FULL CIRCLE

Setting Yourself Free

Once Lauren had finished regaling her family with the actual facts of what happened between her and Brad, her speech started to slur, which was sign to everyone how incredibly exhausted the woman was, despite the energy she tried to display for their benefit. There were multiple kisses good bye from her family, and Lauren was a quietly pleased that Camila and Leah would be staying the night with her in the hospital.

Once the three of them were alone, Leah kissed her mother's cheek lightly, trying not to hurt her due to the swelling, and laid on the empty bed in the room to sleep. Lauren had insisted that she return to school in the morning, and Camila agreed, making the teen grumble in protest.

Quickly admitting defeat, the teen fell asleep, obviously still exhausted from the past few days dramatics, leaving the two women to themselves.

Camila not yet tired, decided to sit in the chair next to Lauren's bed, making sure that water was within the raven haired woman's reach, before turning on the TV, making sure the volume was low assuming Lauren was about to doze off any second.

Lauren seeing the stiffness of Camila's body, couldn't fall asleep quite yet. So she asked the question that had been running through her mind for a couple hours.

"Are you mad at me?" Lauren mumbled sleepily out of no where, causing Camila to jump in surprise.

Looking at the exhausted mother of her child, Camila averted her eyes quickly, shaking her head whispering, "Of course not Lauren. I just want you to get better. You don't need to worry about my feelings right now. Focus on getting better, we can talk about everything else later."

"I can't focus on anything but the fact that I did something to upset you right now. Please Camila talk to me. You know you can tell me anything, I won't judge you and just want to help, even if it's only to give you advice." Lauren rasped tiredly, fighting her body so she could have this conversation while she could.

With all the people always around, privacy was becoming a scarce commodity.

Sighing, Camila turned off the TV because the episode of Law and order that was always available around this time of the night, was a little distracting. She fiddled with the remote in her hand for a moment, and quietly said, "I wish you would have confided in me about what you were going to do. I completely understand why you did what you did, because Leah's safety is so important to both of us, but you could have told me. Warned me. I could have been your alibi, and I would have timed Dinah's arrival sooner. You almost died Lauren, and I know you did what you felt like you had to, but our daughter almost lost you, and I don't think she ever would have recovered from that. She loves you so much, and in such a short time. You are a part of her life now, which means besides making sure she is safe, you have to keep yourself safe too. There are two of us now, including our whole family, and you have to understand that you can rely on us., especially when it comes to Leah. But your safety matters to all of us too. If you have to risk your life for the sake of our daughter, than at least let me help you. The chances of the two of us getting out of a situation alive are better than you going in guns ablazing on your own. I was so scared that you were going to die, and then what would we have done? You're important Lauren, to more than just Leah and the Lovato's. I understand that we may not know each other well yet, but I would like the opportunity for our friendship to grow, and you need to be here for that to happen. I understand why a part of you keeps your biological family at arms length, but you should know, the abandonment you experienced before, will NEVER happen again. I guarantee if you had told Clara what you were planning, she would have helped you in a way that didn't almost get you killed in the process. Just next time you're faced with something that could take you from us.... Don't be a hero, and let one of us know. We might surprise you."