Bo and Lauren's.
Bo was still sleeping and Lauren was having one hell of a morning. She had got up to do some lab work. She was quite enjoying the peace and quiet. All three kids had been taken back to their nurseries. She assumed Bo must have gotten up later that night and taken Charlotte to hers since she was not in her arms when Lauren woke up.
She got up and tiptoed past Charly's room and took the boys to theirs. She gently placed them in their crib and walked out of the room. She was happy to actually make it downstairs to make some coffee. Once it was ready she took a deep sip along with a deep breath. Ahhh she thought.
Sneaking down to the basement she quickly showered and dressed. She knew Bo would likely be sleeping awhile longer and would prepare breakfast once she got a few hours of work done. They had agreed that with Lauren having a lab in the house she was not to overwork herself for something a Doctor in one of the hospitals could do. But Bo knew Lauren well. She always had some scientific problem going on in her head.
Even questions she never found questions to over the course of her career. But they had the same agreement with Bo's PI service. She knew Bo had cornered off a section of the basement as a small office equipped with a small computer, phone, desk and chair.
She wasn't even thirty minutes into her latest test study when she heard Charlotte crying. She knew if she didn't get to her soon, she would come to her. She snuck back up to see what was causing her to cry. Lauren was glad that for once she was still in human form. She wouldn't need to go and get her otherwise. She knew that she must be wet and hungry. So she pulled out one of the thousands of diapers Kenzi had bought them and changed her.
Picking her up she carried her downstairs to feed her. She set Charlotte down in the bassinet and went about making her a bottle. She would really have to ask Lea more on how and what to feed them and when. She didn't expect to be feeding any of them so early in the morning. They usually held out until later. Their babies were really quite unique. They had human skin, Succubus and Lioness powers. They both knew Charlotte was learning on her own how to pull Chi. Bo was happy about that but knew she still had plenty to learn. Lauren wanted them to get lots of milk or formula so they would have strong bones regardless of their shifter abilities.
Charlotte was playing with her hands when her bottle was finally ready. Lauren handed it to her and watched her little lips latch around the nozzle before she walked away.
She was no more back into the kitchen before she heard the boys crying. She knew Bo would wake up and go to them but she wanted to bond with them. Bo had a long time alone just bonding with Charlotte and Lauren wanted to make up for lost time even if the lost time wasn't her fault.
The Doctor had already deduced her coma was from her human body reacting to giving life to a shifter. She adored all of them. Even if it were painful, their happy and even sometimes grumpy faces made up for it.
She was walking back out to check on Charlotte when she noticed the bottle was there but not the baby. She knew she had shifted when she heard them crying. Running up the stairs she quickly headed towards the boys room. She picked them up from their crib despite Charly's constant roars and carried them back downstairs. She had already made enough formula for the boys when they woke up so she was ready for them.
Once the boys had finished their bottle she started changing their diapers. She had barely touched Ethan before Charlotte was near them roaring her disapproval of him crying.
"Charlotte he's not in pain. He's just wet". Lauren sighed. She had to laugh thinking Charly didn't understand. She didn't need to. All she knew was that her brother was crying and she didn't like it.
Realizing that Charlotte didn't finish her own bottle Lauren figured she must be hungry for actual food. Walking to the fridge again she pulled out a pack of boneless meat and placed it into a bowl on the floor for Charlotte. Once she saw her starting to eat she went back to change the twins. She was quick about it knowing Charlotte would be done in a matter of minutes.
Lauren picked up the twins and began walking them back and forth so they would fall back asleep. She would have a mess to clean with Charlotte in shifter form. She was thankful they hadn't learned how to shift yet. But knowing they carried the same blood as Charlotte, she knew it wouldn't be soon before they learned.
Ethan fell asleep first and Lauren placed him in the twin bassinet next to Charlotte's. She was so happy they bought a big house because they really did need it now. It was spacious and they could afford to do anything they wanted to do even if it meant putting small beds around the house.
When Dillon started to cry, Charlotte was at it again. Lauren felt his head and he didn't feel warm but the Doctor in her had to check his temperature to be sure. She headed back to the basement with Charly close behind roaring at her feet. She pulled out her medical bag, found her thermometer. She put it in his mouth and he cried more. Charlotte roared a little louder. Lauren sighed and closed her eyes as she waited for the results.
