Grow Old Without You (A Camren Story)

All In My Head

Grow Old Without You (Chapter 68)

Lauren

I love my job, but I also love my family, and in times like these, I am torn as hell. I know I have to be professional and stuff, but Amin is young, and needs attention, unlike when I bring the girls with me.

"I'll take care of him, Lauren. It's okay." Maxene offered, getting our equipment checked. Last day of shoot, so it means we have to get things done, or we're doomed.

"We're not behind the schedule, right?" I asked nervously, balancing my cameras on both shoulders, and Amin who was on my left arm, playing with my hair.

"We just have to fix some portrait shots, and then some of the group, then we're good to go, actually." Maxene said smiling at me. It calmed me, knowing she was confident that we'd get things done today, even though I have a small little baggage with me.

"Hey baby. Can you come with Maxy while Mommy works?" I asked him, kissing his head. Maxene held her arms out as Amin shook his head, not wanting to let go.

"No."

"Come here babe. Hold onto this while we go and take pictures of these beautiful people. How does that sound?" I said handing him a small camera from my equipment box. I know I did this to Kara when she was little, and I'm pretty confident it's going to work.

"Is this gonna work?" Maxene asked, doubting me.

"It did to Kara, so I hope it does." I whispered to her as we walked to the group we were about to shoot, again. "Hey ladies. Ready to rock this day again?" I asked enthusiastically as they cheered happily. "Do you mind me bringing another prodigy?"

"He's so adorable!" One said as I put Amin down the floor.

"Okay Amin. We need to fake pictures of them." I explained as I pointed my own camera to the girls. "Come on ladies, pose for me!"

Well, it worked. Amin was calm... for a while.

---

"Mama!" Amin cried in Maxene's arms as I tried to finish the shoot.

"Amin, Mommy's almost done." Maxene calmly said as he was carrying Amin.

"Mama!" Amin screamed loudly, startling everyone in the shoot as I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"Take Five, please. I'll calm him down first." I said to the models, walking to my distraught child. "Baby. What's wrong?"

"Mama!" He wailed, holding on to me for dear life.

"Let's get Mama on the phone here with Maxy, okay?" I grabbed my phone from my back pocket, dialing Camila's number. I passed the phone to Maxene as Camila's face popped on the screen.

"Hey, babe." Camila smiled softly in the camera. She was in bed, cradling a sleeping Asha. "Hey Amin and Maxy. How's the shoot going?"

"Mama." Amin cried grabbing the phone from Maxene and bringing it closer to his face.

"Aww baby." Camila cooed. "Mama's here."

"Por favor distraerlo. Necesito terminar mi sesión de fotos." I spoke to Camila as she nodded her head, understanding the situation.

"I will babe. Go and finish. See you in a while, okay?" Camila smiled to me, blowing me a kiss.

"Thank you. Love you." I said running to the shoot again, wanting to finish the shoot.

--

CAMILA

I was like trapped in a place I didn't want to be in. But they're still my family, so I can't do anything about it.