Grow Old Without You (A Camren Story)

New Day

Grow Old Without You (Chapter 59)

Lana

After Mommy slapped Aunt Dinah, she ran out of the house. She used the car, and sped off. It would be useless to follow her.

Kara walked to Aunt Dinah as I grabbed a bag of peas downstairs so she could ice her cheek.

"I totally deserve it. I was out of the line. I didn't mean what I said. And it hurt your mom. So I deserved that."

"I wish Mama would just come home." Kara was crying on Aunt Dinah's arms as I just looked down hiding my tears. It's really getting hard, but I guess Aunt Dinah's right. We have to move forward. We can't let time pass by waiting.

Mommy has been offered jobs to Turkey for photoshoots, but she has been declining alot. Her secretary does all the declining. Mommy just doesn't show up. But I guess we really have to get Mommy up and running - as what Aunt Dinah had been saying. Well, not literally, like what she did just a couple of minutes ago, but still.

"You girls have to be strong. I know it's hard, but you have to keep on moving forward. You girls are still young. You can't be stuck this young."

--

Mommy came home late. I saw her walk up the stairs when I was grabbing some water from the kitchen.

"Mommy?"

"Oh. Hey Lans." She said softly as she smiled at me. "It's late. You should be sleeping. Tomorrow's a school day."

"I'm just grabbing water. I got thirsty."

"Well. I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning, chicken." She said walking upstairs.

"Okay."  I sighed. "Hey Mommy?"

"Yes, love?" She looked back at me again.

"I love you."

Her face softened as she walked to my direction and pulled me in a tight hug.

"I love you, so much." She whispered to my ear. "Go to bed, Lana. Tomorrow's a new day."

The next day, everything was different. Aunt Dinah has some super powers or something, but Mommy's out of her room, showered, dressed up, making breakfast, and most of all, smiling.

"Goodmorning. There are muffins in the oven. And sausages and potatoes. Your lunch is also ready, and I've placed it in your back pack."

"Are you okay, Lauren?" Aunt Dinah asked confused as we all just stared at her.

"It's a new day." She just smiled at us as she pulled us to the dining room so we could have breakfast.

---
Lauren

Dinah's right. I have kids to take care of, and a life ahead of me and my daughters. I shouldn't be moping around, when I could just refocus myself on better things. I wasted a month in bed, not even knowing how my daughters were doing. But things have to change. Things will change from now on.

"Are you sure you're okay, Mommy?" Lana asked before I dropped her and her sister off at school.

"I am. Have fun. But not too much." I said winking at them as they walked off looking at each other. They're twin telepathizing the situation.

"Okay, Lauser. What the hell?" Dinah was also in the car. She insisted to come drop off the girls, and to drive the van.

"I thought about what you said." I sighed. "The kids are already going through the fact that their Mama and Kea's missing. I need to be a parent." I explained to her as her face softened.

"Oh Ralph." Dinah sighed as she held my hand.

"I can't blame anyone, right? All this Aleppo problems, and the twins. I can't." I started tearing up so I covered my face. "Lana can't have a shitty parent again. I can't let her get through that again. That would be selfish."

"I'm so glad you're okay now. We got to bring your ass to work." Dinah sighed.

Oh fuck. Work.

"Well, that offer that you have for a photoshoot in Israel  is still a go." Dinah said as she pulled out my work phone. I haven't seen that in a whole month. "That client clearly wants you so bad we've been telling him you aren't available until further notice."

"Well then, let's call him so we could make him happy." I said as Dinah dialed the phone. "Alteast someone gets to be." I said softly, wishing Dinah didn't hear it.

--

Dinah and I picked up the kids, and headed straight to this restaurant we always eat at.

"Why are we eating out?" Kara asked confused.

"Cos your mother is lazy and doesn't want to cook dinner." Dinah laughed as I rolled my eyes.

"I wanted dinner outside? 'Cos I'm fucking craving for sushi. Is that a good excuse, Dinah Jane?" 

"Whatever lazy sass." Dinah said as I shook my head, reading the menu.

"How's school, girls?" I asked them as Kara's face beamed.

"I think I'll get into the softball team."

"Oh my god my baby!" I said standing up and pulling my daughter in a tight hug, kissing her face repeatedly. "I'm so happy. So so happy." I said as I put her down the chair.

"Start training her at home, Jauregui. So she could bag that MVP before she enters 8th grade."

"We had a pact to help each other out. Like she'll help me with soccer, and I'll help her with softball."

"Oh. My babies are into sports." I said proudly as I looked at them dreamily. I wanted them to be involved in extra curricular activities, and sports. I want them to enhance their skills, and be the best they could be. I had a blast in school, and I want them to feel the same too. I know Camz will say the same thing. She had a hard time in high school, fitting in and stuff. All she wanted them to feel is to belong.

"I also heard someone got into the journalist club whatever?" Dinah said as Lana and Kara laughed.

"Aunt Dinah. It's like a poetry club." Lana said as she shook her head. "And Kara is part of it."

"I guess it was time to make the most out of my time in Carrollton. Right Mommy?" Kara smiled at me as I winked at her.

"You girls are making me so proud. I promise to be there on every game, and practice--"

"Too much, Ralph." Dinah scrunched her face.

"Okay fine. Every game." I sighed. "We'll buy some gear before we head home. I'm so excited!"

We went to the mall to buy the girls some cleats and some gear for their training. Dinah was telling me that she'll have some guys at Nike send us some gear, which was also cool, but, come one, I'd want to do the shopping for my babies. The girls were extremely tired. It was already 7, and they still have homework to do.

"Bath, and then I'll help you with homework." I said as I put all their things on the dining room table, getting their homeworks ready.

"I am off to bed. Do you need help with homework?" Dinah asked scratching her eyes.

"It's fine. I know you hate homeworks, but still you helped the girls at it for a week. Thanks Dinah Jane." I smiled at my bestfriend as she just smiled, and headed for her room.

I grabbed a glass and poured myself a cup of wine. I just needed it. I need to relax, or else my head will explode.

"Oh Camz. Where the fuck are you." I whispered to myself, sipping on my glass of wine.

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