a large backpack.
Confused at the sight, I end the call and wave her over. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from Clovis PD's finest?"
Tamsin doesn't answer me, only pushes me inside Bo's room and shuts the door. Bo keeps her amused expression to herself and continues to change, not bothered by mine and Tamsin's BBF moments. I'm not even sure if my friend realizes she is in there. Tamsin is just gripping the beige backpack like a lifeline.
But before I can ask again, Tamsin rips the zipper apart and dumps it contents on the bed. I'm shocked to see about thirty thin plastic sticks come pouring out. "Are those..?"
"Yes!" Tamsin screams out before covering her mouth with both hands. "They keep showing up positive."
I can't help but smile as I reach for a pair of gloves and snap them on. Picking up one of the bunch, I look closer. "You are pregnant? You're pregnant!" I cheer and wrap my arms around my friend. "Congratulations! Why are you so upset, T?"
"I-I don't know if I'll be a good mom. I can barely take care of myself. How am I supposed to take care of a baby?" Her voice is so small. I never have seen Tamsin is such a vulnerable state, but this is what friendship is about.
"Tamsin, you are crazy if you think you can't take care of a baby. Shit, you've been taking care of me since we were kids." I feel Bo place her hand on my lower back, encouraging me to continue. "You and Vex are a team. You have been for all of these years, taking care of each other. I just know you both will protect and love this baby. You guys are going to be the greatest parents, I just know it."
Tamsin sniffles and wipes the tears from her face. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so." I tell her with conviction. "Plus, the kid is gonna have an amazing aunt, just in case." I say wiggling my eyebrows.
Chuckling, Tamsin punches my shoulder but soon wraps me back into a tight hug. "Thanks Hotpants. You always know just how to keep me calm." She sighs and steps away and swipes her arm across the tests and puts them back in the backpack. "I guess I better go tell Vexy Poo that he made a baby appear. Fuck, I can already her the magic jokes coming from that idiot's mouth."
I cringe thinking of the pee sticks on the bed and now my friends arm, but I manage a smile. "Happy to help. Now go tell your husband."
"Will do, I'll see you two later. We still need to catch up. I haven't see you guys since your vacation to the cabin." Tamsin's phone rings and she's quick to grab it. "I'll text you later!" She yells as she leaves.
Bo
"Wow... Tamsin and Vex are having a baby." I wrap my arms around Lauren from behind and rest my chin on her shoulder. "That baby is going to be so adorable!"
Lauren hums and leans back into me. "I know. I know Tamsin is freaking out now, but as soon as they said 'I do' to one another, I just knew they were meant for each other. It's refreshing to see a married couple still as happy as the day they met."
"Are you happy?" I ask before I could even think.
Lauren turns in my arms and her eyes are searching my own. Her hand finds my cheek and holds it there. "I am. And if you don't realize that, then I need to try harder. Because I am, Bo. I don't think I've ever been happier than when I have been with you. I love you. All of me loves you."
A lump forms in my throat as I take a ragged breath. "I know you do, Lo. I'm sorry for asking, sorry that I've been hard to be with lately-"
"Hey," Lauren silences me. "You have been amazing. Sure this year has been hell for you, with Trick and ex's and now your parents. But I wouldn't change anything because I get to be with you. I get to call you mine and love you every second of everyday. We will get through this like we got through the rest. Together."
"Together." I repeat with a smile. "I love you, Lauren."
"And I love you, Bo." I gasp at the kiss that follows. Lauren's soft kiss, moving smoothly over my own, causes every nerve ending to tingle. With her arms do right around me and her tongue tracing my lips, it feels like home. I could blame the lack of oxygen or the euphoria that has clouded my thoughts, but I know better. And I cannot seem to give one care as the words tumble out of my mouth as we part for air.
"Marry me."
AN: Moving things along! Next up Bo/Jack/Aife get into it and test results will be out! Thanks for continuing with this one and hope it's still entertaining to you guys. Let me know what you think!
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