Thank you to all who have continued to read my story, and for having an open mind on a non-doccubus story. There are so many amazing ones out there, but I just wanted to do something different. You all are simply amazing! :)
Lauren's Office ~ Same Day
"This was quite the surprise, Kenzi." Lauren said quietly to her girlfriend whose head lay gently on her shoulder; drawing light patterns on her back. They hadn't bothered to dress yet and continued to rest on the couch with a spare blanket to cover them.
Stretching ever so slightly she leaned up to give her doctor a quick kiss before reclaiming her position.
"I saw your reaction when I teased you about having an assistant fantasy. So I thought what better way to get your attention?"
"You always have my attention. Even when I allow myself to get distracted, you're never far from my thoughts."
"Is that so? And what do you think of aside from no one being able to pull these boots off like me?" She teased.
Laughing lightly "No one can do anything quite like you, babe." Lifting her by the chin to meet her gaze, "I wouldn't trade you for the world. I hope you realize that by now."
Her breath caught in her throat wholly unprepared for Lauren's last declaration. She had no doubts about her place in the blonde's life but it was still hard to believe. Kenzi had long ago given up on any chances of being in love after she had broken up with Nate. She was very much her own person yet there was something about being loved by this extraordinary woman who made her feel validated as a person. The young woman had beat the odds of her abusive upbringing, and her time on the streets that still left her haunted with a sense of shame over some of her actions.
Lauren watched as Kenzi processed her words, slightly concerned that maybe it was too much. She thought of apologizing but then stopped as she recognized one of the emotions that had passed through her eyes.
"Hey, talk to me. No more secrets remember?"
"A story for another time okay? I want to tell you but..." shaking her head she looked down for a moment before returning to meet Lauren's concerned look "...I haven't even told Bo."
"Whenever you're ready, I'm here. Now where should we go for our vacation?"
Relieved for the change in subject she smiled when she thought of the possibilities.
"I hear Paris has great shopping and oh the fashion! I've seen pictures of the beaches in Greece too! We may need to flip a coin."
"Or we can do both. We'll spend the first two weeks in Paris, taking in all the sights and shops. Then we'll head to Greece to unwind before we return with Tamsin in tow." She turned to look at back her girlfriend smiling at the happiness that reflected in her eyes.
"You're serious right? This isn't some joke?"
"I wouldn't dare tease you about taking you shopping as long as this isn't your only stint as my assistant."
"I think we can work something out there. Tamsin? How will that work?"
"She told me that another valkyrie will find me to deliver her. I just thought it would be fun for to experience the beach as a kid for once." Seeing Kenzi's confused expression she explained further. "You were resting the night of your attack when she came over. She asked me where I wanted to take us for vacation and revealed that she fought battles on the beach, but never got to enjoy them. I just think it would be fun for her."
"You truly are incredible, Dr. Lewis."
Leave it to her girlfriend to remember a detail like that and want to find a way to make it happen. It left her feeling a little more in love with her. She was thankful that when Tamsin returned to them that she would be around five years of age. Not that she would have objected had the valkyrie been returned as an infant, but she was happy not to worry about midnight feedings and diaper changes. At least not yet.
A knock at the door interrupted further discussion and it was in that moment that Kenzi realized that she had failed to lock the door.
"Dr. Lewis" Hale called out as the door started to open he was focused on the paper in his hands that he didn't notice the scramble to his right.
Lauren covered Kenzi in the blanket while she quickly threw on lab coat turning to throw a bewildered look at the brunette for not locking the door. She shouldn't be too surprised as the door at the club house was rarely closed, and she was known for leaving her door open at times.
"What can I do for you?" The doctor hadn't seen much of Hale since Tamsin had valkyried out on him.
Still focused on his papers, "I've received word that you will be fostering Tamsin but she is still dark fae, and it cannot be done on light fae property." He finished finally looking up to see Lauren clutching her lab coat closed, and Kenzi on the couch with only her face and boots showing.
