Professor C (camren)

15 - Vestige

Two things were true during their passionate love-making: Lauren loved Camila and Camila loved Lauren.

It was that simple.

The problem is, Lauren wasn't sure about the latter.

It's such a tragedy but most everyone would offer up their bodies to satisfy a desire with no such emotional b*****e, when in reality, that was far more frightening than sharing it with someone who would put you first – with someone who loves you. Love - or care, in the least – provides a parachute for when you descend from that tremendous pinnacle, that no matter the velocity, they would either slow you down to a safe landing or plummet gracelessly with you.

And if you shatter, they shatter, too; leaving two broken souls that would thrive with each other despite being mere ruins of the person they once were.

In her insecurity and handicapped heart, Lauren overlooked many things.

The cruelty Camila had portrayed over the months of their reunion was unsettling; setting off a pandemonium to ravage what was left of her – displacing the mess of shards further. And even then, Lauren would still keep coming back to feel something and bask in the remnants of someone she had always considered her home.

Oddly enough, it made her feel alive albeit the pain.

Unbeknownst to Lauren, Camila was making conscious decisions all throughout their intimate liaison; tangled in each other, sharing fervent kisses and nimble caresses. There was a cognizant effort to exaggerate, to extend the heart-pounding, breathtaking pleasure that nibbled against Lauren's skin, congregated in her belly and finally, released through a strangulated huff preceded by languid mewls and groans.

It could have been disbelief or some warped perception of the brokenhearted but Lauren reasoned against her gut, which was adamant about catching the most palpable whiff of Camila's tender love. Because even if her open hands could only catch flecks, they were still speckles of Camila's affection.

And damn, did Lauren feel it in her touch; the soft strokes and gentle touches. She could feel it in the way Camila desperately breathed, almost as if Lauren was her oxygen. And in the same way, the air in Lauren's lungs would be depleted at the feeling of Camila's soft, reverent lips.

If those weren't enough, Camila did something Lauren least expected.

She stayed.

Lauren could still feel Camila's love as the younger woman cuddled up to her, tightly gripping her torso as if she was frightened of losing Lauren. Camila firmly pressed her naked body against Lauren's, rebuilding the two pieces of the singular puzzle that hadn't been assembled in a really long time.

It was 5:51 in the morning and the skies were dark. Remnants of winter clung onto the days as the changing season slowly loosened its grasp a finger at a time. The sun was leisurely climbing up the dark skies, providing a stream of light to illuminate - to the dawn of clarity.

Unfortunately, that morning felt like a dream or a distant memory because moments like those were evanescent. Lauren could not simply bask in the glory of their fervently glowing love as their exhausted bodies and revitalized spirits laid dormant in bed.

Then again, the rapid heartbeats jolting her from within and the ones emanating from Camila's body; they reminded Lauren that they both were there. And whatever transpired mere minutes prior would be stored in a chest with mental pictures of the past and not a mirage that her tired mind conjured up to soothe her yearning.

That had to suffice for now, or for the rest of her life.

Like a wave, rumbling as it careened towards the shore until it crashes and breaks into a fizzing foam – blurring the surface beneath, Lauren allowed herself to be lifted up to nirvana without the conscious reminder of veracity. However, as the volume of the clearing tide gets dragged back into the ocean, reality reemerges.

And in real life, Camila wasn't hers and nothing had been fixed between them.

The masks that allowed them to act upon their desires had fallen, shattering upon the impact on the ground. And the knife that had long been wedged in her heart twisted painfully at the realization.

Lauren wanted nothing but to start again but it was more complicated than that. The situation was beyond them with Luca and Elf in the mix. Lauren wouldn't want Camila to abandon her family just as she did to her almost a decade prior.

Elf, especially, didn't deserve to be left behind once again.

But the girl she met in high school, the same one she fell in love with was still there and traces of her surfaced while Camila's cognizance blurred with alcohol or while Lauren was convinced she was intoxicated.

No one could blame Lauren if her meager flame of hope ignited at that.

As Lauren laid there with her and Camila still beneath the debris, her eyes prickled as the welcomed pressure of Camila's head on her chest stirred her heart. Lauren took refuge in the fact that Camila didn't leave her when she could have. She was gratified to have shared herself with Camila once again but she ached for her all the same.

Lauren lowered her head to plant a kiss on Camila's, unexpectedly inundated by her scent; the very one she missed in all those years she sought for comfort.

It was bittersweet, but stung with a purpose.

It choked her, prompting the first tears to fall from her stinging eyes as she took ragged breaths while praying that her trembling chest wouldn't wake Camila. Her tender head felt as if it was struck by lightning and the bolt painfully ricocheted in her skull.

And because Camila was asleep, Lauren allowed herself to be reckless. But she couldn't have stopped her words if she tried.

"I still love you, bookworm." Lauren whispered against Camila's head, quietly sobbing as the weight of her words and the surging nostalgia from the nickname she awarded Camila during their senior year bore down on her. She bit her trembling lip, swallowing the obstruction in her throat, hoping to do the same with the pain in her chest. "I never stopped."

It could have been her fatigued mind or her delusional heart but Lauren could have sworn she felt Camila squeeze her, hugging her. She was convinced it was an illusion, some cruel trick being played on her.

That final thought prompted Lauren to call it a night...or a day.

