Chapter 27 - The Party

Sharm el-Sheik Airport - Monday 10th June at 3 pm

"You know you're having a bad day when the devil eats your last hob-nob," Lauren said as they waited in line at the Airlines Lost and Found office.

"What are you on about Lo?" Bo asked, feeling impatient after waiting nearly thirty minutes for a translator.

"It is the opening line to one of my favourite books, 'Please Don't Stop the Music'," Lauren explained. "It just felt right to say it in this situation."

"That's nice and good to see you're calm about all this." Bo gave Lauren's hand a gentle squeeze then faced the office again, trying to look over the heads of the people in front to see if any changes had happened since she asked for a translator ten minutes ago.

Lauren shrugged and took out a breath mint from her messenger bag and offered one to Bo. The truth was this was her nightmare, the suitcase has gone missing and with no one to help. However, during the chaos, Lauren was unusually calm, this frightened her more, this normally only happened when more chaotic events were due to take place. She had the same feeling the same day her aunt had suddenly died. She was only twelve years old when she felt something 'odd' and she ran out her exam to her house. She could hear the siren two streets away, turning into her driveway her fears were confirmed when she saw the flashing blue and red light of the ambulance and the paramedics taking her 'Aunt Harper' away. Lauren had the same feeling in her stomach that something was going to happen, and she was worried, but she tried to remain calm.

Bo took the breath mint and held Lauren's hand. "It will be alright baby, once we report this damn missing bag, and before you say you told me so, yes ok, next time we will carry two carry on's." Bo was hot and this caused her to be irritable. The truth was she hated being back and wished she was the lost bag still in Cairo, or better still, back on the lake with Lauren. Even when they were facing up to the realisation that they may be stuck on the lake all night, could drown or worse, they were happy as they still had each other. Back here in Sharm Bo began to feel that they would never have that again, things already felt different to her, and as she held onto her pendant she wished she was wrong.

They left a short while later clutching only the property irregularity report and each other's hand. The air was as thick as they remembered, sweat had started to form on Bo's back and she was desperate for the cool air of the air conditioning of the hotel. They already talked about moving in together properly, that once back Lauren would fully move out her room and hand her key back. Since Kenzi had dated Hale the 'Hotel rules' had dropped significantly.

"Hey Bolo." Tamsin was waving them over to the illegally parked jeep in the bus lane, the build-up already two-coaches deep and the drivers honking impatiently.

"Some things don't change," Bo muttered as she felt her hand being let go and Lauren wrapping her arms around Tamsin's neck. A surge of jealousy shot through her. They quickly left the airport, and despite Bo's want of Lauren to ride in the back with her, she rode up front with Tamsin, and she was left in the back seat by herself to sulk.

Once at the hotel Tamsin had insisted helping Lauren with her packing. Not taking no for an answer as she wanted a catch-up and promised to bring her to the crack house in an hour or two. They drove off giggling, leaving Bo by the entrance of her apartment. Bo felt the anger build up as she entered her apartment, it had already started.

"Hey Bobo, good to have you back, where's the doc?" Kenzi innocently asked. She had shots lined up in front of her.

"Where do you think? We have only been back two minutes and of course, she is taken away from me, she is with Tamsin, god forbid that we have a minute together." Bo slumped on the sofa and downed Kenzi's shot in one.

"Erm Bo-itch, you have spent three full days together, and that is like thousands of minutes or something. Who shit in your barn today?" Kenzi asked, taking one of her shots for herself.

"The airline for starters, they lost our bag and gave me this," Bo said waving her paper in the air. "A fucking property irregularity report, I get the property and report part but seriously are they trying to annoy me by implying that my missing property is an irregularity that I need to report? of course, it is irregular, I don't fucking have it!"

"Calm down, I bet Doc shit a puppy losing her bag? after what you text me about her being afraid of airports." Kenzi replied.

"She was quiet, actually didn't say anything. And don't tell that to anyone else, I thought it was cute, but maybe I shouldn't share all Lauren's shit with you." Bo said, feeling all sudden bad that she was so open about Lauren with Kenzi. Remembering back to the lake and her promise that she wouldn't share their intimate details with anyone, including Kenzi.

"No problem dude, like who would believe me anyway, the composed ice queen's kryptonite is airport security." Kenzi laughed. "Let's drink, we have our own catching up and seeing that our Bonzi night is being cancelled for your doc's birthday bash I thought we would have our own pre-party with shots while I tell you every disgusting detail of Hales, as I have not suddenly grown morals on an adventure weekend."

