Best of the Best

Chapter 18: Hi Buddy

Camila blushed and shrugged through most of dinner as Lauren extolled her cooking and let out the occasional moan. At Thomas' insistence, after dessert and some digesting, their date had been moved downstairs for some running around. Thomas didn't last long after his handstand lesson, and was curled up on a stack of mats against the wall fast asleep.

Now Lauren stood in a pair of Camila's uniform pants, the cuffs rolled around her bare feet, and a baggy, threadbare t-shirt, trying to pay attention as Camila in a matching, though better fitting outfit explained the mechanics of some kick.

Lauren had already forgotten what the lesson was about.

"Are you just staring at my butt?" Camila called her out.

Lauren pulled her lip from between her teeth preparing to deny it, but Camila cut her off.

"Let's remember I can see you in the mirror."

Lauren smirked. "You know how I feel about the white pants."

Camila shook her head. "I thought you wanted to learn how to fight?"

Lauren took a step forward, walking her fingers up the middle of Camila's chest. "I was hoping there'd just be some stretching and then we'd make out a little before I go home."

"Do you want to watch me walk around on my hands again? Because I caught you enjoying that a little too much too."

Lauren reached one hand down and played with the hem of Camila's t-shirt. "Don't tuck it in this time."

Camila rolled her eyes, and tugged Lauren closer by the hips. "I'm just a piece of meat to you."

Lauren smiled and kissed along the underside of Camila's jaw to her ear. "Except for the part where I love you."

Camila bit her lip, smiling. "So that makes it okay for you to just blatantly ogle me?"

Lauren nipped at a pliant ear before pulling back. "Oh, I've been ogling you since day one, champ. Though now I wouldn't mind going upstairs to do some indepth."

Camila shook her head, but let her fingertips sneak under the band of Lauren's pants. "Forgetting something?" She asked, gesturing with her chin to where Thomas was still sleeping.

Lauren looked over her shoulder at him and back to Camila. "He'll be fine down here."

"Laur!" Camila admonished, albeit with a laugh. "You're bad. How 'bout I walk you guys home, and we can go upstairs at your place?"

---

Lauren let loose with many more I love you's that night. Some gasped, some screamed, some whispered. Camila moaned a few of her own. In the morning, she murmured them in the spaces between freckles as the sun crept across Lauren's bare shoulder.

"Morning beautiful," Camila whispered, as Lauren stirred and stretched.

"No," she groaned through a yawn, pulling the covers over her head as she rolled over and into Camila's arms. "Not enough sleep."

"Didn't think you minded," Camila boasted, earning her a grunt, and an eye roll, had Lauren's been open. "Still love me?"

Lauren's response was another grunt followed by a long groan that culmunated in Lauren's tearing the covers away from her face. "Yes, though I'm beginning to miss the bewildered puppy I fell in love with."

Camila laughed and hugged Lauren closer. "Oh I see how it is. You like me all flustered and awed. Able to throw me off balance with the slightest comment or look."

Lauren kissed between Camila's breasts, smiling against soft skin. "It had a certain charm."

"I think you still get me plenty flustered."

"Like now, when I suggest that since it's Sunday we should go meet your sister and her girlfriend for your usual brunch together," Lauren said with a grin, lifting her head up. "You've cancelled the past few weekends."

Camila's eyebrows rose as she floundered. "You- you want to meet them? To-Today?"

"If you're trying to keep me as your dirty little secret, I think the tabloids have already spilled it, darling."

"No, no, no," Camila backtracked. "That's not it. Of course I want you to meet them, and them to meet you, and-and Thomas. I just didn't know you wanted that yet, and I didn't want to push it or anything. I know we've been enjoying our little bubble. You, me, Thomas, the occasional paparazzi."

Lauren chuckled, kissing Camila's cheek. "If you don't want to disturb our bubble, I understand. It's been wonderful."

"I'd like it though."

"What's that, my love?"

Camila beamed. "Oh I definitely like that," she answered, running her fingertips up Lauren's spine. "But I like the idea of introducing the two halves of my life to each other. Have all my favourite, most important people meet each other."

"I want this too," Lauren asserted, patting a broad shoulder as she sat up. "So call your sister, because I just heard Thomas' door open. Our little bubble in here, is coming to an end."

---

Lauren reached out and took Thomas from Camila as she took him out of the car seat.

"Mama, where this?" He asked, looking around the unfamiliar neighbourhood.

Lauren settled him in her arms and shot Camila a look, sirens blaring in the distance. "I'm not too sure sweetheart, but if our car is still here after we eat, I'll be pleasantly surprised. I thought you said we were going for brunch?" She directed at Camila.

Camila gestured to the dated building they were standing in front of. "That's what we're doing. We're having breakfast at noon. That's brunch."

Lauren sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Okay, okay," Camila went on. "I know it doesn't look like much, but this is the area where Sofi first worked when she joined the force, and this diner is her place, so she likes to come back here. The food is really good I- I promise. They'll even make you an egg white omelet."

Lauren narrowed her eyes, but still leaned in to kiss Camila's warm cheek as she walked by. "They better."

Camila ran to open the door, following close behind, a hand hovering over Lauren's back as they stepped through the doorway and onto the linoleum. Sofi waved from across the crowded room, and Camila stepped ahead to lead them through the bustle.

"Oh my God!" They heard Kelly squeal before they were even halfway down the row of booths. She had already jumped from her seat, tugging Sofi up with her.

"You promised to be cool," Sofi chided. "Mila can make a fool of herself. She doesn't need your help."

"Hey," Camila cried, taking Thomas as they got to the table. "I heard that."

"Don't admonish your sister for being right, darling," Lauren interjected.

Sofi smirked with approval. "If I didn't like you before, I certainly do now," she said extending her hand to Lauren, who took it. "Sofi."

"It's nice you meet you finally," Lauren returned with a smile. "And you must be Kelly."

"That's me," Kelly rushed out. "I'm sorry. I'm really trying to be cool, but you are- you're amazing. Everything you've accomplished- and that dress is so...also amazing. I'm having a hard time thinking of words. I'm distracted. How can I be you?"

Lauren chuckled, and reached out to lay a calming hand on Kelly's arm. "From what I've heard, I'd say you're already on your way. You're at the start of a fulfilling, successful career, you're smart, you're stunning, and you have the other sister."

"Camila," Thomas whispered, bringing their faces closer together. "I say hi now."

Camila smiled and rubbed their noses together. "Yeah," she whispered back, fixing his shirt collar. "Sofi, Kely," she cut in, standing at the head of the table as everyone began sliding into the booth. "This is Thomas. Say hi buddy."

"Hi buddy."