Lauren took a deep breath and settled in. She didn't need to toss and turn like always did. She was at peace partially beneath Camila. A part of her didn't want to let that moment go but she was certain that hours later she wouldn't have a choice. Lauren would say she could keep the hands of clocks and watches at bay, but they were simply metaphors of time, which constantly moved and didn't wait on anyone.

Lauren just knew that when it's light outside, when everything about the life they were living was the clearest, darkness would engulf her once more.

And so, she forced herself to sleep while she could still feel Camila next to her.

In all of this, Camila was awake.

The woman was plagued by the same predicament that perturbed Lauren. Camila wasn't nearly as drunk and if she was, she'd have lost it – sweating in their home theater while aching for Lauren as the invisible robe of heat wrapped every curve and ridges of her body.

Camila might not remember everything that transpired during their first contact, but she remembered the succeeding ones. The thought of their amorous act and even in their current position, tousled and bound to each other, felt surreal to her.

Making love to Lauren was like making music, really. The soft skin beneath Camila's fingertips and the grace she employed to trace it felt like traversing through the black and white keys of a piano. And if she pressed the right keys, reverberations from Lauren's throat would surface and would fill Camila's ears and feed to her satisfaction.

And just like a song, its end would be imminent. And yet, just like a song, it could be reminisced; it could be replayed.

The problem with pretending to be unconscious to contemplate on her own thoughts was staying still. Camila did squeeze Lauren in her arms, knowing that if she didn't, she would choke out a sob or a pathetic whimper. She desperately kept her tears at bay because she would have blown her cover should Lauren feel warm moisture splatter against her skin.

Regret for her battle against slumber was apparent. It was just too hard to ignore Lauren's frantic pulse and intermittent breaths. She wanted to hold her and for once, reassure her that everything will turn out okay even if she would never believe it herself.

Camila didn't want the dream to be over just yet either and she was going to lay with her until the day would force her out of bed.

But there's a crucial detail to the aftermath of their love making and Lauren's musings.

Camila was awake.

And that would mean a lot of things. She felt Lauren kiss hear. She felt Lauren's embrace. She heard Lauren's words.

And the most important was that Camila still loved Lauren, too.

-

Camila kept a strict morning routine and weekends were no exception. She awoke earlier than Lauren, albeit hours later than usual, plagued with a headache she was all-too familiar with. Camila mustered all her strength to untangle the loop that glued her body to her ex-girlfriend's. There was a necessity to hold her breath as she feared that the cycle of inhaling and exhaling might rattle her into falling down onto Lauren.

Oddly enough, her caution wasn't due to the ungainly fall; it was the fact that if it was to happen, she would cling to Lauren and never let go.

In an ideal situation, she wouldn't mind that at all.

But Camila had to leave for a myriad of reasons and the first thing in her mind was that if she left first, Lauren wouldn't get the chance to leave her heartbroken again. Of course, it was selfish of her and she had been selfish for almost a decade but it hadn't been aimed against her ex-girlfriend just yet.

That didn't mean it was any easier though.

Besides, she didn't want to talk especially because Lauren wore a name that was neither hers nor Lauren's. And that meant, she had already lost.

Camila wasn't a fan of infidelity and she sure as hell would not romanticize it. How she could have allowed Lauren to cheat on her husband, she didn't know. The only thing she was so sure of was how she never regretted the hours she spent with Lauren. Never.

It should feel like revenge, a mockery that should agitate Mr. Tremaine but it didn't because Camila wasn't focused on anything else but loving Lauren with her actions. It was practically manslaughter to be such an insufferable b***h to the woman she still loved that she resented.

But Camila was leaving because she wanted it to be her time. She wanted to feel the downpour of glorious liberation drenching as she walks out the door of the room Lauren was confined in.

However, it didn't feel as sweet as when she stared at Lauren's peaceful features while towering over her. She was still as beautiful as Camila remembered; as striking as can be. And all she ever wanted to do was kiss her; kiss her to convey the words that were itching to be announced to an audience of one, to herself – the most critical and taken hostage by denial.

So, she did: a small, timid peck on the lips that was some trumpet call for wild elephants to stampede in her heart. Butterflies were too weak and the force she felt hammering within couldn't be ignored.

The kiss meant goodbye or perhaps, next time, when the time is right and when everything is for us. The wistful thoughts were compelling, leading her back to their ephemeral time together, and in an instant, Camila's head ached; manipulated by something beyond alcohol. She knew what was to come with the pressure in her chest, the prickle in her eyes and the pressure of her gritting teeth.

Camila was about to cry.

Because the reality is, Camila was why Lauren left in the first place. It was all her fault. Lauren was beautiful and kind – she had always been since she came back for Camila. She was patient and was extremely understanding that it was unfair.

It just so happened that Camila drove her away, exhausted her and consumed every light in her heart until she couldn't handle the pain anymore.

Camila lifted her head up to kiss Lauren's forehead, and before she could stop herself, she whispered something in the most fragile voice as a tear began to slip out between her closed eyelids.

"I still love you, too, new girl."

-

At 11:48 in the morning, Lauren awoke with what felt like a jackhammer drilling at her tender head. She had never indulged in as much volume of alcohol in a really long time, and if she did, it would have been beer with its meager alcohol content. It would have been better to ease it back into her life but she wasn't thinking straight. Brandy was a lot stronger and packed a precise kick; that's for sure.

