The Parent Trap (Camren)

Its Long Awaited Chance

Punky and Penny were holed up in the latter's room, on the latter's bed, playing a mean game of poker when Lauren came up. She checked herself in the mirror, making sure that she didn't look bad in her black and green flannel and skinny jeans.

"Okay, I'll take two.." Penny said to her sister, then looking up when she saw her mom in the doorway. "Hey Mom, wow.. you look nice." she said teasingly.

"Where are you going?" Punky asked excitedly but her mother just grabbed the doorknob and was all smiley faced.

"Good night, ladies," she said in a singsong voice before pulling the door close. Penny and Punky glanced at each other, thrilled. They put down their cards (face down) and crossed their fingers and tightly shut their eyes, both silently praying for the same thing. Their parents getting back together.

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"Oh wow!"

"This is where I keep my private stash. Did you know I also collect wine?"

"Oh really now?"

"I'm a woman of limited interests. Follow me..."

Camila giggled but nevertheless followed Lauren through the cavernous place looking around in awe at all the bottles lined up on the shelves. The place was stone-walled and lit by iron chandelier candleholders with real candles. It seems that there was no electricity in the place and felt very medieval. Lauren led her to one of the shelves and took out a bottle holding it out in front of her.

"This... is a 1921 Burgundy." Lauren explained dramatically tapping the bottle proudly, "They say the rain that year made this the best Burgundy ever harvested."

Camila looked at the bottle appreciatively and she smiled. Lauren was really at home with her wines, she recalled, during their time together.

"Now you will appreciate this." Lauren said and asked her to follow her to an old cabinet. She opened it and Camila saw five dusty bottles on the 7-rack display. Two bottles were at the very end while the other three were arranged in the middle with one empty rack space at either side. Lauren picked up a dusty bottle on the right of the middle and biggest bottle of the group. It had a pink label which read: Fiji Day 1945.

"Look," Lauren said and Camila read the label then looked up at her, amazed.

"That's incredible," she whispered stroking the bottle.

"I love that." Lauren said and put the bottle back smiling. Then she picked up the bottle on the left.

"Now this wine, was the same wine served at my parents wedding. A Bordeaux 152," Camila couldn't help herself and said 'awww,' "I think I was conceived off this baby." Lauren said thoughtfully and Camila giggled.

"What's this one? Where dreams have no end, 2016." Camila asked, picking it up and turning the bottle in her hands.

"That one actually took me years.. to track down." Lauren explained looking at her expectedly.

"Why? Where's it from?" Camila asked looking up curiously.

"It's the wine... we drank at our wedding." Lauren explained with seriously, "I now have every bottle ever made."

Camila became misty-eyed at her words and she fought back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Although she didn't say it outright she could feel that she still loved her. Through her actions and casual words, she could still feel the affection, the care, the love... and the longing.

"You do?" she asked hoarsely.

"I do," Lauren answered smiling.

"Then can we open one?"

"You're the only one I'd drink it with."

Camila stood in shock. There it was again, her subtle confessions. She couldn't move and now her heart was beating very fast. Being with Lauren was like being in heaven and she'd rather be there than elsewhere. Lauren blew the dust off the bottle and Camila bowed her head as small tears escaped.

"You ok?" she heard her ask looking at her in worry.

"Oh yeah, just got a little dust in my eyes." Camila replied after wiping the tears.

"I can... offer you a clean sleeve." Lauren said and held out her arm.

"No, no... I'm fine... all better." Camila looked back up and was once again lost in Lauren's eyes.

"You don't always have to be so brave, you know," Lauren told her softly.

"Oh but I do, actually," she said.

The distance between their faces came closer and closer. Camila closed her eyes for the anticipated kiss as Lauren watched her face drew nearer. Their lips were millimetres apart when they heard a honking from the outside and both looked towards the door. The distance grew and the moment dissipated into nothingness leaving Lauren inwardly frustrated.

"That will be Normani... and Ally" Camila whispered.

"She has a key." Lauren retorted leaning in again but Camila stepped backwards shaking her head.

"Hello! I'm home... is anybody home?" Normani called out and Lauren gave Camila a sad smile.

"We'll be right up!" she called from the cellar. Camila walked passed her and Lauren clutched the bottle of wine tightly before returning it in its place - missing its long awaited chance.

She followed her up the stairs and faked a smile at the sight of Ally and Normani wrapped in each other's arms.

Camila smirked at them, crossing her arms. "Welcome back. How was the picnic?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at the two.

Normani's cheeks took on a darker color as she laughed. "Who knew what the woman wanted to eat in LA? We drove nine hours to have a picnic in a city with no parks." She looked down at Ally and smiled at her.

Ally giggled and leaned up, kissing her cheek. "Oh come on. We had an amazing time."

"That we did." Normani giggled then turned back to Camila and Lauren. "The girl is a lot to handle..." She quipped with a loving smile on her face. ".. but a lot of fun. But how was the camping trip? Aren't you back early?" She paused as she saw the look of pure annoyance on Lauren's face and her eyes widened a little in realization.

"Are we interrupting something? We are. Let's go, Ally." She spoke in a rush as she grabbed her girlfriend's hand to pull her away but Camila cut her off.

"No, no, you're not interrupting anything!" Camila quickly said, shutting her up. "Are you hungry? In the mood for some pasta?"

Lauren looked at Camila, silently wishing she hadn't asked them to stay.

Normani warily looked between the two. "You don't mind? We haven't eaten since Hearst Castle."

Lauren held back a sigh and gave them a fake smile. "No, no, it's fine."

Camila smiled, clapping her hands together, slightly relieved she didn't have to be alone with Lauren after what happened in the cellar. "I'll set the table for two more."

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