Bo
As the hot water hit my shoulders I took a deep sigh of relief. It had taken Lauren and I nearly two hours to get Charlotte to calm down. She clung to Lauren like she was the only thing on Earth. Kenzi and Tamsin were of no help as they laughed until it looked like they would pass out. I called our local butcher and ordered triple of everything that Lauren and Charlotte had been eating since we all came home from the hospital. I had no idea what Lauren would crave, if she would have cravings at all. But we needed to be prepared. Kenzi had already offered to run and get whatever we asked for. I remember Dr. Smith telling us that Lionesses weren't pregnant for very long. So our new baby would be here in a matter of days. I already made sure the care was filled up with gas. I told Lauren that I wanted to buy another car as backup. See how nervous I am? Lauren didn't know she was pregant with Charly. So we would both be new with the cravings, getting to the hospital and her actually being in labor. I am not so sure I want to take her to a hospital. Maybe somewhere clean and outside. I'm sure her screams will shatter all glass. See how nervous I am?
I took another deep breath because I have no reason to complain. My family is safe and sound. Charlotte was bathed and put to bed. Lauren had already taken her shower at my insistence that she would go in first because I wanted to make sure Charlotte stayed in her room. I did laugh myself thinking she would jump in the shower with Lauren. We thought about installing a baby gate but she would jump right over that.
I thought about Mary and the first time I discovered I had powers. Daddy Dennis thought something was deathly wrong with me and put me in the trash can in the bitter cold and set a small fire around it. Mary had compassion for me then and came to get me out. My clothes were burned a bit after she put the fire out. But my skin recovered when my powers surfaced again. When I got older she too freaked. She confirmed his suspicions that they were raising a monster. By then he had moved out of the house.
Yesterday was my repayment. I want to show Charlotte that I am not a monster and that there is some forgiving goodness in me. How would I explain to her why she can't see Grandma when I tell her about my childhood had I let her slip into a deeper state of Dementia and possibly death. I don't know how much longer she has to live but at least she has a chance. The same chance she gave me getting me out of that filthy trash can.
After twenty minutes my shower was done. I pulled on my Kimono and tiptoed to bed. Lauren said it was old and ratty and that I needed a new one. I kept it because she wore it after the second time we made love. If I was lucky she would wear it again someday. Tamsin and Kenzi were staying over that was nothing new. I laughed but I wanted to make sure I didn't wake up Charlotte. She is her mother's daughter. She is so wide-eyed with curiosity about everything.
I arrived at our bedroom door slowly opening it. It has a creak in it that I will fix in the morning because this house is still in need of repair after all the comings and goings. Namely Charlotte breaking doors and windows.
As I walked closer to the bed, I sighed again. I longed to snuggle up next to Lauren with my hand on her stomach for a peaceful night's rest. But then again with our family, nothing is ever quiet and here we are.
I am facing my own daughter who roars when I tried to get into the bed.
"Charlotte what are you doing out of bed? I asked her as if she can answer me. With every step I take she roars a little louder.
"Lauren? A little help here? I said.
"She's being protective. She knows you're the reason I'm pregnant again". Lauren laughed rolling over on her back to face us.
"Well she needs to get into her own bed". Bo snapped. She wasn't mad but she didn't know how to handle the young shifter short of being bitten.
"Do you want to take her or shall I? You know she will come right back". Lauren laughed. Bo didn't find it funny. She didn't want to be a hard ass mother to her baby but it was time for Charlotte to learn some boundaries and rules.
Bo walked close to them and then stopped when she saw what Charlotte did next. The young shifter placed her claws over Lauren's stomach. Bo smiled. She was too smart for her own good. But she never took her eyes off of Bo.
"I thought she was mad at you about this anyway". Bo said.
"She is. I don't think she understands that you can't impregnate me again yet". Lauren laughed again. This was so cute that she grabbed her cell phone off of the nightstand. Kenzi and Tamsin would have loads of laugh watching it.
"Charlotte listen to me. You need to go to bed! Bo snapped. She didn't like using that tone of voice but Charlotte needed to learn when to take her seriously.