Lauren's eyes were sore and noticeably hazy, pounding along with her skull. Groaning, her hand to came to the rescue and massaged her temples while she prolonged her sleep by keeping her eyes tucked behind her lids. All the while, she breathed deeply and coaxed her body to let go of slumber for now.

Lauren took her time but ultimately, she was certain she couldn't abuse the hospitality – not after sleeping with the married woman who shared the house with her husband and foster child.

Amid her blurry vision and incessantly blinking lids, Lauren could tell she wasn't in her apartment. The embellished ceiling alone that completed the idyllic pastoral style room was enough for everything to dawn on her all at once. Outlining the large windows, the determined rays of the sun fought to slip through the cracks that the heavy drapes could not conceal.

That and her burbling belly informed Lauren that it was approaching high noon, and it was time to drag herself out the comfortable mattress and face the harsh reality that was awaiting her.

Lauren refused to think about it but she was expecting to find Camila gone and while the notion still remained in her mind, her gut was already churning painfully. Dread had overcome her as she reached for the other side of the bed to confirm her suspicions.

Sure enough, her palms were met by the cold surface of the duvet. The chilly temperature seemed to have seeped into her hand, sponging it up to freeze her body over with agony. With all that was left of her, Lauren sat up and inspected the room to find only her discarded clothes on the floor.

Camila was not there and there wouldn't have been any signs of her ever entering the room. But her scent lingered on and the indentation she left on the bed and pillow spoke volumes, and the water bottle and pills on the night stand kept Lauren from forcing herself into denial to preserve herself.

Camila didn't have a responsibility to stay and somehow, Lauren was given a glimpse of what she had done – a decision that severed their ties. The only difference was, at the time, Camila didn't hold her nor was there any intimate contact for months. Truthfully, again, at the time, she didn't want anything to do with Lauren, which made the decision to leave a tad easier.

Being reminded that it wasn't her house once more, Lauren downed two pills and consumed the entire content of the bottle. She tied her hair up and subsequently, jumped in the shower. It was one of the few things that alleviated her hangover and she didn't quite have the energy to worry if the Clausnitzers would mind or not. Besides, getting rid of evidence would prevent Dinah's raging suspicions from surfacing.

Lauren didn't realize she took almost an hour in the shower, relishing in the warm water massaging her back while dripping down her body. It was a glorious feeling, one that she didn't want to let go of until she found her wrinkly hands.

Wrapped in a towel and clutching Camila's pajamas in her arms, Lauren looked around the hallway and made a mad dash to Dinah's room. She would have thought of an alibi to offer to her friend but she didn't want to risk Camila or Luca finding her in a revealing ensemble or lack thereof.

Lauren was pretty certain that she was past walks of shame and there she was, very jumpy as she careened across the hallway.

To her surprise, Dinah wasn't in the room. Instead, she found a flannel and jean shorts next to her clothes from last night with her charged phone and wallet laid neatly on the made bed. She set the pajamas down to the bed and exchanged it for her phone, figuring the answer to Dinah's whereabouts would be revealed in the device.

And she was right.

"I wonder where you slept. I think I heard something last night. Not too sure. I was drunk. ;) Wear these in case you need them and you can borrow my ginormous purse to take your stuff home. I washed your clothes but I thought you wanted to wear something comfortable. Ask Mila for a change in underwear. I refuse to let you borrow mine. But I saw yours in the bathroom with the rest of your clothes...Anything you want to tell me? I'm kidding. I washed your underwear, too. But I wasn't kidding about wanting to hear about EVERYTHING. I expect a thank you after this. Love you, Jauregui."

"I should have known, Dinah."

Lauren shook her head condescendingly despite the smile on her lips. She was aware that her friend took satisfaction in messing with her and she chose to think of that text as a joke without premise. After all, Dinah was aware of Lauren's limited alcohol intake at the pub and Lauren personally saw her friend so wasted.

Lauren refused to think of another scenario despite that little glow of suspicion in her head that would lead her to be anxious about somebody knowing of her late night escapade with Camila.

And because she didn't entertain the notion, she opted not to type a response to the Polynesian and proceeded to dress herself.

Lauren was closing Dinah's door with the purse over her shoulder, her heels in her left hand and her phone on the other. She was ready to call taxi services and request for a cab to pick her up. The operator had just answered when she heard a very excited voice prompting her to jump in place and endure the sharp pain in her head.

"Miss Mauwen!"

Elf was behind Lauren with his nanny in tow – the main reason why she could not allow Camila to abandon her family. The boy was grinning brightly at the woman, donning his shirt and matching bottoms that had dinosaur spikes running down his back. If that wasn't adorable enough, his eyes gleamed with such excitement as she waited for the woman to acknowledge him.

"Hi, buddy!" Lauren returned the enthusiasm, dropping to her knee and set all her thing s on the carpeted ground before opening her arms for the boy, who had already been running towards her.

"Did you miss me?" Elf queried, resting his cheek against Lauren's shoulder.

"Did I?" Lauren rhetorically expressed, rubbing the boy's back. She could not figure out if her heart was breaking or if it was fluttering with absolute happiness because of their unplanned but overdue meeting. "Of course, I did!"

"I missed you, too, Miss Mauwen!" The boy declared merrily, hugging Lauren tightly one more time before pulling away. "Come with me to the kitchen? Please?"

As Lauren stared into those pleading eyes, she knew that she was screwed. Her initial plan of going out unnoticed had been thwarted and the possibility of running into Camila was just about 100% even if she could not locate Dinah. She concluded that Elf was too sweet and for now, too dependent to disappoint.

