The Art of Us

Chapter Twenty-Three

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Chapter Twenty-Three

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Lauren's POV

Two years later

I laid down on the grass, looking up at the beautiful stars, while Dinah, Camila and Normani helped the kids roast marshmallows on the bonfire.

"Mom! Rosie is crying!" Lucas said, walking out of the house.

"Okay, I'll go get her." Dinah said and she walked inside.

Camila was in the process of cleaning off Morgan, the two year old was always so messy.

Oliver laid down beside me. "Mommy, what's so amazing up there? You're always looking up at the stars." He asked, resting his head on my shoulder and looking up at the stars.

"The universe is up there baby, and it's such a beautiful sky. Growing up my Gran used to say that when someone dies, their soul becomes a star that shines down on their family." I said, wrapping an arm around him.

"Your gran?" He asked. "Did I meet her?"

A sad smile grows on my lips. "No baby, she died a long time ago before even Kinsley was born."

"Oh. Do you think she'd have liked me?" He asked.

"She would have loved every single one of you." I said with a smile and rubbing his back.

He smiled. "I wish I could have met her." He sighed and buried his head in my shoulder, closing his eyes.

"I do too baby." I said softly.

A loud scream echoed around the back yard.

Oliver jumped, opening his eyes in panic. He gripped on to me. "Mommy." He whimpered, tears forming in his eyes.

I sat up, holding him close and searched the yard. My heart stopping when I see Camila holding Hazel in her arms.

"Mani, first aid kit and towels now." Camila commands as she moves over to the table and chairs.

Normani ran inside, coming back a few minutes later with the first aid kit. She handed it to Camila.

I tried to calm Oliver while trying to slow my racing heart. I'm not gonna lie, I did get a fright when Hazel screamed.

I managed to calm both Oliver and myself by the time Camila was done taking care of Hazel.

"Alright, let's call it a night." Camila said softly.

The older kids began helping get the younger kids inside while Camila passed Hazel to Normani and put out the fire.

I stood up, lifting Oliver into my arms. He was surprisingly still light enough to carry. I carried him inside, taking him to his room.

By the time all of the kids were changed and in bed, I was ready for some quiet time with the girls.

"Mmmm, just like that." I heard from mine and Camila's room.

Making my way inside; I find Dinah, Camila, and Normani laying on the bed and watching a movie.

I walked over to the bed and laid down beside them, curling up and resting my head on the pillow as I turned my attention to the television screen. I fixed my glasses on my face so I could see what was happening on the screen.

It looked like one of the characters was massaging another character's back.

"I really needed this." The brunette moaned out.

Smiling, the blue eyed blonde leaned down and kissed the brunette.

"Are we watching Season twenty of Criminal Minds?" I asked, shifting closer to Normani who was half awake with her head on Camila's stomach.

"Yes, now shh." Dinah said, keeping her eyes on the screen.

We watched the episode that was on until it was over, turns out the killer was the elementary school teacher and it was because of his horrible childhood.

"That was interesting." Camila said as she rubbed a now asleep Normani's back. "We should get some sleep."