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Chapter 6

Cape Cod, 5 years Ago II

Lauren collapsed on Vero's couch from exhaustion. Vero got a blanket from the guest bedroom and covered her. The next thing she did once she checked to make sure that Lauren was alright was to call up her brother.

"Hey big bro." She said. "Lauren's here. What? No, I just found her outside, she didn't call me or anything. I don't know. Oh my god her parents must be worried to death. She must've driven all night." She cast a glance over at she sleeping girl. "She's fine. She's sleeping on the couch, poor thing. She probably drove all night, I mean, we're at least ten hours away. I just have small favor to ask. Could you keep this a secret between us? Yeah, I know her parents are worried sick but...just for now at least until Lauren calms down a little. I know, I'll take full responsibility if this goes to shit. Yes. I'll take care of her, big bro, don't worry." When she hung up and walked back into the living room, Lucy was there watching Lauren with concern.

"How is she?" Vero asked.

"Tired, mostly." Lucy replied. "God, I can't imagine what she must be going through." Vero nodded. She sat down next to Lucy and stroked Lauren's hair.

"How are you?" Lucy asked.

"Healing. I'm doing much better than this one at any rate."

"She was your favorite niece." Lucy whispered.

"Yes, she was." Vero replied, looking at the picture on the mantle. Lucy took her hand.

"What do we do about her?" Lucy asked.

"She can stay here as long as she needs." Vero replied.

"You know we can't do that. She needs to be with her parents right now."

"I told my bro not to mention it to them." Lucy stood up and stared at her wife in shock. She pulled her hand away violently.

"You did what?" Lucy demanded. Vero looked at her seriously, putting a finger to her lips to silence her. She walked upstairs into the master bedroom with Lucy in tow.

"Look, this poor girl shows up out of nowhere and cries in my arms for an hour. She just lost her best friend, possibly more than that from what Kaks told me. She didn't tell her parents where she was going so that must mean that she needs time away from all of that."

"They are her parents, Veronica. This isn't a game." Lucy shouted. "She ran away from home and I am not letting her parents go without knowing where she is." She grabbed the phone next to the bed stand and hit redial.

"Lucy!" Vero yelled, grabbing at the phone.

"You need to grow up." Lucy hissed. "Yes, Lauren lost her but I am not going to stand by and watch like this." The voice on the other end of the line answered. "Hey, dear brother-in-law. I know your sister just called you but could you make sure that Lauren's parents know where she is? Ok, yeah, I know what she said but hell if you don't tell her parents. Yeah, ok, bye." She hung up. Vero stood with her hands clenched and her jaw slack in disbelief. The two of them stared at each other, neither one of them backing down. Vero closed her eyes.

"I need you to go to work right now." She said slowly.

"Are you kicking me out?" Lucy demanded.

"No. I just need you to go to work right now so that I don't say those words." Vero replied, keeping her eyes closed. She felt that if she looked at her wife, that she would tell her that she needed to pack up and leave for a few days. Lucy looked away, hurt.

"Fine." She said and walked past her. On her way out, Lucy cast one last glance at Lauren, feeling both a mix of hate and pity for the slumbering girl. She slammed the door which woke Lauren up. Vero walked down the stairs, rubbing her temples.