"Hey! What's wrong? Bo asked rubbing her eyes standing on the staircase.
"Well look who's finally up! Lauren laughed.
"You could have called me babe. Now what's up? Bo asked looking at Charlotte and Dillon.
"The twins and Charly have been fed. Dillon started crying as I was walking him to get him to take a nap like Ethan is. Charlotte thinks something is wrong. Dillon does feel a little warm so I'm checking his temperature". Lauren explained softly. She wasn't at all complaining. She loved this. She got to be a mother and Doctor at the same time.
Bo looked at Lauren. She knew not to push when she was in Doctor mode. She looked at Charlotte and picked her up. She wasn't going to bother sending a pulse into her as she would only send it back into Bo. She circled around trying to get the shifter to fall asleep too.
"Ethan was still sleeping just before I came down here but you really could have woke me up Lauren". Bo said softly.
Lauren sighed and Bo didn't like the look of it.
"Hey. I'm not blaming you or accusing you of anything babe. Now tell me what's wrong sweetie? Bo asked.
"I wanted the time with them like the time you had with Charlotte while I was in my coma. I missed almost a year of her life already Bo. I don't want that to happen with the twins". Lauren explained softly.
"Lauren I'm sorry sweetie. I know you missed that time with her and if I could give you back that time I would. I wasn't accusing you of trying to do it all yourself. I just meant if they were too much then you could have called me for help. I love that you want as much time with them as possible. I want that too. Perhaps we just need to try and set a sleeping schedule so the both of us are rested enough to spend time with them or I can just get back to my PI business and leave you with them". Bo said softly. It was breaking her heart to see Lauren like this knowing there was nothing she could do to make up for the time she and Charly lost.
"No Bo. I don't want to take time from you either. When I saw that you were still sleeping and Charlotte wasn't there, I thought you had been up the night with her so I allowed you to sleep. I know we are both still new at parenting but I would never try to hog their time from you". Lauren said.
"You're a Doctor too Lauren and I love that about you. You won't be completely happy if you are not doing something having to do with Science. We can just learn as we go. You do not have to do anything today. If you want, we can cook some food. Make sure the kids are adequately fed and watch some movies all day". Bo said softly. Lauren needed time with the kids and some time to relax. They really didn't need to work as they were already stinking rich. No today would really be about family. Whatever Aife and the gang had going could wait.
"I'd like that and Dillon is fine. He's probably just tired". Lauren said looking at the thermometer again.
"Ok I will go up and shower and I will be right back down. But before I go. I will get everything set up in the living room so we can watch them while we are watching movies". Bo said snuggling Charlotte closer to her.
"Ok". Lauren smiled. Walking towards the stairs.
"Ok then. Let's go". Bo said gently taking Lauren's hand.
Bo kept her word. She had the kids bassinets and toys all set up in the living room. Thankfully they bought a big couch so Lauren and Bo could cuddle up and really relax into each other. Charlotte had fallen asleep and that was good news to Bo's eyes. She laughed thinking Charlotte would still be awake if she had been down there with her like Lauren had been.
They had grilled their steaks. The meal before them consisted of grilled steaks, eggs, hash browns and veggies. That was still new on Bo but it grew on her since the day Lauren suggested they have vegetables for breakfast too.
Bo decided to make a quick call while Lauren was making loads of coffee knowing a meal that size they would likely fall asleep before the first movie was done. And with Charlotte being able to jump out of her bassinet at will that could prove to be a mess too.
"Mom it's me. Lauren and I have decided to take a day off with the kids. I don't know what you guys have planned but we are not to be bothered. If someone needs a Doctor, go to the hospital. Otherwise we are off limits for the day". Bo explained.
"What did you do to Trick? That's gross even for me". Aife laughed.
"Nothing but kill him for threatening my family. Why? Bo asked.
"Mabye the rats got to him. His face looks sunken in". Aife said.
"He has ten thousand dollars there somewhere. If you don't want to touch him hire someone to do it". Bo said. She didn't feel bad about Trick. Not after her practically tried to give Bo and her baby to the Thornwoods.
"He what? Aife asked kicking Trick in the head.
"He has money mom. Enough to clean the place up if you need to. I particularly don't care what you do with the place. You can have it if you want". Bo said. She meant it too. Her talk with Lauren just now showed her that she needed to be more family oriented. If the Fae wanted her for anything, they would have to wait.
