Lauren
Lauren had raced to the lab. She was in such a hurry that she thought about shifting, if it meant, she would get there faster. She was already close, but not close enough for her liking.
She had been a Doctor many years, and had never wanted tests run so quickly in her life. What was wrong with their daughter? How was this possible? She thought about running the tests herself, but being as hysterical as she was, she knew her judgment could be way off.
She thought about Bo. The Succubus had always thought of herself as a monster, so she could only imagine what she was enduring at home with the kids. She would test the boys once she found out anything about Charlotte. There has to be something going on, Markham was a good specialist. So she was sure he would find something for them, that is if there was anything to find.
"Lauren do you have something for me? Markham asked after seeing the frantic Doctor enter the building. He was just about to leave for the day, when Lauren called him. He was fond of the woman and impressed by her impeccable record.
"I was only able to get one vial and...
"That's fine Lauren. I know the drill". Markham smiled gently taking the vial from Lauren's shaky hand.
"I hope you will put a rush on this, I promised Bo that I wouldn't be long. I know she is as anxious for answers as I am". Lauren panted.
"Lauren. Breathe. I already have everything set up to expedite these tests. I should know something very shortly, but I need to get started. You are welcome to wait in the Doctor's lounge. It is quiet and has been recently stocked". Markham said slowly walking down the small corridor with Lauren.
"Ok. Ok. But you will come and get me as soon as you find out something right? If I have fallen asleep, don't be shy about waking me up". Lauren rattled off.
Markham shook his head and opened the lounge door for her. Once he saw her actually sit down with a bottle of water, he nodded again and closed the door.
Lauren put her head down on the soft cushion and closed her eyes. She needed to breathe. If she couldn't keep calm, there would be no way for her to explain whatever they find to Bo.
Bo and the kids
Bo took a seat between the kids. She was rubbing Charlotte and Ethan's backs. She tried to be as gentle as she could be to avoid that lighting pulse they saw Charly use.
She shook her head quietly, as she started at their daughter. She had a small smile on her face. It was the same smile and face that Lauren slept with. She was still amazed at how much she looked like Lauren even in her shifter form. She bent down and kissed her on top of her head. She jumped when Charlotte stirred, and sighed when she stayed asleep.
She looked up, and stood up when she heard footsteps.
"Hey". Bo said softly.
"What's going on? Aife asked looking down at the kids.
"Come with me". Bo said gesturing Aife to another room.
Once they were in another room, Bo picked up a baby monitor and set it on the end table.
"You still using those? Those are not babies out there". Aife laughed.
"They are babies to me". Bo shrugged.
"They are badass little motherf...
"Mom". Bo groaned.
"Well they are! Aife laughed again.
"Can you be serious for a moment please?! Bo asked.
"Ok. Mama is sorry. Now tell me what they need from Grandma? Aife smiled gently
"I need to know about Zeus. Anything about the Una Mens that you know of. Something to help us understand the changes we are seeing in Charlotte". Bo explained taking a seat. She had to sit. Standing would make her pace.
"Just that he was Hades brother. As far as the Una Mens. I don't know much about them, except they were emotionless, self-serving, horribly dressed, backstabbing bastards". Aife answered.
"There has to be something we can look for. Someone that would know. Something other than whatever Lauren finds in her blood". Bo groaned
"I can make a few calls. But that might difficult as there aren't many Fae that would know. I know this is important. So I won't hesitate to call on any and everyone. Even some little shits that hate me". Aife said seriously.
Bo looked at the monitor which made her think of the kids. "I will leave you to make your calls. I don't care if you have to wake anyone up to get something we can run with. I am going to check on the kids".
"Go ahead". Aife said as she started dialing.
Bo rushed out and looked at the kids again. The sight made her smile a bit. Charlotte had moved over and had wrapped her arms around her brothers as she was now sleeping between them. Bo felt tears forming and set them free.
It was driving her crazy wondering what the hell was going on with them. She got another idea and stepped out of the room to make her own call. She was almost ready to hang up after the tenth ring, until she heard someone pick up.
"Kenzi it's Bo. I need a favor". The Succubus said.
"Name it mama". Kenzi replied.
