Bo cuddled with Lauren and was awoken before the sun rose by loud pounding on their front door. She grimaced when she looked at the time. She wanted as much rest as possible before the elder's meeting. She pulled Lauren closer hoping the rude person at the door would go away if she ignored them. If it was actually important, they would call her, and so far her phone was silent.
Lauren stirred in her arms, and she whispered for her to stay asleep. Unfortunately, the knocking didn't cease; in fact the knocks came more rapidly. Fearing the sound would wake Lauren she pulled herself out of bed, dreading who she might find at the door.
Aife pushed passed her, inviting herself into the apartment. "Finally," She hissed into Bo's face when she walked by her.
With a sigh of regret for answering the door, Bo shut the door behind her. "Sleep is very important, or so I hear." She said coolly.
Aife walked right into the kitchen and starting making coffee as if it was her apartment.
Bo was too tired to protest, so she stayed quiet and waited for her mother to speak. The sooner she said her piece, the sooner she would leave.
"Why weren't you at your grandfather's funeral?" Aife snapped.
Bo's annoyance grew exponentially. "Why would I?" She settled on a stool and rested her head on the counter.
"He was your grandfather!" Aife practically shrieked. "Despite your conflicts he loved and cared about you."
"Sure," Bo said, keeping her head down.
"It's because of that girl." Aife sneered, slamming a cup down forcibly.
"My wife," Bo corrected, the mention of Lauren brought a smirk to Bo's face, in spite of how her mother was referring to her. "No. Lauren had nothing to do with it."
"That's ridiculous Bo, humans and Fae can't marry. It's not a real marriage." Aife gave a dismissive snort at the end.
"We're married. I don't give a damn what the Fae think. We're bound together forever, in our hearts." Bo said calmly although she was raging on the inside.
Aife laughed mockingly. "Since that human's entered your life, all your decisions have revolved around her."
"Ugh, not true," Bo muttered, too tired to articulate her thoughts or argue further than that.
"You could have killed those Fae at the compound," Aife exclaimed, her face flushed with anger.
"No one died at my hands, I wonder if you can say the same." Bo shot back, clenching her fists together to offset her anger.
"Not for a lack of trying on your part. Your feelings for that girl make you reckless. Is that kind of love worth it?" Aife questioned, her tone full of fury.
"Maybe if you had a heart or loved anyone but yourself you'd understand," Bo said, but she realized that Aife would never truly understand, especially since she assumed Aife lack the ability to look outside of herself or love.
"You are unbelievable disrespectful to your bloodline, Bo." Aife snapped, showing nothing but contempt.
"Uh, huh," Bo mumbled, refusing to engage her mother and her hysterics anymore. The problems with her mother seemed small and insignificant in light of everything she'd just went through with the attack and Lauren.
"Oh, her majesty can not even converse with her lowly mother." Aife gave a mock bow as she said it.
Bo finally looked up and stared at her mother with disdain. "I don't need to. You're not my family anymore. Lauren and Kenzi are, everything you represent I want nothing to do with. I want a different life than what you or the Fae can offer. I want happiness with my sister and wife. And you will never be able to understand that. So, I don't need you." Bo's face was resolute and composed and she meant every word.
That drew Aife to silence. They glared at each other for a long moment. Aife's expression was uncharacteristically troubled. That gave Bo a flash of pause. "I lost my father, I have no family left, only you."
Bo stood and guided her to the door. "I am sorry you lost your father. But I can't be your family. Not until you change. I have to protect my family." She opened the door for Aife to leave.
Aife hesitated and surprised Bo by hugging her. "All I ever wanted was what I believed was best for you."
Bo broke away from the clasp of her mother's arms. "That's the problem. What you wanted for me, you never once thought or cared about what I wanted."
Without another word Aife left the apartment. Bo sighed at the closed door and quickly returned to the comfortable, warm embrace of her wife's arms.
XXXX
Bo and Lauren were escorted into a large dimly lit, windowless room. The ten elders sat around a crescent-shaped table watching them enter. Bo noted that most of their eyes were not friendly. They stood in front of the table as the elders scrutinized them.
Dr. Everett gestured to a small table, and they took a seat, apparently they weren't good enough to sit with the grown-ups, Bo thought bitterly. She didn't feel that was a good way to start this discussion. She slumped into the chair, and one of the elders glared at her silently chastising her behavior. She straightened up and composed her body.
The elders didn't hesitate they started right in with the discussion about what the Fae should do next, debating their grievances and opinions with passion. Bo found most of the arguments redundant, but she stayed silently listening.
