Chapter 28 - Meet the Parents
Tuesday 11th June - 19:50 pm Crackhouse
"Bo, come on we are going to be late," Lauren called out to the back bedroom, they only had ten minutes to get to Fusion and were already pressing it for time and Lauren was becoming impatient. Bo came out the bedroom just as Lauren had decided to go in and get her, and she looked stunning, both her hair and makeup were immaculate. Lauren frowned at her choice of outfit but stayed quiet as they had no time to change. Bo had chosen a low-cut bodice, buttoned down the front, with tight dark jeans. Her breasts were ample and spilling from the top. It was a normal outfit for Bo, but this was not a normal date, she was going to meet her parents tonight and Lauren had hoped she would have dressed more conservatively.
"Ready?" Lauren asked
"As I'll ever be," Bo replied.
Lauren's earlier worry was not necessary as they made it on time, thankful that they were the first ones there. They chose a booth in the bar by the entrance so that they could see when Lauren's parents arrive. They were about to order their drinks when Lauren saw them walk in, her dad, Adam wore a blue suit with a crisp, white shirt opened at the neck, while her mum, Kate wore a complimenting light blue dress and her blonde hair worn in a high bun on her head. Lauren waved them over.
Lauren turned to Bo and took both her hands in her own and said, "Bo, my parents are rather old fashioned, please no swearing or profanity, and keep your answers short and..."
Bo interrupted, "Should I also curtsey Lo. Relax baby, I got this."
They turned just as Adam approached them and picked up Lauren and spun her around. "Ah, Lauren, I sure have missed ya. You look so tanned, and 'appy, you're almost beaming." Lauren's dad held her at arm's length and smiled broadly at his daughter. Turning, he faced Bo, arms held out in front of him, "And you must be the reason my daughter is all glad eye?"
Bo took his hand and jerked when she felt herself being forced forward into a similar bear hug to the one Lauren had just received.
Once she was let go, she answered, "I hope, I mean, I think so, I'm Bo, and it is a delight to meet you, sir." Without warning or reason, Bo felt anxious, her earlier confidence disappearing as she saw how charming they both were and how they could turn heads from strangers with just their presence.
Lauren doubled back, had she just heard Bo call her dad sir? She must be nervous, she imagined, reaching down to hold her hand.
"Ah, the pleasure is all mine young lady. I'm Adam, but I guess now you can call me Da." Adams wide grin making Bo feel more at ease.
Before Bo had a chance to answer Lauren's mother spoke, "A bit early for all that, you can call him Adam and I'm Kate." She held out her hand, in a business-like matter, and Bo shock it.
They returned to their booth and the waiting barman took their drink orders. Adam opted for a local beer, Lauren and Bo both asked for white wine, and Kate asked for a French bourbon with only one ice cube. When the drinks arrived, Kate caused a fuss when her drink was wrong and ladened with ice. She sent it back.
"In earnest, how hard can pouring one's drink be. It's not like you need any skills, only the ability to remember and pour." Kate sighed, turning to Bo she said, "Ah, you are a mixologist aren't you Bo? It's not difficult is it?"
"I'm a bartender, and no, it is not hard at all Kate," Bo shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Lauren whispered in her ear that a mixologist was just a fancy word for a bartender and Bo blushed, suddenly feeling awkward in her surroundings.
"Ah, so a bartender hey, is that just while you are in Egypt? Do you have another profession in America?" Adam asked sincerely.
"Afraid not Adam, I'm a bartender also, and it is in Canada." Bo corrected.
"Canada hey, part of the British Commonwealth, so we are technically related. So, bartending is an interesting job no doubt, I bet you come across all sorts?" Adam asked, holding on with the polite conversations in order to break any silences.
"Yes, I certainly have." Bo turned to Adam and smiled. He bore the same warm brown eyes as Lauren and she relaxed even more.
"I once knew a fellow who stated he could tell a man's character by what he drank. He was a wise ole man, was a barkeep all his life. Can you tell someone's character by what they drink Bo?" Adam took a large swig of his beer.
Bo had never been asked that before, "Well, I have never actually given it much thought."
