The ending is in the history books now and it feels so damn good to have our Doctor and Succubus together! It makes me love my very first fic "My Savior" even more. I love Lost Girl more than is probably healthy, but heck, I know I'm not alone. I am so proud that the writers were brave enough to give us that ending and who knows, maybe there will be more LG at some point. They left plenty of openings.
In other news, I don't know that I will write any more multichap ffs, maybe just some random oneshots or a collab as I have limited time and want to publish again. I will say that if you want the ff version of "Love By Design" you should get it as that one will most likely be taken down to publish in the near future. I love you all and can't thank you enough for the support you've shown me here and publishing as SW Andersen. What a wonderful journey this has been and I am so happy we took it together. Faemily forever!
Now, as for this story, I have been struggling mightily, both with time to write and motivation, soits shorter than I wanted, but many of you have been waiting patiently. I am planning to tie it up in 1-2 more chapters, but like I said before, later if the mood strikes I could add to it. I appreciate all who have stuck with me and I hope you enjoy these last bits of Drive.
Chapter 21
A little after noon Bo drove us home. She refused to leave the hotel before I had a nice greasy hangover breakfast, which even though I protested, really did hit the spot. Seeing as how I'd missed the chance to take Bo and my one hundred S out for a morning ride, my new plan was to get cleaned up and take mom shopping. There was just one month until the gala and she was beyond excited. I wondered if she was more excited about meeting Bo's parents or actually going out to a formal event? As long as she was happy, so was I. What we really needed was to get dad to go. I actually thought he would have jumped at the chance to hob nob with a bunch high powered business owners or at least want to meet my girlfriend's parents, but then again, I never understood his motivations. That didn't mean I would stop trying to change his mind though. I was every bit as hardheaded as he was.
"You okay?" Bo's hand on my thigh yanked me out of my thoughts and back to the present. She wore a look of concern, which given my state this morning, she was probably afraid I would throw up in her car.
"I'm fine. Just thinking."
"Oh boy." She laughed. "That could mean trouble."
"No silly, nothing bad. Just about dad and the gala."
"Maybe he will change his mind."
"Maybe."
"Have you seen my clutch from last night?"
"No. I don't think you had it when you came up."
"Great."
"Maybe Mandy or Shawnna have it."
"I hope so."
"You were so trashed baby."
"I know. Well I don't really remember that much, but I can tell it was bad and thank you for taking care of me."
Bo's mood shifted with a frown, sending a surge of worry through me. I searched my memory for the bits and pieces of the evening, putting together that I had hurt her somehow before I stumbled upon the source of her discomfort. I quickly realized that she was upset thinking I didn't remember our talk, but that was the only clear moment of the evening that remained after we arrived at the club. It was as if my brain, even in its drunken stupor, recognized that I should pay close attention to those few important moments before it fell back into an alcohol haze.
I covered her hand with my own, slipping my fingers between hers. "I do remember one thing." I offered a smile that I hoped conveyed how sorry I was.
Bo came to a stop at the corner before looking me in the eye.
There was an undercurrent of sadness mixed in her loving gaze that made my heart squeeze tight in my chest. It was hard to see her like that, especially being my fault. That would end right now. I only ever wanted her to look at me with joy and excitement. "I remember that I threw up on the dance floor."
Bo smiled softly and looked down at our hands.
"And I know that I hurt you. I can't exactly recall how or anything up to getting to your room, but I very clearly remember our conversation." I squeezed her hand as her eyes returned to mine. The usual sparkle that I was accustomed too started pushing the sadness aside as her smile grew.
"So we're good?" We seemed fine this morning, but after the last few minutes, I wanted to be sure.
"Yeah, we're good." She pulled our joined hands to her lips and laid a gentle kiss on the back of mine.
XXX
As I climbed out of the shower the doorbell rang. We were picking my mom up in an hour and I hadn't gotten any other messages, so I had no idea who it could be.
"I got it," Bo called out.
A sinking feeling in my stomach hit me out of the blue and it wasn't the remnants of alcohol. This was more like a "something bad" was going to happen. Curiosity got the best of me. I quickly dried my feet and hurried to the bedroom door to listen in while I finished toweling off.
"Hey Bo. Is Lauren here? I brought her clutch from last night."
"Hi Mandy, yeah she is. Come on in." Bo was pleasant, but I recognized the undertones of her controlled agitation.