"I need you and Hale to look into the Una Mens. We need to know what and who they could have killed". Bo explained.
"Well shit, Hale was once the Ash, he might know a lot himself". Kenzi said.
"Whatever you guys can find would be greatly appreciated". Bo replied softly.
"You got it mama, say hey to mama number two, too". Kenzi said. She was making notes already.
"Ok". Bo said.
"I will come by as soon as I find anything because you, Lauren and I need to talk". Kenzi said.
"Ok. See you then". Bo said hanging up.
Bo walked back out to the kids again. They were still in the same position. She smiled and looked at the clock. Lauren had only been gone for two hours, but that was two hours too long. The life of a parent she thought. She never would have imagined this while she was on the run for ten years. Having a family, much less being responsible for one. She wanted to be that and so much more for their kids, and Lauren.
She was starting to lose her patience though and went to get a glass of water. Aife was still on the phone, as she could hear her voice. It was a little loud, but not loud enough to wake the kids. She was so grateful to have her mother with them. Aife knew thousands over the years, surely she would find someone, if Hale and Kenzi didn't come up with anything.
If they did find someone that could help, they would need to come to the house to talk to them. She wasn't ready to take the kids back out in public yet. Not until they were sure it was safe again. For the other animals that is. She will never forget how quickly that bear ran off, and the look on Charlotte's face as she watched him go. Her expression was like someone saying "Don't you ever try that again".
Bo almost laughed at the thought, and nearly choked on her water before she heard the front door opening. Setting the glass in the sink, she walked back towards the living room.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I tried to come back as fast as I could". Lauren whispered as she pulled her jacket off.
"It's ok babe. What did you find out? Bo asked helping Lauren.
Lauren sighed loudly. "Nothing. We found nothing new in her blood".
"Shit". Bo whispered.
"It's ok. We will not give up". Lauren said assuringly.
"No we won't. I called Kenzi to ask her and Hale to look into this too. Hale's a pretty old Fae, he might have some contacts too. Mom's in the back calling some people". Bo explained.
"Good. Good". Lauren said rolling her sleeve up and started walking to her home lab. Bo immediately followed her. She knew when Lauren's wheels were spinning.
"I am going to run some tests on myself and then the boys. If this is my doing, we need to know". Lauren explained as she prepared her needles.
"Good idea. Can I help? Bo asked holding up some latex gloves.
"Do you know how to inject a needle? Lauren asked.
"Can I help another way? Bo asked sheepishly.
Lauren smiled. "It's ok. I can handle this part. You can hold the vials as I fill them up".
"That I can do. Sorry just needles. Eeek. I still remember the first time you poked me". Bo smiled gently.
Lauren smiled and went about her work as Bo stood by and did what was asked of her without question. She really was helping a lot more than she thought she was. It was always hard for most Doctors to doctor themselves, but Lauren had gotten over that a long time ago.
"Ok my tests are being run. Now for the really hard part". Lauren said with expressive eyes.
"What? What's wrong? Bo asked worriedly.
"I need to get the boys blood". Lauren.
"Shit". Bo said.
"Yeah. Now would be a good time for you to bond with Charlotte again. Get her away from them for a few minutes and I will be as fast as I can". Lauren cooed rubbing Bo's back. She knew the Succubus and shifter still have a slightly strained relationship.
"I will take her outside and let her play a bit. I am sure mom will join us, if she's done". Bo said.
"Ok". Lauren smiled as they walked out to the kids. As expected they were still in the same position.
"Charly come on sweetie. Lets go play". Bo said picking her up.
The shifter woke up, roared, and snapped her teeth, as Bo carried her out the door, and gently set her in the grass. Catching a ball Lauren threw at her, Bo threw it and watched as the shifter ran after it. She was biting on it, when she caught up to it.
"Bring it back baby". Bo cooed. She smiled when Charlotte brought it back to her.
"Race ya". Bo said as she threw it again, and ran after it. Not too fast though, because she wanted Charlotte to win. The shifter bit down on the ball again. Bo took a seat in one of the chairs and just watched their daughter. She looked beautiful under the stars and lights that lit up the backyard.