They both laughed. Why am I being so uptight? Bo thought.

Lauren and Tamsin arrived at the crack house two hours later and armed with all Lauren's bags and plants. Bo and Kenzi were lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling. They sat up when they heard Tamsin coughing and saw that Lauren was not amused.

"The party starts in three hours Bo." Lauren said, "Are you going to help me unpack and stop drinking so that you can actually enjoy it with me?"

Bo stood up and saluted, "Yes ma'am.", standing up too fast she fell back down again and Kenzi giggled. They hadn't planned on getting drunk, but when the vodka ran out and all that was left was Jaeger, it just kind of happened.

"Fuck me, Bo, our crack house has just turned into a greenhouse." Kenzi pointed at the array of plants. They burst into giggles again and Lauren simply stepped over them and walked to the back bedroom. This was a good idea at the lake, moving in properly together, now she was not so sure, Lauren thought.

Cleos - Lauren's Birthday Party

Bo had sobered up, helped Lauren with the unpacking and managed to look fabulous for the party, all of which impressed Lauren. Bo chose to wear a beautiful sparkly black dress, that hugged her in the right places showing off her slender curves, and a v-cut neckline which gave her plenty of cleavage. A simple clutch to accompany, silver bracelet wore mid-way up her arm, triangle dangle earrings and her own necklace that Lauren had given her. Her hair was up in a single loose pony-tail. Lauren had chosen to wear a wine colour, floor length halter-neck dress with a thin belt resting below her hips. A matching small silver bag accompanied. The dress was open to reveal her back, cut low to sit just above her bottom. Her hair was pulled to the side and curled, and the only jewellery she had on was her silver necklace.

The place was full of people that they knew. Lauren's doctor colleagues, Bo's bar buddies and of course their group of friends, Kenzi, Hale, Tamsin and Dyson. Tamsin had been busy with the decorations, tasteful with only a few balloons, the camel shaped cake as a centrepiece and a few 'Happy Birthday' banners. To everyone's surprise, Evony had arrived with Crystal on her arm, with Vex as per usual following. Massimo had left a few days earlier. Bo and Lauren greeted them with a smile, it appeared that everyone had moved on.

The next few hours passed and everyone was having fun. The DJ playing a good mix of new and old songs to suit all. Bo and Lauren danced together or were mixing with guests at the party. Lauren loved how well Bo could join or start a conversation easily and how everyone was transfixed by her. Bo stood proudly with her girlfriend all night, she loved the way she moved so elegantly and how she could talk to people and make them feel that they were the only one in the room. As they moved from person to person, group to group everyone could tell how much in love they both were. The glances, the touch of hands, the low whispers into each other's ear. It was a great party. Bo was with Lauren when she blew out her candles. Bo asked her to make a wish, Lauren replying with simply, "Nothing to wish for when I have you". Making the room go ahhhh.

Lauren and Bo were both busy cutting the cake, ensuring the queue all got a piece. Crystal was next, standing in front of her, "hey Lauren," she spoke not looking at Bo.

"Hey Crystal, I'm sorry but I couldn't help notice that you arrived with Evony. Are you an item?" Lauren asked.

"Yeah, s'pose we are. Had same interests," Crystal replied with a smirk.

"Well it is lovely that you came, all of you," Lauren replied.

"I could slip in a dirty joke there about coming, but I best not." Crystal answered back, nodding over to Bo's direction while she spoke.

"You better not," Bo spat back, "now what do you want?"

"What everyone here wants," she replied looking Lauren up and down before turning to Bo and saying, "cake."

Bo took the knife off Lauren and cut the ass of the camel and plonked it on a paper plate and handed it to Crystal with a smile.

"I always liked a good ass," Crystal smiled over to Lauren and then to Bo before walking away.

Lauren took the knife back off Bo and smiled at the next person in line, it was one of the hotel managers and they had a polite conversation. Bo scrutinised Crystal and Evony, they appeared to be any normal, happy couple, but Bo was cautious when it came to either of them. When the line had finished, Lauren took Bo's hand and led her to the dance floor, where they stayed in each other's embrace for several songs.

"Hey Kenzi, has Bo said anything to you?' Tamsin asked, taking the seat next to her at the bar.

"About what?" Kenzi asked, looking over to Bo and Lauren who were dancing cheek to cheek and singing along to the words. "About the fact they have come back all soppy like middle aged lesbians singing to each other."

"Not just that. I have seen that coming for a while, they are hot for each other. I mean has she said anything else like what might have happened in Cairo?" Tamsin asked.