Shit! Bo's comment about kicking Mandy's ass suddenly rang loud in my mind. The towel became an after thought as I rushed to grab clothes and get back to the door. I wanted to rush out there, grab my purse and shoo Mandy away, but I knew better. Last night would simmer in Bo and become an explosion waiting to happen. Maybe it was best to deal now. I'd just get dressed in case I needed to intervene.
"Thanks. Sorry you weren't able to join us last night, Bo. We were all looking forward to it."
"Sorry, but I did make it down there, I was just quite late."
"You did," Mandy asked in surprise. "You should have danced with us."
"Well, that was my plan, but something came up."
"Oh man that sucks. Sorry. More work?"
"I wish."
"Huh?"
"Actually it was the sight of you all over Lauren on the dance floor and her letting you."
"Shit...umm, Bo..." Mandy stammered. "I'm so so sorry. I don't remember," she continued with a tremble in her voice, "but we didn't mean anything by it. It's like an old habit I guess."
"Maybe. That thought did cross my mind, but it didn't keep me from wanting to take you behind the curtain and beat your ass."
Bo spoke with such pride and confidence. I could imagine her smirking and probably with arms crossed creating that daunting presence she uses at work so often.
"A few years ago I would've gone all out bitch on you. I have to say that it was a struggle to contain myself after seeing..." Bo sighed. "Anyway, I had to get some air before I did something bad. Lauren saw me and came after me."
"That explains her disappearance, but Bo please believe me," Mandy begged. "I am truly sorry. I swear on my life that it will never happen again."
"Let's hope not. She was as much to blame as you. I know you two are like best friends and I don't want to come between that, but if you ever-"
"I won't. I promise, Bo. I'm really happy fro you two and I give you full permission to slap the shit out of me if I ever disrespect your relationship again."
"It sounds like we have an understanding then?"
"Definitely."
"Good, because I like you and the rest of her friends." Bo's voice turned lighter, happier as she spoke, "In fact, I had wanted to ask you and Charlie to attend my family's charity gala for domestic abuse next month in Seattle. Now that I am taking the reins, I'd like to get away from the stiff old rich couples and raise more awareness through a wider range of faces and since you two have ties in that area, I thought you might like to take part."
"I'll ask Charlie, but yes, I would love to be a part of that. Thank you."
"Great. I'll get you the details."
"Great."
Silence.
"I really am sorry, Bo."
"I know and I don't think I've ever seen Lauren that drunk. Let's just move on."
"Okay, cool."
As they fell silent once again, I figured this would be a good time to make my appearance. I was thankful, and quite frankly surprised, that it went so smoothly. I pulled the door open and stepped out cautiously. They didn't know I'd been listening and part of me felt a little bad for doing it, but it also set me at ease to see that they could settle this like adults. Mandy could be almost as brash as Bo when the mood hit her.
"Hey Mandy." The words came soft and hesitant as I eyed the two of them standing ten feet apart in the living room.
"Hey, glad to see you're sobered up."
"Mostly," I chuckled. Mandy and Bo smiled at me. Mandy didn't seem too hungover either, but she was used to partying.
"I brought your clutch."
"Thank goodness. I was worried. Do you want to sit and have some lunch or something? We have a little bit of time before we meet my mom for shopping."
"No thanks. I already ate a nice greasy breakfast about an hour ago. I have some plans today, but you all have fun."
"Well make sure you don't leave town without stopping by first. I mean it."
"I know. I know. And I won't. Maybe Tuesday night we can grab a quick bite or something?" She glanced at Bo who just nodded in agreement and then to me to confirm.
"Sounds great Mandy." I approached my best friend with open arms and pulled her in for a hug. "See you Tuesday. We'll go easy on the alcohol."
"Definitely," she agreed and hugged me tight.
I stepped back to stand beside Bo with a smile as Mandy took her leave. Bo's arms slid around my waist and pulled me in close so we were face to face. "You were listening weren't you?"
Busted! A flush of embarrassment swept up my spine. "Yeah. Sorry. I just didn't want any fights."
"Really? Most would love two hot chicks fighting over them."
I let my arms circle her, holding her just as tightly. "I've already got the hottest chick and no, I don't want any fights. Thank you for handling it the way you did. I will never put you in that position again."
"How about we forget about it and get ready to give your mom the shopping experience of a lifetime?" Bo kissed my lips softly and leaned back in my arms.
"Deal!"
