A Family Matter CH 7

Bo

I've been working on the food truck for the better hall of the morning, driving it to the front of the house from its designed spot on the side, and I can feel Lauren's eyes on me. Either she's watching me from the window from our doorway or making excuses to see me. Either way, I know something is up.

I know it was a lot, with Aife and Jack hovering around as of late, but I'm sure it's taking its toll on Lauren whether she admits it or not. I hate that she has to deal with this for me, but knowing she is, makes me love her even more.

With Aife staying with Kenzi for the past week, Lauren and I have finally feel settled in our new home. Sure, there is a spare room just in case Kenzi decides to live with us, but other than that it's perfect.

Jack has been around, stopping by randomly to say hi or whatever but he's back to his usual charming self... which scares me how easily his emotions can turn. After the second time, Aife offered their shared Marshal's number and he flew in the next day from Albuquerque, New Mexico to handle the situation at hand.

Aife asked to start filing for divorce against her husband, ready to start living a life that she may control and set up a new residence with the one and only Kenzi. Jack of course has no knowledge of this as of right now, but I have a feeling Trick and him are in this together.

If it's not the many missed calls from Jack, they're from my grandfather. Trick has been trying desperately to be ok with Lauren and i being together, but now that we are engaged, I have no idea how he will react. I honestly, I don't care anymore.

I can picture Lauren and I going to the courthouse saying our 'I do's' and finally being married to one another, but I know she wouldn't do that to her mother. I'm just ready to be married to her and start another chapter with her, but there is still one major obstacle standing in our way.

I can tell Lauren is worrying by the minute with the tumors on my brain. Sometimes I catch her just watching me, that faraway look and it makes my chest ache. I'm not sure why I'm so reluctant to schedule the surgery. I'm nervous, sure, but I think it makes all of this real if I take that step. It's just another thing that Lauren and I have to get passed to teach our happy ending.

Sometimes I find my thoughts drifting to Dyson and how my life would have turned out if I hadn't bumped into Lauren that day. I know now I was never really in love with him and I'm sad to think that I wasted so much time with him. But luckily fate stepped in and united me with someone I like to call my soulmate.

There are so many different layers that I discover each and every day I spend with her. She's so clumsy and nerdy, but she's also intelligent and sexy without even trying. Her humor is what keeps me on my toes, how she can joke about the randomness of things that turn a bad day good again.

And now I get to marry her and keep all of her to myself...forever.

Looking at my love, I see her watering the flowers...for the umpteenth time today. "Honey? Will you come here please?" It's hard to contain my smile at the guilty look on her face as she jogs over to me.

Lauren smiles and looks at the fresh paint I just got done last week on the truck and beams. "The truck looks good, Bo! Did you need any help with it?"

"Lauren..." I start and into her personal space, trying to read those hazel eyes of hers. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Her time is uneasy but not unfriendly.

"I mean; you keep staring at me like I'm going somewhere." I sigh as her head drops down for a second. "If this is about the-"

"Taco Thursday Throwdown!" Lauren barks out wide eyed. Her blush covers her face and I can't help but stare at her confused. What the hell is she talking about.

"Huh?" I watch silently as Lauren scrambles through her jeans and pulls out a crumpled up flyer. She tries to smooth is out but gives up and ends up handing it to me. "A baseball game?"

Lauren growls but it's more playful then anything. "No no no, look. It's a taco truck competition or a fundraiser technically but look!" She points to the bottom of the page at the fine print. "Anyone can participate. Well, anyone with a food truck." Lauren beams and pats the red metal behind me.

Is she insane? Does she really think that I could do this? "Lo, I don't know. I haven't even tried out the grill, nor really. And I'm not sure that tacos are my specialty. I do all foods..."

"I know you love to cook and I know you secretly love competition." She winks at me as I just smirk back at her. "I just think it'll be good to do this for a night. You know, get your name and food out there. What better way than at a local and popular baseball game?"

"You're serious? You really think I should do this?" She looks so hopefully and excited for me. I bet this is why she's been acting so strange lately. Man, was i off.

Nodding, Lauren takes my hands in her own, squeezing them softly. "It's up to you, Bo. But yeah, I think this is a first step for you. You're so talented in the kitchen. I know success is in your future, you just need to start somewhere."

Like I can say no to her, even if that didn't make sense. "Let's do it!" I squeal and jumped into her arms only for her to catch me.

Lauren's laugh is contagious as she spins me round and round and final puts me back down on solid ground. She is still staring at me like there is something else, but before I can even ask, she pulls out a diamond ring from her front pocket. "I thought we could make it official, even though you already asked me." Her thumb and pointer finger rub the beautiful silver band holding the diamond until it falls flat into her palm. "What do you say?"

My answer was simple as I crash my lips to hers with too much force. We end up falling onto the edge of our lawn, gasping for air between our fits of giggles. But when she slid the ring on my finger and she gives that lopsided smile of hers, my life felt complete with the love of my life never letting me go.

XXX

Lauren

Finally, a night that is drama free for Bo and I. After calling the host of the Taco Throwdown, we secured a spot for Bo to show off her many talents...regarding food.

There was a deposit for the spot and a rule book but all in all, it seemed simple enough for my fiancée. She even seemed to get more and more into the idea despite her initial reaction. The rest of the day she was calling places to do a truck/kitchen inspection and making her taco menu. I never got to see if first hand in a restaurant, but I could easily tell Bo missed the environment of it all.

