Blindsided

Chapter 3

Lauren was quick to follow Camila, holding Brooklyn tight in her own hand as they went back outside of the parlor.

"Mommy are you okay?" The little five year old asked worriedly.

"Yea-" Camila breathed out, still trying to regain her overwhelming emotions.

"What happened in there? I looked away for a second and you just ran out," Lauren rubbed the woman's back as she finally calmed down. "Camz, what's wrong?"

She looked over to her little girl who had the same worried expression as Lauren's face as they held hands still. The two had ice cream all over their faces, trying to subtly lick it off, before Camila finally realized that their similarities were too cute to ruin by her ruining the perfect picture.

But she needed to tell Lauren the truth. The fact that Brooklyn is their daughter.

"I just choked again-" Camila lied, "I didn't want to cause a scene so I ran out here."

The two girls in front of her raised their eyebrows before subtly shrugging in approval.

__

The three walked around the small town, visiting different shops, parks, and even went outdoor ice skating because Brooklyn had begged them too.

Lauren would bring up old memories of the past while Camila asked further upon her current life. The green eyed girl explained how she's been out of the country serving for two years straight, and was planning on going back in a month to make her final decision on renewing her service contract for another four years abroad.

When Lauren asked the mother what she's been up to, she explained the life she wished she had for herself and Brooklyn. It was full of lies, but she didn't want any pity from her old friend.

"We live in New Jersey. I teach a second grade class which is nice because I get to see Brooke every day," She pointed to her daughter who was playing in the fake snow in the rink. "It's just really simple but I enjoy every second of it."

"I bet," Lauren shrugged. "I wish I'll have a kid like her, she's so smart and everything I could ever want in such a little body."

The awkward silence fell between the two girls as Lauren proceeded to put her skates on.

"Does she ever ask about who the father is?"

Camila was stunned with the new question.

"I-I'm sorry. I guess that was the wrong way to approach the question."

"It-It's okay. But no, she's never asked," Camila responded.

"Good, boys are stupid anyways." Lauren lightened the mood by winking at her. Brooklyn had spotted them out, calling the green eyed girl over to help her learn how to skate.

Camila sat back on the benches outside of the rink and watched her daughter's face light up as Lauren held her hands and glided on the ice with her. Her giggles were so genuine and full of life, and Camila was ultimately thankful for the night. It's been forever since she's been able to go out with Brooke, mainly due to the fact that their neighborhood was never safe for kids.

About ten minutes later, the young mother was called into the rink as well. Camila held Brooke's left hand as Lauren held her right, the three going around in circles with the rest of the crowd on the ice. The five year old was brave enough to go on her own after learning the new skills quickly, and even went with some kids around her age which left the two adults back alone with each other.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Lauren spoke up.

"What?"

"You know... The reunion. I heard almost everyone is going to be there... It's probably one of the main reasons I'm even back in the first place."