Bo grunted and pushed once more. Once she was done, she slammed her head into the mountains of pillows behind her.
"Rest". Lauren gently tapped her leg and walked away from the bed.
"Is…is he okay? Bo panted.
"He's beautiful Bo! Lauren smiled as she rocked the baby in her arms.
"I do not understand this. I was not showing at all. I did not gain any weight. How? How could I have given birth so soon? Bo ranted.
"Some women don't show as much. You are not like humans. Your body could have adjusted to him and not shown a once of weight". Lauren explained.
"I want to hold him when you're done cleaning him up". Bo closed her eyes. Lauren said their first born was coming and he did. In the middle of the night. She blew out some breaths and turned her head back in Lauren's direction. The Doctor was practically glowing as she bent over cleaning their son.
"I guess we already have a name for him? Bo smiled.
"If you don't object to Ethan, then yes we do". Lauren cooed over the newborn.
"Ethan it is". Bo nodded.
"I'll help you heal, and then you can hold him. We don't know what powers he has yet, and he might try and drain you". Lauren tucked him into a small bassinet and walked back to the brunette.
"I love you Lauren". Bo spoke softly before the Doctor reached her.
"I love you too". Lauren smiled as she bent over and kissed the Succubus, hard. When she felt the pull, she knew Bo was feeding. They took a few moments as lovers and pulled back.
Lauren reached behind her and grabbed some hot towels. She gently scrubbed Bo clean before she brought Ethan to her.
"I can walk Lauren". Bo shook her head when the Doctor tried pushing her back down.
"Okay. Go get him". Lauren stood back and watched.
Bo walked slowly. She started to cry, and Lauren reached out and took her hand. They walked as slowly was Bo wanted to. The Doctor knew it must be Bo's insecurities about being a monster creeping up inside of her again. Monster's do not create beautiful things. Nothing as handsome as Ethan. He has dark hair and brown eyes.
"He won't fear you Bo". Lauren spoke softly when the Succubus suddenly stopped walking.
"And you're sure he's okay? Bo asked.
"I'm his mother Doctor, he's fine". Lauren squeezed Bo's hand and gently pulled her those final few steps.
Bo nodded and closed her eyes again before she looked at him. His little eyes seemed to widen at the sight of Bo. She smiled as she gently picked him up.
Lauren rubbed her back as they stood there.
"Do you mind if we hold off announcing him? I want it to be just the three of us. For now,". Lauren kissed the side of Bo's head.
"It's early in the morning. Nobody is up yet. Nobody we would care to see anyways. As far as I am concerned we can take this whole day as a family". Bo smiled as she turned to go and sit in the bed again. Lauren took Ethan while Bo got herself settled.
"I'm ready! Bo smiled as Lauren handed him back to her.
Lauren climbed into the bed with them. She pulled Bo into her arms as they both cooed all over Ethan. He is theirs, really theirs. There is no Fae or human that can come in and take him.
"He really is beautiful Lauren". Bo cried again.
"He is and we have plenty of time to spend with him." Lauren pushed a lock behind Bo's ear.
"How did you know I would give birth first? Bo asked curiously.
"I wasn't feeling unlike myself, so I figured you must be first." Lauren replied.
"Ahh. I thought you were going to say you looked ahead". Bo smiled at their son again.
"I could. But I do not want to do that. Looking ahead means worry and that has always been something the old Lauren would do. The new Lauren just wants to live her life. Like this, with our family". Lauren squeezed Bo in her arms.
"I can't wait to tell mom. This will rock her world". Bo cooed.
"I already spoke with Aife. I told her I suspected you would give birth soon and that I was leaving any unpleasant Fae business at her feet". Lauren exhaled.
"That sounds nice to me. Thank you for doing that". Bo gently kissed Lauren's cheek and felt two little hands slapping at her hands. "Okay. Okay! She smiled.
Lauren stretched out and Bo laid on top of her, still holding Ethan until he fell asleep. Lauren clapped her hands and an instant baby crib appeared.
"Lauren! Bo whispered.
"It's stable". Lauren smiled as she helped Bo stand up. The succubus gently set Ethan in the crib. Lauren had even thought of soft sheets for him to sleep on.
"Now we can get a little sleep too". Lauren smiled as she held a baby monitor in her hand.
"Do we have to? Bo pouted.
"If we don't sleep when he does, we'll never sleep". Lauren laughed.
"Well, you know more about this than I do, so sleep it is". Bo climbed on Lauren and fell into the Doctor's arms as they hit the mattress.
Bo took longer to fall asleep. She raised her head when she kept hearing small noises. Lauren rubbed her back as much as she could to get the succubus to finally rest. As a Doctor, she knew their baby was not crying out for anything or was in any sort of distress. The baby noises coming from him, however, were soothing to the blonde's ears. She gasped when it finally hit her that they are parents now. Real parents. Days and nights now committed to their son. His life. His safety. His every need. She exhaled and blew out a deep breath.
