Raura's Daughter

twenty eight.

Laura's POV

Music blared through my ears and fluorescent flashing lights burned into my exhausted eyes as Ross and I danced together on the dance floor with a shot of vodka in each hand. Calum and Raini were sat across from us sipping from cocktails and trying their hardest to talk over the ear piercing music. "Are you enjoying?" Ross asked in a shout, pulling me close to his face. I raised my eyebrows in question and Ross wrapped his arms tighter around my waist, leaning into my ear. His breath stunk of cigarettes and various alcohol. It was an intoxicating smell. "I said, are you enjoying?"

I downed my shot of vodka and threw the plastic shot glass to the side before wrapping my arms around Ross' neck. I flirtatiously stared into his chocolate brown eyes before pressing my lips gently onto his. I pulled away after a couple of seconds and smirked at him, the taste of him still lingering on my lips. "Did that answer your question?"

He chuckled in disbelief and nodded with a smirk before taking me by the hand and leading me back to our seats next to Calum and Raini. The both of them were watching us like a pair of strict parents and eagerly Raini sat me next to her and proceeded to lecture me about my suggestive dancing and flirting with Ross. "As cute as Isabella is, I'm not sure I want another mini Raura running around the place just yet."

I rolled my eyes and handed her a shot of vodka that I hadn't finished. "Loosen up a little. I'll be fine."

I was definitely intoxicated to say the least but hey, it was my seventeenth birthday and I hadn't been to a party since the night of Isabella's conception. I'd spent the rest of my year and a half grieving and changing diapers. As selfish as it may sound, I felt like I deserved a break, at least for tonight. 

"Just be careful." Raini murmured into my ear before downing her shot and giving me a sideways glance. "Promise me."

I linked my pinky finger up with hers and sulkily nodded my head in agreement. "Okay, I promise."

Various pop music continued to play and the shots continued to get thrown down our throats as we discussed memories of our carefree days at high school and the possible future we all might share together. "Once school ends I'd love for Raini and I to get our own place... find our feet, you know?" Calum said before taking a handful of salted chips from one of the bowls at the bar. "I can't imagine my future with anyone else unless it's my Raini."

I awed at his honesty and tapped his hand gently with my fingers before taking a sip from one of my cocktails. "She loves you." I reminded him, giving him a weary smile. "I've never seen her love anyone this much... besides me, obviously."

Both of us laughed but I could see the happiness in his eyes. Calum truly loved my best friend and for that I was going to be eternally grateful. Raini had always deserved so much better than what she originally settled for. I was more than happy to finally see her have a possible future with someone I knew and trusted. "I'm thinking of promising myself to her."

I let the straw to my cocktail slip out from my mouth as I turned to him with wide eyes. I couldn't help the smile that grew across my lips as I held his hands tightly in my own. "Are you serious? That's such a beautiful idea!"

"I'm very serious, Laura." He murmured before motioning to Raini who was sat texting her younger brother Rico to inform him that she was okay and wouldn't need a ride home from either of her parents. "I can see myself marrying that girl... I mean when Rydel and Ratliff got married it was like for once I could appreciate true love and how beautiful it can be if you open yourself up to it."

I nodded in agreement with him. My head was feeling slightly fuzzy but I glanced over to Ross nonetheless and watched him with watering eyes as he sat beside Raini looking at pictures of Isabella and proclaiming how proud he was of her. "Yeah..." I said quietly, turning back to face the bar with a worried expression on my face. "It's like nothing else matters in the world once you have that one person who matters the most to you."

"Exactly."

Calum nudged me playfully on the arm and pointed to Ross with a heartwarming smile. "Whatever happens with him on this tour... just know that he isn't going to forget about you or Isabella. He loves you, the both of you. He won't lose you now... not after everything you've gone through to get back to each other." 

I smiled and sat up from the barstool, holding my arm out for Calum to hold onto. "Come on, let's go and sit back down. I bet they've ran out of topics to discuss since we left."

We both laughed and quickly made our way back towards our small booth at the back of the nightclub. I sat down beside Ross and nuzzled my head into his chest. He kissed the top of my head and continued to flick through pictures of Isabella, himself and I. "Hey you." He whispered into my hair before intertwining his fingers with my own. "I was missing our little peanut."

I smiled and gently ran my fingers through his messy blonde hair. "Don't worry, I bet mom is feeding her endless amounts of grotesque baby food and trying to get her to say grandmother in Italian. I'm sure she's having a wonderful time."

Ross chuckled and turned his phone off, placing it on the table in front of us and handing me a small glass of cherry soda. "Have some of this, it might prevent a hangover tomorrow morning."

I smiled and began to sip slowly from it as Ross wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulder. "Laur... you know I'm going to go on this tour right?"

I turned my head slowly and gave him a smile, nodding my head knowingly. "I know Ross and you know what? I'm okay with it. I trust you and I want you to have all the success in the world."

He traced his fingers gently across my cheekbone and nodded with a stern expression on his face. "I won't let you or Bella down, Laur. I want to give you both a better life. That's why I'm doing this. I'll be thinking of my two beautiful girls the entire time I'm on stage and sleeping in those really uncomfortable beds."

I giggled and cupped his chin delicately in my hands. "Shush, I trust you and I love you. I'm going to stand by your side throughout all of this."

He smiled and pressed his lips to mine, the both of us nuzzling lovingly into one another. "I love you Miss Marano... god, I really, really do."

"And I really, really love you Mr Lynch. More than you'll ever know."

"It's me and you forever baby." He whispered with a gentle chuckle before tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and gazing deep into my eyes. "Me and you against the world."

"Always." I murmured before pressing my lips to his once again. 

The sound of happy birthday playing in the nightclub caused me to quickly break away from the kiss as Raini, Calum and Ross laughed excitedly and a man carried a huge chocolate cake in my direction with a smile on his face. "Oh my god you guys!" I gasped before bursting out into a giggle. I blew out the candles and shut my eyes tightly, making a wish to myself that I would try my hardest to make things work with Ross for the sake of my daughter and of course myself. I turned to my three best friends and wrapped them up in a group hug. "Thank you so much! I love you all more than you can imagine."

"Happy birthday Laurie!" Raini teased, planting a kiss on my cheek. "I'm so proud of you."

I giggled and emotionally wrapped my arms tightly around my best friend's waist. "I love you Rain... don't forget that."

"Ah don't get all soppy on me now!" She teased before wiping away a stray tear underneath my eye. "I love you too though Laur."

We continued to drink and enjoy the rest of my birthday night long into the evening, picking at slices of chocolate cake and trying our hardest to keep it all down. Although I have to admit, it was a struggle. 

Everything was so perfect and just how it should be.

I couldn't have been happier.

****

a/n

HEY GUYSSSS,

a little bit of a short chapter but I have a huge one coming up for you guys pretty soon!

what do you think about Ross' decision to go on tour?

do you think he'll stick to his promise?

maybe someone else won't stick to theirs??

all my love,

b xxx