Lauren

The sounds of pots and pans hitting a surface, meant that Lauren was busy in the kitchen. It was a good thing they still have a standing order for fresh meats, because everything would be frozen. She pulled some fresh steaks, and veggies out. She smiled thinking of how big of a portion, she was going to give Bo. That and to make sure the Succubus actually eats most of it, this time.

She has a growing family. Bo had fed Charlotte for a year. It was Lauren's turn to be the supportive mate. Thanks to online delivery, she could arrange for fresh groceries to be delivered. She'd tried once and was highly upset that they were given nearly spoiled food. Once she told them who she was, everything had been grade A since.

The doctor was in her groove, stirring here, and flipping there. She was taste testing everything. She even made a little more in case guests arrived unexpectedly. She thought about opening a window, but that would draw every beast in the area to their house, and rile up their baby shifters.

Once everything else was cooking, she started making a sugarless cake from scratch. She knows it won't be received well, but it's healthy. Besides, she's good enough to make them think it has sugar.

Kenzi and Hale

Hale looked at Kenzi. Her head clearly wasn't on her work. "Kenzi, you alright?

Kenzi was tapping a pen on her desk. She had heard Hale talking, but hadn't heard a word, he had said. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about Bo. Seems like she's regressing".

"How so? Hale asked curiously.

"First of yay, she's pregnant! Second of all, she's scared shitless that's she going to lose the baby, like she lost Lauren. It's bad Hale. When they were at the hospital, if Bo wasn't worried Lauren and Charlotte, she was in the bathroom crying. I never would've known had I not gone in there". Kenzi said leaning back into her chair.

"Bo was pretty bad off. A lot of Fae are still pissed off because of the rampage Bo went on trying to find Lauren. Although most of them felt better about it after the Una Mens died. I had to step in a few times and tell them just because Lauren was one, she wasn't evil, and emotionless". Hale replied. He shuddered thinking of the loud voices and bodies flying around when the Fae were fighting each other, hoping the Una Mens wouldn't want their wounded bodies.

"I offered to move in. But she doesn't want that. They have three kids Hale, and no telling how many Bo is pregnant with. She needs to get her stuff out in the open, because Charlotte is growing up fast and will be even more harder to handle". Kenzi said.

"Our meetings are done for the day. Why don't you take off, and I'll finish the paperwork". Hale suggested.

"I'll do that. They'll probably just be about done with lunch". Kenzi said as she stood, and looked at the clock.

Hale waved Kenzi out. He rubbed his beard, and shook his head. He felt bad for Bo. She'd made a bad decision, and it's coming back to haunt her. He'd never known a Succubus until Bo showed up. Then men and women were practically throwing themselves at her. He'd never even seen Lauren make a move on anyone romantically. But the doctor practically glowed whenever Bo was around. It wasn't about her succubus, it was about Bo. If Lauren could resist the charms of the Incubus she treated, she could resist Bo. But she didn't. Shaking his head again, he started on finishing the paperwork on their latest case.

Aife.

The Succubus stood staring with a raised eyebrow. She wasn't kidding about wanting her latest project completed soon. It was coming along nicely, but not fast enough.

James had been moving his people around quickly after the Succubus gave them a deadline. Aife didn't want them to be sloppy while they worked, so she watched them until it was time for lunch. It was too hot to be standing in the sun at a construction site. So she thralled them and left.

Bo and Lauren's

When Lauren announced lunch was ready, Charlotte jumped off of the chair she was sitting in, and looked up to Bo.

"I'm coming sweetie". Bo said gently rubbing the top of the shifter's head.

It hadn't taken Lauren long to cook, but Charlotte never left Bo's side. Wherever Bo went, she went. The Succubus nearly cried at how protective Charlotte was being, even before the baby is born. She quickly understood that she was trying to watch everything that Bo did. If she jumped up, and down. If she walked up the stairs too fast. But there wasn't a need to go up to the upper levels yet. Everyone was downstairs.

Ethan and Dillon had been playing until Lauren called for them. Bo had been watching them and the television too. She was happy not to be watching the Lion King again. When she passed a science show, Charlotte watched it for a second, and turned her eyes back on Bo.

All five settled in for a heavy and hearty lunch. Bo's was specific to her current cravings. The Succubus more than got her fill before pushing the last plate away, and handed it to the boys to finish.

Once they were all done, it was nap time. Ethan and Dillon were too stuffed to protest, so that only left Charlotte.

"Charlotte it's time for a nap". Lauren said quietly.

The young shifter roared, and gritted her teeth at Bo.

"I'm going to take a nap too". Bo smiled down at her.

"I'm going to stay up in case someone comes over". Lauren said kissing Bo on her forehead.

"Ok". Bo smiled as she kissed Lauren back. Once her family were all down for their naps, Lauren grabbed the remote and settled down on the couch.