Evidently, she gave in.

"You didn't eat yet?" Lauren asked worriedly. It was almost 2:00 and it would have been too late for the boy to be having his lunch. She was just about ready to give his nanny a word or two when Elf answered her.

"I did. I'm going to get some water."

"Oh, good!" She commented immediately, smiling at the boy and leaning in to plant a tender kiss on his forehead. "Let me just put leave my things in Aunt Dinah's room, okay?"

-

Lauren descended the stairs with Elf's hand in hers. Her steps were cautious, gripping the railing firmly as her eyes were more focused on the boy and his unsteady legs. She had borrowed Dinah's oddly slick slippers, endangering her balance as well.

It was a great relief for her to have made it down without broken bones or gashes. She was safe from his parents' wrath and the air she blew out was so warranted.

Elf was happily skipping towards the kitchen, leading the two adults that had been following him. Despite his carefree stride, his steps had a purpose. The distance from Lauren and his nanny gave him an illusion that he was in charge.

"Mrs. Claus!" Elf suddenly shrieked upon crossing the arched doorway through the kitchen, evidently surprised to find his foster mother.

Lauren's eyes widened, abruptly halting in her tracks as every organ in her body ceased functioning and revved back up almost instantaneously, only now it was doing her more damage. She could turn around, retrieve her things and get out of there or she could be mature about everything and face the inevitable.

Elf would be heartbroken if she didn't say goodbye at least.

Lauren closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She repeated the cycle several times until she developed enough courage to even be in Camila's presence. In all of this, Lauren begged the world that Elf had mistaken the woman for Camila. The professor could be asleep or out with Dinah but when she heard that tremendously beautiful voice, she admitted defeat.

"Hi, Les!" Camila folded the newspaper she was clutching at set it aside to acknowledge her foster son. "Come here."

Lauren surely did not expect to hear it but she was immensely happy to find Camila and Elf tangled in each other. She then proceeded to bring the boy up to the stool next to her.

Camila visibly stiffened when she sensed movement at the corner of her eyes. She had memorized the outline of Lauren's stunning body and how any kind of clothing would fall from her shoulders, and she hated the effects of Lauren in a flannel and shorts to her own needy body.

"Hi." Camila mumbled in a small voice, wearing an equally small smile – in turn, taking Lauren by surprise.

"Hi." Lauren returned with a timid wave, cautiously crossing the threshold and set her hands on the backrest of the stool across Camila.

Unlike Lauren, Camila was expecting that encounter, which allowed her enough time to collect herself. Regardless, the woman spent her time analyzing her break-up with Lauren, and for once, she thought of probable ways to fix it. It was probably all the alcohol she had the night prior or the caffeine she instantly craved when she woke up. It could have been her sleep-deprived body but it still wouldn't make much change.

It was more like the persistent residue of their cherished love.

"How was your sleep?" Camila queried just as Elf's nanny brought the boy a glass of water, hearing a small "thank you" from him.

"Good." Lauren nodded, still smiling. Despite not making any sound, Camila was made aware of Lauren's deep breaths with the way her chest heaved and her shoulders rose.

"Did you find the advil?"

"Yeah, thank you."

"Take a seat, Lauren. I'll fix you some lunch." Linda coaxed from where she stood in front of the sink. She was checking the washer, inspecting if every trace of food had been removed from her precious dishes. "Do you want coffee?"

"Yes, please. Thank you, Linda." Lauren heeded to the suggestion and settled herself on the stool.

Lauren watched as Elf's nanny set up the coffee machine, finding interest in the mundane task. She mindlessly ran her hand through her hair, clearing the obstruction from her chest. It was when Camila found it, the large bruising just beneath her collar bone, poking out of the unbuttoned section of Lauren's flannel.

Camila's entire face gaped at the sight. She could not take pride in her impressive work or the thought of touching Lauren's body given the circumstances. Elf could ask about it, Linda and the boy's nanny could be see it. Her entire face was heating up in mortification for the possible interrogation. She, too, had her own "battle scars" and they were running from her neck down to her waist. She made sure to wear her hair down and clothes with necklines close to her neck.

Apparently, Lauren didn't see Camila's work – too preoccupied with her hangover.

Camila needed to do something. She needed to diver everyone's attention from the hickey.

"Uh...Linda, where's Luca?"

Clearing her throat as loud as she could, effectively earning Lauren's attention as well, Camila eyed her ex-girlfriend's chest. She reached up to her own collarbone, scratching the surface. It was a good thing that Lauren was able to read her well, immediately catching on what she was trying to say.

The psychologist scrambled to button the flannel until only one was loose, averting Camila's eyes at all cost.

"He and Dinah went out an hour ago." Linda mumbled, heating the dish she prepared for lunch. "They brought Rudolph."

-

Elf is a severely persuasive child.

Lauren did not expect to find herself and Camila in another bed only an hour later. The difference then was that they both were clothed and Elf was between them, dozing off just after Camila read him a story.

The room was dark and quiet, both women immersing themselves in the little piece of serenity that they could reach. Lauren was stroking the boy's arm while Camila laid on her back, facing the ceiling. Everything would have been easier without their rampant minds that were giving them compelling flashes of their supposed future together.

Elf could very well be their child and as mothers, they would have created a nightly ritual of putting him to sleep.

That quaint life would have been...perfect.

