Lauren
The hot water from her shower felt great to the Doctor. It was cleansing and numbing at the same time. It cleansed the dirt of the day and almost numbed her pain. Almost.
As she began scrubbing soap all over her body, she opened her eyes and realized she had made a huge mistake. Immediately rinsing off, she blotted her hair with a towel and dried the rest of her body off with another towel. Picking up her flannel pajamas, she quickly dressed and exited the bathroom.
"Hey". Bo choked out as she cleared her throat.
"I need to check on my kids". Lauren said. Never looking at the Succubus, she slipped on her house shoes, and left the room.
Walking the short yet long distance, Lauren was nearly in tears before she reached the twins room. The Doctor stood over the beds and watched them sleep. So innocent and yet so powerful.
"Ethan. Dillon". Lauren said gently waking them. Their little eyes popped open and looked to their mother.
"Come with mama? Lauren cooed as the boys excitedly reached out to her. Lauren quickly dressed them so that they would be warm enough until she went downstairs. Hurrying out of the room, she passed by Bo who had been watching the scene from the door.
"Lauren? Bo called out softly.
"Charlotte". Lauren said softly and smiled gently when she heard the shifter running out of her room, and followed her.
The older shifter carried their sons down the stairs, stopping only so that Charlotte could catch up to them. Walking over to the large rocking chair, she took a seat. She kept the chair still enough for Charlotte to jump in her lap as she held the boys higher in her arms.
Once the shifters were all settled, Lauren started to rock in the chair.
"Lauren? Bo called again standing across the room.
"Don't you have a wolf somewhere to play with?! Lauren snapped.
"Lauren! Bo screamed and startled Charlotte. The shifter roared as she eyed Bo. Standing up, she prepared to jump off of Lauren's lap.
"Charlotte don't". Lauren said softly. The Doctor watched the shifter curl up in her lap again.
Bo closed her eyes and retreated to bed. Lauren was pissed because of Bo, and Dyson. There was nothing she could say in front of the kids, that was going to help the situation. She would try and sleep and talk in the morning.
"I'm sorry for yelling at the three of you earlier". Lauren said and closed her eyes. She rocked the kids back to sleep until she fell asleep herself. The rest of the night was uneventful. The fireplace was blazing and the living room was toasty. Lauren couldn't help but smile as the boys laid their heads on shoulder and could soon be heard snoring. This was going to have to be their norm now. The only shifters, and everything else within all of their DNA.
The next morning
Lauren woke up noticing she had switched the boys around some time during the night. Charlotte was still on her lap, but she wasn't heavy at all. She also noticed that the fire looked fresh, and the curtains had been closed. Bo she thought, as she leaned up and waited for Charlotte to wake up on her own.
The shifter turned towards Lauren and turned back to jump off of her. The Doctor stood and gently put the boys on the floor so that they could shift and play with Charlotte while she went to prepare breakfast. The room felt empty and she was pretty sure Bo was still in bed. The Succubus would likely come running from the aroma of the food when she finally started cooking. As usual she went with steaks, eggs and veggies.
Half an hour later everything was ready and the kids were gobbling up their food on their blankets. Bo did come down without Lauren having to call her. Once the kids were done, Lauren cleaned up the floor and turned to eat her own food, while they ran off to play again in the other room.
"Good morning". Bo said softly standing at the other end of the table.
"Good morning. Your food is ready there". Lauren said pointing towards a covered plate.
"Lauren can we...? Bo started.
"Not yet". Lauren said as she quickly ate and cleaned up after herself. Walking over to the sink she rinsed the plates off, and loaded them into the dishwasher while Bo ate her food. Lauren joined the kids in the other room, but did not disturb them. The boys pinned Charlotte to the ground and it made Lauren smile knowing, Charly allowed it. Lauren turned when she heard the front door open and slightly slam.
"Mom! Bo said as she hurried into the room.
"Ready for my party? Aife asked as she stood jingling her car keys.
"Aife I appreciate it, but not today ok? Lauren said staring at the Succubus.
"Something wrong? Aife asked looking at everyone. Charlotte was eyeing her, but that was normal.
"It is just not a good time for this party". Bo answered.
"No it's not". Lauren said still staring at Aife.
"Ok, my Nana senses are telling me that I need to take the kids outside. So lets go babies! Aife cooed as the trio of shifters followed her.
"Aife". Lauren said.
"I'll watch them. I'll watch them". Aife said seriously as she held the door for Dillon to run out last.