Bo and Charlotte.

Bo laughed when Charlotte snuggled close to her. It was cute now, but not late in the night. She was starting to interrupt Lauren and Bo's sleeping groove. Not that they were going to do anything. Even for a Succubus, Bo didn't want to sleep with Lauren in fear of hurting the baby, or babies. She'd learned to tell Lauren how she was feeling often on case her pregnancy turned out like Lauren's. Bo didn't want to lapse into a coma. It would kill her to know that her family wouldn't have her protection even though they're all capable of protecting themselves. She smiled with pride, and drifted off to sleep.

Downstairs

Aife walked in pulling Lauren from her TV show.

"Where is everyone? The Succubus asked.

"Napping". Lauren replied as she stood to make a pot of coffee.

"How's she doing? Aife nodded upwards.

"She's eating. As far as sleeping. Not so much". Lauren answered.

Aife walked over and took a seat at the kitchen table.

"Can we talk about that? Aife asked.

"I thought you of all people might know the ins and outs of a Succubus pregnancy". Lauren said pouring them both a cup of coffee. Their coffee maker was fast and it helped for a busy house like theirs.

"True doctor, but I don't have the powers of the Una Mens". Aife said stirring her drink.

Lauren nodded and took her seat. "Everything was fine or at least I thought. I thought my shifter had me well protected from any illness. I was so busy treating every one of my patients that I never stopped to treat myself. It seemed like my energy only grew. Even to the point that I didn't need to drink this. Bo and I were... hell I can tell you...we were still making love on a regular basis, so the scientist in me never suspected that I was pregnant with Charlotte. You've met her, she's hardly ever tired either".

"So Isabeau is likely experiencing all of that, even this early on in her own pregnancy". Aife nodded in understanding.

"Bo's struggling mentally. She's always careful about everything. Worried she won't be healthy enough to protest us, if something were to happen. She's forgotten we are all well off than we were before. I wouldn't be shocked if Charlotte was protecting herself before she was born while I was in my coma". Lauren sighed gently.

"Then we will all be Team Isabeau. You and I can talk to her, and make sure that she has everything that she needs. Physically and mentally. We will get her through this". Aife said gently patting the top of Lauren's hand.

"Okay. Lunch is still on the stove if you want some". Lauren said gesturing behind her.

Lauren rose from her seat, and went to check the mail.

Aife was a little hungry for actual food. She had been out all day and hadn't fed once. So she took Lauren up on her offer, and made a plate.

Bo

Bo had been asleep for a good hour before she turned halfway over. Chills coated her body when she heard the first roar. Shaking her head, she gripped the sheets tighter and tried to settle back down to sleep. She took a deep breath, and could've sworn she felt a pulse enter her stomach. Figuring she was dreaming again, she sighed.

Roar. Rip. Roar. Rip. Running down a long and empty road, the shifter roared again. Bo felt like she was suspended in the air, because she could only watch the scene in front.

"Come back! The Succubus screamed, and her words fell as silent as the night.

Warmth again touched her body. Shaking her head, she rolled over into the other direction, and felt a small body just under her chest.

Roar. Screeching beasts. Roar. Screeching beasts. Warmth filled her lower body.

The shifter was now so far gone, that Bo no longer saw it under the bright moonlight.

"Come back! Bo screamed. This time, she heard a small roar, and felt that warmth again.

Opening her eyes, she immediately grabbed her stomach in fear. Her eyes went wide when she felt a furry paw. Charlotte's eyes were flashing back and forth. She sent one last pulse into Bo's stomach and stopped. Bo's chills faded at the touch.

"Thank you sweetie". Bo cried pulling the shifter gently against her.

"Bo". Lauren whispered as she stepped into the room. Bo held out an arm to Lauren and the Doctor rushed into it. With tears flowing freely between them, Lauren dried Bo's first, then her own, and spoke.

"Charlotte? Can you go play or find your nana? Lauren asked quietly. Thankfully she left them without protest.

"Ethan and Dillon? Bo sobbed.

"They're fine. Aife's playing with them". Lauren replied softly. She squeezed Bo's hand, and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry". Bo sobbed.

"There's no need for apologies. Do you want to talk about it? Lauren asked moving even closer.

"I'm scared Lauren. I'm so scared". Bo said as she rested in Lauren's arms.

"Bo you've ever only been scared of your succubus. So what's happened? Lauren asked.

"I lost you Lauren. I lost you because I was petty and careless. Then you died. The you I always wanted to protect, died. I'm scared that I am going to do something stupid, and careless and lose this baby. No matter how many times we talk about this, I can't shake this feeling. That moment when we arrived to find the Una Mens being attacked, you weren't there. I thought they'd already killed you again. Then you showed up, and literally died right in front of me. They had turned you into something you never were, violent. I wasn't fighting you like that shifter was, but my hand may as well have been on your throat. I took my attention off of you, and it cost you something, you can never get back. I don't know what to do with, and about carrying a baby besides feed myself, and try to rest, but that would be like taking my attention off of it, and it will die". Bo sobbed again.