Lauren was tired and all the thinking exhausted her energy even more. The problem was, if she didn't put an end to her musings, tears would emerge.

With a final kiss to Elf's forehead, Lauren slowly sat up and climbed off of bed, straightening her clothes. The movement prompted Camila to twist her head just enough to find Lauren. Fueled by curiosity, she, too, sat up and gave Lauren an inquisitive look.

"I think I should go." Lauren breathed, brushing her hand through her wild tresses to manage it somehow. "I'll just call a cab."

"I can take you." Camila offered without thinking twice about it, surprised that she was even able to speak.

"You don't have to do that. You said you have drivers."

"I insist." She muttered resolutely, raising her brows to challenge Lauren into declining.

Lauren relented, nodding, earning a satisfied grin to slither to Camila's lips.

-

Lauren decided to put her heels on and leave Dinah's slippers upon coming into the room to retrieve her things. She then met Camila at the front door as planned and settled into the professor's SUV.

There weren't much said between the former couple in their journey towards Lauren's apartment. It was much different from last night, though. Even without the alcohol, the stillness that surrounded that was comfortable, breathable. There was no such necessity to fill the silence with small talk. Instead, they enjoyed it.

They were sated for now and were left to their own devices.

They chose to be transported back in time, where Camila would drive for them and Lauren would be safely cradled in the passenger seat. The satisfied grins on their content features were evident and it was such a shame that neither were looking at the other's way.

Flashbacks of their love making surfaced every now and then, leading Lauren to reach up to the bruise in question, remembering Camila's fervent mouth upon it. The scratches on Camila's back were deep. The streaks were sore and as she stood before the mirror that morning, she reached behind to feel the raised irritated skin.

Memories are bittersweet. Reliving it may not have been as magical as experiencing it right in that moment, but it was better than nothing. It was definitely better than remembering the day Lauren left.

And as far as they were concerned, reality could wait until Monday but for now, Camila had just stopped right in front of Lauren's apartment building and they were smiling like their hearts weren't in shattered pieces.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Camila asked hopefully.

Tomorrow had become her safety net. It was a reassurance that even if they were to part soon, they could meet each other once again, and that was tomorrow.

Lauren nodded, smiling proudly when she found Camila's grin upon her confirmation.

"Until then, Camila."

"Until then, Lauren."

-

When the weekday rolled in, the former couple were back to doing what they do best: pretend.

Lauren was in her office, sharing her desk with her favorite little three-year-old on Tuesday just minutes before 12:00. They worked elbow to elbow, side by side and were left to their own devices. Lauren had cleared enough space for Pebble to scatter her crayons and draw comfortably while Lauren busied herself with written assessments for the candidates for the positions that had been opened.

If their facial expressions would have been the only indicator as to what it was that they were doing, it would have been safe to assume that Pebble had algorithms and formulas to solve. Her youthful features were in utmost concentration as she slowly completed her picture.

Lauren momentarily stopped working as she reached for her phone to check if she had actually sent Dinah the message she did a long while ago. It was probably her paranoia, elongating the wait because when she checked, it had only been two minutes.

Regardless, she read her message once more. Just in case.

"Dinah, last hearing for the annulment tomorrow at 8:30. Please come with me. I need you there with me. They're reading the decision."

Lauren's lawyer had called her five minutes ago, informing her of the schedule. The man was quite optimistic but that didn't stop Lauren from worrying. Without Dinah's confirmation, she would remain to be distraught. Being strong for herself was exhausting.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait that long as she felt her phone jolt alive.

"Of course, Lauren. I'll be at your place at 7. Don't worry about it! I know you! I'll see you in a bit."

Lauren let out a huff as relief washed over her. Whatever Dinah's purpose for coming was, Lauren was grateful for it. Ida will always be her friend but the Polynesian knew her better. As far as superlatives go, Camila knew her best. The problem was, she wasn't exactly "friends" with her ex.

Lauren didn't have the chance to write a reply when she heard a knock on the door. Both hers and Pebble's heads lifted up to see the visitors and their pairs of lips curved into a smile to find Camila slipping through the c***k followed by Dinah Jane.

"Camila!" Pebble shrieked.

The girl instantaneously dropped the blue crayon in her hand and scrambled towards the economist, who was smiling widely at her. Pebble was eager to hug Camila but had kept herself from lunging at the woman, standing before her with her hands behind her back.

Lauren curiously watched the interaction, dumbfounded. It was a surprise to her when Camila acknowledged her foster son but it was nothing short of a miracle to find her returning Pebble's eagerness, especially when she lifted her up into her arms.

"Hey, sunshine!" Camila poked at Pebble's tummy, the little girl giggling as she clutched onto the woman's hand. "How are you?"

"Good." Pebble managed to respond amid her laughter. "Me and Mauwen are drawing!"

"Can I see it?" Camila probed as she stopped her tickling, which Pebble answered with a shake of her head. "Why not?"

"Not done yet."

"Will you show it to me when it is done?"

"Yes!" Pebble beamed at Camila, exposing most of her milk teeth. She then proceeded to wrap her arms around the woman's neck, hugging her tightly. "I missed you, Pr...Camila."

"I missed you, too." Camila declared, glancing at Dinah with an adoring smile.

"Where's Elf, Camila?" Pebble queried, slowly retracting herself from the woman.

"Remember Uncle Darnell?" Camila began, earning a nod from Pebble. "He's with him."

"Can I see him?"

