Bo and Charlotte
Bo sighed when she heard the door close behind Lauren. The Doctor was understandably pissed off but this was a new kind of anger. None like Bo had ever seen before. Which made the Succubus fear even more that Lauren was going to leave her and take the kids from her, if she didn't do anything to repair the damage between them and she had better get to it.
"Charlotte, can you shift back for mama, in your baby form? Bo asked gently looking literally at her doppelgänger.
Bo heard the young shifter huff and roar from the inside.
"Charlotte listen to me. I need you to shift back into your baby form and or any form and just be a baby ok? I have to talk to your mother, and it's really important". Bo said.
Charlotte once again rejected the idea, shaking her long dark locks in the air.
"Charlotte I get it. The need to always protect them. I do. But you don't have to be anything but a baby right now. Your mother and I talked about having a normal life a long time ago. You are our first born and a first step towards what normalcy we will ever have. I love your mother, you, and your brothers. I was the one that first held you. The one that first changed you. Now it's my job to try and fix the damage that my ignorance and distance caused all of you". Bo explained again.
Charlotte roared again tapping her boot on the floor.
"Charlotte please. I can't talk to Lauren as me, if she sees another one of me like you are right now. It will be painful for her and not help our talk. Ok? Bo pleaded itagain.
Charlotte shifted back to her shifter form. Glared at Bo and went to nap in between her brothers.
Bo took a deep breath of relief. That was hard, but not as hard as getting through to Lauren was going to be. If she even could.
Bo grabbed a baby monitor and raced out the back door. Never stopping to grab a jacket or anything else. She suddenly stopped when she saw Lauren.
The Doctor was staring straight at her. The Succubus swallowed hard at the threatening look. But what was being threatened? Her life? Them? Something she didn't see or sense behind her?
"Lauren". Bo said softly stepping towards her.
"I see you Bo". Lauren said coolly.
"Please don't leave me Lauren. I can fix this. I can. Maybe not right this minute but over time, I can fix all of this". Bo said tearfully stepping closer.
"I wasn't going to leave you Bo. I came to get something out of my car. But since you brought it up, I did think about it. But then I thought about them. Charlotte, Ethan, and Dillon. They are my kids. My responsibility and my loves. They are also shifters. Something you can teach them nothing about except how to sleep with one". Lauren said.
"This is not about Dyson, Lauren! In case you have forgotten, I killed him protecting you. I was going home with you, no matter what he said or did! Bo snapped gently.
"I know what it's about. Your fear. Your fear of being alone. Your fear of losing the four of us. Your fear of not being in control of everything. But don't worry about it Bo. Just like you weren't worried about me. Probably not until I called Dyson that day. What were you two up to? Another round of sex in one of his interrogation rooms again? Blowing time until it was time to meet Kenzi at the Dal for drinks? Lauren snapped. The Doctor had never moved forwards or backwards. Not like Bo was.
Bo rubbed her face, and took another deep breath. "I didn't know Lauren. That was all on me. I took you at your word when you said you loved me. Past tense. I didn't know where they took you. I assumed you left on your own free will". Bo said.
"Nothing about me spoke free. Not when it came to the Fae. That is something that you never understood Bo. Not even when they locked you up in the cage over Kenzi. You thought everything that I did and said was of my own free will. Trick wasn't going to listen to me about you. He didn't even believe my test results, which by the way I needed to do for my own assurance that nothing was wrong with you. Especially after the incident at the sex club". Lauren said. Her shifter was rising up, but there was no need for her to be angry, because she would not back down from this. Bo was standing in front of her still looking like the lost Fae, she had met so long ago.
"I'm sorry Lauren. That was a poor choice of words on my part. I'm just trying to get you to understand why I didn't come looking for you. If you wanted to leave, I had no right to stop you. I am so sorry about Inari too. I was just so upset that Kenzi was missing it was clouding my judgment and how I treated you. I was more upset with myself that I hadn't noticed she wasn't Kenzi sooner. It had nothing to do with you. I lived with her. I should have noticed the drastic change in her. Like the night in the sex club when I passed out, she just left. I know there is a lot to do and a lot to fix between us. But I can't make any attempts at that if you leave me and take the kids". Bo sighed softly.
"I would never take them from you Bo! Lauren screamed.
"That's always been a disconnect between us. One of us, namely me would run at the hint of conflict. I'm done running from you Lauren, and I'm done watching you run from me or plot something dependent upon my protection.
I know you're upset and nobody is saying you shouldn't be. Yeah you are not the same Lauren. But I still love you, so much. Yes you are all shifters, but I am only a Succubus. I can't run as fast as the rest of you. I can't sense danger or creatures of the wild on four legs, or two. My life is different too, but I wouldn't change anything about it. Like you didn't try to change anything about my Succubus. I love you for how you were and how you are now. I can't change you being a shifter now. But I can change myself at being a better partner and mother. I was a selfish ass back then, only thinking of my own pain, and not giving a damn about yours. But this is my commitment. It has been since I found you with the Una Mens, and even more so since Charlotte was born. I had to learn about her needs all on my own. Until I found the other shifters. They helped when they could, but the one thing I wouldn't let them help with is how to be a mother. Nobody was going to be a step-mother to my daughter when her real mother was only inches away. I love our babies. They are three little pieces of you. When I get to hold them, it's like holding you. No matter what form they are in, they are still you, and me. Us". Bo said as tears finally fell.