"Well, next time you meet a new person, try it." Adam smiled.
"Such ridiculousness Adam," Kate snarled, "people change their drink depending on the occasion and time of day. I drink champagne at parties, wine with dinner, brandy pre-and post-dinner and drink gin during the day. What does that make me?"
"A drunkard and a snob." Adam replied, "But an adorable one."
The table all laughed except Kate.
They quietened down so Kate continued.
"So Bo, please tell us about yourself? We so far know you're Canadian and work as a mixologist, sorry a bartender." She corrected, "Tell us some more, help us to get to know you better."
Bo looked over to Lauren, hoping that she would jump in and tell a lavish story, instead she simply squeezed her hand. Bo took a deep breath, here goes, she thought. "So I'm an only child, I believe. I'm not one hundred percent as I don't know my biological parents at all. I was brought up by my adoptive parents from the age of three. My adopted dad died a few years ago of a heart attack. My mum is sick, I believe she has depression, I don't really know, you see, we have not spoken in years. My real mother gave me to my real dad; all I know about her was that she was a stripper. My real dad is currently in prison serving sixteen years for two counts of manslaughter in California. I nowadays live in Toronto with my best friend Kenzi, she is part Russian mafia part street kid, and we work in a bar called Dal Raita."
The table was silent, so she continued, "Erm, I did not go to college, and feel that I was educated at the university of life instead. I have travelled, but only the length of Canada, this is the furthest I have been. And coming here was the first time I had been on a plane." Bo finished speaking and grinned, she was pleased with her answer.
Kate did not need to reply, the wide-eyed look she gave Lauren was enough. Kate took a heavy gulp of her bourbon and raised her eyebrow to Adam.
"Well, well you certainly do bear an interesting background." Kate finally said.
"I t'ink the past is but the pathway to the present, and t'is a person's actions that they do today, for which we can judge one's character," Adam spoke, raising his glass to Bo.
"Really Adam, you and your Irish idioms, it is the same with your 'actions speak louder than words' phase that you have drummed into our children. I personally judge one's character on a polished pair of shoes or a tasteful outfit." Kate said snidely, looking at Bo's cleavage then face.
Bo looked down, slightly embarrassed.
Adam continued to drink, he knew his wife and knew better than to answer that.
"Mum, Dad, Bo is extremely talented behind the bar and with people." Lauren continued, straining to keep conversations flowing.
"I'm sure she possesses many talents, Lauren." Kate replied, "So Lauren, why the rush? forgive me but have you only known each other a few weeks?"
Lauren looked over to Bo, "No reason, we just want to be together."
Bo took hold of Lauren's hand, she noticed that Kate's facial expression had not changed. "If you do decide to go ahead with this wedding, then there is one thing you should know, your father and I insist on a prenuptial agreement."
Lauren's nostrils flared.
"Kate lets discuss this afterwards. Tonight, is about getting to know Bo, then we can decide." Adam said, diffusing the situation.
"Fine, but I won't be changing my mind on that." Kate replied, "Ok, so you know that Donald is here, he is busy buying any story that he can find from the people who know you." Kate focused purely on Lauren this time.
"What does that mean?" Bo asked.
Lauren sighed, this was becoming tedious to her and every time she met someone. Turning to Bo she answered, "Don't worry sweetheart, it's called a media sweep. He basically finds any possible story and kills it before a tabloid gets a hold of it. The individual is then paid for their silence. We should assist him with a list of names of people that know us."
Bo suddenly started to panic. She knew a lot of people. She drank with a lot of people. She told them stories of her life. And of course, there was Evony. She would lift the lid on Bo's life, which would certainly bring problems.
Lauren noticed Bo and frowned, she looked so concerned, "Bo, it is ok. Donald is really good."
Bo leant into Lauren and quietly said, "What about Evony?"
"Who is Evony?" Kate asked.
Bo was surprised that she heard what she had said to Lauren and was taken back.
Lauren replied, "An ex of Bo's, she is currently here and she may be a problem."
"Why?" Kate asked.