"Of course. I'll ask them to come meet us up, would you like that?" Camila's gaze looked towards Lauren, finding the psychologist on the other side of her desk, leaning against it with her arms crossed. "You have to ask Miss Lauren first, though."

"Can I, Mauwen?" Pebble turned towards Lauren, wriggling out of Camila's grasp to plead her case with the woman. Camila set her down but she remained at her side. "Please, Mauwen? I will be good."

"I'll send Uncle Roby a message first, okay?" Lauren informed as she reached for her phone. She would have called the student but she was almost certain he would be in class. It was more of her informing him of the arrangement rather than asking for permission.

Lauren just couldn't help herself, upon sending the text message, she looked up to find Camila reaching for her phone to call Darnell. It was a little too suspicious. She was tempted to assume that Camila was just putting on an act, and pretending to be nice to the innocent soul but Lauren had witnessed the professor with her sister.

But before her mind could catch up to her, Lauren had mumbled her question.

"When did that happen?"

"Monday last week." Camila answered simply, looking up to set her phone against her ear and acknowledge Lauren in the process. "Excuse me."

Without Camila in the way, Dinah reached to poke at Pebble's shoulder, coaxing her attention. The toddler c****d her head to the side, inquisitively inspecting the much taller woman before her. She knew she had seen her somewhere.

"Babe, do you know who she is?" Lauren asked from where she stood, hoping that Pebble wouldn't shy away from Dinah.

Camila heard the term of endearment, and because of habit, she still swiveled to look back to Lauren and instantly remembered it wasn't aimed at her. Since hearing Lauren mutter that very word, she had psyched her entire body to feel numb to it and she had mentally prepared herself but it still hurt.

"Auntie Dinah?" Pebble queried, widening Dinah's grin.

"In the flesh." Dinah proudly announced, brushing her hair back and crouched down to be at eye level. "Come give me some lovin'."

With Lauren and Dinah's encouragement, Pebble merrily ran up to Dinah and hugged the woman.

"She's usually really shy." Lauren remarked, still quite baffled to find the toddler interacting with adults. She would normally hide behind Lauren's legs or suffocate herself, squeezing her head against Lauren's neck.

"I'm not really a stranger. Am I, princess?" Dinah probed, rubbing Pebbles back as she planted a kiss on Pebble's head, which was shaking to answer her question.

"What do you say to Aunt Dinah, sweetheart?"

Lauren's question prompted Pebble to pull away from Dinah to properly orate the words that Lauren had taught her.

"Nice to meet you, Aunt Dinah."

Dinah frowned in an endearing manner, looking up to Lauren as if she had found the cutest creature in the world – of course, tied with the infant versions of her siblings, Elf and every child she had ever met. She set her hands on either side of Pebble's torso, keeping her hands from pinching those full cheeks.

"You're very polite, aren't you?" She commented, earning a grin from Pebble.

"So, they're going to meet us at the café." Camila wagged her phone, wordlessly informing them of the set-up. Her gaze flitted over to Lauren to address her. "Do you want to join us?"

"I have a ton of things to do." Lauren regretfully declined, frowning. "Just please watch Pebble."

"We will." Camila assured her instantly.

"Pebble, honey." Lauren sauntered over to Pebble, nerves racking her body at the thought of entrusting the toddler with someone else other than Mrs. Villanueva, Robert and herself. She bent her knees, squatting before Pebbly. "Careful, okay?"

"Careful." Pebble echoed, nodding away as a smile painted her lips. She threw her arms around Lauren's neck, utterly happy. "I love you, Mauwen."

"I love you, too, princess." Lauren squeezed the child in her arms and pulled away from their embrace. She then poked at Pebble's nose. "Have fun but..."

"Careful." Pebble finished, uttering the same word once more; earning Lauren's approval.

"Promise?"

"Promise." The toddler reassured the woman, planting her tiny hands on Lauren's cheeks. "Can we draw again?"

"Of course, princess." Lauren turned her hand to kiss the little girl's small palm. "You can draw with Aunt Dinah. She can draw sticks." She smirked, eyes finding their way to Dinah.

"Hey!" Dinah protested meekly, sending Lauren a playful glare, which the psychologist responded by poking her tongue out. "Very mature, Miss Lauren."

"How about mine, Mauwen?" Pebble interrupted eagerly.

"Yours is the best, sunshine." Lauren sincerely answered and pulled the girl for an embrace once more.

From the sidelines, Camila smiled.

Lauren was a natural with kids and it was one of the things that Camila loved most about her. Watching her interact with Pebble tugged at her heart, reminding her that she will remain to admire Lauren despite it all. It would have been the greatest experience, the most beautiful adventure to raise a family with a woman who could look after her kids. That was one of their dreams way back when.

It might just remain to be a dream, though.

-

As it turned out, Elf loved the hot cocoa at The Chimney, the café Camila brought Dinah to on her first day in Lafayette. Pebble seemed thrilled at the thought of the chocolate drink but she was more excited at the prospect of seeing her buddy once again.

The reunion was as sweet as can be. Elf had already been waiting by the door, anticipating Camila's arrival. His eyes were bright and wide when he found Pebble, who squirmed in Dinah's arms and asked the woman to open the door for her – pointing at the glass door.

None of the three adults were expecting it but the two children ran up and engulfed each other in a warm hug, genuinely happy to meet again. It wasn't the longest hug but Elf was too eager to bring the little girl to the back office where he frequented and their faces when they looked up to ask permission from Camila warmed her somnolent heart.