XXX
That afternoon Bo treated my mom to her very own "Pretty Woman" experience when she booked the most exclusive store in town and brought in her own personal seamstress to fit us. Complete with a chauffeured ride in a Rolls limo, champagne, horderves and the whole shebang. I teased Bo about trying to buy my mom off, but I knew that she was really truly enjoying letting her have her moment. It made me love Bo that much more. Mom bought a lovely black and silver sequined dress that showed off her shoulders and draped at her feet with matching silver heels. She was definitely where I got my great arms from and even in her fifties she looked amazing.
Bo and I went with semi-matching black and turquoise form-fitting, floor length gowns. Hers cut low in front to show off her very proud assets and mine low in back, because Bo always tells me how sexy my back is. I wanted the tailored ladies tux that I could wear without a blouse. I enjoyed dresses, but I never could resist a nice suit and what better time to buy one? Bo nixed that one however, saying there was no way on earth she'd be able to behave all night if I wore it. She did buy me the jacket though and whispered in my ear that she would love me to wear it during a nice evening in. How could I say no to that? But if I was going to do that for her, she needed to pick one out for me to admire as well. She did and let me just say that Bo makes a white silk suit jacket sexy like no one else on the planet.
When the limo pulled up to my parents house late Sunday evening, we were surprised to see that my dad was home. The driver opened the door and as my mom hugged us both and thanked Bo I stepped out. "I want to talk to dad. Be right back." Mom and Bo just looked at one another, nodded and went back about their conversation. Bo's eyes darted to me one more time and I gave her a wave that I wouldn't be long.
"Hi dad."
"Lauren? Where's your mother?"
"She's chatting with Bo. She'll be in a moment and wait until you see the dress she bought for the gala. She's a knockout."
"She always has been." He smiled shyly and poured himself a drink. A moment later he held one up in offering, but I declined. My stomach turned at the mere thought of a drink after last night.
"Congratulations on your acquisition," he said raising his glass in a toast.
I returned the gesture with a smile. "Thank you. I've been thinking of expanding for quite a while. The opportunity was right."
"Yes, that should be a gold mine with you running it."
"Mhm." I stepped closer, choking down my hesitance at bringing up the gala again. "Dad, do you love mom?"
His forehead furrowed and a flash of anger flared in his eyes. "What kind of question is that, Lauren?"
"Just answer me, please?"
"Yes, of course I do," he answered with a growl and downed his drink.
I nodded with a smile, ignoring his steely stare. "Do you love me?"
"Lauren," he cautioned.
I refused to relent. Closing skills weren't just for selling cars. "Dad, answer the question. I know you love my ability to make money, but...Do. You. Love. Me? Its a simple question."
He sighed and leaned against the bar. "You know I do."
"Do I?" I knew he did, but he was horrible at showing either of us any affection and sometimes it hurt. I know it definitely hurt mom.
He shook his head. "Of course I do. You're an amazing woman and I couldn't be more proud," he answered. The anger had left him, but confusion had set in. Confusion as to why I would ever doubt him.
I smiled with teary eyes at his confession. He was never one for showing affection and this was more than I had gotten from him in years. I took his glass, set it down and pulled both of his hands into mine. I looked him in the eyes and pleaded, "Then please, please come with us next month."
He tried to pull away, but I wouldn't let go. "You know I hate those things," he groaned.
"I know." It was a struggle to stifle my laugh at the way he was pouting right now. "But I also know that love means compromise and doing things that make the ones you love happy, even if you don't enjoy it."
He was silent, so I pressed on. "Mom would be so happy and so would I. Besides, I really, really want you to meet the parents of the woman am going to marry someday."
His eyes flew open wide and he stammered, "Y-...your getting ma- married?"
I even surprised myself with that announcement, but even saying it felt right. "Not yet."
Nope, not yet, but it was definitely on the horizon. Something I'd never given a moment of concern to had begun to pop up at the most unexpected times. "There's no engagement yet, but I know I want to marry Bo in the not too distant future and it would mean the world to both of us if you would just put you're stubborn streak aside for one weekend and come to Seattle."
He swallowed hard and looked away, probably hoping for an escape, but there was none. I wanted an answer. A 'no' would be heart breaking, but not unexpected. A 'yes' would be...well, it would make me a very, very happy daughter.
"Umm..." he studied me the way he does his customers, looking for any signs of a bluff.
I was dead serious.
"Fine. I'll go."
