And Then, There Was Fire.

twenty six.

His husky voice erupted into a deep chuckle, leaning forward and embracing Trey tightly in a hug.

Lauren stepped back again, her eyes widening at the gesture as the driver patted Trey's back in the embrace he had on him, rocking him slowly in a circle.

She watched Trey's hands remain outward awkwardly, confused on what was happening. During the slow rock, she watched Trey face her direction; his mouth half opened, eyes wide as he looked at her and mouthed, "What the fuck?"

The driver pulled back, placing his hands on his hips again as he leaned back into his step to get another good look at Trey. "My, God. It's true." His smile never fading as he stood there in joyous disbelief.

"I'm Donnie." He suddenly snapped himself out of his cheerful trance, holding his hand out as he watched Trey hesitate on shaking his hand.

Trey took his hand oddly to shake it. "Can't be doing that to people." Trey awkwardly chuckled.

"It was hard to believe Kurisch. I had to test you. But that face, was all the proof. Here, c'mon lets get out of this cold." He said, quickly rushing off to the back door to hold open for the two.

Trey held his arm out for Lauren to walk into the car first, still feeling hesitant with Donnie's approach. She politely smiled as she reached the opened door, holding her hand up to wave. "And you must be little Miss Ra Jr." He smiled, causing her to stop before entering the car.

"Lauren." She corrected with a smile.

"This is unreal." Donnie smiled before Trey sat inside the back seat next to Lauren. Donnie closed the door for them, beginning to make his way back around to the driver's side.

"See this why I be cussin' people out. This shit is weird!" Trey began before Donnie could make it inside the car.

Lauren laughed, wrapping her arm around his again. "Just relax. If Kurisch trusts him, he should be fine." She said quietly, feeling his body relax from his tension. "Shit is weird, though." She chuckled.

Donnie entered the car, taking it out of park as he began checking for traffic to his right out of the window. "What did you mean by this is unreal?" Lauren asked right away.

She felt Trey squeeze her thigh, causing her to look at him as he softly closed his eyes, frowning his mouth and shaking his head at her, to signal that now isn't the time to engage with him just yet.

Donnie sighed before answering, finally pulling out into traffic as he collected his thoughts. "I've known Kurisch for years.......... many years." He began before looking at them through his rearview mirror. "If you made it this far to know Kurisch, then I'm sure you know what I mean by that."

She remained quiet, looking out the window to watch the busy night life on a weekend. "There are, many of us... who knew or knew of you two parents. There were rumors....... of you two. But as the years went by, you two turned into myths. I'm not sure what all Kurisch discussed with you both, but just know it's a big relief that they are no longer myths."

Donnie paused for a while, pulling up to a red light. "We're really glad to have you guys."

Trey now grew curious, becoming a hypocrite of his own gesture to Lauren not to engage with him.

"Who's we?" Trey asked.

Lauren then leaned away from Trey, giving him a knowing look, piercing her lips as she narrowed her eyes at him for doubling down. He looked at her quietly with a shrug as he widened his eyes at her before pulling her back into him, relaxing his arm across her thigh as his hand fell loosely between her knees.