Photograph (camren)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Warning: Explicit Content

(When listening to the song above later on in the chapter, please imagine it in Lauren's POV)

     "Good evening all." Lauren stood at the podium, trying to remember exactly what it was she had planned to say that night in front of the board and her peers. What it was she wanted everyone to hear. What she wanted Camila to hear. "As some of you already know, I'm First Lieutenant Lauren Jauregui from squad seventeen and I've been invited here tonight, to express what it is this organization has done for me as an individual member of the U.S Marine Corps." She paused and took in a breath before she gripped the sides of the wooden structure and leaned into the microphone. "When I first enlisted, I had already come to terms with who I was. What I wanted and in fact, who I wanted. However, throughout my early stages of coming out to my loved ones, I received a lot of scrutiny from one person in particular; my mother. The verbal lashes that consisted of telling me that I was disgusting. That the girl I had started to fall for would never love me, and even how she believed my father would roll over in his grave had he known the truth."

     "I didn't tell anyone about any past experiences with love, while the boys in my squad all told me stories of the women that they had left behind, and how some had never waited for them like they had promised. But, like he always did, my second, Lieutenant Luke Jones, saw right through me and I ended up admitting to him what had happened back here in North Carolina before I had even set foot in boot camp. All thanks to a drunken haze on the night of my mother's death anniversary. He was great about it; in fact, he had told me that it was a relief because now he had someone to actually talk to about things on base. We trusted each other as if we were siblings and for that I am truly grateful for having known him." Looking into the crowd she met the blue eyes of the young private who had nodded respectfully towards the lieutenant; Lauren paused to collect her thoughts then picked up where she had left off.

     "I find it extremely entertaining that nobody knew or even guessed. I mean, I never fawned over any of my fellow marines or even spoke about anyone from home, let alone a man." The raven-haired marine chuckled as she watched a satisfied grin grace Camila's lips. "However, I always told Luke about this beautiful girl that I had encountered in high school. A girl with incredible coffee coloured eyes and a smile that could've cured the constant thoughts of self doubt I possessed, if I had let it. If I had spent more time chasing her than running away, I think I may have had a better experience with becoming comfortable with myself."

    "And thanks to the universe's way of making things come full circle, I have her here with me tonight, and I could not be more in love with her. God, that feels so good to say." Lauren smiled proudly at her girlfriend and takes a look at her audience, each board member had tears in their eyes as they clapped at the lieutenant's confession. "And thanks to you all- the board, and this organization, I can shout it from the rooftops, and write it on every monument in God's creation. I can be proud of who I am, of who I love and adore- without having to fear being discharged. I can stand here tonight and tell you that I have fallen in love with the most beautiful woman I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on, and I haven't gotten up since. I can tell you all that I am proud of that. That I'm proud of her, she's a doctor for Christ's sake, this woman is incredible, and I am so indescribably happy that I have the privilege of getting to call her mine. Thanks to you, I now get to exercise my right to show her off, and let the world know that I am gladly taken by the most amazing woman. And for that, I could not be anymore appreciative and thankful than I am. Thank you. Please, remember to hold your love close to your heart no matter what you are told. Goodnight everyone, please enjoy the musical entertainment and drive safely tonight." The lieutenant wrapped her speech up nicely and listened as the crowd stood and roared into sounds of applause. She allowed her grin to take over her facial features, made her way to Camila almost immediately, and pulled her into a short but passionate kiss. This caused a series of 'awh's' to fill the room and in that moment, the young doctor couldn't have been prouder of her lieutenant. She smiled into the marine's kiss and entangled her arms around her neck, bringing her closer before pulling away due to the impossible smile that painted her lips, and placed her forehead to Lauren's.