Aife thought about it. She really could turn the place into something more modernized and keep it somewhat in tact. The dark looking scenery was kind of cool and comforting. But the other stuff had the go. The furniture namely. Trick would keep a couch thousands of years if he knew it would not collapse.
But the free drink days were done. Friend or not you would have to pay. Given Aife didn't have any friends they all would pay other than Bo and Lauren. She wasn't a business woman but she would never lose a business because of freebies.
"Well I will search for this money if he still had it. It's probably down in his lair under tons of books". Aife said.
"Well whatever you guys do today. Do not disturb us. Lauren and I need this time alone with the babies". Bo said softly. She knew once Aife gets her mind set to something she would not let up.
"Ok Isabeau. I will call you tomorrow then". Aife said. She felt a little bad that Bo and Lauren were having a family day and she wasn't invited. She still had yet to get closer to the kids herself. But still she had money to look for and if Bo didn't want it, she did.
When Bo hung up she clapped her hands with glee. This is what she and Lauren needed. Time off. In fact she was about to go and turn off their cell phones too.
"We're all set babe". Bo said joining the kids and Lauren on the couch. Charlotte and Ethan were still sleeping. Dillon was on his way. Bo laughed after Lauren had given him a full physical to check everything. She had no doubt if there was something wrong with him that Lauren would have found it.
Lauren patted for Bo to join her on the couch and the Succubus was more than happy to oblige. Taking a deep breath she sunk into Lauren's arms and flipped on the first movie.
They were two movies deep when Bo got up for more coffee. The boys and Charly had all needed changing so they had to pause the movie. Bo wasn't going to allow Lauren to feel like she had to do it all even when she wanted to do it all. She wanted to be a strong family. The one she missed out on with Aife. The Dennis' were very strict but she wanted normalcy and more than anything lots of love. The way Lauren's eyes glowed when she looked at the kids showed Bo they were in sync on that without even having to talk about it.
They had already talked about how to integrate Aife into the family and that was slowly. They had no idea what Aife was like as a young mother but knew in time she would become a very protective grandmother. Especially given how quickly she had Bo hidden amongst humans.
"You know babe we don't have to watch our movies all day. Charly can watch her cartoons". Lauren suggested.
"Let me guess something science related right? Bo laughed.
"Not necessarily". Lauren laughed in response. Although that would never be a bad idea. Whatever the kids interests were would be fine with her and she would never push the medical profession on them either.
"What do you say Charly? Do you want to watch your cartoons? Bo cooed. When she bounced around in her bassinet Bo had her answer.
"Ok come on sweetie let's get you propped up so you can watch". Lauren said pulling her out and placing her on the couch so she wouldn't bounce off once she started swaying along to the music.
Bo propped the twins up so that they could watch too. She was extra careful placing pillows around them so they wouldn't fall off. For now it would have to do until they decided on baby swings. Given who the kids were they hadn't been sure about them yet. Once all the kids were settled Bo and Lauren snuggled up together on the huge plush chair.
"They are so beautiful Lauren. We did very well". Bo whispered as she kissed Lauren on her forehead.
"That they are and yes we did". Lauren sighed snuggling closer to Bo. This was the life. They likely wouldn't have many more days like this as the kids aged so they weren't about to take it for granted.
"Charly calm down sweetie. Don't knock your brother off". Bo said softly.
"You know that song is going to be in our head for the rest of the day and night". Lauren laughed.
"Oh I know. Maybe we can make our own music later". Bo smirked.
"Mhmm". Lauren laughed. They haven't had a full night of that since Charlotte was born. Even conceiving the twins they had to take breaks.
"Are you saying you don't like our quickies? Bo mock pouted.
"I would never say that". Lauren laughed.
"I know with the kids in the house we are literally living on their time". Bo laughed.
Lauren nodded taking a sip of fresh coffee.
Six hours later and they were ready to put the kids to bed. But first they needed to be given baths. The boys were first so they wouldn't have to constantly worry about Charlotte coming in. They put her outside in her play area figuring if she ran and played enough she would tire herself out. She was given a few balls to kick around and plenty of water to drink. Lauren was very conscientious about keeping them active and hydrated. They planned on building a bigger and secure area since the boys arrived. They agreed it would have to be really strong and secure to keep them from escaping.