She smiled when Charlotte lifted the ball into her mouth and ran over to Bo. She immediately jumped into Bo's lap and the Succubus gently held her baby. She closed her eyes and took in the moment. Sure they had still had a way to go. But Lauren was right, she needed to bond with her to gain her trust again. Imagine her own daughter thinking she would ever leave her on purpose, or for something less important than them was heartbreaking.
"Ready to run again? Bo cooed. She smiled when Charlotte nodded and Bo threw the ball, and they raced after it again.
Aife stood in the door watching them. She was done with her calls and she was happy about it. She got to watch her daughter be a mother. Bo wasn't a shifter but she still could have thrown a ball for her to run and catch. But she knew Bo's life was never going to be normal. But she was glad to see that this part of her life, as a mother, was normal.
"They are beautiful aren't they? Lauren whispered as she stepped beside Aife.
"They are". Aife smiled.
The women stood there as Bo and Charlotte played for hours. Before they knew it, the sun had risen.
Bo wasn't tired and neither was the others. Charlotte had dismantled that ball, and Bo laughed at the sight. They had plenty of them stocked away in the garage.
Charlotte ran back towards the house. Everyone knew she must be hungry or wants to see her brothers. Lauren opened the door and smiled as the shifter ran past them and right to her brothers.
"Did you have fun? Lauren smiled.
"I did! Bo smiled. Hopeful she and Charlotte were finally healing.
"Good now lets at least get some sleep and a shower in before people start showing up". Lauren said as they trio walked out of the kitchen leaving the kids where they were.
Aife retired to her room. Bo and Lauren showered and were soon in bed with Bo snuggled up close to Lauren.
Four hours later, the ladies were up and dressed. Lauren had started on the kids breakfasts while Bo cleaned up the house. Aife had some contacts coming by later, and they didn't want them walking in on a mess.
The boys ate in their human forms, as Charlotte ate in her shifter form. At least she wasn't messy Lauren laughed as they devoured steaks and eggs.
Lauren jumped when she heard a utensil hit the floor. Charlotte jumped back and stood on her hind legs to check on her brothers.
"What the fuck?! Aife screamed as she picked the utensil up.
"Mom?! Bo mumbled as she rounded the corner with food in her mouth.
Lauren looked to Dillon and back to Ethan. Ethan had melted a fork Lauren had set down before going to grab the coffee pot.
"He did that? Lauren asked looking at Aife.
"Well somebody did. Dillon is eating and Charlotte was on her eating blanket". Aife said.
Lauren gasped. She did sit the fork near him. She was glad that he didn't stick his brother or anyone else with it. "I have to be more careful next time, but in the mean time, holy crap!
"I have an idea". Bo said washing her hands in the sink.
"What's that? Lauren asked.
"I want to try a little experiment, and I am going to need Charlotte to do it". Bo said walking over to the young shifter.
Charlotte was still standing on her legs, looking back and forth between her brothers when she felt her mother pick her up.
"Come on sweetie. Lets go outside again! Bo said excitedly. Lauren grabbed Ethan, as Aife grabbed Dillon.
Bo was outside and waiting for the other ladies to join them.
"Ok". Lauren said as she rocked Ethan back and forth.
"Ok. Ready Charlotte? Bo asked.
The young shifter looked lost, as Bo lifted her again. Bo pulled back and threw their daughter into the air. The women gasped at what they saw. The shifter was flapping her arms as she landed back on the ground.
"Well damn. That's how she's been getting around. Like the two times she came looking for me". Aife laughed.
"So it is the Una Mens seed". Lauren gasped in awe.
"Now Lauren. See if you can melt this". Bo said handing Lauren one of her old blades.
Lauren took the blade and melted it in a matter of seconds. "That's it. It is no doubt the Una Mens seed".
"Yeah. Charlotte killed some birds, so she can fly. You killed Evony, she had melting powers. So now all we need to do is find out how the hell she got the lightning powers". Bo explained. She wasn't trying to show up a genius like Lauren, but once she got an idea, she had to try it out.
"It might have been in the birds DNA. Something that I missed". Lauren sighed as her mind race.