"Bo you will have to take her. She will wake up Tamsin and Kenzi". Lauren said.
"Did you bring her in here? Bo asked.
"No she came on her own". Lauren answered.
"Then she can take herself back. I will follow her and put blankets on her but she's going to her own bed sometime tonight". Bo said.
Lauren laughed again. This was too cute. She knew Bo had ways of convincing Charlotte to do what she wanted her to do but the fact that she wasn't trying it yet was hilarious.
"Charlotte!? Bo said now tapping her foot and pointing towards the door. It didn't work she roared again inching closer to Lauren.
"Bo...". Lauren started.
"Screw this. Come here Charlotte". Bo demanded. That failed too.
"Fine". Bo said walking over to them. When she bent down to pick Charlotte up, she raised her claws and roared again. Bo caught one in her hand and sent a pulse into it. She groaned when Charlotte sent her own back into Bo's hand.
"Come on". Bo said picking her up and carrying her out. Bo tiptoed towards the nursery. Charlotte was squirming in her arms but she didn't care. She had given her plenty of time to go herself.
"Now Charly. You have to sleep in your bed ok sweetie? Bo laughed. Why was she asking her. She wasn't talking in full sentences yet. She did say mama or mom here and there. Bo wondered which one she was.
Once Charlotte was asleep Bo walked out closing the door and back to their bedroom. Lauren had already fallen asleep too so Bo snuggled up next to her. She felt Lauren move as if she was laughing and she knew she was. Bo started laughing too until they both fell asleep to the sound of Charlotte's snoring coming through the baby monitor.
The next day.
It sounded like Kenzi and Tamsin were throwing a party downstairs as the music was blaring all over the house. Bo woke up furious. She was sure they woke up Charlotte. When she turned over in the bed, she noticed Lauren was gone too.
She jumped out of bed pulling on her Kimono. She was going to put a stop to all of this. She hadn't got as much sleep as she wanted so she was grouchy.
"That smells great Doc! Kenzi screamed dancing as Lauren was making a huge breakfast. Tamsin and Kenzi laughed when Lauren was snacking on everything she was cooking.
"Craving already huh? Tamsin asked playfully mocking her.
"Shush". Lauren laughed.
Bo had finally arrived downstairs and she still wasn't happy. "What's going on? It's early in the morning!
"Bobo calm down. It's nearly noon. We're about to have brunch". Kenzi laughed. Bo was as grouchy when she was woken up as Kenzi was without coffee.
"Well some of us didn't get much sleep last night". Bo said pouring her own cup of coffee. Since she was already up, she might as well stay up.
"Hurry up and drink your coffee because you are seriously killing our party mood". Kenzi said.
"Party? No liquor for you Lauren". Bo said softly.
"Look at you trying to be responsible and motherly". Tamsin laughed.
"I am a mother. Speaking of which where is Charlotte? Bo asked. She had stopped by her room and when she didn't see her, she assumed she would find her amid all the noise and music.
"She went out to play. But don't worry I had a higher fence built for her little play area". Lauren said softly. Damn thing was 20 feet high. If Charlotte can jump that, they would go higher.
"I checked on her. She was taking a nap in the grass the last time I saw her a few minutes ago". Kenzi confessed. She knew they had their hands way full with that baby. She really was a mixture of Bo and Lauren with her attitude.
Bo wasn't comfortable with that. She wasn't sure if it was paranoia or her being overly concerned. She knew she wouldn't be able to relax much with Charlotte growing daily and the new baby on the way in a matter of days.
The Succubus wandered over to look out the window. It really was a beautiful view and great idea to put Charly's play area within sight of it. But when she saw Charlotte, she dropped her cup.
"Lauren! Come here! Bo screamed as the cup shattered and coffee splattered over her feet. She was too engrossed with the sight in front of her to notice how it burned.
"Bo? What is it? Lauren asked running over. She didn't like the tone in Bo's voice.
"Do you wanna go and get your daughter? Look at what she's doing! Bo screamed. Tamsin and Kenzi ran over trying to see too.