Camila was quick to remind Pebble of Lauren's words, which were "careful" and "promise", also addressing her foster son. She decided to end their fidgeting with a sweet grin and a nod, prompting the kids to cheer.

Camila found it odd that Dinah and Darnell had already met. The pair greeted each other with cheek kisses and a brief hug, deepening the gorge of Camila's furrowed brows. It wasn't until one of them clarified that they met that Sunday, when Luca and the Polynesian suspiciously went missing for the day that Camila decided to let it go. Normally, Camila would have said something, an indirect comment that would have still shot Dinah and Darnell precisely at the head.

She was just...out of it. There was something different in her and it happened the night she chose to sleep with Lauren. She just could not get the thought of the woman out of her mind, even during her frequent smoke breaks – her temporary paradise.

Darnell volunteered to watch after Elf and Pebble. Normally, it didn't require any sort of explanation but Camila was quick to sternly warn the tall man to take extra care of the children or Lauren will have their heads. Darnell merely chuckled but humored Camila by promising her to have them in the same condition as they last saw them.

Dinah's lips were determined to curve into an inevitable grin and no amount of force she could employ to keep them straight helped her case. And so, the Polynesian merely turned her head and told Camila she will order for their preferred brew, leaving Darnell to his doom while grinning like a mischievous kid.

The cashier seemed to have recognized Dinah instantaneously, asking if she would simply like to have the same beverages as before. She was practically a lot more welcoming and if she still feared the much taller woman, she had concealed it better. Dinah graciously asked the lady to give her a cappuccino instead and added a menagerie of macarons into her bill that she claimed she needed to try. It was relatively quick, allowing the Polynesian to join her friend, who was now settled in a booth close to the window.

As Dinah took her seat, Camila suddenly had a difficulty in breathing, sensing that she was given an opportunity to pry into details of Lauren's life through her best friend. The squeaking voices brought about by the leather padding seemed to have been amplified, irritating her skull.

"Have you met Lauren's?" The question came out unbridled and Camila was forced to own up to the slip up; certain that Dinah had actually heard her loud and clear as evidenced by the abrupt movement of her head.

There weren't exactly many words Camila could use to finish her question and her heating, embarrassed body knew that. Dinah had met most everyone and they were all in Miami when they met the Jaureguis. Lauren didn't seem to have new best friends, which obviously left her husband, Sean Tremaine.

Truthfully, Camila could not just stop contemplating on what she did with Lauren and every complication related to the woman. She was just even more curious about that man and it had been gnawing at every fiber of her being.

Camila had observed Lauren all throughout their love making and the way her body responded to Camila's touch, the urgency to all her gentlest actions. It led the professor to assume that Lauren wasn't satisfied in the intimate department of her marriage. A huge part of her needed to know why but they weren't to placate her evil heart, the one that previously yearned revenge.

It was mostly to see if Lauren was well cared for because if she was ever to move past the Camila and Lauren era, she would need to know that her ex-girlfriend had a better person to be there for her.

And so, instead of making up phony excuses that would be too ridiculous even for her, Camila held her breath as she anticipated Dinah's response.

If only she could control her anxiety, too.

"Lauren's what?" Dinah probed gently, determined to keep Camila's curiosity going. She had just taken a bite out of a pink icing sandwich, pretending to have other things in mind while her eyes inspected the other colorful treats.

"Husband." Camila mumbled apprehensively, only hoping she looked as nonchalant as possible. She had practically forced that single word out of her mouth amid her suffocating heartbeat and constricting throat.

"No, I haven't." Dinah shook her head, shrugging – again, to downplay the crucial situation. "I heard he's too busy, though."

Camila was appalled by Dinah's answer and just like that, her nonchalant act had been long forgotten now. She huffed and puffed just as her mouth dropped in protest.

It just didn't make sense. How could anyone be too busy to tend to their wife? Surely, they could have had a couple of nights a week to be intimate. They didn't have to have s*x, they only needed to spend time with each other; keep the fire burning and all that crap. Camila had always valued physical connection, which would strengthen everything else in their relationship.

Besides, who would choose work over Lauren? She knew she wouldn't have.

That bastard was an i***t, Camila concluded.

"What could he possibly be doing to be that busy?" Camila couldn't contain the irritation, shooting Dinah a menacing glare as if she was envisioning Lauren's husband instead.

The itch on her hand that she'd often feel when she's stressed out, craving for nicotine had been balled up, ready for some physical action that may land her in jail for assault. That is, if she could withstand a brawl against a six-foot tall man.

"He's a doctor but–"

"Oh. I didn't know." Camila interrupted, sighing defeat. Dinah didn't have to say more.

Camila was well aware that it was a demanding job that made those super humans look like they didn't have families of their own; families and loved ones to care for. Both her parents were doctors and their time had always been an issue to her. Her concern and grouses were intended for Sofia's well-being without knowing that she, too, had been craving for some ample time with her parents. She did have a couple of gripes still but it was pointless now.

Camila was an adult and her parents had simply been a phone call away, they had been for almost a decade but she still hasn't picked up the phone yet.

"That's okay." Dinah regrettably mumbled, reaching plant her hand atop Camila's and squeezed it; seeing the same battle in her best friend's eyes that she observed at the pub.