"Don't worry Lauren. You don't have to solve this one all on your own". Bo said gently rubbing Lauren's back.
"I will be in my lab". Lauren said.
"We're not done yet Isabeau". Aife whispered.
"No. Mom. Don't do it! Bo pleaded.
"Only one way to find out". Aife said as she tossed Dillon into the air.
The young shifter roared, and so did Charlotte once she heard him. She charged at Aife knocking the Succubus on her back. She was slobbering all over her grandmother's face.
"I will spank that ass if you bite me! Aife laughed.
Charlotte went to bite Aife, but Bo pulled her off of her grandmother.
"He's ok Charlotte. Look". Bo said pointing to Dillon who was running around chasing Ethan
"But did he fly? Aife asked as she cleaned her face.
"I wasn't looking, but I can always check the cameras". Bo said. She hadn't looked. She was too busy worrying about her daughter killing her grandmother.
"We don't have to wait for that". Aife said heading over to Ethan. Charlotte jumped on her back and dug her paws into the Succubus back. Aife was sure she had drawn blood.
"Ok. Ok! Everyone just stop! Bo said with her voice dropping.
"Ethan, Dillon, come to mama! Bo cooed. She smiled when the boys ran over to her.
Bo picked them up and placed them on the table. "Can you fly? She asked excitedly. She was almost ashamed she started this experiment, but they needed to know
Dillon roared as he jumped off the table and into the air. Bo and Ethan watched him for a few seconds before Ethan jumped to join his brother. They were flying too.
"There it is. It's the Una Mens seed. But we still need to find out about Charlotte's other powers. The boys have the power to melt people and Evony was still the Morrigan when Lauren disposed of her". Bo said.
"Uhhh you wanna get your girl? Aife laughed.
"Charlotte, let go". Bo said trying to pull the shifter off of Aife's back.
"Well I have to heal, but we have plenty of guests coming over later. I can find one of them to heal with". Aife said.
"What did I miss? Lauren asked walking back out to join them.
"The boys can fly too. They must have gotten into the bird mess or it's some DNA still left in the grass. We can get a gardner in here to check". Bo said.
"A Fae one for sure". Lauren nodded.
"Yeah. So what did you find out? Bo asked.
"Everything looks normal in all of our blood work. It has to be the Una Mens. Whatever we kill, we gain their powers. Whether they are an animal or Fae". Lauren explained.
"That's not a bad thing actually". Bo said.
"And there is this". Lauren said.
"What? Bo and Aife asked in unison and were shocked when Lauren burned a tree limb with lightning powers.
"Holy shit! Aife laughed.
"Your guests can get here anytime now". Lauren said to Aife.
"They should be here in an hour or less". Aife said.
"Then we've got work to do. Lets get the yard cleaned up and call for that gardner too". Bo said walking out into the yard.
Bo stopped when she heard Lauren shift. The sound still made her quiver all over. The older shifter buried her nose into the grass. Once she found what she was looking for, she took a few pieces of soil and grass into her mouth.
"Is that sanitary? Aife laughed.
"Lauren? Bo called worriedly.
The shifter ran around the house, and when she launched into the air, she could now fly too. She landed and shifted back. "Tell him or her, to start there". She said pointing to the damaged part of the grass.
"I can't with this family". Aife laughed watching as all four shifters were now flying.
"They are my family". Bo smiled proudly watching them.
The gang had made it back into the house and the kids were taking a nap, while their mothers sat in the living room talking.
"So if Zeus was the God of Lightning and Persephone was his daughter. Then maybe that's where the lightning is coming from. I handled her remains, but I never ingested them, until just now. This has to be it. I can't think of any other way". Lauren sighed into her hands.
"Lauren we love you. You don't have to think so hard. We have all of the time in the world. There are so many powers that you all may carry, and we will figure it all out". Bo said rubbing Lauren's back.
"We still have a lot of people coming. We will find out more than we know now". Aife smiled.
"What time are they coming again? Lauren asked.
The ladies jumped when Charlotte roared.
"They're here! The three said in unison.
TBC
Each of the kids thrall a guest.
Hale finds an old Una Mens log.
Aife can't heal with Chi.