"Bo". Lauren softened.
"No. I will not hear you making excuses for me. Not anymore. You died and I wasn't there to stop it, but I can try to keep this from dying". Bo said pointing back and forth between them.
Lauren rolled her tongue on the inside of her mouth at she stared at the Succubus.
"We are a family now Lauren. Not just our kids, us. Just give me a chance to prove that I'm as committed to you, as I am to them. I know there is still much of yourself that you don't know about. But I will be right beside you as we both learn". Bo said wiping her eyes. Her tears were so thick, they were making it impossible for her to see.
"I need to check on them". Lauren said holding up the medical bag she came out to retrieve.
"Lauren". Bo sobbed.
"We'll see Bo". Lauren said as she passed the Succubus.
Bo dropped her head and immediately followed the Doctor back inside of their house. Lauren's trust in her had taken a severe beating. It was going to take time to heal and put back together.
"Who's hungry? Lauren cooed as the shifters woke at the sound of her voice. Ethan and Dillon raced past Charlotte on the way to the kitchen.
"Looking at her and looking at you, you deserve all of it". Aife said from behind Bo.
"Mom". Bo sighed.
"What? You left me, and I knew I would get out of there. Lauren? You left her to Dyson. Who used his constant erections trying to find you and keep you all to himself. That is something a two minute conversation is not going to make her forget". Aife replied.
"Mom this is not helping". Bo groaned as she watched Lauren grab ingredients to cook. It looked like it was going to be awhile before dinner because she was literally making something from scratch. She gave the kids veggies to nibble on. Charlotte kept passing hers to her brothers, and they kept passing it back.
"Since when have I ever cared about what people thought of what I say? You better be listening to me, or you will lose her. You have to put her first, when you don't feel like it, when you do, or when you don't even know it needs to be done. She lost a lot because of you, and she can never get it back. It's your job to try and help her find some semblance of who she used to be". Aife said seriously. Charlotte was eyeing her like she wanted her to take her celery sticks, and hide them but the Succubus detested those too.
"When did you reschedule this party for? Bo asked.
"Two days from now. So you better get on it. Because this is not just a party for kicks but for my grandchildren to learn more about what and who they are". Aife replied making eyes at the boys.
Bo sighed again. She was getting it from everywhere tonight. Her kids. Her love. Her mother. And they were all unrelenting too. She was happy Charlotte had stayed in her shifter form. She didn't need to see herself again. She carried enough shame, without having to face it over and over again like the mirror of herself that Charlotte was earlier.
She shook the mood off and went to help Luaren cook. This was for all of them and she needed to be all in.
When the food was done they all sat down to eat. Aife ate with the kids and watched them play afterwards. Bo and Lauren scrubbed every dish and utensil by hand. Sure they had a dishwasher, but this was the start of Bo being more hands on, and not just leaving that duty to a machine.
"Lion King? Bo cooed.
The boys knocked Charlotte over as they raced towards the TV. Lauren smiled as they cuddled on the couch, wagging their tails being them.
Bo sat in the middle and patted her lap for Lauren to sit. Lauren hesitated for a moment and then took a seat next to Bo rather than sit on her lap. Aife handed the ladies a bowl of popcorn and left them to their family night of movies.
The next morning.
Bo was up and showered. She stared into the kitchen wondering what she was going to cook for breakfast. Steak and eggs were the norm but even she was tiring of that. Things were still tense between her and Lauren, she hadn't forgotten that. Nor the cold shoulder in bed the night before. They had watched two movies and left the kids as they were on the couch and retired to bed.
She finally decided on sausage omelets. Something simple and not the genius cooking skills Lauren displayed last night. Science was involved in every part of Lauren's life, even food.
She turned around and saw Ethan staring up at her.
"You wanna help mama? Bo cooed as she looked down at him. The shifter just stood there looking at her.
"Ok but try not to wake your brother and sister". Bo smiled as she walked into the living room and put Lion King on again. She smiled thinking they probably thought it was just another cartoon. Bo loved the movie too, but not as much as their kids do.
She wasn't in the kitchen again yet before she heard him roar.
"Ethan! Bo screamed as she rounded the corner. What she found looked like the movie, all three shifters were standing up and roaring.
Lauren and Aife were downstairs in a matter of seconds looking ready to fight.
"Well damn. I thought they were eating you for breakfast". Aife laughed as she calmed her Succubus.
"No. No. He wanted to watch the movie again, and I asked him not to wake his brother and sister, which he immediately did". Bo sighed.