Several minutes of heated debate, one of the elders spoke sternly. "As I see it all we need is to elect a new Ash. I don't see why any should object to this." He looked around the table, ignoring Bo and Lauren, waiting for someone to speak. A few of the elders nodded in agreement, but all were silent.
Bo felt blood rush to her face, and she focused on her breathing to calm her nerves. It was always the same with the Fae. They clung to their outdated beliefs even in the face of tragedy. She glanced at Dr. Everett questioningly.
Dr. Everett cleared her throat, preparing to speak. "But why go back to a system that's broken?"
Murmurs erupted around the table at her question.
"Do you, newly elected Morrigan, believe the system is in fact broken?" A female elder asked over the hushed mutterings, rapping her knuckles on the table for quiet.
"I do." She signaled Lauren forward. "This is Lauren Lewis. Her family was forced into hiding simply because her father followed his heart when he fell in love with a human woman."
Lauren stood stiffly in front of the elders. She could feel their eyes probing her and it made her feel uncomfortable and exposed.
A male elder scoffed. "We are aware of the Lewis family situation. It's not relevant to this discussion. It is expressly forbidden for a Fae to reproduce with human lovers. Imagine what would happen to the Fae if humans discovered us. We can not, and will not, tolerate that sort of behavior." There was a hard edge to his voice, and he stared directly at Bo. She returned his glare with defiance.
Lauren shifted nervously and spoke to the elders, willing her voice to remain steady through her nerves. "My brother Nick was responsible for many Fae deaths, and part of the reason for his resentment was the treatment he received at the hands of the Fae. Imagine what would happen to the Fae with hundreds of Nicks running around. Simply because you won't rethink your laws."
He sneered and interjected. "You make a flawed argument, our mistake was letting your brother live, in the first place."
Bo rushed to Lauren's side and grabbed her hand. She glanced at Lauren's face, the picture of calm, but she could feel her anxiety by the sweat on her hand. "Look at what's happened to the Fae with the current system. Nick was a monster created by the Fae, and how many more tragedies await? You cannot hunt down and kill every human that comes across the Fae. That system is unsustainable." She forced her voice to stay neutral and even, pushing down her frustrations.
"It is ridiculous for you to think we would listen to you, as you have a vested interest in this." Other elder said dismissively waving his hand at her and Lauren.
Bo brought Lauren's hand up to her mouth and kissed it. "Yes, I love Lauren, but what I say is true." She declared undaunted, standing her ground. "Imagine treating all Fae and humans the same, under equal protection. Then a tragedy like Nick could have been avoided."
Dr. Everett raised a hand to get their attention. "I call for a vote on the matter. Do we continue down the path to self-destruction or do we work together to form a new system."
One of the elders interposed, with an incredulous tone. "What kind of system are we talking about here?"
No one answered, so staying persisted Bo spoke again. "The Fae should unite as one. No more Light and Dark divide. Our community should be free to live together. But this structure needs protection for humans as well. The Fae cannot continue to treat humans anyway they want. We should build something that's based on respect for all Fae, Light or Dark, and humans."
His expression grew dark, and he looked as though he wanted to throw Bo out of the room, but instead he calmly retorted. "This divide is centuries old. Conflicts that are deeply established."
"No one said it will be easy, or perfect, but the Fae can change, more forward, have peace. Protect and respect humans and each other." Bo answered promptly, directing her attention to all the elders in front of her.
Lauren squeezed Bo's hand and added. "The Fae could finally have freedom. No longer bound by a divided system that determines who they love, who they interact with, what paths their lives take, or, who they can aspire to be, and accomplish."
Bo grinned admiringly at her wife by her side. She was so proud that Lauren was taking a stand and voicing her opinions, so elegantly.
"A new era is upon us, but we must have the courage to walk into it," Dr. Everett added, beaming proudly at the young couple standing with such composure in front of the elders. She suddenly felt hopeful for the Fae for the first time in many years. The great thing about young people was their openness for change; maybe that's what the Fae lost with their long lives was the optimism that came with youth. But these two could show them a better way, she believed that wholeheartedly.
After a few moments of silence, Bo pushed on. "You may prefer the old system, but don't forget it means simply a lack of free will and many Fae know this. You may think this system discourages rebellion, and that it keeps power and control in your hands. But learn from human history, revolution will always spark when freedoms are repressed. Why not change now before there are more conflicts, more deaths?"