"Umm what she's doing is using her Succubus powers. That's your daughter". Lauren laughed.
"Lauren it's not funny and that's disgusting". Bo replied.
"It is and when she's done. You can clean up that mess". Lauren said walking back to finish cooking.
"Well I think I just lost my appetite". Kenzi said. She couldn't turn her head away though. It was almost like watching one of her horror movies.
"Wuss". Tamsin laughed. She forgot that Kenzi was human. Being thousands of years old, the Valkyrie had seen a lot worse.
"How do you even explain that? Kenzi laughed pulling her camera out. This family was turning into must see tv.
"Simple. A bird flew down and is now Charlotte's guinea pig". Tamsin laughed.
"That's not all. She is literally killing it, bringing it back to life and killing it again". Bo sighed. How did she learn that and so early in life?
"Cheer up Succubus. I don't think she will be coming in any time soon so you won't have to clean up for awhile". Kenzi laughed. Lauren did say she would save other messes for Bo and that one in front of them was truly disgusting.
"No she will stop right now! Bo snapped pulling the door open.
"Bo? What are you going to do? She doesn't even know what she's doing is wrong. She doesn't know she's a Succubus". Kenzi said.
"And I will teach her and ewwww, she can't be doing things like that". Bo said bowing her head. This was embarrassing. She thought about other Lions and Lionesses having babies that did this but without Succubus powers the animals were dead for good.
"Charlotte! Bo screamed softly. The young shifter lifted her head to acknowledge Bo and went back to her fun.
"Charlotte I'm not playing around. Come here". Bo said softly. She wanted to be loud but she didn't want to scar her. She didn't want to sound abusive with her kids ever.
Charlotte had the bird in her grasp and dropped it dead to the ground. Walking over to Bo, she bowed her head. She was only having fun and didn't like the tone Bo was using because she had never used it with her before.
Bo however was trying not to gag. She saw what she assumed was a crow and nearly threw up. Blood, bones and feathers were everywhere. Even on Charlotte's body and mouth. She remembered Kenzi saying she could bathe herself but Bo wanted it all off so she would give her a bath and then come back and clean up the mess.
Remember your upbringing Bo. Bo thought to herself. She wouldn't chide her. Not over this. She was using her Succubus, even if it was cruel she didn't know that yet. She wouldn't treat her like a monster, think she was one or call her one.
"Damn it". Bo laughed looking back over the mess once more before reaching down and picking Charlotte up.
"Ready for another one? Tamsin teased as Bo walked past her.
"Oh shut up". Bo laughed. She had almost forgotten Lauren was pregnant again. If the story was true, they were going to have another shifter with Succubus powers. She wasn't so sure about Ethan because they had never heard of or known a male with Succubus powers.
"The food is ready! Lauren announced. Tamsin and Kenzi licked their lips and rushed over. Bo kept going saying she would be down once she bathed Charlotte.
Bo was still struggling a bit with what Charlotte had done. She could smell the bird on her. She was used to Charlotte's Lioness scent. It never repulsed her.
"I'm not mad sweetie. Mama just wants to get you cleaned up and ready for the rest of your day". Bo cooed. She wished she could have bonded with her as a Lioness when Lauren was in her coma. She thought about asking Lea to see if she could get her to shift so she could be prepared for that but didn't want to rob Lauren of the experience. Charlotte was learning as she went. It seemed she was learning something new every minute.
She laughed thinking how one of these days she was going to wake up early and see what mischief she and Charly could get into so Lauren would have to clean it up.
Two hours had passed and everyone had been fed. Well Bo had to wait for the next batch because she took too long bathing Charlotte and taking her own shower so Lauren ate her portions.
"So what are we going to do now? Kenzi asked.
"We are staying home". Bo sighed pointing at her family.
"Bo...". Lauren started to protest.
"No Lauren. Something might happen with you and the baby and I want to be here and prepared for it. This is day one and the Doctor told me you would only be pregnant three days the last time". Bo explained softly.
"That's fine Bo can always work from home. Meet some clients. Although Charly would have to be detained". Kenzi laughed.