Shaking his head he continued, "I found some houses on neutral territory for you to look over. Once you decide, we can have you moved in no time with top-notch security. Have you decided when you would like to take your leave?"
"Ah, yes we have and thank you I think we'd like to leave in a few days."
"Alright, sounds good. You realize that this door has a lock right, Doc?"
Looking over at her girlfriend she narrowed her eyes slightly "I was under the impression that it was locked."
"I see. Well, why don't you two get dressed and see me in my office in thirty minutes?"
Lauren walked over to the door to lock if after he left; leaning against it breathing a sigh of relief that he hadn't walked in earlier.
"Have I ever told you how hot you look in just your lab coat?" Kenzi asked as she stood up to walk over towards her.
"Kenzi." Lauren admonished still feeling embarrassed a the position Hale had found them in but at least he seemed more amused than anything.
"I'm sorry. I guess I was wrapped into seeing you that it slipped my mind." She snuck her arms into the coat as she began to place kisses along her collarbone.
Relenting a little and grateful that it wasn't anyone else that walked in on them. Then again a few of the fae that worked for her had superior hearing so that definitely explained the lack of interruption for the last two hours.
"Mmm...I suppose I can't be too upset with you then, but we need to get dressed." She said as she pulled back from Kenzi's embrace, but was surprised to see the lust filled gaze of her girlfriend before deciding that Hale could wait a few extra minutes.
Paris, France ~ 1 Week Later
The happy couple had spent the last few days exploring the city, and all that it had to offer. Lauren loved seeing Kenzi all excited as she went into the shops carefully selecting what pieces she wanted to buy. Hale had arranged a fae security detail for them to ensure their safety, which meant they often carried most of the goth's shopping bags.
They had chosen a house together as well as submitting a list of their specifications. Lauren would have her own basement lab with many of the features held at the light fae compound. Kenzi didn't have any requests; she merely teased that as long as the fridge was stocked that she was good to go along with an awesome game room. She declared the latter would be essential especially as Tamsin came of age. Later though, Lauren had emailed Hale to request that a room be turned into a huge dressing room that would accomadate all of her clothing; complete with a huge mirror to line her make up station. Given the amount purchased on this trip it wouldn't take anytime for Kenzi to fill it.
Glancing at her watch she knew they would have to leave soon to make their reservations. Lauren had given a lot of thought about how she wanted to this evening to go and even though she was sure of what the answer would be; it made her no less nervous.
"You alright, Lauren?" Kenzi tightened her hold on her hand as they continued to walk towards their hotel. She knew Lauren had indulged her with all the shopping and the food. This all felt surreal to her and knowing that her girlfriend made it all possible was beyond amazing.
"We need to start getting ready for our date soon."
"Are you going to tell me where you're taking me?"
Smiling towards her as she had tried to get the info all day, but to no avail. "I'd rather surprise you."
"Fair enough considering how you spoiled me today." She laughed before she pulled Lauren into a kiss.
"Remember that tomorrow when we go on our museum tour."
2 Hours Later
Lauren once again basked in her girlfriend's excitement as they arrived at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. It was hard to take her eyes off her anyways in one of the dresses that she bought today, with only a bit of make up to high light her natural beauty. Lauren couldn't decide on what to wear but finally chose a dress as there haven't been many occasions that allowed her to dress up as well.
"I can't believe we're here, babe!" She tried to contain her excitement from across the table as a few Parisians looked their way. The blonde spotted a few eye rolls but didn't allow that to temper her happiness.
"Thanks to Hale's connections he was able to get us a reservation. After this we'll head to the champagne bar at the top so I hope heights don't bother you. Then again with the heels that you wear." She teased seeing the smile that was returned to her.
"As I seem to recall you rather like me in them." She whispered flirtatiously back.
Visibly swallowing she only nodded her head as her mind recalled some of her new purchases.