"Ok Lauren what the...
"Downstairs". Lauren said seriously and walked towards the door leading to their soundproof room.
The Succubus stomped down the stairs following the Doctor.
"Ok now Lauren. What the fuck was that about?! Bo screamed.
"What was that about? It was about me and my kids! Lauren snapped.
"They are my kids too! Bo snapped angrily stepping towards the shifter.
"Are you sure about that Bo? Really? Because the four of us are the only ones that are shifters! Lauren snapped never moving in her stance.
"They are ours Lauren! Bo screamed throwing her arms into the air.
"Why are you even still here Bo? I was never good enough for you before, so why now? Lauren snapped.
"Aww that's bullshit Lauren! You know why! Bo screamed.
"What I know is, I saved Dyson and you and your precious crew left me to the real monsters in the Fae world. The Una Mens! Lauren screamed.
"I didn't know Lauren! Damn it! Bo screamed. The Succubus was ready to punch something.
"You didn't want to know. You never did. I tried to explain about Vex, and you ran. I tried to explain about Taft's plan, and you ran. You ran with Dyson and Tamsin. Me? Well I was just left behind like the disposable human the Fae always thought me to be". Lauren snapped this time moving backwards.
"You didn't tell me Lauren! I asked you what you were doing in front of Taft. Right there in his office. Bo said softly.
"See that right there. That's the problem. You thought I was going to tell you something as dangerous as my plan was, right in front of him. He didn't care about anything Bo. Nothing. Only getting revenge against the Fae. But hey you got your favorite Fae out of harms way right? Lauren snapped as she turned away from Bo a bit.
"That's not fair Lauren, in case you have forgotten, Aife was there too! Bo snapped.
"Yeah well we all know you left her too. Imagine leaving a Succubus to die". Lauren replied.
Bo rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Are we just down here so that you can hurt me Lauren?
Lauren smiled in disgust. "Yes we are down here just so we can hurt you! It's always been about your feelings, your needs and your wants right? None of mine ever mattered, well not much anyway".
Bo shook her head. There would be no getting through to Lauren when she was like this. As angry as Bo had ever seen her be. So she tried a different approach.
"I thought it would be best to get everyone together. I thought Taft's men had taken you somewhere else. I wanted to get the gang together to form a plan to find you". Bo said slowly. Her Succubus was itching to surface. But she didn't need her for this.
"Well we all saw what Dyson's plans were right? Tell me, how many times did you sleep with him? Did you even ask if he knew where I was? Or did you even care? Lauren snapped again. The Doctor was past the return of angry.
"Lauren?! You can't think that". Bo said lunging forward and gently grabbed the Doctor's head.
"What I think is, that you left me out of spite. Like so many times before, the Fae and Kenzi came first. You know the other human in your life, while you left the other one that you knew in danger. Even if he was still a human Taft was still dangerous. His money could buy him anything that he wanted. He wanted all of the Fae dead. So where would that left us mere humans? Do not stand there and tell me it wasn't like that because you and I both know that it was. So what is another dead human to a powerful Fae like you? Lauren shook her head and folded her arms across her chest.
"I love you Lauren, I always have and you know that. I am sorry, so sorry that I wasn't there to save you from the Una Mens. But no I didn't know your plans because you didn't tell me. I ordered Dyson to kill Taft, I didn't think he would have left you in harms way too. Looking back now, I know that was dumb of me to expect him to be kind to you, or care about your safety at all. You were my friend, my love, which means I should have gone looking for you myself. The only clue I had about you was when Hale told me that you had left on your own. I didn't know you were there, but I had a feeling once I got there and then you walked into his office as if that was a part of your plan. I know you saved Dyson because he practically shifted after I told him to kill Taft. I even went to the operating room to look for you, and then Tamsin and I fought...". Bo said turning away to deal with her own self anger. Fighting with Tamsin was more important than continuing her search for Lauren.
"Tamsin got to you huh? Well she was a bitch like that wasn't she? Lauren roared. The sound went around the room and back again.
"I'm sorry Lauren. I'm sorry that I didn't save you from the Una Mens. I am even more sorry that you died and I wasn't there to stop it. I'm sorry. Is that what you want from me? Bo sobbed and couldn't stop more tears from falling.
"I don't want anything from you. I need to check on the kids". Lauren said turning to leave.
"Lauren don't do this. Please". Bo cried reaching out for the Doctor.
"You're just a Succubus. The rest of us? Well we are many things aren't we? Lauren said shrugging off Bo's hands.