Lauren nodded in agreement with Bo. "A new system will work, it will just need time. You can't keep a handle on your people with imposed will and the threat of violence. The past few years have proved that."
"The divide is no longer necessary. It's outdated." Dr. Everett said. "We can convince the Fae that a new way is better."
Bo and Lauren were asked to take their seats again. They listened quietly, holding hands to comfort each other. And the elders continued the debate. In truth, Bo was shocked that their words seemed to resonate with many of the elders.
After two more hours of discussion, an elder man stood, towering over the others. "We need a vote." He paused for effect. "Those in favor of abolishing the Light and Dark system."
Surprisingly, all the hands shot up in the air, excluding three. Bo and Lauren exchanged astonished glances.
He looked at the other elders with loathing. "Those opposed." The three remaining hands rose.
Dr. Everett clapped her hands together and stood swiftly. "There you have it. We will need a charter written that outlines the new terms of this new agreement as soon as possible."
"There will be protests, this will not be an easy sell to many Fae." An elder declared.
Bo and Lauren rose at the feet in unison, standing next to Dr. Everett.
Bo cleared her throat, determined not to sound timid. "But it's this councils opportunity to show the Fae that we don't have to be burdened by the restrictions imposed by the divide. That humans and Fae can live together with a shared respect and freedom."
Lauren added. "For some Fae, change will be difficult. But this is a chance for you to show your dignity and courage, a chance to grow as a people. This is not about forsaking your traditions but simply learning a new way, not as a divided people, but rather as a united one."
Bo took Lauren's hand. "Humans are not the enemy and they're not less than the Fae. We could learn a lot from each other, humans, Light, and Dark alike."
The discussion continued, and it was decided that in the upcoming weeks a summit would be scheduled to draw up a new charter for a new free system.
XXXX
After the meeting, Bo went to talk with Dr. Everett. She lightly knocked and entered the office.
Dr. Everett glanced up from her work. "I told you I was an ally. Nice work in there."
Bo stepped fully into the office and sat across from her. "Well, we have Henry's formula as an insurance policy if you all start acting up again. That would certainly undo all that was accomplished today, so I imagine it'll keep you in line."
Dr. Everett nodded in understanding. "I only want what's best for all Fae and humans. No system is perfect, but we are taking the right steps now."
"We'll see," Bo said shortly.
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence and Bo shifted her weight, struggling with whether or not to ask Dr. Everett a question that had been on her mind.
As if reading Bo's mind, Dr. Everett asked, "Was there something else?"
"How much do you know about succubus feeding?" Bo darted her eyes to the ceiling after asking the question.
Dr. Everett leaned on her elbows and studied Bo's face. "Some."
Bo held in her breath, bringing her eyes down to gaze at her. "When I feed off Lauren, it's very intense. It's stronger than any other human or Fae I've come across." She tapped her fingers on the desk in a nervous gesture. "I'm wondering why."
Dr. Everett gave a kindhearted smile. "Succubi are very complicated in regards to feeding." She paused, thinking the situation. "But my theory would be it's because of how you feel about her."
"Like I'm tasting her love…or something," Bo asked with a confused expression.
"Not exactly. Imagine you hug a stranger versus someone you love. Now physically it's the same act. The contact is the same. But how you feel about it is different because of how you feel about each person. Your body reacts more intensely because of the emotions behind the contact. Therefore, I believe, the stimuli you get from Lauren's chi is more powerful because it's someone you care about and not a stranger. The chi is the same, but how you experience it is different."
Bo paused and considered her words for a long moment. "Does that mean I could feed on her only and be healthy?"
Dr. Everett frowned but smiled through it. "You have to listen to your body, Bo. Every Fae is different when it comes to their feeding needs. You have to find what works for you. But, having said that, a succubus is at her healthiest with a variety of chi sources."
Bo nodded. "Thanks for the information, but I guess there's not really a definitive answer."
"It's never easy being Fae." Sensing Bo was ready to move on from the conversation, she changed the subject. "This is a momentous time, and we're partners in building this new world. I'm here to help. That's my pledge to you."
There was another moment of tense silence. "No offense but I'll remain wary of all Fae until I see real change." Bo stood preparing to leave the office.
"I wouldn't expect anything less. The Fae will need someone with a watchful eye keeping them in check. The process of eradicating these laws will be slow, but as long as we remain steadfast change will happen in time."
There was a light knock on the door, and Lauren entered the office. Dr. Everett beckoned her to sit down. Bo stood behind Lauren with her hands on her shoulders, keeping a close eye on Dr. Everett.