Bo started to sweat, this was not how she imagined the evening going. She wanted them to be laughing and maybe a photograph at the end of the night with arms over each other, like the one Lauren has of them in Bulgaria. Not sat discussing Bo's life in such detail, and then adding into the mix an ex who knew far too many stories about Bo to buy up. She would have to come clean to Lauren about her time with Evony, but not here, not with her parents.
"She is merely an ex." Lauren raised her voice, aggravated now that this dinner was becoming so intrusive, "Just do what you do, get your chequebook out and silence our lives like they never happened. Just like the time I was arrested in Spain."
Bo raised her eyebrow at Lauren but did not want to say a word. She never knew about her being arrested, but she would wait to ask her at another time.
"Keep your voice down Lauren. We do this to keep the respect of our hard-earned name. As for Spain, you were a child. Now quieten your voice you were raised better than that." Kate replied, looking around to make sure that no-one had heard.
"Yes, you are right. Which reminds me I should actually thank my boarding school for raising me so well." Lauren bit back.
"Have you forgotten your manners being here?" Kate quickly replied. "And you wanted to go to boarding school Lauren; you picked out the booklet and gave to us on your seventh birthday."
"Ok, whatever." Lauren did not want this debate right now. It was about getting to know Bo, not her own upbringing.
"We have this for you, came last Friday, we were going to post it before we seen the news of your engagement." Kate handed Lauren a large A4 envelope. "It's from St Mary's Hospital."
Lauren read it and placed it back in her handbag. "They want to talk face to face for the interview and would like me to Skype them on Thursday," Lauren announced to the table, which had previously been silent.
Bo turned to Lauren, "Are you going to?"
"Yes," Lauren answered.
"Well at least you will be living in England if you get the job, now what about the Wedding? Where is that being held? because by the sound of it, it is more cost efficient to bring Bo's family to us rather than for us to travel to Bo's." Kate asked.
"We have not talked about weddings or living arrangements but I wanted us to live in Canada," Bo answered for Lauren.
Lauren turned to Bo, "Really? You never said before, I thought you would like to live in England? What about now, knowing about this job interview for St Mary's? it really is a good opportunity for me if I get it and well, you can bartend anywhere?"
"You can doctor anywhere Lauren. I just don't see Kenzi wanting to go to live in England" Bo answered.
"Well I'm not marrying Kenzi Bo, I'm marrying you," Lauren answered. "She can visit."
"Kenzi is my only family. I can't leave her, I'm all she has." Bo replied.
Lauren looked around the table, all eyes were upon her. Her dad had bowed his head low on eye contact, while her mum sat quietly smirking. "We can talk about this later." Lauren took a large gulp of her drink and turned her head to ensure that Bo knew that she was not going to discuss this further.
"Well looks like I'm not the only one who has unanswered questions," Kate smiled over to Adam, sipping on her brandy.
Bo excused herself from the table, she suddenly felt that the room was closing in and she desperately needed some air and she moved outside. Looking down at her choice of her outfit she felt queasy. Compared to Kate and Adam she looked like a common woman of the street. When all she wanted was to be with Lauren and have a family, she knew that she would never be accepted, her type never was. And the thought of moving to London scared her the most. It was all moving too fast and she wished that she could get away. For the first time ever, she had severe doubts. Falling in love was the most beautiful and painful experience she had ever felt. She brushed aside a tear that fell from her eyes. The start of many, she thought as she re-entered the restaurant.
Bo moved to the toilet to fix her make-up, there was one thing to cry, but another to let them see you! She had learnt that from Kenzi, who would tell her on many occasions when she was feeling low for one reason or another. As she edged nearer the door she heard Lauren and Kate speaking in the hallway.
"Mum, could you please try. I know she is not what you imagined for me, but once we get to London, we will be okay. I can get her dressed up and on some career paths. We won't embarrass you, please do not embarrass me tonight." Lauren pleaded.
"Lauren please, wake up girl. She is not coming to London. She will have you working as a GP in a small town in the hind end of nowhere. She has her claws in you, and you can't see it. Blinded by love. That's always been your problem. Can't see what is in front of you, I said that same thing about Nadia, did I not?" Kate was angry, angry that her daughter could not or would not learn from her past mistakes.