"Lauren...please". Bo cried.
"I have to go". Lauren said sharply and stormed up the stairs
Bo collapsed on the floor in tears. Lauren didn't trust her with anything right now. Not even her comfort or apologies. She almost sounded as if she was going to leave the Succubus too. Then they would be in for a nastier fight for custody of the kids. To make it worse, her tone earlier, made Charlotte believe that she was going to attack Lauren.
She sat where she was. She was worried about the kids too, but knew Aife would protect them with all of her being and then some. But Bo was worried about her relationship with Lauren. She hadn't thought about all of that in such detail before. Lauren was so important to Bo, but felt like a piece of shit tossed into the road for the Una Mens to devour at will. Her Succubus was angry and ready to fight. But fight who? The culprit was the same one she shared a body with. Bo had failed Lauren as a friend.
She knew of the Fae's hatred for Lauren. She wasn't claimed like Kenzi. There was no immediate protection. Hale had to give Kenzi his Twig of Zamora for her own protection and even he wasn't looking for the Doctor. His only emotions was anger since she left on her own.
Bo could do nothing but dry her tears, and suck up the rest. Moping on the floor wasn't going to get anything fixed or healed. When a even more horrid thought crossed her mind, she rushed up the stairs.
Walking around the corner to look outside, her heart stopped and fluttered at the same time. Lauren had shifted and was running around with the kids.
"Do you want to tell me what I walked in on now? Aife asked as she stepped next to Bo.
"It is a long, long story". Bo sighed.
"Since we aren't having the party, I've got time". Aife said.
Bo shook her head and walked over to the couch. She needed to talk to someone, and there was nobody better than Aife since she left her at Taft's too.
"Well? Aife asked.
"Lauren is mad at me and she has every right to be. I left her and you at Taft's. You got away, but Lauren didn't. The Una Mens got her, and killed the Lauren she was. Now she's all of these things, things she doesn't even know yet, and she's mad that I never saved her. Didn't look for her more thoroughly and certainly not at Tafts after saving Dyson". Bo said staring into nothing.
"Well...". Aife sighed.
"Don't mom. Just...just don't". Bo sighed into her hands.
"What else did she say? Aife asked.
"That I'm just a Succubus and the rest of them are shifters". Bo said quietly.
"She's not lying. You are a Succubus and they are so much more. You left us both. I knew I was going to heal, but Lauren's wounds were far deeper than mine would ever be. She does have a right to be pissed the fuck off, and you...well you had Dyson to fix it right? Aife asked.
"Mom! Bo screamed.
"Well are you going to tell me you didn't? You were pretty into him that day I showed up and you looked like a runway model". Aife shrugged.
"I don't know. I don't know what I thought. I thought someone had her held up somewhere. I thought Taft's people had her. Maybe I thought she was better off away from me on some level, after our talk in his office. Maybe I thought she didn't love me anymore. Now it turns out that she couldn't come back to me if she wanted to. Because Dyson would have always found a way to separate us, and at the time, I would have allowed it". Bo sighed as thick tears fell to the floor.
"So this is it huh? You are going to sit with a dead, bitch ass wolf on your mind while you have an entire living, and breathing family just outside of these walls? Aife asked.
"I think Lauren is going to leave me mom, and try to get full custody of the kids". Bo said looking up now.
"Fuck you Isabeau". Aife stood and walked away.
"I'm sorry? Bo said loudly.
"Dyson was all about you and himself. You are sitting in Lauren's house, likely in the same bullshit he lead you to believe about Lauren. A real mother doesn't wallow in bullshit, she takes action. Like I did with you and Lou Ann. Lauren is not that kind of person to take someone's kids from them, she might leave you, but that's your own damn fault if she does. But don't sit here and tell me of all people that a mother doesn't know what's best for her child. Lauren loves them. She knows they love you and vice versa, so unless she has told you that straight out, fuck you". Aife snapped angrily.
"But I...". Bo started.
"There is no I! You either get up and try to fix this or sit there and never talk to me about this again. Because you are about to make my Succubus surface and you won't be able to stop her". Aife snapped as her eyes flashed blue and back to normal.
"She's mad at me mom! Bo snapped.
"I'm sorry. I must have missed the part about Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon being mad at you too! But so what if Lauren is, you better start trying to fix this now. Make her feel like she's the most beautiful woman in the world, because right now since she feels like a walking Science experiment, she's not going to feel that way". Aife said gritting her teeth. Bo had such a long way to go about learning how to be a mother and in a relationship apparently.