Dinah was quietly cheering because of one information Lauren had just divulged not even an hour prior. She had to remind herself to keep calm, knowing that finalizing that annulment would erase all history of Lauren ever getting married.

"I think you should ask Lauren about him. It's not my story to tell but I know she would talk to you if you asked."

It was definitely an absurd suggestion. Asking an ex about their current relationship would rank to be one of the most awkward encounters Camila could ever think of. However, it did rouse her curiosity and anger because now, she was more than certain that the feelings she was still harboring for Lauren was unearthing, making itself known to others.

The conversation had taken a quick pause when a female server came and delivered their coffee cups, smiling brightly at them, to which they both returned. To say that the girl was surprised to have garnered Camila's attention would be an understatement. She scurried off briskly, almost tripping over one of the small round tables in the fear of pissing Camila off another way.

"I really thought you'd become a doctor. I thought Lauren was going to be one, too but your parents are doctors and I just...you know." Pausing, Dinah grabbed the teaspoon and poured too much cream into her cappuccino, stirring it subsequently. She looked up at Camila, grinning wistfully. "It would have been cool to work in the same hospital as you."

"Yeah. I honestly didn't plan this whole Economics thing." Camila shook her head, gaze fixated on her own beverage, watching as velvety steam rose from the hot surface.

It was one of her great distractions and well, masks to seem preoccupied. Immersing in her regrets would have meant smoking, drinking while bawling her eyes out to Dinah and she was not quite sure she was ready for that yet.

"I heard you're one of the best though."

"I don't think so." Camila mumbled with a chuckle, graciously shooting Dinah's blunt complement and subsequently lifting the cup to her lips.

"That's not what I heard." Dinah playfully prodded, momentarily forgetting about her coffee to lean closer to the table and made sure to grin knowingly.

"I guess I just worked hard to make a name for myself, you know?" Camila explained after swallowing the meager volume of hot coffee she had managed to sip. "I mean, I've always prided myself with the effort I give to the things I do. You know that."

"Why Indiana though?" Dinah queried, tending to her cup once more – absentmindedly stirring. The conversation was far too riveting to abandon and since it had been unlocked, she scrambled to make do with the limited time Camila allowed her to pry. "UPenn has Wharton. It's one of the most acclaimed universities."

"I needed a new environment, I guess – a fresh start." Camila was beginning to detach herself from the conversation, sensing that annoyingly familiar drop of her heart that always taunted her when teething troubles of her past would slither into her present.

Dinah knew that if she would let her next question out of her mouth, she could risk Camila getting upset or worse, push her to her wits end. She quickly realized how short-tempered her best friend is, unlike the teenager she met in middle school, whom she enjoyed messing around with.

But Dinah had to try because her friends were worth the whiplash she would have to endure if she pressed the wrong buttons.

"The kind without Lauren?" She slowly muttered, watching as Camila's face slowly fell.

Camila only let out a sigh, somber features mocking Dinah for what she had done. Her intentions were probably not aligned well with what was right but she had foresight, one that assured her that everything will fall into place. She figured Camila had to hurt first before she could smile as bright again.

It just didn't make sense how Lauren still had such a strong hold on her despite everything. She'd slept with Milo enough and those nights should have erased Lauren from her heart and flushed her out of her mind. Luca had given her almost a decade of banters, albeit returning them with hostility, and most importantly, he was why Elf is in her life.

And even then, Lauren's star still shined the brightest.

Camila didn't say anything then. Instead, she bowed her head down and traced patterns on the rim of her cup, dragging the teaspoon along its diameter.

"It's okay. You don't have to explain everything to me." Dinah assured her; voice dripping with remorse, which prompted Camila to finally look up. "But if you want to talk – about anything at all, I'm your girl."

"Thanks, Dinah." Camila offered her best friend a small smile, which was quickly erased when she felt an incessant poking on her thigh.

Normally, her horns would have poked out and that pointy tail would have slithered like a snake but Camila's fury was washed away from her when she saw those big, bright eyes staring pleadingly at her.

"Camila," Pebble mumbled timidly, batting her lashes as she found tipping her chin up a little uncomfortable to the eyes. To Camila, Pebble was only doing it to exaggerate how cute she was but it melted her heart regardless.

"Yes, honey?"

"Can please have cupcake? Mauwen said I ask. Please?"

Even in her rush to utter her sentences, Pebble was polite. It didn't sound demanding; it was more hopeful and compelling, making it harder to resist the toddler. Her three guardians had worked hard to raise her well, and even with the odd placement of what Pebble calls her family, she was shaping up to be a kind, well-mannered child.

"Only if you call her 'Auntie Mila.'" Smiling, Dinah interjected and nudged her brows towards Camila. "And if you drink lots and lots of water. We don't want Miss Lauren angry, right?"

"Yes, Aunt Dinah." Pebble nodded vigorously, determined to meet the conditions set by the adults. The mention of Lauren was their greatest strategy. Pebble adored the psychologist. "Cupcake now? Please."

"Oh, god." Camila groaned, lifting Pebble up carefully to set her on her lap and squeeze her in a hug. "How does Lauren resist this, huh?"

"She's very motherly. She can handle this cute little munchkin." Dinah commented absentmindedly, admiring Pebble's youthful features and unknowingly eliciting a smile from Camila.

"I'll ask her for tips, then." Camila suggested to test if Dinah was paying attention.

Sure enough, the Polynesian smirked and eyed Camila knowingly.

"Maybe you should."