"Mum please, but we don't know if I will get that job yet, it's only a video interview. There're a lot of good people applying. Penelope Pimkins is one of them also going for it." Lauren said defensively.
"Seriously Lauren, I don't want to get involved but surely you can do better. I want to see you happy, but you think with your heart, not your head. She dresses like a slut Lauren. It's one thing to hold her as a lover, but not as a wife." Kate replied, walking off to the toilets.
Bo quickly moved away, tears stinging her eyes. She had heard enough when Lauren had not answered. She moved back to the bar to find Adam sitting alone, and smiled politely as he engaged in another conversation about bartenders. At least he's trying, Bo thought.
Lauren followed her mother into the toilets and waited for her to be at the sink before she spoke. "Mum, I love her." Lauren said, "I love her so much that I would give up everything, and that means you too." Lauren walked nearer her mother, "And if you ever call her that again, I will go and will never come back, do you hear me? You try harder, she is nervous, or you won't see me again." Lauren turned and left her mother stunned. She had never spoken that way to her mother before, but she was furious.
Kate and Lauren returned and they moved from the bar to the restaurant and the conversation changed to Lauren and Adam talking latest medical breakthroughs and subjects that were, at times, beyond Bo's comprehension. They had tried to involve her but she remained quiet, she knew she was not the in the same league and she could not match them academically. Kate had tried a few times to start up a few conversations with Bo, but they did not have anything in common, and they fell flat. At least she was trying, Lauren thought.
The birthday cake was presented to Lauren; Bo could tell she was embarrassed as she blew out her candles and felt desperate to know what Lauren had wished for. Bo would have certainly wished for a better beginning to the evening if it had been her cake. During the meal Lauren, had held onto Bo's hand, just letting it go to eat. Lauren noticed that Bo had not spoken, and even she realised that the conversations were a bit deep. So, she switched the topic of conversation and told her parents about some of the places that they had been to as well as their time in Cairo. She left out the sex marathons but had a natural way of making each story come to life. Bo was surprised when Lauren pulled her digital photo frame out of her handbag and showed them some of her favourite pictures. Lauren had laughed with her parents and Bo could see how close they all were. They left with promises of breakfast in the morning at the Tennis Club and Bo returned the polite goodbyes.
The journey back was in silence as they drove back to the apartment.
Mid-Night at Bo's Crackhouse apartment
Lauren walked ahead into Bo's apartment with Bo following, she jumped when she heard Bo slamming the front door and throwing her bag on the kitchen worktop. Walking past Lauren, Bo headed straight to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of white wine. In silence, she took a single glass from the sink and poured herself a drink.
"Do you want to talk about it, Bo?" Lauren asked putting the cork back into the bottle and placing it back in the fridge.
"What's the point!" Bo snapped back, harder than she intended.
"I don't know why you're upset baby. It went ok." Lauren replied, keeping her tone soft.
Bo turned to face Lauren, disbelief in her eyes. "Are you fucking joking Lo? Your mother hates me."
Lauren put her hands on her hips. "She was trying, give it a few more times."
"It doesn't matter," Bo replied, hurt that Lauren was now not going, to be honest with her.
"It is just her Bo, she gives all my girlfriends a hard time, I'm her only daughter, she is just a bit protective. Once you get to know each other you will see that you have so much in common and get on, well, like a house on fire." Lauren tried to sound optimistic although in her heart of hearts did not believe what she was saying.
"The only way we will get on fire is if I was inside that house, that's on fire, and she was holding the petrol can. Let's face it, it is what it is, she hates me." Bo slumped on the sofa and downed her wine in one. "She fucking loved that we have not spoken about the wedding, or where we are going to live."
"Do you love me, Bo?" Lauren asked honestly.
Bo looked back into Lauren's eyes, "Yes".
"Then we will figure all that out. That's all that matters, so who cares about the other stuff." Lauren said while sitting herself down on Bo's lap and placing her arms around her neck.