"I'm so proud of you two. You did a remarkable job in there, and I know it couldn't have been easy." Dr. Everett beamed at Lauren. "And I know Henry would have been very proud of you Lauren. In a sense, you finished his work."
Bo squeezed Lauren's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "You were amazing in there. I'm not surprised you're the smartest person I know." Lauren peered up at Bo with a small smirk. "What? You can't help it that you're so brilliant."
Lauren glanced back at Dr. Everett with a serious expression. "So what happens now? Truthfully."
"We dissolve the divide and you two can go on and live your lives. I suspect you can do whatever you want now. Take some time and enjoy your happiness, you have definitely earned it." Dr. Everett was using her motherly tone again.
Lauren sighed. "It doesn't seem right, after all the lives that were lost just to go on and be happy about it everything."
"You can't change what happened and you are not responsible, Lauren." Dr. Everett softly patted Lauren's hand.
"Yeah," Bo gave Dr. Everett a pointed look. "That blames lies with someone else."
Dr. Everett studied their faces and leaned far back in her chair. "I'm comfortable with the decisions I've made. I believe the good offsets the bad."
Bo scoffed. "So noble." She added an eye roll at the end.
A somber expression crossed Dr. Everett's face. "You mistake my words, Bo. I don't believe I'm noble, but sometimes one has to make the difficult decisions to take that burden off others, better an old Fae like me carry that than you two."
There was nothing left to say, so Bo started for the door, taking Lauren's hand. "I'm taking my wife home. She needs to rest."
Lauren poked her ribs, as she raised her chair. "I'm fine."
Bo wrapped her arm around her waist. "Ok, well I need to rest, this day was draining."
They walked to leave the office. Dr. Everett spoke to them before they closed the door. "You are both worthy of your freedom, enjoy it, but never forget all the struggles you faced to get here, do not become complacent in your freedom." She smiled at them. "I envision many young Fae will read about your journey and love story in our history books. You will inspire many."
They gave her one last glance before they exited the office, hand clasped together.
XXXX
Two years later…
Kenzi, Lauren, and Bo sat around the kitchen table eating breakfast, chatting about the upcoming day. Lauren was eating quickly. She didn't want to be late for class, she was too excited to start the day.
Kenzi took a large bite of pancake, through a full mouth, she said, "This really sounds like the start of a porno…the succubus, the roommate, and the doctor…"
Lauren chuckled, "Kenzi, you couldn't handle this." She playfully gestured down her body and added a smirk.
Kenzi snorted. "Please, I have stamina, plus I'm very flexible."
Bo frowned, her eyes darting back and forth between them. "You guys are creeping me out. Stop."
"You know for a succubus you're kind of a prude." Kenzi tossed a piece of bacon at Bo, who swatted it away with a smile.
"Not really, but the thought of my sister and my wife together freaks me out." She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "I don't need that image in my head."
Lauren laughed and filled her bag with books.
"Don't worry BoBo, I'm still strictly dickly."
"Oh, Kenzi, please stop." Bo put her hands over her ears. "You're my little sister. I don't want to hear this."
Kenzi gave a small shrug. "Well, I could be persuaded, to switch things up, if Lauren makes handmade pizza tonight for dinner." She pointed her fork at Lauren. "It's your night to cook."
Amusement lit Lauren's features as she swung her bag over her shoulder. "Why is it that I'm the only one who actually cooks on my nights? You two just get takeout on your days."
Bo and Kenzi exchanged glances and shrugs. "You're the grown-up, Lauren. Sorry." Kenzi said at last.
Bo walked up to Lauren and wrapped her arms around her. "We're master take-out orders. It's a skill many don't have." She said teasingly, kissing her cheek.
"Plus, you don't want Bo cooking, believe me." Kenzi's eyes widened, and she playfully stuck out her tongue in mock disgust.
"It's a compliment that we like your cooking so much," Bo added before giving her another light kiss.
"Uh, huh," Lauren muttered before deepening the kiss and wrapping her arms around Bo tightly, almost melting into her arms.
Kenzi shook her head at the two of them. "Oh, geez, get a room," Kenzi said tossing another piece of food at them before turning away.
XXXX
Bo loved Lauren more than she ever thought possible. She'd feared, at one time, that succubi lacked the ability to love, but she now knew that she could love, and loved Lauren with all heart, and always would.
"Hey," Lauren entered the apartment with her bag slung over her shoulder, "What's going on?" She asked her eyebrows raised as she set her bag down.