But now, it's relaxing time. Vex and Tamsin invited us over for a casual dinner and we both jumped at the invitation. It's been hard trying to see my friend since finding out she is pregnant.

She has been working nonstop knowing soon she would have to be put on desk duty when she hits a certain point of her pregnancy. Vex hasn't been too happy about that, insisting she could stop work at any time since his shows and shops are succeeding (well, I might add) but she just isn't the type to sit at home all day. Either way, it's just nice to spend some time with my best friend.

"Wine or beer, lovelies?" Vex offers as soon as we take a seat in their living room, the fireplace giving off a nice warmth during the cooling nights. I'm always so excited to see winter come.

"I'll have a beer. Lo?" Bo squeezes my thigh shaking my gaze from the dancing fire to her warm chocolate eyes. "Uhm I'll have a coke if you have one?"

Tamsin emerges from the bathroom laughing and pointing at me. "Now that's why we are friends! You'd be impressed with my sofa collection since I'm denied beer for nine months."

Vex gives us our drinks and cuddles up next to his wife, chancing a glance at the clock. "It's been a few since I've see you two lovebirds. Tell me, how's life in the new neighborhood?" He winks knowing it's just about the same one as theirs.

I find it amusing, watching Bo flip her hair out of her face dramatically with her left hand, hoping someone; anyone would notice the engagement ring. She's been 'nonchalantly' practicing ever since we hopped into the keep and headed over.

Luckily, the two people whose jobs require very detailed work, notice immediately. "Holy shit! Holy shit! You guys?!" Tamsin uncharacteristically high pitch voice sails through the air as she jumps up. Her arms wrap around Bo and I still on the couch, murmuring incoherently.

"Thanks T, if we get technical though, Bo actually asked me that day you found out you were pregnant." I stare into Bo's eyes feeling her love pour through them. "It was perfect."

Vex claps his hands together and tries to get an overemotional Tamsin off of us. Apparently pregnancy hormones are already present and very active. Nonetheless, it means everything that they are happy for us.

I'm honestly surprised my mother hadn't said anything to them since she's been visiting Tamsin on the daily, dropping off little outfits for their baby, even if she's unsure of the sex. My mother is just excited to have a baby around, so lots of gender neutral colors are in Vex and Tamsin's future.

The rest of the evening went easy, catching up and light gossip from work. Just normal conversation, something I thought was boring before but now it's perfect. Something I will never complain about again.

Promises to have a family dinner once a week, we took our leave after dinner. Bo had a few glasses of wine but nothing she couldn't handle, but she seemed lost in thought for most of the drive, both letting the different songs on the radio fill the comfortable silence.

It wasn't until we pulled into the driveway that Bo broke it. "Lo?"

Turning the engine off, I unbuckle my seatbelt and mirror her actions, leaning my head on the headrest. "Yeah? You ok my love?"

That's when I see her struggling with the tears. I'm quick to reach her shaking hand and hold it tight. I can feel her ring scratching my palm softly. I'd wait like this for as long as she needed. "I-I think, I think I'm ready to schedule the surgery."

Now that is a surprise since she never, and I mean never, discusses this. "Yeah?" I say again causing a small curve in her lip, and almost grin.

"Yeah." She repeats and lets out a deep breath. "Maybe after the Taco Throwdown thingy? I think I'm ready."

I can tell she's scared, terrified really. So am I, but I've seen the scans and talked to many surgeons about her specific surgery and i gives me a bit of relief knowing the in and outs of it. "I'm glad, baby. I'm so proud of you." I kiss the fallen tears away. "You're so strong, Bo and such a fighter. And I'll be right there with you with every step."

Bo looks up at me with those puppy dog eyes that break my heart. "They'll have to shave my head...just like my mom's huh?" She asks combing her long hair, uncertainty clear as day.

Shaking my head, I pull her hand away from her hair, because that's not important to me. Looks only last so long and Bo is only as beautiful as long as her personality stays the same. "Isabeau... are you gorgeous? Of course. I can never manage to not stare at you. But is that what made me fall in love with you? Absolutely not."

I reach up and lightly, playfully tug on her hair. "I don't love you for this." And slide my hand towards her fast beating heart. "But for this."

"My boob?" She jokes but she knows.

Giving her boob a squeeze, I printed to think about it. "Welllll..."

"Lauren!" She giggles and slaps my hand away.

"You just had to ruin the moment, didn't you?" I smile sideways at her insistent nodding. "Well I chose you so I guess I'll have to keep you."

"You're damn right! But thank you. You always know how to make me feel better, Lauren." Bo unbuckles her own seatbelt and gets out of the car, waiting for me to do the same.

Finally, hand in hand, I nudge her shoulder with my own as we walk up the path to our home. "I can't wait to marry you. I love you so much...even if you enjoy teasing me."

Bo purses her lips and pecks me on the cheek, she rubs her hand on the arm she's leaning on. "I love you too. So much."

Our journey isn't over. The bumps are still straight ahead, but we are figuring it out and fighting for our love. Maybe it will get better or at least easier for us. But one step at a time, even if it's a step of an ant, we will be right there for one another. Forever.

AN: Another chapter up! How was it? Hopefully enjoyable! Thanks for reading!

Twitter:Thelabcoat13