Bo pulled Lauren's arms away and softly moved her aside, "I care. I have no family Lo, I'm not going to be the cause of you not having one either. And I'm sure not going to be the cause of you not fulfilling your career ambitions." Bo got up and refilled her wine glass, annoyed that the bottle was not left where she had put it. This time she kept the bottle and walked back to the sofa, sitting opposite Lauren this time.
"Are you going to drink that whole bottle?" Lauren asked, seeing the bottle clasped in Bo's hand.
"Yeah, and the next one, and the one after that!" Bo was angered by Lauren's mother and taking it out on Lauren. She knew she shouldn't but her anger and newly replenished wine buzz made her make rash choices.
"Look, Bo, we need to discuss London. Or at least put it on the table. This is just an interview, but if I get the job, could you not at least try living in England with me?" Lauren said, almost pleading.
"Lauren, I really don't want to. You will love Canada. It is so amazingly beautiful. And like I said at the restaurant, I can't leave Kenzi, she is all I have." Bo answered, not able to keep eye contact as she hated saying no to Lauren.
"Not for too much longer, she seems to be getting along with Hale really well. She will surprise you, Bo, it's time we moved on, got married and settled down, and then maybe start our own family." Lauren replied.
"I believed we already had a family, with Tam and Dyson, Kenzi and Hale, me and you. Like you said on the boat when you gave me this." Bo placed the necklace pendant between her thumb and forefinger.
"We do, and they will forever be a part of us. But I also meant my family, the Lewis family. I have a big family that will all want to be at the church" Lauren replied.
"Wow, I didn't know it would be so big. Won't it look strange in the church with all that lot on one side and Kenzi, Hale and Trick on my side." Bo asked.
"We can spread them out. We don't need to be that conventional." Lauren replied.
"Christ Lauren, I was joking. We're not having a church wedding, are we? I imagined just us six, by a lake and someone to wed us. We can have a party afterwards." Bo's voice started to crack with panic.
Lauren knew better than to try and continue with this, after all, she was not even sure she would get the job. That bridge was to be crossed another day.
"Look I'm tired and I'm off to bed, we have a breakfast date with them don't forget tomorrow." Lauren walked over to Bo and kissed her forehead. "Please don't drink all that, come to bed with me." Lauren held out her hand, and for a split second, saw her Bo looking back at her. It faded when Bo turned away and poured another drink.
"Is that what you want Lo, your whore of a girlfriend to come and scratch that itch?" Bo closed her eyes, regretting what she said the minute she said it. Before she had a chance to apologise to Lauren she had already walked off to the bedroom, and this time, it was Lauren slamming the door.
Bo spent the next two hours feeling sorry for herself and replaying the night over in her head. Nothing that she had said or done would have changed the fact that she was just not the same as them. Lauren was part of a high society while Bo would always be in a lower class. This thought saddened her, she so desperately wanted Lauren's parent's approval, without it, she did not feel she could marry Lauren. And if she could not marry her, should she stay with her, and if she should not stay with her, then should she destroy her chances of a career and if she did that would Lauren be better off if she left now? This thought making her cry over and over again. The falling in love doesn't hurt you, it's the landing, and she had just landed hard.
Wednesday 12th June - Morning
Lauren woke to an empty bed; it was the first time that she had stayed over that her and Bo had not actually slept together. It was also the first time since getting together that they had not been intimate while being together. Something definitely was wrong. Lauren played over the conversations in her mind and could not remember what had happened to make Bo so upset. She knew that she needed this morning to be better and jumped out of bed, ready to put things right.
Bo woke on an uncomfortable sofa, one dead leg hanging over the edge, and Kenzi peering over her with a glass of water in her hands.
"Morning sunshine, don't you look adorable." Kenzi joked, handing her the water. "You and the future misses already planning for wedded bliss with you on the couch. What happened?"
"I met the devil in Prada last night, aka the mother." Bo returned with sarcasm. "As you can imagine it did not go down a treat so I fell into an abyss of wine."
"Honey, I have told you before, to get in with those types of people you need to kiss the ass of the parents, the butler, the cook, the chauffeur and the tennis coach!" Kenzi giggled, jumping over the couch to join Bo.