"Happy anniversary," Bo said, she crossed the room lessening the distance between them, giving Lauren a brief kiss on the lips.
Lauren took off her coat, and a smile crept on her face. "That's next week."
Bo shrugged. "I think we should celebrate all week. One day doesn't seem like enough. I plan on celebrating our love every day."
Lauren held her smile, and ran her fingers over the flowers on the table and stared at the candles. "How'd you manage all this? It's beautiful." She walked around the table and surveyed the bottle of wine, flowers, and food that were set out.
"You're beautiful. This is nothing." Bo waved her hand over the place setting with an animated smirk.
Lauren bent down and smelled the flowers in the vase, the light from the candles danced over her face and Bo's heart fluttered.
"Before we eat," Bo turned some music and extended her hand to Lauren. "Will you dance with me?"
Lauren smile increased, and she took Bo's hand and let herself be drawn into Bo's body. Bo pulled her closer and kissed her, their lips warm, soft, passionate. Bo was amazed, even to this day, how one simple touch from Lauren always set her body ablaze, making her blood and nerves electrified.
Long moments fell away as they swayed with the music, kissing, arms tangled together. For those minutes, their whole world was focused on each other, making everything else hazy and unimportant in the background.
Through an unspoken awareness, they drew back at the same time, and Lauren rested her head on Bo's shoulder. "This is a wonderful surprise, Bo. Thank you."
Bo reached out and tipped her chin up and studied her face. "I'd do anything for you." She kissed her forehead, her hands cupping the side of her face. "And every day I'm going to strive to prove I'm deserving of you, and our love."
"You're incredibly charming and make me feel so special whenever I'm with you." She whispered burying her head into Bo's shoulder. "I love you." She added through a relaxed sigh.
"You are special," Bo rubbed her back in small circles. "Sometimes, I feel like love isn't a strong enough word for what I feel for you. I adore you, I cherish you, I worship you, I admire you…" Bo continued, and Lauren chuckled into her shoulder squeezing her tight, taking in Bo's warmth and words.
They had a bizarrely normal life over the past two years, which sometimes Bo found to be surreal after all the struggles they'd faced to get there. After the bomb and the new free system had been put in place, the three of them settled into their new, normal lives. Bo, Lauren, and Kenzi moved into a new apartment together. Bo and Kenzi continued to work as private investigators.
Bo and Lauren worked with the Fae as human representatives during the transition and after, admittedly it wasn't always easy, change was difficult and Fae prejudices were deep rooted. Incredibly, things were running smoothly with the former Light and Dark members, they, for the most part, embraced their new freedoms quickly. But Bo was always aware that things could change rapidly, so she remained on alert at all times when dealing with the Fae.
Lauren threw herself into her education, as soon as, she could. She finally achieved her dream of studying to become a doctor. Bo was delighted to see how happy that made her. Bo knew she'd be a brilliant doctor one day. Lauren seemed to come alive when she was learning and in school, her eyes always held a sparkle whenever she talked about her day. And Bo was always pulled back to the time when she first met Lauren, and she was collecting her samples for research, the light she had then, returned and even increased. Lauren was at her happiest when she was immersed in education, and that delight affected Bo as well.
Things weren't always easy for them. They had a marriage like anyone else with good times, and bad times, ups and downs, pain and happiness. But what they had, that some people didn't, was awareness of how precious their time together was. They knew that staying present in all life's moments was vital, that they had to feel the pain, the happiness, because it could all be taken away at any moment. Everything they faced to get there had proven how fleeting happiness, and safety could be, but they didn't dwell on it, but they didn't forget it either.
Because, in the end, despite all the obstacles and hardships they were likely to face, Bo was a succubus, who against all the odds, fell madly in love with a human, and Lauren was a human, who loved a succubus deeply.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
AN
Truly, I'm sad to end this story because I could probably write it forever but I also think stories need to end and can suffer if they go on too long. And I feel like I told the story I wanted to tell.
I also feel like it's ok to leave some things open ended, like will the Fae continue with their new system or will they try to go back to the old ways. Will Lauren turn herself Fae or not (personally I don't think Lauren needs to be Fae, but I respect that others feel differently)…Will Bo be able to feed only on Lauren or not…
Thank you so much for giving this story a try and sticking with it. I know it can get frustrating reading my stuff with the slow reveals and angst, but I'm happy that this story found a following :)
Thanks for reading until the end. And all the comments I got really helped me finish writing so I appreciate so much that you all took the time to leave a comment or review.