Did he just say yes? The words trickled through my mind, taking a moment to settle in. He took pleasure in my uncertainty, allowing a tiny smile to crack the corner of his mouth. My heart soared at the realization, but I had to double check that I'd heard him correctly. "Yes?"
"Yes. are you happy now?" He half smirked. "I always said you were one hell of a closer, honey."
"You have no idea how happy." I pulled him in for a tight embrace, tears filling my eyes as I whispered in his ear, "Mum's the word on the marriage thing okay?"
"No problem honey." His arms wrapped around me, returning the hug.
Mom and Bo walked into the room, clearing her throat, "What's going on? Everyone all right?"
I released my hold and turned with a brilliant face splitting smile. "Perfect actually. Guess who's joining us in Seattle?"
Bo threw me a wink and a smile. Boy you should have seen my mother's face. The victory made me feel like million bucks, but that picture was worth billions.
XXX
Two Weeks Later
"Yes Bo. I told you I was planning to be home for dinner tonight." I pressed the phone harder against my ear, clicking away at my computer keyboard as I spoke.
"Well, you've said that ten times in the last two weeks. I've hardly seen you since we all went shopping."
"I know, but I've been-"
"I know you're tied up with the new store, just promise me tonight you will come home?"
I sighed quietly, hoping she wouldn't hear the annoyance that was emanating from me. This was why I never did relationships before. I love Bo, I do, but I also love my work and until now she had been accepting of that fact. Why the sudden change? "Yes, I promise, but I may be a little late."
"Don't be."
"Bo..." I cautioned.
"Lauren..." she countered just as strongly. "Come home. See you in an hour."
An hour? Never gonna happen. "I ca-"
"One hour Lauren. And you know I hate to be kept waiting," she said with the same commanding tone as the day we met.
A awkward silence fell between us. I was annoyed that she was pulling me from all the work I needed to do to make this dealership as profitable as I knew it could be, but I was also happy to hear her voice.
"Lauren?"
I relented. My eyes drifted from the screen to the wall as my fingers froze mid-click. "I heard you Bo. Anything else?"
"Just tell me you love me." Her smile filtered through her words. She was so sexy when she was in control and even more so when she dipped her voice low. She was gloating, but damn, how could I ever be angry?
I sighed again, loud enough for her to hear this time followed by a light-hearted laugh at the woman who'd changed my life faster than a gas and go in a NASCAR race. "I love you."
"Good, because I love you. See you soon Lauren," she said before leaving me with a dial tone and a million things running through my mind.
Dammit. The trip home would take ten minutes or so, leaving me with about forty-five minutes to do some work. I skimmed through my mental checklist for what I could get done while mumbling incomprehensible ramblings about lagging front end grosses, finance closes and how much shit I needed to things apparently would have to wait. In all honesty, if I started anything else tonight I would surely be late. While I may be happy in my own little world here, it sounded as though life back home would be less than happy if I left her waiting again.
My fingers tapped on the old yellow desk. I needed to replace it because it was ugly as all hell and often broke my focus, making me feel like I was back in grade school with Ms. Franklin. I hated her class. Another pet peeve was the lack of windows. Maybe I would just move the office all together, although I didn't plan to spend much time here once everything was running like a well oiled machine. This was supposed to be a way to grow and lend itself to more time off by settling in like all the other rich, fat guys who just called once a day to bust the managers balls, but in typical Lauren Lewis fashion, I dove in head first and still haven't come up for air.
But god I loved it!
Thirty-five minutes left. Quickly I dialed one sixty-two, an extension I'd gotten all too familiar with. Daniel was the general sales manager of the new store that I was trying like hell to train. He liked to do things his way, unfortunately, his way wasn't making the kind of money we should be, so I'd given him thirty days to turn it around or he could hit the pavement.
"Daniel, I'll be heading home in a few. Text me when you leave and tell me how many we got out for the day and average gross and for fuck's sake don't dare say some weak shit like five hundred dollars."
"I'm on it Ms. Lewis. Have a good evening."
XXX
As I walked through the front door the aroma hit me. My stomach growled and immediately I realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"Bo?"
"Be right out."
"Okay," I muttered as I set my bag down and headed for the bedroom to change.
Within minutes I returned to find Bo setting dinner out on the table.
She smiled wide and motioned for me to take a seat before she poured some red wine. "How was your day," she asked in a casual manner as if she hadn't demanded that I be home tonight and it threw me off guard.