"Or the little shits were playing possum on you and were never sleeping". Aife laughed louder this time.
"Burnt bacon is never tasty". Lauren said as she flipped the meat over.
Bo blushed in embarrassment and returned to cooking the eggs.
"I'm going to shower and go see some people". Aife said taking a piece of bacon and heading upstairs. Lauren and Bo nodded in her direction and went to making the plates for the kids.
"Ummm Charly, you need some clothes on". Bo laughed as she turned around. Lauren quickly grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her.
"I'll grab her some clothes". Bo said as she ran upstairs
"Charlotte you are not the reason we are fighting. Don't go taking it out on your mother. She has done so much for you, and me. We will get through this. We just need to handle it on our own. Ok sweetie? Lauren cooed as she rocked her in her arms.
Charlotte nodded and played with Lauren's hair until Bo returned.
"Here this will do through breakfast". Bo said handing Lauren some baby pajamas.
Lauren dressed Charlotte while Bo did her best to keep their food warm until they could sit and eat.
"Ok now eat your breakfast baby". Lauren said putting Charlotte down on a booster seat. She wasn't on it long as she devoured her food in a matter of minutes.
"Castle". Charlotte pointed towards the window.
"Ok. Ok. When you have on real clothes you can go and play in your castle". Lauren smiled.
"I still can't believe mom did that". Bo laughed shaking her head. Ethan was making a mess with his food, and she was steadily picking up tiny bits of meat.
"They need to play in them. One day they will outgrow them". Lauren said as she quickly washed Charlotte before dressing her in jeans, shoes and a tshirt. She laughed at Charlotte after she was done. Everything was brand new. She scooped her long blonde hair into a ponytail.
"Go". Bo cooed as she finished cleaning the boys and dressing them.
Lauren handed Bo a glass of orange juice and the women walked out to their patio facing the castles. Pulling sheets from the long chairs, they both stretched out on them.
"Bo I heard eyerything you said last night. I did. But it is going to take me awhile to get adjusted to all of this. You're a Succubus with many powers of your own, given who and what you parents are. But we will have a lot to deal with so I can't promise every morning or day will turn out like this. I am worried about them. Especially the boys, they will want to do everything that Charlotte does. The more she learns about herself, the more danger they will be in. They have to be my priority right now. As far as you and I are concerned, we will have to work on us, but they must come first". Lauren said staring at the castles.
"I understand that Lauren. They are mine too and I worry about them. We just have to be patient with them. Mom's party is in two days. She would never put them in harms way, or bring bullshit to us, if she wasn't sure we needed to see it, or hear it. I can go as slow as you and I need to go regarding each other. I was just so sure that you were going to leave me last night. I lived without you long enough and I will spend the rest of our lives together proving just how much I need you as they do". Bo said as she reached for one of Lauren's hands, shook it and let go. She wasn't going to pressure her into holding hands until she was ready to again.
"Careful Charlotte. They are not as big as you are". Lauren laughed as the kids jumped from castle to castle. Ethan almost missed his last landing. Bo smiled as Dillon was overly excited to jump back and forth. The women spent the next few hours watching the kids play in their castles and run around the yard.
"We should get them a swimming pool". Bo suggested.
"Or build one". Lauren said pointing to a large empty spot.
"That would work. We could use it too". Bo smiled.
"Lets wait a few years on that. They seem to enjoy the grass right now". Lauren laughed as they tumbled down a small slope and Charlotte helped her brothers back up.
Bo went into the house and put some music on to liven the place up like a party of five. She stared as the kids continued running around. They seemed to never tire. Lauren was right. They needed to wait on the pool because they would always worry about them drowning even though they were powerful too.
Pouring fresh glasses of orange juice, she headed back outside to join them. Lauren had shifted and was racing around with the kids. They jumped on her back and she loved it.
"Wait. Wait. Don't move! Bo said excitedly. She pulled her phone out and took the picture of the image in front of her. Charlotte was draped over Lauren's back, and the boys flanked her.
"Ok. Go". Bo said as they ran around again.
Bo didn't care that they were all shifters. They were hers and she was going to make sure she kept them all around for a long time.
Aife and Hale
"There is just not enough room Aife. If everyone shifts respectively. We will have a damn zoo on our hands". Hale sighed. They had been at this for hours.
"I don't care if there isn't room. I want all of them there! I will not be asking them again. The kids need to know what they are and what they look like. I was never a book learner, I learned hands on and they need to too". Aife snapped.
"How about the stadium like last time? That was big enough but the Dal would shatter if they shift, growl, roar, or whatever their call of nature is". Hale said.
"I said the Dal. I want the Dal. Now are you the one whining about it not being big enough? Aife asked.
"No most of them don't want to set foot in the Dal. Some are still loyal to Trick. Others are scared of Lauren". Hale explained.
"I don't give a damn what they are scared of. Give me these bastards names. If they don't have balls, I will give them some. Nobody says no to me". Aife snapped throwing a pad and pen at Hale.
TBC