Just then Lauren came bouncing out the room, dressed in white shorts and a matching white Lacoste polo top, white socks and trainers. In her hands was the same identical outfit in lime green, trainers and all.
"I thought you were only having breakfast at the Tennis club, not playing a game." Kenzi quietly said to Bo, getting up from the sofa. "Pucker up your lips for the tennis coach Bobo."
"Morning Doc. Anyone for Tennis?" Kenzi said actions included.
"It is merely what people wear there. Here, Bo, I thought you would be more comfortable in this." Lauren handed her the outfit.
Without saying a word Bo took the outfit and kissed Lauren on the side of the cheek. "I will just get ready. I won't be long."
Lauren smiled. This was going to be a good day.
Breakfast went well at the Tennis Club, Bo remained quiet for most of the morning, nursing a hangover in the heat was never good. That and remembering what she heard last night about being called a slut!
After breakfast Kate and Adam stood, a tennis match was arranged for them at nine am and both Lauren and Bo had work today also.
Kate kissed the side of Lauren's cheek and nodded politely to Bo, Adam kissed them both goodbye. As they were leaving Kate looked over her shoulder and said, "Don't forget that Donald is speaking to you today Lauren."
Lauren smiled and nodded.
"Don't suppose you fancy coming for a home cooked meal at our apartment tonight." Bo blurted out, half expecting a no, but reckoned it was polite to offer.
"That would be terrific. We will see you at eight. Lauren, send us the directions." Adam answered before Kate could.
Wednesday Afternoon - at Bo's Beach Bar
The day was quiet, in the fact that Bo had only served four drinks this past hour, the day was dragging yet her shift finished at six pm. Another two hours, Bo thought as she clock-watched for the hundredth time that day. She could swear at times it actually went backwards.
Just at that moment, she heard a man cough, she turned and knew instinctively that the well-dressed man before her was Donald. He was wearing long dark trousers, a blue shirt and a dark waistcoat. In his waistcoat was a pocket watch where the chain hung from pocket to pocket. On his head was a simple yet very British bowler hat. He was far too overdressed for a tourist in Egypt.
"Hello, are you Bo?" He asked.
"I am, and you must be Donald? Can I fix you a drink?" Bo asked, unsure whether to use his first name yet without any formal introduction, but not remembering his surname.
"Please, iced-tea preferably, with ice in a tall glass." he smiled, a friendly smile, showing off his perfect white teeth.
"Coming right up." Bo prepared his drink, "It's hot today, would you prefer we move to a shaded part to have a chat. I thought we were meeting tomorrow and you were meeting with Lauren today?"
"She was busy with patients." he replied.
"Ah yeah, the life of a Doctor is unpredictable," Bo replied. "No worries, it is quiet now, so it's fine with me."
"Perfect, how about just over there," he pointed to a lone table under a large umbrella and Bo nodded.
"You settle and I'll bring your drink across," Bo replied. She liked him, he had a relaxing nature and he looked just as she would imagine any true Englishman to look. She smiled.
They sat and chatted for just over an hour, Bo opened up about her past including Kyle. Lauren had assured her that she could trust Donald and should be honest about anything and everything. She shared secrets with this kind-looking stranger that she had not even told Lauren. This included her earliest memories, her time with Evony and what happened most recently with Lachlan and Dyson. During the full conversation, he did not flinch nor make comment, he simply wrote it all down in his big yellow A4 jotter pad. Bo felt happier, lifted almost and wondered if that was the same feeling that people got after speaking to their shrinks. The thought of it made her smile. Once finished he closed his book and asked Bo for another drink, which she was happy to oblige, no-one had entered the bar since they had sat down, so was in no rush to get back.
Handing him his drink, Bo spoke, "So have you known The Lewis's long?' she asked.
"You could say that." he responded, taking his drink and sipping it.
"Wow, so you must know it all then?" Bo sat down, curious to know more.
He smiled, "Yes, but I would never tell. I will see you again soon Bo, and it was a pleasure to meet you." he stood and took Bo's hand and kissed it in a respectful manner.
He walked a few steps then turned around, "Oh and Bo, thank you dear for being so open and honest today." With that he was then gone.