Once the twins were washed and in bed. It was Charlotte's turn. Bo laughed knowing it was going to be a hot minute to get her to come inside. If nothing else she did love the outdoors. She often dug holes and buried her toys only to dig them up again. Bo sprayed them off with a garden hose and Lauren sanitized them.
"So who's going to bring her in? Bo asked softly. If Lauren really wanted to she could. Bo was serious about helping Lauren try to form stronger bonds with the kids especially Charlotte. It wasn't all glamour with Charly and Bo. Not when Bo was so emotional that Lauren hadn't woke up from her coma once Charlotte had been born.
She had to learn as she went. Lea helped out whenever she could because Bo had no clue how to raise a shifter. She had to learn how to change her. How to feed her and when to feed her. She wanted Lauren there for every moment of that. She knew if Lauren had a Doctor of her own brilliance she would have waken up a lot sooner.
Bo was getting teary-eyed remembering that Lauren only woke up when Charlotte said mama for the first time. That in itself was a bond.
Bo was lost in her thoughts and missed Lauren going out to get Charlotte. When she touched her on the shoulder she jumped.
"It's just me sweetie. Let's get her bathed and in bed". Lauren said.
"I will let you do that. That way you can spend time with her. I am going to clean up down here and secure the house". Bo said.
"Ok". Lauren said heading up the stairs as Bo watched them go. It was a sight she would never tire of seeing and to think she had two other kids to watch her do that with.
Bo started outside first washing the dirt from the sidewalk. When Charlotte made a mess, she made a mess. But it wasn't so horrible that water wouldn't wash away this time. The house on the other hand would take a bit. She had to get the crumbs off of the floor and off of the couch cushions. That was mostly on her and Lauren for snacking on popcorn and each dozed off and dropped it on the couch. She got out the vacuum to get in between the pillows. Once everything was wiped down, the tv shut off, the floors were mopped, cameras secured, doors were locked, she headed up to help Lauren finish up.
Being a Doctor Lauren cleaned every spot that she would normally check on a patient. Charlotte didn't like it at all but would never fight back against Lauren. Lauren was happy she was still in human form. She looked so much like Bo but with blonde hair. But Bo thought she looked more like Lauren.
Once Bo was upstairs she checked on the boys and finally went to help Lauren. When she arrived in the bathroom, Lauren was just finishing up. She smiled at how Charlotte looked like a newborn. Lauren had her so clean. She was already in her footie pjs and smelled like baby powder.
"Ok let's get you to bed! Lauren laughed when Charlotte let go of Lauren's hand and wiped her eyes. Bo followed behind them making eyes at a not amused Charlotte.
House secured. Kids in bed. Both mothers freshened up and collapsed on their bed. Both had switched to decafe as the night had gone on. Bo pulled the covers over both of them as Lauren snuggled up to her.
"This was a great day babe". Bo whispered in Lauren's ear.
"Mmmm yes it was. So peaceful. Thank you Bo. I know you wanted to go and check on Aife to make sure she wasn't burning anything down". Lauren sighed.
"Hey there are no thanks needed. Our family will always come before any Fae drama". Bo smiled softly.
"You know it won't always be like today". Lauren said.
"Oh I know. That's why it was a great day. Just us". Bo said.
Lauren smiled pulling Bo closer.
"You know I told Aife she could have the Dal if she wants it and I meant that. We have plenty of money and I still have my PI business with Kenzi. I can always work from home". Bo said.
"And I can always work from home too. I don't always have to go into the hospitals or clinics. I think I've long earned it". Lauren replied.
"That's very true. Our lives are ours and we dictate what we will do". Bo said.
The ladies reflected on their day in silence and the silence was music to their ears.
"Nooooo". Lauren mock pouted.
"I got them Doctor". Bo smiled gently peeling herself from Lauren's warm body.
"No I will get them. You can get the next round". Lauren said pushing Bo back down on to the bed.
"Ok but I will get Charlotte. You know how she is". Bo mocked laughed. She was proud of Charlotte. She wasn't sure she would take to brothers given how she practically pushed Bo out of her own bed thinking she was trying to make more with Lauren.
Lauren grabbed some bottles she'd already prepared and Bo went to check on Charlotte. They both met up in the boys room when they suddenly went silent.
"Looks like we know who our teenage babysitter will be". Bo laughed.
"I'd say so". Lauren laughed.
"Hush". Charlotte cooed sending pulses into Ethan and Dillon.
TBC.