Photograph (camren)

Chapter Thirty-Six (p.1)

           

Up until then, Camila had never spent more than the standard amount of time in bed. Unless of course, you include the days she was sick. But after a long night and an even longer morning, the young doctor and her lieutenant decided not to deal with the world outside of their room for a while. With Lauren's departure hanging over their heads, the thought of dealing with Charlotte's busy streets, was just as draining as actually taking part.

For the better part of the day, the couple opted for making up for lost time; attempting to memorize every inch of one another before the feeling of each other's arms was nothing but a bitter aftertaste. Lauren fleeted to the kitchen around six that evening to put together some of the left overs from the night before; only sweats and a t-shirt adorning her newly improved figure. With her lieutenant busing herself with the task, Camila took the time to nuzzle her face into her lover's pillow. Knowing fully well that Lauren's scent would fade with the coming days, the young doctor took in a breath of what awaited her in the early hours of the morning.

The green-eyed marine's absence.

"Camz, I didn't really know what you wanted so I just grabbed a bit of everything." The raspy voice of the older Latina entered their room before she did, paired with a bit of shuffling from the door. "Ally really outdid herself last night! You're probably going to have tons left for the week, you know? For lunches and stuff."

Camila turned to meet the goofy grin she adored with a tearful smile on her own lips. "She really did. That woman, I swear all she does is worry about me. But your right; at least my lunches this week will be amazing." Lauren had a plate in each hand, two wine glasses etched between her fingers, and the bottle of wine Ally had given Camila for her birthday, tucked under her arm. It was one hell of a sight. When the young doctor finally realized the glasses were indeed plastic, that was when she let out a hearty laugh.

"What's funny?" The marine chuckled, taking in the image of the younger Latina in nothing but her white button up shirt. The length of it reaching mid thigh, as the lieutenant's eyes trailed down her long tan legs.

"Nothing." Camila chuckles, a warm smile settling across her features. "I just love you."

"Oh." Lauren hummed, a blush finding it's was to her cheeks as she sat a plate in front of the younger girl. "I uh, I love you too." She then mirrored Camila's expression, taking a seat next to her, as she opened the bottle of wine.

"I don't really care if we get this on the bed. If worse comes to worse, I'll give you money to go get a new one or something." Lauren joked. "There are worse things than wine stained duvets."

"That there is."

With that, there was a bit of an awkward silence lingering the air. Something the couple had yet to experience up until that point; neither wanting to approach the subject of what exactly was worse. Lauren knew by the solemn look on the brunette's face what answer had come to mind. Wanting nothing more than to see Camila smile, a thought came to the raven-haired lieutenant's mind.

The gift.

Setting her plate on the nightstand along with the empty glass of wine, the marine got up from the bed, and headed towards her duffle bag. Camila set her finished plate underneath Lauren's, as she furrowed her brows and turned her attention to the taller girl. A look of complete confusion washing over her features at the sight of the marine bent down, digging through the bag.

"What is it exactly you're looking for there, lieutenant?" The younger girl joked, her eyes never leaving Lauren's back.

"Well Pretty Girl, it seems that something ended up slipping my mind last evening, and since we both know that you're feeling a little blue. I've decided now may be the best time to bring it out-  I just need to find the bas-" With a bit more shuffling and an adorable image of Lauren's tongue stuck between her teeth in concentration, she found it. "Aha, there it is!"

Camila's eyes squinted as she tried to get a better look at what this thing could possibly be. Knowing Lauren, it could be the best friend of Normani and Dinah's gift (which they ended up putting to good use the night before), which wasn't ultimately a bad thing. But, if she did say so herself, the brown-eyed doctor was tuckered out.

However, all those thoughts cleared he mind the moment she caught sight of the white-stripped wrapping paper with a little bow to match, wrapped around a small object. Now of course, Camila wouldn't be Camila, if her mind hadn't immediately drove off a cliff and took that little box as; Lauren's proposing. Which of course she did, and her heart started to beat out of her chest as she watched the marine admire the wrapping job. Typical Lauren.

Finally, when the lieutenant turned around, the goofy grin Camila adored was present. Causing our lovely little resident to be a little, if not completely thrown off. Shouldn't Lauren be serious right now? Oh shit, she's coming over here. Okay. Okay, act cool Camila. BREATHE.

"Now, before you start panicking- which you are because it's written all over your face." Lauren started as she took a seat in front of her on the bed. "You should know I'm not proposing tonight. Not never. Just not tonight. Okay?"

The resident let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding as she murmured a small "Okay." And met the marine's gaze.

"I'm really sorry I forgot to give this to you last night, but one thing led to another and some other gifts were a little more useful at the time." The older girl winked, as a chuckle escaped her lips at the blush spreading to her girlfriend's cheeks. Lauren then cleared her throat, reaching for Camila's hand, opening up her fingers and then placed the box in her palm. "But in all seriousness; I wanted to give you something you could hold close to your heart and have around whenever you miss me."

With a small nod from Lauren as the go ahead, Camila carefully opened the wrapping paper, then the black velvet box. Her eyes flashed every emotion that could've possibly passed through her when they were met with Lauren's old pair of dog-tags; re-furbished, shined, name, rank and all. Connected to make a locket on a new silver chain. Inside was one of the pictures from Valentines day. The one with Camila sporting the cowboy hat Lauren had insisted she wore, as the marine's lips were on her cheek.

Before she could even process the gift, the brunette's eyes were filled with tears. How could she have gotten so lucky to find someone so thoughtful? She looked up to meet her lieutenant's gaze, seeing the fond smile she was looking for only seconds earlier.

"So, when I was rummaging through some old stuff before we headed up to the ranch, I found my old tags. They were kind of weathered and everything, I mean I wore them for almost two years. But, that's beside the point, uh." The marine's hands reached for the doctor's. "I figured, that maybe, you could wear them and when you're having a hard day or if you're having an amazing day, you wish you could tell me about; you can open them up and know I'm there with you. I even got the chain a little shorter so it'll fall right in the middle of your chest, next to your heart."

Without hesitating, Lauren took the locket from it's box, unhooked the chain, and signalled for Camila to turn around so she could put it on her. She felt the younger girl shiver as the cool metal hit her bare skin while she hasped it up. The marine rested her chin on the younger Latina's shoulder to get a look at her face as she examined the tags with her fingers.

"I love you." Camila whispered, unable to come up with any words that would do how thankful she was justice. With a small turn of her chin, her eyes met her favourite pair of emerald greens, their lips barely an inch apart as she whispered, "I can't believe you did this, Laur." A small smile finally curling onto her lips.

"There it is." Lauren chuckled, connecting their lips for a short peck.

"What?"

"My smile."

A/N: Short ass update with fluff to keep you tied over for a week <3