Only You Can Save Me

"Are you having a good time?"

AN: Super long chapter (approx. 9,200 words) with a reward toward the end :)

Lauren had gotten off work at 3 and wanted to make a stop before she got home. She quickly ran into the flower store and picked out a beautiful bouquet for Camila. She knew they would have time after she got home before the date started, but she still wanted to get it started on the right foot. Lauren quickly got back in the car and drove home, parking int the driveway. She got out of the car, flowers in hand, and carefully walked up the snow covered path. She would have to take care of that later. She opened the door and kicked off the snow from her shoes before slipping them off. "Camila?" Lauren called out.

Camila was proud of herself that she had been able to go to the mall that day, all by herself, while Lauren was at work. She treated herself to lunch from the food court and did a little bit of shopping. It was strange for her to be able to spend a little bit of money on herself without having to get approval. She finished hanging up the outfit she'd gotten, having just got home herself when she heard Lauren's voice downstairs. Making her way downstairs, she smiled toward the raven-haired woman. "Hey, Laur." She moved a little bit closer to the woman and rested her hands on her jacket to kiss her softly.

Lauren had the flowers hiding behind her back. She smiled when Camila came down the stairs. "Hey, you." She said softly before returning Camila's kiss. When they pulled apart Lauren pulled the flowers out from behind her back.

"I got you something." She said. "I know our date's not for another couple of hours, but I wanted to start it the right way." Lauren spoke softly as she handed the woman the flowers. "How was your day?"

Camila blushed as she saw the flowers come into view. "They're beautiful." She leaned in close to Lauren and pressed her lips against hers gently. "It was really good. I went to the mall and went shopping." Camila couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. She took a breath to calm herself down some. She didn't want to worry about Lauren getting upset at her for being happy about something. "I um... I got lunch and I got some new clothes." She swallowed back her excitement as she stayed close to the other woman.

Lauren couldn't help but smile as Camila kissed her again. She was happy that Camila went out by herself, "Wow! That's amazing." She said as she pulled Camila into a hug. "I'm proud of you." She said softly. Lauren pulled back and went to take her jacket off. She untucked her uniform top before unbuttoning it, expposing the white t-shirt underneath. "What all did you get?" She asked.

Camila took the flowers into the kitchen to get them into water as she peeked out to watch Lauren take her jacket off and start to unbutton her uniform shirt. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she looked back at what she was doing.

"Just some new clothes... some things for work, and an outfit for tonight." She smiled toward the woman before taking the flowers to get them into the vase. Camila took the vase then to place it onto the dining room table and sighed contently. "How was your day?"

Lauren sighed softly, smiling toward Camila. "I can't wait to see all the new stuff." She said genuinely. Lauren watched as Camila put the flowers in the vase. Lauren took off her utility belt and put it on the floor next to her shoes. She walked over to the woman and leaned against the counter. "My day was alright." She said. "Saved a kid from getting hit by a car while I was on lunch." She said. It was pretty exhilarating.

Camila felt her eyes grow wide at Lauren's comment. "You what? Is the kid okay?" She went over toward Lauren. Was this what it was supposed to feel like to have a normal conversation with someone you cared for? Camila often wondered that. It felt like a routine, but it was a routine she liked and wanted to continue with Lauren.