Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Twelve: Forever?

"You want it all?" Collum asked as he turned the key. The car's engine died and there was silence. "Really? You want me? You...you want me in the kid's lives? Like...forever?"

Lauren couldn't help the sad smile. "I've never stopped wanting you."

Collum could hardly believe his ears. Lauren wanted him. "Do you think the kids...will want me? Like permanently. Is that what you mean? You want me...like permanently?"

Lauren nodded and took his hand in her. "Yes, Cee, yes. I think both of the children are as comfortable as they can be right now. And I think they're only going to grow stronger." She leaned more towards him. "And I want you. Permanently."

Collum huffed a noise somewhere between a sob and a laugh. "I never stopped loving you, Lauren."

Lauren smiled, a warm feeling spreading within her. "Never? There hasn't been anyone else?"

Collum smiled, sheepishly, and Lauren laughed outright. Then covered her mouth with her hand, glancing back at the sleeping children. "I mean." Collum said looking at Lauren. "There were no other girls after you." He said and Lauren smiled.

"I see." Lauren picked at her pants. "Was it serious?"

Collum shrugged one shoulder. "It was...I don't really know. It happened during both of our service and that was stressful. Keeping it secret. Hiding. He was nice and I feel bad I used him as a rebound."

"A rebound for me...or..." Lauren asked, enjoying herself immensely as Collum blushed.

"Yes. For you."

"Cee." She said and reached up and placed her hand in his hair. "I'm sorry."

He took her hand and held it to him. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have assumed you left to get rid of me."

Lauren sucked in a breath. "That's what you thought?"

Collum nodded. "I wasn't angry, my parents were horrible to you. I had to get out myself and if you had moved on then I could too. I wasn't going to make you miserable." He looked down. "And I left you with our child and no word. God. It burns me."

Lauren shook her head. "No, Cee. You left me with the best gift anyone could. And now you're back and you get too enjoy the most beautiful human with me."

Collum bit his lip. He hated crying, but that was leftover from his father he was sure. Showing emotion was always punishable. A tear fell down his cheek. "I can't believe this." He looked at Lauren and smiled at her. "I have dreamed about you for so long. About this. I don't know what I did to deserve my dream. You're giving me you, Maia, Mikey...everything."

"Everything you deserve and more." Lauren said and caressed his cheek. "Everything I deserve and more, too." She smiled and continued to rub her thumb soothingly on Collum's cheek as he tried and failed to stop crying. "And everything those two kids deserve."

Collum couldn't take it, he began to sob. Lauren placed her arms around him the best she could. She said soothing assurances to him over and over and he eventually calmed down. "I promise, Cee. You deserve this. You didn't leave me, and I didn't leave you. Life just got in the way...but it brought us back together. It brought us back, Cee."

Collum nodded and wiped his face off. "It did. So let's not miss it."

"We won't." Lauren said.