"No. I won't have my baby being a prisoner here". Lauren snapped. That was like asking Charlotte to be a slave.
"She's our baby and she won't be a prisoner here. I can work out of one of the empty rooms on the second floor. At least take some calls, Kenzi can do the leg work, if need be". Bo explained.
"We can get you an office phone". Kenzi said. She was a bit relieved that Bo was turning her focus back on the business. They were rich, Kenzi wasn't.
Bo knew she wasn't exactly being fair to Kenzi but she had a family to think of. She didn't need the money, she needed the distraction. Lauren would likely be running her own tests and working from her lab so it would work out perfectly as long as the threats were finally over. That was something else she needed to think about too. Look at how many people wanted Charlotte. They would likely want the new baby too.
She would take care of that soon. She was the granddaughter of the Blood King and even though she never liked rules and laws, she would step forth and claim her birthright if it meant peace and quiet as they raised the kids.
They were Fae and she was ok with that. Not like she could or would do anything about it. But she could try and make sure they had as normal childhood as she and Lauren could provide.
"Before you get started there's a mess you still have to clean up". Lauren laughed. She knew she could but this was Bo's turn. It wasn't odd Charlotte was eating something, it was odd she was killing it and bringing it back to life using her Succubus powers. When Lauren thought about it. It was kind of like a Science experiment. But it was mostly a Succubus moment.
Bo bit her lip at the sight. It took her a long time to clean all of the feathers in Charlotte's teeth out of her mouth and off of her skin.
"Yeah get going mama". Tamsin laughed. She really should be checking in with work too but they would call if she was really needed.
Bo sighed. Grabbed a broom, dust pan, trash can and went out to clean up the mess. Thankfully the garden hose was close by. She thought about just sweeping it all into the grass but Charlotte would eat the leftover feathers.
Lauren finished tidying up the kitchen while she snacked. She turned her head when there was a knock at the front door. Charlotte had shifted charging down the stairs and towards the door.
"Sweetie it's only the butcher. You can shift back". Lauren said softly.
Charlotte didn't listen to her and stayed as she was. When Lauren opened the door, she charged at the man. This wasn't the regular guy. She knew his scent. Launching herself at him, he dropped his clipboard.
"Charlotte! Lauren called.
"Lady could you please get your pet off of me". The man asked.
"She's not my pet she's my daughter and who the hell are you?! Lauren snapped.
When he tried to answer he couldn't. Charlotte had drooled all into his mouth. Lauren wasn't about to peel her off of him yet until she was sure, he was who he was supposed to be.
"I'm Peter, Randy had to take the day off". He answered trying to push Charly off of him.
"Let me see your ID", Lauren said bending over them.
Peter went to grab his wallet from his pocket with one hand and held Charlotte's mouth with the other. Once he succeeded he handed it to Lauren. Lauren stood up to look it over. She wanted to make sure the name on his ID matched the badge he was wearing.
Bo was still cleaning up the mess and taking in the view. It was nice and beautiful outside.
"And you have our complete order on your truck? Lauren asked handing handing his credentials back to him.
"Yes ma'am. Just as you ordered". Peter winced still trying to get Charlotte off of him.
Lauren picked up his clipboard to sign for the order. Peter was angry. He was only there to deliver their order. He would make sure the company found out about it. He knew Bo was the unaligned Succubus that everyone feared but that didn't mean they could do what they wanted when they wanted to.
He was tired of Charlotte being on top of him. Using both hands he tried to push her off of him. Charlotte didn't like the force of his hands and bit him below the belt.
Lauren half laughed. Charlotte wasn't so violent unless she is provoked. She did the same thing with Randy until she had gotten used to him. Randy wasn't whiny like this. He appreciated their business and money. Lauren had treated his kids a few times, so he liked her and her family.
His screaming was so deafening that it brought Bo back in. "Hey. What the hell is going on?
"Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't. Almond Joy's got nuts. He don't". Kenzi laughed watching Lauren and Bo try and peel Charlotte off of him.
TBC.
Bo and Lauren prepare for the baby.