"Fine. Busy. The usual," I answered slightly confused as I set my napkin across my lap. "Yours?"
"Same. You know."
"Ahh," I mumbled with a nod and surveyed the spread. "This looks great Bo." A couple of steaks and some sweet potatoes, broccoli and and sauteed mushrooms were on the menu and I couldn't wait to dig in.
"Thanks. I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will." I glanced up at her smiling face and returned the gesture even though something felt off. We ate in relative silence, only making some small talk about the upcoming gala or work.
Since I'd sat down, I received my fourth text from the stores with daily updates and one from Bob complaining about the lot porter. That damned porter was killing me. I set my fork down and tapped out my reply with lightning quick speed. Bob needed to fire him and he needed to do it before- "What the...Bo?"
She had ripped the phone from my hand and was holding it away from me defiantly, a move that really pissed me off.
"What the fuck? I'm working," I fumed.
"Lauren, all you do is work. I've hardly seen you the last two weeks," she spoke softly. "You are home with me now and I want you to be WITH me."
My lips pulled tight into a frown and I folded my arms defensively across my chest. "I'm right here eating dinner with you."
"You're here physically, but you're certainly not here mentally. I miss you and I didn't move in here just to see you for a few minutes at breakfast. Boy, you weren't kidding when you used to say that work was your wife and anyone else was your mistress."
The alarms went off in my head. My heart clenched. Shit. Was she leaving me? I thought I was doing a good job of balancing my life, but right now was hectic. I had to make her understand how big this was and how much it needed my full attention. It wasn't forever. "Bo-"
"No, listen Lauren..." She set the phone on the counter and sauntered back to me. Bo placed her hand on my chest and gave me a slight push, asking me to scoot my chair back. When I gave in to her demand, she lifted her leg across my lap and straddled me. Her arms looped around my neck allowing her fingers to massage the nape of my neck, soothing the lion raging inside of me as if I were a common domestic cat. She leaned in close and whispered as if it were a secret, "I. Love. You."
"I-"
"Shhhh," she silenced me with a finger across my lips. "I'm talking, okay?"
I nodded.
"I love you, workaholic Lauren Lewis," she leaned back to look me dead in the eye and her expression turned serious. "But, I will not be second best. I understand how you can get, I really do. I'll let it slide from time to time when you ignore me at home and text and email all night, but I refuse to let it become a habit. Understand?"
I nodded again.
"Tell me you don't miss me."
I couldn't.
She reached down, taking each of my hands in hers and bringing them to rest on her hips. "Tell me you don't miss this." Bo leaned in, nipping my lips softly before claiming my mouth with a bruising, possessive kiss that made my head spin.
My fingers gripped the denim of her jeans. The sheer amount of emotion she poured into me was like electricity exciting every single cell. God I missed her. Who in their right mind would love work more than this?
Bo broke the kiss, pulling away when I attempted to continue. "See what you're missing when your have your nose in numbers and misguided adventures of your boys at the lot."
She moved to get up, but I pulled her back down, digging my grip even deeper to prevent her escape. "Point taken. I really do miss you. sometimes I just forget how much. It won't happen again."
"Now Lauren, don't say things like that. Of course it will." She smiled. Her hand moved up to caress my cheek. "That's who you are, but as long as I know you I can bring you back, that you want us, we will figure this out."
I swallowed hard. There was so much love staring back at me and that was a sight I never wanted to lose. It was a sobering thought; one that stole the breath right from my lungs. I struggled to find my voice so I could make things right. "What can I do to make it up to you?"
"Let's see..." her gaze drifted to the ceiling as she playfully tapped her chin and lightened the mood. "You could," she brought her eyes back to mine, "clean up the kitchen and snuggle on the sofa with me for a movie."
A smile replaced my frown as all the tension fell from my body. All of a sudden I could breathe again. "Is that all you want?"
"Well, we might not make it through the whole movie..." Her eyes darkened, sending my pulse soaring, not just the one in my chest, but the one between my legs as well. "But right now, I want you to kiss me again."
This was why we worked and why we could have a long term relationship. Bo was strong enough to battle for my affections and not feel threatened by my drive to manage every detail at work. She was my equal in every way and together we could maintain a perfectly balanced engine. God I loved this woman. "Yes ma'am."
XXX
Thanks for reading. R&R if you please and maybe it will keep me going long enough to give you one last update without a long wait.