"I don't know how to even start to fix this, or if I even can. She will never forget being strapped down. Having the seed force-fed to her. Screaming for me as she was forced to chew. Or I can't forget...". Bo cried through tears again.
"Then start with them. Lauren is right. You are only a Succubus, but that doesn't mean you can't be out there with them. Show Lauren that you don't care that they are shifters and everything else. Show her love. Because showing her this video was a nice gesture but shouldn't be all that you have to offer or contribute". Aife said pulling the Succubus to her feet. The women jumped when the glass doors opened.
"Come on. It's time for lunch! Lauren cooed to the kids. The shifters followed their mother into the kitchen with their tails wagging wildly behind them.
"Lunch? Shit! I already missed hours with them". Bo whispered to Aife as she looked at the time.
The Succubus followed the shifters into the kitchen and helped when they could. Lauren warmed up some pizza for the kids and made deli sandwiches for the women. The kids hadn't had sandwiches yet and Lauren wasn't sure that they wouldn't make a mess with the bread.
Bo quickly ate and waited for the kids to finish. Once Lauren was done, the Succubus insisted that they all go outside this time. The kids could play in their castles or they could play in the yard.
"Are you coming mom? Bo asked.
"No I have to rearrange the party I had planned. I will give it a few days". Aife explained.
"Thanks mom". Bo smiled gently and waved as she hurried outside.
The kids were running and pushing each other over. Lauren was back in shifter form stretched out on the grass, watching them.
Bo found a ball and threw it between them. She almost hit Charly in the head and the shifter's eyes told her in case she didn't notice.
"Go get it! Bo cooed to the boys as Charlotte ran after the ball and nudged it down the small slope.
Ethan arrived first and tried pushing it back up the hill. Bo nearly laughed at his little legs worked to get back over the slope. Charlotte ran over and picked him up into her mouth and gently placed him back on the flat grass. Bo smiled and laughed as they continued playing well into the afternoon.
"Nap time". Lauren said and the shifters ran towards the door and waited for Lauren to shift back and open it. Once inside the kids ran towards the fireplace and stretched out, with Charlotte in the middle as usual.
"I guess they will always sleep like that". Bo laughed.
"I guess so". Lauren said walking over to the downstairs bathroom to freshen up. She would bathe the kids when they woke up from their nap which wouldn't be more than thirty minutes so they wouldn't be too wired to sleep later that night.
The Doctor walked out and took a seat on the couch after grabbing the remote controls for the TV and DVD. Bo freshened up when Lauren was done and joined her.
"Tell me how I can fix this". Bo said gently taking one of the remotes from Lauren so that the Doctor couldn't fixate on anything else but her.
Lauren sighed deeply. "I don't know that you can Bo, or if it's even possible".
Bo felt the same dread wash over her when she was chomping at the bit talking to Lauren in Taft's office.
"You are not saying we can't be fixed are you? Bo panted.
"I don't know. I honestly don't". Lauren said seriously.
"Lauren I'm sorry again, that I wasn't there to stop them from hurting you. But I'm here now. Just please give me some time to try and fix this. To try and make you see how beautiful you have always been to me. How important you have always been, even when my actions proved otherwise". Bo said almost in a panic.
"You can't make me forget what Dyson and the Una Mens did to me. You can't make me forget those cold, and emotionless eyes hovering above me as they stuck the seed into my mouth. You can't make me forget the fear of knowing what was about to happen as the last of seed disappeared down my throat. Honestly if it wasn't for the kids, I probably would be packing a bag and really taking a break from you. Because all I can see now is the woman that thought Kenzi, Dyson and Tamsin were worth saving. Not me or your mother". Lauren explained almost emotionless. Lauren studied Bo for a moment and left the room.
The Succubus buried her head into her hands. She took a lot of deep breaths until she felt someone else sit next to her. Looking at the boots, nearly made her jump up and ready to fight.
"No. No. It can't be". Bo said slowly turning her head to the kids.
"Damn it". Bo whispered. She turned her head back to her right and came face to face with a dead ringer for herself.
"Charlotte you are supposed to be sleeping". Bo said staring at her own image in the form of her daughter.
Lauren came back and saw them. "Well at least you will know what it's like to live with you". She said grabbing her car keys and walked out of the house.
TBC
Fifty chapters. Wow. I would say I'm sorry, but this is still one of my favorite fics.