Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 50: "Back to REALITY"

"Take time to realize that I am on your side didn't I, didn't I tell you but I can't spell it out for you. You know it's never gonna be that simple"

"Realize" from the Album Just Me by Lauren Jauregui

1/3 OF THE WEEKEND MARATHON

THE NEXT DAY

Lauren sighed when she could make out in the distance the detour that would lead them back to her house, the fear and pain of betrayal were eating at her soul and not because she regretted it. Being with Camila had been the best decision of her life and she was in love with her. But Lauren hated knowing that her happiness would be someone else's unhappiness.

That her love would be based on a series of betrayals and lies and pain for a man who all he had ever done in his life had been supportive and attentive, caring and loving to her. Ryan had had the perfect marriage. But she didn't love Ryan, not in the way it takes for a couple's relationship to last and overcome trials year after year. They were practically newlyweds and for the moment it had all been a dream. But what would have happened next?

Lauren had always had that empty space in her life that even music hadn't been able to fill. She had lied to herself for so long. She had ignored who she really was, what she really felt for fear of what people would say about her. She had not wanted to be like her father. She wanted to be recognized for her music and not for the mess and problems in her personal life. She knew the world would come down on her but if it meant having Camila she was going to take the risk. Because Camila filled that empty space that all her life she had had inside her. Camila was the complement to her life, she was everything Lauren wasn't, she completed her.

She took Camila's hand and brought it to her lips the moment she crossed and the trees surrounded them giving them a beautiful view and a house could be seen in the distance. The time had come to face reality. The time had come to fight.

FLASHBACK:

"It's over, isn't it?" Camila asked Lauren as she closed her suitcase and looked at her with a small smile.

They were both packing their bags for their departure back home in an hour. Back to reality where Jason and Ryan were waiting for them. The reality where they were both married women who had fallen passionately in love with each other and had been unfaithful.

"I've had the best week of my life by your side, Camila," Lauren said, reaching over and tenderly grabbing her around the waist. "But we both knew this day would come again."

"I'm scared," Camila whispered, "I'm scared to face reality after having lived the most beautiful moments of my entire existence. And I'm so in love that I'm terrified of losing you."

"You're not going to lose me, Camz," Lauren said softly, stroking her back gently, "You and I have a promise and I want you to trust how I feel about you. I can't believe that even after what we went through at the cabin you have any doubt that you are the most important thing in my life."

"I'm afraid we'll be separated, Lauren," she looked down, "I'm afraid that when we get back you'll realize all the problems we'll have to face and you won't want to fight with me," Lauren sighed. "I know you're a wonderful woman and that you love me," Lauren interrupted her.

"Then don't doubt how I feel" Lauren spoke firmly, looking into her eyes. "I will ask Ryan for a divorce because I want to be with you. And when I'm finally free I'm going to shout my love for you to the whole world no matter what."

"I don't want you to get into trouble," Camila nuzzled her neck. "What about your label and your career?"

"My mother told me before she died that not everything was easy in the race to achieve your dreams" Lauren pressed her forehead to hers tenderly. "That I was going to have a lot of obstacles to finally realize myself as an artist and as a woman. And believe me, there have been many obstacles in my life to become what I am today. I have never been afraid of challenges and I have never run away from problems. I always face them even if they are difficult" Lauren whispered, hugging Camila tenderly-. "Life can put you through many trials, but there is nothing you can't overcome if you believe in yourself. And I believe in us, my love. I believe that we have that love that you only find once in a lifetime. Do you think that if I fought for music I wouldn't fight for what is now my reason to live, which is you?"