"Like what? what do you know?" Kenzi turned to Tamsin. "What did Doc tell you?"

"Nothing and that is strange, as normally she has some goofy story or six to tell. She showed me their pot, talked about the lake and the pyramids and basically it being the best weekend of her life. But no details which lead me to wonder about the necklace." Tamsin pointed at Bo's neck. "You see she is wearing Lauren's necklace, it's her family crest. At first, I thought it was cute, that Lauren gave her a keepsake, like when a jock gives you his jacket. But if you look, it is not her's, Lauren is wearing her's, Bo has her own identical one."

"So what does that mean?", Kenzi asked.

"I hoped that you would know the answer to that. Let's go ask them." Tamsin replied.

"Nah, they have a secret code now, Bo said something earlier about not speaking about them anymore, not even to me. We need to separate and divide. You take Bo, say that you are pleased with the necklace and doc told you what it meant. Let me know what she says and I will do the same with the doc. Meet me back here for Jaeger in five minutes." Kenzi said, happy with her plan. Tamsin nodded.

Kenzi walked over to Lauren and pulled her away insisting that she bought her a birthday cocktail. Tamsin stayed with Bo, moving to the side and handing her a white wine. Taking the pendant in her hands Tamsin spoke, "So welcome to the family Bo. Do you know what you are getting yourself into with the Lewis's?".

Bo choked back her drink.

"It's ok Bo, I know. So, what next?" Tamsin asked, hoping that was the right question.

"Oh Tam, I don't know. I thought we are just going to keep it between us, but now I guess we are sharing it with you guys, then, later, we tell her family. Do you think it is too early for us to be engaged, please Tamsin, answer me honestly?" Bo looked desperately at Tamsin. She knew Lauren and her family and hoped she would have the answer.

"Honestly, I don't know. Only you two know that. How does it feel Bo, knowing that you could be Lauren's wife soon?" Tamsin asked.

Bo beamed, she couldn't help it. Suddenly everything fitted into place and she saw a life with waking up beside Lauren every morning, bringing take-out home, spending weekends together and laughing every day for the rest of her life. Bo relaxed, "Thanks, Tam, you know I have had worries and had doubts, but then I need to only think of Lauren and I know that I have never felt this way before, and those worries and those doubts are all gone."

Tamsin nodded and smiled.

"I know what to do." Bo hugged Tamsin and walked away.

Meanwhile, over at the bar, Kenzi was not having as much luck as Tamsin, she had already tried the necklace meaning something, and Lauren brushed it off with being only a quirky gift. That she like Bo matching her in necklaces and outfits and soon they would be colour-coordinated. They were both startled when Bo interrupted the music and took hold of the microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and colleagues. I want to firstly thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the birthday of the beautiful Doctor Lauren Lewis. As many of you are aware I am the real lucky one tonight, as I am proud to be with her as her partner, girlfriend, and as of yesterday I am pleased to announce that I am soon to also be her wife." The crowd stood and cheered, many of them turning to Lauren and congratulating her. "So tonight, I want to dedicate this next song to her, be kind as this is my first ever karaoke." Bo turned to the DJ and nodded.

Bo stopped talking and took the microphone out of its stand as the first few chords of 'Beautiful with You' started to play. The dance floor was covered in people ready to dance. Bo inhaled and closed her eyes to allow the first few beats of the music to wash over her.

I stare

at the girl in the mirror

t-shirt

torn up jeans, no beauty queen.

But the way that you see me

You get underneath me

and all my defences just fall away

fall away

Bo sang looking at Lauren, who was frozen to the spot. So much for taking it slow Bo, she thought. Bo slipped easily through the crowd, edging nearer the bar, and more importantly to Lauren.

"So just a necklace, hey. I think Bo thinks it means more, so are you playing her Doc?' Kenzi asked, keeping her friend's interests at heart.

"No, she is right. We are engaged, I just thought we were not telling people just yet." Lauren answered honestly. Watching Bo singing and dancing made her happy, Bo was celebrating their love, why was Lauren still doubting it, she was not being fair.

I am beautiful with you

even in the darkest part of me

I am beautiful with you

Make it feel the way it's supposed to be

Deciding to ignore any doubts, she joined her "wife to be" and sang and danced along with her.

You're here with me

You show me this and I'll believe

I am beautiful with you.

I stand

naked before you now

no walls

to hide behind, so here am I.

See all of my scars

Still, here you are

I bare my soul and I am not afraid, not afraid.