As nice and as quiet as this is, she knows it will not last. Threats will come fast and hard. They will try to at least. She still has foresight abilities and will not hesitate to look ahead every now and then when it comes to Bo or Ethan. But the rest she will let fate bring forth.
Bo turned in her arms and she closed her eyes to try and get back to sleep. This is her family right here. Right now. She needs to be rested and ready for everything that means.
Hours later
The Doctor rolled and found her arms and bed were empty. She sat up and listened. She could hear feet pacing back and forth. She pulled on her robe and walked downstairs. There she found the Succubus gently patting Ethan's back as she paced from one side of the room to the other. She could take a picture, but this looked like a private moment between the two of them.
"Three of us". Bo whispered.
"I'm sorry. I was trying to give you some space and time with him". Lauren spoke softly as she walked towards the duo.
"You never have to apologize to me Lauren. He is yours too. I know your Doctor brain was about to go into overdrive wondering if anything happened to him." Bo turned around to face the Doctor. She gently handed their son to her and watched as Lauren marveled at him. A live, breathing version of their love.
She folded her arms and smiled as Lauren rocked him in her arms. "I love you Lauren".
"I love you too". Lauren winked over her shoulder.
"When do you want to tell Mom he's arrived? Bo asked.
"Whenever you are ready". Lauren replied. She nearly laughed at the thought of Aife changing a diaper or holding their son.
"We'll give it a few days". Bo smiled as she turned to and try to make breakfast.
Aife and Mason
"What's with that grin? Mason asked.
"The royal prince has arrived". Aife smiled.
"What? Who? Mason looked around the bar.
"Isabeau and Lauren's child". Aife smiled again.
"What? How do you know that you are a grandmother? Mason stopped in place.
"A mother knows." Aife turned serious and it shook the shifter.
"What's up? Mason asked.
"I want you to be his guard. If you so much as smell anything bad around my grandson, I want you to find the source and kill him or her". Aife looked him dead in his eyes. He had known that look before. The woman was no longer smiling or laughing. She was as dead serious as he had ever seen her be.
"Of course. I will watch after the little guy". Mason smiled. It will be nice to have another guy around. Even if he is just a baby.
"As far as the rest, we will leave that up to Bo and Lauren. The Doctor seemed hard serious about what she wants. She wants us to handle any Fae shit. That is no sweat off my ass, I have not killed in a long time. So easy come, easy go for their lives." Aife took a seat.
Mason watched the old Succubus for a few minutes. She looked like she was a new grandmother. There was a new and dangerous energy surrounding her. Aife has them but she is going to need a bigger crew.
"Find me an entourage. Bring them to me for inspection. I'll wait right here". The Succubus leaned back in the booth and popped her neck. Her eyes flashed blue and back to their normal color.
Mason nodded and literally ran out of the building. They were not dumb. Kids of Bo's or Lauren's will be instant targets.
Back inside the Dal, Lou Ann approached Aife's table. "Is there anything that I can do?
Aife looked up. "Bring me Vex, alone".
"Right". Lou Ann nodded and left the brunette in the bar alone.
Bo and Lauren
"When we have gotten used to this. I want an explanation". Bo cooed into the Doctor's ears.
"I have no explanation Bo. Only you know your body. It is possible your succubus protected the baby. So, you were not aware that he was in there. He's hers too". Lauren kissed the top of Ethan's head as he stared up at them.
Bo took that answer in. She opened her mouth and closed it again. She had their son inside of her all of this time and never knew he was there. It had to be her Succubus protecting him. She did not feel ill or even nauseous. She smiled and kissed the top of Lauren's head. Lucky for her, she is Fae and does not need six weeks to heal. She can enjoy their family, fully aware, and happy.
They both laughed when Ethan yawned.
"Lauren I know nothing about babies. What if I do something wrong? Bo tensed.
"That's why I took an extended leave. So, we can both learn as we go. I only delivered a few. I never took them home to raise". Lauren answered.
"Okay. Okay. I just don't want to make a mistake and hurt him somehow". Bo gently took one of Ethan's fingers and played with it.
"You will learn Bo. It will come naturally. She will probably sense something before you do. It will be okay". Lauren gently tapped Bo's leg with her free hand.
"We are parents Lauren! Parents! Bo smiled and her voice was loud.
"That we are". Lauren gently squeezed Ethan. "He is going to be gorgeous".
"I don't make anything less". Bo laughed.
"Oh, you made him all by yourself huh? Lauren poked Bo with her elbow.
"No and hey! I just had another thought you might find interesting". Bo smiled.
"Yes? What is that? Lauren looked up at Bo.
"Okay we agree that I wasn't showing. What if my Succubus was tired of being pregnant and pushed him out early? Bo looked hard at Lauren.
"There may be something to that. But only she knows." Lauren smiled. She had almost forgotten how Bo's Succubus was like a third parent. She never spent much time with that side of Bo. But their baby truly is hers too. So, she must feel something motherly towards him.
"It was just a thought". Bo whispered.
