CHAPTER 21

"I need to talk to Bo," Lauren told Jacob as she took photographs of the texts they had gone over with her phone.

"Of course you do," he replied nodding. "However, I think it would be better if you told her without me around," he said as he began gathering the material he had brought with him. "I doubt I've ingratiated myself with her. Lauren, have you decided if you are going to tell Detective Thornwood?" he asked.

Lauren paused. She never thought about it.

Up until an hour ago, she thought Bo was having Dyson's child. Now the tables were turned and the thought of having a child with Dyson was so very foreign and abstract she had no idea of what to do.

And how could she explain not telling him especially after the conversation she had with Bo earlier?

Lauren rubbed her forehead. This is not how she imagined this scenario happening.

She looked down at her stomach and slowly started rubbing it.

She was having a baby. Granted she was not carrying it, but she was having one. This was something she had thought about for a long time now. She had even shared the names she had picked out for them with Bo after delivering Sylvie's baby in the prison.

Charlotte and Ethan.

Lauren smiled as she recalled the surprised look on Bo's face when she said she wanted children.

She had hoped, in the back of her mind, that perhaps one day in the future, they might have children.

And now that she knew Bo could become pregnant...

That they could have biological children together, that was a possibility... they would have to have a serious talk about contraceptives.

They could not afford another pregnancy so soon.

'Another pregnancy,' she thought.

Lauren shook her head, she was torn.

If she had managed to get Bo pregnant, she would have been ecstatic, after the shock had worn off.

Lauren doubted she could get Bo to stop taking cases, although using the fiasco from earlier today as an example could help.

Be that as it may, there were still so many things they would both have to do.

There would be books to read, clothes to buy, not only for Bo but the child as well.

She would have started Bo on a regimen of prenatal vitamins. She would make sure Bo changed her eating habits, both of them. She would have to explain the changes Bo would have to expect...

Changes...

Lauren thought about seeing Bo's body changing in front of her eyes. She swallowed as she pictured the roundness, the fullness of certain parts of Bo's anatomy.

Her mouth practically watered.

She smiled.

She knew that they could continue having sexual relations, and she could just imagine herself saying, "No it won't hurt the baby, I promise. I'm a doctor. I know what I'm talking about."

Bo would be so protective of the baby.

She could not wait to see the ultrasounds, to hear the baby's heartbeat and to feel the baby kick for the first time.

Lauren wanted to be able to look into the eyes of a child who was a part of both of them.

She wanted to share this with Bo.

The greatest fear she had, one she hadn't shared with anyone, was leaving Bo all alone and that thought was crippling. Lauren knew regardless of how healthy she was she would die before Bo, barring any unforeseen incidents. And she wanted a part of her – a living, breathing part of her - to be here for Bo. Someone who would love and cherish Bo as much as she does.

As much as she wanted that, Lauren could not bring herself to ask Bo to keep the child if she did not want to. It would not be fair.

And there was no guarantee that Bo would have the child safely. Lauren knew from years of experience, things went wrong. Complications arose – the fact they did not happen every day was astonishing.

She would not risk Bo's life.

Jacob had been watching Lauren's silent contemplation.

He could only hazard a guess what she was thinking about.

"Lauren?" he said after seeing her frown.

Bo. Bo would be in danger. She would never be allowed to have a hybrid.

Lauren felt her hands clench and she shook her head slowly.

'I have to find her... I have to protect her… them,' she thought. "Jacob," she said. "Is there any way that you know of, if Bo decides to keep the baby, to hide its parentage? If it ever got out she had a hybrid..."

Jacob nodded slowly. "Yes, I understand. Miss Dennis is carrying in the eyes of many Fae, an abomination. A hybrid would not be allowed to live. She and the child are in grave danger." Jacob felt the blood drain from his face. "Any child either of you decide to have together in the future would also be in danger."

"Lou Ann," Lauren gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she rushed to the kitchen sink and became violently ill. She gripped the counter for dear life until she finished.

She reached out, her hand shaking as she tried to bring some water to her mouth. "God damn it!" she cried out as the water kept spilling from her hand.

Lauren bent forward and took a drink straight from the tap.

Jacob hurried over and grabbed some paper towels. "Here," he said, handing them to Lauren as he reached out and turned off the water. "Let's get you back to the couch," he told her leading her slowly into the living room.

As soon as Lauren sat down, Jacob took her vitals. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked.

Lauren shook her head, embarrassed by her loss of control. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be. It's a natural reaction to all that's happened so far."

Lauren took a deep breath. She tried to get a hold of herself. It was foolish of her to think of having children with Bo.

She would have to live with the heartache knowing she would never see parts of Bo in either Charlotte or Ethan.

Would she give up her dream of having children if it meant she could not have them with Bo?

'Oh God,' she thought. "I... I need to find... I need to find Bo."