The rest of the night turning into their second engagement party and ending with them going home early together, with Kenzi shouting out they were leaving to 'consummate their engagement', which brought them both some embarrassed looks.

They decided to walk home, it was a nice evening and the walk along the beach felt the romantic thing to do. Bo stopped Lauren beside their sunbed, the one that they sat on the first night they got together. She gradually pulled Lauren's hands up to her chest and rested them there.

"Here is when you made me the happiest woman alive when you said you were going to date me." Bo softly spoke. "You did worry me with all your 'what ifs' but my sexiness won you round in the end.

Lauren chuckled. "You had me at hello," Lauren finally replied.

"You are so cheesy with your film lines." Bo ticked Lauren until she fell to the floor laughing and panting. Bo repositioned herself so that she was straddling Lauren's lap, and leant down to kiss her, tentatively at first, but soon her tongue dance across Lauren's lips, begging for entrance.

Lauren flipped Bo over, pounced to her knees and mounted her. Bo was caught between her legs, which were spread on either side of her torso. "You like my cheesy film quotes, don't deny it."

"I love it, baby," Bo smirked beneath her. "Now kiss me!"

Putting on her best accent of Rhett Butler from 'Gone with the Wind' Lauren said, "You should be kissed, and often, by someone who knows how."

They both laughed.

Just then Lauren spots it, in the sand beside Bo's head, a jellyfish. "Baby, don't move."

Bo opened her eyes, she was expecting a kiss not a surprise. Lauren's telling her not to panic only caused Bo to panic more and she wiggled free beneath Lauren, "What is it?"

"I think there is a jellyfish in the sand," Lauren replied.

Before Lauren had a chance to say anything else, Bo was jumping up and dancing over the sand, looking around her, she screamed as she stood on the soggy creature. Limping back to the stairs, holding her foot, Lauren ran after her.

"Bo, Bo, please stop. It is ok."

"It's not, pass me the water," Bo replied, stretching out her arm,

"Well no, for two reasons, firstly the ph. levels in fresh water will cause a jellyfish's nematocysts to sting more, as they will sense the change in water, and secondly...,"

Bo interrupted, "Ok, pee on me, it is ok, I trust you."

Lauren smiled back at Bo and took her in her arms, "Baby, I'm not pee'ing on you, you really are kinky. Anyway, as I was saying, secondly Bo, you stood on a plastic bag that had someone's left-over sandwich in."

"So it was not a jellyfish?" Bo asked, letting go of her foot.

"No baby, but if you are still into the kinky wee'ing thing?"

Bo punched Lauren lightly on the arm, "Ergh, no, that must have a name, and I know that you know Lo."

"Urolagnia" Lauren replied

"Yep, knew it, and you call me kinky." Bo stood and took Lauren's hand in her own, and slowly they walked back to their apartment.

Tuesday 11th June - Bo and Lauren's Apartment

The following morning, they were both off work and decided not to get up but, instead, to hide away all day in bed together. Last night was an impulsive move by Bo to announce their engagement, and after she explained what happened with Tamsin, they both realised that they were played. They decided that in future it would be better not to try and hide their secrets from their best friends.

Regardless, they were happy it was out and the fact it was met with no negativity, only people happy for them. They both agreed that Lauren's parents and Trick could wait a while before they were told. The 'slow' arrangement was not going to plan, but at least it had not leaked out of the country just yet. They had asked their friends not to post anything online, and they had all agreed.

They started to make plans about visiting England and Canada after their time in Egypt. They also planned a road trip to her foster mums to pick up her car. Lauren explained her theory of what she thought might have happened to Kyle, explaining the science, keeping it simple so Bo could follow. Bo was stunned, in only a short time Lauren had found out more than anyone else had in years. They formulated a plan. Once complete Bo would hand herself over to the authorities. It was a vague plan, but it was theirs and they spent the afternoon putting it into place, going again over the finer details. Lauren was asking about the weather, the field, and what happened beforehand. Bo was nervous and excited at the same time, Lauren believed her and was convinced that everything had an answer.

They heard the door go and Kenzi announce that she was in so no naked business, moments later they heard Tamsin's voice shouting. "Is she in there?"

They looked at each other in surprise, neither having any time to say anything as they heard Tamsin's rushed footsteps edging closer to their door. Quickly they pulled the sheet up to their neck and slid the file under the pillow.

Suddenly the door flung open, Tamsin bowled in, slamming the door behind her, "Lauren,", leaning against the door to ensure it was closed, "Seriously, do you not know how to answer your phone these days?" She surged towards the balcony doors, barking "And would it kill you to get some air in this room?"