"I know being pregnant for the first time is scary. You're filled with constant paranoia and fear. But you are not alone in your fear. There's a tiny part of me that's scared too. Because we didn't know with Charlotte. But Bo we have three beautiful kids, and you have one of our best weapons inside of you, besides the baby. Your Succubus Bo. This baby is hers too. She will do everything that you can't to protect it. Your mother and I will be right there with you. During it all, and afterwards. I know a shifter baby is not your average pregnancy, but we will not lose this baby or babies. Because it was conceived in love and will be protected with love. Love brought me back from my death, and I'm going to bring you back from this". Lauren whispered softly kissing the top of Bo's head.

The doctor continued to hold Bo, until she fell asleep again. Her grip on Lauren's hands was strong. Lauren closed her eyes as tears fell again. She sighed gently and allowed herself to fall asleep. This was probably the only real sleep Bo had gotten recently. Bo had spent years living with the guilt of Lauren's death. Now the Succubus was mentally dying, and needs Lauren to bring that part of her back to life.

Lauren thought about Taft. There really wasn't a safe way out of there, without making Bo think that she was going to kill Dyson. The thought of both men, riled up the shifter in her. Her death wasn't entirely Bo's fault, it was hers, and Dyson's. She trusted men she loathed, instead of the woman she loves.

Charlotte will worry along with her brothers. So it's time the adults fix themselves, and their family.

Downstairs

Kenzi pulled her sunglasses on top of her head, as she walked towards the house. "Are they out?

"Sleeping. Isabeau had a nightmare, so I'm on baby duty". Aife answered as she threw another ball for the trio to fetch.

"Did Bo have a breakdown? Kenzi asked as she waved at the kids.

"Just pregnancy stuff". Aife said trying to wave Kenzi's worry off.

"Well I hope that they have at least talked, because Bo's about to bust if she hasn't already". Kenzi sighed watching Bo's family. Bo's family. The words nearly choked her up.

"What do you know about it? Aife asked. She meant what she told Lauren. Bo's needs were going to come before everything. Even the amusement park which was currently closed to keep their block as quiet as possible.

Kenzi gently cleared her throat. "Bo's been all go. When Lauren had disappeared from where we had her stashed, Bo was furious with everyone. She went for days without a real lead, and when she found Lauren, she was still going. Trying to get Lauren free from the Una Mens grip. Just when she thought she was going to convince Lauren to come home with her, they were attacked, and Lauren had no choice but to leave Bo again. When she found her, Lauren fought another shifter, and died. Bo brought her back, but she really wasn't the same since. Obviously neither of them were. They finally got back together, and even after that Bo was still full go. Things were really looking up for a whole year. Until we came home from work. Lauren didn't look well, and we rushed her to the hospital. Then she went into a coma and Charlotte was born. Bo was still a mess. She even had to reach out to some shifters just to learn how to feed a cub. It was like Lauren was lost to her again. But this time she was responsible for their baby while Lauren was away, so to speak.

Right now she's scared of losing the part of Lauren that's growing inside of her. If the baby dies Bo would have failed Lauren again". Kenzi explained.

"Wow. I didn't know all of that". Aife sighed.

"Bo's always been in love with Lauren. Even when they were apart. She's scared to death of making another mistake. A mistake that could cost them the baby. Lauren's baby". Kenzi replied. The sun had started to set and the kids were resting on the patio deck.

"Then we all need to love Isabeau. Help her through this". Aife said.

"I offered to move in, and take one the guest rooms, but she declined. Bo's proud and a tad stubborn". Kenzi said.

"Then move in as my guest". Aife suggested.

"Umm.. hello? It's me Kenzi". Kenzi said.

"If my daughter is a mess, like you and Lauren have both reported to me, then we need all hands on deck". Aife replied.

Kenzi rolled her tongue in her mouth. "No BS? She asked.

"Not this time". Aife laughed.

"Ok. I'll go and pack up a few bags, and I'll be back tonight". Kenzi said standing up, and rushing off.

Aife picked the kids up and carried them into the house. She noticed the time, and Bo and Lauren hadn't emerged yet. She pulled her phone out and ordered dinner. Once the food had been ordered, she made another call.

"It's Aife. By my count, you still owe me a favor. Tomorrow you will return that favor Tau, or I'll take it out of your ass. Don't fuck with me about this because you know I will". Aife snapped.

Once she was convinced Tau took her seriously, she hung up. Tomorrow would be about the future. Tonight is about the present, and family.

TBC