The Woman Next Door

Chapter 3

"And remember, teenager pregnancy is a really big thing!" Harry teased as Lauren pulled on her boots.

"One, I'm not a teenager and two, fuck you."

"Let's leave that for miss Cabello shall we."

Lauren rolled her eyes as she left the house and headed over to Camila's, lightly knocking on the door. The door opened and Lauren frowned when she didn't see anyone at first but smiled when her eyes dropped to Isabella who was grinning up at her.

"Your mommy home?"

Isabella nodded "Come on, I have something." Isabella grabbed onto Lauren's hand and dragged into the front room.

"Wait here."

"Tell your mommy I'm here." Lauren called as Isabella disappeared out the room

"Isabella, did you answer the front door again?" Camila yelled and within a few seconds she appeared in the doorway.

Lauren instantly smiled at the sight of the girl. "She probably knew it was me."

Camila smiled despite being cross with her daughter, "I'm gonna put her to bed soon and then I have the box set of Dexter there to watch."

Lauren nodded, grinning when Isabella ran into the room and bounced into the sofa, holding out a piece of paper with macaroni shells glued in the shape of a heart "It's for you. I made mommy one to."

"Thank you, sweetie. I'll put this up on my fridge when I get home."

Isabella's eyes lit up as she looked from Lauren to her mom and back again, "Really? You promise?"

"Pinky swear." Lauren smiled, holding out her pinky and Isabella wrapped her full hand around it and shook her finger like she would shake someone's hand.

Lauren laugh "No, you put you pinky around mine. Like this." Lauren positions Isabella's pinky around hers and the little girl nodded.

"Bella did you brush your teeth."

"Yes mommy, look." Beth bared her teeth at her mom and Camila nodded.

"Do you wanna go pick a book and I'll read it to you?"

"Can Lauren read to me mommy?"

"If she doesn't mind?" Camila looked from Isabella to Lauren and the girl nodded without even having to think about if.

"Of course I'll read to you, Bella."

Isabella grabbed a hold if Lauren's hand and began dragging her to her room, "Read this one." Isabella said, handing Lauren the book.

"Isabella." Camila said sternly and the little girl nodded.

"Please."

Lauren smiled, looking down at the cover of the book, "Where the wild things are? I read this as a kid."

"Really?" Isabella asked excitedly as she settled into her bed, her tiny arms wrapping around the stuffed dog Lauren had given her.

"Yeah. It was actually my favorite."

Isabella gasped dramatically, "Mine too!" The little girl whispered as Lauren sat on the edge of the bed.

Lauren smile, "Ready?" Isabella nodded, closing her eyes as Lauren began reading the book.

The brunette could tell the little girl was out like a light before she was even half way done with the book but she read the rest of the book anyway before quietly standing up and flicking off the light, walking to the door and quietly closing it behind her.