Bo shuffled under the sheet, while Lauren sat up straight holding the bed sheet to her chest, "What do you want Tamsin?"

Tamsin sat on the edge of the bed and replied, "You need to answer your phone, I have been trying to get hold of you my whole shift. I even sent security around to knock on your door, you don't answer. You need to have your phone turned on. What is the point of having it if it is not turned on? Shit Lauren."

"What do you want? What is the big emergency, this can't be about us, you were fine last night?" Lauren patted out the bed.

"It not me you need to worry about. It seems that one of your guests posted Bo's speech online. I would put my money on it being Evony, I don't know why you guys invited that evil bitch and singing Barbie along in the first place. Anyway, it has gone viral as you are a Lewis. The English press has it, run the story, and it is out on the socialite pages," Tamsin turned her smartphone around to show the internet headline of "England most eligible bachelorette to marry her hot bartender!" along with a picture of them both on the stage.

"Shit, is that the Surrey Comet? Shit, my mum reads that site. I have to call her to explain, she is going to flip." Lauren picked up her phone and turned it on, it started to beep with the messages, "Damm, Mum has tried to call me also. And Dad. And Matty. And Danny. Shit, the whole family has called, even Ciara has text me telling me to call. And who the hell are these people?" Lauren turned the phone around to show Tamsin.

"Most likely press. Fuck knows how they got hold of your number, again my money is on the evil one or singing Barbie. Anyway, they have been calling the hotel all day. I have had to ask the reception to divert them to me. Hale is being understanding but he does not want press calling the hotel. They want the whole fucking story. They all want an exclusive. Your mum is sending over Donald Richards to handle this. He will discuss with you both on what you are to do next." Tamsin explained. "You know this by now Lauren, Christ you explained it to me when I was introduced to your family. The Lewis name is a brand in Britain and nothing is done without going through Donald first."

"I know, but Bo didn't, she did not know that she can't make romantic stage gestures this is so messed up." Lauren rubbed her temples, Bo stroked her back. "You spoke to mum, how is she?"

"Pissed," Tamsin replied.

"I better call her," Lauren answered.

"No need, she is on a plane right now with your dad. She is landing at six pm and will stay at the Savoy, she has requested that you both meet them at eight pm for dinner. I have suggested Fusion as it is opposite the Savoy. And if I was you, Lauren, I would not be late." Tamsin stood up and left them sitting silently on the bed.

After a few moments Bo spoke, "Baby I am so sorry, this is all my fault. You said to keep it between us, I should have known not to fall for Tamsin, but damn that girl is good. No wonder she was a cop. And I was stupid to jump on stage like that and announce it in front of everyone. I sang for fuck's sake. I am such an idiot." Bo said, deflated.

"No you're not," taking Bo's hands in hers, "you're a Barbara remember, a woman in love. Well, I hope that you still are." Lauren asked, giving Bo a shy look. A look she had perfected over the years that was guaranteed to win anyone over.

"Baby, I am confused a lot now; about the internet, the fact that you are a bigger deal that I could have ever imagined, about Donald and I am petrified of meeting your parents. But I know one thing, and that is I love you more than I ever imagined I could or would." Bo answered honestly.

"Well it is not like I am a Kardashian or anything, it has been picked up by a socialite magazine and will run for a few days' maximum. The same shit happened when I announced that I was with Nadia. The main reason why I used to like to keep my relationships to myself, because of the circus that surrounds it."

"You used to like?" Bo picked up quickly on what Lauren had just said.

"Yeah, you heard me." Lauren said as she got up and walked naked to the bathroom, "Now I want to scream and shout about my 'Hot Bartender' fiancée." emphasising the word HOT. Lauren walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, she was in deep shit. This was big and her parents would be angry, not to mention the fact that they were bound to hate and blame Bo for it all. It was only now that she had even thought about how different their worlds were and the obstacles they would face just to be allowed to be seen together. She hoped Donald had the answers, as she was running out of ideas. Lauren emerged from the shower and walked into the bedroom to find Bo who was sat quietly smiling to herself. Smile baby and enjoy these last precious moments, it will all change in five hours, Kate Lewis was coming and she took no prisoners, especially those who had brought the Lewis name into the press, she thought to herself.

Bo leant back on the bed, closed her eyes and smiled, this hot bartender will look forward to the circus as I know that no matter what happens I have Lauren to come home to. It was all out in the open, she was going to marry England's most eligible bachelorette and she was finally getting to meet Lauren's parents. What could go wrong?