Laughing to herself it still amused Kenzi that she could cause the Yale grad to be speechless. This entire trip felt like a dream and she was in no way ready for it to end, but at the same time excited about the future. Dining in this incredible establishment she thought back to a time before her father died, how he would often call her his princess; now she truly felt like one.
"Are you okay, Lauren?" She asked after a time noticing that she had barely touched her food, but had drank her champagne quickly. "If this is about everything I bought today, we can take it back. I know I got carried away-"
"No," Lauren interrupted "you're keeping all of it. I think I just ate more than what I'm used to since we've been here." She hoped that Kenzi wouldn't press her further so she decided to change the subject. "Ready to head up? We can always get dessert to go."
Kenzi narrowed her eyes but decided to let it go for now. "Sounds good to me."
They had enjoyed a few glasses, but to Kenzi's dismay Lauren nervousness only seemed to increase. Before she could question her though she saw Lauren nod to the bartender when a few string quartet players assembled softly playing a song that she recognized. Home by Edward Sharpton & the Magnetic Zeros. It was one of their favorites that always caused them to sing along when it came on the radio in Montreal. She turned back to Lauren to find the woman staring straight at her, holding a hand out to her. Kenzi took her hand as everything began to make sense but she was too caught up in the moment to think further.
Lauren reached in her purse to pull out the ring box that she had carried with her since they left Canada. She was close to popping the question back home but once Kenzi had mentioned Paris it had appealed to her hopeless romantic side. Carefully getting down on both knees to preserve her dignity, she opened the ring box to show a ruby stone set in white gold. Lauren didn't want to go the standard diamond route and having done her research she found that it was revered in many cultures throughout history. It symbolizes the sun, and its glowing hue suggests an inextinguishable flame within the stone that legends claim would shine through even the thickest clothing and could not be hidden. Lauren felt that this stone embodied Kenzi perfectly with all that she had been through, and of course the claim that the younger girl had on her heart too.
"Lauren?" Kenzi gasped at the sight in front of her and marvelled at the ring. Her hand placed on her chest in an attempt to keep her heart from jumping out of it.
"Kenzi, for so long I viewed my life as missed opportunities. I shut myself off afraid to feel anything other than excitement at what I could accomplish scientifically, but I still felt a lingering cold that had taken residence around my heart. I believed that any chance at happiness and true love had eluded me long ago. Then one night in the midst of my nightmares, you came in to save me from the darkness that haunted me. Not only that night, Kenzi, but you continue to save me every day. Your humor gives me perspective. Your loyalty is admirable but it is your love that gives me strength. You never left me even after all the times I tried to push you away, you pushed back harder. Your love has fused all the broken parts of me into someone who loves you beyond measure. I don't know what the rest of our lives hold but I know that I want to spend the rest of mine with you. Ms. Malikov, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Her eyes never left Lauren's the entire time and her knees almost buckled at the sheer amount of love shown in them. More so because it was all for her. It was one of the those moments Kenzi knew she would carry with her always. Anytime she would glance at a postcard tacked on some board of the Eiffel Tower her mind will always come back to this moment in time.
"Yes! Yes, I will marry the crap out of you! Now stand up so I can kiss you!" Kenzi exclaimed motioning with her free hand to hurry up.
Laughing at the very Kenzi response, Lauren slipped the ring on before gently holding her now fiancée's face and kissing her with all the love and excitement that she could.
Pulling back to look at her, "I wish I had something profound to say. Everything you said-"
"You said "yes", Kenzi, and that's all that matters. Dance with me?"
Stepping apart slightly to dance in the small space provided the newly engaged couple danced into the early morning hours as the quartet played on.
I wanted to do a chapter that was all about Kenzi & Lauren. I will be ending this part of the story with the next chapter, but I will be doing a sequel. That way this doesn't become the never-ending story. Thank you again for reading, and if you have a spare moment let me know what you thought :)