"It's a wonderful thought Bo. He is healthy so even if that is true, she was a mother before he was born.
Bo took Ethan so his mothers could swap positions. Lauren gently pulled Bo in her arms as they settled on the couch again.
Bo held him up and looked him over. This is where Lauren's doctorate comes in. She knows there is nothing wrong with him. But Bo still was not convinced. Lauren watched her play with him. Turn him over and over again. She looked deep into his eyes. Counted every finger and toe.
The Doctor did not interfere. She was going to let Bo do what she needs to do to assure herself that their son is well.
Once Bo was done with her examination, she stood up and walked to the kitchen.
"It is time to eat again". Lauren smiled as she followed the woman.
Bo followed the baby formula instructions while Lauren cooked actual food. Ethan's baby sounds was the music to drown the silence, when there was silence.
"Okay Ethan, it is time for your formula". Bo smiled as she walked over to him and picked him up again.
Lauren carried their plates to the table and kept a lid on Bo's so her food would not get cold while she fed the baby.
"We should run tests on you before Charlotte makes her appearance tomorrow". Bo smiled.
"Oh. I have tested myself. I'm not pregnant". Lauren smiled back.
"Okay and whew. That is good. One baby at a time". Bo's eyes widened when Ethan squeezed her finger. "Strong boy".
"What happened? Lauren asked.
"He squeezed my finger, hard". Bo laughed.
"I wonder what powers he will have. He could be anything and everything that I have studied over the years". Lauren leaned back in her seat and set her fork down.
"We probably won't know for years, right? Bo raised her eyes to the Doctor's. Lauren nodded.
"We could ask Aife, but she probably didn't keep you long enough to know what other powers you possessed. Like your mass chi suck abilities". Lauren picked up her fork again.
Bo frowned at the long but short road they have ahead of them in learning about their son. But they are his parents, they should know first. No outside help. Not even Aife. "We will learn as parents. Not grandparents. Just us".
Lauren beamed at the sound of Bo's words. Too many people had longed poked their heads into their private lives, either by deceit or invitation. Lauren finished her meal and took Ethan from Bo. "I'll clean him up".
Bo nodded and dove into her plate. She was not really hungry, but this was a good way to distract her from wanting to hold him all the time. She swallowed hard at the realization that they are parents. New parents. Go to bed one night and wake up in the middle of the night parents.
She wondered if her theory about her Succubus was really true. She only knew her to be nasty and evil. She has no idea how she would react to a baby. She felt embarrassed that she does not or cannot trust her enough to relinquish control to find out. She will just accept that her Succubus protected their baby.
Lauren has been through hell and putting her in the line of fire in anything else is not acceptable at this point. She smiled thinking of Lauren and their long journey to get where they are. She knew the minute the Doctor flirted with her that she would be able to get out of that lab and away from those assholes that sent her there. But then she touched her back and from that moment on, she knew she would be seeing that doctor again. Even if only to just get an aspirin.
Ahh that Doctor. The Doctor she now shares a child with. Ethan is bound to be as smart if not smarter than his mother. Bo shook her head at that. How is she going to hold a conversation with him speaking words she needs a dictionary for? She literally slapped herself. He is not even two days old yet and she is worried about his future.
She finished her food and rushed all the dishes into the dishwasher. Her family is in the other room and she is not.
Lauren was on the floor singing to him. Bo just stood and watched. There is no way she can contribute and not make the little one cry in protest. Bo moved to them once Lauren had fallen asleep.
"It's ok my boy. I will take care of you and your mother". Bo smiled as she picked him up first and set him in the bassinet. Then she picked up Lauren and carried her to bed.
She hurried down to Ethan. She would not have him thinking for a second that he had been abandoned. There would not be a human raising him. His Fae mothers would always be on the job, but never too busy to teach the importance of all life, including humans.
She gently cradled him, kissing him as much as she thought to do it. They walked the house as quietly as possible. Lauren deserves to sleep. She had been up mostly all-night watching Bo. The Succubus almost laughed at the thought that her own lullaby put her to sleep.
"Shhh". Bo cooed when Ethan was becoming restless. He instantly calmed in her arms.
She had an idea and dressed him as warm as she could and walked out to the patio. She looked to the sky and showed him. His little eyes lit up like Lauren when she thought of something interesting.
"That's what I thought". Bo laughed as she carried him back inside. She started wrapping him in a thick blanket and found a rocking chair. Lauren would have a million fits if she knew what Bo had just done. She gasped when she felt Ethan warming himself before she finished wrapping him up.
"Oh, you are not some kind of fire Fae are you? Bo ran upstairs to get Lauren.
After waking the Doctor and having her examine him, Bo was finally able to relax.
"I've never seen this before Bo. But he is okay. I promise". Lauren rubbed the brunette's back as they watched him play in his crib.
"It's time mom learned she's a grandmother". Bo pulled her phone out and dialed. The last sound she heard must have been Aife dropping her phone and running to her car.
TBC.