Wednesday 12th June - Dinner at the Crackhouse
"Wow Bo, they're my parent's babe, not vampires." Lauren laughed and placed the heavily smothered, bitten piece of garlic bread back on the plate.
They had both apologised and made up the moment they got in from work about the night before. Neither knowing exactly what they were apologising for, just knowing that they missed each other, and both did not want Bo sleeping on the couch again. They missed each other's warmth, their embrace and most of all missed waking up beside each other. They made a pact, not matter what, they would never go to bed on an argument again. Although they both agreed to liking the making up part, especially making up twice! The time spent making up, however, meant that Bo was stressing to get the dinner ready.
"Lauren, don't put that back. It has teeth marks." Bo said, who was still cooking and pointed to the bread piece using her stirring ladle.
"Sorry." Lauren took it back and ate it. "Baby, do you need help?"
"No, I have it under control. I can't cook..."
"Now you tell me," Lauren interrupted, and wrapped her arms around Bo's waist from behind.
Bo smiled and leant back into Lauren, "Ha ha, let me finish, I was trying to say I can't cook anything except Lasagne. It is legendary, everyone loves my lasagne." Bo said proudly.
"Are you certain it is not because a hot woman cooked for them," Lauren asked seductively.
"Maybe." Bo wiggled into Lauren's embrace and turned to kiss her.
"Right then hottie, I'm off to get changed. They'll be here in twenty minutes and I'm walking them down from the gate." Lauren let go of Bo and kissed her on the shoulder.
"Hey Lo, do you have an outfit I can borrow please," Bo looked down and shuffled her feet, "I don't have anything that is not low cut or strapless, therefore I have nothing appropriate to wear tonight. I will go shopping soon, I will get a new wardrobe to fit in more, it's just for tonight."
Lauren walked back to Bo and lifted her chin and held her, "Baby, you wear what you want to wear. I love you in everything. You do not need to change a thing about you, I know what she said the other night, but ignore it, ignore her." Lauren held Bo close, her heart breaking that Bo felt she needed to change to fit in.
"Lo, please, I want to. The twins have been out enough, it's time they are covered up a bit. I would feel more comfortable like I did at the Tennis Club." Bo pleaded.
"OK, if that is what you want. I will pick you something out." Lauren gave Bo a quick kiss, Bo returned to cooking. Lauren walked back to the bedroom feeling uneasy - I wanted her to dress more conservative - so then why does this feel wrong? why do I feel like I am stripping Bo of her individuality? and why does this hurt? Lauren asked herself.
Dinner was a success; the food was enjoyed by all and Bo's outfit of a cream dress was received well by both Kate and Adam. It was elegant and sat just below the knee, and the top was lace at the back and silk on the front. The cleavage was covered for the first time in Bo's life. Bo wore her hair in a braid that lay on her shoulder. Conversations were easy for everyone, Bo telling stories of how she worked and travelled the length of Canada. Kate sharing stories of young Lauren. Adam sharing stories of adult Lauren. Bo loved Lauren more and more, each time she discovered new things about her. Lauren was a child genius, and her mother still had the trophies to prove it.
Everyone was talking and laughing. It was quite a success. No more mentions of the wedding or where they were to live. It was left, for tonight anyway. They stood to say their goodnights, their driver had called and was waiting at the main gate.
"Thank you, Bo, for the lov'ley evening, this was a delight." Adam gave her a quick cuddle.
Bo smiled.
"Yes, it was nice," Kate added, "and don't forget your meeting with Donald tomorrow Bo."
"Oh, I met him today, nice man," Bo responded.
"When?" Lauren asked.
"Erm, around four today." Bo replied, "He said you were busy so we changed around?"
"Bo I was with Donald today. Tamsin walked him in at four, he stayed till six, and I escorted him back to the main gate."
Kate took out her mobile and dialled the familiar number, after a short few moments, she put it back in her bag. "Donald was with Lauren today and has not met you."
"Then who the hell was I talking to?" Bo replied, panic setting in and sweat forming on her brow.
"T'ats the million-dollar question Bo. That and what the hell you have said to him?" Adam answered, furiously, gone his friendly Irish manners.